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Canton, Illinois Show...Ducks...Nurses Songs

BILL BLOG

Tuesday May 16, 2023

 

And a good Tuesday morning to you from Canton, Illinois.

YESTERDAY

Steve Dean, Victoria Venier and I piled into the big ole SUV and made the trip from Nashville to Canton, Illinois for our “Hits & Grins” show last night at the High School Auditorium in Canton which is north of Peoria. Caterpillar country.  On the drive up that took 7 hours or so, we mostly saw orange traffic barrels or big empty farm fields that are being planted right now. Farm country for sure.

 

THE SHOW

Last night’s show was the last in a series of shows that we started that was booked by “Live On Stage” our booking agency in Nashville. These 11, 12 13 shows that we did all over the country from California, to Texas, To Louisiana, Virginia, and Illinois were COVID make up shows. We originally had almost 30 shows booked in theaters that were all canceled when COVID hit. Canton was one of those make up dates, and we’re glad their concert association re-booked us. 


 

 

We had a great time in the beautiful theater and Victoria, who’s from Dixon, Illinois got to play in front of her Mom and Dad, brother, and his wife so that was special. Just a really great run of shows and thanks to every concert association who waited out COVID and then booked us into their theaters. We had a blast for sure.


 

 


 

MEMPHIS  

I also got this poster promoting our Freedom Sings USA event that’s coming up in a few weeks in Memphis. Songwriters with veterans. Songwriters writing their stories into song. And then a concert on Saturday night where every songwriter will perform their song. Always an honor to do this.


 

 I understand we’ll be staying at the Peabody so that means we get an extra bonus of watching the ducks parade in the hotel. Heck, maybe Elvis will be leading them around in his blue suede shoes.


 

 

 

MORE FREEDOM SINGS

This album you see, chock full of songs that were written with veteran nurses is now out, and available for purchase the Freedom SingsUSA website. My contribution on this album is the song I wrote with Christine Brooks titled “Welcome Home”. I’m actually the vocalist on this song that we wrote about her service in Saudi Arabia that was dangerous and the follow up story of her later becoming a nurse who now works at the VA in Clarksville. So glad to be part of this wonderful album.


 

 

TIPS TIPS AND MORE TIPS

Anybody else shaking their heads at all the machines that now ask us how much we want to tip? Shame tipping is what some call it. The New York Post calls it “Tip Bullying” and they may not be far from the truth in some cases. There are actually some self-scanning stores that throw up the “how much ya gonna tip” prompt after you bagged your own items. Geez. 


 

 

I guess I need to figure a way to get that option to pop up to anyone who downloads a song of mine for 99 cents. What the heck is a 20% tip for downloading “If You’re Not Careful, My Wife’s Gonna Leave You”?

 

Like lots of other folks, I hate those stupid machines as well. Although “Shame Tipping” could be write for a comedy song…so there’s that.

 

TODAY

I have to cut this blog a little short as it’s time for the wheels to roll us home to Music City. Thank you again Canton, Illinois for showing us such a good time.

 

Have a great Tuesday!

 

 

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