September 17

RK here, checking in from Phoenix....as most people know, this is where I grew up, and where I spent the 90's. It's always great to be home, I haven't been back in almost a year so there's a lot of catching up to do with family and friends. I am here for four 'Ronnie Lee Keel' gigs, next Wed-Sat Sept 20-23 - I'm using a new backing band for these gigs - a couple of old friends (Mark Wilson on drums - Mark was in my band in '96-'97; & Ronnie Derrosett on lead guitar) and Ray Riendeau on bass. Ray has quite a track record in several styles of music, including metal (he has toured and recorded with Rob Halford from Judas Priest) jazz, funk...the guy's amazing. I'm looking forward to tearing it up with these guys next week. Check out Ray's site at http://www.rayriendeau.net/

The last few days have been spent with family, and the last few nights have been spent in a number of Phoenix-area bars, seeing and hearing what some of my old bandmates are up to these days. A few honky tonks the first couple of nights, and then last night I went to a local rock joint to see a band called Dr. Ruth - which features the talents of KEEL drummer Dwain Miller. It was awesome to see Dwain play again, he is still a monster behind the kit and a good friend. The band called me up to sing "We're An American Band", and it was very cool to share the stage with Dwain again. Visit their site at http://dr-ruth.com

I am especially looking forward to hooking up with our good friend Chris "CT" Trujillo and family. I'll get some pics of this adventure posted in the next few days and try to keep up the reports as the week progresses.

Very cool about Dwain......I havent talked to him in quite a while. He dissappeared all of a sudden. If ya run into him again tell him I still wanna get diggin in his basement!! LOL!!

ROAD REPORT - Phoenix - Thursday September 21

Hell Yeah! Had my first 'Ronnie Lee Keel' gig in Phoenix since 1999 last night, it was awesome coming home to such a warm welcome. So many friends and fans in the audience that I hadn't seen in years, and to be singing the old tunes, seeing those people singing along and dancing, just felt so damn good.

And - SURPRISE - who walks in the door with Brother CT other than CHRIS WICKS all the way from Cleveland! I was shocked, and it was so good to see Chris and CT hanging at the gig.

Lots of musician friends in the audience as well - especially my 'Country Years' keyboardist Wayne Holland, and guitarist Joey Carter who played in the Roadhouse Rattlers with me and Geno back in '98.

Getting ready to do it all over again tonight. Unfortunately, most of the photos I've taken this trip really suck - I thought it might be my fuzzy vision, but no, the pictures just suck. I'll attach a shot of me & Dwain Miller from KEEL/Dr. Ruth anyway. Have a great weekend, I'll let you know if there are anymore surprises for me in Phoenix...

[Edited on 9-22-2006 by RK]

Wicks and I were at all 4 shows. We had a great time! It was good to see family and friends. I can hardly wait for the next time around!

It was so GREAT to see you play again Ron - you still rock!!!!! I wish I could've made it each night!
Now I miss you more! Can't wait to see you again!
......COME BAAAAAACKKKKK!!!!!
) Take Care!

I usually wait until I recuperate from a Road Trip before posting a final Road Report.

It's been a week, and I still haven't recovered from Arizona...but it's time to post my final words on that epic journey and move on into next week.

In the past week, people have asked me "How was Arizona?", and the best answer I can come up with is: it was like dying and going to Heaven. As I stood on that stage singing, I looked out and saw so many dear friends, family members, ex-girlfriends, ex-bandmates, songwriting partners, fans on the dancefloor again, dancing to all the old songs...it was very surreal, and very overwhelming. I kept looking around for Roy & Lucille, my Mom & Dad...I got a feeling they were out there watching...

KEELFRK/CT: Thanks so much for posting a couple of photos...and thanks for the disc, I'm still going through them and hope to post some more here soon. CT, you are a true inspiration to me and many others, and I thank you and your lovely wife Heidi for your friendship and for making me a part of your family. Love ya'll.

WICKS: Great hanging with you brother - I enjoyed our six-hours of shooting the breeze on the drive from Phoenix to Vegas, and really appreciate you making the trip all the way from Cleveland and being there with CT all four nights.

To the guys in the band, especially my secret weapon Sam McCaslin on keyboards/vocals/harmonica who came down from Vegas at the last minute to bring the music up to my standards, much thanks - special thanks to Clint Williams, the regular singer for Crossfire, who graciously took the week off and allowed me to take over his gig. To all of the wonderful people who came to the shows and wore my ass out, I love you - thanks, and I hope we get to do it again sometime soon.

Just went into the kitchen, opened up the cabinet, took a big bite of the hottest damn venison jerky on the planet, and realized I need to thank my good frind Dean THE SALSA POSSE for the jerkey and the homemade salsa that ROCKS!! Dean was at the gigs in Phoenix, sporting a CUSTOM Steeler shirt, bearing delicious gifts - thank you DEAN. RK

Ex-girlfriends? That made me laugh..

I am finally recuperating and now trying to catch up on computer business. THANKS to everyone that put up with me on my trip!!! A VERY SPECIAL THANK YOU TO: CT, Heidi and family, Ron, and Dean for the hospitality and AWESOME food!! Much Love To You All!!-------Chris Wicks