Hey, I was estatic in Fall 2005 to see what I thought would be the first of many dB's shows (NJ, Chicago) that would continue at some point into 2006. I dutifully signed up for the mailing list and awaited the day when the e-mail would come announcing some type of tour. Is this just wishful thinking?. Can you reconcile what currently is on the webiste which says "The dB's Online is further pleased to announce the return of The dB's to live performance". Did that just mean TWO SHOWS? Hey boys, update the website and PLEASE TELL US WHAT THE PLANS ARE BOLDLY AND PLAINLY RIGHT UP FRONT ON YOUR HOME PAGE. Chasing down the answers to what I think is the most pressing question of anyone entering your domain on any conceivable hope of a tour is FUNDAMENTAL and should NOT require a search engine throughout your message board to get answers. If you really don't know when or if you'll tour, how about saying something right up front on the Home Page like, "Status of any dB's tour is unknown at this time; however, we will update the website monthly (?) to let you know of any new developments". Regards and with all the respect from seeing you years long ago in Rochester circa 87. Pete

Dude, wow.

Settle down, back off the caps and meet the Messageboard folks. Pete, Messageboard. Messageboard, Pete. You can sorta find out whatever you want right here. Just ask.

Sometimes you gotta hump for the better things in life; beats being spoon-fed any day...at least to my way of seeing.

Besides, do you think it was as easy as going online to find out dBs tour dates in the 80s?

I can only speak for myself, but...

Here's the best info I can give you as of May 7, in the year 2006. My committments with Hootie and the Blowfish look as though they will be occupying a lot of my time throughout the summer and autumn. That will make touring for The dB's nigh on impossible for a good while. Sorry to be the Bear of Bad News for those of you who'd like to see how much we've either improved or decayed as a live act.

On the other hand, there has been considerable work done on the first half of a new album. We are now living about fifteen miles from each other, and I am able to work around Chris' and my schedule to get overdubbing done at his studio. (Also, a follow-up to Mavericks is begun.) My touring with Hootie allows me time to work on my ProTools rig at soundchecks and hotel rooms on my own. We hope to be able to get more tracks with Will and Gene as soon as we can. Plus we're both still writing and trying to get a big fat hit somewhere on the track list.

Because we are not signed to a label, big or small, we are somewhat at the mercy of financial considerations so that our families don't suffer while we take another crack at the brass ring. We also have what I consider a very high quality control index betwixt the four of us, and we will serve no whine before it's time (or 'its time', which ever you prefer, works both ways).

The dB's are in the process of our own reinvention, the parameters of which are still being decided upon by the principals. We beg your indulgence and more of that famous patience you've displayed since 1978. It will be worth your while.

Thanks,
Peter

So...any chance of a solo show at a low key venue in the area like...say...the Pour House during any of the down times between the periods on the road with Hootie & the Blowfish?

I'm debating the validity of solo shows of my own for now. There are so many performers who can move you emotionally with a guitar and a song (Guy Clark comes to mind) that I feel like a lame pretender by comparison. Maybe I'm just burned out on doing solo shows for years in New Orleans that people talked through or just didn't show up. We shall see what happens, though, it's not out of the question. Thanks for asking.
PH

I'll second that. A Pour House show would be great! Please consider that Peter.

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Replying to:

So...any chance of a solo show at a low key venue in the area like...say...the Pour House during any of the down times between the periods on the road with Hootie & the Blowfish?

Peter, I hear eveything you're saying but was a little dismayed about the "brass ring" comment. Don't worry about rings and your music will take care of itself. God knows you have what it takes.

I'm not meaning to sound lecturing or patronizing here, just wanted to share that thought.

Don't be dismayed. By clarification of the 'brass ring' comment, I meant that anyone who makes a recording is trying to get it heard by people. Music is a calling, a vocation, a wonderful and artistically free one, but it doesn't always translate into enough remuneration to support a family, which is the number one concern. I know we're good and talented; we'd just like to make it possible to make our music self-supporting as well. That's all I meant. I certainly have no pop star delusions anymore, and gratefully so. All I can and want to do is write and sing my songs, and for people to hear them and hopefully enjoy and embrace them. I am grateful for every use of one of my songs, in hopes that it will draw someone's ear toward the catalog. And I'm one of the very lucky ones who does have songs that get to have a life after their initial release (Claire Lynch's bluegrass version of "White Train" is wonderful!) So please don't think me complaining or making unstable justifications; I'm just being pragmatic about what some of the factors are that don't make things more smooth in the world of dB's recording.

And yes, we'd certainly take a big fat hit record if that happened. By now, we're old and wise enough to not buy a dumptruck full of blow and Jagermeister with the spoils!

Sincerely,
Peter

Peter:

I am sure everyone here would be thrilled if you had a break-out hit in any of your musical "guises" for exactly the same reasons you just articulated.

By the way, I am very happy to hear that a follow-up to "Mavericks" is in the works. Like at least one or two others have mentioned, that was my first taste of your music and led me to both the dbs and the Contintental Drifters.

Speaking of the Drifters, I caught two fabulous shows by Susan on Saturday, at JazzFest and the Carrollton Station show ("Rubber Soul" was a blast, as you can imagine). Ray Ganucheau was sitting in so it was a mini reunion of early & late Drifters.

Take care out there in Hootie-world!

Gray