Frank Nichols, you have more stamina than people half your age, every show I've been to, you've been there too, rocking out! It really has been a great Homegrown -- there is so much damn talent in this town, from young Leif Hinckle playing an acoustic set at the Union to Sweetgrass playing 60s and 70s covers at the Brewhouse. . . .

Thanks for the thread Frank- I didn't want to start a new one... Anyway, my set at Teatro last night was a blast. Really great crowd (not a single cell phone, prolonged coughing fit or screams of "Kaiser, you suck!"). Doug Greenwood was the evening's venue manager and was right on the money with the couple of questions I had. Crystal Pelkey (the most awesome Crystal Pelkey) had the house in ready-to-roll condition with the attitude to match. And the sound man (who I can't remember his name) did a bang up job- and had a sense of humor to boot! Thanks to Shana and the committee for making MY Homegrown experience great!

Best Homegrown EVER, we checked out Retribution Gospel Choir and TBT at the Norshor. It was great being back in the building after 5 years away. The place was *packed* I have never seen so many people there at one time. Sparhawk blew me away. We left the TBT set early, and went to down to RT Quinlan's, where it felt like college reunion time. *Everybody I know* seemed to be there last night! First time I've ever been in RT's and the place is a great venue. 

Ballyhoo did a kickass job, Leon and his band know how to have a good time. I hope they decide to play next year. And Father Hennepin kicked ass too, even when Starfire had to stop and re-start one of the songs. RTs was packed wall-to-wall people too, cannot believe how so many people crammed into that space. Interesting, Starfire asked how many people there were from Duluth, I thought 1/2 the crowd raised their hands, but Mr. Claire thought it was more like 3/4 the crowd. It definitely *was not* people up from the Cities partying it up in Duluth, as happens with Bayfront Blues, it seems.

The ubiquitous Bob Boone told me that this year's Homegrown was "unbelievable." I totally agree. And can't believe, as we drove home at 2 am, that a mob of people was outside Luce.