Rock, Reggae, Roots Festival - Philadelphia, PA 8/25/06

Five days after I left Sauce and the crew they had made their way south to Philadelphia. Mike and Ang were married, Sauce was a drunken mess, and the reception had barely ended for this bustling group of celebrators! Tea Leaf Green was categorized as the "rock" portion of the reggae festival that the Marley family promotes in major cities all over the United States. The purpose of the festival is to bring realization and knowledge to all sorts of communities of music, primarily reggae. This one day festival also highlights different genres that have an affect on reggae in different ways. My two hour commute to this festival stressful, I thought I wouldn't arrive in time. I made it 15 minutes before Tea Leaf Green took the stage, ironically, Sauce wasn't there yet. Unaware that I was his plus one on the guest list, I talked my way into the festival, swearing that I wasn't the kind of girl to cheat them out of money. I waited inside the festival for Sauce to arrive to large pier parking lot in Penn's Landing. The waterfront view was breath taking. Soon I heard a roar that could have only meant one thing, Sauce had arrived, in fine form, donning a wonderful yellow sweatband that would just make any girl melt. We grooved to the 45 minute set from Tea Leaf Green, a horrible tease for any dedicated fan. Afterwards, we enjoyed the rest of the eclectic festival. There were many different walks of life there, which made this festival by far one of the most enjoyable. We left the festival a little before close and grabbed cheese steaks on South Street (not too far from where the boys would play on New Years Eve). We piled back in my little Aveo and drove to a little after hours hot spot. Soon enough people were tired, dropping like flies, so Sauce and I drove to a friend's pad to crash. During the ride we experienced a horrendous hail storm at two in the morning. Terrified, we drove through, made it home safely and spent the night. The next morning we met up with the rest of the crew. Here we said our goodbyes. It will be over a month until I see Sauce again.

Tea Leaf Green - Milestones, Rochester, NY 08/20/06

We drove to Tatiana's apartment after spending half the day at Gathering of the Vibes, we got some pizza and relaxed for a few. We then continued our trip to Rochester. We pulled into the hotel, parked the car and chilled. We later walked to the venue which was right around the corner. It was an interesting place, a venue I hope the boys never have to play in again. It was half bar/half venue. It almost seemed like a restaurant that became a venue by sunset. The sound was mediocre and poor Swizzlers had no lights to play with. His fulfillment in the evening was turning on the disco ball. They boys rocked out though, and my pal Parker was there again, dancing like a fool. I was exhausted by this show, it was my last of this short tour. I sat with Sauce at the merch table, Josh came out after the show. I introduced Parker to Josh and they chatted, Parker looked thrilled. The venue closed and we left, Sauce and Josh took beers from "the Digger" in Josh's pillowcase. We staggered back to the hotel room and hung out until night's end. Then we cozied up and turned out the lights. The next morning we said our goodbyes and I drove back to Buffalo to see family. It was official my first Tea Leaf Green tour had ended.

Gathering of the Vibes '06

The next morning we left Buffalo and headed towards Gathering of the Vibes near Albany, NY, or so Sauce and I thought. After two hours of driving we realized we certainly had headed in the wrong direction. We pulled off in the middle of no where at a gas station; picked up road soadies, filled the tank and looked at a map. We hauled ass, we wanted our 5 hour road trip to be over. Ironically, we had left at the same time as the band, went two hours out of our way, and pulled in right behind them. We rolled into VIP sign in, got our passes and parked backstage. We got some dinner, some beers and went to snoop around. Sauce and I relaxed after a long ride, we met up with close friends of the band Kenny and Sharon and chilled at their luxurious camp site. Then, we went out to see Deep Banana Blackout; we were jamming when I randomly heard someone call my name from behind. Cathy Lapp, Dirty Dave and Cathy's best pal were standing right behind me in general admission. It was wild, I would later run into them at the late night Tea Leaf Green set, where they would jump fence in the middle of the show. Next on stage was Assembly of Dust, during this time we went backstage and got a ride from main stage to the other side of the field via golf cart. Here, the boy's equipment was loaded and set up on stage. I hung out on stage until sound check, taking in the scene. It was wild to be higher than everyone else and behind them, to watch the whole crowd groove together to AoD. Not long after Tea Leaf Green began their sound check two boys appeared, Charlie and Fred. They started asking me questions about the band, they wanted to meet them. So after chatting for a little I introduced them to Sauce and soon Ben Chambers, Bass, came out to meet them. The boys told Sauce and Ben about their horrible road trip dilemma on the way to the festival. A policeman pulled them over and gave them citations and took all their marijuana. Having had a similar experience Ben invited the two boys, both in high school and huge TLG fans, onto "the Digger" where the boys chatted with Josh, Trevor and Ben. Josh talked to the boys about guitars, how he plays and little tips. Trevor asked the boys what song they wanted to hear and they both agreed on Morning Sun, which was played early in the set. The energy of this late night show was amazing. Tons of people watching, listening, cheering the band on...this was by far one of the most enjoyable nights of summer. After the show Sauce and I went back to my car, collected items to set up camp and did just that. The next morning we woke up to Alan walking by, laughing at our private camp site, right in the middle of the concert venue..."have a nice sleep guys?". It began to rain and had gotten chilly, so we went back to my car where I slipped into some jeans and then walked around the festival, taking in the scene. We later went back to Kenny and Sharon's camp site where we drank wine and beer early in the morning and sat quietly next to their tent. We thought that Kenny and Sharon were sleeping, we were jealous, we wanted to sleep. An hour later the pair stroll in, laughing at their unexpected company. They then made us a luscious breakfast of bagels and locks, we sat and chatted for a couple hours until I forced Sauce to go see G. Love and the Special Sauce. Lets put it this way, Sauce used to like G. Love until he stage flirted with all the girls in the front row. Soon after we left Gathering of the Vibes and continued on.

Thursday in the Square - Tea Leaf Green, Buffalo, NY 8/17/06

My first return to Buffalo, NY since I had graduated from St. Bonaventure University in May. Normally, I wouldn't have made this trip but it was a special occasion. Sauce, who wasn't on tour during the summer, was flying to the East Coast for his friends', Mike and Ang's, wedding. We made plans to meet up in Buffalo, six months after we had met. I was excited. Tea Leaf Green was playing a free show for Thursdays in the Square which is a live concert series that the City of Buffalo puts forth to promote city entertainment. It was a great reunion of all kids. I met up with my pal Parker and Gak from SBU and got all set up for the show, we were enjoying our beers when Sauce came walking through with Mike, Ang, Tatiana and Fat Ass. We danced and had a great time as the boys opened for Donna the Buffalo. After their show my pal Jenny showed up just as we were piling onto "the Digger" and all got reacquainted. Sauce had surprised his lifelong pals, who were totally thrilled to see him. We went back to the hotel and partied, Josh and Ben were kind and let Sauce and I stay in their room, and so the romance began.

DMB at Randall's Island, NYC 8/6/06

This day is also known as the day I met Macky Macky. I had been in the city all weekend for my best pal's graduation/birthday celebration. I spent Friday and Saturday out in Breezy Point, Brooklyn partying on the beach, taking booze cruises around the Hudson and catching up with some of my closest college buddies. Right before I had left I realized that Dave Matthews was playing at Randall's Island the same weekend. My infamous partner in crime Kate Madigan and my other pal Nicole had already bought tickets to this one day fest. It sure was a jam packed day, Bela Fleck, David Gray, Slightly Stoopid, Dave Matthews Band and Tea Leaf Green. At this point in the summer I was broke, so I called a friend for a favor. I couldn't handle knowing that I would be in the same city at the same time as two of my best pals and my favorite band...so I did what any ordinary girl would do and tried to find a ticket. I called Sauce. Saturday afternoon I got a call. I was already half in the bag. Sauce confirmed that there was a ticket waiting for me at Will Call and I was in. Excited, I thanked him lots and called my girlfriends and arranged a meeting. The next day, Sunday, I took the subway all the way from Brooklyn to the closest stop to Randall's Island, which I forget. Then I took a bus which dropped me right at Will Call. I got in line, waited, and finally gave my name at the window, they didn't have my ticket. My dumb ass was in the wrong line and the lady informed me to go to "Artist's Guests" window, a mistake I would never make again in life. Everyone in line heard the lady at the window, then the murmuring started..."I wish I was a guest of a band." "we should hang with her." for some reason I was embarrassed. I grabbed my ticket and split, fast. After walking around the place for 20 minutes I finally found my posse. We sat on the grassy noels, passing time and giggling until Tea Leaf Green started the day off. It was Nicole's first TLG show, the poor thing had to put up with all of our antics - those who dig any band make it obvious, as did we and the gentleman behind us - Macky. The show was a great little dose of TLG, classic Moonshine, One Reason, Two Chairs and set closer and Jammy winning tune Taught To Be Proud. Afterwards I spoke to the guys, thanked them for my ticket...where Ben C proceeded to make fun of my rather horse voice. One would think I would have been embarrassed...but not in the least. The other bands played, it was fun, I ended up with a VIP bracelet which got me backstage for a little. I then split to go hang with my friends, we drank beers and ate pineapple with strangers in the parking lot. We later left, and ventured back to Nicole's pad, we got lost for hours. But nothing could hinder the perfect experience...all in all it was a fabulous day all thanks to Sauce.

All Good Festival 2006

Very little planning went into this trip. It was a spur of the moment decision that transpired due to Dave Brogan's advice one month prior. Therefore, Kate Madigan drove from Connecticut to Maryland and I drove the following three hours to West Virginia. It was an interesting ride, the first road trip made in my new Chevrolet Aveo name Arthur. We had to take an unpaved stone road up to the lovely Marvin's Mountain Top where Arthur would sit for three days. We quickly set up camp, and relaxed. Cracked a couple of beers and waited for people to walk by we knew. All Good is by far my most favorite festival. Smaller than most, larger than some. Two stages, practically next to each other so you never miss a gig. The stage in relation to the mountain provides great sound, making this festival louder than most. All Good Festival also has great pizza that is open all night, its fabulous! Friday was an exceptional evening! I introduced Kate to Southern Culture on the Skids and the Bridge. She took to the Bridge more kindly. We squeezed through to third row during Ween, who by the way have the most intense fan base! Ween was a great surprise to both of us. The first time either of us had seen Ween live, I totally dug. Afterward, we grooved to Trey and the Duo. The interactions between Marco Benevento and Trey were so incredibly enjoyable to watch. Marco looked like he was having the time of his life, which made the vibe of the show and the crowd full of excitement! The Bridge, my hometown band from Baltimore, had a hard act to follow in Trey and the Duo but they did it! Blaring out Rosalita, Beat Box and Feel the Rhythm. Friday night ended with a typical late night set from the Disco Biscuits, where they also played Astronaut. Saturday surely wouldn't disappoint with ultra sexy bands like Tea Leaf Green, ALO and Grace Potter taking the stage. Any who, truth be told, I had ulterior motives that made going to this festival an easy choice, I mean besides Trey and Ween of course. Four months earlier my pal Kate and I went to see Tea Leaf Green at the Town Ballroom in Buffalo, New York. It was our first TLG show and we had quite the experience. We happened to meet the illusive Sauce who tour closer. We kindly agreed since we had been partying all evening and certainly were unable to drive the two hours back to St. Bonaventure safely. Long story short, I hung out with Sauce all evening into the wee hours of the morning laughing. That morning they flew back to San Fransisco and we drove back to SBU. Tea Leaf Green was playing at All Good so I decided to make a sign to get his attention. The sign did not get Sauce's attention because he wasn't there, but the boys in the band noticed, and Pineapple their sound engineer took my picture, word got back to Sauce and the rest there is history. Right after their show I ran into Betty, a groovy lady I had also met at the Buffalo show. She told us about Josh Clark's "Guitarmaggedon" at the Rope-a-Dope Stage with Steve from ALO and DJ Logic. We staggered over to that show, where Josh and I met up for a hot second before he took the stage. Afterwards, Betty, Pete (Betty's pal) and myself went for a little beer run. Kate went to see Galactic and the three of us went on an adventure. We happened to run into Trevor Garrod and this dredded chic Shara (who later would become a very good friend of mine) with whom we chatted and carried on. That evening ended with raging sets from the Black Crowes and Robert Randolph, followed by a late night set from The Greyboy Allstars. Early the next morning we bolted, leaving the lovely Marvin's Mountain Top and all its fabulous memories behind, including a piece of my car in a ditch that two trusting hippies said I could drive over... We capped the weekend off with a luscious stop at Panera that quickly made the memory of all the Peanut Butter and Jelly sandwiches disappear.