About three years ago Chuck Ragan called me up and asked me to come down to LA and play a show with him and a guy named Austin Lucas. Austin was an American living in Prague and was in town for a tour and needed a show.

I had written an acoustic record and already had a record deal with Asian Man Records… The problem being was that I had never performed acoustically alone before. Of course I went. It was Chuck's idea, he knew I wanted to get out and start playing but was just too shy. My first performance was to an audience of 3. Chuck, Austin, and my pal Marty. If any of you get a chance to look at the Mike Hale myspace there is a video from that day. Quite a train wreck but exactly what I needed to get started. My touring experience up until that point had only been with Gunmoll and In The Red. So for me to be embarking on this new adventure was quite a feat.

From the first moment I met Austin I knew we were going to be great friends. Now years later, we are on the same record label and talk frequently. I'm very lucky to have made such a friend. In addition to being one of the most talented artist I've ever encountered… he is truly an amazing human being.

Austin brought me to Europe for my first European tour. We just finished our 5th show with about 40 more to go and plans to do the entire US in Aug and Sept.

My trip started out kinda rough. I finished my 5 week tour with Ninja Gun in Dallas. I got 4 hours sleep, flew from Dallas to Montreal, then to Frankfurt, Germany, waited for 4 hours for a 5 hour train ride to Munich where Austin and I would start our 6 week tour of Europe. Altogether my travel day was one that took about 23 hours straight to another show.

Europe is the most amazing experience to this point in my life. This is where the real shit is. It's not like being home in the US. The history here spans thousands of years as opposed to the few hundred we have in the States. Today I got up early and went on walk about in the city of Koln. I found myself in a gothic cathedral that has been standing since the 12th century. Words can't even describe, I almost feel frustrated trying. During the 2nd World War this city was flattened. The only thing that survived was that ancient church, now permanently scarred and black from the surrounding burning city.

Yesterday I got to see the Alps in Switzerland. The day before I was in the Black Forest in Friesburg and went to an all night party with my friends Ben and Agnus.

To this point the shows have been nothing short of phenomenal… packed rooms and smiling faces. New friends with open arms excited to see us play. I was a little worried coming over here… ya know, I was led to believe that thanks to George Bush everyone hated Americans over here… Wouldn't surprise me after the shit that guy pulled on the rest of the world. But thus far I've seen no evidence to support that theory. Like I said… it's been nothing but love.

The greatest difference I've noticed in the shows themselves are the way that the promoters treat smaller acts like us. Dinner every night, a bed and room every night, breakfast to send you on your way, something I've never imagined I'd get to experience.

I got to make this short finding the time to sit down at the computer to write is scarce, the rest of the guys are waiting for me right now to leave, we are heading to Amsterdam today… I'm so excited for so many reasons. This is the greatest thing I've ever had the privilege of being a part of.

I think I'm on week 10 or 11 of touring pretty much straight, and my next 16 weeks are pretty much planned out. I don't know how long it will really last… I do know however that for my life, and the experiences I want out of life, I've made the right choice. With any luck at all I'll find a way to keep going even longer. As I've learned, you don't get what you want if you don't try.