OK guys – Let me first start with an enormous apology for not being more on top of this blogging stuff. Until about mid-way through this past tour, I truly never thought being a musician was much of a “real job,” as they say. We get to perform in front of amazingly receptive people all over the country, we get to see all kinds of places across the country, we get to meet famous people, we get to record records in incredible studios, all in the name of doing something that we love.

But for all of those great things, there is indeed a “behind the scenes” scene, if you will. We’ve been what seems like everywhere this summer. We’ve been up at 6AM, in the van for 12 hours, and then cranked out 2-3 hours shows. We’ve slept in crappy hotels, and some nice ones too. We lost our beloved chariot a couple weeks ago to a failing transmission. (fret not, we have a new one.) We’ve blown tires, and missed shows. We’ve had bad shows, and we’ve had great shows. We’ve seen each other’s smiling faces literally everyday since the middle of May when we set out for California. And, now, we’re home.

You get so used to the road schedule after a while. It even seems weird to me that I actually have time to sit here in my living room and write about it. I even slept in my own bed last night, imagine that.

But for all of the daily in and out drudge that sometimes accompanies this particular profession, we are lucky people, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything. It is simply just to rewarding, when after a seemingly endless day of travel, accompanied by all of our patience running out, and a show we just didn’t quite know how to feel about, someone comes up after a show and tells you it was the best show they’ve seen all year. So, I’d like to thank each and every person that made it to a show, bought a CD, or just took the time to come say hello, from the bottom of my heart. We simply can’t do it by ourselves, so thanks. A lot. Really.

So really, with the exception of 2 very, very short lived and busy trips home, we’ve been on the road since the middle of May. 8 weeks. Pictures will be going up very soon on our MySpace page, and our Fickr page, which you can link to from our website.

We got to meet and play with some amazing bands and musicians along the way so far. There are so many people out there trying to do the same thing we are, and who are, in my humble opinion, far more deserving, so if you get the chance to see someone you’ve heard about, or read about, please go see them. Buy their CD if you like it, put some money in their tip jar, because it ain’t easy folks.

Sorry to preach, just now that I’m home, I actually got a little nostalgic about this summer. We’ve played 40+ shows since we set out, not including radio, and I can remember the good and the bad about all of them. So all I ask here is that those of you who read this and would like to share anything about a set you caught, or our van running you off the road in Nebraska, please do. (If you’re reading this on our website – pop over to the MySpace page or the Blog page). I could write a novel about this summer’s events if I started from the beginning of this tour, so instead of doing that, I want to open it up to you. I’ll do my best to respond to questions or good stories.

So that’s going to be it for now. We have 3 weeks off here in Austin before we set out to do it again. Back to Colorado for the Four Corners Festival. We did the sister festival back in June called Pagosa Folk and Bluegrass. Absolutely beautiful place, equipped with the nicest people on earth, and the best back stage food we’ve found to date.

We have a rehearsal today too! And surely many, many more to follow, so expect lots of new stuff coming at you on this next leg.

Thanks to everyone, wishing you all the best…

Rob

two vids

Two videos to check out - one from ME-TV here in Austin and another taken in Baltimore when we opened up for Lyle Lovett. Enjoy.

7/17/08

Seven and a half weeks on the road.

Nevada, California, Texas, New Mexico, Colorado, Nebraska, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, and home again

Lots of time in the van. Lots of pictures. Even a video or two. Check it

#10 baby snakes

We're #10 on the Americana Music Charts this week. Check it out here http://www.americanaradio.org/ama/displaychart_beforetracks.asp?mode=lw&dtkey=

It's getting hot in Austin.


Photo by Rockslide Photography

SXSW and the past

The latest news from Belleville Outfit World Headquarters here in Austin, TX

SXSW

We were very honored to be asked to play an official showcase this past saturday for the SXSW music festival here in Austin, as well as a spot playing at the Austin Music Awards, in a tribute to Walter Hyatt. Lyle Lovett and David Ball were among some of the other musicians also playing. Here's a shot of Lyle in the dressing room with Connor in the backround. (photo by rockslide photography)




We've also been doing some great house concerts lately, completely acoustic and stripped down of any amps or microphones. We did one here in Austin for John Grubbs and his family. Then in the same week we played in Houston at the Frederick family Side-Door Sessions. Those folks sure now how to throw a party, and we had a great time making music for them. Here's some pictures from both. (Photo's by Rockslide Photography and The Fredericks)

















And here's some pictures from earlier this year, starting in Colorado and ending up in South Carolina. Enjoy!

words from the southeast

Today was supposed to be our day off, but it has turned more into a day to get stuff done, so we're not way behind with it all. Ever wonder what a band does besides ride around in a van, party, and play music?

We stuff hundreds of envelopes, which make their way out to radio stations and print media across the country (and even some in Europe). We fix our van and trailer, because if the trailer lights or our steering wheel doesn't work, we aren't going anywhere. We update our website, blogs, and online calendars. We reply to emails, neglected phone calls, and overflowing voicemail inboxes. We fix amplifiers, restring guitars, put new heads on drums, and if we're lucky, we even find a minute to call home to mom.

For those of you wondering where www.bellevilleoutfit.com is, we're launching a new website and the domain name is being transfered this week. So for now, you can view our brand spankin new site at www.thebellevilleoutfit.com


Here are some shots from shows these past weeks

Charleston, SC





Colorado

keep movin'

We had a great run of shows in Texas this past weekend. We went through Houston, Galveston, La Grange, and New Braunfels. All of the places we played are setup more as music listening clubs, and less as noisy bars. At the Bugle Boy in La Grange, in fact, you might be asked to leave for talking during performances. Don't let that scare you - it's a club worth going to on any night of the week.

Nothing like the feeling of playing music to folks who really appreciate it and aren't just there for the $1.50 beer special. Thanks to all of you who made it out to one of those shows. Hope everyone is enjoying the CD's.




photo by rockslide photography

We were cold. a photo essay by jeff brown

We had a great time.

We were so, so, cold. And our van didn't break down!