What happens when your friends a travel agent? You get a extra trip for free!!!! Thanks Ashley!!!!

K first off to everyone sorry I havent sent out any blogs yet but I finally found a keyboard thats not french that I can use without pulling my hair out. Second, the place I'm at doesnt let you load up pics so I will load them up at my next juncture.

Free Trip You Say? Yes 4 nights of Umphreys McGee at the Barrymore

Mom, Dad sorry I didn't tell you about this but I knew you wouldn't approve but how could I say no when the flights cost me nothing?

Feb 12th 2009:

Got up at 4:50am in Vancouver at Alex's and got a cab to the airport. Took a 7:15am flight to Denver, CO where I spent 5hrs in the airport throwing up and feeling like I got hit by a bus (flying and I dont mix). From Denver took a flight to Madison, WI and landed with only 50mins till Umphreys took the stage (of course I'm freaking out at the possibliy of missing the beginning of the show). Grabbed a cab checked into my hotel/motel while the cab waited for me then raced to the first night of Epicness! Got there at 7:50(has to be a record!) Got my tickets at will-call and entered the building with the biggest smile on my face. It should also be said (Vizvary I'm sorry but this is true) that while in line to get my tickets I said to some of my fellow concert goers "Tonight we will be getting either Joshua Redman or Jeff Coffin as a guest... I can feel it" Of course the people around me laughed at this ... but I would be the one laughing in 50mins.

Night 1: 3rd row, Brendans Side (Stage right for you non-umphreys people)

Set One
Slacker > Ringo > Slacker, Atmosfarag* -> Thin Air, Plunger, Made to Measure^ > It's About That Time^

Set Two
The Bottom Half, End of the Road, Red Tape > "Jimmy Stewart" > Red Tape, Alex's House**, The Crooked One* > Believe the Lie

Encore
Soul Food I$ > Soul Food II > Morning Song

Notes
* unfinished
^ with Jeff Coffin on saxophone
** with The Triple Wide and Eleanor Rigby teases
$ with Soul Food II intro and teases

What a great start to the weekend "Slacker" I almost jumped out of my shoes when they started it. It was the last umphreys song I listend to on my way to the show :) Sure enough Jeff Coffin came out and blew my pants off!!! Great start to the weekend. At the show I meet two really cool Frat guys (yeah I know theres not many of them but these guys where great!) and after the show they took me back to there Frat house for some drinks. Some how ended up staying there till 4:30am how I did it I still don't know. But it was a nice start to my travels.

Feb 13th 2009:

Not much to say about my day. Spent it hanging around my hotel sleeping and watching my last bit of english TV.

Night 2: 1st Row, In between Joel and Jake (Stage Left for you non-umphreys people)

Set One
The Haunt > Hajimemashite, Prowler > 2nd Self, Water, Liquid > Words, 1348

Set Two
Blue Echo > Living On a Farm* > Blue Echo > Example 1** -> Memphis Underground^, Turn & Run, Billie Jean -> #Hurt Bird Bath

Encore
2x2

Notes
* first time played, Ali Baba's Tahini; two verses
** unfinished
^ with Jen Hartswick on trumpet and Kevin Sinclair on saxophone
# with Believe the Lie intro

This show was all in all the best show of the weekend. 3 songs that I wanted to hear live but hadnt yet showed up (The Haunt, 2nd Self, and Blue Echo. This doenst count the new album) As well as some horny guests if you get my drift. Fallowed by Michael Jackson's "Billie Jean" which made everyone in the house dance till there knees hurt ---> an epic "Hurt Bird Bath". I also have to note that the boys played "1348" perfectly! And I was worried that the new songs would have to get the kincks out... how wrong i was. After the show grabbed a cab(this was a nightmere all weekend) with this really drunk guy that was staying at a hotel near me... I had to laugh cuz he looked like me at the end of last years summer camp.. I believe on Gage's Facebook album there is a great pic of this. Dropped him off and headed back to the hotel for some much need sleep.

Feb 14th 2009:

Night 3: 1st Row, In between Joel and Jake (Stage Left for you non-umphreys people)

Set One
August*, Professor Wormbog, Syncopated Strangers > "Jimmy Stewart" > Syncopated Strangers, Sociable Jimmy** > Sweetness, Spires, All Things Ninja$

Set Two
All In Time, Out of Order > Gulf Stream, Mullet (Over), Search 4, Layla

Encore
Preamble > Mantis

Notes
* with Nothing Too Fancy tease
** with Xxplosive jam
$ with America the Beautiful bass jam along with Solfeggietto jam

At this show I met you great guys Andrew and Joe from WI. They hung with me the whole show and gave me a ride home after the show! This was for sure the 2nd best show ( but the 2nd set was without a doubt the best set of the Weekend not including the acoustic yet to come cause that doesnt count) Ninja was off the hook! All in Time was 30 mins long and to die for I would say that it was the best one I heard musically but it still doesn't bet the feeling for Summer Camp 07 when they played it and it stopped the rain and the clouds parted and let the sun come pouring in... a religous experiance. Out of Order one of my favourite songs made me cry. And the rest of the show well there no words you will just have to hear it. Ashley you sooner then the others.

Feb 14th 2009:

Andrew and Joe picked me up at 12:00pm and we went over to there buddys place and hung out sure bets hanging out aone in my hotel room. Looking forward to meeting back up with these guys with Scev at Phish this summer.

Night 4: 1st Row, In between Joel and Jake (Stage Left for you non-umphreys people)

Set One
Resolution > Great American, Rocker, Der Bluten Kat > Passing > Der Bluten Kat%, Visions of Parin, Wish You Were Here

Set Two
Bridgeless > Prophecy Now$ > Bridgeless, FF* > Cemetery Walk > Cemetery Walk II, Ocean Billy, JaJunk -> Hold On Loosely** > JaJunk

Encore
Honey Bunch$$, A Fifth of Beethoven

Notes
the first set featured Brendan and Jake on acoustic guitars; Jake on electric for Rocker
% with Believe the Lie jam
$ first time played, original; no lyrics
* with One Nation Under a Groove
** first time played, .38 Special
$$ first time played; original; Brendan on acoustic, Jake on keys, with Adam Budney on vocals

I was so happy that the boys pulled out an acoustic set. I was really hoping for a acoustic Divisions and Uncle Wally but I'm glad at what I got. And what I did get was Visions of Parin!!!! 17 shows and I finally heard it I was starting to think it would be my "mody dick" but they pulled it out ... now i have to hear it electric. Now I'm so sorry it wont coem with this email but I will get this out either thur this or facebook but during the crazy ending of Bridgeless (for those of you not into umphreys they sherred like crazy ... well jake did this in my face right in my face and i got it all on video. That was it for the first part of my trip the rest will have to wait cuz my time has run out... till then

A.J. signing out

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Part of trip: Europe Trip 09

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