The Modern Country Gentleman

Whiskey and Birthday Cake Nov 2009 - May 2011

Whiskey and Birthday Cake - November 24, 2009 - May 2, 2011

When reading this know the last couple of years have be extraordinarily full even when they felt empty and I owe part of it’s fullness to YOU!…. thanks for reading 

 

I’ve never been much on doctoring up stories. In fact, I try to make a living about singing    and writing about things just as they are. So, if this intro line doesn’t hook you like a catfish on stink bait, I don’t know how else to get you on the line. Either way, a story always gets told, even if nobody is listening. 

November 24, 2009 I released my first studio recorded project. I recorded it with my good friend Andy Hunt. He engineered it and produced it. I had never really done the “studio” thing before. He was perfect he helped me feel comfortable and also to believe in myself and my music. I can be so timid some times. The record was called ‘Good Hearts’ you may or may not own it or stole it either way, if you’ve heard it… mission accomplished. That day was also the day I turned 26 years old. 

So, I released that project in my home state, on my birthday, while I was on tour with one of my best friends, none other than Mr. Andy Davis. It was a pretty amazing evening. We were at the House of Blues and they brought me a bottle of Jack Daniels and a birthday cake. Life was sweet. Little did I know that whiskey and birthday cake would basically summarize the next year and a half of my life. That bittersweet kick in the pants that opens your eyes and makes you feel alive. Its that I could fly off this building and into the clouds of sugar sweet cotton candy. The other side of that is too much whiskey and birthday cake can leave you with a mouth full of cavities and a headache you wouldn’t believe. To corral this thought more, Life was about to get exciting. And I felt it. I did. I looked on the ridge line and saw clouds and golden bars of sun light creeping over. 

So,  after that I stayed in Texas with my friends and family for a while. I stayed until the New Year. And speaking of New Years… I spent it in Austin, Texas with great friends from Dallas and it was one of the best New Years ever. I think New Years is my favorite holiday. I like the “clean slate” “starting over” mantra that occurs inside of me during that time of year. 

After New Year’s events I went back to Nashville and would start 4 months of being semi broke but playing a lot of music. I Was playing in and out of Nashville a couple of times a week and I was awesome. Making music will never get old to me. 

After that the opportunity to make some good money came up. The job was working for a Young Life camp doing music, video, and mentoring type work. It was hard and rewarding in all aspects. And to be in the mountains and just to smile at your surroundings is a great feeling. I made some really great new friends out there. Also some surrogate family members. Namely my two “older brothers” Paul Johnson and Dan Fuller. These two guys and their families live just north of me in Louisville, KY. I am very glad to have their guidance, love and prayers in my life. They are all amazing. Though it was hard to be gone from Nashville and my best friends it was a solid accomplishment and another step further in the journey of life. 

After that summer I went directly out of the road for a couple shows opening for one of my best friends Matt Wertz. Also, his guitar player and good buddy of mine Nathan Dugger was out too. I drove directly from Colorado to Nashville and then got in a car the next day and drove to Mobile Alabama.  Matt and Nathan, are both super freaky talented and so fun to be around. So obviously the fun didn’t stop. We played in Alabama and Arkansas and maybe somewhere else, I can’t recall all the destinations completely. 

I think at this point I was listening to a whole lot of Sly and the Family Stone and Mumford and Sons and as usual Willie Nelson and Tom Waits. Always listening. Also, a song writer named Andy Gullahorn. That guy can write a song. He maybe the best one I’ve heard in a long long time. 

After the shows with Matt I was in Nashville for just a couple of days doing a couple of music videos with Andy Davis and our friends Jordy and Chase at Contrast Films. It was cool Andy is of course always doing something awesome and Contrast films are amazing and make any idea a work of art. I was also dealing with being super sick from exhaustion. It’s a real thing. You can be so tired you become ill. I was ill. Shaking and throwing up. Clammy and cold while running a fever. It was weird and I hated it. Now I always try and get enough sleep… when I can. Anyway there was no time to rest anyway. You can sleep when you’re dead, right? 

So then I left for Texas to play some music shows around the state. I also went to see my family. I have a niece now and she’s amazing. Caroline Raye Philpott. There may not be another human on this Earth I love more than her. I wish I was around her more. Oh, the decisions you make for yourself. Takes you near dreams and away from loved ones. I hope they all reconnect one day. Anyway, that’s what this whole story is about. 

So then I came back to Nashville to get ready to leave with two other of my best friends, Andy Davis and Evan Weatherford for London to hang out and play some music. We were really on l our way to Iraq and made it a point to have a 7 day lay over in London England. It was amazing and crazy. We were spending time not site seeing but living. We were staying with our friends Jenny and Michelle. A lovely pair of friends who were so kind to us. We had amazingly funny conversations, while going deep into our friendships. Also, waking up to a proper English breakfast every morning didn’t hurt anything. We listened to vinyl records, smoke cigarets hanging out side their window in Knotting Hill and staying up playing music till 10am. You know nothing remotely rock and roll. We Stumbled to and from pubs laughing and jumping up and down from hiliarum. We also celebrated our great friend Richard’s birth. He had just gotten married a month or two before and we had every reason to celebrate. Richard is my brother from another British mother. We are torn from the same cloth I swear. He is a super rad person. And just let me say this, all of the people in London we spent any time with were so amazing and showed us that there are good hearted people all over the place. The world has love all over it. Unfortunately you have to look a little harder to find it. Also, if you give love you’ll get love. I promise. The Londoners took us in and cared for us and made us feel very loved. So, Jenny, Meesh, Richard, Karen, Alan, Sophie, Sally, and Joe, Thank you thank you thank you for all your love and time. 

So Andy, Evan, and myself reluctantly left early from London and headed to Kuwait City, Kuwait to begin a goodwill tour for the troops in Kuwait and Iraq. We had no  idea what adventure was awaiting us there. All we knew was our friends Kevin Rhoads,  Adam Popick, part of the Sacramento Dance Team, and TV’s Bachelorette DeAnna Pappas were gonna be there… oh and that it was gonna be freaking’ hot. Basically it was the total opposite of London.  We were bummed. We didn’t know we were gonna be on the adventure of our lives. 

We land in Kuwait City and we’re getting picked up and taken to Camp Arifjan. It’s a big army base where troops are arriving and departing to wherever they are sent. We meet up with our performing companions and we’re off on the road. We practiced our show and sweated a ton. I think I got sunburned through my shirt. It was 115 degrees some times. We’re in the dessert that happens to be close to the ocean so, its hot and humid. Out of control. We were all still so lost on what all was about to happen to us. So we started traveling up to Northern Iraq. We flew on military planes called C-130s. Google that if you’re needing a visual. It was an amazing and crazy experience. We alway worn helmets and flack jackets. We just about always had military escorts. We were as protected as we could be. 

We played music for the troops and signed some autographs and hung out in the desert. Shot some guns, hit some golf ball into the Tigris River from one of Saddam’s palaces. You know nothing too rock and roll. 

We also got shot at by rockets and had to get evacuated during the night by black hawk helicopters. I mean that was crazy stuff. All of it was crazy. We kept saying we were in a video game. “This is level 7, next is 8.” We think at some points we would warp and skip a level or two. I’ll never forget that trip. I am super thankful to have gone and to give back to the troops. Even though it doesn’t compare to how much they have given to me as an American. But I was happy to do what I could. 

Now, something that changed my life I’ve talked about in other blog postings and probably, if you know me, we’ve chatted about a conversation Kevin Rhoads and myself had one night in Iraq. And not to discredit it by not writing about it as much here in this blog but, we broke up some crazy inner fights that have raged on inside my life for a long time. We decided to tell ourselves to “DBTL” every day. DBTL stands for Don’t Believe the Lie. The lie that we tell ourselves as humans that “you’re not good enough, good looking enough, healthy enough, smart enough or whatever to make a change in your life. A change for the better. Believe in yourself and you can make some serious moves to help yourself out. It has worked for me. I tell myself “DBTL” everyday. I believe in God and that he spend some good time creating me and I’m a well made piece of art. I don’t me that to sound conceded at all, I do want to get proper credit to the creator. And whatever you believe in God, Buddha, or whatever believe in the world you live in and that you play a specific role and it should be played well, to the best of your ability and that you shouldn’t believe the lie that says you aren’t important. Boom… there’s that soap box. Reader, be empowered, DBTL!!!!

So after I got back from time in Europe and the Middle East I got on a tour with some more amazing people. I hopped on the “You Complete Me Tour” with Nathan Angelo and Todd Carey. The other band members were Chris Anderson and Spencer Cohen. All of these dudes are so solid and amazing. I loved every min. The shows were fun the fans were more fun and we had a blast and I remember eating really well. We all liked to eat and as Chris wold repeatedly say, “I’m having a great time.” And we were. We toured most of the South east and listened to a lot of the Pete Yorn record ‘Back and Fourth’. Specifically the song ‘Social Development Dance’. We did a lot and covered a lot of ground and had a ton of fun… have I said that yet enough. There is a theme in my life I’m realizing. 

After that I was home for one solid day. It was October at this point and Nashville was getting cold and people were posting up in their homes… but not me and not my friend Christina Griffith. She was moving to South Lake Tahoe. So I was home and day which was nice cause I didn’t really have to pack… I just loaded up my bag in her car and we took off to California. 

We drove and drove and drove and drove some more. We ate at a place in St. Louis called Las Palmas. Which is the name of a cheap mexican food place in Nashville. We were holding on to home. It was funny. I broke my record of how long I could drive straight. It was kinda dumb that I did that but, here’s to breaking’ records. I drove for 20 hours straight. From Nashville to Denver. We ended up stopping my great friends Kevin and Jess’ house that morning and just rested up and hung out. It was nice. Then later that day we drove to another friends house in Cheyenne, WY. My friends Rob and Shanna Housman put us up for the night and we had wine and chatted about Young Life, life, and music. It was amazing to connect with these people. I’m seeing another theme in my life.
Then we left after having great coffee and me and Rob getting the oil changed in the car. We drove all the way that night to South Lake Tahoe, CA. We got there at like 3:45 in the am. It was freezing and there wasn’t any furniture or blankets. We put on all the clothes we had in our small bags and slept on the floor. It was a magical memory. Not to mention the star shine that was looking like diamonds on Lake Tahoe as we drove in. We celebrate our ending journey and then spent a couple of days unpacking and watching it rain. It was great. Tahoe is one of the most beautiful places on this Earth. Emerald bay is a must see. So after a few days Chris took me over to San Francisco to see my friend Sharon who actually lived in San Jose. So I parted from Christina in a teary eyed hug and trusted that the great outdoors would guard her and Sharon and I drove away. 

Then started my time of just hanging out in California. I put steering wheel and responsibility behind me. It was time to sleep in and write some songs. Also log in some great quality time with Sharon and her dog Lucy. I ended up walking to a Starbucks every day and doing business type work on my music. Going over songs and deeming them good or no good. Also, booking some shows in Texas with Nathan Angelo. I also ran a lot while I was there. I also so my dear friend Acacia and spend short but great time with her and eat some killer cuban food. AND, I went to visit my buddy Paul Carter who works for APPLE in Cupertino and it was just great to catch up with him. My seven days there was amazingly restful. 

So then I caught a plane for Los Angeles where I was gonna spend some more time hanging out with dear friends and doing some musical monkey business. I stayed with my dear dear friend Kim Downey. Kim and I went to college together and have never, to my recollection, had a boring time together. She took me around to all the cool places to eat and drink and shop. We got some great quality conversations in and it was just nice to see a friend with lots of history. She’s amazing. Then one of my best friends came out to LA.

Jacob Combs, he was my old college roommate, long time travel companion, best friend, and all around great human being. He and I met up partied down in LA and then drove down to San Diego to celebrate my other best friend’s (I have 5) Birthday.

Sam Larson, another college friend, and I have been best friends for a long time. Also, our birthdays are very close together so I try and come visit him every year to celebrate. Its great. He and his wife Kelli are two of my greatest friends. We laugh more together than just about any other people I know. It’s so much fun out there with them. I keep thinking I’m gonna move out there one day. We’ll see I guess.

It was Sam’s 28th birthday and we all pitched in to get him a motorcycle. His wife organize the whole thing. And the amazing wife award goes too… Kelli Larson. Anyway, it was a total surprise. He had no clue. It was an amazing memory. Great to be a part of it. 

After that and a couple of days I drove to LA and took Jake to the airport. Then I ran into my “I wish she was really my sister” friend Ms. Tennessee Tucker Perry. What a bad ass. That chick does everything… sings, acts, models, and I’m sure she’s a ninja or something crazy like that. She decided to bestow her kindness and drive me back to San Diego. We had a great time driving down the coast listening to pop radio and singing really loud. We just enjoyed each other’s time and the California sun shine. Tucker if I haven’t thanked you enough… THANK YOU!

So my time in California was winding down and I was on a plane back to Texas. I was going to see family, work on some Christmas songs, and place some more shows with Nathan Angelo. I was listening to Marc Cohn’s ‘The Rainy Season’. Specifically the song ‘From the Station.’ This has been one of my favorite records since it came out. Man, what a deep record. Anyway, I was in Dallas for most of that time. I recorded a couple of Christmas tunes and met up with Nathan and played in Dallas, Waco, and College Station. They were good shows and good times. Our buddy Chris Farney was out on the road with us to. Chris can play anything that makes a sound. And is freaking’ hysterical. It was a good crew. 

After that I was home for Thanksgiving and spent some good time with the family. It is always good to see them. I hope they know I feel that way. I should probably tell them that more. Anyway, I digress. 

I flew home to Nashville, I was there for two weeks. I played a show or two in town. I rested a lot. I hung with friends a lot. It was great. The only bummer was that I thought my car broke down for good. The timing belt broke while my buddy Evan was driving it. It was scary my car has been a dear friend and really really good to me for going on 10 years now. Lots of fun stories of getting lost, getting found, and getting kissed in that car. I love it. I hope it never dies. I’ll probably put a new engine in it when it does. 

My car lived. I got it fixed. So I drove back home for Christmas. It was a great call. I needed to be with my family. My brother and sister in law had to be in Arkansas with her family. Her family had a really dynamic year. She lost her mother and had a baby and it was just a crazy roller coaster for her and us all. More for her I assume. But I understood she and baby Caroline needed to be with Lindsey’s side of the family. I missed them but was glad they were where they needed to be. 

Then here we are a year later already. NYE 2010 was going down in Nashville. This would be my first New Years spent in this city. I moved there January 1, 2007. And I was in other places for NYE for the past 3 years. It was a wonderful New Years. I was with my best friends in my favorite city and It was just perfect. I wore a suit, I drank nice drinks, I watched the ball drop, I ran back home in the rain, I got a kiss, it was a great success. I loved it. Nashville was the perfect place to ring in 2011.

A mere six days into 2011 I embarked on a tour selling merch for an incredible band named The David Crowder band. There are real people making real music in hope to further the body of believer in Christ and glorify God. It was really really great for me to be around them. I needed them. I hope they needed me. I also met many other incredible people on this tour.  My co-worker and now good friend Corey Neal. We shared the same job and definatly needed each other to pull one another along. Well, I needed Corey at least. Also, I got to be good friend with Chris August. He’s another brother from another mother. I was super thankful to become friends with him. We spent 3 months on the road playing all over the Southeast, Midwest, and in Texas. Yes, Texas is its own region. Why wouldn’t it be? It was great we saw a lot of places and faces and have great challenging and encouraging conversations. We all struggled and worked on ourselves. It was a real honest time. To David, Mike D, Hogan, BWack, Mark, Jack, Steven, Rob, Corey ,and Chris, thank you for all you taught me and for all the honest conversation and laughter. I’m grateful to call you dudes friends. 

After that I found myself going to bed really late and waking up really early because of anxious thoughts about the fact I had nothing really to do. 

So here I am, May 2 of 2011 finally slowing down for a hot second. I’ve moved into a new place with my great friend and Guru DeLa and I finally feel ready to start releasing the deepest breathe I’ve ever taken. I’d been around the world and across the nation more times that I could keep up with. I’d seen floods, storms, snow, tornados. War in the news, death all around. Even yesterday Osama bin Laden had been killed. All of this crazy life changing and bitter and sweet moments allowed me learn and continue to learn more about myself that I ever though I could. I  have learned to always enjoy the ride no matter what the road, scenery, or weather looked like. As long as you keep moving things will change. And as long as you hope for great things, great things will come your way. Don’t believe the lies. Do believe in honesty. Do believe in something bigger than you. Desire to make great things happen through you. We as humans all need each other. We need each other really really bad. Especially today, the world seems upside down. If you have family and friend hold them close. Help them along when they need it. If you have strangers in your life hold them close. Help them along when they need it.

To all my friends and family and community. I hold you all deep in my heart. I think of all the ways people have helped me. I think of all the things people have taught me. If you have had any connection with me in the last couple of years you have become part of my story and for that I’m grateful. So hug or high-five yourself from me and know that you are loved by me. 

You all are the reason to believe in the goodness of today by hoping for the greatness in tomorrow.

I hope all this makes sense to you. I know I left stuff out. But the stuff left out is just as important as the stuff remembered. Mystery is the fuel of knowledge and knowledge is the fuel of change. Next time I’m shifting through the sands of time I hope to find new details and lessons. I think that’s a great thing. Remembering. 

I hope to see you all on the road when my new music finally comes out. Be expecting stories from this time in my life. Truly, I’ve had the time of my life thus far. Thank you for reading and accepting this hopefully humble rambling of gratitude for the harsh and sweet times of my life. I’m grateful for the whiskey and birthday cake stories like these. Cheers to more times like these in each of our lives. Until the pen hits the paper again, DBTL!

 

Ramble on,

Seth Owen Philpott.

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