otis gibbs

This barn was close to a gig that I played on top of a mountain in Bjursås. A friendly local man informed me that “Emmylou Harris once stood in this barn.” I can honestly say that’s the first time I’d ever heard that sentence.

I drove around in this tiny Peugeot rental car for a week or so and absolutely loved it. I wish I had one of these back home in the states.

World’s largest Dalecarlian horse in Avesta, Sweden.

Metal bull statue in Avesta.

The hotel I stayed at in Pajala, Sweden bought these hand carved keychains from a local craftsman. Mine was in the shape of an owl. I raved about it for a while until they finally gave me one as a gift. Thank ya kindly!

I snapped this photo during soundcheck and then had a very nice gig in this lovely church in Norrtälje, Sweden.

SummerTyne Festival in Gateshead, England (Photo by Alan Harrison).

A few thoughts about 2010

There are a lot of unsung people who work tirelessly behind the scenes so that an independent artist like myself can do what I do. These are agents, promoters, house concert hosts, bloggers, radio folks, etc. and most importantly, fans. These folks are the backbone of the DIY world and I’m sincerely grateful to anyone who has attempted to turn someone on to my music. Lastly, a huge thank you to Miss Amy for running our record label and putting up with my ass for another year.

In 2010 Joe Hill’s Ashes reached #1 on the Euro Americana Chart and was included in a ton of year end lists. I played 103 gigs, slept in 126 beds, 4 airports, 5 cars, dozens of trains, 1 sidewalk and discovered the joys of pickled onions.

My favorite people of 2010

Beaux in Turnbridge Wells, England.

Edie in Diemen, Netherlands.

Betsy in Brosely, England.

Smudge in Farnham, England.

Favorite things said to me in 2010

“They ain’t no Bigfoots in Oklahoma.”
“You can’t forget what you don’t remember.”
“My sense of direction is like a bunch of onions.”
“I like the style of your behavior.”
“He wouldn’t give a crippled crab a crutch!”

Worst of 2010

The Nashville Flood
Hotels with 10 a.m. check out times.

Favorite gigs of 2010

I tried my best to narrow this down to my 5 favorite gigs, but I just couldn’t swing it. I must have had a little too much fun last year, because I decided to list a dozen instead.

11/06 Newcastle, England -Jumpin’ Hot Club at The Cluny Two
10/27 Brighton, England -The Prince Albert
10/22 Swansea, Wales -The Chattery
10/17 Amen, Netherlands -Cafe De Amer
10/10 Ottersum, Netherlands -Cultureel Podium Roepaen
07/31 Broseley, England, -Birchmeadow Centre
07/24 Gateshead, England -SummerTyne Americana Festival at The Sage Gateshead
07/21 London, England -What’s Cookin’ Upstairs At The Sheep Walk
07/18 Nottingham, England -The Maze w/ Elizabeth Cook
07/17 Salisbury, England -The Larmer Tree Festival
02/19 Austin, Texas -The Cactus Cafe w/ The Gourds
01/30 Chicago, Illinois -Schuba’s Tavern w/ The Bottle Rockets

Things I’m looking forward to in 2011

The release of Amy’s new record, “Travels Of A Homebody.”
Touring Scandinavia for the first time in April.
I’ll record at least two new records (maybe three) in 2011 and release them in 2012.
I’ll attempt to play a few more shows in America.

Fun times in Brighton, England.

This was my view of the sold out crowd at the Cafe De Amer in Amen, Netherlands.

Good times at the Paradiso in Amsterdam.

Here’s some mighty fine graffiti I stumbled across in a bathroom in Nieuwendijk.

I took this pic during sound check. I later played to a sold out crowd in this super swell cathedral in Roepaen. It was the first time I’d been in a church on a Sunday in a long, long while.

Here’s a snapshot of an organic farm/commune I played at a few days ago in Kerk Avezaath. I’m told there are 18 families living in 18 affordable houses on this farm. They raise their own livestock and grow their own vegetables and enjoy happy lives away from the hustle and bustle. Beautiful place and people.