Hey folks,

sorry 'bout being kinda late for my monthly installment of the latest news. Things have been busy busy busy here with a record about to be released and a bunch of things on the burner: a tour in preparation, a trip to Utrecht and our big Johnny Cash tribute night. Things've turned out fine so far.

I just got back from our Johnny Cash night at the akw which was pure joy and one of the funnest nights on stage I've had in a long time and - dare I say it - a rousing success. In fact, it went so well, that we've been offered to play other gigs with that band and since we've had so much fun, we might just go out & accept these offeres. Stay tuned.

More good news ... the CDs have arrived. Hobo Dream is finally a reality. The CDs look and sound terrific if I do say so myself. I'm real happy with how the artwork turned out and that the timing was right to have the CDs ready to take on tour with me. I can't describe to you how good it feels to finally have in your hand what you've been working at for months & months.

But before we get into that ... I drove up to Utrecht last Saturday to see the Blue Highways festival and my good friends Duane Jarvis and Dave Coleman who played a great set there. I also met the lovely Anny Celsi (www.annycelsi.com) who graced my guitar by playing it onstage alongside DJ. I also tremendously enjoyed the performances by Rodney Crowell and his wonderful band and Fred Eaglesmith. Eaglesmith previewed a new song that'll be on his next album (so he said). That song nearly broke my heart. What a great guy he is.

And I briefly talked to Chris Knight who I'll be seeing a lot more of in the next few days. I'll meet him on Tuesday where I'll be opening for him (with the Gunslingers) at Frankfurt's Sinkkasten. I'll be playing three more dates with him this upcoming week plus two shows with Chris Cacavas and two more shows that I'll be headlining (if that's not too grandiose a word) in Neubrandenburg and Berlin (see the tour dates section for details). So, come on out and - stage whisper - buy the record, folks.

Just one more thing ... do yourselves a favor and check out www.rachelharrington.net Rachel is a wonderful singer-songwriter from Seattle with a beautiful 4-song-EP entitled "Halloween Leaves" out and what is highly likely to be a stunning debut in the works.

Stay tuned, stay in touch, come on out & see us on the road. Just walk up and say "hi" (it's easy),
Markus