From The Road Blog

Band and crew are gathering in the airport. Guitars and carry-on luggage. The trucks will meet us at the gig.  Keep it easy; it's only for one night.  Not even the whole night.  After all, we'll start setting up for tomorrow's show LONG before sunup.

We are headed to New York City for Wednesday morning's performance on GOOD MORNING AMERICA of our new single, "Still."  It's been almost three years since we visited those folks.  The last time was when the "Let It Go" album was just hittin' the stores.

Wait...that's not really true.  Robin Roberts from GMA caught our act in Pittsburgh back in September of '09.    We had rehearsed all afternoon for the opening NFL football game the following day, the"Southern Voice" album was about to come out, and she was doing prep work for her upcoming TV special featuring McGraw - so she hung around to take in one of our rare "Bread and Water" shows late that evening. 

For the uninitiated, those are the "Tim and the band take over a club and play songs we know and songs we don't know for charity" gigs.  They are a blast, and it was a special treat to have her spend part of that night with us.

Bob caught me by the arm on our way to the stage.  "Dude...I gotta get a pic; she's cool!"  I didn't know he was such a fan of the show.  "Well, she has always been really friendly whenever she's been around," said Bob.  "Funny, always smilin'...and honestly, I think she'd make a great roadie!"

Bob and Robin Roberts

Okay...maybe...but she's already got a pretty good gig.  And she's booked every morning, so it might be tricky for her to make many of our shows.

But we'll be there tomorrow...so we'll ask her. 

You never know.

McMahon

You would think I've done it before...but...NO. This was the first time.

To be fair, it's a reasonable assumption. After all, I've been playing piano almost my whole life. I'll have been out with McGraw for seventeen years this March. I've played thousands of songs for millions of people all over the country, traveled overseas, and found the world a remarkable audience through radio and television again and again while standing alongside Tim and my Dancehall Doctor brethren.

But until now, I've never stepped out there...ALONE.

So during a two-week break from our summer festival schedule, I booked a gig in a cozy little coffee shop in Excelsior, Minnesota called Dunn Brothers.  "Minnesota?" Yeah. Cate Fierro, a terrific talent herself up in the Twin Cities, hooked it up and went beyond the call of duty to make it happen. I actually borrowed her keyboard for the evening; she's a great new friend.

(FYI: If you are in the area, you should definitely check her out, both on her own and serving as soulful songstress with the band "The Irresistibles." She is really terrific.)

Dunn Brothers has a great local following that celebrates local talent over coffee and sometimes a game of Scrabble in the back corner. I've got longtime friends that live nearby, and I've left a many a footprint on the trails around Minnesota. It's a long way from Nashville, but for a lot of reasons, breaking ground in this little musical haven just made sense.

A good place to test the waters...with less fear of drowning.

Musically, I offered a variety of things. Played and sang some of my favorites that I've done since college. Some new things I'd never performed before. A few of my favorite McGraw tunes...peppered with some road stories. I even - (after a deep breath or two) - shared a couple of original tunes, just to see what would happen.

Always grateful for an appreciative audience...there's a big part of this that's just me bein' me.

All in all...it was a good night. Granted, I was a little nervous, but it was cool. Certainly there were some surprises, anxious moments, and forgotten lyrics. The folks had my back, sharing some laughs as well as some more poignant moments I'm sure they never even recognized...but they were pivotal to me.

It'll happen again, I reckon. I can go it alone, flyin' solo, and sometimes I'll choose to. Maybe some of you will be in the audience for one of these little shindigs.

But for now...I'm back with the boys...and that's good, too.

McMahon

John "John Boy" Marcus, bass player extraordinaire for the Dancehall Doctors, will often leave his artistic mark in reverent tribute to those dear to him.  This particular piece reflects his love and admiration for his musical brother and fellow Dancehall Doctor, Dean Brown.

"He's a talented guy, that John Boy," said Brown.  "Innovative, visionary, a true artist.  I have to say, I'm so touched that someone with his artistic prowess would invest the time to help me look into my life and show me what might have been had things been different...had I chosen a different path.

"The Many Faces of Deano" is only one of many pieces by the acclaimed artist "John Boy" Marcus; we look forward to sharing more of his creations here in "From The Road" in the months to come.

(Brown wipes a single tear from the corner of his eye.)  It's simply...overwhelming."

Fans of Marcus' work are often known to gather for weeks on end to sit in silence surrounding particular pieces that have drawn them together from across the world.  "The Many Faces of Deano" is currently touring the country after a successful opening at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.

McMahon

What else can you do? We've got a show to do; friends and fans are waiting. There is music to be played and fun to be had. So...we do what we have to do...and we get there.

We were on the way to Sweet Home, Oregon. Well, let's say we were POINTED towards Sweet Home, Oregon. We flew into another city; a bus was to carry all the Dancehall Doctors and our crew from the airport to the gig site.

That...didn't go so well.

"Dude, I swear it wouldn't go faster than thirty miles per hour on the INTERSTATE," said Mick Weick. (Mick is one of our guitar techs and also takes care of my keyboard rig.) "We would get rollin', build up speed, and then the transmission would lock up and we're back down to thirty again. Then the driver would pull the bus over, let it rest for roughly fifteen minutes...and we would do it all over again."

Can they take it? Will they crack? (Left) Billy, Mick (center), and John P. start to cave under the pressure.

That was the toughest part of the ride for me. There was a SYSTEM for what to do when the bus breaks down. A process. A routine for what to do when this happens. Wait a minute...you mean...?

Yeah...this bus does this all the time.

I thought about pulling out my running shoes and hittin' the road...but I didn't want to leave my brothers behind. Jerome Thompson, our lighting engineer, tried to rally the troops to just PUSH the bus on to Oregon. We were frustrated...but that seemed a bit extreme.

Jerome, having had just about enough, tries to take matters into his own hands.

"Finally...we thought we might try hitchhiking," said Mick. "I got out there with John P. (John Prestia, guitar tech) and Billy (Mason, our drummer), but we didn't get a lot o' action. Billy's got the legs, he thinks, but it just wasn't gonna happen for us that day."

Curiously, the closer the cars get...the FASTER they go!

Ultimately, by hook or by crook, we made it to the gig. It took us three times longer than it should have...and we all still struggle with visions of Billy Mason, pants hiked up, trying to draw the attention of some gracious and benevolent driver with the flash of his calf, well-worn by the thousands of nights spent at his kick drum pedal...

Ew. Ew. Ew. Make it stop.

McMahon

"Knowing our tour buses always head in different directions, it was great to catch up with Whit for a while," said McMahon.

Fair season; it ain't like a regular tour.

On a "tour," we typically have the same opening act every night.  We see the same folks day in and day out.  In most cases, we become friends with one another, and chances are we'll hit the road together again down the line.  (How 'bout those Warren Brothers?  Love ya, guys!)

But during fair season - "mud and dirt season" - each show is unique.  The stages vary from place to place, and different artists perform with us every night.  It's cool...because a nice surprise might be just around the corner.

In Paso Robles, that surprise was up-and-comer Whitney Duncan.  A terrific talent, Whit's been a friend for a few years now.  We've shared stories and music and lunch here and there...but I'd never seen her perform.

Not live, anyway.  I've caught her "Skinny Dippin'" video a number of times, sure.  I followed her stint on "Nashville Star" a while back.  (I'm listening to her "Tulsa Time" as I write this courtesy of iTunes.)  But seeing her sling on a guitar and watching her own center stage was a real treat.

Whitney lit the crowd up during her set...leaving them riled and ready for Mr. McGraw and the boys to take over.

Awesome job, Whit; you rocked 'em!

McMahon

(Swing by Whitney's site at www.whitneyduncan.com and check out her music, the new video and other great stuff; she's a good 'un!)

Photo shot during a one-handed piano riff with only seconds to spare in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin on July 18, 2009.

I've gotta give Tim credit; I'm not sure I could do it. 

There are days that I can barely seem to walk and chew gum at the same time.  When I'm typing away online, I have to work to stay focused on the task at hand, ignoring the "ding" of an incoming email or the "bzzzt" of a text message on my phone.  So I don't know how he does it.

Somehow, some way, he juggles.  With a mike in one hand, he can borrow a pen and sign an autograph with the other.  He can accept a gift or a photograph.  He can shake hands, bump knuckles, "high five," and offer a pat on the head to a child in quick succession.

And all the while...he never stops singing. 

He doesn't forget the words, he looks back for a guitar solo, and he jumps back up from the audience at just the right moment to kick in a final chorus or cue a cool drum fill...and you never were really sure that he was paying attention.

I'd probably drop the pen, wrinkle the photo, forget the words, lose my place, and fall off the stage.  SOMETHING. 

So I'll hold it down from here.  Camp Keyboard.  And maybe, just maybe, if I can find a free second between the second verse and the chorus...I'll grab a quick shot with my camera to toss up on the "From The Road" blog.

(Click.)  Well, whaddya know; I CAN multitask!

McMahon

That's what they go by on the road: Darran "Lightnin'" Smith (left) and Billy "Thunder" Mason (right). Well, now it's in print. It's published. So that's what YOU'LL call 'em.

Now I've done it.

Darran is our bandleader and lead guitarist. He's been with Tim since before the beginning. Seriously. Broken down vans, beans and rice, the real "starving artist" days.

Billy is our drummer. He started with us in '94. He's been driving the boat onstage ever since "Indian Outlaw" started this train to rollin'.

Both are glad to be back on the road. "It's fun to finally be playing the new single ('It's a Business Doing Pleasure With You') to a crowd," says Billy. "We cut it two Decembers ago...and the crowd is really diggin' it! I can't wait to share the rest of the new album when it finally comes out!"

Neither can we, "Thunder."  Neither can we.

-McMahon

He tried so hard.  Packed so carefully.  Made sure to take extra care to keep those special "show duds" folded and sharp for the trip from Nashville airport all the way to Canada for our appearance at the Cavendish Beach Music Festival on July 11.

Prince Edward Island, the ultimate end of our journey is a beautiful area but a LONG way from Nashville.  A lot can happen to a well-packed bag on such a journey, and unfortunately for Dave, it did.

We'll never know the full story.  His bag ain't talkin'.  But while the boss and the band and the equipment all made it to our final destination, Dave's bag never made it.

So when it came time to take the stage, Dave was resigned to his regular clothes.  That is until McGraw showed up at our dressing room door with a new hat for Dave!  "Wear this," he told our forlorn percussionist, "and you will be set for the show!"

And he was.  Tim and the Dancehall Doctors went to town with the crowd of over 15,000 fans and Dave looked the consummate professional in his stylish chapeau.

It works for ya, pal; I say it's a keeper.

- McMahon

Last night, Tim McGraw and the Dancehall Doctors had the privilege of performing for members of the United States military and their families at Fort Sill in Oklahoma.  In my effort to share a bit of last night's show ... it came to become a note of appreciation written specifically to those that honored us with the invitation.

As we celebrate this July 4, I know that all of you that did not join us for this particular performance may still share in our appreciation of the service and sacrifice offered by these men and women.

- McMahon

Dedication.  We have long seen it and appreciated it from our fans.  Their cheers are heard, their signs are seen, and their support is felt.  Certainly we remain equally dedicated to reciprocating through our music on record and at our shows.

This road runs both ways ... so for every "we love you guys," well ... right back at ya.

That being said, the opportunity to celebrate the honorable men and women of our military -- those that offer so much more than a little "song and dance" at the risk of their very lives -- THAT brought an additional element to our Fort Sill performance.  Last night, our "rockin', screamin', crazy" fans and those "brave, humble, stalwart" 
soldiers that walk the wall on our behalf were one and the same.

Some of you wore the uniform of the United States military; most wore their street clothes or a favorite Tim McGraw concert T-shirt from years past.  The combination of these colors made for quite a beautiful sight from the stage, I gotta tell ya.

It was impressive to stand by as your commanding officers offered 
commentary before the show, welcoming us to your home away from home.  
"The Star-Spangled Banner," which always inspires a proud chill, had an even greater impact with this backdrop.  The acknowledgement of those that have sacrificed life and limb on behalf of freedom - and the ensuing moment of silence - allowed us to share in their remembrance with all of you.

Though not a part of our regular show this summer, Tim couldn't wait to bring out our hit "If You're Reading This" as a special tribute to you, our honored audience.  And your trembling chants following the song echoing their praise of the country you serve?  THAT ... was awesome.

Your appreciation is noted ... but you are appreciated so much more.

On behalf of Tim and the Dancehall Doctors ... thank you.