Dunno much about helicopters, but I think the ones that keep flying over are Chinooks. Big-ass loud mofos with double props. Might be going from NY to DC and back? They're not flying as low as they were on 9/11/01. They rattled yer teeth that day, and they were coming 6 at a time! Most I saw today was by 2's. I hate war, but God Bless the military!

Hey Joe , im writing from Holland, looking forward seeing you on your show in Tilburg NL, 013 . I have a question wich songs will you be playing ?

Love the sound of the Chinook..... instantly recognisable

Prayers/condolences to all our soldiers/troops and their families who are fighting for our country and those who sacrificed. Prayers to all our victims of 9/11.

I did do a run this morning: The Urban League 5K Run/Walk. Time was a little off for me, but I did end up taking the win. Yes, I came in 1st Place. It's been three years since I won a race (same one actually). This run is for all my family and friends, as well as our troops and for everyone here.

Sedoy: Thank you for the kind post. How are you doing? Hope you're doing well.

Distorted Soul: Good post you recently posted.

Happy Patriot Day! *Salute*

Nope, they don't have the Roo app. We got excited for a minute because it said on the sigh that Davy Knowles & BDS were the special guests...but Davy had tweeted that he was in Vermont tonight at a gig. We were thinking WTF? Then Tracie said someone eventually came out and took that part off the sign. Bummer!! That's the only other news I got.

And we're in the venue. I'm third person back in front of Joe, with my brother and dad to my right. Ian and his girlfriend are to my left and Tracie and Chris are in front of them.

We're ready...!

EDIT - I don't have roo's app, but I have a Motorola Droid. :-)

Great show! Tracie and my dad say it's the best Chickenfoot show they've seen, but my brother and I think San Francisco and Berkeley last year were better. ;-)

The band played their standard set, and Joe played the Star-Spangled Banner in full affer My Generation.

Our webmaster Jon was there shooting video and taking pictures, too.

And the most important piece of news, Sammy said Chickenfoot will be in the studio in January. :-)

Don't blame me that baby Al is so adorable....it's Mrs and Mr McKenna senior that did all the work! I'm just an innocent observer!

Skippygirl - It can happen. We don't have Joe's specific January tour dates yet, but there are 11 cities listed on the road page...Joe likes to do six days on and one day off, it seems, so he should be able to get those shows done in two weeks.

Even with a week off after New Year's, Joe could be done with the tour by the 20th or so. Or he could spend three weeks in the studio with Chickenfoot in early January and then start his solo tour in late January and go into February.

It'll work out somehow. And even if Sammy was a bit loose with the dates in his comment, it sounded like he was referring to Chickenfoot with Chad...that's the most important thing. :-)

More from me later...I'm off to bed!

Can I say something? (a note from Mike's sister) - Saturday, September 11, 2010 10:36 AM

Before I write this, understand that this is MY statement. Mike might kill me for speaking up, but I just can't sit by quietly. I guess I'm like Mike in that way.

PLEASE stop reading between the lines with this whole situation. There is no hidden meaning in all of this (is there ever with Mike? The guy is an open book with his fans!!). Everything Mike said in his interview with Eddie Trunk, in his press release or otherwise is everything he has been saying to me for the past year, at least. He LOVES the other (DT) guys and their families. They have grown up together, married women that were (and are) best friends, have raised their kids as best friends. They are family. This was not an easy decision for him as a drummer, founding band member (and band leader) or person.

Let's put 25 years into perspective. I am 40. I met John and John when I was 15. How many friends do I still have that I have had to live AND work with for the past 25 years? Not a single one. I can't imagine looking at the same group of people for that many years and being able to come up with new, fun ideas (that will then be judged the world over). My friends and I get stuck on doing the same things on random weekend gatherings!

Remember, this is strictly my perspective here...

You'd think that being a rock star would be 100% fun 100% of the time. But I know that Mike works extremely hard and takes every bit of this experience to heart. You might think you know, but you have no idea (to borrow a line from Behind the Music). It is a part of who he is as a person, it is definitely not just a job. He's been running at a pace (WITH DREAM THEATER) most people couldn't keep up for a few months, much less 25 years. He just wants a break. He wants to have the chance to play with other musicians and be reminded of how special this all is. He wants to have fun and not be in charge of every detail for a bit. (And for those of you thinking he should just let others take the reins in DT, all I'll say is that you have no idea what you are talking about.)

The way I see it, it's not a matter of Mike not wanting to be in DT (Remember, he DOES want to be in DT... he NEVER wanted or planned to leave the band). Giving up Dream Theater must be like giving up a child for him. I know it's been horribly painful. But I am extremely proud of him for recognizing that he needs to be reinvigorated and for doing what he needs to do to make that happen. You know Mike. He does not do anything half-assed. He wants every drop of music that Dream Theater releases to be perfect and fulfilling for everyone. Right now, he is guaranteeing that he can't do that. Maybe (apparently) the other guys don't feel the same about this situation, I can't speak to that, but he knows that he needs a break to be able to bring the best of himself to the table. There is no alterier motive. He genuinely just needs a break. He needs a break that allows him to find new inspiration and have some down time. When he has done his other side projects, if you think he was not also working on DT stuff, you'd be incredibly mistaken.

I guess I got a bit long-winded there... sorry, but it's torture to sit back and watch my brother getting ripped apart or criticized for making this incredibly INCREDIBLY hard choice. And for those of you who are supporting/understanding of his decision, I want you to know HOW MUCH it is appreciated.

Thanks for listening... ~ Sam <message edited by Portnoy on Saturday, September 11, 2010 7:36 PM>

That CF shows sounds like it was a good time had by all! Yay! Wish I could have heard the videos on my phone a bit clearer, but the pics were great! Thank's for keeping us updated Tracie & Austin!

Al, have you found what you were looking for in that moment, or has the dehydration clouded your memory? I'm tellin' ya, you deserve yer own Clydesdale pullin' cart, but instead of it carrying Bud, it should have an open bar in the back with a few friends, and sprinkled with an odd assortment of party hats and rub-on giraffe tattoos.

Happy Grandparent's Day!

I'm playing my Chickenfoot DVD. Oh Yeah!

Castle _ Thx for the check & the feedback. To say all, it's not my track. In fact, i just started to work with a guy called Hervé who likes to compose & arrange music. The whole project consist of recording a 10 tracks rock instrumental album. The 10 compositions already existe, but when Hervé composed them, he was thinking about a singer who would complete the songs with lyrics. After listening to some of his music, i proposed to him to replace singer parts by guitar parts. Just thought it would be an interesting challenge. He agreed. So, the tracks are now gonna an other way.. this time, i try to build some narrative lines, instead of a theater of insane solos or progressive arrangements. Hervé's music requires this approach.

Onto this project, i just work onto the Strat addiction.

As already said, Scorp'floyd is still onto convalescing try. My tone, during 3/4 of the song is not the good one for that kind of melody. Still looking for..

Currently, we only get one complete song : Escape time

Hello. Has read your responses, it is sincere to you it is grateful, has been assured that you will understand me.

Glitz Man I Welcome.

I live not bad. I thank you for interest.