North America Guitar Tour

To Staten Island

July 26-27, 2014

I left Nashville, Indiana just before 6pm and headed east. Regardless of the results of the contest itself, it was worth the detour in the sense that I was able to regain what I needed most: self-confidence. While the whole trip was about connecting with people through the guitar, these few days were a space where only my ability as a guitarist mattered. No matter how much you praise someone on YouTube, self-confidence can be blown away by a single thoughtless comment, even if it's not malicious.

On the way, I only remember taking occasional naps, the toilets in the rest areas in Ohio were made by Toto, and the obvious difference in the condition of the roads depending on the state, but I managed to get to the bridge to Staten Island just in time to take a break before the party. However, I got stuck in traffic and ended up arriving at Mr. P's house, where I would be staying for two days, just before the party started. The buffet-style party had already started, and all that was left was for me to arrive and play.

After a quick greeting, I took my warm guitar out of the trunk and went to where the PA was set up, where I found a BOSE L1 system. This system can deliver beautiful acoustic sound even in a large venue. It doesn't look like the AER will be needed. After about 10 minutes, the sound started to come out, and the people who had been standing on the terrace on the side moved to the garden and sat down in chairs, staring at the tuning. It was almost like torture to drive there for almost 24 hours and start in 10 minutes, but I just went ahead and started the concert. I remember hearing Mr. P's old man joke of "Free Bird!" every time it was time for a request (I refused at the beginning because I didn't know the song), and everyone was smiling, but other than that, I don't remember much about what I played. I was just relieved that I made it in time.

After the show, I was asked for an autograph by someone who had previously bought my CD, and I played "Norwegian Wood" at the request of another person, which I had not played in the main show. I also remember going almost to the house next door to have a smoke since Mr. P hates cigarettes, and the neighbor also had a smoke on the porch in front of their house, and we became friends. After that, I was allowed into Mr. P's house for the first time, and I remember eating leftovers in the dining kitchen and carrying my luggage to the bedroom, but I must have fallen asleep immediately. When I woke up, it was the next morning.

*People mentioned in the text are listed by their initials until their identities can be confirmed.

Indiana State Fingerstyle Guitar Festival • Supporter's Area

Contents

Introduction
Until Departure
Seattle
To California
Day Off
Sunnyvale
To La
LA 2 Days
To Tucson
Albuquerque
To Colorado (beginning of Miracle)
Berthoud
Denver
to Oklahoma City
Oklahoma City 2 days
To Texas
San Antonio
Georgetown
Dallas
Houston 2 Days
Benton
Nashville (CAAS)
Roswell
Tampa 2 Days
Miami
Orland 2 Days
Myrtle Beach
Chapel Hill 3 Days
Kingsport
To Indiana
Indiana State Fingerstyle Guitar Festival
To Staten Island
Manhattan
Phillipsburg
Nazareth (Martin Guitar Factory)
To Massachusetts (end of Miracle)
Methuen
To Montreal
To Buffalo
Meadvill A Day Before
Meadvill Ghost Hotel
Detroit
Chicago
Minneapolice
Spin Off #1
Spin Off #2 "EU Tour IN 2008 / Until Departure
Czech 1
Czech 2
London
Liverpool
Chesham
To Germany
Lemgo
Ingolstadt
Bregenz
To Italy
Florence
The Last Gig
Going Home