STILL GROUNDED….SO WRITING A ROAD REPORT FOR A TOUR I WAS NOT ABLE TO ESCORT. SORRY I AM A MONTH LATE POSITNG IT!!! SINCE I WAS NOT THERE, I AM RELYING ON “SECOND HAND INFO”….

TUESDAY, JUNE 2ND: GARY SINISE FOUNDATION TOUR TO ALASKA WITH “LOVE & THEFT” AND “GREG VACCARIELLO”:

Got the bad news from my doctor yesterday that I could not fly to Alaska with the Gary Sinise Foundation tour. I did get off the “walker” and can walk with just a walking boot. But he said the risk of a blood clot on a flight that long would be too much. So, I had to scramble and get all the materials for the tour to James. I’m not at all worried that the tour will be fantastic under James’s guidance. It’s just a lot for him to have to handle – Production Manager, Tour Manager and Driver!

The two lead singers of Love and Theft and James left Nashville early morning and connected through Seattle. They met up with Greg Vacariello in Seattle and then everyone had to connect through Anchorage for the flight to Fairbanks. Their flight from Anchorage to Fairbanks was delayed by several hours. It was about a 2 and a half hour drive including a stop for dinner. But they had a long layover in Seattle, so they drove straight through to Clear Space Force Station.

Fortunately, they didn’t have any problem getting on base and their rooms were ready for them. The flight from Nashville to Fairbanks is actually longer than flying to Europe. Everyone was tired and went to bed once they arrived.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 3rd – SHOW DAY AT CLEAR SPACE FORCE STATION, ALASKA:
Everyone had breakfast in the DFAC and their POC Jason arranged a tour of the facilities for them. Our production company arrived at 11:30 am and James helped him load in the PA and backline equipment. This is an acoustic show for Love and Theft and is located in the Polar Bar at Clear. Almost everything at Clear is located in one large building – bedrooms, DFAC, Shoppette, Bar, etc.

The bar was packed to capacity for the performance – 112 people. Mac’s music played after doors opened and then his version of “Star Spangled Banner” on harmonica kicked off the show. Gary always makes a personalized video for each base so that was shown next. Greg performed his comedy set first and had a great show. Then the two lead singers in Love & Theft gave the audience a great acoustic set. The guys signed autographs with everyone in line after the performance. This base if very isolated and always so appreciative of anything we bring them!
James helped the Production Company load out the equipment and then everyone went to their rooms to sleep.
THURSDAY, JUNE 4TH – TRAVEL DAY FROM CLEAR SFS TO FT. WAINWRIGHT, FAIRBANKS ALASKA:
James drove the two Love & Theft guys and Greg to the Ft. Wainwright Army Base. The Gate they were supposed to enter was closed and he had to figure out a different location to enter. The groups always stay on base at a nice Holiday Inn. Everyone got checked in and then James drove to the airport to pick up two of Love and Theft’s musicians. After getting them checked into the hotel, most of the group went into town for dinner then had an early night.

FRIDAY, JUNE 5TH – FT. WAINWRIGHT SUMMER FEST, FAIRBANKS, AK:

Sound check had to be relatively early compared to other shows since this is a festival and the gates will open in the afternoon. Sound check went easy for Greg and L&T and the opening act. The entertainers had a M&G with leadership and then with the lucky “winners” (approximately 100 people) were able to meet the entertainers and take a photo with them. The opening band performed while that was taking place. As always, the walk in music for our event was once again Mac Sinise’s beautiful music. When we do our next show, we’ll have his Part three music to play. Excited to hear that!! Everyone stood for Mac’s version of “The Star Spangled Banner” on harmonica and then Gary’s personalized “Welcome Video” was shown.

Greg had a great show but struggled in the beginning as far as the audience was concerned. Usually they bring their lawn chairs and sit as close to the stage as possible. Because the weather was so “perfect” (which meant very few mosquitos!) everyone brought blankets and sat farther away from the stage. But Greg – being the consummate professional he is – won them over quickly. Love & Theft performed the perfect 75 minute set. Since the M&G took place before the show, they were finished for the evening once their set ended. They have an EARLY call for the airport tomorrow morning. The festival staff said they scanned in 2,500 attendees for the event so they were very pleased with attendance!

SATURDAY, JUNE 4TH – TRAVELING HOME:
I had rented the largest van available in Fairbanks but they still were unable to fit the full band and Greg in it with all the luggage and equipment. Heather was kind enough to get up super early after going to bed super late after the festival and help with transportation. The flights were on time and the group said goodbye to Greg in Seattle as he was flying home to Vegas and they were returning to Nashville. Flights were on time and the weekend was a huge success for the very isolated bases in Alaska.

Special thanks to: Gary and the Gary Sinise Foundation for sponsoring the tour. Love & Theft and Greg Vaccariello for loving our military and wanting to thank them in person and giving them two incredible performances. Heather and Angela at Ft. Wainwright and Jason at Clear Space Force Station for all your hard work and patience with me. Erickson Events and Show Boss for making the group sound so good and providing great equipment and technicians. Lindsey Chance for jumping in and making sure all the details were in order prior to the tour. And, most of all, to James Stuckmann for saving the day and taking over as Tour manager, Production Manager, Driver, and everything else required to make sure a tour runs smoothly. He did such a great job with absolutely “NO WHINING”.

Jude