SPECTRUM ON TOUR 2015

Canada - February 
Micky said..............
Here we go off to Canada and looking forward to meeting everybody. I'm writing this very late or early of 1st/2nd feb 2015 and intend to add to this as the trip goes on , a trip that will have a few surprises: next weeks countdown is going to be live from a secret location - guess the location and you get my star prize. (A night out in your own front room). Jokes aside, a lot of planning and work has been put into this trip and  the outcome will be posted with pictures  etc. One shift left to go at work then rock n roll. I've contacted people this evening so all is 'on the right track '. To be continued from a place maybe near you.
Wednesday 4th Feb. Up early around 9pm here and head off to the Chinock shopping mail to find a phone shop for dongle sim card but they don't do payg ones here. Just happen to find the coolest shop ever - it only sells cowboy and cowgirl outfits ! The spectrum had a rather nice new hat and a cool dude pair of boots thanks to the lovely Sarah for your help. Hope to see you at tonights party. Its 2 pm and I'm in the bedrock bar drinking diet coke - yes its true! Going to be doing a couple of interviews here from the bar so I'm all tested and lucky the hotel wifi is good so everything is set to go....
Well, here we got up and its snowing. Two words spring to mind 'travel disruption' so I head for Petts Wood station and what  a result train was delayed so I only have to wait a few moments. Arrive at London Victoria and struggle down to the underground to get train to Paddington, the Heathrow express is well worth the extra dosh; fast, clean and on time. Arrive at terminal five and get treated like a god. Quick last minute shopping then into the British Airways' first class lounge for free food and drink - well good. Next, board the flight and shown to my seat. Its a 787 Dreamliner and the  seat I'm in turns into a bed. Its the dogs bo***cks. Very good flight - spot on. Have some free bubbly then get some sleep. Woken by the fact its got light again, lol, anyway just 1 hour to go so must have slept for 6 hours at 40.000 feet.
Sit in the bar streaming live when Bradly Tucker walks in and introduces himself so we chat and talk live on air. What a nice guy. Later, Sydney Mae joins me for a chat, voice of an angel, what a future she will have. Well, its onto the main event at Ranchman's. I arrive early to set up what I need to stream and get  a direct feed from sound desk with the result that everything works perfectly and I'm able to stream and record all of the show. Sydney Mae opens with a 30 minute set followed by Bradly Tucker. Two good sets then its Jessie's turn. I must say what a fantastic backing band and what a great night. We all return to the hotel and have a bit of a party.
Thursday morning up rather early. Looking out of the hotel window when I get this urge to rent a truck, so I do and drive to the airport to confirm my flight to tomorrows secret location.  5pm here so more to come later...The rest of the day was spent just looking around downtown. Had a great meal and did rather well at poker.
Ok dont mention the casino lol ! Time I get a cab its 4am, normally not a problem, but the cab is booked for 4.45 also I just stay up and start to dream of coffee to sober up a little. Jerry the driver turns up and off to the airport I go. This is when the fun really starts. First I'm told my case that has all the radio equipment in has to be paid for, 50 bucks. Next, the form you have to fill out is so funny. Q1 asks if your a terrorist - hmm maybe best to say no. Q2 asks me if I have any insects lol. Even if I had they would all be frozen its -17c outside this morning. Board the flight and grab a couple of hours sleep. On arrival its soon clear this is a massive airport  but is modern and a tram system operates, so its big but easy to use. Reclaim case and head for the car hire center. No probs apart from I had asked for a Cadillac and they not got any. So they read a list out: Volvo, Jag, Lincoln,Smart Car ...STOP...I've not come all this way to drive one of them. This is when the guy in the office comes out looks at me and just simply says you want fun and power take the mustang !
SECRET LOCATION - DEMPSEY'S WATERTOWN, HERE TO MEET MANDY SHAY !!!! 
Hank Shay arrives and we greet each over but all is relaxed . The plot is Mandy thinks she is coming to the bar to have dinner with her father and a wi fi connection is needed for me to call her onskype from the UK. We work out that the call will be made at 7pm we have 45 minutes to go !OMG what happens next is the local dj  David J Law from KXLG 99.1 FM  I've just started to broadcast and he has a recorder with him and he wants to interview me about what I do here ! This is all getting a bit crazy so we chat i pass him the cans and we play a few sounds,soon I'm given the nod that Mandy has arrived. Four minutes till the phone call so time for Ian Hill. Its time and I call Hanks cell phone, Mandy is that you - its Micky Spectrum etc and I say this is a bad line can I call you back ? By now Mandy is outside with Hank awaiting my re dial.This is the point I walk out and just simply say 'alright, couldn't be bothered with the phone, lets talk in person.' Mandy recognised me straight away. I'll never forget the look I got, so we greet each over. Hank goes back in and the next few moments were special. Back to business, the show must go on. Even Ian Hill's How Many Times was almost not long enough. We all settle down and Mandy and myself do an interview. Mandy has her guitar with her and its not long before a little acoustic music is played. WOW is all I can say and those that were there will know what I mean. The girl is well good and I can't put it into words. Anyhow, what happens next is bizarre and a bit crazy. All this is going on in this bar - everyone is drinking - unreal ... the Mayor of Watertown is in the bar to have dinner with his wife and and has started to take an interest in what's going on. The Mayor come over and introduces himself. He's given the guest cans and I show him the mic ! Mandy Shay is taking a break so after the next song I interview the Mayor of Watertown live, lol, and his wife and the local FM dj is still recording this. The Mayor is a funny man, a good man and from what came across, he really cares about his community. Shame we don't have people like this. The Mayor of Watertown rocks and I told him that live !!!  I wonder if we can get Watertown twinned with petts Wood hmm .
Departing the airport in the car was easy but I'm going to take things steady untill I get a fill for this V8 Supercharged machine. Sat nav all set and on route to Watertown South Dekota. The sat nav tells me this is going to take 3 hours 26 mins so I set the timer and now I can feel this thing wants to rock. Don't say a word - 2 hours 4 mins later I reach Watertown. Dempsey's, the venue, is fantastic from the moment I walk in. The owner and family are great, helpful and happy to see me. We sort out a location to set up to go live for the Spectrum countdown. 
Mandy is back and set to play a new song. his song is amazing and generates this - hard to say you'd of had to of been there - I look at Hank but neither of us can make eye contact. Hank is a great guy, a normal working man that believes in Madys future. There an atmosphere when they are together - you can feel the love. The song has me in tears and I think of the bond being sent out from Mandy and Hank. The fm guy has to walk away as the song ends and this is a moment I'll remember for the rest of my life. Mandy, Hank and Michelle Shay - Thank you.
I'm writing this on the flight back to Calgary on my phone and I'm in tears again. Those of you that know me well know I don't do emotional in public let alone write about it. The love and buzz from last night was amazing. Must pull myself together and try to finish the story. I play a few more songs and say hello to some of my regular listeners. A big thank you to everyone at Dempsey's. Mandy and myself just play a couple more songs with the cans on and I play Predator. The songs says it all and the tears are back. After the broadcast we all relax and have a drink and head off for some food. This has been a night - I cannot put into words. Mandy's friend drives the Mustang to the food outlet and we all chat and eat. I let Mandy drive back. THE SPINS IN THE CAR PARK ROCK ! Back at the motel bar its karioke so we have a go - Born To Be Wild !  Mandy, Hank, Jessie and Rico - I love you guys. Also thanks to Stephen at Delta for the free upgrade and the lady in Watertown for the help putting gas in the wheels. Landing soon must go.
Later that day get back to hotel and Jessie and Rico want to see me. They turn up at room 415 with another surprise and emotional time again. Ill tell everyone what I have once those back home have seen it. What Jessie has done must of taken  ages and I'm so thankful. All  will say to everyone is that it's not about me, it's all about the music. If any of you make it big "just gimme a beer." It's what I do and I enjoy what it. I'm going to pull all the stops out to try and be with you folks in June - will contact you all soon. Last night was just a let down after the buzz of it all and I couldn't be bothered. I've got 30 mins before Jerry my driver gets here to get me to airport. hope I've got time to get some pics up ms xxx I felt the love .
Nashville & L.A. - June 
Micky said...............
Day One Travel. Get to Heathrow and check in. Good flight into Dallas, very efficient airport. Meet interesting guy called Dan Boyer who runs www.instaff.com and is awaiting flight into Louisville. He's an american liverpool supporter.Arrive in Louisville looking to rent a vehicle. No mustang, so I opt for a 5.7 Chevey truck and head out onto highway 65. Making good time and just 15 miles from Nashville when I get pulled over by the police for speeding..... hmm 87 mph didn't go down too well! However, after a grilling from the nice mr plod, he lets me go. Get to hotel, drop bags off and find a cab to downtown Nashville. Head for Broadway and my first impression is - wow - what a unique atmosphere. Go into the Tequila Cowboy and another couple of bars till I get a message from Mandy Shay to say where they are. Stay for an hour then back for some zzz's.
GOOD MORNING NASHVILLE 1
Up early to take the truck back to airport then go directly downtown to find the state museum which is one of the music venues. A bite to eat and by this time it's 9am and I get a call from Bobby the Iceman to go to Manuels. I arrive to meet him and we sort out what is going to happen. There is  already a singer called Brittany Marie playing who is very good and we all get to chat. I get a copy of her new CD and also present the Iceman with his 'thank you' frame.
I leave bobby and head to the museum. First on stage is my number one artist Mandy Shay, followed by Black Mountain Shine, Mickey Lamantia and North County who were all fantastic. After 3pm I head down to the Boot Barn just in time to see Abbi Scott doing an acoustic set. The place is buzzing and I get to meet Danny Camp, not playing, but in town. The only thing is the heat - it's 96 degrees outside! After chatting with Abbi I wander off onto broadway - It's beer time. The whole place is buzzin and every bar has a live band or singer. I found a new independent artist this afternoon ... watch this space.
Good morning from Nashville 2
It's Friday morning and I am up early and out for a walk. It's a lot cooler early morning , so I decide to get breakfast downtown. I arrive and the place is buzzing with some of the bars already having live music in. Today's line up is great.
Sorry for the lack of updates but I've been busy with the artists and bands. It's now 2.20am, the early hours of Monday morning, so here are some pics from the last two days which I will tag later............
Very late now and it's been a great day. I've just got back from a party with the Iceman and the other DJ from Vegas. Bubba, Hank, Mandy and Michelle Shay leave later so a quite day is on the cards and to be honest, this old fool needs a day to relax before heading off to LA on Tuesday morning. 
Arrive in L.A.
Interesting flight into LAX playing dodge the storm. I met JRHB and Gene and Robert from 3 Days In The Grave and go out on Tuesday evening for a few beers. Jim and the band play live at a jam night. Fantastic sound and a relief the temperature here is not as hot as Nashville. Wednesday eve we all meet up for a nice meal down by the beach - been a kind of cool day. On to Thursday and the first live broadcast from the hotel. It was nice to be back on live. Thursday night and again going to broadcast 3 Days In The Grave live from a studio. Another great night before moving on to the Rainbow Club in Hollywood.
 THE GRIMMS - 2015 Tour
July - Kent
Malaya Blue at Dave Sparks Blues Club, 
The Anchor, Benfleet. 7th Aug 2015
        

IRON MOUNTAIN
 AT THE DAYLIGHT INN 
PETTS WOOD
        IAN KEITH WITH HIS BAND 'BEHIND THE LENS' 
AT THE PRIORY PARK 
ORPINGTON