It was not a secret that the last time I was in Madrid I was left with a special present...FOOD FRICKIN’ POISONING!!! I was met at the airport by my local record company promotion guy...We immediately headed to the hotel and I had about 15 minutes before the first interview. This was about 12 noon. I was beginning to see that a promo tour was a lot more tiring than I realized. The flights are very early, the airports are far from the city centers...but I was excited to talk about my CD. Many of the Spanish journalists had just received the promo and had not gotten to listen to it yet. The questions were similar..."What is up with Savatage?" and "Why are you doing a solo CD after all of these years?" The answer to both questions is very similar. I was happy to see a friend named Gema. She did our merchandise for one Savatage tour in Europe. By about 9PM I was finished and starving! We headed towards the old center of the city. We passed the hookers and war protest signs. It has not been too long since the train bombings there. When entering the old town center I was very happy to hear the Spanish music...I was also anxious to dive right back into some Summer seafood in Spain! No fear!!!! I ordered a Paella and some sangria and sat to eat. My promo guy had to leave shortly after I began my meal to meet his girlfriend. So...once again I was alone in a big city...the music echoed through the buildings...That was until the local police came and stopped the guy from playing. I guess it was illegal to play with an amp. Everyone grimaced and the music stopped. That was until the local Police left. Then the guy fired up his amp and played once again. He was an amazing classical guitarist. I was very impressed. I really want to learn how to play this style of music one day...I have plenty of time. I finished my meal and attempted to find my way back to my hotel...not as easy as I thought! I wound up walking for an hour and winding up right where I started!!! Yikes! I eventually gave in and jumped in a taxi. I had tried to mark my way mentally with some large old clocks, but it seemed that every frickin’ building had one! So...I headed back past the protesters and the hookers and went to my room. This was about midnight. I had to wake up at 6 AM to head to the airport. I checked my e-mail and said hello on the site and went to sleep.
Next stop Paris!!!
