New Zealand Tour - September 2002

On the 8th of September 2002 I flew from Orlando, FL to Dallas, TX then on to Los Angeles, CA where I eventually connected for my first overseas tour to the other side of the world, New Zealand. I had made previous trips abroad to Ireland, Mexico, Canada, and England but never quite this far. A friend of mine who had been to this southern region warned me, "You won't know jet lag until you make that trip!" I do know that after flying from Orlando to Dallas to LA to Auckland, NZ and onto my final destination of Wellington, NZ, something, which I had not even considered immediately, caught my attention. When I started I was clean-shaven and when I landed I had a beard! The flight from LA to Auckland, (12 hours and 40 minutes) was particularly interesting. After watching three consecutive movies on the plane, taking a brief nap, using the bathroom, reading, then taking another nap, I woke to ask the flight attendant if we were about to land. I'll never forget her saying, "Oh, no. We have about 5 more hours!"

Many people have asked upon my return how the whole tour transpired. I have been touring the US for many years and after a very busy 2001 schedule (I believe I played 46 states). I handed my booking agent a globe and said, "Book me somewhere else!" Of the many international tour promoters we had approached, Gill Winter from Flying Piglets Productions was the first to step forward. Both she and her husband Pete Winter were instrumental in creating a textbook case on how a successful tour should operate. I cannot extend enough gratitude to them for their kindness and generosity (oh, and tolerance!) prior to and during the entire tour. Practically every date was a huge success, with great promotion, attendance, sound, and accommodations. And the food throughout the country was wonderful (save for the 'marmite surprise'). When some dates sold out, Gill quickly added dates to accommodate the locals.

My second day in Wellington, as I slept the first one away, found me on the streets searching for a Sony store since my brand new camera's lens appeared to be sticking. I was wandering aimlessly around the streets when I was accosted by a kind and observant woman named Helen. She took me under her 'local' wing, introduced me to her friend Robert, and the two of them proceeded to play tour guides for my entire stay in town and later during a repeat visit to Wellington. We went to museums, restaurants, and toured the town. They took me to their home and delivered me to my hotel. They drove me to my live radio show on Radio New Zealand, and even located a UPS distribution center in the middle of nowhere so I could ship any remaining CD's forward to my next tour (which was to be in Ireland... see next photo tour soon!). If there are people nicer than Helen and Robert in the world I do not want to meet them for fear that I would die from smiling and laughing all the time.

Tacoma Guitars, one of my sponsors, was also kind enough to arrange through Rob Magnus with The Hawkes Bay Agency and national Tacoma Guitars distributor, a seminar involving many local and regional guitar dealers. For their efforts I am grateful. The event was held at Club Tabac, owned by a member of the band, Crowded House. I also cannot thank Rob enough for his hospitality and like so many of 'the kiwis' I felt like I was making new friends every day.

During the tour I played in mountain top Bunkers, modified warehouses, home to a legion of 'blue penguins', a restaurant designed as a log cabin (built by a fellow who claims he only took an 8 day course prior to the endeavor), and discussed fingernail care with flamenco players! My shows were attended by such notables as a pig farmer who argued his right to boycott the film "Babe", Tom Brown, the scene paint director on location for an upcoming Tom Cruise film, and a college radio crew who instructed me graciously with the slang of the land. "Have a box of fluffies," said Amanda, station manager at RDU in Christchurch. "Uh, what's that mean?" I replied. "Oh, have a great day!" responded Amanda.

Ok. What else?

Kiwi: Happy little fuzzy ducks
Translation: Having a really great day.

Kiwi: I'm completely rinsed!
Translation: I've HAD it!!

Kiwi: That was really whack.
Translation: That was really odd or strange.

Kiwi: I am munted.
Translation: I am wasted.

Kiwi: Please come back soon.
Richard Gilewitz: I can't wait.

I would like to especially thank Ken and Robin Ralston for the kind gift of a wonderful camera. Without their generosity the quality of all the pictures you see in this 'photo gallery' would not have been possible.

Hope you enjoy the tour as much as I did!