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Wow it's all gone by so fast. The boys were out late last night sampling the blues and soul here in St Louis, I think a berocca might be in order for the Rhythm Section (they're so hardcore).

It's time for us to gather up our things and make the last push for Illinois. We've only 3 gigs remaining and then it's back to Bondi for a show and the official end of the tour.

But, I speak of endings too soon. We have many more miles to travel and shows to do, so, if you're in the neighbourhood, pop in and say Hi.

We're here now but we're not here long :-)

Howdy Folks. I write to you from a room inside a mock Tudor hotel whose decor just gives me the willies. Don't get me wrong, I am being a little naughty, it's very nice, very friendly but I feel like I'm sleeping at Hogwarts or maybe that place from the Canterbury ghost story.

Mr Wizard thinks it's awesome. Who books this stuff? Oh. Me. Right.

Moving on.

We had to say goodbye to Lesley and Luis today who looked after us so well none of the boys wanted to leave. Still, we had to press on..

Last night we spent the evening being hosted by Dawayne and the lovely Cathy, sitting around eating Oklahoma Joes KC BBQ and listening to some of the most amazing blues, jazz and country from the 1920's-1950's on old shellac 78 RPM records and I have to say that Dawayne Gilley is the Blues Super Brain of the universe, no fooling.

Dawayne knows stuff. hang on, let me think about it. Nope, he knows EVERYTHING. I have never spent time with anyone as knowledgeable, with such incredible detailed knowledge of how Blues, Roots and Country intertwined in the early 20th century. Dawyne can tell you where they recorded, who played on it, who wrote it, what styles influenced which artist, who they borrowed from (that rat fink willie dixon, he stole from everyone! Jimmy Rogers deserves more credit for hooking up blue musicians! did you know that ____ drove a truck for Chess records...) and so on. I was amazed, enthralled and in awe of Dawaynes depth of knowledge and passion.

I considered myself reasonably well versed in the music, but Dawayne pulled out track after track after track that showed the evolution of the blues. Rosie has been a Kokomo Arnold fan for a a while but we heard some stuff from him that blew our minds, and it just didn't stop.

I knew that journeying over here was coming back to the source, and though i may catch a little heat for saying so, I always thought Kansas City played the pivotal role in the genesis of the Blues, but last nights musical feast was staggering. Dawayne showed us how the different beats emerged, (did you know 4/4 in the blues came out of KC??) introduced us to new terms (gutbucket Blues, Champagne Blues) and corrected our understanding (don't say swamp, them what plays it don't like it, they're from Louisiana and they just have a different take on the Blues, but they don't like to call it swamp).

If I had a hat, I would take it off twice.

Dawayne is the Super Blues Brain of the Universe and I think may be a living treasure in his own right.

We came to be schooled and what a lesson it was. Thank you Dawayne.

(I took more pics but I'll leave the rest until the tour blog at the end of the tour but here's just some of the cuts we looked at)

Howdy Folks, enjoying some much needed downtime here in KC,MO (as opposed to KC,K). Where are the boys?

Yep, you guessed it, they've gone to a guitar shop.

It's been a rainy few days of cool weather, just like back home. Tonight we're going to try some authentic Kansas City BBQ and then tomorrow we're back on the road towards Chicago for our last few Illinois gigs, with a stopover in St Louis for a jam session (and also to break up the 8 hour drive).

We went out to Westport last night and caught Larry & The Flask, whose high energy bluegrass/cowpunk stuff was mind boggling. Think 'mumford and sons' on Ephedrine. Their harmonies were fantastic, the playing formidable, especially considering the speed of the notes. Ye gods. At the end of their set they explained they don't do encores, so that's all b*tches. Hard core bluegrass :-)

If I get a chance I'll post some more pics in the next few days. Onwards we go.

Howdy Folks, just back from Danny Cox's lawn party, what an afternoon.

We were joined today by the cream of KC blues talent, including Millage Gilbert and DC Bellamy, Max Groove and KC Kelsey. Gosh we're such name droppers now.

After a quick set we were looking forward to getting off stage to hear these guys getting down. As Danny Cox hit their second song, the heavens opened up :-( The only cloud in the entire state found its way over us (we checked the doppler radar) and that was that.

Even though the rain cleared within 10 minutes, the soundo opted not to restart so I was bummed...until the acoustic guitars came out and it turned into an acoustic jam session. Get down.

I have a special thanks to Dan Sexton for all the sessions we spent at the Rozelle Markets, who would have thought that I'd wind up playing Hesitation Blues in Kansas City, Kansas :-) Apparently the change into A minor messes with Harp Players, but thanks to Dan's love for this stuff, I was familiar with the song and could join in quite happily. What a night.

After a constant series of gigs, we get a few days off now until we head for Chicago, I might even have a chance to post some photos.

We send a big shout out to Dawayne Gilley, for making today possible. What a grand way to spend a day.

Howdy folks.We're here with Roscoe's parents getting fed, watered and recuperating after the last non stop week of travelling, rehearsing and gigging.

Whatever expectations I had of this trip have been eclipsed by the kindness and generosity of everyone we have met. For people whose experience of America is shaped by media and geopolitical forces, you may not know the genuine warmth and friendliness of the average mid westerner.

Many of the styles of music that we play originated, or at least germinated, in the midwest. It's the land of Dorothy, wide flat fields of corn, long straight wide highways, water towers with the names of towns dotted like sentries along the freeways, and our totem, the great and terrible Tornado.

Midwesterners have an openness to them, a willingness to share the stories of their lives that would horrify most Aussies (welll....sydneysiders anyway). We're a little harder to crack open, (but well worth the effort.), but here, the openness starts with their greeting and doesn't diminish.

To be truthful, some elements of life here seem at face value, a little harsher than back down under. They work longer hours for less pay, less health coverage and some of their struggles seem more fierce. It's close to the bone.

Balanced against that is an optimism and pride, a desire to know each others name, an honesty and a sharing that is remarkable to observe.

Back in the last century, Mark Twain spent a little time down under and wrote despatches and essays as he travelled in and around Australia. In some way I feel like we are reversing his course, returning to his birth state with equally wide eyes and a sense of wonder and engaging in that myth.

We've had a chance to share the stories of those people who we write songs for, and to play them for others who find a commonality, a corresponding resonance in their own tales.

No matter who is on TV shaking their fist or raising their voice, the people that make up the fabric of this place are cut from the same genuine material as anywhere else in the world and it is humbling and touching to be a part of their lives, however briefly.

Tonight we'll be playing on a stage that has been graced by the likes of Los Lobos (personal heroes) and a long, long list of notable musicians. For a couple of blokes from the inner west of Sydney, this is a pretty special moment. Tomorrow we do a special thank you benefit for the people who helped local legend Danny Cox and his wife Mona rebuild their home after a fire.

This is the reality of the Midwest, rebuilding from the ashes with the help of friends and neighbours. This heartland is still strong, still pure and still capable of extending it's goodness into the presence of America in the world