Back in the Saddle Again…
Tuesday, Sept 21, 2021 – Wednesday, Sept 22, 2021
Flying out to Zurich today with James Carothers for the Country & BBQ festival in Liechtenstein this weekend! I have been so excited to finally have an international festival but I honestly thought something would happen in this new world we live in that it would all fall apart before we got off the ground. The promoters of the festival sent us invitation letters and gov’t letters to help with any entry problems we might have. James and I both took PCR tests a few days before leaving to cover all our bases.
It is just James and I flying out of Nashville and then Mr Jay and his band will drive up from France and back James at the festival. I have worked with Jay, Jackson, Bastiaan and Dietmar a few times so really excited to see them again as well.
James and I left Nashville on time and had a 2 hour layover in Dulles. I took him into the United Club with me until our departure flight boarded. We had to show vax card and negative test at check in for the international flight. The flight over left on time and was pretty uneventful.
Landed Zurich – this is where I was 1 1/2 years ago with Runaway June, when the world shut down and I had to book it home on the first flight out.
James and I went up to passport control together and they were not sure with the new guidelines if we could transit to Liechtenstein. Sooo.. we sat in the little glass office for about 15 mins while they checked out our paper work and we showed them our letters. Then they took us across the airport to another holding room where James had to fill out more paperwork and I think he signed over his first born child, however they eventually let us through. I told the guy that he was going to have 2 more people coming through at noon with the same issue. William Michael Morgan and his manager were landing then and I knew they would have the same problems.
Our promoters Franz Josef and Patrick were waiting for us as we came out of baggage claim. I had been in constant communication with Franz throughout this whole holding process. We walked outside to a huge white stretch limo that we all rode in for the 1 1/2 hour drive to the hotel. Went from the police station at the airport to being whisked away in a limo…..
The drive to our hotel in Malbun, Liechtenstein was so beautiful.. we stopped a few times to take pictures. Our hotel in Malbun, which is at the top of the mountain, in the ski area and to get up there, you drive for 25 mins on narrow, twisty roads!
Checked in to the hotel and then went to see where James and the band will rehearse. Grabbed a quick lunch with James on the terrace (the weather is beautiful) and then had to grab a quick shower and do some work before meeting Mariah.
Spoke with Jay a few times and their ETA is 5pm. I had a brief meeting with Mariah, who has been my main contact on information and will be taking care of us. She is an American that moved here about 9 years ago. Love her. We also had coffee out on the terrace 🙂
Jay and the band arrived a little after 5 and I met them in the lobby to make sure they were checked in, etc. Showed them the rehearsal space. They got settled in and then we all met for dinner at 6:30. Everyone seems in good spirits and just happy to be out playing a show!
Went back to the room around 9 and fading fast, was hoping to stay up and talk to the kids when they got home from school but I don’t think I will make it…
Thursday – Sept 23, 2021
And….. woke up around 1 am with feet cramps and could not go back to sleep. Was able to chat with Zac and Zoe for a little bit. They had a good day at school and everything seems to be going well. My friend Sherrie has been looking after them until Mom gets home from Alaska and takes over.
Finally fell back asleep around 3 am and slept till 7:30. Went up to breakfast and James had already ate and went for a walk. Saw most of my band at breakfast and we decided to all go for a a hike. there are trails all around this area.
They are trying to kill me… set out for what I thought would be a nice stroll halfway up the mountain but we ended up hiking the whole way up. The view was definitely worth it though. Made it back down to the hotel around around and sat out on the terrace for lunch, again another beautiful day. I had one of the best mozzerella and cheese salads.
Band rehearsal with James and the EU band is at 2 downstairs in the bar. It is just a basic set up but the guys made it work and sound really great. My friend Aida, who volunteered at the festival 2 years ago when Mom was here with Ben and Noel Haggard, came by the hotel and we walked across the street for coffee and ice cream 🙂
It was a nice to see her even if the visit was short. James and the band finished up around 6 and then we went to have dinner. Feels like all I have done eat, but it is sooo good.
Me, James, Jay and Bastiaan went down to the festival to check it out and see some of the the other acts perform. Tonight is the opening night for the festival. I love where we are staying, except it is a 20 min drive down the mountain to the venue and then back up.
They started building the venue about 3 weeks ago and it is really amazing. It is an “Old Town” village with a large covered “event hall” where the stage and tables are. Mariah took me around to show me where the dressing rooms are and other areas backstage. We stayed till about 11 then back up the mountain we went. It’s midnight and going to try and sleep. Big day tomorrow with sightseeing, soundcheck and then show!
Friday Sept 24 2021
Another night of 2 hours sleep then wide awake for another 2 before finally falling back to sleep. Ugh. Woke up at 7 to get ready then head upstairs to grab breakfast before we all leave out. The promoters and drivers picked us up at 8:30 am. It is James and I and the band along with William Michael Morgan and his manager Mike, Kezia is a phenominal singer here from the UK with her UK band and they came as well. Patrick, one of the promoters and his daughters went with us too to help with everything. They are all so sweet and have really enjoyed getting to know them.
The first stop was a small museum about 10 mins away. We watched a short film about the area and then we drove to the helicopter pad. Yes.. helicopter pad. I did not go as I get to sick in helicopters, unless it is a blackhawk. haha
but the rest of the group went up in groups of four and did a nice circle around the country. This was James first time ever in a helicopter. They all said it was an amazing ride and enjoyed it very much. We then drove down to Vaduz and watched a film on the Prince’s castle then walked across the street to have lunch. More eating…
There are 7 of us that have to get Covid test today for our flight home on Sunday and the testing center is right by the restaurant. We thought we could pop in there and get it down quickly, but there was a very long line and it took a little over an hour to get ours done. We had sent the band on back to the hotel to grab instruments and go to soundcheck, but they needed the van we were in to go to the venue from the hotel. James also missed his radio interview bc of how long we waited to test. 1 driver was able to take the drummer and steel player to the venue but the others waited on us to get back and ride back down with us. More up and down the mountain. Made it to the venue at 4:30, which gave us 1 hour soundcheck. Franz Josef had said we could just go do the radio interview after soundcheck.
James and the band finished on time and I got them set to go back to the hotel and Max, one of the drivers took us over to the radio station…. that was already closed 🙁
at lease we tried!!
Back to the hotel where we have about 2 1/2 hours to get ready before leaving for the show.
So we had a 9pm departure for the venue which would give us an hour before showtime. I met James and the band in the reception area at 8:55. By 9:05, no driver, I texted my contacts and somehow a driver for us was overlooked. They had someone on their way ASAP. Remember it is a 25 min drive up and back down the mountain.
Driver arrived at 9:30 and we were at the venue by 10. This gave the guys 30 mins to get set up and ready. Fortunately my guys are always prepared and were able to have their stuff done quickly.
The staff and promoters are so sweet and they have been apologizing profusely for dropping the ball on the pick up.
James took the stage at 10:30. I stayed backstage for a few to make sure everything was going well then walked out front. The sound is amazing and you could see how much fun James and the band were having playing. James is a very traditional singer and does a lot of Merle, Waylon, George Jones songs along with his. The crowd loved it. It was a vey high energy show. William Michael Morgan came over to see his show and even came on stage and did a song with them.
While I was out in the audience I was able to see some friends I haven’t seen in quite awhile. Markus and his wife, Annalise and Stefano.
James finished his show on time and then he was brought back out for an encore after his set. Franz Josef and Patrick came back stage, they very much enjoyed James, so much so that they had him go back up for a 2nd encore. They did “Friends in low Places” and Franz Joseph, Patrick and “Festus” went up on stage and sang with James. It was a great ending.
James went out to sign some autographs and we were able to head back to the hotel by 1 am
~~~~~~ back up the mountain
Have to be in lobby by 9 for a short sightseeing excursion.
Saturday. Sept 25 2021
Best 5 hrs of sleep I have ever had! My sleep had been so light and broken that to finally sleep 5 hrs in a row was Heaven.
Grabbed a quick breakfast and saw the band off. Jay, Bastiaan and Jackson are driving back to France and Dietmar is driving back to Germany. Enjoyed working with them again. They are fun and make my job easy.
James and I took off with David to Rapperswil Switz to meet with the owner of Western Art Wear. A shop there and friend of the promoters.
I love Kurt! He is the owner. He lives here and has a ran h in Montana. He fixed us a coffee and asked if I knew Judy Seale..told him it was mom. He said she did a cattle drive with me back in the 90’s. I remember her doing this, so we chatted for awhile. His friend who is a photographer was also in the shop and grabbed some pics of him and James.
We left and drove around Lake Zurich. It’s is another beautiful day! The weather could not have been any better this whole time!!
Quick stop at the chocolate factory to grab some gifts then drove back to the hotel. David took us a different way so we saw a closer look at the Castle and just more scenery eye candy.
I think we both need naps now. Decided to meet for dinner at 6 then go over to the venue. It is the last night of the fesitval with William Michael Morgan closing.
I took an hour nap then went upstairs to eat. James joined me a little while latter, he had taken a nap as well.
We went to the venue around 8. Aida and her husband Stefano came by and gave me a bag of goodies to take home. Wish I could have spent more time with them. Hopefully next time.
I said my goodbyes to everyone and Sandy took me back up to the hotel around 11. James stayed and did an encore with WMM ..I think they got back around 1 am?
Sunday, Sept 26, 2021
Woke up at 6:00 am to get ready to leave by 7:30. There are 5 of us flying home today. Me, James and Addison are all on the same flights to Nashville and 2 are flying back to the UK.
Mariah sent me the contact info for the taxi driver that is taking us to the airport should I need it.
Went up to the lobby at 7:00 and Addison was already up there with his stuff and said “the front door is lock and there is a guy out there” Our keys would not open the front door and there was no one around or number to call. I walked all the way back down toward my room where there was another entrance and used my key to open that door, walked around to the front of the hotel and it was our driver that was trying to get in.
Walked back down to the other entrance and up to the front where I told Addison and the 2 UK people that we would need to go out the back way.
James was coming out as we were going out the back entrance so that saved me another trip up and down. We were loaded up and headed out by 7:3o am. It took about 1 1/2 hours to drive to the Zurich airport. We have had beautiful weather this whole time and this morning it started to rain.
Got me, James and Addison checked in for our United flight and then through security. We have about an hour before we start boarding so I bought more chocolate to bring home and had a little breakfast.
International departures are through E gate, so you have to go through passport control – again, then take the tram over to E gates. I made over just as they were starting to board. Left on time. Watched a movie, read a book, ate some lunch and then landed Dulles.
Made it through customs, rechecked bags, back through security and walked to our departure gate with no problems. Boarded on time and was a short 1 1/2 hour flight home.. slept a little bit.
Said my goodbyes to James and Addison at baggage claim then met mom and my kiddo’s outside at pick up. So good to squeeze my Z’s!
I could not have asked for a better “first trip back”. The festival has done an amazing job with their new venue. The promoters, Franz Josef and Patrick are just superb to work with and so very nice. Appreciate Mariah’s attention to detail in making sure things ran smoothly. All our Drivers – Max, David, Sandy, Alex. You all did amazing jobs transporting everyone and making us feel so welcome.
Jay, Jackson, Bastiaan and Dietmar – It is always a pleasure to work with you all. You make my job easier with your professionalism. I know the Artist is going to be happy with your talents and the audience is going to get an amazing show.
James – It was wonderful to finally take you on a tour. I enjoyed getting to experience all this with you. You blew them away at the festival. Can’t wait to do more with you!
Linz