A lagniappe ( /ˈlænjæp/ lan-yap) is a small gift given to a customer by a merchant at the time of a purchase (such as a 13th doughnut when buying a dozen), or more broadly, “something given or obtained gratuitously or by way of good measure.”^[1]

Two nights ago, I played a wonderful house show in Owatonna, MN with Kelley McRae. On the way, I stopped in Northfield to record a quick demo at Carleton College.  

Show time was listed as 7pm. I got finished in Northfield at 6:20. I had a 50 minute drive. 

To make things a little more interesting my gas tank was on ( E ) when pulled onto 35 south. I threw caution to the wind and did 80 mph all the way there. 

It was 7:07pm when I got to Owatonna. Our gracious host Paul was not upset at all that I was a little late, and we had a great night. People were incredibly giving, in every way. 

I got to bed around 1am or so, when everything died down. Around 9am I woke up and went for a run along the Straight River.  I had to leave town by noon to make the show in Des Moines so I got ready and went out to the rental car, which I was sure would be running on fumes by now…

The tank was full. I tapped the gauge. Weird. Yep. Full. Huh? I went to the gas station and put $1.15 of unleaded in before the pump stopped. 

Did somebody fill my gas tank before I got up?! 

I had to be sure, so I got in touch with the first person that came to mind as my samaritan - Paul, our host. 

This was his repsponse: 

Lagniappe.

Happy trails, Andy.

Paul of Owatonna.

A couple days ago my buddy Christo Baur, who engineered the Dawes cover I did in January, got in touch with me about visiting Carleton College in Northfield, MN before my show in Owatonna, MN. So I drove from Chicago today to check the studio at Carleton out and decided to post this with Christo’s help. 

I’ve been hoping to share some new material that I’ve been writing, but I wanted to do it in a new way. I’ve been taking pictures and posting them to Instagram for a while now. I like to capture a moment from each day on tour. 

So, here are 20 pictures from the last couple months, with part of a new song called “Maybe I” as the soundtrack.

It’s kind of like a slide show on the last day of summer camp. :) I hope you enjoy. 

More songs to come. 

Thank you for listening. 

Last night, Miriam and I watched the making of “Graceland”.

I’ve always loved Paul Simon.  His voice and writing have been an inspiration to me since I was a kid. A beacon to follow, as I searched for my own voice. One of my dad’s favorite songs is “The Sound of Silence”. I remember him pointing out the line, “the words of the prophets are written on the subway wall…”. 

Hearing the stories behind the lyrics and music on Graceland was incredible. I think I smiled the whole way through. It filled me up. 

I’ve been writing new material since the release of Jealous Hands. There are a handful of songs that are taking the shape of a new record. 

I hope to debut one of these new songs via Our Vinyl TV, if I win this contest. Please take a moment to help me out. I’m trying to share my stories now, following in the tradition of giants like Mr Simon. Thank you. 

Planning to take a load off and sing at the top of my lungs Monday 4/23 at @iotaclub w/ @wearethe9 (Taken with instagram)

I have about an hour until my train leaves from Penn Station for NJ. So I can check that transportation box off for this trip. When I get home tomorrow night I’ll have been in planes, trains and automobiles. I want the John Candy badge on Foursquare. It’s all been an adventure - sharing music in Richmond, VA and Appleton, WI with TWLOHA, Bowery Electric last night in NYC, tonight in northwest NJ at a very cool house show (secret details will be revealed later). All the new people I’ve met and stories I’ve heard are gathering on the fringes of song threads. I go out here to find them. I always do. They are endless.

Mir (Taken with instagram)

Doing some trail running with Mir at Balls Bluff. (Taken with Instagram at Ball’s Bluff National Cemetery)

On the road home. Everything is beautiful. (Taken with instagram)

Lynchburg, thanks for being an awesome gang! You helped me end this tour on a high note. We did it together! (Taken with Instagram at Bull Branch)

Virginia, it’s good to see you. (Taken with instagram)

NoVA/DC! I’m supporting @lovedrugmusic at @jamminjava April 18. Full band show with special guests. Poster design by Adam Neubauer. 

Goodbye, Austin! Headed east startin today. Houston, I’m comin for you tonight! (Taken with Instagram at SXSW 2012)

I finished the photo shoot with Jackson Potts at 6am this morning.

It was so worth it. Probably the most creative shoot anyone has ever done for me.

Jackson, his dad Jack and little brother Deitrick (9 yrs old) got into Austin last night around midnight. My drummer Adam hitched a ride with them in Houston and came along for the party. Adam is the one who connected us. He and Jack are old friends.

Jack, Jackson’s father (Get it? Dig it.), drove us a few miles south off 35 and found a dark desolate country road. Jackson wanted to “paint me” with light from an iPhone, since I had told him about the smartphone interaction I have been doing on tour.

We had to leave our first location, after a very nice TX state trooper told us it was a notoriously dangerous stretch of road. A few cars had already sped and swerved by, so at the suggestion of the officer we went to Live Oak Cemetery.

It was small, peaceful, dark and quiet. The perfect spot for Jackson and his team to create.

The shoot lasted a couple hours. I fought to keep my eyes open, sipping has station coffee and Red Bull.

At the end of the night, Jackson had what he wanted.

“Thank you for letting me take your picture.”, he said.

No. Thank YOU, Jackson…

This is Jackson Potts. @lightjedi He is 12. I’m doing a photo shoot with him tonight in Austin. (Taken with instagram)

Passing through Joplin on my way to Tulsa. No words. @songsforjoplin (Taken with Instagram at Joplin Fire Station 1)

@shawnmatthews does it again! Above and beyond! (Taken with instagram)

Last night, I was walking with some friends in a town I couldn’t quite put my finger on… We were just eating pizza I think… Then out of nowhere : Ted Danson. Pretty random. Without even so much as a hello Ted says, “Oh you need this”. In his hand appears my electric razor. He then proceeds to shave my head Jackass style. That’s what late night diner food in St Louis will do to you, I guess. Strange dreams.

I’m a week into this tour and I’m so happy that each night has been full of participation! We are making music together! Last night there was even a raucous, spontaneous cover of Footloose at The Heavy Anchor.

I’m excited to see the rest of you in Springfield, Tulsa, Dallas, Austin, Houston, Chattanooga, Nashville and Lynchburg.

Come out and be in my gang…

Greenville College students put this care package together for me. So thoughtful! List of items: sparklers, cran apple juice, a soft ball, bottled water, Oreos, granola bars, gum, a belt, Justin Beiber Valentines, fortune cookie, m&ms, t-shirt that says “Stand For Love”, a pen, thank you notes and a whole lot of awesome. THANK YOU for having me, guys. What a pleasure to share my songs with you! (Taken with instagram)

Hey everybody! Swagbot is sponsoring the March tour! Get a custom t-shirt here. They’ll ship within 5 days of the order.

and when I leave her again, alone, I keep her promise my home (Taken with instagram)