Week 26's song is called "Nothing New."

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Week 25's song is called "Mrs. Carter."

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7:50 am, Country Inn, Madison, Wisconsin. Halfway point of the tour. Brendan James, my buddy Dan and I are traveling the country in Brendan’s Saturn SUV, complete with, surprisingly, enough leg room even for a giant like me.

Its good to be back out on the road seeing old faces again. We’ve played some great clubs to this point and had even better crowds. Thanks to all who have come out.

Meanwhile, I’m attempting to write and record song 26 in hotel rooms along the way. This has proven to be a nightmare. Not always a nightmare for me though, as yesterday I woke up a family of 4 sleeping next door doing background vocals. Mixing the song is done in Brendan’s car. Very exciting and ill-conceived. I will finish though, probably in the hyatt in Chicago.

I’m singing the national anthem today at US Cellular Field where the White Sox play. Haven’t done this since high school when I sang it before my all-star game. I’m a bit concerned about the echo effect from the speakers, as it always seems like the people who sing it are singing a good three seconds ahead of what the crowd, and they, are hearing. I may be on, “Jose, does that star-spangled…” while hearing “banner yet wave.” Should be exciting, and ill-conceived. Yes, I know not to sing Jose. That would surely be exciting and ill-conceived too.

Also, for those of you concert junkies in the cities we just played this week, my buddy Mike Errico is playing a bunch of spots we just played over the next few days. If you haven’t checked him out, go do so, he’s really incredible. His dates are on his website, errico.com.

Check in with you again soon,
- Ari

Week 24's song is called "June."

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Week 23's song is called "The Ball And The Yarn."

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11:30pm, Wednesday night. Underwear. Couch. Watching “Fast Food Nation.” Really oughta read the book. I guess its fitting that I don’t considering this year in my life is all about receiving information and producing results as well and as quickly as possible.

My neighbor upstairs began what sounds like a full renovation of his apartment today. He lives right above me, and from the hours of noon to 6, he was hammering nails and buffing the floor with some sort of obnoxious device that sounds like a louder version of that electronic drilling tool at the dentist. Bottom line is I got nothing done today recording-wise and am concerned about the near future with regard to his renovation plan. I may have to take my tools elsewhere for a bit.

I know you all have been anxiously awaiting my baseball stats for my first season back in action so here they are:

• I have played in 4 games, starting 3 of them in the outfield.
• I have 3 hits in 8 at-bats, so my batting average is a cool .375
• I’m the team leader in rbi with 4 (we are offensively challenged thus far).
• I’ve walked twice and struck out twice.
• I’m pitching on Sunday, my first start on the mound since 1997. In 1997, I had written 3 songs.
• Our team record is 1 win and 3 losses. That losing trend must and will end Sunday when I take the rock.

- Ari