Sunday, February 28, 2010

From Boston to Vineyard Haven to D.C. to Richmond to Philadelphia to Manhattan to Brooklyn and, this afternoon, back to Boston--without a tour vehicle. Our mission of making it to all of our east coast shows is accomplished.

Both the Philly house show--for my friend Troy's 40th birthday party--and the Brooklyn bar gig were successes, more or less.

Tomorrow Nima and I will search for a dependable and affordable station wagon, so that we can journey south.

Some days I feel like we're a couple of modern-day hobbits in search of a magic dragon turd.

Friday, February 26, 2010

Our Virginia show at The Camel was a bust. On the bright side, we made it there.

Nima and I are now lookin' to catch a bus to Philadelphia for tonight's party. We head to the Bar 4 in Brooklyn tomorrow, into the big snowstorm.

Hardcore troubadourin'.

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Super fun D.C. show last night at the Velvet Lounge. Today is an off day. Tomorrow Hana's father, Walid, and his girlfriend, Terrie, will drive Nima and me to and from our Richmond show at The Camel.

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

"Goodness Godness Agnes," as Gramps sometimes says. It's been quite a couple of days.

Nima and I more or less hitchhiked 700 miles in the last two days. Yesterday our friend Elsa drove us from Boston to Falmouth, where we caught the ferry to Martha's Vineyard for a show. This morning a gal named Treather drove us from Vineyard Haven to Boston, where we restocked our merchandise. And tonight Jeff and Senayit drove us from Boston to Washington, DC, for tomorrow's show at the Velvet Lounge.

Now we need rides to Richmond on Thursday, Philadelphia on Friday, Brooklyn on Saturday, and then back to Boston, where we'll attempt to purchase a new tour vehicle and head to Florida!

The Che's Lounge show on the island of Martha's Vineyard was pleasant. Afterwards, Nima and I stayed at my friend Gretchen Baer's parents' place. Gene and Jackie Baer are both artists. Gene, who is also a terrific writer and piano man, gave us an epic tour of their house and its wonders. Someone, someday, ought to make a Baer family documentary.

Remember to check Nima's blog: http://poetofthewastes.blogspot.com/. (Scroll down on his page for pics of the Che's Lounge show.)

Sunday, February 21, 2010

Tonight, from Martha's Vineyard at Che's Lounge--Sandman & Samimi!

When I say Martha, I ain't talkin' 'bout Coakley
Who lacked the chipotle to get enough votes, see
I don't mean Martha Stewart nor Nancy Pelosi
I'm talkin' 'bout the Vineyard, y'all rock like Lynnrd Skynrd
My name's Sandman and even though Che's dead
There's a riot goin' on from Nantucket to Gay Head
We'll be loungin' at Che's Lounge, cold chillin' like K-Fed
Stupid as Scott Brown, but sexier nay-ked


Time to catch the ferry....

Saturday, February 20, 2010

If you want to get better, or at least more expansive, tour updates than I've been offering, I recommend that you bookmark my tour companion Nima Samimi's blog:


He posts pics and videos on there, too.

I've known Mr. Samimi for about ten years now, and he's become one of my very best pals. He's never been on a music tour before, so it's been refreshing to get to view each show through his eyes.

Nima proposed joining me on a tour a few years back. It took until this winter for him to finally save enough cash to afford time off from his job as groundskeeper at the Arnold Arboretum (owned by Harvard University). In a very loose sense, Nima's like a real-life Will Hunting. Wicked smaht!

I should add that ladies love Samimi. He's a class act, though, and chooses not to break more hearts than necessary. Another one of Nima's virtues is that he has a healthy perspective on rock & roll. We exercise each morning, steer clear of alcohol and junk food, and strive to get enough rest. Thanks to him, this could be a first for me to arrive home in better shape than when I began.
Nima's pickup is rusting away. Long story, but we now must suddenly find a new tour vehicle.

Our last two shows were the best ones yet. We're loosening up.

Sunday, February 14, 2010

Marhaba Habibti,

You are my Damascus Rose.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Say hi to your Grandma for me . . .

Kulu hub,
Yr man, Sand

Friday, February 12, 2010

Mercy sakes, good buddies! I've been swallowed by the green monster of Boston.

Life is good, though.

Thursday, February 11, 2010


Here's a clip from last Sunday's Radio8Ball gig in Seattle. I sang "Trucker Song" for the first time. My performance is a little sloppy; you'll notice Andras holding the lyrics for me to read.

Tuesday, February 09, 2010

I touched down in Bean Town at sundown. Jet Blue is my favorite airplane, I think. Lots of snacks, t.v. channels, and leg room. I slept great.

Hana finally made it out of snowy DC and is in Syria now. I'm happy she's safely with her dear grandma. I miss her already.

Saturday, February 06, 2010

A reminder about my show in Seattle tomorrow:

Feb. 7 - Seattle, WA. The Radio8Ball Show @ Theater Off Jackson (409 7th Ave S.) with Barry Sobel and/or Jake Kotze with opening comedy by Nicole Lucas. 7 p.m. $20 at door or $10 in advance.

A Radio8Ball show is always a unique and, in my opinion, wonderful experience. It has elements of a game show with much audience participation. There's a spinning wheel and space-age technology involved. You'll see.

Rumor has it that during the show a clip from the new Sandman documentary, Roll Out, Cowboy, will be shown on the theater's screen. I'm nervous to find out which clip Director Elizabeth Lawrence chooses! Follow the film on Twitter.

Doors open at 6:30 and the show starts promptly at 7, so don't be late. To get the half-price rate go here: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/97436
. It's cheap and easy.

Friday, February 05, 2010

Feels like spring in Olympia.

The Olympic Mountain Range can be seen crisp on the horizon. Croci and rhododendrons are poppin'. Meanwhile, in the nation's capitol, where my girlfriend Hana is this week, they are preparing for the heaviest one-day snowfall in nearly 90 years.

Hana meant to fly to Syria today, but will wait. It's snowing in Damascus, too, she tells me.

Thursday, February 04, 2010

The Anacortes show went well, although I had to sweat and struggle through a couple new songs. The audience was sweet and supportive (sold $150 in merch!). Staying with the Lunsfords at their goat farm was nourishing, as always, as was a spirited political discussion with Phil, Genvieve, and Jason during breakfast in town.

Wednesday, February 03, 2010

Tonight!!
  • Who: Sandman the Rappin' Cowboy
  • What: Spontaneous music show
  • Where: Anacortes, WA
  • Time: 8 p.m., Wednesday, February 3rd, 2010
  • Location: Croatian Club, 1202 7th Street
  • Why: To work out the kinks
  • How much: Free

Tuesday, February 02, 2010


Glen Hutcheson drew this tour poster for my upcoming U.S. adventure with Nima Samimi. Can you dig it?