Portsmouth gives me mixed feelings. It’s a town that feels a bit gloomy and foreign, a working class town....but it’s also the home to some of the nicest people I know....the Simmons family. When I started this tour, the Simmons were visiting my home back in Oregon (USA)  - traveling with my housemates to the mountains, feeding my dog special treats, sharing dry British humor and just having a grand ole time. By the time we arrived in Portsmouth, they had already flown back home which allowed me to see them for a brief visit and dinner. Holly and David are always loads of fun and I’m now on a mission to beat David at the game of squares.

I will miss them dearly. I originally met the Simmons in Portsmouth during a 2005 tour with Larry Norman, and we’ve stayed in touch ever since. See you guys soon....maybe for a wedding??

After arriving at the D-Day museum parking lot, B.F., Dan and I were swept off to the studio to record a new song that B.F. had written a few minutes prior. The studio was a small little hobble in the ground floor of an English house, owned by Jim Shaw, an old friend of our tour manager Todd. It’s always fun to record on the road not knowing what to expect. After fiddling with some electronic drums for a while, I asked Jim If he had any organic drums and he pulled out an old dusty extra deep snare drum. We ran through the song a couple times and then recorded a full take. B.F. took a little walk, so Dan overdubbed a cello part and I added some percussion.

After having a great time with the Simmons family I made my way into the venue with a few minutes to spare. B.F. was still at the studio finishing the mix and arrived to the stage two minutes before downbeat. The venue is about as drabby as the the local scenery, small and boxy, but provided the crowd with a close up

experience with B.F. and the band.

Today was Valentines Day and really miss Silver . . .