Photos by Nanci Blog

I've seen Steve Earle  three times: at the Lake Champlain Maritime 400 festival in 2009, with John Hiatt at the South Shore Music Circus in 2012 and last night at the Paramount Theater in Rutland VT. This is the first time I've seen him smile and look like he was really enjoying himself on stage. From his website: A protégé of legendary songwriters Townes Van Zandt and Guy Clark , Earle quickly became a master storyteller in his own right, with his songs being recorded by Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Emmylou Harris, Waylon Jennings, Travis Tritt, The Pretenders, Joan Baez and countless others. 1986 saw the release of his debut record, Guitar Town, which shot to number one on the country charts and immediately established the term “New Country.” What followed was an extremely exciting and varied array of releases including the biting hard rock of Copperhead Road (1988), the minimalist beauty of Train A Comin’ (1995), the politically charged masterpiece, Jerusal...

April 20, 2013 Belmont NH "The CDs just arrived this morning" said Scott Kirby , "The CDs and covers came separately, we've spent the day at the hotel stuffing them." The CD is his new release, Sol Searching.  Kirby, former Penacook NH resident now living in Key West  is kicking off his CD Tour tonight in Belmont NH at the Lakes Region Casino . Kirby took the stage a little after 8 PM. He received a warm welcome from the Sold-Out crowd and said "Good Morning!" Kirby introduced his touring guitar mate who has performed with greats like: Steve Earle, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Radney Foster and others... Michael McAdam . They opened with the first song off the new CD "Turning of The Tide." According to the liner notes it is "a nostalgic look at a simpler time and a story about a person who reaches a point in life when they finally discover what is really important." Kirby followed with the title track "Sol Searching"...

Hooker Dunham Theater and Gallery Brattleboro, VT April 19, 2013 Friday night, Hooker Dunham Theater and Gallery in Brattleboro VT hosted a show featuring two very talented singer songwriters: Seth Glier and Liz Longley . The show was part of their  Twilight Music series. Both young musicians have been recognized for their talent, Seth Glier is a Grammy Nominee and Liz Longley has string a accolades:  BMI John Lennon Songwriting Scholarship Competition, International Acoustic Music Awards and Rocky Mountain Folk Fest Songwriting Competition winner. Seth Glier is renowned for his fearless vocal delivery, musical exuberance and seasoned songwriting beyond his years. Since the release of his album “The Next Right Thing” in 2011, the 24 year old Massachusetts native has shared the stage with artists as diverse as James Taylor, Ani DiFranco, Martin Sexton, Toad The Wet Sprocket, Emmylou Harris and Ryan Adams. A troubadour in every sense of the...

Day 14 Friday March 29, 2013 Good Friday at  Vatican City Farewell Dinner, Grotta Azzurra Wow, I'm waking up today in Rome, Italy. I cannot believe it. The Eternal City and I'm see its sky, breathing its air. I'm pretty sure this is not a dream. The weather looks promising for our last day in Italy. The sun is trying to break through the clouds and the foggy mist has lifted. I'm very hopeful. Well, I was hopeful until Jay and I made our way downstairs in the Hotel Borromini for the breakfast buffet. The buffet was decimated and it was only 7:05 AM. Our group is wandering around looking very lost. No hot food, no breads, and most importantly NO COFFEE MACHINE!!! We had to flag down one of the two very apologetic waiters to get our espressos and cappuccinos  They were trying to get food out as fast as they could but it was not a good scene. (Misia was very upset and said there was a mix up, the Hotel staff thought our group was leavi...

Day 13 Thursday March 28, 2013 Sorrento to Rome Arrivederci Sorrento! Not sure why but I'm up at 4:30 AM. Luggage and breakfast aren't until 6:50 AM. OY! Cloudy and showers again today, at least it is a little warmer than it has been. So today we head back north to ROME!! The melting pot of Italy, city of 3 million people in about 500 square miles. We leave Sorrento about 8 AM and from the bus we can see greenhouses and fruit trees in bloom. We even get a glimpse of Mt Vesuvius in the clouds... We make a cappuccino stop at the Liola Bar . 5 euros for two cappuccinos. Now that's a rest stop drink fountain! More images on our ride from Sorrento to Rome, click here . Around 11:30 we stop at the Autogrill for lunch. They aren't quite open and I think they feel the pressure as 34 hungry bus people lined up for food! For 14,90 euros we get 2-breads, Insalata Sorrento, a small salad, and a bowl of tortellini. Back on the bus and Misia gives...