The show on the 15th at Kenny's went really well. It sounds like something that'll be happening again. The club was happy with the attendance; they're only comment was the best band was scheduled last (Meaning us! This is before we even played a note. I must've really impressed them way back when I used to play there solo. Actually, now that I think about it, what they probably remember is I brought 100 people to their club for the Perspective release party in '94. Still, that was almost 10 years ago. Amazing...) The rep from Heineken was very impressed with us and wants to help us any way he can (Hint: GIVE US MONEY!!!!) but we'll see how that pans out. Paying us to go on the road and be national ambassadors of Heineken wherever we go would be extremely great. Oh, yeah, and playing our music would be cool, too.

By the way, don't ever defrost chicken for a day, refreeze it, and then defrost it again and try to cook it. Just don't.

Going into the studio next Sat. to start mixing the demo. Feels so long ago since we recorded it. Could be a moot point in a couple of months anyway because I may have found someone who will FINANCE AN ENTIRE ALBUM, with recording to start in early Oct. I'm pretty much too excited about this to discuss it any further so let's not. I'll let you know what happens if anything....

Random product endorsement: Telex Fresh Shower. A couple of months ago I nearly threw my back out trying to scrub my bathroom after too long and I vowed never to let it get that bad again. This has significantly helped. Just thought you'd like to know.

OK, I have a great story but I have to give you some background:

First, I've been remiss up to this point to not have previously mentioned my #1 fan, Joe, who I affectionately refer to as Superfan. This guy has been on my mailing list for over 9 years (!) and remembers me from when I used to play at the local Barnes and Noble's. He comes to every show (including the one's with the cover band I'm now in which I'll get to later). He spreads the word, brings new people every time we play. Even if he has to be up at 5AM the next morning for work, he'll hike to the Bitter End from west Jersey to see us. He even had his own Massimo t-shirt made which has my headshot on the front and "Massimo Road Crew" on the back. This guy is true blue. Joe, I couldn't do this if it weren't for friends like you; you totally rock.

Second, I've also never told you about another cover band I joined. Missing being in Todd's Theory and needing some extra cash, Roger pointed out an ad in the Aquarian that he thought would be good for me. Basically a TT-like set up, a modern rock cover band that needed a frontman. Enter me. The name of the band is (get ready for play on words) Tequila Mockingbird. Get it? Tequila? To Kill A...? Anyway. It's been just as much fun being with these guys as it was being in TT and all I have to do is show up, sing like a rock star and get paid. Not a bad gig. We're taking a break to make a new demo but should be back up and running in a month or so. Check the website (weak site, needs help. Any volunteers? Email me.) for upcoming shows: www.drunkbird.com. OK, now on to the story. So Superfan is at Wal-Mart one day and...well, I'll just let him tell it:

"Hey, man, got a good/true story for you. I swear!! So I was shopping at Wal-Mart in Mansfield (just outside Hacketstown) today for some stuff, and as I was walking past the automotive aisle, I heard someone say "excuse me...you with Massimo Road Crew shirt". (Sometimes I wear your shirts besides at the shows). Anyway, I turn around and some guy is there with his family. He says, "is that the same Michael Massimo that used to play at Greens Beans Cafe"? I said "yeah". So we get to talking about you and he asks me about your career and if I am in fact employed as part of your road crew. Classic! I wish you could have been there to see this. He only knew you from the Cafe, so he has no idea about the "new you". I filled him in. I told him to check out the new website, and that there is some new and improved music in your future. You must have left some impression on him cause he remembered you from like 6 years ago when you were there. So the story gets better. About 45 minutes later when I was done shopping, I'm in the check-out line and it's my turn to get rung up. The girl, Sarah, looks at my shirt and says "I know that guy...he sings in Tequila Mockingbird, I saw them at The Whiskey Bar". She didn't realize that you have your own career. I didn't have much time to talk to her, but I told her about the Kenny's Castaways show. She gonna try to go. Can you believe that? I couldn't.

I figured you would get a kick out the story. Maybe you should try to book a gig at Wal-Mart. Probably have a hundred people show up."

Great, right? Just when you need some validation, there it is. I love when stuff like that happens. Like when I found a brand new pair of Oakley sunglasses in the case coming home from Penn Station the other day that look great on me. I love when stuff like that happens, too.

I know I'm late to the party, but I'm loving the new Jason Mraz album. The new Steely Dan doesn't suck either (as if they could). However, the latest James Taylor album does, unfortunately, suck. Hard. And I can't believe I like them but I'm really digging Saliva lately. Heard a song on LA radio called "Let Me Go In Pieces" or something like that. Good tune. The rest of the album is good, too. (Spent way too much time in a Barnes & Noble getting a sampling of the current music scene. I love that you can hear anything in the store before you buy it.)

Next Flipside: pictures and stories from the cross country trip as well as more Massimo music news. I may even have some new sound files for you to download from the next recording session (Roger is reworking the music page as we speak). See you soon. And remember: as much as you think you don't need it, sunscreen is your friend.