Last night I traveled to the Brooklyn Bowl for the Jamie McLean band’s CD release party for their latest EP, Sunday Morning. (A Sunday Morning review is forthcoming). I’ve seen Jamie and his band before and just love their music and their energy. For this night, Jamie invited Taylor Hicks, John Popper, DJ Logic and Jason Crosby to join him. The highlight of the night, for me, was this meeting of the harps during the song, “Fortunate Son.” I almost didn’t survive videoing this suck and blow off, but damn, what a way to go!

Being the opening act can be a thankless job. So often, people just don’t pay attention to them, or just tolerate them, anxious to get to the main event. It’s rare when an opening act really captures your attention. But if you’re really lucky, you’ll be exposed to something new and wonderful.

Last summer at the Highline Ballroom in NYC, the young man opening for Taylor Hicks captured my attention and that of the entire audience. He wasn’t just tolerated by the fans anxious for Taylor to take the stage, but embraced. Javier Colon, an acoustic soul singer from Connecticut, captured the audience with his strong, soulful voice and engaging presence. His version of Bill Wither’s “Use Me” from that night, is one of the best I’ve ever heard.

Javier is not new to the music scene, having been the lead singer with the Derek Trucks Band not long after graduating from the University of Hartford’s Hartt School of Music in 2000. In 2003, he was signed by Capitol Records and released his first album, Javier. His first single, “Crazy”, debuted at #95 on Billboard Hot 100 in 2003, and reached #42 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs list. He released another major label album in 2006 which didn’t produce any charting singles. He’s been an independent artist for the past few years.

Now Javier is taking on a new challenge – he’ll be a contestant on NBC’s new show “The Voice,” set to premier April 26 at 9pm. The contestants are competing for a $100,000 grand prize and a recording contract with a major label.

You can purchase his latest music at CDBaby:
http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/colonjavier

You can find out more about Javier here:
http://www.facebook.com/javiercolonmusic?sk=info
http://www.myspace.com/javiermyspace
http://www.youtube.com/javiersutube

So the North America tour came to an end. As much as I didn’t want to go home, here I am, lying in bed at 10:30am on a Thursday. Have I mentioned I’m STILL dreaming about work?

It all went by so fast, but at the same time, it felt like I had been on the road for way longer than I actually was. The final day wasn’t bittersweet for me, it was just sad. I didn’t want to go home. I didn’t want to have to sit around, with too much time on my hands, and call 50 different people to find work. And most of all, I didn’t want to say goodbye to the coolest bunch of guys I’ve ever come to know.

I think the easiest way to sum up this whole thing would be this…
On the bus ride home, we had crossed the border and were already near The Backline Company in Toronto. Robin, our FOH Sound guy, turned to me and said, “So, you excited to be back home” and I looked at him, and without skipping a beat said “Nope. I could keep going”

Here are some photos…

I am backstage at RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL in the beautiful New York City. It has been the earliest wake up call I’ve had so far. (Well, except for when I had to get Kevin on the train to San Diego, but that doesn’t count.) I’ve been working since 8am and safe to say, I’m starting to feel it.

We had a day off in the city yesterday. I absolutely love this place. You can do nothing, and still have a great time. As always I took a walk through Central Park, and had some delicious street meat. I ate at Grays Papaya for the first time, which if you’ve never eaten there, DO IT. IT’S SO DELICIOUS. I caught a movie last night called “Get Low.” It’s not a huge blockbuster hit, so you probably haven’t heard about it, but I’ve got to say, it was great. Go see it. I dare you.

And then, like always, I ate at Roxy’s in Time Square. Most delicious cheesecake you will ever eat. And don’t try and argue with me on this one.

So Radio City. Here we are. One of the most well known venues in the world. This show is going to be incredible. I can’t wait. I’ve overheard the local crew talking about how they’ve been here for 24+, and they’re still working all day. That’s so incredible to me. It takes complete dedication to stick it out like that. That’s exactly what I want to be like. Working my ass off, just to work. Yea you’re going to be exhausted afterward, but so what. After all, you are doing what you love right?

The tour is coming to an end, and I can’t even believe I’m going to have to say goodbye to this band. They have been the most amazing group of guys to work with. They’re all so good to me, that I don’t even know what I’m going to say to them. I mean, they’ve given me…everything. How do you say goodbye to someone like that?

So it’s been a while since I’ve written anything, (I’ve been busy), let’s try and catch you up.

We’re finishing up our second week on tour and now that we’ve got all the kinks worked out, it seems to finally be going smoother. The band is opening up to me, and I to them, and that’s the way I like it.

I’ve gotten used to the 18 hour days, the 7 hour sleeps, followed by the 18 hour days. We’re in California now. It’s the longest run in one state that we’re doing. So far, I haven’t seen the attraction to this place. It’s cold. And coming from a Canadian that’s saying something! Seriously California, get it together, I am not impressed.

The other day we were playing at The Mountain Winery in…Sarasota? Yes that’s a question mark. Yes I’m not sure whether it was Sarasota. You come on tour for a few weeks, than you judge! Anyway, so there we are, 8am(ish) driving up to this winery. The road keeps getting steeper and more windy. Obviously no one clued in on the name, MOUNTAIN Winery, because I swear to God, we almost died that morning. Driving up this big ass mountain, in a tour bus, pulling a trailer, trying to make turns that are almost 90 degrees. Absolutely crazy. Deb, the tour manager, had her hand on the door the whole time, she said “I was waiting to jump off that bus if it started going over.” I kid you not. Anyways, long story short, we didn’t die and the show went well.

On a lighter note, Keith (guitar tech) bought this AWESOME hat for $10. He said, and I quote, “This is the kinda hat that makes me look like I’m shopping for Mexicans.” We named the hat the Cowbrero – half cowboy hat, half sombrero. Here it is . . .

So I’ve had the opportunity now to hang out with the band more. Especially Tyler and Kevin. I gotta say that this band is made up of some of the nicest, and funniest, guys you will ever meet. They’re absolutely great. I rode the train into San Diego from L.A. with Kevin this morning. The guy is just funny. He doesn’t say much, he just laughs. It’s hilarious. He’s like a kid, but in a good way.

Safe to say I’m having a great time, more stories coming soon! (I promise)

Televised Tune: On the Tube This Weekend via Hidden Track

(All times ET)

Monday, May 24

• Regis and Kelly: Bret Michaels [Syndicated - check listings]
• Prince: Purple Rain [Palladia 3PM]
• Def Leppard: Behind the Music Remastered [VH1 5PM]
• U2: At the BBC [Palladia 5PM]
• Jimmy Kimmel: Damian Marley w/Nas [ABC 12:05AM]

Tuesday, May 25

• Simon Cowell: Biography [BIO 9AM]
• Stone Temple Pilots: Live From Chicago 2010 [Palladia 10PM]
• David Letterman: The Black Keys [CBS 11:35PM]
• Jimmy Kimmel: Peter Frampton [ABC 12:05AM]
• Carson Daly: OK Go [NBC 1:35AM]

Wednesday, May 26

• Elvis Costello: Club Date [VH1 Classic 3PM]
• Hole: On the Record [Fuse 4:30PM]
• Duran Duran: Live at Wembley [VH1 Classic 4:30PM]
• Jimmy Buffett/Zac Brown Band: Crossroads [Palladia 9PM]
• David Letterman: John Prine and Yim Yames [CBS 11:35]

Thursday, May 27

• Robert Plant: Soundstage [Palladia 9AM]
• Tupac Shakur: Tupac Vs [Fuse 6PM]
• Janis Joplin: Biography [BIO 9PM]
• Film: The Harder They Come [Palladia 9PM]
• Craig Ferguson: Band of  Horses [CBS 12:35AM]

Televised Tune: On the Tube This Weekend via Hidden Track

(All times ET)

Monday, January 11

• Tina Turner: Live in  Holland [Palladia Noon]
• Woodstock: Three Days of Peace and Music [Palladia 2PM]
• Film: That Thing You Do [VH1 Classic 4PM]
• Green Day: Storytellers [Palladia 10PM]
• Kiss: Extreme Close Up [VH1 Classic 1:30AM]

Tuesday, January 12

• John Lennon: Sweet Toronto [Noon VH1 Classic]
• Classic Albums: Cream, Disraeli Gears [VH1 Classic 4PM]
• Rush: Box Set [VH1 Classic 5PM]
• AC/DC: Live from Circus Krone [Palladia 8PM]
• Pink Floyd: The Wall [Palladia 11PM]

Wednesday, January 13

• O.A.R.: From Madison Square Garden [Palladia 9AM]
• Classic Albums: Nirvana, Nevermind [VH1 Classic Noon]
• ZZ Top: Live from Texas [VH1 Classic 5:30PM]
• Steve Vai: Where the Wild Things Are [Palladia 4PM]
• Spectacle w/Elvis Costello: Lyle Lovett [Sundance 10PM]

Thursday,  January 14

• Tavis Smiley: Rosanne Cash [PBS Check Local Listings]
• David Letterman: The Low Anthem [CBS 11:35PM]
• George Lopez: Snoop Dogg [TBS Midnight]
• Craig Ferguson: Vampire Weekend [CBS 12:35AM]
• Carson Daly: Pete Yorn [NBC 1:35AM]

Televised Tune: On the Tube This Week via Hidden Track

(All times ET)

Monday, January 4

• Michael Jackson: Devotion [Fuse 5PM]
• Gnarls Barkley: Live at Roskilde 2008 [Palladia 5PM]
• Classic Albums: Queen, A Night at the Opera [VH1 Classic 7PM]
• Duran Duran: Behind the Music [Palladia 8PM]
• Paul McCartney: Live in St. Petersburg [VH1 Classic 10PM]

Tuesday, January 5

• Johnny Cash: Live at Montreaux 1994 [Ovation 1PM]
• Lou Reed: Live at Montreaux [Ovation 2PM]
• Film: La Bamba [Fuse 8PM]
• Gene Simmons: Biography [BIO 11PM]
• David Letterman: Vampire Weekend [CBS 11:35PM]

Wednesday, January 6

• Black Crowes: Unplugged [Palladia 9AM]
• Woodstock: Then and Now [VH1 Classic 1PM]
• John Lennon: The US vs. John Lennon [VH1 Classic 6PM]
• 50 Cent: On the Record [Fuse 9PM]
• Spectacle w/Elvis Costello: Mary-Louise Parker [Sundance 10PM]

Thursday, January 7

• Kiss: Kiss Symphony, Alive IV [VH1 Classic 11AM]
• Pink Floyd: Which Ones Pink? [VH1 Classic 6:30PM]
• Iron Maiden: Flight 666 [Palladia 9PM]
• Diana Krall: Live in Paris [Ovation 10PM]
• Queen: Live at Wembley [VH1 Classic 10PM]

The San Francisco Symphony and PBS (among others) have created a fun, educational website called Keeping Score. You can learn about music through interactive, multimedia presentations of Beethoven’s Eroica symphony, Stravinsky’s riot-inspiring Rite of Spring, Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 4, and the musical biography of American composer Aaron Copland. As a student of music, I can assure you that my classes would have been much more interesting and fun if these resources had been available!