It’s that time a year again. All I can think about is catching up with old friends, playing horseshoes at the Howling Dog at 3 a.m when it is still light outside, the smell of the grill in Humpy’s, the crazy summer job kids drinking big blue margaritas at the Salmon Bake. playing guitar around the after show bonfires in Denali , hugs from friends, frontier charter flights, the cabins behind the Dog, breakfasts at Hilltop in the afternoon, driving the cook highway in the rain, the steeple of the fairview, firework stands in Wasilla, talking to old friends on set breaks, sleeping in until noon, watching strangers dance, river rafting the Nenana, awkward tourists and updates from train kids on how well they are tipping this season, halibut tacos, throwing rocks at tug boats on the cook inlet at twilight, BBQ’s, swimmers itch, combat fishing, Red Bulls, listening to The Dead’s Europe 72 and laughing with the band in the rental van, singing with my brother, tip jars, winding up guitar chords to a bluegrass mix on a sound guy’s ipod, looking down a microphone at a crowded dance floor, 20 minute freestyles, playing covers I didn’t even know I knew, the way my voice cracks after a four hour set, watching old men in tie dyes get thrown out bars, the sound of the crowd singing killing time, and sketching song ideas on napkins on Sunday mornings. I think old Willie said it best, “ my whole life is making music with my friends and I can’t wait to get on the road again.” ALASKA HERE WE COME!

Matt Lewis Band Alaska Tour 2009

August 6: Denali Salmon Bake-Denali

August 7th and 8th: The Howling Dog-Fairbanks/Fox

August 10, 11, 12: Nome

August 13: The Fairview-Talkeetna

August 14th and 15th- Humpy’s-Anchorage

August 16th- The Salmon Bake – Denali