This particular gig is scheduled as a performance for State Department Embassy personnel as well as the military stationed here. It promises to be pretty fun not only because we're playing at the Hard Rock Warsaw, but we are expecting 200+ people at the show.
At the airport and we packed all our gear (minus John's snare which was left behind in Budapest) into two vans and first headed to our Embassy sponsored quarters - a nice 3 story home with all the amenities, then to a great restaurant near Warsaw's Old Town:
The area around the restaurant was beautiful:
Inside, we were greetted by a Warsaw duo:
and then by yet more folks from the embassy. Here is a pic of Thom and Julie at the restaurant:
Ben was practicing his usual diplomacy with a local staffer, Kasia:
while Thom was being taught some polish phrases with Agata, another local staffer:
By the way my Polish name is Jerzy, pronounced "yer sha".
and Ben distributed the Polish beer via a "beer tube"
And the food was great. Not a place for vegtarians here:
All good things must end, though and we eventually got back to our Warsaw "home" and crashed.
I'm typing this now at the Hard Rock as we just finished a 9:30am sound check (sleep deprivation is a common occurrence on these trips) and are enjoying lunch here. Thom is off to lunch with the Ambassador (a former mayor of Knoxville). When he returns we hope to get in a few nearby sights.
I plan to post a blog of the show later (maybe after we get to Brussels tomorrow as there is no internet service in our house).
We are all loving your comments. Please, please keep posting!
Jerry
6 comments:
Jerry, You all make NSAI's PROS-ON-THE-ROAD look pretty tame. Have you met any overseas/soldier songwriter's looking for songwriting "tips" yet?
(Thom, enjoyed sitting with you and 6 others at the NSAI symposium lunch last year where we shared a couple Jerry-stories and some insights on your last "entertain-the-troops" trip.)
Jerry, you do such a great job journalizing, pictures and all.
Everyone stay safe,
Carol
Boys, ya'll just come on home now. I think you've had enough fun. My envy has reached a critical point here. Jerry I sold your Titans playoff ticket. Bob I kissed your girlfriend at midnight New Years Eve. John I have your snare drum...... Wade ? You've had it bad enough hanging with those guys. i ain't got nothin' but love for ya'll ! Whiney Buppert
As I gripe about having to go back to school on Monday after our two week Christmas break, I keep catching myself with "what the hell am I complaining about?" How lucky am I to be able to be free in the first place and to have the opportunity to go back to school Monday? Following your blog, Jerry, is quite a reminder how fortunate we are. I know they probably won't see this but THANKS TROOPS! Anyway, we saw Georgia Middleman today at the Country Music Hall of Fame! I love her! I know I have seen Bob do many rounds with her at the Bluebird and Pucketts. Bob, you may not recognize my name, but you have seen me so many times I know that you would recognize my face. Always love hearing you too, Bob! So you all keep having a great time. Here's keeping crossed fingers that the Colts LOSE tonite!
So who snared the snare? I guess traveling with 35 pieces is tough. Just don't pull a Home Alone and leave the bass player behind.
I hope you're now where you can sleep in a warm bed and have plenty of hot water for a good, long shower. You deserve it. And judging from Jerry's photos, Warsaw looks fabulous--those street scenes are gorgeous. Guess you guys are no longer officially roughing it ... for the time being. Enjoy your morning and have a safe trip to Brussels--
P.S. Wait a minute. Wasn't it Todd's WIFE that Tim kissed at midnight on New Year's Eve?
How many gallons of government ice cream has Bob eaten so far?
Jerry, your and the bands visit to Warsaw was excellent and your large group of Embassy fans still talk about it today. I only wish we could have done more for all you did for us. Thanks and stay in touch. Barbie
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