In late February and early March of 2007, the Gin Palace Jesters went on a two week run out to the West Coast and back through Texas. Fearless leader "Pennsylvania" Dave Sisson knew that with all those musicians in a van needing food and a place to sleep every day the expenses and gas costs would be quite large so he went ahead and set up 12 shows in 12 days. That's a gig EVERY day with usually a 6 to 10 hour drive EVERY day! What a damn SLAVE driver! So...as the tour approached a series of unfortunate events conspired to threaten the tour. First drummer Rick Murawski (EPA lawyer and father of 3) could just not find the time off to go. He WANTED to go but couldn't swing it so Dave called on Gin Palace Jester for life Mike Medina who drummed on the first GPJ CD to see if he could go. Mike said he was disillusioned with his life as an aircraft mechanic and could do a week. Being that the Gin Palace Jesters play old timey music a drummer is an optional luxury. Hank Williams didn't have a drummer so the band figured one week with out would be no problem. The next devastating thing that happened was bassist Casey Stockdon got caught in a changing of the guard at his day gig and his new bosses informed him he'd be fired if he left for a tour. Fearing homelessness in the cold Chicago winter Casey had to back out of the tour. Luckily Dave had a friend in the talented upright bassist Jake Erwin. Jake was called in as a last minute ringer to fill out the bottom of the rhythm section and without further delay it was off to the west coast!

Jake Erwin was born in Tulsa and lives in Dallas. He has an impressive list of Roots music credentials playing bass with the Hot Club of Cowtown, Kim Lenz, Ronnie Dawson and at the time of this tour Wayne "the Train" Hancock. The Gin Palace Jesters drove from Chicago to St. Louis to meet Jake who drove up from Dallas. Here Jake watches the first pack and wonders if this was a good idea or not?

Fiddlin' Katie Schadegg...All American girl in the middle of Missouri. It was the first time the extremely pale Gin Palace Jesters had been away from the snow in 4 months!

Upon arriving in Lincoln, Katie got to see the more GLAMOROUS side of show biz by loading gear in the back alley door next to the pile of garbage and melting snow. Look at her bask in the fabulousness of it all!

Ken and Gabriel in front of the Zoo Bar in Lincoln, Nebraska, site of our first gig of the tour.

The Bellflowers led by great songwriter Gerardo Meza played original music and in this photo they augmented thier sound with a saw. YES that's a SAW player people! You bow the saw. Great to meet you Bellflowers.

The next morning it was off to Denver, Colorado and the Rocky mountains. The song Del Reeves classic "Lookin' at the World Through a Windshield" seems an appropriate song to hum here.

Mike Medina flew into Denver from Chicago and met the Gin Palace Jesters to do gigs two through nine. Here Mike made a special trip to see the famous Voxmobile.

Gabriel, Mike and Jake outside the Skylark Lounge in Denver...site of gig number two.

The Gin Palace Jesters, back to being a six piece band crank out some honkytonk and western swing music to an appreciative crowd.

The lead section looks to Dave for the next song wondering,"why can't this guy just make a set list already?"

Mike Medina and Ken Mottet flank Denver native and noted Country, Pop and Rockabilly musician Eddie Clendenning during the "after the gig coctail hour."

"Scotch, scotch scotch...I love scotch" -Ron Burgundy

Our good friends Paul and Anne Marie Nichols invited the Gin Palace Jesters to their house to save hotel expenses. They were gracious hosts and Paul pulled out some top shelf single malt for the band. Several band members were EXTREMELY grateful.

In the morning Anne Marie cooked up some vittles while Paul grilled some delicious venison steaks! The band ate it all. Thanks for the hospitality Nichols family!

After a 7 hour drive the band made it to Burt's Tiki Lounge in Salt Lake City. Unfortunately this is the only decent picture snapped although the band universally said it was one of the most memorable and fun gigs of the entire tour.

After a monster overnight 14 hour drive though a snowstorm partway (clearly visible in Mike and Dave's eyes) the band arrived in Long Beach, California to play a gig with Big Sandy and the Flyright Boys. Unfortunately again, no real good pictures were snapped other than this one. This is Mike Medina and Dave Sisson flanking Brent Harding. Brent is a noted bassist who has played with the Lucky Stars, Deke Dickerson's Eccophonics and currently is the bassist for Social Distortion and bluegrass outfit Whiskey Chimp to name a few... Brent and Dave share a love of vintage kids cereals.

The next night the Gin Palace Jesters were in Riverside, California at Raxx Brewing courtesy of promoter Axle. Here some lovely Latinas do some line dancing.

Robert "Big Sandy" Williams showed up to watch the Gin Palace Jesters play and Ken lent him his guitar to get up and sing a few numbers with the band. Big Sandy would get up and sing several times in the next few nights. Ken snapped this picture of Robert leading the band through a few numbers.

Robert "Big Sandy" Williams is a fine talented singer and songwriter and energetic performer and will go down in history as one of the best the West Coast has to offer in the way of Western Swing, Hillbilly, Rockabilly and Honkytonk. It was the Gin Palace Jesters' pleasure to peform with him.

After the gig Dave was in hillbilly heaven posing with D and C. He looks very pleased with himself...wouldn't you say? A great night was had by all.

Sunday the band was off to the Knockout in San Francisco. It was a nice little joint chock full of fun and great people.

No pictures got taken of the group playing music but they DO seem to drink a lot don't you think?

Ken poses for a picture with good friend Stuart Sanders - upright bassist and soundman extraordinaire who made it out to see the group.

Also, good friend and musician of Moonshine Willy, Kim Luke drove up from Santa Cruz to see the band.

The next night the band was back in Southern California at Spike's in Rosemead to play a Monday night for promoter Brando. Here the clean cut (looking) Gabriel and Jake work their vices out behind the club.

When you have smoking and drinking you have yourself a party as more people usually quickly show up.

"Hey guys...whatta ya doin out here?" says Big Sandy.

"Uh...NOTHING," says Gabriel as all contraband items are stashed away.

Chris "Sugarballs" Sprague came out to the gig and the Gin Palace Jesters got him up on stage to do a few numbers. Mike Medina frequently flies out to California to play drums in Chris's band the 18 Wheelers.

A "Honkytonk Legend Go Round" WINNER! YEA!

Ken poses in Rosemead, California with West Coast hillbilly of reknown, Wally Hersom: bassist, engineer and producer.

Jake, Katie and Mike...a good lookin' bunch of kids. This was Mike's last show and he was heading home. Thanks Mike! See you in Chicago.

Big Sandy, Fiddlin' Katie and Pennsylvania Dave

Do the hustle! doot doot doot doot doot doot doot do doo doot doot doot doot doot doot doot do doo

 

Tuesday 20

The Zoo Bar Lincoln ,NE -Early show-6:00pm!

Wednesday 21

With the Utah County Swillers & The Badgrass Boys we'll try to smuggle some REAL beer over the border to you Salt Lake Valley hillbillies!

Friday 23

Friday 2

Thursday 15