Hey, everybody! If anybody would like to host a house concert for me, I'd appreciate it.  It's fun and easy. Here's a two-minute tutorial:

Cold chillin' with RUN-DMC in Jackson Hole, WY, last year.

Here's a great little article about tonight's show at The Roxy Theater in today's Missoula Independent by Kate Whittle!  Local stars such as Caroline Keys, Jeff Turman, Matt Tipton and rapper Tahj Kjelland will join me on stage.  It promises to be a rockin' affair. 

Hey kids!  Guess who'll soon be coming to town?  (Hint:  he sees you when you're sleeping and knows when you're awake.)  Yes, it's that creepy, old white dude they call San . . . dman the Rappin' Cowboy!

Indeed, I've got a big February-March tour in the works.  Stay tuned for details!

Also, this Thursday (12/18) at 9pm I'm having a farewell concert at The Roxy Theater:  Missoula's Community Cinema!  I've been employed at The Roxy for almost two years, so this is a big deal for me.  ROLL OUT, COWBOY, the award-winning, crowd-pleasing and, at times, cringe-inducing documentary about my "weird existence," will screen first at 7pm.

Details here:  http://www.theroxytheater.org/films/roll-out-cowboy-live-music-show/

Everything is changing in Sandland.  Everything.

I won't go into the gritty details, but many of my old songs are proving grimly prophetic.

For instance:

"Storage unit 209, that's where I store everything that's mine . . ."

There's a fine line between prophetic and pathetic, though, so I reckon I'll leave my paramnesiatic litany at that.

Here's a newer song with more immediate insights--"Hard Lessons."

Jeepers creepers, buddy, it's been nearly a year since my last blog post!

Here's the latest:

Country-music cousin Jonny Fritz, from Nashville, is in town for a week of gigs with myself, The Best Westerns, Caroline Keys and Jeff Turman.  We just returned from playing the Yaak Wilderness Festival--a five-hour drive north of Missoula.  2014 is the 50th anniversary of the Wilderness Act.  I dig the wretched wild-country and wish to preserve it infinitely. My song "Horse Graveyard" was a hit given it's commentary on the state of things.


After the Fest Jonny and I were invited to stay at the remote cabin of wilderness author Rick Bass.  Instead we opted to return south so we could float the Flathead River early the next day with Hana and our Olympia friends, Zena and Amy, who are passing through on the tail end of their honeymoon.

Jonny and I arrived at Grammy Deb's chicken farm at 2am and covertly crashed in her bunkhouse.  Eight hours later, after a hearty brunch, we all floated.  Jonny swims like a fish and runs like a wolf if you didn't know.  There's more to this story, but I'll leave it at that.

Stevie, by the way, is now two-and-a-half-years-old. I'll post a picture soon.

The rest of my week is filled with shows and adventure.  I've attached a winning poster made by my pal Matthew LaRubbio.  It lists upcoming tour stops.

Also:

Jonny Fritz interview in this week's Missoula Independent: http://missoulanews.bigskypress.com/missoula/real-mccoy/Content?oid=2063115

The Best Westerns gorgeous new LP: http://missoulanews.bigskypress.com/missoula/country-fix/Content?oid=2063110

I'm now out the door to take Jonny to a barbecue at Shooting Star Saddlery.

I've been pouring all of my creativity into The Roxy Theater during weekdays and into family life the rest of the time.  Music has been on the back burner, for sure.  Might stay this way a while and become a bona fide hiatus.

No problem, I tell myself.  I'd be in good company.

Wallace Stevens, at my age, took ten years off after publishing Harmonium.

Muhammad Ali, in his prime, took a three-year (forced) hiatus.  I just watched a doc about him last night called The Trials of Muhammad Ali--one of the best docs I've seen in a while.  We'll be showing it at The Roxy in September.

Courage.  Power.  Humor.  Patience.  Love.

What I'm trying to say is, tomorrow's show at Jefferson County Fair may be my last for a long time.

Main worries:

1.  What about all the new songs I've written that aren't recorded?  I'd record two new albums if I had the money and time.

2.  What about all the songs I've recorded that aren't released?  Many.

3.  What to do with all my merchandise?  People only buy my CDs, shirts, and pillow cases when I play live shows.

Goal:  Write a book of travel adventures.

Here's where I'll be all weekend:  http://redantspantsmusicfestival.com/chris-sand/.  My set is tomorrow at 6:15 sandwiched between Todd Snider and Robert Earl Keene.  On Sunday it's Merle Haggard.  Can't wait!

Nashville

Greetings from Music City, USA!  I'm on the ninth floor of the Hotel Preston, contemplating joining an open mic that's taking place downstairs.  I've grown to loathe open mics, but . . . I'm goin' down.  Maybe I can make a friend or two.

Two hours later:  I sang three songs to a rowdy crowd, then strolled outside to smell the sweet scents of southern summer.  With magnolias and fireflies and the near-full moon, Nashville is magic this time of year.

I'm here this weekend for the Nashville Songwriting & Music Business Conference.  My songs are getting heard and appreciated.  Amanda Williams, who runs the show with her partner Todd, is teaching us the business of song peddling.

I first met Amanda when I lived in Nashville in 1998-99. She's an excellent songwriter who has written hits for Garth Brooks and George Jones. Here's an R-rated song of hers that you might enjoy -- "Asstastic"!



****

I flew to Nashville a few days early, hoping to visit several friends who live here--Jack & Kitty Norton, Jonny Fritz, and, in particular, Camo Davi.  The former three are touring, so I've had lots of quality time with Camo. He lives next to the cooling waters of Percy Priest Lake--a real bonus on these 90+ degree F. days.

Camo was my first band member.  We started collaborating in 1995.  Three or four of my first CDs feature his harmonica, human beatbox, vocals, and more.  Here's an example: Until the End of Time.

Monday I fly to Seattle for the mother-and-child reunion.  We'll stay in Olympia for a week, then it's Missoula-bound and back to work. 

Stevie at St. Mary's Lake

My four-year transformation--from rappin' rural hermit to domesticated urbanite--is almost complete.  First came courtship, marriage, and daughter, along with a move from ND back to MT.  Then, six months ago, we moved into a four-bedroom house in the U District in Missoula.  All I needed was a job to pay the rent.

I can now report that I've been hired to work full-time at The Roxy Theater!  My coworkers and I are refashioning the space into an art house cinema.  More on that soon.

My life as a rambler is over for now. Such is fatherhood.  I still sing and play when I can, though.  A week ago I entertained a classroom of third graders at Hellgate Elementary.  Last night I played a campfire show at the beautiful Lazy Sousa Ranch.  Next week I fly to Nashville to attend The Nashville Songwriting & Music Business Conference.

I was once a sheep in wolf's clothing. Now I'm just a sheep.  The adventure continues . . .

My new job is Coordinator for the 36th International Wildlife Film Festival.  Tonight is our opening night! I'm truly excited about the next eight days of panels, parties, parades, and, of course, wildlife films.

It's thrilling to be part of a great team that combines creativity and community building. Our office space is above the Roxy Theater on Missoula's hip strip.

Here's our festival trailer:
IWFF 2013 (Trailer) from Marshall Granger on Vimeo.

The only bummer is that this job is temporary.  Hopefully it will lead to something full-time.

Tomorrow night I'll be playing my first show in months, and I'm looking forward to it.  My favorite Missoula band, Butter, will be headlining.

Details here: http://tophatlounge.com/event/butter-395/

I started a new job two weeks ago.  I'll write more about that soon.

Tweet!

A few of my "tweets" from the last week:

Gather in the lunch room at noon; the issue is whether we take over the factory and move to a worker-owned society or not. Please attend.

Old-time post cards were the original and best tweets. Found: "Dear Son, it is supposed to get cold here and I am low on wood. Love, Dad"

Bangtail Boneyard Broomtail Buzzard Bait Cayuse Crowbait Fantail Hammerhead Hay Burner Man Killer Ringtail Gut Twister Choppin' Horse Nag

La tierra está lista para sembrar. Ahora, vamos a regar de asiento.

10 Ways to Make Money in the Country: 1) fish pond 2) apples 3) goats 4) meth 5) squash 6) fur 7) poultry 8) melons 9) corn 10) asparagus

The stars are Her eyes, the grass and trees are Her hair, and the rivers are Her bloodstream. She is the heartthrob behind all hearts. God.

Passed my drug test! Looks like I'm back to driving a truck... not long-haul and not a semi, though, fortunately. http://treasurestatetree.co 

Remembering my Grandpa Bob Sand this morning: swimmin in Wolf Creek, ridin horses, herdin sheep. No rules, no utilities, no fences. . . 1919

Consensus is such that the factory is now owned by us. Who will b the delegate 2 discuss w/ the other factories how we coordin8 production?

Follow me here: https://twitter.com/rappincowboy

Who knew parenting would take so much out of a blogger?  Anymore I feel lucky to post anything, even a baby picture on Facebook.

Life is going swimmingly, nevertheless.  Daily I move more and more away from my solitary habits and toward the big community.  Wife, daughter, town life, house, nine-to-five job, regular meals.  No traditional church yet, but something similar perhaps.

Pretty soon I'll be completely unrecognizable as the skinny, rappin', truck-driving, bug-spray sprayin' cowboy in the movie.

It's for the best.

What I ache to do is write the real story.  Something almost anyone could relate to.

And maybe, when I find sufficient time, I will.



"Don't start me talkin', I'll tell everything I know . . ."

Coincidentally, Hana and I bought a king-sized bed today.

Happy 1st Birthday, Stevie!

Happy 1st Birthday to my wonderful daughter, Stevie Angela Kasm Sand!

Pre-party swimming at Currents.

She LOVES her birthday drum from Deb!

Thanks Deb Tomas for the decadent chocolate cake. Also in attendance, besides me, Hana, & Deb, were friends Evie and Joyce.

Moonshine & Dirt Weed!

Emails like this one are a good cure for the January blues.

"Hey Chris, AKA Sandman, AKA Rappin' Cowboy,  

Good to see you are still making music. I saw you perform back in the day at the Voodoo Room in Astoria OR. You had everyone in stitches--even a table full o' Republicans. Good times for all. 

Have you ever been to Johnson City, TN? Would you be interested in stopping by sometime? We could easily provide space for a house show if you are up for it.  

So, if you get an itchin' for some moonshine, hillbilly dirt weed, Bluegrass, and BBQ drop us a line or give a shout 423.xxx.xxxx!  

Best Regards,  

-J"

In the irreverent words of Woody Guthrie, "so long, it's been good to know ya"!



12/20/12 yo, 12/20/12 yo

We're gonna party like it's 12/20/12, yo

We're gonna get down with anyone, every one!

We're gonna party like Prince at the millennium

O'Hare to Heathrow, here come the party people

Fresh from the clubs, and the cabs, and casinos

Coulter's in the sauna with Obama and Clooney

We got Shiites & Sunni's reading Rushdie & Rumi

We got C-Lo & Tebow, in the gazebo

Like Buddha & Christ breakin' bread like amigos

Talkin' politics, Taylor Swift, and the ego

And how last Spring when Lin hit that free-throw, ohhh!

12/20/12 yo, 12/20/12 yo

We're gonna party like it's 12/20/12, yo

Live for today & forget about tomorrow

Buy another round and drown all your sorrows

Red Solo cup, fill it up with some beer, bro

Is that Ben Stiller?  What the heck's on his earlobe?

Looks like lotion.  But it smells kinda queer though

Rub it in your hair.  Dude yr such a weirdo!

12/21 now, 12/21 now

Winter's done come and you ain't havin' any fun now

No sun, no moon, just gunpowder

End of the dream for the turtles and the sunflowers

So let's party like it's 12/20/12, yo

Let's party like it's 12/20/12, yo

When you wake up you'll be livin' in a hellhole

Next to the Devil, he'll be yellin' on your cell phone:

"Can you hear me now, can you hear me now?!

Can you hear me now, can you hear me now?!"

So let's party like it's 12/20/12, yo

So let's party like it's 12/20/12, yo

So let's party like it's 12/20/12, yo

Live for today and forget about tomorrow

Hana and I will be moving into our house soon! Packing and preparing this week.

Hana & I found a perfect fixer-upper house to buy in Missoula.  We now need to find $30,000 for part of the down-payment.  I may need to sell my infamous Dunn Center, ND, house (pictured)--the one featured in Roll Out, Cowboy.

I bought this house for $1,000 in 2005 before the oil boom.

It'd be nice to make some money by getting a song into major motion picture.  I had a tantalizing bite with my dirge "End of America," but it appears to have slipped the hook.

I've begun looking for local work in Missoula.  My long-distance, long-haul trucking days are winding down.  So are my troubadour jags.  I'm a family man now.  I need a job.

Excitement + heavy feelings.

Endorsed by Mom!

Russell Means  (1939-2012)

Two mornings ago as I rolled through Watertown, South Dakota, I noticed the flag at half-mast.  I'm assuming that was for the controversial George McGovern (from Mitchell, SD, who died Sunday) and not for the also controversial Russell Means (born in Pine Ridge, SD, who died a day later).  I salute them both.

Another Dakotan I've come to admire--this one alive and well--is a rancher named Ryan Taylor who's running for Governor of North Dakota this year.  He's a fan of mine, too, I've heard; he likes my music.  Good luck, Ryan!

Tomorrow I head back home to Hana and the baby in Missoula.

The Hilltop Heritage Foundation held their 24th Annual Steak Fry & Auction last night at Buckskin Dance Hall in Killdeer.  Larry Schnell did a great job of auctioneering.

After supper the auction began.  I bid on, and won, an "Obama Basket," which amounted to several blue-themed items stuffed in a hand-decorated box: Blue Nun Wine, Winterfresh gum, Berry Blue Jell-O, Gourmet Blueberry Licorice, Smucker's Blueberry Syrup, and a four-piece box of Donkey Truffles.  

In a crowd of 300--and only one other bidder for this item--raising the bid was my small effort to stand up for the President.  I ended up winning it for $35.  I'm pretty sure the red-themed "Nobama Basket" did better.  

I hit the road trucking today to Toronto and then back to Calgary.  I haven't seen Hana and Stevie for almost seven weeks.

Also: Happy 67th birthday today, Ma!

I've had the last week off from driving truck, so I've been working with Dad to get his and Mom's house insulated.

Last night I took a break and drove to Dunn Center to meet friends at the Ilo Bar for beer and pizza.  One of them was my buddy Max Haendler from Brooklyn, who is out here doing construction for a rancher from Marshall.  I hadn't been to the Ilo Bar since the "shrimp reception party" documented in Elizabeth Lawrence's Roll Out Cowboy, so I was glad to see that Sadie is still running the bar.  She has been since 1979, when I was a youth.

Instead of driving back to Killdeer Mountain last night, I stayed over at Grandma Edna's place in Killdeer.  In a few minutes we'll be heading to church.
-----------------------------------------

The new pastors.

Post-church update:  Grandma has been raving about the new pastors at St. John's Lutheran Church--John and Rachel Simonson--and now I see why.  Normally my experience at St. John's is one of trying hard to stay awake, but today I stayed alert.  Reverend Rachel held the service; she and her husband John take turns.  In her sermon she explored Matthew 19:24, which is where Jesus tells a rich young fellow to sell everything he owns and give it to the poor.  When the astonished man refuses, Jesus warns him that, ". . . it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." 

I'm pretty sure the congregation has tripled since the last year.  More young people, too.

Afterwards there was coffee, cookies, and talk of the warm weather.

I've been away from Hana and Stevie for the past month, so this video that my friend Amy Greene took of Stevie crawling yesterday truly warms my heart.

When I left Stevie could only slide backwards, which left her feeling frustrated. Now she looks ready to take on the world!

Much has changed since my last journal entry of ten days ago.  Instead of reuniting with my sweet family this week, Hana and I decided that I keep trucking with Goodall until the end of the month.  Alas, the wheat must be threshed.  The fish must be netted.  The diesel must be burned.

I'm currently in Minneapolis at a Ramada Inn, taking advantage of downtime between hauls to Toronto.  Today I caught the new Clint Eastwood flick, Trouble with the Curve, at Mall of America.  Arnold Schwarzenegger also happened to be at the Mall, signing books.  It was the second time I've accidentally run into Mr. Universe.  The first time was in 1997 at a stoplight in Venice Beach.  He was smoking a cigar and driving a convertible Mercedes Benz.

Last night I borrowed a guitar and played a spontaneous house show in St. Paul.  Thanks everybody who attended that, and thanks to Eric for the auspicious invite!

At 4 a.m.--two hours from now--the alarm goes off.  Then it's down to Renville to pick up tilapia and back to Toronto to deliver 'em.

Again . . . Midwest bound and then up to Calgary, AB.

Next week we might string back-to-back Toronto runs.  After we unload the second one I'll bail in Minneapolis or Chicago and fly to Seattle to meet up with Hana and Stevie.  Then we'll all drive east to get back to the West.

P.s. Happy autumn!  It's already colorful here in western North Dakota.  We need rain, though.

Stevie turns eight months old tomorrow.  She now has a couple teeth, eats food, weighs 20 lbs., and crawls backwards.  She can say "mama" and "dada," sort of.

At present I'm in North Dakota, on Killdeer Mountain, between trucking runs.  I've been helping Dad roof for the last two days.  I head off again tonight for 5,000 miles of driving, with runs to Toronto (tilapia) and Calgary (buffalo carp).  Next week might see a trip to Vancouver, BC (tilapia), and perhaps another one or two back to Toronto. 

As for music, there is lots to report, but little time.  In brief:

1. A song that I collaborated on with Giles O'Dell, Andras Jones, and Calvin Johnson made it onto an artful Kris Kristofferson compilation-2X-LP.

2. Regarding Calvin Johnson: A book about him and his record label, K Records, came out this year-- Love Rock Revolution: K Records and the Rise of Independent Music.  I get a brief mention in the last chapter.


3. I played seven fun West Coast shows earlier this month.

4. My brand-new CD, Horse Graveyard, has been well received and is selling steadily.

5. I've written enough songs this year to record another country record.  This one will be heavily influenced by my experiences driving truck and living back in Montana.

6. I'm jonesin' to write a book about my musical adventures.  I think it would be funny and a good read.

BRAND NEW MUSIC VIDEO!!!!!! - "WITH A BEARD"



I do a 50-second rap cameo (starting at 2:28) for this Tony Rogers jam to help raise awareness about men's prostate health. EXCELLENT special effects, please check it out and share! The project's goal is to eradicate prostate cancer.

It took a village to create the video, and I'm proud to have played a part. Special thanks to birthday boy John Nilles for directing my part, which we cranked out long-distance from Missoula. Great work, Lauren Loehr and team BEARD!!