A tour for all seasons - April 2014

Scottish Rite Auditorium, Collingswood - Rob, Steve, Nick & Gary
Photo © Cathy Poulton - National Rock Review

All weathers - from White House in the snow to enjoying Florida sunshine in Orlando

We were all really looking forward to be back on the road again with our Genesis Revisited show.

Arriving in Washington DC, it was strangely like being back in the depths of winter again with snow falling all around. It was interesting to see the White House surrounded by snow... It looked like a White Christmas picture. The first show of the tour that night though was as hot as it was cold outside, taking off like a volcanic eruption with Dancing On A Volcano to a fantastic crowd. The numbers we hadn't played live before went down a storm too... The gigs continued with a buzz of great excitement with the two shows at the haunted Masonic Scottish Rites theatre near Philly, and it was great to see several friends there. Jo and I also travelled back in time in Philly to the City Tavern going back to 1773 where they wear period costume and serve George Washington's favourite brew with fantastic traditional food.

After another fab show at Port Chester near New York City, we flew to Atlanta. I was thrilled to get back there on tour after such a long time, and there was a fantastic welcoming crowd at the show. Whilst there, thanks to Mark Pierson, Jo and I had the chance to see the birthplace, church and visitor centre of Martin Luther King JR, which was a particularly moving experience. He was so vital to the Black cause and his loss was such a huge tragedy. Like Mahatma Gandhi who he swapped ideas with, an extraordinary man. We also visited the amazing Stone Mountain, formed 300,000 years ago when Africa collided with America, and now inscribed with images from the American Civil War.

And so on to Ponte Vedra in Florida. From the snow of Washington and driving rain of the New York area, to hot summer sunshine... We drank it in like nectar from the gods, and all let our hair down that evening with a fabulous meal in a restaurant beside a beautiful lake. Mind you, we were told the following morning to keep away from the alligators down by that spot!

From Ponte Vedra, to Clearwater, Orlando and Fort Lauderdale, all the Florida shows went down a storm, and once again I was excited to be back in an area I hadn't had a chance to play in for many years...

A big thanks to Brian Coles, Wayne Forte and all the promotors. So much looking forward to returning to the States later this year!

Next stop the cruise...

Parker Playhouse, Fort Lauderdale - Rob, Roger & Nad
Photo © Carl Lender

Room where Martin Luther King was born

Time travel at the City Tavern, Philly

Nick Beggs at Port Chester show - Back with the band and on form

Steve and Jo at Stone Mountain

Band about to go on stage, Ponte Vedra