We made it from Bradenton to Birmingham in good order. The car thermometer and bank clocks had three digits pretty much all afternoon.

We rolled into the Sipsey Tavern, only to find no open mic night and end up the headliner. I can't say enough about how nice everybody there was to us and how much fun that set was. Something about that stage and the way it was set up, it just sounded completely perfect. I don't know what it was like in the room, but we were astounded.

When we got done playing, Marty, of the world's famous Marty's Place, rolled in for a couple of cocktails. He and I got to discussing his forthcoming train trip to New Orleans. His entertainer called in sick and we are booked at Marty's, from midnight to 3 a.m., at approximately 11:59 p.m. .

We had an absolute blast, until all my strings broke at around 2:45.

We then got in the car and came back to Columbia.

I'll do a round-up later.