BILL BLOG
Wednesday November 5, 2025
Wednesday morning, getting ready to roll home to Nashville from Durham, North Carolina. 72 for a high in Durham today.
YESTERDAY
We were up fairly early in Durham for this great showcase event.
Our “Evening in the Round” trio with Linda Davis, Lang Scott, and me ran through our 15-minute set for our showcase tonight. And then our good friend Brooke Aldridge came by our hotel room with Darin, her husband, and ran through “Does He Love You” singing Reba’s part of that huge hit, and would later be a surprise guest during our showcase for all the buyers gathered here. We all felt it would be a big moment in our little set.
Later, we grabbed a burger at a recommended local place that was SO good. Grain-fed cattle. And we sat with a couple of long tables full of buyers from Georgia representing their theaters. We certainly hope to be visiting some of those folks next year.
Then it was off to the convention center for a bit to “shake and howdy. We are represented by Alkahest Attractions, who were one of many who had booths where buyers could get more information about us, and other acts as well.
Then promptly at 4:30, we were inside the Carolina Theatre for our soundcheck for our 7:50 pm showcase.
THE SHOW
15 minutes make it a challenge to show a room full of buyers what your show is all about. However, we edited extensively so that we could showcase as much of our show as possible to an audience. And judging by how many buyers came up after the showcase saying “glowing” things, I feel like we are going to be visiting a lot of new theaters and towns in the southeast come Fall of next year, and Spring of 2027. At least we hope so!
And our friend Brooke Aldridge, did indeed provide a knockout moment as she sang Reba's part with Linda in the duet of "Does He Love You". So good.
JENNY TOLMAN
Then our trio rooted for our friend Jenny Tolman, who had a great set. She even sang one of the songs that we wrote, “I Know Some Cowboys,” with her husband, Dave Brainard, who played guitar for her last night. That was cool. That’s the same song Jenny sang on “The Road” TV show on CBS a couple of weeks ago. Pretty sure Jenny and Dave will also book a lot of dates after their performance.
Then later, all of us had a chance to get together to toast the conference and showcases in Durham. And Jenny and Dave then told me how great a new song sounds that we co-wrote, which they just recorded the day before they left Nashville for Durham. More good news, as the song they are talking about is going to be a gift for someone close to Jenny. Can’t wait to hear the finished recording when I get home.
So, just a great couple of days doing our thing musically in Durham.
SONG OF THE DAY
Since Darin and Brooke were with us at the convention, sharing lots of stories and songs, I want to share another Darin and Brooke song that I wrote with the two of them, “My Prayer”. They were telling me how a local church near them sang this song of ours at a recent worship service. That kind of news always makes a songwriter feel good. I love that this song has a simple melody that helps make this simple “prayer” in a song resonate — at least I hope it does.
HEALTH NOTES
According to research from the American Heart Association, using melatonin consistently for over a year was linked to a higher risk of heart failure and even early death in some adults. Medical experts also caution that this does not mean that the over-the-counter supplement causes heart failure. Instead, constantly reaching for melatonin at bedtime could be a sign of already existing heart issues.
A worsening listeria outbreak tied to pasta products has killed 26 and hospitalized 25.
A study claims that flavanols in cocoa, berries may improve blood flow in sedentary people.
HERE’S YOUR SIGN
BASS PRO-BOXING
How about the grand opening of the new Bass Pro in Odessa, Texas, where on the first day, an argument between guys breaks out, something to do with their bathrooms, and an all-out brawl takes place in the store. Throwing down somewhere between the crank bait and the camo clothing. Entertainment.
There’s a chance I’ll be going to Odessa to play music again sometime in the not-too-distant future. I think I’ll try to avoid the need to buy a pair of waders while I’m there.
JELLY ROLL
The singer has now lost 200 pounds. Pretty amazing transformation for sure.
He says he has a new nickname now…” Veggie Roll”.
TODAY’S QUOTE
From Nora Ephron:
“When your children are teenagers, it’s important to have a dog so that someone in the house is happy to see you.”
TODAY
We have an 8-hour trip back to Nashville today with tomorrow off, before jumping back into the van for a Friday night “Evening in the Round” show at the historic Ritz in Toccoa, Georgia.
And then the next day I'll be in Gulf Shores, Alabama for the Frank Brown Songwriters Festival that will run through next Tuesday. No slowing down...yet.
Have a great Wednesday!
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