Hugo’s Muse

Tellin A Story

So…,

 I’m in Wyoming having a great time and I don’t really want to leave, but duty calls. We fly from Jackson Hole to Chicago and then from Chicago to Raleigh. The weather is somewhat unsettled in North Carolina because tropical storm Hanna is arriving in Wilmington. I drive from Raleigh to Wilmington just in time for winds and heavy rain, all the while thinking that I want to leave the next day for Key West.

Hurricane Ike has other plans, so we have to wait it out until we can be reasonably sure that Ike isn’t going directly to the Hog’s Breath like I am planning to do. We finally do get to go on Monday and arrive in Daytona for a little break. The rain and wind is moderate, but to hear the weather channel tell the story, we’re not going to make it. The next day, we’re back in the truck and headed South. Along the way we decide that a camera can be made to see what its operator want it to see. Emily and I decide that we’re going to do our own documentation of the “horrendous” results of Ike’s presence and call it a “Report From the Whether (you-believe-it-or-not) channel. We’ll post the photo report soon. It was a fun diversion during the trip. Conditions were a little interesting, but nowhere near the level of the reports we were getting.

We got into Key West on Tuesday afternoon late and there was some wind and rain. The town looked deserted except for the China Garden Restaurant where we met a number of friends. The Hog’s Breath was closed. Dang.

Wednesday. Finally get to go to work. Hey, I love it and generally can’t wait to get on the stage. The crowd was small but appreciative and we always have an internet audience there. You folks who tune in to the Hog Cam always let us know that you’re watching via your emails and phone calls. We so appreciate your presence. The band sounded great.

Each evening the first-set crowd was a little larger, but they all seemed to pack it in around midnight. Good thing the internet gave us an audience. We had friends come down from Portland who supported us almost every night as well as friends in town, like you Steve, who stopped by every chance you got, even when you were working! It is always a pleasure to have the opportunity to perform for you all. “Til Next Time…

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 All right, I’m busier than I thought I was and haven’t found adequate time to devote to my musings here. C’est la vie. So much has happened since I last wrote here. 

Mile Marker Hugo

We have a new President, and I am hopeful that he will be all that we sincerely wish he would be.  I am thinking of writing a letter to the President-Elect, congratulatory to be sure, but also to express some personal hopes that I hold for the country.  I figure that we all have the ability to actually communicate with our elected officials if we should choose to do so.  Maybe we should exercise that right a little more often. 

Back to my world….. 

We are home now after an extremely good time at “Meeting of the Minds” in Key West.  It was a pleasure to get to see so many of you that we rarely get to see and an extreme pleasure as always to work with the band again.  We’re thinking of implementing some additions to the blog here that may include some of the other members of the band where they can share thoughts, photos, stories, and so on, with all of you.

We’re still tired, but recovering.  I have to say that there are so many great memories of this particular week that I think will remain with me forever.  This year’s ”Fan Appreciation Party” was my favorite one so far. 

Some of our guests at the Fan Party

Emily created a wonderful video chronicling my life, which brought me to joyous tears as I watched and remembered just how blessed my life has been so far, while at the same time being reminded that it just keeps getting better. We made only 100 hand-numbered copies of the video and some are still available for sale.  Just contact us through www.hillbillybeach.com if you would like to purchase a copy.  There are so many of you who touch my life and my heart. It is a treasure to me to be able to be with you for a moment without my microphone separating us. 

Hugo & Mike

We had the opportunity to perform really “up-close-and-personal” for some of you whose names were drawn out of the hat, so to speak.  That experience was, for me, one of the most rewarding and touching moments of my life, and, in looking around at the other guests who were witness to these moments, I saw in their eyes that we were really “in touch” with everyone there, while at the same time attempting to give something very personal to those who had had the luck of the draw. 

 We decided to record our live performances on Friday and Saturday which added another level of pressure and expectation to the week.  I think it all turned out well, and hopefully, we will have a “live” CD available before too long. 

I always love to have the opportunity to share the stage with Greg “Fingers” Taylor, a true friend and a great performer.  This year we had the added pleasure of sharing the stage with Ms. Amy Lee, whose talent is also astounding.  Add to these, Richie “Chevy” Ciavolino, who came to sit in on percussion and added yet another dimension to an already great band.  I can’t wait to hear the tracks we recorded! 

 So…

Please allow me to say “Thank you” to each and every one of you who make our lives so rich and rewarding by sharing your interest in this music,  your friendship to the members of the band, your enthusiastic response to our performances, and your dedication to a grateful songwriter.  I love you all.  “Til next time…..Hughie