well, here we go again folks. i must admit, this one has some extra baggage attached (not including the extra person, past trips were a quartet). going through home territory, getting a chance to visit friends and programs, taking a trailer along (now i know some of you think it might be a bit cushy for a challenge but let me remind you that it makes mobility tougher, increases the gas factor-- and let’s be frank <what instrument does he play?> did we ever think that filling the tank would be more than a room?) it also means the five of us are cramped into my pickup truck, so those who might want to accuse us of luxuriating while all of you are at home or on your summer vacation, I suggest you come along for a day or two…ha.

we go to the first going away party this afternoon, a chance to stuff our bellies’ and find out how many people  are glad to get rid of us, of course food and wine sort of tilts the whole quotient. we also do our first packing and unpacking dry run, for our route 66 trips this was done in Chicago, so this time if we jettison cargo we won’t have to pawn it. 

now would be a good time to introduce the cast of characters:

I’m Bruce Forman, leader of this aggravation called Cow Bop and founder of JazzMasters Workshop (JMW), the program we are supporting through this madness, tour narrator..oh yeah, I also play the guitar

PintoPammy is our vocalist, band aesthetic, and photojournalist

Mike McKinley is riding the drums (never seen him bucked off once!) he is also Regional Director for JMW, he runs four or five workshops a week

Gabe Noel is our bass player, a new recruit, fresh from USC where he is still in school, awesome young player, he’ll teach us a few things

Noah Freedman, fiddle, soon to enter 11th grade at Carmel High, a JMW participant for the last few years, multi-talented, plays all styles, he’ll be in charge of technology and podcasting. He’s also an astro-physicist, but we already knew there were violinists in outer space.

Monique Bourin is events coordinator for JMW, she’ll caravan along, be our advance person and probably bail us out of jail if we stray in that direction. at least I hpe she will…please!!!

Hank is our pickup truck, part Hank Williams part Hank Mobley, down home, soulful, tasty and swingin

Dinah is our trailer, she’s a 53 Westerner

gotta go now, i’ll  let you know how the shin digs…chow