Welcome to Gig Bag, a BGS feature that peeks into the touring essentials of some of our favorite artists. This time around, BGS Artist of the Month alum Andrew Bird walks us through a few of the items he has at the ready when out on the road in a “Case Study” video from UMUSIC Experience.
Photo credit: Amanda Demme
Video shot and edited by Nick Elwell and directed by Wes Davenport, UMUSIC Experience
Just outside of Nashville, Tennessee, on the shores of Old Hickory Lake, is a stunning 13-acre estate whose crown jewel is The Estate at Cherokee Dock. Early this summer, the BGS team was fortunate enough to be invited to stay on the premises for our annual company retreat and work session, bringing together our staff in Los Angeles and Nashville for a relaxing, productive, and beautiful few days on site, which is most famous for being the former residence of country legend and BGS favorite, Reba McEntire. Our team spent three days, dividing up the themed bedrooms among us — all inspired by legends like Garth Brooks, Johnny Cash, Loretta Lynn, Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton, and of course, Reba.
As an events hub, the 13,000-square-foot Southern Colonial home’s most popular use now is hosting all-inclusive weddings. Yet the sprawling space — replete with stables, a guitar-shaped swimming pool, a well-equipped game room, gorgeous grounds and gardens, and oh-so-much more — also hosts corporate events, film and photo shoots, community concerts, mixers and networking parties, and just about any other function you can imagine. After two full days of BGS planning, creating, and brainstorming of course we made time for a 90s country karaoke sing off, a Skee-Ball tournament, some hot tub time, a small gathering of friends, and even some pickin’.
Although the surroundings are opulent, the comfortable vibe of the home lends itself surprisingly well to meetings, whether teams are seated around the large dining room table, or (in our case) simply gathered in a circle of couches and chairs in the sunny living room. Most of the time, we either gravitated to the inviting kitchen and its huge island, or carried our lunch plates out to the patio. There are enough areas of the home to still have privacy when the laptops are powered down and phones silenced for the day, too. Although BGS staffers are always on the go, the Estate at Cherokee Dock makes it easy to just stay put and enjoy some valuable time together.
For all of you fans of beautiful architecture, Middle Tennessee’s beauty, and our goddess, Reba, take a journey across The Estate at Cherokee Dock in photographs. And, make plans to visit for your own retreat, no matter the occasion.
All photos by Laura E. Partain
“I have a lot of people ask me, ‘Where do I go when I come to Nashville?’ and my answer is always, ‘Well, what are you into? Music? Food? Underground sex scene?’ I don’t know much about that last one there, but there sure is a lot to do in Nashville these days. Top-notch dining, a bunch of clubs and bars, and spectacular musicians of all types.” – Chuck Mead
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Lower Broadway
You have to see Lower Broadway at least once during your visit. This is where honky tonks line both sides of the street and the people and music spill out onto the sidewalks. Robert’s Western World is the must-stop on the street. It’s my old stomping grounds where my old band BR5-49 got our start. Traditional honky tonk played the way it’s supposed to be — with heart. Layla’s next door is an excellent place to be as well.
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Ryman Auditorium
These honky tonks are all in the shadow of the Mother Church of Country Music, the Ryman Auditorium — another must-see downtown. And while you’re in that neck of the woods, see The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, where you can follow the progression of country music from the beginning right up to today’s stars.
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Honky Tonk Tuesday at American Legion Post 82
If you’re around on a Tuesday night, go to the American Legion Post 82. Just driving into the parking lot takes you to another world. Make your donation at the door (unless you’re a veteran), grab a nice cold, cheap beer, go dance your ass off to some really fantastic old school country music, and don’t forget to tip the band!
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The Grand Ole Opry
It pretty much goes without saying that if you come to Nashville, a visit to the Grand Ole Opry should be on the itinerary. It’s the show that made country music.
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Third Man Records
But it’s not all hillbilly music – there’s Jack White’s Third Man Records for a killer record store experience and it’s always great to go see Thee Rock n Roll Residency at the Mercy Lounge whenever they’re in town.
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Bolton’s Spicy Chicken & Fish
Nashville is pretty famous, food-wise, for its hot chicken. There are a few ways to go — Prince’s is the original and is great of course (if you order the hot – you have a stronger constitution than me.) But my favorite hot chicken in town is Bolton’s. I suggest a taste test!
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Margot Cafe
If you’re looking for a world-class dining experience, may I suggest Margot Cafe in Five Points in East Nashville. Margot serves up fancy French-type food combined with down-home Southern heart; fresh, local cuisine with a menu that changes all the time, and a terrific bar as well.
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Mas Tacos
Also on the Eastside is Mas Tacos. This is my go-to place for times when I say to myself, “Man, I sure could use some more tacos.” Great food. Great vibe. Groovy courtyard.
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Here are other places I recommend: Grimey’s Record Store (made by record people for record people); The Basement and The Basement East – always a variety of different kinds of great live music both places; Germantown Cafe, fresh and modern American cuisine; First Tennessee Park, right across the street, where you can take in a Nashville Sounds baseball game (if it’s in season, of course); and many others you can look up on your phone yourself. Check out the music listings and see if I’m playing anywhere. If you see me, say “Hey!”
Photo credit: Joshua Black Wilkins
Welcome to Gig Bag, a BGS feature that peeks into the touring essentials of some of our favorite artists. This time around, the band Driftwood details the items that are always when out on the road.
Monster Cable: We can’t possibly be the only folks riding around without a CD player or Bluetooth stereo can we?! Sometimes it’s nice to sit in silence and just think about how your life is mostly driving and some playing, but other times you just need some damn tunes, some inspiration! Our monster cable is the music lifeline! That’s not to say we don’t love the radio but you’ve just gotta hear some Dylan.
Tiffins: These precious little food containers get a lot of attention and questioning glances on the road but they’re so handy! They’re eco and wallet friendly. We’re always packing them up with extra food provided backstage and offered to us by all the fine folks we stay with.
Klean Kanteens: Big shout-out to Klean Kanteen for supplying us with coffee mugs, water jugs and metal straws! Again, saving money and saving the planet! Join us in this most important cause.
Guitar-ulele: We’ve written countless songs on this sweet little instrument sold to us for $40 in Nashville by one of our buddies. We’ve gotten more mileage out of this thing than we ever imagined we would. It’s quiet enough to be unobtrusive to others in a tight space, small enough to be tucked away easily and just the right amount out of tune.
Seymour Butts: Brought into the vehicle by Joey, Seymour provides endless entertainment in traffic. Basically, he attaches to the window and moons people 😉 What can we say? Sometimes all this driving and lack of sleep makes a band pretty loopy…
Shield: A homemade gift from a wonderful fan in Washington D.C.! There’s no great story behind the shield but it certainly makes us feel safe and loved.
Hogan’s Feather: The feather belonged to a 50-something-year-old parrot named Hogan. When we embarked on our first big cross-country tour, we stayed with Hogan’s “dad” in Austin, Texas. The feather stays tied around the rearview mirror and is a reminder of that first big trip.
Photo credit of Driftwood: Jacklyn Dyer
Welcome to Gig Bag, a BGS feature that peeks into the touring essentials of some of our favorite artists. This time around, Mary Bragg details the items she always has nearby when out on the road.
For me, there’s not a much better morning on tour than one that immediately starts with a good cup of coffee. My travel French press means all I have to locate is hot water; I bring my own beans, and voila, caffeine moments begin — usually paired with my journal full of scribbles, free-writing, and loads of to-do lists.
The tiny journal that fits in any bag. I carry one with me all the time — at home and on the road, in case something interesting falls out of the sky. And a Sharpie, too, both for writing and the emergency CD-signing.
My sweet travel jewelry box that makes me feel at home, carved with a little inspiration from the one and only Eleanor Roosevelt.
A whole host of my favorite print media for moments when I can sneak in a little quality journalism. (Ahem, journalism major here.)
The trustiest road snack: homemade granola. Schedules can be pretty wacky on tour, and you never know when you’re going to need a solid protein boost. Granola does the trick for me, on its own or with yogurt; I make it at home all the time and keep a stash in the car, especially for moments when I’m unexpectedly hungry and in the middle of nowhere.
Photo credit: Laura E. Partain
Welcome to Gig Bag, a BGS feature that peeks into the touring essentials of some of our favorite artists. This time around, singer/songwriter Steve Poltz details the items he always has nearby when out on the road.
Hey Kiddos! People don’t know this about me but I need to do the same thing over and over again. It’s probably because I’m in a different city every day. I need to feel like something is stable. Last year I was gone 285 days.
Breakfast is important. I eat the same thing every single day: Bob’s Red Mill 5 Grain Rolled Oats Cereal with Flaxseed. I travel with all these ingredients. These little almond butter packs are a perfect serving for stirring in to my oats. The almond butter is a good source of protein and keeps your stomach feeling full a bit longer. I like it with cinnamon and dried cranberries. I always travel with my favorite bowl. If my little hotel has a wee kitchen I cook it on the stove. If it has a microwave then I sometimes use that.
I also travel with PG Tips English breakfast tea. It’s my favorite. The water has to be boiling and I steep it for four minutes. These little milk packs are great and I always bring a bunch of ’em. I can’t have my tea until AFTER I’ve had my oats. If I have my tea first I get anxiety. Caffeine on an empty stomach makes me crazy.
P.S. I eat a pound of oats a week.
P.P.S. This regimen keeps you regular.
P.P.P.S. Healthy colon healthy life.
Marie Kondo has nothing on me. I taught her everything she knows about folding clothes.
I travel with seven pairs of undies and seven pairs of socks and seven t-shirts. They fit perfectly in this little netted ziplock bag. I do laundry every seven days unless I’m traveling alone. Then I can stretch it out a few days more. Especially in the wintertime when I sweat less. Sometimes I wear the same undies and socks and tees two days in row. Sometimes three or four. But then I notice my merch sales drop because no one wants to get close to me. So I guess it’s better to do laundry every seven days.
I wear the same boots everyday. RM Williams Craftsman Chestnut Brown. They’re Australian beauties. Some guy bought me them in Melbourne after he saw me play at Port Fairy Folk Festival. He said, “These boots will see you out.” I guess that means they’re lifetime boots. Just get ’em resoled.
Soap? Yes. Gotta smell good. I always use Dr. Bronner’s Pure Castile Soap. Hemp peppermint. This soap makes your private parts tingle. This is the best soap in the world.
I also bring one really sweet Japanese raw denim shirt. I’ll wear it for the whole tour and it’ll always break in and fade nicely.
My favorite charger to bring is called an Anker. It charges multiple things at once. Headphones, smartphones, iPads and all that crap.
I switch hats a lot for different tours but the one I always go back to is a Stetson Open Road. LBJ always wore one of these. You see ’em a lot lately but I don’t care. I still love it. You could bury me in this hat and I wouldn’t mind. Except for the fact that I’d rather be cremated. I guess I could say you could cremate me in this hat.
I always travel with only one guitar. Smokey Joe. He’s been with me for 16 years. He’s old enough to drive. So that’s cool. Bob Taylor of Taylor Guitars gave me this ax. He was gonna throw it away but then he met me and felt sorry for me. So I accepted his “sort of” gift. I love this guitar. I love it so much that I put letters on the back so people know it’s mine. If someone tries to steal it, I’ll throw a bag of oats at their head.
Lede photo of Steve Poltz: Laura E. Partain
Welcome to “A Minute In …” — a BGS feature that turns musicians into hometown reporters. In our latest column, singer-songwriter Caitlin Canty takes us through Vermont communities like Pittsford and Rutland, as well as her favorite places nearby.
A Morning Hike
I’ll start the morning off with a walk with my parents and the dogs down by the covered bridges in Pittsford, such as the Gorham and Cooley bridges, and walk to the confluence of Otter Creek and Furnace Brook. This is my favorite spot in Vermont.
Donuts & Sandwiches
My dad usually wakes up before anyone else and he’ll pick up some classic donuts from Jones’ Donuts and Bakery if I’m lucky. And we’ll always stop at Kamuda’s Country Market for a sandwich or provisions after a walk.
Local Restaurants
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My mom’s a great cook, but if I’m home for a few nights, we’ll hit Roots the Restaurant or The Palms in Rutland for dinner. If I’m in Rutland earlier in the day, my favorite spot to sit by a fire and warm up is the Yellow Deli.
Getting Outdoors
I’d tell anyone visiting the Rutland area to go for a quick and easy hike up Deer’s Leap near Killington for a gorgeous view, or paddle around on Chittenden Dam for sweeping views of the mountains reflected on the water.
Foot Races and Farmer’s Markets
If it’s July, try the Goshen Gallup road race (5K and 10k) at Blueberry Hill Inn. Or if you’re visiting in the fall, go apple picking at Mad Tom Orchard and Douglas Orchard, and hit the outdoor Rutland Farmers’ Market (which I’ve played a time or two when I was starting out). If you’re driving on Route 4, don’t miss Woodstock Farmers’ Market (a gourmet deli) for sandwiches, soups, and salads.
Pottery, Glassblowing, and Books
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Autumn in Vermont—is there anything sweeter? #northshirebookstore #bookstagram #shoplocal #autumn
I love Farmhouse Pottery in Woodstock and I love to go to Simon Pearce in Quechee, where you can watch glassblowing and then sit by a window next to the falls and have a drink in one of those pretty hand-blown glasses. If I’m in Manchester, I’ll get lost in the Northshire Bookstore.
The Vermont Marble Museum
The Vermont Marble Museum in my hometown is one of a kind. It’s an old factory building full of huge slabs of all varieties of marble and sculptures. I played a show here once and the sound was unlike any other room I’ve played. I love wandering around in here and seeing the history and the industry that built my town. Vermont’s famous for its covered bridges, but you have to walk or drive over the marble bridge to visit this museum in Proctor. Don’t miss checking out the powerful falls behind the Proctor Library.
The Music Scene
The first guitar I bought myself was at Be Music in Rutland, a Martin DM. Since then I’ve bought countless sets of strings, capos and picks from Brian and Jeff. As far as shows go, I’ve played at the Paramount Theater in Rutland. The first time I played there, I was invited to open for Eric Burdon and the Animals, and I was filling in for the support. I was invited that afternoon! I’d been painting a house with my family and my brother just got his license. He drove me to the theater with the hammer down as I restrung my guitar on the way. I still had paint on my hands when I played the show, and I didn’t have time to get nervous.
Photo of Caitlin Canty: David McClister
Growing up in Tulsa was weird. Mainly because in the ‘90s, it was more or less a ghost town. There wasn’t much to do, and it was honestly pretty sketchy. Downtown was barren and the only good reason to go there back then was to see a show at the legendary Cain’s Ballroom… which would make our list if we didn’t think you should already know about it. Cain’s is legendary, historic, and an absolute no-brainer when it comes to sites to visit in Tulsa. The point of all this is just to say, Tulsa has undergone an absolute renaissance over the last 15 years. A once-barren wasteland is now alive with art, music, and culture. Here are a few of our favorite spots to visit. – Desi and Cody
“Morning” Coffee
We get up not-so-early… because we are musicians and tend to stay up very late. That doesn’t mean we don’t want coffee!! Usually in the late a.m. hours we stop by Hodges Bend, located in the charming East Village area of downtown. They make a mean cup of coffee, and are down to throw in a shot or two of something nice if ya need a little extra pick me up!!! They also have amazing food and craft cocktails, and on certain nights… they host some of Tulsa’s best jazz groups. This place is a great hang, for coffee… and so much more.
Afternoon Out
Tulsa’s brand new park, Gathering Place, is nothing short of epic. The Kaiser Family Foundation and The Zarrow Foundation have been pouring millions of dollars into Tulsa for years, and it has made a staggering improvement to our city. The new park is a $400,000,000 investment and it spans a two-mile section along Riverside Drive at the Arkansas River. This park is a marvel of modern design, and words really can’t describe how amazing it truly is. Kayak ponds, huge playgrounds, basketball courts, and gorgeous architecture are dotted through its beautiful scenery of native plants and trees. If you come to Tulsa, we strongly suggest getting a basket of food and a blanket and visiting this unbelievable addition to Tulsa’s landscape.
Dinner and Live Music
Soul City of Tulsa is where we go in the evening to have a drink, eat some amazing food, and listen to some of our favorite local and live bands. It’s located on Historic Route 66, and has all the charm you would expect of a business on that old stretch of road. Owners Kevin and Amy Smith have been some of the most supportive people in the Tulsa music scene and we love them very much!!! They even gave us a Blonde Fender Telecaster just out of the kindness of their hearts!!! They treat bands well, and are everything we wish every venue owner would be. They are honest. We can’t say enough about this place, so we will just stop with this: go to Soul City, order some tacos, get a beer, and definitely stick around for the live band… they have one every night of the week!!
Late Night Drinks
The Cellar Dweller is located beneath a non-descript brick apartment building on the west side of downtown. If you don’t pay close attention… you might miss it. This place is in an old basement and has been around for a long time!! Owner Western Doughty is also one of the bartenders and our favorite barkeep in town. The drinks are affordable, but the place has class and style. They also have good whiskey, beer, cocktails, and Champagne!! (Desi lives for Champagne.) They also have live bluegrass every Wednesday from Tulsa’s own Grazzhopper. If you like a classy speak easy vibe that isn’t “too-cool-for-school,” then the Cellar is your place. We think you’ll love it. We do.
BGS ALSO RECOMMENDS:
-STAY: The Mayo — historic downtown hotel circa 1925 that has retained (and renovated) it’s class, charm, and style
-EAT: Cherry Street Farmers Market — with multiple locations, Tulsa’s Farmers Markets have been a central part of the community for over 20 years.
-DRINK: Saturn Room — funky Tiki room vibes and drinks in the heart of the mid-west
-LISTEN: Cain’s Ballroom — this 1930’s concert hall is on the National Register of Historic Places, and used to host Bob Wills and his Texas Playboys as regular performers. Today it’s still one of the top music rooms in the state.
-VISIT: The Guthrie Center — an extensive museum and cultural center dedicated to the life and legacy of Woody Guthrie, (who was born in nearby Okemah, OK). The city is also home to the Bob Dylan Archive at the University of Tulsa / Helmerich Center for American Research.
Photo of Desi and Cody: London J Smothers
Guthrie Center photo by LukeGordon1 on Foter.com / CC BY-NC-ND
All other photos courtesy of Desi and Cody.
Welcome to “A Minute In …” — a BGS feature that turns musicians into hometown reporters. In our latest column, Kelcy Mae of Ever More Nest takes us through New Orleans, Louisiana.
Growing up as a curious, imaginative kid in Bible Belt North Louisiana, I knew when I could, I’d seek a land with a little more freeness, more color, and more fun. As soon as I graduated high school, I headed south to New Orleans, which I’ve now called home for half my life. New Orleans’ tricentennial celebration is underway, and with three hundred years of history, every path in the city is a beaten one. But today, I’ll try to take you off the beaten path with a few well known spots as well. – Kelcy Mae
New Orleans City Park
Home to the New Orleans Museum of Art (NOMA), City Park consists of 1,300 acres of land that make it easy to forget you’re in the middle of a city. With 800-year-old, sprawling oaks and land both manicured and wild (an overgrown pre-Katrina golf course), the park offers an outdoor experience for everyone. Attractions like NOMA and the Sculpture and Botanical Gardens, Carousel Gardens Amusement Park, bike and boat rentals, mini-golf and sports fields, playgrounds and picnic areas, and running/walking paths allow for hours of entertainment or escape.
“Big Lake” in City Park is a portion of my jog route, made more fun by the ducks, geese, turtles, and occasional pelicans that grace its waters. Big Lake is also home to the famous chime tree, a towering oak filled with giant, mesmerizing wind chimes.
Lola’s
New Orleans has so much good food, you could write about restaurants for days. I’m skipping the usual fare here with a nod to my favorite date-night locale. Lola’s, tucked along Esplanade Avenue in Mid-City is a quaint, unpretentious spot that always lends itself to a delicious meal, which in turn lends itself to great conversation with a date or friends. The strong smell of garlic and butter greets you along Esplanade, thanks to appetizers like the popular garlic and mushrooms. The complimentary warm bread and garlic aioli are also part of the magic. Deservedly famous for its paella, the restaurant offers meat, seafood, and veggie versions of the flavorful, traditional Spanish rice dish in addition to a dozen or so entrees.
Siberia Lounge
What initially began as a sort of hybrid metal bar is now home to a tamer and more versatile music club, bar and restaurant. Along the ever-evolving Saint Claude Corridor, Siberia offers a dim bar decorated with ornate mirrors, large paintings, and some wild, secondhand taxidermy including a ‘40s-era bobcat. The musical lineups run the gamut, but Siberia is notably one of New Orleans’ few bars that play host to local and touring Americana, alt-country, bluegrass, and folk artists. Thursday is always Eastern Bloc Party night, which features local Balkan and Klezmer music. Part of what makes Siberia so special is its kitchen, known for “Slavic Soul food” with highlights like pierogi, stroganoff, golubtsy, and popular vegetarian options like the famous beet reuben.
Chickie Wah Wah
While New Orleans is full of bars that host live music and even a number of large capacity clubs and theaters, one thing it’s short on is listening rooms. Chickie Wah Wah doesn’t operate like your traditional bar, full of TVs and patrons that may or may not tune in to what’s happening on stage. People go to Chickie Wah Wah to hear music and the room delivers with quality sound and vibe. While the venue hosts plenty of traditional, long-time New Orleans performers, you’ll also find quality touring acts. The venue largely plays host to a variety of Louisiana’s comfort-zone roots music genres such as jazz, blues, rock, and honky tonk.
Webb’s Bywater Music
Need something repaired? Need a pack of strings or pair of sticks? Webb’s Bywater Music is an unassuming neighborhood music shop with new and used instruments in addition to accessories. Well regarded, Paul Webb is considered the go-to guy by countless area musicians for their instrument and electronics repairs. The shop has the charming, cluttered vibe of an always-busy mom and pop store, one that lives on thanks to the loyal musicians who prefer quality service from a knowledgeable pro over cheap, corporate rigmarole.
Joey K’s
You can’t talk about New Orleans without naming at least one restaurant known for classic New Orleans fare, be it Creole, Cajun, soul or southern. I have to point out Joey K’s for what I consider a notable feat in a town famous for fried seafood: the best fry batter around. Of course the gumbo’s great. And you’ll always see a number of New Orleans’ finest hitting the stewed chicken, the white beans with a fried pork chop, or any number of daily specials. But my favorite is hands-down the fried catfish. The onion rings are heavenly—the best ever. You can’t go wrong with the fried chicken or shrimp, either.
Port Orleans Brewing
Port Orleans Brewing Company is one of many local craft breweries that have opened across the city in the last decade. Located on Tchoupitoulas Street, near the actual Port of New Orleans, Port Orleans makes my list for its bright, airy tasting room and easy-to-drink brews. Massive windows behind the bar showcase the impressive 30-barrel brewing area. On cool days, the tap room opens up its front wall, bringing the outdoors in. My favorite flagship beers include the Riverfront Lager and the Slackwater Brown Ale. Of course they’ve got great pale ales, India pale ales, and stouts. They even offer Mexican-style lagers, the Dorada and Negra Dorada. Variety is the spice of life, and variety abounds on tap at the brewery.
The Bombay Club
New Orleans is known for being a boozy city, and one of the benefits to living here is easy access to a quality cocktail. The Bombay Club is tucked away in the French Quarter, hidden under the Prince Conti Hotel. Entering the bar and restaurant requires a short stroll through the hotel’s parking garage, so it’s fitting that the dark, English-style pub feels a bit underground. Martinis are the focus at the Bombay Club, but you can expect an expertly crafted traditional New Orleans drink like a Pimm’s Cup or Sazerac as well. With an affordable snack-focused happy hour and a solid dinner menu, it’s a nice hideaway in what can be an otherwise very pricey and noisy French Quarter. Solo pianists and jazz duos appear nightly.
Mississippi River
Whether you’re chilling with locals at “The Fly” (Uptown) and Crescent Park (Bywater) or you’re strolling alongside tourists at the downtown riverfront, you can’t help but marvel at the waterway that breathed life into this region three hundred years ago. The Mississippi River is a behemoth of a river. Sitting beside its rushing waters will strike fear and wonder into anyone, a humbling experience to say the least. Watching the river barges piloting turns piled high with shipping containers will make you question what’s humanly possible in this world. Locals and visitors can enjoy the view from the various parks or by purchasing a ride on one of the paddle wheelers that offer a tour downriver. Touching ten states, the Mississippi River’s watershed drains all or parts of 31 states. That’s a lot water moving through New Orleans and into the Gulf of Mexico.
Lake Pontchartrain
Across town from the river views are views of Lake Ponchartrain. Made famous in a variety of folk songs, Lake Ponchartrain is a massive lake, forty miles wide, of brackish water that’s frighteningly home to both alligators and bull sharks. On Wednesday nights from March through November, you can watch or take part in sailboat races put on by the New Orleans Yacht Club. The lake offers a great view to accompany a dozen oysters on the half-shell at Felix’s, Blue Crab, or Landry’s. Grabbing a bite near the yacht club or sitting along the banks of the lake is great for people watching, bird watching, boat watching—you name it. Water views make everything better. But maybe it’s just the Pisces in me.
Tickfaw State Park
Just on the other side of Lake Pontchartrain, about an hour’s drive outside of New Orleans is Tickfaw State Park. Though smaller and less recently updated than some of Louisiana’s other state parks, Tickfaw offers something many of the other parks don’t: easy boat access to calm waterways full of magnificent bayou wildlife like alligators, turtles, snakes, egrets, blue herons, and butterflies. The calm, manageable canoe trail out to the oft-slow Tickfaw River gives you an opportunity to leisurely stroll by canoe or kayak through gorgeous, albeit murky, South Louisiana waterways. For hikers, the park offers a three-mile river trail in addition to over a mile’s worth of boardwalk trails, but wear your boots—the park often detains floodwaters when rains overflow the Tickfaw River banks.
Travel photos by Kelcy Wilburn, except Port Orleans Brewing by Bill Loehfelm
Photo of Kelcy Mae by Summer Dorr
Welcome to Gig Bag, a BGS feature that peeks into the touring essentials of some of our favorite artists. This time around, the band Michigan Rattlers show us what they gotta have on the road.
Touring life is mostly made up of downtime. Usually it’s in a van or in a bar, so you have to be careful not to spend all of it staring at a phone or drinking. Books are great.
So are notebooks. There are pens and markers all over the van. Plus, Adam Reed paints and draws. He designs a lot of our merch and stuff while we’re out on tour.
The first time we ever came back from a tour with cash, we spent it right away on new gloves. Playing catch is about the only active thing we ever do. Sometimes we even get games going if we can find more players.
Seeeeds.
Wearing the same thing every day is the best way to travel.
Lede photo credit: Kris Wixom
All other photos courtesy of the artist.
