A little inside info about me: I like wearing sunglasses. I like driving around with the top down on my convertible. I like to feel the sunshine on my skin. Due to my Hispanic background, I tan easily and never feel the need to put on tanning butter. (I know it's not good for me. Relax!) I was born, raised, and still live in Florida. It's known as The Sunshine State. I think you can see a pattern here. OK, now for today. Cold and wet. The cold doesn't bother me for one day: Christmas. After that, let's heat it up again. The rain doesn't bother me as long as I can stay in bed that day. If it's raining and I've got to do something outside the house, I'd rather it would stop. So why all this info? 'Cause I'm heading to England in 6 weeks. England, land of cold and wet. Go figure. At least I'll have my Fender Telecaster to keep me warm and dry. Oh, the things you do to feel that same rush you first experienced when you were sixteen. Rock and roll, baby. I'd stand drenched and frozen for the chance to play and sing. What can I say? I love it. Always have, always will. It's what I do. Nothing's changed since I was sixteen. Believe me, I appreciate that about my life. I really do. Take care. Later, Butch

Saturday's show with Eddy and Jeff went very well. We did about a 30 minute set (8 tunes). It was good to finally get a gig with the new line up under our belt. There were a few moments I really really felt good about. Moments I know will only get better as we continue to play together. All we need is time. Jeff really followed me in "Cautious Man" and " Six Feet". I realized quickly he's really good at that. He watches what's going on with the live show rather than putting his head down and losing himself in his drum work. It's important that he follows what I'm doing with the audience. It makes the live show so much better. I'm excited to see how this developes further as we do more gigs together. The break downs in those two songs were really effective. And in "Cautious Man", Chris comes over and sings a sweet harmony part over my vocal just before we kick it back in. It's awesome. He comes over and we share my mic. It's intimate and powerful. It's rock and roll, and I heard and felt a hugh rush from the crowd as we did that and then Woody and Eddy kicked it in hard. It was really well done. Again, it will only get better. Yeah, I was happy with our first gig. We need practice, but it was a very good and positive start. I can't wait for the UK. Take care. Later, Butch

A hectic Friday for sure. Tomorrow night I'll play my first gig with the new guys backing me. Chris is the only hold over. I'm excited to get this puppy officially off the ground. Tomorrow night will accomplish that, finally. It's been a long road. At times it was like, "how will I ever get there and get this done?" I guess I just kept keepin' on. Throwing in the towel was never ever an option. It helps to have good support, belief in you when the going gets rough. I'm lucky. Thanks BB. Your words of encouragement kept me focused. Tomorrow I take another step towards never saying die. It feels good. If you want something bad enough you can make it happen. Maybe not exactly as you had imagined, but be patient and get off your ass. Attitude is everything. You create your own reality. Mine will be on stage tomorrow night. Yeah, it feels good. Gonna keep it short today. Only 3 hours sleep last night as I had an acoustic gig. I'll report on the new line up Monday. Take care. Later, Butch

I wonder if the Taliban appreciate "the courtesy flush"? I mean, with that one answer, yea or nay, we would learn so much. Being it is a general belief by most that they are a bunch of crazed murderous lowlife scumbags, I bet they've never even heard of "the courtesy flush". There is nothing more universally human than that of "the courtesy flush". Not only does a sensible man appreciate a fellow human being
giving one, but he realizes it is also his duty to reciprocate, his responsibility as a member of the human race (the ONLY civilized life on this planet. I mean, damn, dogs don't give "the courtesy flush". Hell, they don't even flush. Cats cover up so maybe that's a feline version). A responsible member of our world will think of his fellow man and give one in return when the moment calls for such. We've all been there. We KNOW when we are called to give "the courtesy flush". Taliban? Nah, no way. Those bastards don't believe in "the courtesy flush'. I'm convinced of that. The whole idea to even ask was absurd (or should I say abturd). I bet they don't even cover up! I think Toby Keith should cover this subject up in a song. I would but I'm not country enough. I'm as country as a Dixie Chick. Maybe Lee Greenwood. Still, whether you're country or not, "the courtesy flush" is a given. We are one when it comes to "the courtesy flush", and for that I am thankful. Take care. Later, Butch

Ear fatigue. God, I hate it. Last night I did a bit of recording with Jay in his home studio. On the way home I realized that ugly friend of mine from every recording session I've ever done was back. (No, not Corky! He hasn't been in every recording session, and besides, he's beautiful.) Ear fatigue is more than just your ears being worn out by listening to something over and over and over. A big part of it, for me, is the mental fatigue of figuring out what I'm hearing after hearing it so many times. And it doesn't have to do with excessive volume either. It's draining. I'm lucky enough to know it requires patience. On the way home you listen to it a few more times with the realization that no concrete decisions will be made, rather you will have a return listen in a few days, once your ears and brain have had a chance to forget it. And you only do that once a project is near conclusion. If you're just beginning, or smack in the middle, why even take anything home to listen to? All that will happen is you will listen to something that once completed, will sound totally different, you will freak out and think you're getting nowhere, and you will drive your engineer (the guy who actually turns the knobs) crazy. Patience and maturity, that's what's required, but it's so hard NOT to want to listen right away. Just another frustration in the life of a working musician, but in the end, so worth it. Once your song is completed, it's here forever. It will out live you. Even if it's crap, your kids' kids will listen to grandpa's crap. That's what art does. And that is what makes living through ear fatigue worth it. Take care. Later, Butch

Ear fatigue. God, I hate it. Last night I did a bit of recording with Jay in his home studio. On the way home I realized that ugly friend of mine from every recording session I've ever done was back. (No, not Corky! He hasn't been in every recording session, and besides, he's beautiful.) Ear fatigue is more than just your ears being worn out by listening to something over and over and over. A big part of it, for me, is the mental fatigue of figuring out what I'm hearing after hearing it so many times. And it doesn't have to do with excessive volume either. It's draining. I'm lucky enough to know it requires patience. On the way home you listen to it a few more times with the realization that no concrete decisions will be made, rather you will have a return listen in a few days, once your ears and brain have had a chance to forget it. And you only do that once a project is near conclusion. If you're just beginning, or smack in the middle, why even take anything home to listen to? All that will happen is you will listen to something that once completed, will sound totally different, you will freak out and think you're getting nowhere, and you will drive your engineer (the guy who actually turns the knobs) crazy. Patience and maturity, that's what's required, but it's so hard NOT to want to listen right away. Just another frustration in the life of a working musician, but in the end, so worth it. Once your song is completed, it's here forever. It will out live you. Even if it's crap, your kids' kids will listen to grandpa's crap. That's what art does. And that is what makes living through ear fatigue worth it. Take care. Later, Butch

Who let the dogs out? Why does that matter? Unless, of course, the dogs that got out mauled someone. Wild beasts should not be left "out". Then, if there was a mauling, and only then, I'd want to know as well. That person (the one who let the dogs out) would have hell to pay. Seriously. Otherwise, who cares? Dogs don't want to be locked up. They want to run free. Infact, they were born free, free as the wind blows. I guess that one guy really really wants to know who let the dogs out, though. I mean, he keeps on asking over and over. He keeps "barking" who ,who, who, who ,who. Barking, ha. Yep, I got nothing today, not a damn thing. Sorry. The pool of ideas is done dried up. Thank goodness I got that English degree at The University of South Florida (GO BULLS!). I mean, I can BULLshit pretty well. But really, all seriousness aside, who did indeed let the dogs out? Take care. Later, Butch

"Yes, I admit, it's getting better, a little better all the time." So sang Liverpool native and Beatle bassist Paul McCartney. And as I prepare for my second visit, and second round of gigs in that fair city, I'm feeling the same way about my situation. And it's funny how things tie into each other. My ties to Liverpool are greater than I ever would have imagined. Band practice last night went very well. Chris is back on bass. Having him there, knowing the material so well, and he being such a good musician, is so so wonderful. He's really the key. His strong playing really holds things together, especially with a band that hasn't played together very long. I'm very confident having these guys behind me. I look forward to the next few months, and the UK of course. After Groovy Cool decided to do what they needed to do on a personal level, everything was up in the air. I was lucky to have a very strong manager. She never let me drag ass. She was supportive but firm. If I wanted to continue this journey, there was no time for sulking. There was much to do. I realize I could never have done this without her. Not just the leg work, but the attitude. She's worked so hard these past few months. And now I can see it's going to work out. Her attitude of never say die is contagious. She's from Liverpool. The football team's motto (we call it soccer over here) is "You'll never walk alone." Ah, Liverpool. Yep, it's getting better all the time. Take care. Later, Butch

Last night I said good bye to T.P. A good book will do that. Let me explain. Last night I finished reading a great book, "Conversations with Tom Petty". It's a series of interviews done over a year and a half, then compilied chronologically into two parts: Petty's life and music, album by album. If you're a Petty fan, a musician/songwriter, or both, it's heaven. It was like hangin' with T.P. 'cause it was all in his own words. I felt like he was sitting across the living room from me, telling me his life story, and explaining what went into his thought process in writing all those great songs I love and have played myself many many times. It was an amazing read, a killer experience. And so now I'm sad. I'm gonna miss T.P., and "our" conversations. A good book'll do that. It's better than television kids. Honest. Have a great weekend. I will. Jammin' with the guys on Sunday. I'm really looking forward to that. Playing in a band still really gets me goin'.Take care. Later, Butch

Flying. Maybe if I was in control, like Superman is of his flying, I'd be okay with it. It's not that I'm scared to fly, although I am realizing as I get older my anxiety is getting worse, it's just I don't understand the physics of it. How in the hell do they keep that heavy ass piece of steel up in the air for so long? How can they get it to go so fast without it coming apart at the seams? Then, how can they slow it down just right to get it to land so smoothly? Is it really that smooth? Probably violent as hell, scientifically speaking. So many questions, so few answers. Maybe I should take flying leasons so I could understand all this and feel better about it...nah, I'll just medicate myself, pass out, and wake up once I'm where I'm flying to. Also, I feel like crap when I'm flying. My ears and stomach are like, "this sucks, we don't like this." And so, with all this being said, today THE MANAGEMENT will obtain the airline tickets that will get me and my band across the pond in 8 weeks. DON'T FORGET THE DRUGS! Pleeeaassseee!!! Take care. Later, Butch

Yesterday afternoon I stopped by to see my manager. We needed to discuss some business, and I needed to check out some artwork for new t-shirts that are being ordered. Anyway, over a nice cup of "afternoon" tea (my manager is British. She takes her tea very seriously), we got into a most interesting discussion concerning The Beatles and their popularity. She's from their hometown of Liverpool, so she's got a different vantage point than me. We both agreed, while the songs are really good, at times great (Lennon and McCartney were two of the greatest songwriters of our time), there are some real "simple" tunes there ("Love Me Do", "Penny Lane", etc.). Why such an incredible craze? Why such devotion? I mean, there have been songwriters who are that good as well. Why are The Beatles put so high on the pedestal? Why did they affect our culture so much? Where they at the right time and place? She felt, from a British stand point, that it was very important that they were from working class Liverpool. In the UK that meant something. As the craze picked up over there, it all led to the craze here in the States, which then took it world wide. Interesting. Same with Elvis, I interjected. We never really finished our discussion, though I'm not sure we ever really could. Perhaps we shall continue it someday over another cup of tea. Take care. Later, Butch

I watched a special on the History Channel last night on Lincoln. Wow, that cat had it tough. Besides being a tall dude in an era of shorter people, and sticking out like a freak, his wife was wack, death in his family was constant, and he felt great amounts of guilt over the 600,000 deaths in the Civil War. Heavy stuff. Then, when he finally gets through all that and feels like life is good again (he wanted to go West and finally see Cali), Booth caps him. Damn. And what was the deal with that tall hat? If you're already taller than everybody else and you stick out like a freak, why add another 6 inches to yourself by wearing that tall hat? Poor dude. I don't get it. That cat was a bit mixed up. And yet he had a vision. Busted his butt to make it happen. Way to go Abe. You the man. As it says in D.C. in his Memorial, he truely belongs "to the ages". The History Channel, good stuff. Take care. Later, Butch

Road trips. It's part of life when you're in a working band. I was figuring out mileage for 2005 for tax purposes (write offs, baby!), and came up with some interesting numbers. Total travel as a band in 2005 (land, air, sea... naw, we never got on a boat, thank God) was a bit over 18,000 miles. Air travel was around 10,000 miles (remember the UK? About to do that one all over again). Road work in the States (in the van with Dashboard Jesus) was just over 5,000 miles. Locally, we all did over 3,000 miles or so individually getting to our gigs. No wonder we were exhausted at times. This year we did about 80+ gigs. Yeah, we were busy. I'd imagine 2006 will be just as busy for me but in a different sort of way sometimes. More solo acoustic gigs, and some promo/radio type stuff. Gotta get the word and the name out there, you know? Anyway, have a safe and restful MLK Day. Remember the man who put it all on the line for equality for EVERYONE, and ultimately gave his life. He was amazing. We should all have such courage and personal conviction. He had a purpose, may we all find ours. See you on Tuesday. Take care. Later, Butch

A little insight for all the non musicians out there: being in a band is not all fantasy, fun, and games. Sure, the times you're on stage making the music is mostly heaven, but everything else pretty much mimics the harsh realities of every day life. Long days, little sleep, and lots of bullshit in between. My accountant's office called yesterday. Time to start getting everything in order for taxes. As if any real money was made! Ah, I guess it's all what you make it. Two good notes. First, the band has been rounded out for the UK (only 8 weeks from today!). I think I got all the right players to make it happen, finally. More to follow. On an even better note, Chris became a father yesterday. A beautiful boy (I mean the baby, not Chris. He's a beautiful man) came into the world, and both mom and baby are fine. What a wonderful thing. Life is precious. Take care. Later, Butch

Tomorrow night I begin doing something very familar, but in a new way. Playing acoustic solo gigs is nothing new for me. I've done it many many times. Playing acoustic "original" solo gigs has only happened a few times. I'm looking forward to it. The few times I've been able to do it were very rewarding, especially from a songwriter's point of view. Your songs really get to breath and be heard. They're naked. No drums or lead riffs hangin' out with them, just the songs. Melody and chords, that's it. It's a different experience than playing with a band. Where everything seems to fly by with a band, notes and chords racing past you, acoustic solo, for me, seems to really slow down and embrace each chord. I enjoy it on a different level. I think it's the wave of my future. I think I'll be called to do more original solo gigs than I'd ever imagined. Just me, my guitar, and an ocasional harmonica. I'm figuring that with a back up band, their availability won't be that of a "band". Also, being solo allows for that solo acoustic performance to be booked. It's a new experience in an old suit, and I'm dressed and ready to go. Take care. Later, Butch

For those who have spent any time with me, you know I have a bit of a wacky sense of humor. If you've ever wondered why, here it is: my mom has been staying with me while she waits for an opening at her building. She was living with my brother in Texas but decided to come back to Florida. Zany isn't the word. Yesterday I had the pleasure of hearing about her dream the night before. She was telling me how her big toe on her right foot was killing her. The reason was that while she was dreaming, she kicked the foot board of her bed. As she explained it, in the dream she was walking around a mall in her nightgown. She had just showered and was bra-less. Suddenly, a "dirty old man" tried to cop a feel, grab a boob, so she proceeded to shoe him in the nuts, kicking, in reality, the foot board, and therefore ,waking up at the pain in her big toe. Wacky. I asked her if she landed the kick before waking up. "Oh, yes", she smiled, "I got that son of a bitch." My mom is the best. Take care. Later, Butch

Well, now that the Buccaneers are out of it, my sports interests turn back to baseball. Just a few minutes ago I purchased Spring Training tickets. I've got this real bond with baseball. Not because I was all that good at it (I held my own as a kid, even making the All-Star team one year but then again, I was 12!) but because I just love the flow of the game. It relaxes me as it excites me, if that makes sense. Of course I've always known my love for baseball is rooted much deeper than the game itself. Baseball always brings me back to my father. He loves it more than I do, if that's possible. He not only instilled the beauty of the game in me, he shared it with me. It became our thing. You know how teenage boys become rebelious and clash with their fathers at that certain age? Well,I grew my hair out and learned to play guitar, and eventhough I know my dad couldn't quite understand, we still discussed the box scores every morning. I remember my dad waking me up one morning at 6:30 before he took off to work. I was in college. I'd had a gig the night before and got home around 3 AM. He woke me up to tell me the Dodgers had lost overnight on the West Coast, and so the Braves, who had won earlier that night (which I knew from checking out the score on TV during my set break at the gig) had gained ground in the National League West. It was 1982. I was 17 years old. As I burped beer from a few hours back, I asked details on the Dodger pitching staff. Had San Diego beat Hershiser? Yeah, baseball and my dad, forever linked in my heart. Now, as I discuss the upcoming season with my 11 year old son, I can't wait to make that Summer trek to the ball park (even if it is in a dome) with my dad and son at my side. Three generations held together by two common interests: the love of baseball and each other. Play ball. Take care. Later, Butch

It's been a very hectic morning, as it's been a very draining week. But alas, Friday is here! I will keep it short and light. This is a little poem my oldest brother Bob taught me when I was in high school. I've never forgotten it. Sometimes I'll say it on stage in the middle break of a song if the mood is playful. I know it's been a favorite of both Chris and Jay. I leave you with this, have a safe and restful weekend. See you on Monday. (By the way, this came to mind 'cause it's getting cold out, 40's! I know you Northerners are like, "gimme a break", but hey, I'm a Florida boy.)

When the weather's hot and sticky
It's no time for dunkin' dickie
But when the frost is on the pumpkin
Then it's time for dickie dunkin'!

Figure it out. Have a great weekend. Take care. Later, Butch

Some days are diamonds, some days are rocks. Yep, I'm quoting Tom Petty again. Been reading a very interesting book on him. Today I'm mentally beat. Don't feel like waxing poetic today. Like I said, my mind is run down. The past few weeks have been a brain bowl of thought. So much has been going on, so many changes, so many things to work on and plan. Today I'd like to take somewhat of a break though I know I can't shut it off entirely. Today is a bit of a rock. Not that it's awful, but I'm just tired (though not really in a physical sense). Not bad, bad, bad, but I'm certainly not at the jewelers. Ah, it happens. I'll rest up my brain and come back tomorrow. I just need a mental reprieve. I'm not sure why although I do realize quite a bit is going on right now. I'll be easy on myself (as we all should be from time to time) and live to fight another day. Take care. Later, Butch

The plan is starting to come together. Though I know there will be road blocks, I can see that there is a real possibility of my plan coming to fruition. I must say I never doubted the plan, it's just that I've sat around through the holidays waiting for it to kick in. TP was right, the waiting IS the hardest part. It's good to finally get it going. It's nowhere near complete, infact, far from it, BUT the seeds have been planted, and the tree is starting to grow. Rehersals should begin next week. That feels good, real good. When you lose your entire band (and I understand their points entirely. I mean, these guys are like my brothers. I love them, and because of that, I respect their decisions) seemingly overnight, you're left numb, then fearful that you won't be able to go on, you won't be able to keep doing what you love to do, that which is a big part of who you are. After you pick yourself up from that, you start thinking. Luckily, I've been able to really focus. The plan just revealed itself to me so clearly. I'm realistic in that I know there will be major road blocks, many things to think upon and overcome, lots of long and hard work ahead. Bring it on. I'm ready to keep this puppy movin'. Keep on keepin' on. If in the end the road blocks are too huge, I'll regroup and plan again. Nothing is ever over until one decides it is, and I ain't coming to that conclusion. Petty also sang, " It's time to move on, time to get going, what lies ahead I have no way of knowing, but under my feet, baby, the grass is growing, yeah, it's time to move on, time to get going." I understand his words so well. Take care. Later, Butch

The first blog of 2006. This year will be challenging. I'm staying positive, and thinking very clearly. The past few days have been good. I spent them driving. Started in Kansas, ended up back home in Florida. That's alot of road in between. I thought and thought and thought. Everything seems clear to me, no panic. I know what I must do, and I have a plan. My thinking is so clear I even completed that Cracker Barrel golf tee triangle game twice (and I only played it twice!). It seems I'm more solo than I thought. With Jay leaving the band, I think everybody really thought things over. The end result: Rob and Chris don't want to go to England. Chris has a baby coming in a week. I understand. The thing is, I still want to go. Infact, I think I need to go. To cancel now and lose those contacts would suck. I didn't panic at their news. I took a deep breath and came up with a plan. Let's just say I will be doing quite a bit of rehearsing the next few months. But you know, I'm okay with that. I'm ready to tackle this beast. I wouldn't be happy not doing my UK thing because others didn't or couldn't come along for the ride. I understand their points, just as I understand mine. I won't back down. Take care. Later, Butch