I’m writing this update from “The Original,” as we begin the long drive from N’awlins to Cha’ston. A few days in the Big Easy has been a wonderful way to finish our travels for the year. Yesterday, Wes and I wandered around the French Quarter listening to jazz in the streets and bars before our show. I am happy to report that the spirit of this great southern city is alive and well. Like a second-line band marching to a funeral, the city is defiantly celebrating in the face of death. The resilience of the residents and their determination to rebuild and restore is inspiring. The city that gave the world jazz can give us a valuable lesson in overcoming adversity with grace and community. Though the signs of Katrina’s devastation are still visible, and the issues of poverty and crime haven’t been solved by the money or media spilling into Louisiana since the storm, the people of New Orleans and their rich culture of food and music have survived. Let’s help them thrive by visiting!
We witnessed a similar resilience in areas devastated by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Like many lowcountry dwellers, I was horrified by the images of oil washing onto the white sands and marshlands of the Gulf Coast through the spring and summer, while BP and the federal government bickered over blame. The spill seemed so vast in scale that I wondered if the gulf would survive. I pictured a dead, polluted Gulf of Mexico for years to come, another victim of our nation’s addiction to oil. It was a great relief to visit Pensacola Beach and see that the white sands and turquoise water I remember from childhood are gleaming as beautifully as ever. I watched birds dive bombing schools of fish in the sound, a fishermen reel in a shark from the surf 100 yards from a team of workers digging kitty litter-like oil balls from the white sand, and ate delicious gulf oysters at the Paradise Bar and Grill. Like the spirit of New Orleans, the gulf will survive. What I worry about now is the small business owners and the residents. Those images of oily pelicans have seared themselves into our nation’s psyche, and the tourists aren’t coming like they used to. Most of the gulf has been reopened to commercial fishing, but who is going to eat the catch? If you want to help, book a gulf coast vacation, the water’s fine!
Ok, enough travel-writing, I need to let you know about many exciting things on the horizon for Sol Driven Train. First off, VACATION! We are off the road from now until our 2-night New Years Eve extravaganza at the Charleston Pour House with very special guests Dangermuffin, Holy Ghost Tent Revival, and James Justin and Co., 12/30 and 12/31.During the break, Ward is flying to Puerto Rico, Rusty is playing lots of gigs around Charleston with The Reckoning, Russ is helping his Dad re-roof his house, Wes is helping the James Island High School drumline prepare for holiday parades, and I’ll be writing songs (hopefully) and stand-up paddling.
After the aforementioned NYE festivities, Sol Driven Train will be returning to the Caribbean for three weeks, touring the islands of St. Croix, St. Thomas, and St. John. In true island-fashion, not all the gig details are finalized at this time, but a final schedule will be released soon. Last year we had a fun group of folks following us around down there, and we hope that more of you will see the merit in flying south for january. After the Virgin Islands, we’ll be touring from Florida to Colorado to West Virginia, before beginning work on a new album in March. Then it’s festival season again. Time is flying, and we are still having fun!
Lastly, we are honored to be among some of our favorite artists in the WNCW Top 100 albums of the year for BELIEVE. Please do take a moment and swing on bye to vote for us, we sure are proud and would love to get in the top 20 for this! YOU CAN VOTE HERE!
Sol Driven Train would like to wish all of you a safe and happy holiday season. May we be reminded of the things that truly matter.
Humbly yours, Joel, Ward, Russ, Rusty, and Wes
