Almost Heaven (West Norway)

Almost Heaven (West Norway)

Here's a view from my room in Sandane Norway where I sit having my coffee reflecting on this past year and our "Love To Beg" tour.

We're honored to be headlining the Sandane Fjord Festival tonight. 

Our last few shows in Norway have been sold out.  Again, a real honor. 

Wild to think how I got here from a small town down south!

Sandane is on the west coast of Norway and is purported to be one of the most beautiful areas in the country.  Not hard to believe!

Tomorrow our hosts will take us up to a glacier for some hiking.

(More pics to come!)

Only 9 days to go on this 2 month tour.  

Left home at summer's end feeling strange that we had to pack winter coats, sweaters, hats and gloves.  Time has certainly flown by.

This has really been my favorite tour to date.  Jon and I have been incredibly touched to see how the past few years of touring relentlessly have paid off in building such a strong fan base as well as making life long friends.

Homesick as I am I will be a bit sad when this tour ends.

We will take a break when we return to NYC on Nov 7 until mid January to continue working on and writing new material for our next CD.

Denmark, hope you'll come celebrate the end of the "Love To Beg" Tour with us next week!

Love, Love, Love

Dana

PS.  I am happy to report that my little black stray Norwegian kitty "Weegie" has a safe home now right in her own neighborhood!  

Half Way There (Not Just) Living On a Prayer

Did I really just (almost) quote Jon Bon Jovi?

The picture here is from the ferry crossing the Fjord of Trondheim in Norway on the way to the airport this morning to fly to Denmark.

The tour is going great.
Four weeks to go!

It's been a wonderful surprise to have so many sold out shows!


Especially in the bigger cities like Hamburg, Berlin, Oslo and our upcoming Amsterdam Paradiso show, which sold out before we even left the States!

Thank you Germany, NL and Norway!!

This tour has restored my "Road Faith."  Largely because I realize how many real friends we've made over the past couple of years in different countries and cities.

Finally, I had two full days off and we spent some quality time with our old friends in Norway and made some great new ones...including a green-eyed, stray black kitten whom I dubbed "Weegie."

I may just bring her back home to NYC with me.   In addition, I saw some fantastic historical sites and some of nature's most miraculous creations.

Two months out is pretty daunting, especially with so many shows in a row and so few days off, but I am "Living On" the support of my great band, and of course the energy of all our incredible audiences.

Our new, young drummer, Piero Perelli is just killing it and brings a special energy every night.  Piero doesn't have internet in his small village of Luca, Italy.  Now each night in his hotel, Piero is furiously downloading every bit of music we tell him to reference.  He's been indoctrinated with the idea that I need John Bonham meets Mitch Mitchell meets Charlie Watts meets Buddy Rich.  :-)

A tall order, but just like with English, which he's studying daily on the bus and letting us quiz him, he's so damned talented that he's picking it up at an almost alien-like pace and the shows are just exploding.

With the re-release of my first record "Lonely For a Lifetime" I can now call any song from any cd and know he'll nail it and then some.   Piero is also just a blast to hang with.

My Indonesian Warrior, Walter Latupeirissa is rocking solid with us on bass and keeping me laughing on and off stage every night.  His monster bass playing and silly sense of humor puts it all into perspective.

Jon Diamond and I still disagree *ahem* over the dumbest things, for instance, which table to sit at during dinner or which restaurant will be better, but we laugh loud and enjoy our adventures together more than ever.  One German fan took this photo and called it "The Real Guitar Man."
Can't add to that!

This is surely more than just livin' on a prayer.

Although, like I say at every show, I'll take whatever help I can get from the Gods.  Be it Buddha, Allah, Yahweh or Father, Son & Holy Spirit!

Love and Blessings,
Dana

Here Goes Another Sleepless Tour...

I'm 10 days into my last, long tour of the year which ends in Denmark on November 7th!  I've been in Germany, Switzerland and Austria so far, playing some great famous venues throughout each country.  All of the shows have been packed and it's been incredible to see so many familiar faces and to make so many new friends.

Tonight, I'm back in Vienna, Austria.  Last time I was here I set my hotel room on fire trying to dim my halogen lamp with my hoodie.  Two large, beautiful Austrian firemen came to my rescue.  (Maybe I should do it again!)  ;-)

A much needed day off tomorrow in Berlin, after 7 shows...ahhhh.  Then Saturday, we'll play the famous Berlin Quasimodo (which is almost sold out!)   I love Berlin and am looking forward to a nice dinner at one the supreme restaurants!

Then we're on to Hamburg where we'll meet up with some friends and play another legendary venue (which is also almost sold out!!)

I'm loving being back in the Father Land and I'm also super excited to see our Dutch fans again in a few weeks.

Our first show at the iconic Paradiso sold out weeks ago.

I hope to see each and every one of our European friends somewhere between Germany, Netherlands, Denmark and Norway!

US Fans - it was wonderful to meet so many of you this summer and you can bet you'll be seeing much more of us in 2012!

I'll close and say in German tongue/type...

"Alles Gut!"

Love,
Dana
 

p.s.  It's been a pleasure to have our talented friend John Allen from the UK doing some shows with us this first leg.  His voice may even have more gravel than mine!  He's a great dude, too.

Home Is Where The (heavy) Heart Is (and Survives)

Woke up today just before 5pm (arrived hotel 8am from NYC and went to sleep 9am); breaking my cardinal rule of never sleeping more than 4 hours on arrival day! Will be interesting to see what time I can fall asleep tonight/this morning.

Piero, our "adorable" Italian drummer just arrived from Pisa and Walter will join us here tomorrow for our first show of the 7 week (FINAL) "Love To Beg Tour" which starts tomorrow in Lorsch, Germany and ends in Denmark.

I am so excited and nostalgic to be back in Germany at almost autumn time. Autumn 2008 was mine and Jon's introduction to Germany and when I fell in love with the culture, the scenery and a few amazing people!

Walked all over town this evening and now just arrived dinner at the very place I had my coffee with Jon hours ago.

He and Piero are now discussing drum cymbals as I sip a local white wine (believe it or not the german whites are some of the best!) and stare at this gorgeous view (attached).

Germany, my heart is especially heavy AND excited to see you since my January tour was cancelled to be with my brother Don.

With my deepest love and gratitude,

Dana

Remembering On The 10th Anniversary of 9/11...

I hope everyone is having a peaceful, meaningful and reflective 9/11 anniversary weekend. Thank you all for your generous donations toward the free download of my 9/11 song: "Moment Away."

Remember, the tune is free.
No donation necessary, but anything you choose to donate will directly benefit the families of those who lost their lives on 9/11.

Either way, enjoy the tune and keep peace alive by never forgetting those who have lost their lives, loved ones, or peace of mind, due to acts of useless and misguided violence.

Download "Moment Away" here for free or make a donation of your choice in any amount.

Love,
Dana

The Tenth Anniversary of 9/11/01: Only a Moment Away

In honor of the men, women and children who lost their lives, alongside those brave people who gave their lives, and the heroes that responded to the emergency on 9/11/2001, I'm offering a commemorative download of my song, "Moment Away".

I wrote this song with Jon Diamond during the first weeks after the 9/11 attack, inspired by the true stories of those left in the aftermath searching, without answers regarding the whereabouts of their loved ones

• Download Moment Away here for free or make a donation of your choice in any amount.
  
  
  All proceeds will directly benefit the families of those who lost their lives on 9/11.

When it Hits Home.

I am so saddened by the acts of terror in Norway.

Growing up in a small town down south in the US, whenever I would hear such news about "far away lands", I would give pause, say a little prayer and be grateful such suffering "didn't hit home", as the popular expression goes.

However, as I say at every one of my shows,  I know now that home is truly where the heart is and Norway has been in my heart ever since I first took the stage there in 2010, falling in love with the awe-inspiring natural beauty of the countryside and the beautiful people who became my friends there.

My young Norwegian friend Oda, whose company I shared for 4 days, speaking of politics, feminism, and our mutual desire to bring peace and joy to people, was going to meet up with friends at the camp on the island of Utøya.  Fortunately, she was not there on the day of the massacre but sadly several of her friends were and did not survive.

Knowing Oda and everything she fights for as president of her high school student council, the feminist organization she rallies and leads protests for, the volunteer work she's done and so on, her friends were no doubt like-minded young leaders with great potential.

I heard from Oda as the tragic events were unfolding and she had this to say,

"This tragedy has taught me one thing. We'll never stop fighting for socialism, peace, and anti-racism."

This exemplifies the courage, determination and compassion of the Norwegian people.

To the people of Norway, my heart is with you now and always.

Last night, at my show in Trieste, the Italian audience joined me in singing a tribute song for you.

Further proof of how love "hits home" everywhere and can bring us all together anywhere we are.

I wish you healing and love and I will bring every bit of my heart and soul to you in Notodden next month when I return.

Stay strong.

With Love and Peace,
Dana

Taking a tour of the old Norwegian homes with Oda, her Dad and our other friends last year in Notodden.