Jon Troast

The return trip

jon — Mon, 20 May 2013 18:19:07 +0000

I’m on a mountainside in Iowa (yes, a mountainside), enjoying the scent of a giant lilac bush nearby. Thinking about taking a couple blossoms with me to freshen up my car. Probably a good idea after 3 weeks on the road. I only have one stop left on this tour, then back to Nashville for a couple weeks before heading north for a tour in July. The birds out here are amazing! Baltimore Orioles, Indigo Buntings, Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, etc. Birds that were on the hard to find list for my elementary school bird watching project. Such distinct colors! Speaking of distinct, the return trip has been full of distinct sights, sounds, smells, and such.
Mitchell, NE-

Out on the open plains. I wish I could’ve stuck around a little longer to participate in the bowling pin shooting challenge.
Omaha, NE-
Spent some time at the Old Market. Highly recommended.
Maryville, MO-
Out on the back patio, we narrowly escaped the neighbor’s lawn mowing. Then I was given an education in entertaining by the 5 year old daughter who has fully recovered from her broken arm which she says was “a long long time ago, when I was 4″
And Minburn, IA-

Where I am now. We had some recently caught fried fish and avoided a few tornadoes. Still enjoying the birds, and yes, I’m on a mountainside in Iowa. Thank you everyone!

Colorado

jon — Mon, 13 May 2013 20:28:09 +0000

I was originally calling this a Great Plains tour, but that really misrepresents this last group of concerts in Colorado. I played in a house that was once an old hardware store in Pueblo-

An old church in Colorado Springs-

A former YWCA camp that was converted in a log cabin style home in Golden-

And in a historic neighborhood in Boulder, just down the street from Pearl St. Mall-
All of this in view of the mountains. Thankfully, I also had some time to do a little hiking (way out in the distance is the city of Denver)-

KC and Pueblo West

jon — Wed, 08 May 2013 16:58:59 +0000

Touring can be tricky. I try to make regular visits, but sometimes it’s a couple years before I get back to some places. And stuff happens! People get married, babies are born, houses are sold and bought, older dogs die, new dogs are welcomed. Hard to keep up with it all. Another thing I try to keep up with is dental cleanings. Had that done in Kansas City:) Thanks Kansas City-

and Pueblo West, CO-

Florissant

jon — Mon, 06 May 2013 15:01:38 +0000

Well, I tried my best, but I think the little girl in the red shirt stole the show.The concert was set up by two friends. They told me they’ve both had some pretty major health obstacles in the last couple years and have supported each other through it. Apparently, this has also made them more eager to celebrate just about anything. For example, we celebrated “cuatro de mayo” with a taco bar for lunch. Here’s to good friends!

Frontenac

jon — Sat, 04 May 2013 15:48:47 +0000

Quite a full house in Frontenac, MO last night-
Some family drove hours through the rain to get here. They all stayed overnight. My room was in the basement, so I woke up to the sound of people walking overhead and I kind of liked it. It reminded me of when I was a teenager and had a bedroom in the basement. I wasn’t an “early riser”, so I’d wake up to the sounds of my family upstairs. We’re now enjoying some quiche and homemade cheese danish and hearing stories about lava, whales, and a sister who donated her kidney to her brother. Inspiring stuff!

Salem

jon — Fri, 03 May 2013 15:48:06 +0000

Hello Salem, MO!
Founded in 1851 (at least that’s what the piece of pottery in the basement led me to believe), Salem is loaded with musical talent! We had an impromptu jam session after the official concert, and even though I didn’t know all of the words to the Justin Bieber and Taylor Swift songs, I held my own on some John Denver and a couple hymns. Making music with other people is a pretty special thing. Thank you Salem!

Cape Girardeau

jon — Thu, 02 May 2013 22:13:15 +0000

Kicked of another tour last night in Cape Girardeau, MO.

I was trying to get a bunch of stuff done before I left, and in the chaos, I forgot my camera! So, I’ll be relying on other people’s cameras and the camera on my phone for this tour. I’m hoping it allows me to take things in more fully since I won’t be thinking as much about photographing them. However, its hard to resist trying to capture the beauty that was the barbecue extravaganza last night. The hosts started a company called Smokin Brothers, and man do they do it right! Here’s just some of the ribs that were on the menu-
Not to mention, the turkey, bacon, baked beans, etc. Summer has officially started! Time to take in more sights:)

Spring break

jon — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 15:35:39 +0000

Just got back from spring break, I mean, tour, in Florida. Due to it’s peninsular shape, I don’t tour there as much as some other places that are easier to route. I’m starting to think that’s a mistake. I met a lot of new friends-

I mean, these nice folks in…
Lutz (Hold the cursor over each photo to see the “crazy” group)-

Sebring-

Gulfport-

Vero Beach-

and Miami Beach-

I owe you

jon — Tue, 05 Mar 2013 03:50:44 +0000

Having a good old time in the Southeast. Normally I’m not a fan of debt, but the more I tour, the more I realize I will never be able to repay the debt of gratitude I have for all the generosity I’ve been shown on the road. The debt keeps rising, but what other option do I have? The tour must go on! So, meet some of my generous hospitality lenders (don’t forget to put the cursor over the photos to switch between the “normal” and “crazy” photos)-
Atlanta, GA-

Woodstock, GA-

Fleming Island, FL-

and Bluffton, SC-

New Video!

jon — Tue, 19 Feb 2013 20:25:42 +0000

Here's a new video for "At Least They'll Know"