Journal
Okefenokee! (Sep 08)
On a little down time so I took a minute to go up to the Okefenokee swamp just outside of Folkston, GA. We've had a lot of rain so the swamp was looking top notch again with everything good and green. Only saw one gator but there was so much water that I figured we wouldn't see many of them since they would have more freedom to move about. The swamp also had its "A game" on with the snakes as I saw two rattlers (a pigmy and a 4 foot diamondback). This kept my long standing record of seeing at least one snake every time I've ever been there in the summer going. Chesser homestead was as beautiful as ever. Go if you ever get the chance.
viva la canada! (Jul 17)
We just played 2 shows in Quebec this past weekend and had a blast. The first set was at the Montreal Jazz Fest. We played 4 songs on one of the outdoor stages then we got rained out. Later that night we did a club show but the fire alarm went off half way through the 2nd song so everybody had to evacuate the building. We finally got back on stage but the venue wouldn't let us take up from where we left off so the set got cut real short again. Win some loose some but we still had fun.
The next day at Mont Tremblant was wonderful. A beautiful place in the mountains north of Montreal the weather still threatened but in the end we got the show off and running without a hitch. Lots of friendly laid back people everywhere in Mont Tremblant and Montreal. The driver gave me a quick history lesson on the french side of things and that was hip too. Looking forward to getting back there.
BACK DOWN SOUTH (Mar 16)
Just got out of the water which is steadily warming up down here. Had fun in Boston last night playing at the WERS bash plus hanging with our boy Spooky Daly up there.
Alas, last night was our tour manager Danny Owen and Adam Scone's last gig with us so we all went down to the pub for a farewell drink. Scone and Danny are each moving on to some new things but I'm sure we'll cross paths again on stage at some point.
That said we're getting ready to fire it up with Andrew Trube (Bass) and Anthony Farell (organ, keys) again. Yall know them as the Greyhounds. They've done this thing before so its going to be a fun reunion. cyall out there somewhere!
Woodsongs (Feb 09 2009)
Played the Woodsongs show in Lexington KY, Monday February 2nd. The show was a lot of fun and I got to meet The Dukhs (who rocked) and the lovely young lady in the picture Almira Fawn.
Almira played her own version of Lochloosa (retitled "Appalachia") at the show and then later she did the song with us at our show in Bowling Green, KY and both performances were wonderful. She just attended the first round of "Americas Got Talent" and hopefully they'll have her in round two. Check Almira playing with us here.
Photo by Becky Smith.
Texas! (Feb 03 2009)
Texas came out big. We had a great time hanging in Dallas and Austin. Austin was our last show with Jonathan Tyler and The Northern Lights. They rocked the house every night and the Austin how wasn't any different. I expect to see great things come their way.
While in Austin got to catch up with our boy Andrew Trube from the Greyhounds. We went and ate lunch in style in Andrews ride. Unfortunately the G-Hounds played the same time as us but the good news is everyone's shows sold out. Thanks y'all!
Playing With Dolls (Jan 21 2009)
Back in the beginning of December Spookie Daly and I got together to shoot another video (Spookie directed and produced "Orange Blossoms"). This time I told him I wanted to play with dolls so thats what we did. I was a lot of fun and the video turned out great. In all honesty I think as grown men we had a little too much fun playing with the dolls and it may have even got slightly perverted but in the end the video turned out funny as hell. It was for the song "On Fire". Not sure of the release date but get ready for one funny ride when it comes out.
DC Weekend (Jan 19 2009)
Just crossed the state line back into Florida after an amazing weekend of sort of last minute shows. We played the Democratic Governors Association Ball in Washington DC last night. It was wild to be in DC during this time and an experience I won't soon forget.
Also got the chance to bring out some more friends for these shows so Alex Norris (Trumpet), Van Battle (Trombone), and Al Street (Guitar) joined us onstage for the weekend which started at a private party in Alabama. We then headed to Virginia Beach and then finally to DC. A LOT of miles in three days but all three shows were definitely worth it. Thanks to everyone who got sweaty in the severe cold!
Up Here In WI (Nov 24 2008)
Whooo! It got cold in a sure fire hurry up here. We just played Madison, WI last night and have the day off today. Might try to build a snowman if it keeps falling. The tour thus far has been great and the fans have been on their A games. I have dallied inside long enough, time to go outside and invigorate the blood.
Back In Montauk (Oct 26 2008)
Hanging out at the end of long Island again. The waves are HUGE today. Some sets look double overhead. Meanwhile back around the corner on the north side of the point the stripers are running. A local snagged this one while we were there. This bass was around 30 inches and probably weighed 20 lbs or more.
Watch Out! (Oct 26 2008)
Daryl took this picture and a second or two later was swashbuckled by this very wave. Hance always takes great shots. You could easily add pro photographer to the list of stuff he can do. These wave are part of the big swell thats pounding Long Island right now.
The North East (Oct 24 2008)
Sure is beautiful up here this time of year with the leaves changing. From lobster in New Hampshire to hanging with the Crowes on a night off in Burlington, we've had a great run thus far. A big thanks to all the fans up here for bringing the fire every night.
Heading East (Sep 25 2008)
Woke up and took this shot out the window in Wyoming this morning. This will be the first time we've ever played in Wyoming. Speaking of first times our last three shows were great and all first timers as well. Winthrop, WA, Moscow, ID, and then Boise last night. Boise was insane due in large part to KRVB and the Record Exchange spreading the love. It was too cool to play in all knew places and hang with so many cool people. Thanks yall!
The Lane Is Open (Sep 15 2008)
Got up this morning and watched someone paddle out at Steamer Lane in Santa Cruz, CA. What a beautiful place. We've played a lot of shows since Memphis making our way across the country and they've all felt great. We play tomorrow night here in Santa Cruz before we head north. We'll turn the corner in Seattle this weekend and slowly start making our way back to the other side. Got to go get my grub on...cya...
we're out here! (Sep 03 2008)
Hanging in memphis (picture) cuz our show in Baton Rouge has been postponed due to Gustav. Hope everyone over that way and NOLA came thru alright. The Blackwater Sol Revue was a wonderful experience yet again and sitting in with Toots was another major musical hi-light for me. Isle of Palms was great with a nice day on the beach followed by a sweaty git down in the windjammer. The first time was a charm there.
We left there and hung out in ATL for the night before hitting up Starkeville, MS. Starkeville came in BIG, great crowd and plenty of smiling faces so we'll be back. Orange Blossoms is out and rolling and so are we!
see yall in a minute.
Ready to Roll! (Aug 26 2008)
He Yall, well the new album is out today and we're loading up the wagons for a run through the USA. We're really looking forward to this tour and are chomping at the bit to play the new tunes. If you don't see your town in the tour dates we have posted don't worry cause we'll be posting more shows soon. The whole tour starts this saturday in St. Augustine, FL at the Blackwater Sol Revue. Can't wait to hear folks singing the new songs. See yall out there!
Cool on a hot day! (Jun 12 2008)
A little more time off at home before we hit the road in July. Beautiful hot blue sky days. Had to run down to the local swimming hole just through the woods from my house.
The Point Part 1 (Jun 06 2008)
This ol' fishing boat bit the bullet last year on a sandbar just off the point. The sand here moves constantly. What was clear sailing last week may knock the bottom of your boat out this week. This wreck is holding the sand in and is starting to make a huge sandbar on its leeward side. The ocean is making fairly quick work of whats left.
The Point Part 2 (Jun 05 2008)
This old boy floated in on my way back from the point. He was ten feet long and looked like he lived a long good life. He looked really healthy but he had plenty of mileage. I reckon he died of old age, who knows. You can see half way down his side that a big tiger shark (the teeth marks are diagonal) tried to take a chunk out of him (after he was dead I can assure you). The bite mark was 13" wide by 20" tall. The shark must have tried to get a mouthful just off shore as the bite was fresh. Good to know that huge sharks are cruising my favorite surf break (gulp!)
NOW YA KNOW! (May 14 2008)
Ah yes. Yet another delicious piece fish seasoned and cooked by the best, Ted. Dan Prothero and I are in the studio mixing the new album. It's coming along slowly but surely. Daryl's down here hanging too but we can't stop watching "Pinky the Cat". Pinky don't play. Got to break for minute to head to Cali.
WAY DOWN SOUTH! (Mar 23 2008)
Down here hanging in Australia at the Byron Bay Blues fest. Been surfing and soaking up the way laid back vibe down here. This is the way nature intended. Surfed a little this AM then cruised back to a friends house that overlooks Byron (pictured). Hanging out with some really cool folks and meeting some new people from here and from Back home (Luke and Katie!!). More good times and shots coming!!
Working it! (Mar 09 2008)
Working on new tracks for the next record. Love to have a new album out this year but I ain't going to jinx it by saying when for sure. Australia is right around the corner, looking forward to going WAY down south.
The St. Johns River in Danger (Mar 06 2008)
If you live in Florida check this out. These dumb ass representatives we have are considering a plan to take 155 million Gallons out of the St. Johns River DAILY to supply the over flow of "growth" in other other parts of the state. This is absolutely ludicrous. Without any real research done, they're mouthing off that the impact will be minimal. With even a short drought I've watched the saltwater line move well inland and the brackish line move way up river. If these nuts get there way we'll be fishing for Kingfish in Palatka.
I've seen saltwater seepage kill all the freshwater fish and every tree and bush around a freshwater lagoon, what do they think will happen when they start draining the equivalent of a swimming pool 10 feet deep, 500 feet across and over 4000 feet long a day out of the river? The saltwater line will move way up river knocking the whole eco-system out of whack.
Everybody needs water but this kind of quick fix is extremely dangerous. One simple alternative is to return to the use of good ol' fashioned Cisterns whenever possible. Instead of draining all are rainwater away they should be collecting it (even small cisterns house by house for yard watering would greatly reduce the work load on the aquifer).
I'm not into scare tactics and all but this is one idea that needs to be squashed immediately. Visit this website to get the facts and please send the easy-to-send email to the governor while you're there. Sorry to vent but damn. Thanks yall.
ST. Johns River Keepers
LOCHLOOSA IS ON MY MIND (Mar 01 2008)
Took this shot 2 hours before sunset on Lochloosa. Had a little business to attend to down at the Yearling at Cross Creek. Needed to get my grub on and see one of my musical heros, Mr. Willie Green all at the same time. Specks are still biting here and there.
La Florida (Feb 26 2008)
What a run. Thanks to everybody for rallying in Ft Lauderdale, Tampa and Orlando. We had 2 nights in the "Cigar City" so during one of the days off some of the fella's wanted to go jousting. Here's Dennis and Jeremiah with Scone taking the picture just before things really got crazy.
Surfs Up! (Feb 13 2008)
Finally home after a great run through the South. Want to thank Doug, Jeff and all the gang in Charlotte, NC for the great BBQ (and nanna pudding). Everyday I check the Blue Sky Surf Shop website to look at the waves while I'm on the road and the waves are always better while I'm away on tour, but not today. The waves are rocking and I got a new suit. I'm out yall!
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Next Show
Bass Performance Hall - FORT WORTH, TX
What It Is! featuring Mavis Staples, Booker T. and JJ Grey. Thursday 3/25 more info >On Sale Now!
"intriguing and fortuitous... Grey's a songwriter with a sharp wit
and a knack for skewering the hypocrites, jive politicians and carpetbaggers who litter
the landscape. The MOFRO vibe travels freely among swamp funk, blues, rock and soul,
and does so with a certain down-and-dirty swagger that's as real as it is appealing."
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| more >>UPCOMING EVENTS | ||
| JJ GREY SOLO | ||
| Thu Mar 25 | Bass Performance Hall FORT WORTH, TX | |
| Fri Mar 26 | Paramount Theatre AUSTIN, TX | |
| Sat Mar 27 | The Meridian HOUSTON, TX | |
| Mon Mar 29 | Blueberry Hill ST. LOUIS, MO | |
| Tue Mar 30 | Krannert Center URBANA, IL | |
| Wed Mar 31 | Mission Creek Festival IOWA CITY, IA | |
