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Japan Finally!!(May 2025)
Date: 12/8/2025, 3:15:15 AM
Ever since I heard "Otis Rush So Many Roads" I have been fascinated by Japan and because of my guitarist and friend Tony Mcquaid and his awesome partner Mako we made it happen .Mako is Japanese and was able to book concert dates and was our official tour guide. We left "Chicago on the morning of May 6th on Japanese Airlines ANA " Destination ( The Land of Rising Sun) Fourteen hours later we landed the next day at Tokyo Narita Airport and the adventure began. Customs was a breeze and we picked up our luggage and grabbed the shuttle to our hotel in Narita. Without Mako it would have been impossible to navigate our way because the language barriers are difficult to say the least. Well after my first incredible Japanese meal( One of many) it was off to catch up on Jetlag before our first show the next night. We were playing the Cloud 9 Bar in Narita with our Japanese music promoter and Guitarist (Mr Oh"Yeah") We had met the year before in Chicago and he had invited us to come perform with him. Besides Tony Mac and myself we also had The Legendary Richard Farrel from Spain join our tour. It was a small venue but was packed with fans of "Mr. Oh Yeah". It was a welcoming audience and we closed with " Sweet Home Chicago " to everyone's delight. It was back to the hotel on the shuttle and off to Atami Beach the next day .I had a chance to fish the Harbor and rented a rod and caught 3 small Mackerel. We were playing close by the next night at Joynt Brewery so we had a chance to go out for late night Sushi and Sake. We were able to take the train to Ito Beach and the Brewery which was set right across from the Ocean . It was a beautiful setting and once again the club filled up and we had some local musicians sit in as well to their delight. Makos friend Toru drove us home through the hills after another late night dinner in an Itsokya. ( Late night for appetizer and cocktail restaurant ). This was a whirlwind trip so far and we were just getting to Tokyo the next day to prepare for The " Mr. Oh Yeah" Festival on Sunday. Tokyo was like 10 New Yorks in 1 and we headed to the Shibuya district to do some music shopping for guitars and accessories. Sunday May 9th was our big festival show with Mr. " Oh Yeah" in Tokyo. It was At " The Ale House" and we had 3 separate seatings for our Cconcert.Each show was packed to brim and the reception was outstanding. We celebrated at another late night Itsokaya before taking the Subway back to Tokyo. One thing about Japan is there is literally no crime and people let their young children take the trains themselves. We had the next day to explore Kyoto and took the Bullet Train from Tokyo Station.It is true that they go 250 kilometers per hour and you dont even feel a thing. Kyoto is a beautiful city and we explored the Bamboo Forest and The Golden Temple. I also found a great Jazz quintet led by Rita Nishikawa at a Mexican restaurant of all things.Tuesday it was a Bullet Train back to Tokyo and then as a treat on our final night we had reservations at " The Abbey Road" to see the world famous Beatle tribute : The Parrots".We had a reservation at a table in the front and our friend Toru joined us again.The band nailed every Beatles song and some chestnuts by John Lennon.They were excited to meet us and I found out that Paul McCartney himself had jammed with them at the club. Well once again a late night Subway and some rest before heading to Tokyos Haneda Airport and the long long ✈️ flight back to Chicago!!!
Down Under Round Two
Date: 4/19/2024, 7:51:19 PM
Heading back to Australia for a second time was another dream come true to say the least! I was heading for a tour of South Australia to perform at some new Venues and see some old friends. I left Chicago on March 11th and went to check in only to find out I didn't have my ETA ready. ( Electronic Transfer Authorization) Luckily a travel agent worked with me and we got it taken care of just in time.The first flight was a jam packed 757 to LAX.I got off the plane and took a pass on a $26 Hamburger and boarded the flight to Melbourne and waited for a mechanical problem to be fixed. It was exciting to find out a woman Captain was flying us over.Thats a big 787 Dreamliner and she took good care of us. The only thing is when She said flight attendants please check it was a little unnerving. We landed in Melbourne, made it through customs and was soon on a Quantas flight to Aedelade. My friends Dean and David were waiting for me at the gate. They still let you inside the Airport there.Our first stop was at the house of the the great Australian blues guitarist " Chris Finnen" to pick up some gear that I would be using.Chris was on the way to Tasmania but would be joining me on his return. I was greeted at the door by Queenie ,a wonderful Dauschund that I had met before. I was really beat and we headed back to Dean's in Victor Harbor and I slept for 15 hours. My first show was at the Semaphore Workingmans club with the Harmonica Player Bobby Blues and Guitarist Stuart Knowles.Greg Naulty is the manager and was excited to have me back.We had a great night and I headed back to Bobby Blues in beautiful Walkerville( A suburb of Aedelade).The next day I was treated to a fishing expedition on the Indian Ocean with Bobby.We caught a variety of local fish and had a feast later that night. Dean was playing at Finn Mcool's in Norwood for St.Patricks day and I was the special guest. The place was mobbed and Dean covered all the great Irish standards.We headed back to Victor Harbor to enjoy the area for a few days before my next run of shows.I spent a whole day fishing with my new mate Guitar George and we had a blast on the pierhead having lunch, drinking and hooking massive stingrays and mullet. It was back
(Tyler)
to Memphis Slims in Aedelade the next day for a jam packed show.The club is in the basement and is one of the top venues. We had the total blues experience including dancing Australian blues women.Well a great Harp player" Mark Snoady" came by and we all headed back to Bobby's for a late nightcap.Those Aussies can live it up. Next up was the famous Gov Room for another great show with an amazing young guitarist named Tyler.He is the Derrick Trucks of Australia. The next day was a venture to Bobby's Beach house in Aldinga.Some people have quite the life.His wife Trish was there and put out a great deli tray and drinks.Bobby took me on a Kangaroo hike and pointed out all the local birdlife.Not only is he a great Harmonica player but a wildlife enthusiast as well.We went to the Big Easy Radio club with some great friends and put on an unannounced concert. Well the next day I joined Dean at the Farmers Market in Victor Harbor with Dean for a fun outdoor show.We were promoting the big final show at the Grovernors Hotel in Victor.The Grovernor Hotel is a legendary Venue and Rick and Louis are excellent hosts. This day was the return of Chris Finnen along with Geoff Miller on Bass and John Steven's on Drums. It was a beautiful afternoon and we had a near sell out crowd.With Rocky on sound the show went off as smooth as can be and Dean,and his wife Linda and I enjoyed drinks and 6 orders of fresh oysters courtesy of Rick and Louis.Well the next morning I went on a reel Australian fishing adventure to the Mouth of the Murray River with my friend George and Lee who provided the four wheel vehicle. It's 10 kilometers up the beach in Goolwa with deep sand and gutters that we went flying over in the dark.We arrived at the mouth and pitched out chunks of mullet on big surf rods in hopes of catching a Mullaway.George had the only bite with his rod making a beeline to the ocean.It was back at noon to meet up with Dean and Linda to take me to the Airport for a late night of sleeping on a bench. I had a 6 am flight to Sydney and wanted to be on time. Sydney Airport was a treat and my flight back to the states was cricky as they say Down Under,Until next time,Keith
Down Under for Reel and Good Day Mate!!
Date: 4/5/2023, 2:07:55 PM
Lynda Bird
Tristen Bird
Dreaming of Kamgaroos and Koalas and all things Australian,I finally made the trek due to my great friendship with Dean Bird who I met in Ireland in 2019.Dean is a well respected musician in Australia and we started planning for 2020 but the powers wouldn't let us be until 2023.Dean went to work on setting up a wonderful tour schedule and one cold November Day in my hotel room in Buelah,Mi. ,I made the final arrangements. With your regular awful Michigan winter nagging on me ,I could only pray everyday for March 14th and my departure from O'Hare field.The usual travel nightmare ensued and I barely made my connecting flight to Melbourne, a quick 15 hours it was over the vast sea. Of course I couldn't sleep even though the plane was quite empty. Landing in Melbourne the next day I realized they drive just like in Europe on the wrong side of the road. Thanks to Richard Branson I jumped on my Virgin Australia connection to Adelaide with no further delays.Dean was waiting in the terminal and I knew I was in a great country when you are still allowed to greet guests inside the terminal. We got my bags and set off with his friend Woody to his beautiful home in Victor Harbor. It looked just like Southern,California .passing beaches and hills and the vastness of the Indian Ocean. I greeted Dean's wife Lynda and settled into my room for a long sleep.I was playing great venues almost every night and doing Radio interviews everyday but we managed time for sightseeing, and Kangaroo and Koala sightings .Most of my gigs were with a world renowned Blues Guitarist named Chris Finnen He is revered in Australia and it was an honor to work with him.What I like about Chris was that he had a wonderful Dauschund named Queenie plus at least 300 guitars which he let me pick out whichever ones i wanted to use .We packed them in at the Wheatsheaf Hotel,Murray Delta Juke Joint and Semaphors Working Man's Club where Tank cooked delicious Yabbies( Crawfish)
Dean opened up all the shows and gave a wonderful introduction each night . Another highlight was finally meeting Dean's son Tristen Bird .Tristen is an awesome musician and owns Palamino Recording in Myponga .During the day the Boss,Lynda Bird a poet in her own right cooked incredible meals for us including Prawns, Chicken and Lamb.I was living the life of Reily walking to the beach everyday ,watching the Surfers and meeting a fishing legend named George. He became the theme of the trip and Finally took me fishing as well. It just so happened he was an excellent musician and attended one of my concerts as well. Adelaide is an exciting city and it was great to perform at Memphis Slims House of Blues with the great Paul Giles on harp.
.I found out the Beatles had drew 300,000 people in 1964 in Adelaide and a drummer named Jimmy Nicol had filled in for Ringo there. One of the trip highlights was riding the Historic Cockle Train to Goolwa and going to the Murray Mouth on Hindmarsh Island. The Murray is Australia's biggest river. Every night when we drove home from the concerts I had the honor of being on Kangaroo watch. They are really sweet animals but I heard then can deliver a massive punch if you get too close.With the trip winding down,I said a final goodbye to George and had a wonderful Vietamese dinner with Dean,Chris,and Lynda.They dropped me off with an emotional goodbye and I got ready for my early flight to Sydney. It is a massive airport and it was quite the trek to get through customs but I made it and had time for a quick stop at the gift shop before the 13 hour full flight to San Francisco. This time I decided to watch Jaws as we crossed the Pacific to enhance the journey.Hope to return Down Under sooner than later, As they say in Australia " Good Day Mate"
Keith!!!!
Alaskan Dreams Come True 2022
Date: 8/21/2022, 3:50:31 AM
I was touring in Alaska for the second time but this was going to be an encompassing journey covering the South East and Canada. It was the old Planes,Ferries and Automobiles to make the journey interesting to say the least. I had my guitar in tow and my 2 Helios Orvis favorites. The travel schedule did not allow for fishing until a few shows were in the bag.I started at the Chilkahoot River in Haines to a big zero landed .( The Sockeye were late and the Bears were as well ).There was an attempt at Grayling and Lake Trout in The Yukon that failed and then finally a Dolly in Skagway from Pullen Pond.I am not complaining! The scenery,food and people were fantastic .It was not until I contacted Mike at Alaskan Fly Fishing goods in Juneau for a hot tip that I had success and it was a welcome relief.I did not want to have to explain to the Fishing community that I went to Alaska and was skunked. It is true that you still have to work for success at least in my case!! Tight Lines and as we say on our overfished Trout Streams Tighter
Lips !! Keith
Michigan Rules
Date: 6/21/2022, 1:05:54 AM
When you spend years chasing fish all over It's nice to get it done in your home territory.So far this year I've had some luck with Steelhead, Great Pike and Smallie action and lost a Giant Muskie on the Fly!!! It all came together at night with the Hex to top it all off. Enjoy the photos and adventure and will see you soon the River or Stage!!! Speaking of the stage I spent a recent evening with Michigan Blues Legend" Larry Mccray"and Blues Star "Tab Benoit"( Both great
Fisherman)
Trout,Governor's and Gigs
Date: 10/27/2021, 5:00:12 PM
It seems like all my travel plans have been focused on the Big Sky Country. Sometimes what I took for granted is now what is best.On my second trip out to Montana this year I had some of the best experiences as of yet.From fishing with Jon Stiehl ( Owner of the Trout Hunter Lodge) to having The former Governor ( Brian Schweizer attending my show in Ovando @ Trixies ) and running into a fellow musician ( Calumet Steve) from Michigan at Rainey Lake Campgrpund it was a tour filled with surprises.There were great times staying with Scott Kelly( Owner if the Gravel Bar) in Virginia City to catching big Cuthroat in Henry's Lake and fishing with Eric Sommers on the Missouri. Basing myself in Wolf Creek for a bit with Pat and Pickles set the trip in motion. A snow packed Hgwy 287 in Reynolds Pass added some excitement and of course Phillipsburg Brewery was awesome as usual. By the time I arrived in
Whitefish I was getting a little beat up but quickly recovered the next morning being the first through the entrance at Glacier. Thanks to Harbor Grill in Lakeside for my best show and dinner of the tour and a farewell until 2022.
Return to The Treasure State
Date: 8/12/2021, 11:58:10 AM
A famous writer once said if you can't beat them join them.It seems everyone has descended recently on my favorite place.The good is the club's are packed , the bad is the rivers were packed.Add to that extreme heat waves and fires and disaster was looming at any minute.Also a Bear Attack outside a new venue for me in Ovando ,(Trixie's, ) and it was sure to be an action packed tour. There are great Lakes with excellent Damsel hatches and they were fishing well especially at night. The Flathead also had plenty of great cold water and few people.There are great Brook Trout (not native but still beautiful)and native Cutthroat up North.You still can't beat the local people and I was lucky enough to spend time with Todd Tanner who is a world renowned journalist.His wife Molly set up a tent for me on their property in the Flathead Valley after my concert and when they went to sleep I promptly moved into my car for a safe nights rest.Besides the scenery mostly being obscured from the smoke and the cascade of out of state license plates and Rv traffic jams it was still great to be back ,
K.S.
Nothing like a Dark Night in Northern, Mi.
Date: 6/15/2021, 11:02:55 PM
I will say this with conviction.There is no feeling like fishing alone on a river in Michigan on a pitch black night.You are at the mercy of the river and what it brings after the sun sets. My friend advised me that I need to be at a certain place on this night in June .In fact he ordered me under the strictest confidentiality with extreme penalties for breaking the sacred oath of trout angling. Alone I was on a perfect moonless night with tons of bugs and no people for 2 hours until a noisy raft showed up and then I promptly left. I pretended not to speak English as well.It was a perfect night with the best fish coming at the end.I never actually measure anything but it was 20 inches in my book!!
Smallmouth Heaven
Date: 5/1/2021, 10:09:03 PM
Well the first post of the year is going to focus on a more Urban environment.After years of Isolating in Bear country I was happy to be in Grand Rapids for some spring fishing and great Thai food. With a 4 weight and 1 black wooly bugger I managed to land almost a dozen small mouth and my first Pike on a fly. Luckily some local fisherman obliged with photos for yours truly!!!!
Baldwin Steelhead and Blues
Date: 12/25/2020, 6:46:51 PM
Steelhead Sunday |
