As always you can find my upcoming tour dates for the upcoming Texas, southern B.C. Pacific Northwest, and Montana tours, and more, with links to info and tickets below and on my website jeffplankenhorn.com
You can join my patreon for new music from me every month and more content and livestreams at patreon.com/jeffplankenhorn
HERE I COME
S
a cab and a plane, bus and a train
As you might imagine, it takes a while to get from Vancouver Island to Texas. Today is going to only be about 14 hours if all goes uninterrupted.
Every facet of the travel world has been hit as hard as the music industry (and every other industry). Seven or so flights ago I was getting on a hopper (small prop plane that seats maybe 20) from Vancouver to Campbell River after a long trip from Montana. You see the only connector worth me taking the trip at all for was from Vancouver to Dallas, and then from Dallas to Billings or I would have lost too much money to take the 4-gig mountain-time tour on. On the way home I had a 5 hour layover at which I enjoyed a nap, wrote my newsletter/blog, ate at The Flying Beaver restaurant at the seaplane terminal, read a few chapters of a novel I was deep into, made some calls and texts, and even binge watched a couple shows.
Minutes before we were to board, we were informed our flight, the last of the day to our destination, was canceled. Normally I brush this off in stride because I have learned to put a full day of “padding” on either side of any tour, for just this kind of occasion. I was expecting to get a voucher and be crammed on a bus to some fantastic version of a Canadian La Quinta where I would probably snack too much and get some extra zzz’s.
“No vouchers will be given,” we were informed. “Excuse me, why are we not getting hotel vouchers?” “Because it is not our fault.”
“Who’s fault might it be?” I tried to ask as politely as possible. “Air Traffic Control could not find enough staff to man the tower, so even though we have a full air and ground crew, we cannot take off.”
You should have seen these mostly Canadians do their best to not go completely apeshit. But none of us did, and I quickly got on my phone to book a hotel as fast as possible. $250 CAD (that’s Canadian dollars for the uninitiated) was the cheapest I could find. And boy howdy was it the cheapest!
Regardless, I got a night to myself to collect thoughts, play guitar in my room, and watch a movie. Halfway through the next day I returned to the South Terminal (where the hoppers fly in-and-out of), and made my way home.
It’s a different world for touring as well. I got to one place and the show is full. The next night I go to a town I expect a decent crowd and it’s 17 people. These variances are not based on age or location; they are seemingly random.
Festival attendance is back to normal as far as I can tell. However I was not able to book as many gigs in Texas for this full month as I had hoped. I don’t have a new record yet (but it’s in the works!) and so it’s hard to get press especially in new markets. Still the vast majority of my shows have been glorious to me. If someone pays their hard earned $20-$30 to see me and hear my music, they are going to get my ALL. No matter who is or isn’t there. I learned that from those I played with.
Don’t get me wrong (I’m wrong all the time), the schedule is still jam packed with 3 or 4 radio interviews, co-hosting 2 Sun Radio events and 1 Blackfret event, some studio time for myself, possible recording some mandolin on another friend’s album, and 18 gigs in 28 days! Oh and my wife Donyne is coming for a week in the middle.
I LOVE IT! It’s what I do, and I wouldn’t trade it for the world. Please take note of the big Saxon Pub Plank’s Band return on Nov 4th.
Also notable will be Austin Band Camp I’ll be teaching (any level is welcome, songwriters and pickers) on Oct 29th, link below
The Purple Barn in Wimberley, TX on 10/21 - this Friday!
Houston peeps come over to Dosey Doe Breakfast & BBQ on 11/5
Direct Support House Concerts in Pflugerville on 11/11
OK links to everything below…
The Purple Barn
Fri, Oct 21 @ 8:30PM
The Purple Barn, Wimberley, TX
Wimberley here I come! Maybe I'll hit Mima's Kitchen on the way or stop by KWVH Wimberley Valley Radio before the gig? Come hear me solo at The Purple Barn for the first time.
The Enclave at Cedar Park Senior Living
Sun, Oct 23 @ 3:00PM
The Enclave at Cedar Park Senior Living, Cedar Park, TX
Solo performance and there will be more music from others benefitting The Alzheimer's Association. Bring a chairs and/or blankets. Their will be a QR code for donations to ALZ!
AUSTIN BAND CAMP
Sat, Oct 29 @ 1:00PM
Join Jeff for:
1 hour of Learning
30 minutes of Chilling
1 hour of Picking
Learn guitar from one of Austin’s finest pickers, nicest guys, and best teachers!
Free beer, water, and snacks!
Limited to only 12 participants.
Tickets $50
First 5 people get $10 off.
Plank will host a song circle and each participant gets an opportunity to lead a song and have Plank play along.
Saturday, October 29th, 2022
Doors at 12:30 p.m.
Event starts promptly at 1 p.m.
John and Carol are hosting on Mary Street in South Austin
On-street parking available nearby.
Gruene Hall
Sun, Oct 30 @ 1:00PM
Gruene Hall, New Braunfels, TX
Back to the home base!
***The Saxon Pub***
Fri, Nov 4 @ 8:00PM
1st return to the Saxon Pub after his big birthday bash in April!
Power Trio with Brian Mendes and Selton Cole, Jr.
Dosey Doe Breakfast & BBQ & Whiskey Bar
Sat, Nov 5 @ 8:00PM
Dosey Doe Breakfast & BBQ & Whiskey Bar, The Woodlands, TX
Dosey Doe has a new venue - come check it out :)
Direct Support House Concert
Fri, Nov 11 @ 7:00PM
Direct Support House Concert, Pflugerville, TX
Deb Stanley's house concert series strikes again!
The Rogue Folk Club
Wed, Nov 16 @ 8:00PM
The Rogue Folk Club, Vancouver, BC
Alberta Rose Theatre
Fri, Nov 18 @ 7:00PM