February 11, 2001 | I started off early from NYC, picked up the rental car in Newark. That's right, I'm running the operation myself this time. My long-lost road manager, Damian, has moved on to Vertical Horizons and I am assuming his organizational role.

With vehicle in order and a vague idea of how to get to Anapolis, I set off. Within in minutes I was enjoying myself thoroughly- it's hard to describe the elation that a Manhattan resident feels operating a car on a wide-open highway after months of relying on public transportation in a cramped metropolis. A very loud radio is always a good thing, too.

    JAMS OF THE DAY

    Def Leppard- "Rock of Ages"
    Destiny's Child- "Say My Name"
    Prince- "I Wanna Be Your Lover"
    Bryan Adams- "Heaven"
    Carly Simon- "The Spy Who Loved Me"

I made it to Anapolis with several hours to spare. Practiced with new guitar (Natalie) in hotel room and caught up on e-mails. Sewed up jacket. Showered, again- hygiene is of the utmost importance in maintaining a small and fresh smelling wardrobe.

Sound check; retired to the Irish pub down the street for a whisky. 7:30 showtime: everything was pretty peachy. I was able to calm down and stroke Natalie (new guitar) gently and without chagrin. The audience was a little reserved, but seemed appreciative. I forgot some lyrics on my McCartney cover, but a woman at the front table was kind enough to remind me. The new stuff seemed to go down as well as the old, especially "Flamin' Angel" and "Mine and Yours."

    SET LIST

    Flamin' Angel
    Robert Bradley's Postcard
    Elodie
    Touch of Mascara
    While the World is Sleeping
    Maybe I'm Amazed
    Mine and Yours
    What I Want To Do
    Breathe You In

One of the greater pleasures of the evening was discovering Erin McKeown, a five foot tall bundle of Holy Fire from Providence. She closed the show, playing and singing with all the angularity of Laurie Anderson and the command of Jeff Buckley. Very impressive. Everyone was staying at the same hotel, so Erin, two of the Fishers and myself all enjoyed a few libations at the bar. Many thanks to Rog, the bartender, for completely undercharging us.

It's awfully late- I'm going to try to see Mt. Vernon tomorrow, so I have to call it. All in all, a very good first day.

February 12, 2001 | Awoke early in spite of little sleep and generously partook of the breakfast buffet at the Radisson. Worked on some journal stuff, then hit the road for Mt. Vernon. Had a nice walk around the grounds before touring the mansion. The woods were very nourishing; it's criminal, how little time I spend in the great outdoors these days.

Anyhow, I joined an elderly group for the tour- three Stans and two Estelles, I kid you not. George Washington was a very progressive man with a weakness for French décor. Wonder if there was anything more than gallantry to that whole Lafayette thing...

Found the Americana Hotel after thirty minutes of searching. Nice enough.

The show was buffeted by the presence of my step brother Ryan and his wife Ali. Old friend John Shea showed and wife Kirsten showed up to. I started off by referring to this "new thechnicologicical age..." quickly pulled out of it by making some derogatory reference to Bush, which seems to go over well at clubs around DC. The set went pretty well.

    SET LIST

    What I Want To Do
    RBPC
    Mine and Yours
    Touch of Mascara
    While The World Is Sleeping
    Elodie
    World of A King
    Human Nature

Very short, but such is life. I sold nine CD's and had a few drinks after with the friends and family. Now halfway watching VH-1 and finishing this. Creed is truly Satanic. Destiny's Child rocks. Tomorrow brings a quick run back to NYC and the Mercury Lounge giggle. Toots.

February 13, 2001 | Drive back home started badly with several botched turns that resulted in a half hour lost getting out of the DC area. Finding my way back to the Jersey Turnpike also proved challenging, but all was eventually salvaged and I made it into a gloriously sunny and crisp NYC about 2:30. I had an interview at The Mercury Lounge at 4:00, then retired to a bar for a Happy Hour beer to cool down with. Turned out that I knew the bartender, we got to talking, and one became three. I floated over to my one-minute-long soundcheck, then began greeting friends that were arriving. The promoter bought me another beer, which I unwisely accepted. I hit the stage at 8:00 feeling rather, umm... liberated. The set went really well, though. The stage sounded great and I don't believe that anything more serious than a few botched words and an exceptionally breezy disposition tipped anyone off.

    SET LIST

    Flamin' Angel
    RBPC
    Mine and Yours
    Touch of Mascara
    While The World Is Sleeping
    Standing Here In Front Of Me
    Elodie
    World Of A King
    Breathe You In

My beautiful and exceptionally reliable product manager, Kaja Gula, was on hand with new sampler CD's; she handed out four boxes worth. I forgot to bring CD's to sell, like an idiot, but hopefully persuaded a few people to take a closer look on their next visit to the record store.

All in all, a truly wonderful evening.

February 14, 2001 | Valentines Day stated off exceptionally lonely. I was comforted by a lovely drive up the Merritt Parkway, but only after being completely bamboozled by the tangle of interchanges in the Bronx- I spent 30 minutes turning around and nearly killing myself before finally and miraculously being ejected out of the City towards Massachusetts.

Had a nice memory of a trip my Mom and I took when I was 16, though. We were on a college examination tour, and we stopped through NYC to see an old friend and to check out Fordham. I distinctly remember being completely terrified by the driving conditions and my Mom's complete lack of nerves in dealing with them. My sheltered suburban upbringing had never prepared me, a fledgling motorist, for the Northeastern version of Interstate bypassing. A small swell of accomplishment and Virginia Slims accolades swept over me as I finally navigated the twists and bridges of my new home.

Met RCA local Paul Nelson and WXVR music director Diane for lunch. Had a very nice meal and conversation despite nearly choking on a piece of salmon. Went from there to The Paradise and hung around until soundcheck.

The show was the best yet. The PA at Paradise is pretty unbelievable, and the crowd was very warm. There were even some screamers in attendance, and, in spite of a ridiculous ban on smoking, the set went really well.

    SET LIST

    Mine and Yours
    RBPC
    Girl On The Roof
    Touch of Mascara
    While The World...
    Standing Here In Front Of Me
    Elodie
    Everyone Knows It But You
    World of A King
    Human Nature

Actually, I did start "Valentine's Day Is Over" by Billy Bragg, but completely blanked on the words in the first verse. Boston, as usual, was forgiving and everything proceeded smoothly. After the show I sold 17 CD's and was able to give away some promotional coffee mugs that Paul and Andy brought over. It was very inspiring to talk with everyone after the show; that kind of warmth is truly what makes everything worth it.

I hit the Mass. Turnpike again around 10:30. Made it home by 1:45 (no mistakes this time) and will be retiring as soon as the coffee buzz dies down. Over and Out.

February 15, 2001 | Yeah. Not nearly enough sleep this morning- I'm dragging like a wet sock after last night.

Anyway, things got going in a very disciplinarian style (I am my own tour manager, you know). I pulled my shit together and stopped by Veselka for a protein overload on the way to get the car. On my way out of town, two teenage speed racers were indulging in all kinds of tomfoolery on the Turnpike. I called the Jersey Police and gleefully witnessed one of them pulled over a few miles down the road. They don't fuck around in Jersey.

Made it into Philly by 2:30; checked in to the hotel, then went to see my good buddies over at WXPN for a quick interview and performance. I played "Standing Here In Front of Me" and David Dye was kind enough to spin "World of A King" after the chat. Headed down to South Street for some soup and a beer, then began the long and frustrating process of trying to contact someone about soundcheck. Never heard anything, so I just went back to the club around 8:15 to see what happened. It turned out to be a veritable shithole, the kind of cold cavern that promoters usually stuff underage kids into unmercifully. I bypassed my soundcheck and headed straight to the bar.

I took the stage around 10:30 to about 15 people- the club had promoted the show as Fisher and David Means- and decided to just take requests the whole time. This turned out to be a pleasant way to slog through it, and the small crowd was very nice to participate.

    SET LIST

    Flamin' Angel
    RBPC
    Human Nature
    World of A King
    While The World...
    Mine And Yours

It was longer than that, but I have fallen behind in my entries and can't quite remember the rest of it. Anyway, it was nice to be appreciated.

February 16, 2001 | Several unexpected phone conversations helped ease me through the eternal boredom of driving across Pennsylvania. I made Pittsburgh by 4:00 or so; retired to the hotel for a nap.

    JAMS OF THE DAY

    "Highway To Hell"- AC/DC
    "Still The One"- Shania Twain
    "Workin' For The Weekend"- Loverboy

The show was at the lovely Club Café. The owners have spent a ton of money on the place; it has a lovely Deco feel to it and no less than four permanent video cameras for taping shows. The show was sold out and the crowd was incredibly attentive. Not many of them knew who I was, but we quickly warmed up to each other.

    SET LIST

    Mine and Yours
    RBPC
    Girl On The Roof
    Touch of Mascara
    While The World Is Sleeping
    Elodie
    Everyone Knows It But You
    What I Want To Do
    World Of A King
    Human Nature

I made some new friends after the show; hung out and sold some discs and distributed the rest of the mugs. A very nice experience in Pittsburgh, overall. I am looking forward to returning soon.

The whole week was pretty successful, all things considered. It's difficult to make a very sound judgment on the success of these things. You just have to keep doing it, enjoying each night as they come. I am planning to retrace and expand the route a little very soon. Much thanks to everyone who came to the shows; it's impossible to say how much difference it makes to see folks with smiles who actually know the words. Thanks to the Fishers, as well; they were gracious hosts and allowed me every pleasantry. Keep telling your friends and keep up the correspondence. I'll be seeing you soon.