I've been on the road with Mile Twelve for about two months this fall and since it's been a little while, I'd love to fill you in on our travels. I'm now back in Boston and am looking forward to being able to teach more in the upcoming months.
We kicked the fall touring season off back in September playing in Tennessee, Virginia and North Carolina finishing with a week showcasing at the International Bluegrass Music Association. We had a smashingly successful week with great showcase opportunities and the chance to connect with all sorts of people in the bluegrass community. We were also so thankful to have received the 2017 IBMA band Momentum Award.
We then flew back to Boston to get our bags packed for a month long tour of Australia and New Zealand. It was an absolute treat to show the band around New Zealand. We played four shows throughout the North Island with my Mum, Piesy, traveling with us to help with the driving and tour guide duties. So many friends and family came out to support our shows, the most memorable being the show we played in my small hometown, Whanganui, where we had a turnout of 180 people. The band also enjoyed seeing Mount Ruapehu (Mount Doom), riding four wheel motorbikes down the beach, drinking many good flat whites, eating meat pies and homemade fish and chips.
We then flew to Australia for 18 shows all over Victoria, New South Wales and Tasmania. We performed at some great festivals, the Maldon Folk Festival, Patchewollock Music Festival and the Dorrigo Folk & Bluegrass Festival. We had great turnouts throughout the Australian portion of the tour and were regularly spoilt by our hosts at home stays. We also got to see a lot of Australian wildlife including Koalas, Wombats, Wallabies, Snakes, Tasmanian Devils, Green Tree Frogs and a healthy dosing of Kangaroos!
We flew back to Boston for a few days (after two 14 hour flights with a layover in Dubai) to squeeze in some teaching and a show at the Arts Center in Boston. Then it was off to Tampa, FL for six more shows around Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina. We have a couple more shows left for the year and plenty of shows booked for next year. In the meantime, please get in touch with me if you're interested in getting back to lessons and/or attending banjo jams.