Tab Laven
Summertime...
Updated: Feb 19, 2020
Hi folks! It's been a busy summer so far. Lots of traveling for both work and play...
I ended my last blog writing that next up on our schedule we were playing a surprise birthday party at someone's house. Turns out the guest of honor was a gentleman named Jim Irsay. Jim is the owner of the NFL Indianapolis Colts. He is also one of the worlds major guitar collectors! He showed me his collection of mainly 150-200 rare Martin guitars. He recently purchased David Gilmore of Pink Floyd's main Fender Stratocaster for 3.9 million dollars and his main Martin acoustic guitar which brought the total up to 5 million at a recent auction. He's quite serious about this. The money all went to charity. He also owns the piano on which John Lennon wrote Lucy in the Sky, Strawberry Fields and many others, as well as Ringo Starr's drum set from their first Ed Sullivan show appearance. It's an amazing collection.

From there, I flew to Florida to meet up with Annie, her sister and brother-in-law for a quick vacation at Sea Grove on the Florida Panhandle. The weather was perfect!

A week later Annie flew to Tokyo, Japan to be with her son, Dash as he graduated from school there and then they traveled by train throughout the country for a great sightseeing vacation!
I had a few shows with Art while she was gone and then decided to drive up to Minnesota to visit my daughter Jessica in Minneapolis and to see my dad up in central Minnesota. I took the following pictures on an evening drive near to where he lives.




Back on the road! One of the great things about touring with Art is that we play a lot of restored Vaudeville-era theatres. So many towns, all across the country, have these great old, historical theatres that are truly amazing when you step out on stage.


When I'm on the road and in between shows, I love to research. I love reading, usually it's inspired by things I have seen on the road. So many of the places that I've been to, I've made notes to revisit either in person or through research. Although I've never been to Egypt, I've always been fascinated with it. I even mention the pyramids of Egypt in my song, Lost in A Daydream on my album. This photo is one of my favorites.


Another favorite photograph...

Back home in Nashville....Annie and I love to get in our car and just drive around to look at our lovely city and countryside and take pictures.


Recently, I found an article where Art talks about our kinship.

Thanks for checking in!
If you feel like sharing or leaving a comment, please do.
-Tab