Danny; NY, Tokyo, Singapore, Miri Malaysia. Day one.
It's hard to believe that we are on our fifth trip as musical ambassadors bringing American music abroad and that this is our third trip to Malaysia.
Our last trip this summer was for the US Embassy in Russia which brought us to Moscow, Tomsk Siberia, Tula, Kaluga and Sochi, the home of the 2014 Winter Olympics.
This time we are working with the US Embassy in KL Malaysia and also in partnership with our good friends at SPaRKS, a wonderful arts organization in KK. We will be traveling to Miri for their first ever Country music festival and then on to Labuan and finally KK. We will be playing concerts and giving workshops for students and local musicians.
Although we have some country music influences and have recorded some songs that live within it's borders, this is our first real country set. We're playing selections by George Jones, Ricky Scags, Buck Owens, Johnny Cash, Hank Garland and more. The JRB has invited special guest, Nashville native Michelle Lambert who is a great fiddler and vocalist. Johnny who also lives in Nashville now, chose tunes that weave a path through the heart of the country music tradition, they really fit the band and highlight everyone's talent.
We're on the first leg of our journey that takes us from NY to Tokyo which is a 14 hr flight and after a layover there, we fly 7 hrs. to Singapore and have 12 hrs to rest before flying to Miri Malaysia for the Country Festival.
After a few hrs. in the hotel in Singapore, we are back on the plane heading to Miri for the Country Festival. Our total flying time will be about 23 hrs, 15,000 miles and 38hrs of travel just to get to our first concert.
Morning in Singapore.
Well we made it to Miri and it feels great to be back in Malaysia. Miri is right on the coast and the lush green land, blue sea and the beautiful golden sun made for a wonderful arrival. Today is the last day of the new year and it's Valentines day, so there is a lot of good vibes all around.
We were met at the airport by the festivals liaisons and they brought is and another band from Singapore called the Super Band back to the hotel. On the way there were stories about great food, music and travels.
When we got to the hotel, I was able to go out to the beach and relax. After 38 hrs of travel, it was good to put my feet up;)
