OK...

After several different attempts to sleep I have decided to write about my trip to Florida/Atlanta while I still remember most of it!

As most of you know, last week there was a huge hurricane barreling through the Caribbean towards somewhere on mainland USA. My trip to Florida was to begin early September 11th. A seemingly fitting day to be driving towards what Steve Wacholz called impending doom. As the forcast map showed Florida, the whole state, the most likely place for a direct hit...I packed up and headed to Florida. Of course my friends and family members thought I was nuts...but they have said that since I decided to play music when I was a kid!!!! As all of Florida was preparing to evacuate, I was ready to head right towards the eye of the storm!

My vehicle was packed and ready for just about anything. I had guitars, amps, clothes, food, water, gas cans, ropes, tarps, cammo and a shotgun. The shotgun was for anti-looting and food hunting had things gotten really ugly!

Early Saturday morning I woke up, said good-bye to my cat and headed out. This was about 7AM. Actually the first stop I made was at a WAL MART for 2 gas containers. The lady at the counter asked what I was planning on blowing up on Sept 11...Cute...I told her I was driving to Florida and wanted gas to get out if the hurricane hit. The lady behind me insisted that I could not get out if I got there cuz her son was stuck. I learned as the week progressed that everyone is a complete over-reacting drama queen when it comes to storms!!!!

All I heard was that there was no food or gas in Florida from Francis and that Ivan was going to make a direct hit at Tampa on Tuesday morning. I just figured I would head out Monday night after rehearsal if that was the case.

About one hour into New Jersey I had a rather interesting accident...With a step ladder!!!!! A mini-van in front of me slammed on its brakes. I could not go left or right cuz there were cars on either side. So, I braced myself for what seemed to be a serious accident. At the last second the van swerved and I was looking at a head on collision with a 4 foot plastic yellow step ladder. With aluminum steps I might add! I decided just to hit it head on, after all my Jeep Laredo is bigger than a step ladder!!! The ladder did manage to lodge under my vehicle. I then pulled off to the side of the road and dislodged the victim. No damage done and I was on my way again...WIDE AWAKE!

The ride was very relaxing. I spoke to many friends...did my vocal workouts and sang along with some of the Savatage songs we were thinking of playing. At this time there was still a small chance that Zak Stevens would sing at the show...however he had lost part of a finger in a bizarre gardening accident and his presence in Atlanta was less likely by the minute. I was prepared for Chance, Handful of Rain, Edge of Thorns and others...It is a lot of fun to sing to CD's now that I can actually sing.

By 10PM I was pretty much over driving and decided to stop and grab a room for the night. I was about 2 hours past Pedro's South Of The Boarder when I gave in for the evening. I checked in, then switched rooms because of a faulty A/C unit and then logged online to check the weather and passed out. The storm was still heading directly towards Florida...but it had seemed to have went a little bit more of a westerly direction than anticipated. This was good news...I hoped!

I woke up...filled my gas cans and headed to Wacholz' house...about 7 hours away!

Florida was pretty calm...plenty of food and gas...lots of downed billboards and trees...but no serious damage. I arrived at Steve's and he gave me the grand tour. His Rack Forge Knife shop is on the premises. Yup...Dr Killdrums is making things that kill now!

We cruised around on 4 wheelers and listened to Faces. Doc was impressed. I was really tired still, but ready to rehearse. We soon headed to Apple Rehearsal studios in Tampa for rehearsal #1. It was great to see the Mt. King. He seemed to be in good spirits after watching some football somewhere with a happy hour! Kevin Rothney and John Zonner showed up shortly after and we got ready to make some noise. Of course I blew up my amp after 2 minutes....familiar story!!! We were up and running and things sounded pretty good for rehearsal #1. Actually I only forgot the stuff I knew! The new stuff I was fine with! We were going to put Edge and Power of the Night in the set for me to sing. It was pretty much 100% that Zak was out for Prog Power.

The next day I woke up and headed to visit some friends. Then I headed to the beach. There was no sign of a hurricane in sight. Actually the track was further westward and looking like it would not hit Tampa as anything more than a tropical storm. A few hours on the beach, a few hours at Hooters with more friends and I was off to rehearsal again. Today we sounded much better! JOP showed up to play when we finushed. Matt was to back me up on rhythm during the last 4 songs of the Savatage set. I know it was called WOMD...but...Jon, myself and Wacholz playing Savatage songs was really some form of a Savatage show. Afterwards I headed with Leiah to some bar far, far away...I was so tired...she meant well!!!! It was great to see her and KAT at the rehearsals too!

Tuesday morning had arrived and the storm was nowhere in sight. It was a bit cloudy...but it seemed like Western Florida would skate free of a direct hit. The Panhandle was bracing for the attack. Tuesday Wacholz and I headed out early to get some stuff from Sam Ash...then we met Oliva for a happy hour. The two vehicles arrived at exactly the same time...it was too funny.

We dragged ourselves over to the last rehearsal and blasted through the set. It sounded great. I was very excited for the show.I phoned Glenn from Prog Power and let him know we would be fine without Zak. He still had not given the final word. I packed my stuff from Apple and we headed back to Camp Wacholz.

Wednesday morning I was watching the Weather Channel...it seemed like this storm would be right with us on our trip up to Atlanta Thursday. I called Glenn...he was kind enough to set up up with rooms in Atlanta for Wed. Nite...Wacholz and I were on the road by 2PM. Mt. King was not far behind!

By 9PM we were at the hotel. By 10PM we were at a pre-pre party over at the venue! By 12 PM we were on our way to the strip club. I think it was the Cheetah. I never paid attention to where we went. I just paid for the cab. The club was fun...I wanted our waitress to dance. She was the hottest girl working there! Lots of shots were had and everyone was having a great time. I met 3 girls from Florida...hurricane evacuees...we had some shots and they asked if I wanted to go have breakfast. Of course I had not too many brain cells and agreed. The one had invited some wacko from the bar. He convinced this chick that he would cook. We wound up at his house...this guy was a frickin weirdo. The girls were scared and I was to play a show and did not want to have to break my hands...so...they called a cab (which I paid for) quietly and we escaped the house when he was cooking in the kitchen. Yes kids...do not try this at home!!! We actually never made it to eat. The girls were too stressed cuz their homes were getting ready for a direct hit. I spent the night with 3 stressed Floridians...I will let your minds wander from there....

I made it back to the Granada Suites at 9:30AM. Yup...just in time for breakfast! I sat with some of the crew who were waking up, told them my story and headed to sleep!

At noon Kemp called. She made it into Atlanta from NY. BY now the hurrucane was a tropical storm and battering Atlanta. I was happy that her flight arrived. At 2PM she arrived at the hotel. So, I did what anyone would do during a major tropical storm that was downing trees and power lines. I got in my Jeep and headed to see a good Zombie movie!!!! Yup...we headed to the Mall to see the new Resident Evil. I actually enjoyed it. The Jeep was parked safe underground. The worst of the storm had passed over us. We then headed to a Fondue Restaurant called Dante's. We were 2 of the 6 people at the restaurant! It was actually fun to be out in the storm. Kemp was less stressed than myself...but it was not her Jeep that had to avoid trees and falling street lamps!

The storm was moving by and we had lived through. The actual pre-party was this night. We headed to the venue. I could not believe just how many Savatage fans were there! I signed tons of stuff...took lots of pics with fans and headed back to the hotel to watch another movie and sleep. Friday was to be a very busy day.

At 12 noon I left for soundcheck. Things were typically festival nutty...running actually pretty close to ontime! I finished checking my stuff...we played a few songs and I left for the hotel. I had a bunch of interviews to do. I was so excited because Black Lotus sent me CD's to sell. I had finally seen the finished product for Faces. They did an amazing job!!!! The interviews were finished by 6. I had to head to the venue for an autograph session. This lasted over 90 minutes! I was so excited to sign the first copy of Faces! Before the signing was even over I had sold out of Digi-paks and singles...there were only a few copies of the CD left!!! not bad for 2 hours...close to 200 CD's!!!!

I headed back to the hotel to meet Kemp and her friend. We decided to go eat...where...a nice fondue restaurant called Dante's. Woah...Deja vu!!! The owner recognized us right away and thanked us for being so brave the night before! Dinner was great once more, but it was time to get ready for the show. I was back at the hotel at 10PM. I sent Kemp away...a tough thing to do...but...I wanted to warm up my voice. It is not a pretty thing to watch! Ha, La, Ave Maria, etc...

Before I knew it it was time to get to the venue. Of course my amp was not working....we worked this out...of course Kemp was late getting back to the venue...we worked this out...of course I was nervous because I had never sung before...this worked out!

JOPain played a great show and it was soon time...Steve and I hit the stage and it was so much fun. I love watching the smiles on the Savatage fans Faces!!!! Jon was singing amazing! When it was my turn I was not nervous anymore. I sang Edge of Thorns and it was so much fun. However I think I screwed the lead up, but I actually did not care! I made it through the singing. A huge question was answered to myself and everyone else. Can you sing live? Fuckin eh right!!!!!! I sang Power of the Night also and the show ended with Mt King....It was a great set. Kevin and John were great too....Killdrums was perfect! Everyone was so happy and I was so proud of Oliva for kicking such major ass!

Afterwards K, her friend and I headed back to my room...I will let your minds wander from there...

The next day the sky was crystal clear. Kemp had to fly to Monte Carlo for a photo shoot. I went to the venue to sort out the merchandise with Wacholz. Yes...there are some shirts left. I will have ordering info on the site soon! I took some extra cash because an associate of Zak's, that shall remain nameless, never arrived in town with the money for rehearsal and my travel expenses. You know who you are...That is all I have to say for now on that matter...

Then a large group of us headed to the Hard Rock Cafe for lunch. Chris Kinder and Zonner were amongst the brave! Betty from Metal Queen Mgt was there too. Thanks for the help with the interviews! I sat down and ordered a margarita and a Mai Tai!!!! Yup...work was done it was time to have fun! Food, drinks, laughter....it was a great day. The subway broke down on the way back...so we attempted to walk. Directions were not easy to come by...tequilla was...I bought a round with a friend of Betty's and everyone stumbled back towards the Granada....wherever it was!!!

We showered up and headed to PP as fans and friends. The night was festive and tons of fun! I enjoyed the bands and the feedback from the show and my CD's...

Afterwards I wound up in PJGeorge's room for some Sava gossip and pizza...the next day would be a painful drive back to NY! I arranged a late check-out and headed back to my room. When I woke up the hotel was empty. The weather was here...wish you were beautiful!!!! I gathered my things, packed the Jeep and me and my headache drove back to NY. That is my story and I am sticking to it!

Thanks again to Glenn and the PP crew for an incredible weekend and to Ivan for sparing Florida!!!

I believe you will see "Faces" live at PP 6 next year!!!!! 'til next time!

Chris