I've finally made it back home. Even though I've been gone for less than two weeks it seems like I've been gone for two months.

The tour was a success. I couldn't be happier with the way it went. Here's the rundown;

Wednesday after the Today show and my glimpse of Halle, I packed, had lunch, and was off to LaGuardia. I got to the airport with plenty of time to kill before my flight (this is a must when traveling with your bass, you never know how long check-in is going to be). Unfortunately my plane was delayed over an hour, I don't know if you've ever been to LaGuardia before but it's small and there's no restaurants or anything. It was a drag. I finally made it to Chicago, my sister-in-law Kelly picked me up from the airport (she really saved my ass) and we went to dinner. Steve, the Lower Level guitarist, had flown into Chi-town earlier in the day, we picked him up before heading to the bar we ate (and drank!) at. And old friend of mine met us out too. That night we stayed at Rob's (LL keyboardist). When we got back to his pad it was probably around 3 and we were a little hammered, as I recall we played some music but I can't attest to how good it actually was.

The next day Jeff (LL drummer) drove up from Kalamazoo and we rehearsed my music. The rehearsal went well and I could tell the shows were going to be good. That night we drove to Indy. I'd forgotten what a dull drive that is--geez! We got to Indy where we were greeted by my mom and my aunt Kathy. We talked for a little while and then we crashed. My mom had acquired four AeroBeds somehow. I slept on the kitchen floor ... Very un-rock star.

Friday was the day of the show. I'd learned the day before that the show was sold out. Can you believe that? My first big show as a leader and it was sold out. I'm telling you, my mom is the best PR agent anyone could hope for. We soundchecked in the afternoon then ate at the New Orleans joint a couple of doors down from the Jazz Kitchen. Some of the best food I've had in Indy, it's really great.

The show is a blur for me. I was a little nervous before playing but I think we did a good job. It felt good anyway.

Here's the thing, I NEED PICTURES!! I didn't turn on my camera once, I don't have any shots. So if you have any please email them to me (lyman_medeiros@hotmail.com).

The amount of support I got was incredible. I was amazed at how many people came out and how many CDs I signed. I wish I could've talked to more people, but you know how it is. It was a fantastic experience. After the show me and the boys headed to the bar across the street to put back a few with my cousin and my uncle. What a great time that was, I hadn't gotten a chance to hang with my cousin and his fiancee in a long, long time. I ended up drinking more than my fair share of scotch ... *whew*

That night we stayed at the fabulous Barnett residence. Jason and his wife Corinne were nice enough to let us all crash at their place. It was really nice, after waking up Saturday morning Corinne made us breakfast and we got to play with my beautiful niece. Then we were off to Michigan. Another dull drive.

Saturday was all business. By the time we got to Kalamazoo we had enough time to pick up some equipment from my old teacher, take a shower, and head to the show. The Kalamazoo show was fun. There weren't a whole lot of people there but I didn't mind after the high-pressure night before. We had a good time and got to play for 3 sets instead of one.

Directly after the show we drove back to Chicago as Steve had an early flight to catch. Rolled in to Chicago around 3:30 or so. I sacked out. Kelly took me back to the airport (saving my ass once again) and here I am.

So if you were at the show thank you so much for coming out. And if you have PICTURES, let me see 'em!

I'm in Chi-town at the moment ... the band rehearsed today and sounded most kick ass. Indianapolis, prepare to be funkified.

I had to get up at 4:30 this morning to do the show. I can't remember the last time I got up that early. I can however remember the last time I went to bed that late and it wasn't that long ago.

Halle Barry is totally hot ...

" ... the Bronx and Statten Island too"

Anybody ever heard that song?

Anyway, I'm here in the city with a couple of days off before the Today Show. Although being here was such a last minute event that I wasn't planning for I think it works out well for me. I have two days off at a great hotel in a great neighborhood (upper westside) with my bass so I can practice. I think it will be relaxing, the calm before the storm.

I did my first live radio interview yesterday. I think it went really well. I didn't stumble over my words or anything and I said pretty much everything I wanted to say. I can't wait to hear it.

Today I think I'll go to Macy's and look for some shoes or clothes or something before heading back to play my bass and maybe see some music this evening. I already dropped way too much money on a great dinner (and drinks of course) last night. Luckily there are some great places to eat cheaply and our saxophonist "Blue" Lou Marini has invited the band to his pad for dinner tomorrow night.

The Lower Level tour approaches ...

Two weeks later and I'm back in New York. We played an outdoor festival in Rochester last night for what turned out to be one of the worst gigs I ever did. The crowd was great and all but it was so friggin' cold my fingers felt like they were being stabbed every time I pressed down a bass string. It was bad. Memo to festival organizers in upstate New York: wait until July to have outdoor concerts. Today we flew in to the Hamptons where we will be playing tomorrow.

So there is more promotion in the works for the Indy show on Friday. I will be interviewed on a jazz radio show (I don't know what station yet) on Sunday and Wednesday there will be a featured article on me oon indinapolismusic.net. Hopefully all of this buzz will translate into a packed house.

Tomorrow I leave for what I thought would be a short East Coast trip with Tyrell before coming home then flying out to the Midwest for my big CD release shows. I just found out today that is not the case.

Tyrell is going to perform on the Today Show next Wednesday. This is great news for me. Any time you are on national TV its a good thing but I'm hoping that being on TV a few days before my show might drum up some more interest somehow. The only bad thing about it is that I'm leaving for the East Coast tomorrow and will stay out there until after we film the show. Then I will fly directly to Chicago for my little tour instead of coming home to LA first.

This means that I have to take everything with me for the tour. And I have a lot of logistics to straighten out before next week; I need to work out rides from the airport, I need to figure out where the heck we (the band) can stay in Indianapolis as there's no room for us at my mother's and most every hotel is booked, I need to figure out how to get a guitar amp for the Kalamazoo show, etc. That's a lot to deal with when you're on the road. But I'm pretty sure it will all come together smoothly.

So tomorrow I am off. After I do these gigs with Tyrell I'll head back to my hometown for my big gig. For all of you Indiana types I hope you can come to the show. Be looking in Wednesday's Indianapolis Star for an article on your's truly. I'm both nervous and excited about the whole experience.

Wish me luck everyone.

Friday night Carrie and I hosted a birthday party here at the Casa de Medeiros. It was a lot of fun and quite a few friends showed up. I made pizzas for everyone. Good times were had by all.

I also made out with some pretty nice birthday scratch. Carrie got me a "skoolabatz" which is one of those pasta pots with a collander inside. She also got me an apron that says "Kiss the Cook" which I had been asking for. Also got a Colts T-shirt, Colts coffee mug, Colts hat, and iTunes gift certificate. Not too shabby.

Today I'm giving a concert with the Henry Mancini Institute Alumni Orchestra at the highly regarded Disney Concert Hall in downtown LA. We've had rehearsals the past few days and the concert should be pretty good. I actually had to miss a gig with Tyrell on Friday to do it. No biggie.

We're only a week and a half away from the big CD Release show in Indy. The countdown is on.

I had a great time in New York last week. Playing at the Blue Note was really cool even if it isn't the same Blue Note that all of the jazz greats played in in the 50s and 60s and it is somewhat corperate now. It was still great. And the weather in the city was the best it's ever been on one of my visits. Sunny and cool, just like LA. People were out walking everywhere and there was a great energy. It's enough to make you want to move there ... but I know better. I've spent the winter months in NYC, and that can be hell.

My birthday was nice. The everyone in the club sang happy birthday to me and some fans got me a really nice gift (a money clip from Tiffany). Afterwards I somehow got overserved some Scotch and spent the next day nursing a birthday hangover. Carrie is throwing me a party here at the Casa De Medeiros on Friday.

But the week was great, I saw old friends and made new ones. Saw some great music, ate some great food and played to packed houses.

But no matter how much fun I have I always look forward to coming home.

The past few days have been pretty busy; Friday in Buffalo, Saturday in Philly, Sunday in Alexandria. Luckily today is just a travel day and I had a chance to sleep in a bit. We head to NYC tonight for a run at the Blue Note. It is a world-famous club but I have to admit I really don't like the set-up there. The stage is in a weird place in relation to the tables and the green room is more of a green closet.

My birthday is looming large. In mere days I will turn 30. I figure once you're 30 you're no longer young. I mean sure, your elders will still say you're young, but "young" becomes a relative term, not a common one. I'll be in a different demographic ... I'll no longer be able to say "in my twenties ..." ... and the next landmark birthday will be the big 4-0. Yikes!

But on to a more exciting subject I hope everyone has been watching the NBA playoffs lately, especially if you are a Kobe-hater. The man has been playing out of his mind and there's no way you can gripe about what he's been doing on the court.

Good news regarding the CD Release show in Indy. I got an email from a writer at the Indianapolis Star, they want to do a little article on me a couple of days before the show. That's fantastic, what I like to call free advertising.

see y'all when I see y'all