Wow, another great weekend has finally ended. Still spinning from
the fun and travelling for the last few days.

Thanks Butter for providing us with another adventure with friends
and family and lots of fun.

Kelly, Amanda and I made it to Bend , but had to split sets (21+
show). It was a nice way to start the run, and a beautiful afternoon
in the high-desert.

Portland was a very high energy affair, which got off to an acoustic
front of stage start from Poor Man's Whiskey , getting the ball
rolling nicely.

Butter just killed it. The addition of Matt Butler and Asher Fulero
for the end of the first set, and the whole second set gave a whole
new dynamic to the sound. (although I have seen that lineup a few
times now, and I DO prefer my Butter straight up, it was a nice
energy addition and really filled out the room) And while the
setlist was fairly rock and roll, the highlights for me were Zac's
beautiful Duncan (love Paul Simon covers), Reckless Tex , and TN Jed
from BCH. Wow, that didn't suck at all. Susi, thanks for the glitter
and the love in PDX. We we're surrounded by family all night long,
and it was incredible.

So while the family was making the Train trip II, Kelly and I went
home and got Amanda and headed up I-5 to Seattle . Not knowing what
to expect, we ended up getting the the room at about 5:00 and found
Michael Scott and Ziegy. Beautiful club, with candles on the tables,
and that swanky Jazz club feel, we sat down for dinner on the rail
and settled in.

What went down that night was amazing. I don't know how people
travelling with the band reacted to the seated club, but there were
many many new faces. And they had come out for a night on the town,
dinner and music. What they were treated to was an incredible
showcase of a professional band really hitting their stride. How
hard must it be to play to a seated crowd? The boys had a backdrop
behind them with lights, that framed them beautifully. And we were
treated to a fantastic setlist. We dressed Amanda Lynn up in a
little Bee costume, and put her cape on, so she was ready to go, and
danced all over the table/rail at the front of the stage. Honey Bee
and Amanda Lynn were treats that she really enjoyed, but after some
attempts at climbing up to Redner's equipment, and kicking over
Michelle's water glass, she tired, the set ended and we went outside
to listed to the reactions of people we hadn't met before to the
first set. What wonderful exposure for the boys, and what
appreciation from the new fans. For those of us who are used to the
dancing and frivolity that accompanies the usual meltdown, this WAS a
little subdued. But I sat there that night, with family, with my
daughter, with all of these new people and I was amazed at how far
all of us had come. Kelly and I talked the whole way back from
Seattle about how much the Butter family means to us. Adam and Susi,
we never even had a chance to say goodbye that night, but I know that
we will see each other soon. Isn't that a wonderful thing?

So Sunday I woke up and had to work in Hood River until two, so I was
still fencing Eugene . Until I realized that Michael and Deadesq were
already half way to PDX on the train, Butch was in route, Marilyn was
dropping the kids off, Eileen had a Thai place lined up for dinner,
Liora was already at the WOW, so off I headed. This time without the
girls for one last go around. ( I seem to find myself in this type
of FOMO situation quite often ) And although I was pretty tired from
all of the driving, I was ready to go by the time the guys came on.
Holy start.... Ginseng, Virginia 's>silas, Horseshoe?!? !
Cumberland ?! ?!? I think that I blistered my feet dancing that
night. It was HOT up on the rail, the lights at the WOW are
incredibly how, and the crowd was moving all night long. I remember
talking with Aaron in Bend this past summer about how it is so
amazing how Butter can still have people in a deep groove for slower
songs. And this night was no exception. Two smokin sets, Butter
awards for Chris and Britney who worked tirelessly street teaming
this run, and danced their asses off every night of it, and FOUR
Freaking Encores. Well deserved thanks for Josh, Justin and Andy,
and the run was over. Incredible.

So now as I am thinking about all of you out there that I didn't get
to see this past weekend, Kelly and I will start talking about the
next family reunions at the Fillmore weekend in Nov, and at the
Oriental to ring in the new year. Missing you all and loving you
more.

Thanks again my dear, dear family.

Chris