Dear Dry Ink,

Beats were blaring and the gas tank was full, got to Memphis as it was getting dark, the town reeked of barbecue sauce, saw a chubby girl in a denim skirt eating ribs at a red light, played at a bar called The Buccaneer, a signed picture of Frank Sinatra hung on the back wall, amazing, wood paneling and Bill Withers on the juke box, the bartender was a sweetheart, we played with The Moving Front, they were great and the nicest of guys, instantly became friends for life, Miller High Life was free, tasted nice, I started drinking gin and tonics, the people in Memphis weren’t all that friendly, it didn’t bother us one bit, we performed for The Moving Front and a Chinese kid, ridiculous hipsters leaned against the bar slowly sipping the one drink they ordered for the night, I started drinking shots of Tequila, I fell down the steps outside the place when it came time to leave, woke up in the morning next to eight husky lads in a filthy hotel room, walked around Memphis, went to The Peabody Hotel and watched ducks parade around the lobby like people, went to a Greek barbecue joint called Rendezvous, best I’ve ever had, went to the Civil Rights Museum, took a trolley ride, went to the Gibson Factory and drank frozen margaritas in the street, hopped in the vehicle for a two hour ride to Little Rock, my first time there, the folks in Little Rock were so hospitable, nicest and most sincere people I’ve met in years, went to Vino’s Pizza, met some folks and drank beer, saw some old friends, drank some more beer then headed to the club called White Water, the bartender looked like Randy Quaid on speed, I didn’t understand a word he said, played with The Moving Front again and Smoke Up Johnny, both bands played amazing sets, we took the stage just before 11 p.m., had eight gin and tonics during our 20 minute set, very nice crowd, enthusiastic, a lot friendlier than Memphis, went to a party afterwards, drank whiskey and coke, watched a 20-year-old boy strum a guitar and sing like an angel, his voice carried into other neighborhoods, I’ve never heard a voice like this in my life, he sounded like Judy Garland and Hank Williams, fell asleep about 6 a.m. with an old pillow and Puerto Rican kid, miss you guys, be home soon.

Love,
ANDPW