PDXpoSED & MANA!!! Airing in PORTLAND 8/3!

if you missed it last go around...now's your chance to catch it again! Mana Massage will be on PDXposed once again! The challenge was to somehow tie in massage & relaxation with skydiving & exhilaration. Well, I did it...I jumped out of a plane, co-hosted the show and got to show off Mana!
It will air Friday, 8/3 on CNW14 and will also be posted at www.pdxposed.com ............ will be on the front page of the site for 3 weeks! Anybody with a hi speed connection can watch it and after the 3 weeks, it will still be on the front page, Show #62!
Thank you to Jon Olson for always looking out for me!

PDXposed TV Shows air on Comcast CNW14 at 7 pm on the dates listed. Viewing is also available using Comcast "on demand" at any time.

3 days in Floriday...Sun. 7/22-25

With shows in Jacksonville, Sunrise and Tampa we were lucky enough to have a chill day in Coconut Grove. Despite thunder storms & lightening, dammit, we were DETERMINED to summon the sunshine by the pool! Here's Leon Roll, Video Crew Chief with the ominous sky looming behind. Yes it rained, yes it thundered but YES it also shined sun. YAH! That was also the day that I was "bed, bath and beyond". Even though South Beach was calling my name, my exhaustion took over my senses, thank Goodness. Room service and early to bed makes me happy. Quite a luxury and much appreciated for a newbie to touring...

Sat. 7/21...Atlanta, GA: The Ladies & KENNY!

Saturday night in the big City of Atlanta...woke up to the sunshine and the news that Mr. Kenny Rogers would be performing a surprise duet with Tim tonight! WHAT???!?! Called my pops right away to share the news. Brought back all those memories of "the Gambler"...and the miles and miles traveling & singing with Dad when I thought Country wasn't cool. Well, all but Kenny & Willie. They were exempt from that rule. My mind has broadened to add a few more folks to the exemption! Who would have ever thought that my very first tour would be with Faith Hill & Tim McGraw? Every night when the house lights go down and the first beat rings through the stands, well, I know I'm right where I'm supposed to be!
And meet the beautiful ladies: Ms. Monet & Crystal T! The lovely back-up singers for Ms. Faith. (Crystal T also plays mean percussion!)
We are so lucky!

Friday 7/20...1/2 Way to Hazard Main Stage

I just love this picture. I think it rocks! Diggin' my new camera, Canon Digital Elph. Costco Special! What an upgrade from years of the Kodak Disposable $5.99. What took me so long? Doesn't matter. I'm in the digital world now. YAH!

Thursday 7/19...Lounge Lizards & Redneck Laundry

aaaggghhh...a day off in North Carolina!!! We squeeze in as much pampering as possible when we have a day off. My spa-bud & I (Ms. Julie Dove) lounging as we get our toes done-up with a mini-glass of pink wine Greensboro-style! Followed by an afternoon at the pool where our very own Lance Miller showed off his laundry day,

"Redneck Style"

Whatchu gonna do? Needless to say, there's an awful lot of laughin' going on!

Wed. July 18th...Columbus, OH...Guitar Hero

So if you're curious how we spend our time on the bus, because we DO spend ALOT of time on the bus, here's one shot. Ms. Julie Dove kicking some ass on GUITAR HERO! After a full day in the venue, we generally, well, decompress after a long, long day...swap stories, laugh, sit up front with our busdriver watching lightening storms, and PLAY GUITAR HERO!

The Pink Pumas from Chicago

Any one who knows me knows that my wardrobe mostly consists of black. I accessorize with shoes and jewels...yet for some reason, hot pink now is my favorite color. I'm having flashbacks of my freshman year in HS (oh my!...it's the 20 year curse! Everything comes 'round again after 2 decades...am I REALLY getting older???) when I wore a knee length blazer, yes, I said a knee length blazer complete with shoulder pads & all: HOT PINK. Pink lipstick, pink jewelry, pink whatever, I loved it. And now I love it again. It makes me happy.
I'm not a big shopper and I generally only do it out of necessity. Truth be told our here on the road SHOES STINK. Literally. Even though I swap 'em out and attempt to let them air out between wearings, there is no getting away from stinky shoes & stinky feet. So on one of my off days in Chicago I strolled by the PUMA store and laid my eyes upon some hot pink sneaks. Without hesitation, they were mine.
I wore them for the first time in Pittsburgh and felt as though they were radiating. And they kinda were! But I had a bounce in my step that was much needed. And you know what, Faith loved 'em. And if they're good enough for Faith, they're good enough for me!

Tuesday July 17th...Pittsburgh, PA

Nothing but HOT & sticky in Pittsburgh!!! We left Chicago the night prior at about 10:30 PM for an overnighter (we do those alot) to arrive in P-town (the other P-town!) for a full day! Got some hang time with the crew...Lance Miller & Chad Warrix (1/2 of Halfway to Hazard) and Jerry McPherson (guitar for Faith!) & Andrew Allen (son of Tim's Tour Manager & bus mate for a few venues!). Yup, still having a grand time out here on the road! It's amazing how everyone keeps plugging along despite exhaustion and a crazy schedule. The days are turned upside down and inside out and most of the time you don't know the time, day or place but once the lights go down in the arena and our stars shine bright, none of that matters...we know why we're here!!!

Sunday 7/15...Home Away From Home BBQ

Jen Webb is our Production Coordinator and resides in Chicago. She was gracious enough to open her home to an all-crew BBQ where we could let down our hair, feel like we were at home and enjoy a home cooked meal (not like we don't eat like kings & queens out here anyway thanks to DEGA!) But it was great to kick back in flip-flops and sip sangria and eat off the grill, do a little dance and just CHILL. I have no photos from that day/night. My camera died. Perhaps that's best...

Singin' the Blues...Still Chicago...Friday the 13th

After the show on Friday night the entire entourage headed on over to the House of Blues for Bread & Water, a Charity show where all proceeds will benefit the Mercy Home for Boys and Girls of Chicago as well as the couple's Neighbor's Keeper Foundation. AWESOME! Not only did Faith & Tim belt out the blues & gospel and everything else they wanted, but Jim Belushi joined 'em on stage and brought down the house! We played 'til the sun came up, literally! Another stellar performance for the history books. Tales to tell and laughs to laugh...here is my buddy Julie Dove & I chillin' in the "Foundation Room" in the Balcony of HOB.

Friday the 13th-Monday the 16th...welcome to the WINDY CITY!!

AAAAGGHHHH...a pit stop in the Windy City after 2 kick-ass shows @ the United Center!! Started off with a treat from home; two friends from P-town visited the show and we had a TREAT of a time at the VIP Pre-Show before the concert! First is my friend Greg LeBlanc and his girlfriend Lisa Cowan. Gregg is the National Marketing Director for McCormick & Schmicks and just HAPPENED to be in Chicago on this weekend. Second is Genevieve Fruechtel, Administrative Coordinator at the Office of Senator Gordon Smith and daughter of Tom Fruechtel, President of Leupold & Stevens, Inc. , America's Optics Authority! (and also the family business of my step-father, John Stevens!) www.leupold.com Being on the road and away from friends and family, it sure was nice to get a slice of home! Plus I viewed the show from the Suites (thanks Gregg!) and realized that there's an entire graphics show that I never witnessed from the ground floor...AMAZING! I still am in utter disbelief that I am here, that I am Faith's massage therapist and that this is my life...I am very very lucky!

Thursday July 12th...Grand Rapids, MI...Our Faithful Leader!

Thought this was funny...as I was setting up Tim's band's dressing room, I noticed a large picture of Tim from a few years ago...so I created my own little label! Eye shot for the boys in the band. Our own Tim shrine! Much love...

Tuesday, July 10th & Wednesday, July 11th...Halfway to Hazard & Lance Miller in Auburn Hills, MI

Check 'em out. These boys are gonna be blowing up the charts SOON!
Three words: Fun! Fun! Fun!
www.lancemiller.com
www.halfwaytohazard.com

Monday, July 9th...New Joisey...Relaxation Station

So here's what my spot looks like, at least the entrance to the RELAXATION STATION! I'm now on the tour map for Soul 2 Soul. In each venue, we have brightly color coded maps that guide us to where we need to go. I finally dubbed my spot, laminated my name and put myself on the map! My first priority of course, is massaging Ms. Faith at the end of each show, then I am Alie Amato's Backstage Coordinator Assistant in the morning setting up all of the dressing rooms, then I am allowed to be available to anyone who wishes to sign up for 20 minute massages each afternoon & evening. With 150 of us in the crew, I've had the golden opportunity to work on just about everybody! Catering, audio, lightening, carpenters, production, management, musicians and techs...I must say, I LOVE MY JOB (have I said this before????) and I'm so grateful that I'm afforded this opportunity to be in the presence of some of the best of the best....

Sunday July 8th...Healer Heal THYSELF

People ask me all the time, "Who massages you?" Truth is, as a massage therapist, I do my best to take advantage of my off days with a treatment. I MUST. They say for every 10 massages you give, you should get one. So, this puts me at a few a week. And with my schedule right now, it's just not possible. However, in NYC I not only took advantage of the GRAVITY Spa at our hotel, Le Parker Meridien, but also at the street vendor fair where I got pummeled by a ten minute chair massager. Hey, do whatchugotta do to get my stress relief right?

July 8...A day off in the City: NEW YORK CITY!

Pretty great for our day off to be in NEW YORK CITY! We arrived with the sunshine, driving in from an overnight journey from our nation's Capitol. Even though I was exhausted, I just couldn't bare to close my eyes until I ventured out a wee bit. With my sneakers on, Julie Dove and I cruised through Times Square. I felt as though I was some sort of time warp because at 7 am on a Sunday, the pulse was beatin'! Why were so many people up and about and selling souvenirs? It's SUNDAY for goodness sake. Oh yah. They were probably targeting tourists like me who arrive in on a tour bus and cruise the City at 7 am. Well, regardless, it was cool. New York City is always cool.

Visit my New Friends's Sites

Check 'em out:
Julie Dove
www.juliedove.com

Lance Miller
www.lancemiller.com

Halfway 2 Hazard
www.halfway2hazard.com

Friday July 6th...Bye Lori McKenna!

Tonight was the homecoming for Lori McKenna, a superstar in her own right. Her final show on the Soul 2 Soul II tour wrapped up in Beantown to an amazing audience! Her sweetness is as large as her voice and I am honored to have gotten to know her and her crew for the short time I've been on tour. She has been shining bright as the opening act for Tim and Faith. We're all gonna miss her but continue to support her through her music.
Check out: www.lorimckenna.com.

Jeff McMahon & the Tug McGraw Foundation

As promised, let me introduce to you Jeff McMahon:

Jeff McMahon (“McMahon”) is an Academy of Country Music award-nominated musician in his fourteenth year as keyboardist with the multi-platinum recording artist Tim McGraw and his band, the Dancehall Doctors. Along with Tim and the band, McMahon has just completed the staggeringly successful “Soul2Soul II” tour with Faith Hill, which has broken records nationwide to become one of the top-grossing tours of 2006 and the most successful country tour in history.

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To learn more about Jeff, please check out his site at: www.jeffmcmahononline.com.
In addition to being a fantastic musician, Jeff makes the time an the road to dedicate to his training for the New York City Marathon which he is running in support of the Tug McGraw Foundation.

The mission of the Tug McGraw Foundation is to improve the quality of life for those confronted with brain tumors by raising funds for pioneering research, raising awareness of the disease, and supporting college students who exemplify leadership qualities and the same inspiring “Ya Gotta Believe” spirit that came to be identified with baseball star pitcher Tug McGraw, the Foundation’s founder.

To learn more about the Tug McGraw Foundation and to support the cause by making a donation to Jeff & the Team, please go to: www.tugmcgraw.com .

Let us be thankful for our FREEDOM!

we can rest at night without the sound of gunshots
we have freedoms like no other country on our planet
we have choices
LET US HAVE HOPE
send strength to our soldiers that are dying and fighting for our freedom regardless of our political opinions
be motivated to make a difference

July 1-6th...BEANTOWN/BOSTON

Wowza, I've decided to remain in Boston for our little hiatus from the tour as opposed to traveling back home for a brief stint of time. I made the decision after talking to my sister who reiterated the fact that I'm in a pretty sweet spot right now and I should enjoy it. "Jen, you're in BOSTON at the RITZ. We love you & miss you but we'll see you in 5 weeks...ENJOY IT." So, as I do, I listen to my big sister and really soak it in. This was a significant chunk of time to throw on the walking shoes, hit the City, take care of business back home, get to know some folks on a more one-one-one basis and set up my "shop" at the Hotel. Instead of 20 minute increment massages, I offered the full Mana treatment to some folks on tour. Mobile Mana in Beantown. Love it! I took ONE day completely for a ME day. Did the catch up maintenance stuff: hair done, nails done, massage for myself, napped in the park, laughing with the crew... These days are few and far between! Hung out with my new friend Jeff McMahon-keys for Tim. More on Jeff in my next blog. Fascinating man with a fascinating life and involved in fascinating things. He deserves his own blog and I'm gathering the info to tell his tale. Boston is gorgeous.

YEAR OF THE PIG

My motto:
Year of the PIG
P: passionately, positively, purposefully
I: invested in
G: growing a happy, healthy community

OINK! OINK!

June 30-PHILADELPHIA Freedom!

In addition to having the great honor of being Faith's personal massage therapist, I also have the privilege of learning the ropes of the art of Backstage Coordinating with the wizard of it all, Ms. Alie Amato. When she's not making a home away from home for the stars, she runs the Bradshaw Mountain Wildlife Association which specializes in Wildlife Rescue, Rehabilitation & Education located in AZ. If you would like more info or would like to help out in any way, please contact Alie directly at aliecatamato@aol.com.
Today was a DAY! We hit the ground running getting all the dressing rooms furnished, staged and cozied out for the boys in the bands, the lovely back-up singers and of course, the stars of Soul 2 Soul, Tim & Faith. This normally runs in the morning hours til lunch time. Then in the afternoon I set up my massage gear to work on whomever wishes to sign up for increments of relaxation...thus far I've worked on drummers, guitar players, keyboard players, carpenters, techs, catering crew, audio engineers, tour managers, bus drivers, you name it! This normally leads me straight up til dinner. Then I have an opportunity to jump on email for a bit to attempt to catch up with my real life back in Portland and see how my Mana is going back home.
I am able to enjoy bits and pieces of the show and believe you me, it's quite the show!! I set up for Faith and she's the finale of the evening...and she's absolutely lovely.
Have I mentioned how much fun I'm having? Granted, the days are long and I'm completely exhausted by the time I close my eyes, but I feel right at home and part of the crew. It just feels right.
Today was a 17 hour day. The only thing I had time to take a picture of was the delicious dinner menu. Everyday I'm blown away by our choices. Thank God we are blessed with talented and health conscious masters of the palate!
Oh, and today is Lance Miller's 37th birthday! HAPPY BIRTHDAY LANCE! He was surprised by the crew at the end of the night...he'll be the opening act for Soul 2 Soul beginning in DC on the 7th. Check him out at www.lancemiller.com . Funny as hell and a damn great singer! A long day to be followed by 4 days off in Beantown! YAH! Learn more about Lance: www.lancemiller.com

June 28-29...CLEVELAND ROCKS!

Back in the US of A!!! One day to rest and catch up with the City. Hit the Rock 'n Roll Hall of Fame with some of the fellas in the band and just played!! Feels good to walk the City. I have been here before in my past life as an Internal Auditor. My travels back in Corporate America have allowed me to cross this path, HOWEVER, now it's on MY terms! And I love it! It's my Aunt's birthday back home in P-town so spent several hours catching up with the family telling stories and STILL CAN'T BELIEVE I'M HERE! I am having so damn much fun getting to know the industry and the vibe of the folks who make it happen day in and day out. Check out the entourage...We've got 14 entertainment coaches and 23 trucks in and out of each venue each day. It's an amazing production. Normally I'm the one drinking beer waiting for the act to come on and play for me! Now I'm behind the scenes witnessing the building blocks, hour by hour, play by play.

June 27-Ottowa, Canada

See, it's already happened. I don't remember what happened in Ottowa. Except a damn great show. Moving on...

June 24-26, Toronto, Canada

After the 26 hour busride to Toronto, I've grown to know 2 of my busmates much much better. Julie Dove & Jim Q...well, we organized each and every drawer and cabinent of the bus (my Virgo mom would be SO PROUD!) We watched the GodFather (my sister would be so PROUD!) and caught stories with our beloved Busdriver Marty...quite the journey...if anyone has ever been to Toronto I think you might agree that it's like a New York City but cleaner. We arrived at 1:30 in the morning, tripped around for breakfast at 4 am, did laundry (yes, that is considered an "event") with my new buddies Julie-radio liaison & Autumn-tour manager for opening act Lori McKenna, settled into the Four Seasons (Tim & Faith TREAT US LIKE ROYALTY!) and then hit the Roadies Gone Amuck in our Hotel Lounge. Now, this is a little road tradition put on by some of the crew. An open mic sort-of speak where anyone and everyone is encouraged to socialize, mesmerize, vocalize & harmonize. This happens on our "off nights" where everyone can let their hair down and get to know one another. Well, this particular Sunday night I was just about to head to my divine room for a well-needed rest when who walks in but Tim & Faith & Reba!!! I sat myself back down for a once-in-a lifetime SHOW! Who can miss a rendition of RESPECT by FAITH & REBA?? All I can say is, "AMAZING"! And then, the character from Borat, Azamat Bagatov (Ken Davitian) walked in as well! What a star-speckled night. And to think, it's just a Sunday in Toronto! And only the 4th day of this tour. Have I said it before? I LOVE MY JOB!!!!!!

Life in the Rear View Mirror...

I was warned that this too would happen...too many hours pass, then days, then miles and smiles and pretty soon my stories are blurred and I can't remember which tale to tell. So, in my best attempt to catch up (the story of my life!) I will retrace my steps to end up to today. Sound like a plan? From here on out I will label my Posts by the Day on the Road and the City in which I'm in. I go back to Winnipeg, Canada....follow along.....

Tour Schedule

Figured this might help out for ya'll to follow along...get your map and connect the dots! Let me know if you'll be at a show and I'll meet you there!
July 5 Boston, Massachusetts
July 6 Boston, Massachusetts
Jul 7 Washington, Washington DC
Jul 9 East Rutherford, New Jersey
Jul 11 Detroit, Michigan
Jul 12 Grand Rapids, Michigan
Jul 13 Chicago, Illinois
Jul 14 Chicago, Illinois
Jul 17 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Jul 18 Columbus, Ohio
Jul 20 Greensboro, North Carolina
Jul 21 Atlanta, Georgia
Jul 22 Jacksonville, FL
Jul 24 Sunrise, Florida
Jul 25 Tampa, Florida
Jul 27 Biloxi, Mississippi
Jul 28 Lafayette, Louisiana
Jul 29 Dallas, Texas
Jul 31 Denver, Colorado
Aug 2 San Diego, CA
Aug 3 Phoenix, Arizona
Aug 4 Las Vegas, Nevada
Aug 6 Sacramento, California
Aug 7 Fresno, California
Aug 8 San Jose, California
Aug 10 Anaheim, California
Aug 11 Anaheim, California