The HillBenders had a great time on this short little Colorado run.

Started out the tour with a 16 hour straight drive to Steamboat Springs. Emerged from the cocoon we call the ‘Bender Bus’ and crashed out before a long day of shows. Started Saturday by wheeling over to the Old Town Pub and picking up our new CDs, which we had mailed there straight from the printers. Cheers all around as we opened the box and finally got to hold in our hands the proof of the hard work and long waiting. Feels so good to have a product we are all proud of and excited to get it into the hands of our friends and fans! Went from there to play an early one at the Bear River Bar and Grill outside on the deck below the ski slopes. Our good friend Mucho Robusto came out. We love that dude.

That night found us at the Old Town Pub. If you ever find yourself hungry in Steamboat Springs, go to the Old Town Pub. Nolan and I rocked the Rib Eye. Jimmy got the bad news they were out of the Buffalo Ribs and went with the Slider Sampler. Gary and Mark rocked the Sheppards Pie. RJ had the Trout. General consensus was the food was incredible. Makes it hard to play with that much good food in your tummy but we endured. And had a great night, maybe had a little too much fun, because when 8am came around, it was hard waking up that day. We finally got around like a bunch of bluegrass zombies and loaded the ‘Bender Bus’ for a 3 hour drive to Arvada to play at Jakes Roadhouse.

If I was a big burley biker, who rode a big burley bike and big burley leather vest over my big burley bare chest, I would hang out at Jakes every day. Well actually even if I wasn’t I would hang out at Jakes every day. Something about that place just made me think I was in a biker movie. And I don’t mean that in a bad way. The show there went pretty good considering we all were so exhausted. RJ slammed a 5 hour energy and we made the drive back to Steamboat.

Our last show was for Steamboat Ski Corp, we played their employee party, as the last day of ski season was sunday. We had a great time out there. Keep an eye out for Sal Malone. (I think that’s right) This kids got some talent! He did the HillBenders set breaks. Just a random toddler who came up and out entertained us ten fold with a song about New Orleans and one about Elvis. All acapella. Thanks to Lindsey for the help and making us feel at home.

We just left the Ome Banjo shop. Chuck is an awesome guy with a great little setup and some killer banjos. He was kind enough to give us a tour and show us all of his incredible instruments in the works.

Was a great stress free tour thanks to RJ, who is in the running for the HillBenders road manager slot. We can’t thank him enough for all the hard work on this trip. Making sure the hotels are there, gigs were ready, band was on schedule and taking care of every hump along the way. Including the two blown speakers. Major thanks to Trevor Potter for the rental on the speakers and for helping us put together this little tour.

The ”Bender Bus’ is now headed back to Missouri to get these CDs out to all the DJs so you can start hearing some “Down to My Last Dollar” over the airwaves! See you in 12 hours Springfield!

-Gravy