05/10/05: Well well well, finally a light week. One private party in Pleasanton and I think I'm going camping. (I'm still free to play though / northern CAL) I seem to get a bunch of song writing done on the road and hope fully this week will be no exception. For those in Maui, I won't be back home until next Thursday the 19th. If you're there, I'll be playing that Thursday and Monday at Cool Cats before I leave for Colorado. For the Colorado people, the Denver show is private party but a big one. If you want to come, email me and I'll check with the host (shouldn't be a problem). The shows in Pueblo are a definite go but I don't have the venue name yet (ehem, Debbie). Those will be for everyone.

For the Parrothead people (yes, even the ones in the middle of nowhere), we just sent out a ton of press materials to your clubs. No town is too small (seriously, Hell is 1000 yards long). get on 'em and get me out there. Tatiana will help with bar coordination. See you out there!

04/25/05: At least on this damn plane I can get my updates finished. I actually updated the stuff below a few days ago and somehow failed to actually post them on the net. So two updates in one. It was a hell of a week out there I must say. I personally traveled 7200 miles in the air, 800 miles on the highway, 20 miles on my mountain bike, and a few stumbled blocks in my flip flops during the last 6 days. Some mornings I honestly wonder if it's worth it. But at night on stage I think of that quote from that young old wino in that Shawn Mullins song; "yes, but ain't it a blessing to do what you want to do". Ahh, indeed it is...

This week was great actually, I played my first show at a country club. Actually it was my first time IN a country club and to say the least I was a bit worried about how my show would carry over. I played it as mellow as I could for the Canadian pro golfer tour and to be honest, it got fun towards the end. I did get the most bizarre (yet polite) looks from the wedding party in the next room. No offense, but I still don't get that whole pleated-khakis-and-pink-tucked-in-polo-shirts look. But to each his own... Oh yeah and by the way, we did meet the nicest people on this leg of the tour. Thanks so much to Rod for his hospitality (and bookings) but especially to Tom and Anita for letting us crash in their bus (mo' bigga den ours). We had fun with all of you (awesome breakfast, twice, Anita).

My news page is slowly turning into my all around newsletter and bitching page so bear with me.

There are new photos in the Gallery pages. It's sort of brand new same old same old kind of stuff. If you aren't in it then get rowdier at the show! By the way if I miss a "T" here and there, it doesn't always work (it's not necessarily my typing).

Last but not least, my "links" page is going to slowly change. There are a handful of musicians who inspire me and I'd like to push their music, (even if they're way more successful than me! haha!). These are the guys I listen to.

04/21/05: So there I was... Well the stories keep getting longer but then that's the way I like it. I'm on my way up to northern Cal (via Los Angeles) for two shows this weekend. I just got through the airport hassle twice today; though I must say it isn't really a hassle anymore these days as the check in lines went smoothly and so did the security. The frivolousness (?) of the security never ceases to amaze me however. I was just forced to give up a tiny allen-wrench that I use for my guitar in an apparent foiled plot to disassemble all allen head screws 1/32" in diameter thus rendering all baby changing tables unserviceable. Ahh the need for security versus common sense. I could go on forever.

This weekend's show in Honolulu went surprisingly well given the fact the the bar was in a hotel in Waikiki and they usually don't take too kindly to my musical interpretations. For those of you there, you may have noticed that my show was sort of toned down a bit ( I only had two hours to get thrown out). But the turnout was good and the staff at Tiki's was very helpful. I think the show went ok. One bartender said it was the best Tuesday ever while another one said "it was ok...". All I know, is that the bar was packed at midnight. I'd like to congratulate and thank Emily and James and their brand new Parrothead Club the "Pau Hana Parrotheads" for bringing me out to Honolulu and making me (I hope I remember this right) an honorary member of their club. I look forward to playing up there again soon!

My bookings are slowly starting to come together now as we gear up for summer. Somewhere between my laziness and busyness I struggle with getting press kits put together and mailed out, not to mention phone calls returned etc. I'll be playing in Modesto this weekend, and if you want to show up email us mui pronto. If I miss you I'll be back later next month.

And last but not least, thanks for all of you who showed up at my show in Honolulu (and all of the shows actually). After the show I try to talk with everyone I can but sometimes the crew is right up my butt to get the equipment torn down. I hate to feel rushed and I especially hate to feel like I'm blowing anyone off. Sorry if that happened. And thanks to you, you crazy bastard from northern Cal who made us feel like rock stars in the middle of the Aston Waikiki hotel by screaming on the escalator in midday "WHALESHARK HOLY SHIT!!!!" (to friends) "Dude those guys are f*&%ing legends!" Yeah, that was pretty cool. Thanks man.

New record? Yes, it's still being worked on. Lynn Peterson (Maui Recording / my producer) is setting up shop in Lahaina as we speak and we'll be getting underway during the short times I'll have back in Maui. Honestly I don't think we'll be ready for print until the fall because of touring and the ever crucial lack of money. Plus I'm hell bent on making this an incredible record. I learned a lot about "my sound" during the live one and I'm determined to get it down right on this next full length one.

04/05/05: On the plane, same ol' same ol'. Some little kid in front of me is about to cough up a lung. Shot of Jagermeister should do the trick but they don't ask me. Tonight I land and really commence this years tour. It's so good to be back on the road again just like Willy Nelson said. We'll be crashing the Anaheim party on Thursday and then it's Friday in Vegas for my favorite show at Tommy's place. Hope to see you all there.

03/10/05: Well Reno was a blast. What can I say? Aside from my usual antics on stage, I got to finally see Todd Snider perform with his band the Nervous Wrecks. The show was awesome ( thanks to our Reno friends Laura and Duane for the absolutely awesome seats and hospitality) and thanks to Tatiana again I got to meet Todd after the show. Since then I've been having quite the winter here in Maui. The shows have been great with a couple of exceptions and I have to say that some of you all never cease to amaze me (showing up at shows all across the country. Don't you people work at all?) Today there are no boat charters as the wind is blowing holy hell in the channel, there are 5 boats up on the rocks again, and it HAILED in Kahului. Will wonders never cease.

The tour page is slowly filling up as we confirm more dates for this summer. I'll sound like a broken record again, but now's the time to get us out to your place in the mainland. You can email Tatiana pirategirl_productions@yahoo.com for booking info/prices etc., or me thewhaleshark@yahoo.com for general nonsense.

03/01/05: On a plane again... just let me get back on a plane again... Well it's the first show of the 2005 Tour season this weekend and I'm flying out from Maui to LA for the not-so-short drive up to Reno. I've been told by just about everyone I've talked to that it's pretty damn cold there right now. No shit. Well, this will be interesting to say the least. I brought all of my long pants (one pair. I hope Tatiana has the other pair) socks and my hat. This could get ugly. Needless to say I won't be in Maui for the 3rd and 7th this month. Unfortunately I've gotten a bunch of RSVPs from a bunch of you saying you'll be there then. Sigh. But I have to tell you that aside from the prospects of freezing my ahrss off in the Sierra Nevada's, I'm completely stoked about getting to see Todd Snider play on Friday night and getting to kick off the 2005 tour the next night. As much as I love being home, there's nothing like being on the road (mind you, this may change when I pull into town). I hope to you a bunch of you there. We're also looking forward to getting back up to Tiki Tom's in Walnut Creek on Tuesday. Can't wait.

01/18/05: Happy New Year!!! Well where in the hell have I been? I apologize to all of you who have been waiting on the updates this fall. I've sort of been taking a bit of a sabbatical lately and just enjoying living on this island. I should probably have been doing more but I have to say that just being a boat guy again has really been great. For starters, I no longer sing on that cocktail cruise. New management caters now to the 1% of people that complain, in stead of the 99% who have the time of their lives so I no longer will be bringing business to the cruise (they told me that the "morning glory" song was too dirty) (good thing I didn't do the penis songs!). Fortunately for me, Sean the owner of the Cool Cat Cafe (next to the old Whale's Tale), understands my show and now all of my business goes up there. Aside from playing there every Monday and Thursday night I've just been driving that snorkel boat and enjoying the hell out of myself.

I'm currently selling my condo on Front Street in Lahaina. Yes, ON Front St about 1000 yards from the Hard Rock cafe across the street from the beach. Beats the shit out of a time share. The price...$260,000 (at the moment. may go up or down depending on Georgie boy). Completely remodeled with new everything. I'll have pictures up as soon as it's finished. Email me thewhaleshark@yahoo.com

I'm working on the 3rd full length CD as we speak. Before anyone asks, I'm taking my time with this one and it'll be done when it's done. In my opinion this will be best Whaleshark record so far. Albeit a bit different than what you may be used to but some of my finest writing.

Tatiana and I are just now putting together the summer tour. If you want me anywhere near your town, now's the time to start thinking about bookings. Any bar contacts would be appreciated (we'll do the hard work) and if you just want to throw a party at your house let me know roughly when. We have to book everything geographically. For private parties we'll cut you a bit of a break (it isn't nearly as expensive as you'd think).

Finally, I'm playing in Reno Nevada (Super Bowl weekend) in February. I'm finally going to get to see Todd Snider perform on Friday in Reno (Tatiana calls him my boyfriend because of how much I play his cds) and I'll be playing the following night at the GREAT BASIN BREWING CO (Schedule page). Need a bit of summer in your winter? How about a great excuse to blow off everything and spend a weekend in Reno? Shit, just do something different for a change. Tatiana is going to try and work her magic and get someone from Todd Snider's management company to come and see my show there so I could use all the help I could get. If anyone can pull that off it'll be her. I'm also doing a couple of shows that week in Northern CA. Check out the "shows" page for the details.

Last but not least, thanks to all of you who sent us Christmas cards! I didn't have enough time to respond to all of you but thank you for thinking of us all the same. I can't wait to get back on the road again and do it all over! Thanks!
Erik

11/11/04: Once again I'm slacking on the updates.

10/10/04: OK, This'll probably be my last update before Vegas. It looks like there's going to be quite a few of you at Tommy's for my show (thanks to everyone who emailed me to let me know). I can't wait to get out there again. Once again I'll be playing from 4-6,and then having fun with the rest of the show. Saturday we'll try to find another pre-party somewhere and see what happens.

The Live CD is orderable now online, but I won't be able to ship until next week. Also, the Pirate Girl t-shirts are back in stock!

09/30/04: Guess who's on a plane again? Well, me of course. Hit the newsletter page for the final installment of my road stories. Who's going to Vegas for the next Jimmy B show? Whoever is going, would you please send an email (thewhaleshark@yahoo.com). I confirmed today that I'm doing the happy hour again at Tommy Rocker's from 4-6 (official show starts at 6). If you're going and you're reading this, I need a favor. Please don't come fashionably late. Show up at around 3:45 and make some noise. This is the 3rd time that certain people have "forgotten" to put me on the line up for the Last Man Standing show. Whatever. As always it'll be an awesome time. I love jamming at Tommy's (and with Tommy- he always brings me back to Vegas). Plus, I'll be debuting the new Live CD.

For those of you not going to Las Vegas, the live CD will be available online on the 15th. Damn! I almost forgot! The short sleeved Pirate Girl shirts will also be available on the 15th. What a party that'll be! If you're wavering about Vegas, just go.

09/22/04: Christ has this month been busy. Let me fill you in a little. First of all the rest of the tour escapades are still coming. The gigs page is now updated. And today the live CD is being sent to production. It will be available October 15th. Between driving the boat 6-7 days a week (I still do that sometimes), performing 6 nights a week, and trying to get this record finished... well, I'm just about now a complete wreck. This live CD has been kicking my ass for a year and a half. You think it would have been simpler recording with just me but then you have to factor in my luck. The first try with Greg Taylor didn't work out (some songs may be released sometime in the future), then this year my equipment didn't even show up on time, then just some showed up, then some showed up twice, some showed up broken, then I successfully recorded the 3 worst shows of the tour perfectly, then finally I recorded the Hell and Owosso shows in Michigan that appear on the CD but with the wrong time signature, then after putting the CD together with my producer Lynn Peterson the files somehow corrupted themselves on the plane and I have just spent the last 3 days emailing 300 odd megabytes of sound files, 7 megabytes at a time, to New York. I need a vacation. Needless to say the updates have been going slow (actually they haven't been going at all).

I'm currently looking for a website manager to change my site a bit and take over the updates. A keen wit would definitely help. Also what would help is for said person to have a little time on your hands with nothing to do. Unfortunately I can't pay said person that much, but I'm only looking to update once a week or so, and I'll give you free Whaleshark stuff. I just don't have to time for the updates anymore. This will give me time to actually put a newsletter together the way I want to. A mastering of the English language is a must. You must be able to discern between to/too/two, your/you're, and their/there etc. Just email me at thewhaleshark@yahoo.com.

And just to throw this out there, I'm currently looking for an agent/manager/booking company to help keep me on the road 10 - 11 months of the year through out the US (anywhere actually). Tatiana ( Pirategirl ) and I are fine, rest assured, but she also has a career as a critical care nurse and loves her job. Time is again a factor. I on the other hand appear to have been bitten by the tour bug and believe I've found a calling. So we're looking for some help with the bookings. Let me know if perhaps you've heard of a company. Like I said, just throwing it out there. This year I'm going to try and tour through he winter (yikes) also. I just won't be doing any backyard parties unless you live somewhere warm. Only indoor events need apply. For the time being I'm still playing up a storm here in Maui.

I finally ordered more Pirategirl T-shirts which will be available in Vegas. Speaking of Las Vegas, it would seem that for the third time in a row I have not been put on the musical line up on the Las Vegas Parrothead Club website. I just emailed Tommy Rocker for the details, but I'll be kicking off the show again on the inside stage. I've gotten a lot of emails from those of you who are going. I can't wait for that show.

08/16/04: Ok ok so I get the hint. More updates are here. Now as you already know the Whales Tale is no longer the Whale's Tale. I'm currently just playing on the cocktail boat for a while. It's nice to have a bit of a break to work on the live cd. Yes, this time the live cd will actually happen. It'll still be about a month or so if I keep my ass in gear. I will most likely (99% sure) be opening the show at Tommy Rocker's place in Las Vegas for the FIRST Jimmy Buffett (October 16th I believe) show for what ever they're calling the Last Man standing party this time. This year we may actually keep touring through the winter. Plans are in the works and I'm not sure exactly how nuts this idea is but what can I say? The road trip was fun.

I finally got the pictures from the tour posted so click here to see if you made it on the site (some of you are all over it). If you're not up here and want to be, send me a relevant picture and I'll put it up.

The first installment of my notes from the road is also available. Click here to read that. That has me updated up to Michigan. I'm still working on the ending right now.

Finally, it's come to my attention (while at a Kinkos) that the screen resolution doesn't look right on certain computers and the words go off the right side of the page. I've been trying to fix it all day but haven't figured it out yet. Anyone out there who's mastered Microsoft Front Page, I could use some technical support! I'll get it fixed as soon as I can. I'll try to keep the updates coming...