Some years back we journeyed together along that same road in the opposite direction, on the way home from a New Mexico tour.  While he slept in the passenger seat, lightning cracked above us and I found a station playing Native American drums.  We met two guys along the way who had a human cannonball act and were driving their cannon to the next circus town.  That night became the inspiration for the song 'The Night She Learned to Drive,' which is on the album 'Tangle-Free World.'

I'm then headed down to Tucson, where I'll be playing a solo acoustic set at The Red Room.  Please come on down if you're in the area, or let your Arizona friends know. 

Happy trails,

Anny

Anyway it's been too long -- I'm going to make things right next month, when I play a series of acoustic shows with the mindblowing guitar god Danny B. Harvey.  He's played with Wanda Jackson, he's played with Nancy Sinatra - now he's gonna play with me!  Please let your friends know!  And if you want to meet up for a tall one while I'm there, please get in touch, I won't be hard to find.  We'll hoist one for DJ, one for Stephen...and one for the road.

One of the best things about touring this way is collaborating with brilliant musicians like Roland Wolff, Duncan Maitland and Richard Snow. Rather than taking a band on the road, Nelson and I have managed to condense our traveling gear down to a couple of suitcases (yes, drum kit and all).  These other guys join the party along the way, and it makes every show new and different.  We get to hear their great songs as well as their musical and vocal contributions to our set.  Every night is a fun and exciting surprise - keeps things fresh for us and it's fun for the audience.  Not to mention how much fun it is to have them on the road with us!  So, thank you guys, for being part of the Anny & Nelson rolling volcano band!

This kind of trip would be impossibly expensive without the generosity of others.  Along the way, we were hosted by friends old and new - many of whom also helped with booking, promotion and other things. Homecooked meals, a few loads of laundry, insider tours and shopping tips, internet connection, rehearsal space and most importantly, a good night's sleep.  All are invaluable when you're spending weeks at a time on the road.  So here goes -- Roland and Barbara in Munchengladbach, Hans and Karin at The Stables, Yvonne and Paul in Haarlem (and thanks for the jacket Paul!), Suse in Kiel, Tish and Andreas in Hamburg, David at Mojo Soulfood Cafe in Osnabruck, Flip & Jeroen for the camping house, Daragh at 7A in Dublin, Brendan for the gigs in Cavan and the history lessons and Paul & Blathnaid for the lovely overnight, Duncan and Irene for the cushions and the packing assistance, Tony in Glasgow for the Bay, the phone and the car service, Nell for the luvly steak pie and for being Nell, Rob and Ann for showing us all of Scotland, Nigel at The Argyll in Ullapool, Jo and Neil in Fort William, Richard & Heather for the much-needed day off in Nottingham, Terry & Fiona for letting us be at home with them in London (not one but two locations!), Andy Partridge in Swindon for playing DJ in his kitchen, Paul and Ashley for inviting their friends to their living room in Brighton, KC, Rowena, Sarah and everyone at the Jenny Lind in Hastings....the center of the universe.

This is truly the best way to travel, and I never want it to end.