It's off to Las Vegas today to take part in the Hard Rock Hotel's 10th Anniversary celebrations. Camp Freddy play tomorrow night (Saturday) after Bon Jovi and Nine Inch Nails, but we are all flying out today to take in the various other shows, dinners, and parties that are happening throughout the weekend. As usual, we have a great line up arranged and we are all very excited to have been asked to play. Should be a great weekend - provided I stay away from the poker tables!

Immediately after the Vegas weekend, my other band, Doheny, are off to New York for a week. One of the things we are doing will be a small, daytime 'up close and personal' performance at a location in Manhattan on Thursday, May 5. If you want to come down and check it out, we are having a few friends along and all you have to do is email me at dohenymusic@hotmail.com and tell us why you should be there! The best five entries will be replied to and given the address and the time and will be able to come down with a friend and hang out for the afternoon. If you wonder what it is that I do, drop me a line and come and see for yourself.

The Gibson SG that I 'decorated' is now up for auction on eBay through Julien's Auctions (see the home page of Julien's Auctions or the recent feature article that appeared on Modern Guitars Magazine). It was so much fun to do. Ended up being a little more, er, 'industrial' than I had imagined, but it's definitely the only guitar to have brushed steel bolted to the body! I really hope it generates some money for the cause and I'd like to thank Gibson and Julien's for asking me to be involved.

Let me see...oh, yes. For the 'equipment minded' among you, I have just taken delivery of a 'portable' version of my Bradshaw rack system. Bob did a great job. I had two 4U cases made and he built a second version (without the pedal shelf and the 3U drawer) of my switching system in the two new cases. This way, I can fly with the two 4U units and connect them together when I get there. The upcoming New York trip prompted me to have this made, but now I have a 14U fridge rack (if we are travelling ground) and two 4U racks (if we are travelling air). Nice! Thanks, Bob, for another great job.

I've just come back from London - I was there for just three days! It's not advisable to do the UK from L.A. in 3 days because, as I have found out, you start to get used to the time zone on the third day just as you have to leave! So, now I am waking up at 4 a.m., completely rested, and falling asleep at 6 p.m.! It was wet, miserable and depressing in London, but I did grab a few nice meals while I was there. They just cannot do a decent Indian dish here in Los Angeles!

Anyway, I'm rambling. I have songs to learn for tomorrow's show. Just thought I would write to the column and try to keep things current.

Until the next time I remember to write...

Peace.

Billy