So Siggi and I got out of town on Saturday night. I don't recall a recording session that has ever allowed me a day off. We head back early in the morning to fire back up again. We started on Monday of last week and have had a great and productive time thus far. I'm so proud of how Blade, Siggi and I have worked so far. Plus Ken and Charlie have been amazing. Ken and Charlie and I have made two records previously, but never like this. We've always had to be steal or borrow any available moment to record. Now being able to stay set up in the studio and try lots of different things, it's been so inspirational. We've had some folks stop by to play with us. Michael Webb came by and played keys on one song. Dan Baird came in for one, plus helped us out with some gear(he'll be back playing more later in the coming weeks) Our friend Teddy Morgan, who we met in Atlantic City came by and helped with two songs on guitar. Then we had the always inspirational Pat Buchanon on guitar for three songs. Proving to us yet again there is a difference between good, really good, really really good and great! We've gotten 5 songs done so far. 'Hard To Love', 'My Winter Coat', 'Goodnight/Goodbye', '8th Street Scandal' and 'Too Late, Too Soon'. We'll go into more details later about specific songs, performances, impressions, etc. Just wanted to check in and let y'all know how it was going. I'll leave by saying we're REAL damned excited about what's going on thus far. Hell I'm excited about getting back to work this week. Ok, back to writing/watching the Olympics.
Y'all be well.

Hanging on a day off in NYC. Actually, Thor is in Jersey City with Blade and I. Siggi and Sean are roaming the streets of the big apple. We had a killer band dinner tonight with our pal/agent Jordan Burger. He's keeping us busy for the rest of the year and its always great to see him.
Last night's show in Larchmont was officially the smallest stage we've ever played. It was fun as hell. Just kick, snare, hi hat, bass and acoustic guitar. The response was great and we had a blast too. We'll definitely be back sometime.


Night before was Milford, CT. Fun gig too. Played there once last winter and it blew. It's a beach town so summer's the way to go. Post show we stopped at the Pilot and about 10 minutes in it turned into this weird American Grafitti-meets-Fast and the Furious kinda vibe. It really looked like they'd let hooker camp out for the summer. We decided you're certainly way too skanky when the dudes in a rock and roll band think, "man, you're way to skanky" AND we're at a truck stop. Hilarious. It was so bad we actually drove to a whole other state to sleep.


The night prior was our Kevin Costner gig in Atlantic City. Didn't know what to expect, but it ended up being a real pleasure. A couple of his band guys are Nashville dudes. Park, one of the guitarists, was actually up for this gig when we hired Blade. He's a great musician and it was good to catch up with him. I didn't know how this actor/band thing would be, but I'll admit it was pretty damned good. They're good songs. The band is a slew of really good tasteful players. And they all seem to be having a great time. I was impressed. I look forward to hearing the album. Hope we'll see them on the road somewhere down the line. Special thanks to their whole cast and crew for all the pre and post show hospitality.


I've got meetings with all our Ryko family tomorrow before the Brooklyn show. Getting the finishing touches put on the studio stuff that'll start as soon as we're home. Damn I'm fired up about making this album. We're gonna have time to really work and experiment a bit in the studio which is a luxury I've never really had. Hell really none of us have! Y'all are a huge part of that so thanks. We'll be updating lots from the studio and can't wait for you to hear what we're doing.


I guess that's it for now. Thanks as always for the continued love and support. See you soon.

So last nights show in Cincinnati was damned good. And it was a Wednesday so that made it even better. I love that room and it was good to finally see it starting to fill up. Special thanks to our cohort Jon for helping Siggi and Blade get their new chores on track. Started selling vinyl at the live shows and we were all thrilled how well they seemed to go over. No other real tales from there except the normal stop for graters ice cream beforehand. Yes, it IS that damned good.

Headed into Chicago today but the show was outside and was cancelled due to rain. I’d have been pretty upset about that, but we’re rocking here tomorrow as well, so it’ll be fine. Siggi’s mama was nice enough to let us bed down at her place and make us homemade pasta with meatballs. Thanks mama Birkis! We love you. Spent the night working on songs/guitar parts with Dan as we prepare for the next few shows to be just the three piece. Putting the final plans together on which studio we’ll be recording the new album in. Its starting to really feel like that process is coming on quick and we’re all very excited about it.

Alright, so I’m off for some sleep now.

Sorry I guess four days does make a difference. Anyhow. Hope everyone enjoyed their holiday weekend. We started off on the 4th in St Louis at a new club. Lots to NOT like about this situation. 1. 4th of July shows usually suck balls (not in a good way). Either nobody shows up, or you’re playing in front of 10,000 people while fireworks explode during your tender love ballads. Neither are conducive to a positive rock and roll experience. 2. NEW club always makes me nervous. Why have I never even HEARD of this place. Plus the other club we’ve been playing is fine. SOOOOOOOOOOOOO, I was worried. Luckily I was proven wrong on both accounts. People actually did show up, and had a pretty damned good time as a matter of fact. Further bonus, the new venue was killer. Very much like a smaller version of Headliner’s in Louisville. So between those factors and the added benefit of our nation’s birth and I was quite the happy fellow. We did have a lovely moment during ‘Someone Else’s Baby’ where a guy in the very front wanted to sing along with me and Blade. Usually we enjoy this, and that’s a fine opportunity for anyone to chime in, however, his freestyle/screamo stylings were a bit out of place. We’d sing softly, ‘….and I know just what you’d say…’ and then in the pause he’d growl, kinda like cookie monster, ‘….I KNOW JUST WHAT YOU’D SAY!!!’ It took everything we had to not completely breakdown in laughter. The same chap was later seen buying a new Will Hoge t-shirt, and then roaming the bar shirtless for a while until he could find the time to put it on. Damn good times. Special thanks to our friend/promoter John Henry for all the hospitality. He was kind enough to have his mom and pops come down and bring a grill to cook for us. Burgers, wings, baked been, tater salad, cupcakes. It really did make us all feel better about missing the holiday at home. Many thanks y’all.

Next night was Indianapolis and the same ‘new venue’ blues were making me nervous. I love the Music Mill and wasn’t sure this ‘beergarden’ gig would be worthwhile. Again, was I wrong. The joint was fabulous! Really more like a mini outdoor theater. The weather was absolutely perfect. The place was packed. People old and new were receptive. The steaks were wonderful, the drinks were cold. Hell I couldn’t ask for much more. So the Rathskeller is now gonna be a yearly summer stop for us. Yes, it was that much fun.
Siggi left to celebrate his mama’s birthday after the show. Happy belated birthday Mama Birkis!! Sean headed back to Cincy. Which left only me and Dan and Blade to transgress the highway to get back home. Talked a lot of rock and roll and how it is and should be. Solved the problems of the world AND bought a dozen day old Krispy Kreme donuts for one American dollar! And I thought it couldn’t get better? aaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

See you all in Cincy on Wednesday right?

Back in Nashville for a bit. Preparing to head out this weekend for holiday shows in St. Louis and Indianapolis. Should be a good time. Been busy as hell here. Writing a TON. Finishing stuff for the new album, plus some songs for other folks as well. Should have a rough idea in the next two weeks of songs that we’ll be cutting for the album. I’m really excited about them.

I can’t begin to tell y’all how much fun this past week on the road was. Raleigh on Thursday was great. The Pourhouse is such a fun club. Great people. The show was good. We debuted our new ‘less musicians/more amps’ line up and boy oh boy, let there be damn rock! It was fun as hell. Afterwards Mr. Magic showed up and wowed us all with more card tricks. We’re trying to figure out how to get him on the road as our opening act because it will blow your damn mind. Rolled into Charleston for Friday and Saturday. Both nights were a blast. Totally pleased with both performances. I missed the Enemy Lovers both nights due to nap issues, but heard good things. I really dug BoxBomb who was also on the Raleigh show. I didn’t see much of them in Raleigh, but Friday in Charleston I thought they were very good. Heavy but chilled out. I enjoyed it.
Saturday we added Crowfield who I really love. The music is good and they seem like really good dudes. New rule: only cool folks on the road. ‘No More Douche Bags Tour’, maybe that’s the rest of 08, hell and all of 09! Yep, I like that.

I want to say how much it meant to us to have such a great response at these shows. The last year has been tough at times and we’re finally getting all of our collective shit back together. Surrounding ourselves with the right folks and the right situations. Funny to still be learning 10 years into all this. This was the most fun I’ve had onstage in years. I really feel like we’re getting back to where this whole thing needs to be. Y’all are a HUGE part of that. Thanks so much for taking this journey with us. I guess we COULD do it without you, but it just wouldn’t be as much fun.
ps……this beach thing is gonna happen every year, so if you’ve not done it yet, make plans for next year.
Special thanks to Bobby Ross and all at the Windjammer for always taking such great care of us. Bobby even loaned me and Blade a golf cart which we spent all day cruising around on on Saturday. We couldn’t tell if the funny looks were because we were driving the cart in places we weren’t supposed to, or if it was just cause we looked like two burned out hippies trying to score something on a golf cart. Either way, funny as hell and equally as hilarious. We laughed like 10 year olds the whole time. Plus Blade got a one armed sunburn from holding his ‘cruising position’ for too long.

We’ve also got our new touring vehicle in order. It’s quite nice not renting a van every week like we did for a while. We’re working on a video blog to give you each a nice tour of it but we’ve gotta come up with a name for it first. Some sort of superstitious thing. So if you’ve got any name suggestions, do let us know.

Well, I’m off to try and finish writing a couple things. Y’all be well and we will see you soon.

New Shows And Old Friends: Will has returned from a very successful solo tour of Europe, which took him to nine countries over three weeks. It has been an inspiring time for Will and has introduced him to many who now share your passion for the music. True to Will’s relentless spirit, it’s time to hit the American highway. A new round of US dates has been announced. The June shows will see Will reunited with his old friend and Carousel guitarist Dan Baird . See this e-mail's "Live In Concert" section for dates and ticket links.

Legends & Lyrics: This Thursday, June 12 at the Grand Masonic Lodge in Nashville, Will joins John Hiatt, Shawn Colvin and Jessi Colter to perform live for PBS' Legends & Lyrics, a new TV series debuting this fall. You can attend this taping for free. Taping begins at 9:30 a.m.. To attend, RSVP to: tamberli@audiencecompany.com


Two Night Stand At The Windjammer: Will returns to the Windjammer for two nights, June 27 and 28. The Windjammer is a great venue, and each show is unique. For ticket info, including a special discounted two-night ticket package visit http://www.the-windjammer.com.


Sex, Lies and Prime Time: Tune in to the season finale of ABC's Men In Trees starring Anne Heche to hear the song "Sex, Lies and Money" from the album Draw the Curtains this Wednesdsay, June 11 at 10:00 ET/9:00 CT.


Upcoming Live Shows:
06/14 • City Stages Birmingham, AL
06/19 • Gravity Lounge Charlottesville, VA
06/20 • Downtown Sundown Concerts Wilmington NC (Free Show)
06/21 • Shoreline Ballroom, Hilton Head SC
06/26 • Pour House Music Hall Raleigh, NC
06/27 & 06/28 • The Windjammer Isle of Palms, SC

For a full listing of tour dates, with ticket info, visit http://www.willhoge.com/tour.

I was gonna title this one, "I Hate The Lakers" but I'm trying not to start a feud between me and my dear friend and manager the Doug Buttleman. Ok, enough venting.

Made our way down to Birmingham on Saturday afternoon to play at City Stages. Really great festival. It wasn't the tightest show I've ever done but it was certainly the most fun I've had on stage in quite some time. I'd forgotten how much I love playing with Dan. Hell, I'd forgotten how much I liked playing with Blade and Siggi too for that matter. We decided last minute to bring our pal Michael Webb along to play keys. He played on our last session when we recorded 'Just Like Me(Without You)'. He's a helluva player. We always joke that with each new member they get less and less rehearsal. Staying true to that Michael now wins as we basically just 'discussed' the songs on the drive down. Pretty damn funny. So we're hoping he's gonna be making some periodic appearances with us over the next couple months.
We got to see Grace Potter and her band play. I really like them. Then we got to all have dinner and discuss interesting and various ways and places to pack for modern day air travel. Quite informative if I do say so myself. If I only had pictures.

Caught part of the show and got to have a great chat with Dave Barnes as well. He's another Nashville musician and truly one of the nicest people I know. Wishing him all the best with his newest album and hoping to see him again soon.

Got to spend some time with the Broussards too. Had dinner with Marc. Chad saved our ass with a ride cymbal. Thanks brother. Unfortunately I couldn't hang to see them as my kid brother was doing a show Saturday night back in Nashville. So we loaded up and headed back to catch that. It was fun. I've not gotten to see him play alot with our busy schedules so it was nice to be able to see him at home.
Excluding Europe, I think I saw more live music on Saturday than I saw last year. Kinda funny. Or sad. Or both. Yes, probably both.

Ok, off to finish some songs. Gotta get this new album together to start recording soon. Y'all be well.

Go Celtics!

....And NO not the one in Kentucky. Things are still going well over here. At my pad in Glasgow about to go wander about the city. The shows and cities keep getting better and better. I hope that's a trend that continues.

I was really impressed with Belfast. Great city with wonderfully kind and warm people. Thanks in particular to the nice folks at the Premier Inn in Carrickfergus for making sure I was well taken care of. Did a nice interview with George, not the country singer, Jones. Sweet guy. Told me some stories and showed me photos of when he and Van Morrison were in a band together. Then visited with the kind folks over at the BBC. It's great to see how warm the folks are and how they want you to see how that city has really changed and embraced that change since all the 'troubles' from years past.

The club that night was cool. It was sort of a strange gig being right in the middle of happy hour with people getting off work and drinking. But I think the impression was made to come back with the band and do it again next time. Thanks also to Karen and Chris for taking me out for quite the nice Italian meal afterwards. And for being the only two people there actually requesting MY songs. Unlike the douche that came up and wanted to know if his friend who is a "brilliant musician" could do a few songs on my guitar before I finished. NO! Tell Mr. Brilliant to book his own damn gig!

Flew to Edinburgh the next day. Far and away my favorite city so far. Just stunning in its beauty. I felt like I could live there. I really love Scotland as a whole. The club was killer. The show was fun. I was thrilled with both the turnout and response. Saw my ol' friend Ric Brown from my Atlantic days. Threw him under the bus with a story or two. Good seeing him. Met a couple of cool Dan Baird/Scorchers fans who were very kind to miss their big loud sweaty rock show to come see my little coffee house set. I really appreciate it fellas! And no, I ain't holdin' Manchester against y'all.

I keep missing Dan and his band by like a day everywhere over here which sucks because I'd love to see them this far from home. Oh well, maybe next week.

Well I reckon I'm gonna go look for me a new kilt for the show tonight. Y'all be well and I'll update you again soon.

So things all in all have gone well thus far over here.

Decent flight over from Nashville to Chicago, Chicago to London. Slept a bit and then hit the club. Neat little venue. I was told it was the first club Bob Dylan played in London but when I called to ask him he didn't answer. I was totally surprised by not only the turnout, but the reception. Great seeing my Ryko family and getting to eat at the mexican/thai/japanese/italian/greek buffet beforehand.

Caught the train the next morning up to Manchester for the show at Night and Day Cafe. Upon exiting the train I walk into a literal ocean of blue clad football hooligans. Super drunken Scotsmen kilts and all. 100000 of them in town for the championship match. I've never in all my travels seen ANYTHING close to this. It made Talledega(which is like redneck mecca)look like dinner at the white house while the queen is visiting. I guess two of the jumbo-trons that were supposed to show the game broke and so all these thousands of people just lost their shit! It was full on riots with police and then each other. You tube the stuff from Picadilly Square and you'll see whatI mean. So all the clubs damn near shut down. They'd bar the door and only open if you were obviously there for the music. So needless to say the crowd was a little light(as I've always found them to be whilst in the middle of a riot). But the folks that braved it seemed to emjoy themselves. Luckily everyone I dealt with in Manchester that had anything to do with the show as truly a pleaure. They took great care of me and even let me crash on a sofa as it would save me getting through all the hooligans getting out of town. They also introduced me to Vimta?? Some super duper sugary concentrate drink that tastes a bit like a melted icee. It was gooood. Luckily we don't have it in the states or we'd be an even more fat ass country than we are. Got up early today and flew to Dublin. Really pretty city as well. Did what every first timer should do on their maiden trip to Ireland. Had the 6' turkey on wheat from Subway. Haha. Luckily I did have some deliciously European chips with my combo. Perhaps a more native dish tomorrow in Belfast.

Played with the Waifs tonight. Man they are one wonderful band to see. I met them years ago when they were opening for Bob Dylan and they just blew me away. The gals vocals together worked so well, but each was really unique in and of itself. Plus I thought Josh's guitar playing was stunning. Tonight they also had a drummer and keyboard player and it just made the whole thing even more soulful and powerful. If you've not seen them make it a point to do it. Buy a ticket and if you don't enjoy it, hell I'll pay you back. We've definitely got to do some more shows together in the future.

So that's about it. Roamed the streets back to my hostel/hotel where I'm currently listening to a large Slavic man snore so loudly I can hear him through the wall behind me. Guess I'll drown him out with a little tv and try and get some sleep. See y'all soon

Had a fun show last week in St. Louis on Friday at Washington University. Weather turned really shitty right after our show but luckily we'd just loaded up and got away just in time. We'd met some cool gals back 6 months or so ago from the womens basketball team there. We gave them a ride to their hotel after the show. Saw them again. Plus some of the guys team too who'd just won the DIII basketball championship. Congrats. Unfortunately we had to depart befor any hardwood action could take place. Maybe next time.

Went in the studio Sunday and cut a new song, 'me without you'. It turned out great. You may start hearing at some shows. Definitely got us all fired up for getting busy on the new album.

Played tonight at the House of Blues in Dallas. Always a pleasure playing their clubs. I was totally impressed with the John Butler Trio. Really good musicians. The songs were good. Very nice dudes. I'm anxious to see them again tomorrow night in Austin. We only got to play 30 minutes which was kind of a bummer, but the reaction from lots of new faces helped make up for it.

So now we're back at the hotel post Whattaburger and I suppose I'll do a little writing and then turn on in.
Y'all be well and we'll see you soon.