It’s 2:00am, December 18th as I’m writing this. I have been lying awake in bed for the past 3 hours because I can’t sleep. Probably because I’m not used to going to bed at 11:00 these days since usually we’re playing a show. But I’m not playing a show right now because…
…the tour is over.
Now, if you just read that and were confused as to what emotional response to give – like a “yay!” or a “aww:(” – then you should know that you’re not alone. I feel the same way. The answer is totally both.
Just like any other great tour that I’ve been on, there are times when you’re ready for it to be over, times when you look at the list of shows on your website that you have coming up and think “there’s no way I’m gonna make it!” But, just like all other great tours, you still love every minute of it and the emotions start to run higher and higher the closer you get to the end.
I had such a great time on this tour. It was a lot of work. Maybe more work than I’ve ever put into a tour thus far but it was so great. Though we were a man down (sans the awesome Bob Stamper who currently lives in Australia and is probably sunbathing in the hot Celsius sun), my band was in top form every night. And if I can just take a second to say that my band is incredible I’d like to say it. My band is incredible. They are the greatest guys in the world. I am extremely blessed to not only have a mailbox that has an opening on the inside of my house so I don’t have to go outside to get the mail, but to also have bandmates who are all awesome at their instruments and my closest friends. (I was going to try to be funny and say that God must have spent a little more time on them but I won’t…I won’t say that) If you know these guys then you know what I’m talking about. If you don’t know them then I hope someday you get the chance to meet them. And if you do meet them, here’s some advice on how to get in good with each one…
-When meeting Dylan: Mention that you like his jacket even if he’s not wearing one (he probably won’t notice), also bring him a scalding hot cup of green tea and he will love you. Bring him a scalding hot cup of tea while saying something like “Have you seen that new documentary that NPR did called Organic Fundamentals?” and he will probably give you a hug.
-When meeting Chad: Don’t ask him if he’s good at basketball. The answer is yes but people ask him that all the time and it gets old. Instead, hand him a bag of sour gummy worms/gummy anything (but his fav is actually Twix) and mention that his hair is quite possibly the greatest hair God has ever given to a human being (this is not because Chad thinks this but more because it is just a fact).
-When meeting Luke: Bring him a cold beer and tell him that it was brewed by a local family of Indianapolis Colts fans (regardless of what region you are in). This will get him talking about the Indianapolis Colts – a subject of which Luke knows better than just about anyone. Also, if you are in need of someone to negotiate for you, take Luke. He’s the best. We have enjoyed many hotel hot tubs well after closing time thanks to Luke’s skills of persuasion.
-When meeting Bob: Straight off the bat, say he’s having a good hair day. You might think he just rolled out of bed looking like that but trust me when I say he works for that hair candy. Then mention anything about bluegrass or banjos or slide guitar or any band that stopped making music before 1980 and then tell him that Dylan, Chad, Luke and I miss him.
So there you go.
In closing, I want to thank EVERYONE who came out to the shows on this tour. I had such a great experience and I hope you did, too. Thank you to Stephen Kellogg & the Sixers (Boots, Kit, Chip, Steamer, Jess & Carson) for being so awesome and making the past few months such a blast (btw if you haven’t heard Stephen Kellogg & the Sixers yet then you MUST check them out. buy their new album and go to a show. you will be happy you did.).
<2011 was a great time. Some really exciting stuff coming at the top of 2012.
Can’t wait to tell you all about it!
-j-
Had the privilege of hearing you in NC. Not sure what impressed me more–your voice or your personality. Thanks for sharing your music with the world, but more than that, thank you for being a good man. You never claimed to be one, but it shines through in everything you say and do. Be fruitful and multiply. The world needs a lot more people like you. :-)
Jon,
I’m so glad you had a great time on this tour. I saw you in Boston and it was such a great show! I love how you mentioned each band member and included Bob, as well. I hope that he’ll be joining back up with you for the next tour! I’m lucky that I got to see Bob with you in Boston during the previous tour. This time around, I saw you with everyone else but Bob. Next time, I hope everybody is there! Truly was an awesome tour. Hope to see you again soon!
PS – Now, you have to cover “God Must Have Spent A Little More Time On You” because you mentioned it! Go ahead, I dare you! :-)
The show was a blast! I’m glad I got a chance to see you guys perform. I can’t wait to see what 2012 has in store from you. Happy holidays Jon.
Jon, Dylan, Chad, Luke, Bob: it was great hearing you in Boulder. Ain’t Colorado God’s country? Jon told me that y’all may come back to CO in the spring so I’m looking forward to that! Don’t forget, I’ll treat y’all to dinner before the show! XXXOO to you all and Merry Christmas.
I was so pumped to hear you were coming to Texas!!! But I couldn’t go because of “parental legal jurisdiction” over my actions seeing as I’m not 18 yet… So school days were out since I have finals, then the one Friday show not too far from me was 21+, I was devistated:’( So for the next tour PLEASE have a show that us under-aged, protectively parented people can come to! I still LOVE you and your music:) God bless.
Thank you guys so much for making and sharing such amazing music. I always know that no matter what kind of day I’ve had all I have to do is come home, put one of your songs on and everything will instantly feel so much better :)
Maybe for something a bit different you guys could come and visit Bob down in Australia? haha Then I could actually come and see you live at a show, that would be truly amazing.
All the best for the new year, I hope it brings you all the best of luck happiness, and a very Merry Christmas :) xx
Jon,
I feel blessed that I got to see you perform not only once but twice!!! Plus I got to meet YOU!! My idol! Not everyone gets to meet their idol at 18 but I did!!! Thank you so much for all that you and your amazing bandmates do. You all are the best!!! Can’t wait to find out what you have in store for us at the beginning of 2012!!!
Great Vogue show, had a blast and the music was excellent. The band was in top shape…like a fine wine, it improves with time. At the risk of sounding like a syrupy tween (oh, what the heck…) there have been many mornings I crank up the car CD and prepare for the day with your music. And yes, I sing it alound while driving.Thanks :)
I was at the Houston show and LOVED every minute of it. You tore that keyboard up!! I saw the infamous white van outside the Capitol and almost snuck over and drew a screw driver with a circle and a slash through it. You and your band are awesome. Can’t wait until you come through again!
Thank you Jon for the great music and the great shows that you put out! I’ve had the pleasure of seeing you in concert in New York three times, the 3rd time being at the Bowery Ballroom with Stephen Kellogg and the Sixers back in November. That was an awesome show! Sadly, I was too scared to have asked you for a picture and autograph, but there’s always next time! It’s sad that the tour has come to an end, but it’ll give you time to relax and start writing your next album!
Your blog posts always make me smile =)
I’m glad to hear that the rest of the tour went well. I had the privilege of seeing you at both New York shows, and both were incredible! I hope you’re able to take some time to relax and enjoy the holidays!
Hopefully I’ll get to see you again soon…a spring 2012 tour perhaps??
I can only imagine the relief that the tour is over and the sadness that the tour is over. I am so glad that you came back to SF. Seeing you on 12/08 was the best Christmas present that I bought myself. I cannot stop listening to “Forever If Ever” – I love the songs more and more each day. It is THE ONLY album that I am listening to right now. Merry Christmas!!!
The next time you come to Dallas, we’ll make sure there are gummy worms, green tea and Colt fan beer on the buffet and plenty of hair gel in the dressing room. Anything you guys want, just come back to Dallas soon, preferably to HOB or Gilley’s again. Selfishly don’t wanna see you at AA Center. It was great talking with you after the show, Jon. Thanks for the music..It’s transcendental. We are listening to it as we sit snowed in a cabin at Big Sky, MT. Happy holidays!
After your show at Winston’s in San Diego, I was so happy to meet you and get your signed CD. Thanks!! The thing that struck me the most was that despite being all tired and sweaty, it was clear you were really HAPPY and energized doing what you do. Who can complain about getting all that admiration, applause and love from your audience! Talk about job satisfaction; you are a lucky man, Jon! I only wish I could have met the rest of your band too. They’re awesome too. I’ll definitely come out to your show the next time you play in Southern California.
forgot to mention that sometimes when you idolize someone and then meet them in person, they are a big let down. But meeting you met and exceeded expectations. You could not have been nicer or more gracious. That is another reason your fans love and support you. You are just the awesomest. :-)
Hey, Jon. I was thrilled to be able to hear you sing in Knoxville last October. (You may not have been thrilled to hear my yelling at you to sing “So Close,” though, and for that I apologize). But honestly, AFTERDark was fantastic, and really encouraging faith-wise. You and Joe White were phenomenal, and I wish you both the best of luck in all your future endeavors. God has blessed you with a lovely voice.