Michael in Hollywood at the Grauman's Chinese Theatre . Opened on May 18th,
1927, with the premiere of Cecil B. DeMille's epic "King of Kings," and has been
the site of countless Hollywood events since. It is estimated over four million tourists
visit the theatre every year, perhaps hoping to catch a glimpse of their favorite star
at a premiere - or to see their cement casts in the theatre's forecourt. Clark Gable,
Jimmy Stewart, Rita Hayworth, Cary Grant, Eddie Murphy, the original "Star Trek" crew, and characters from the "Star Wars" films have all left impressions of their feet and hands in cement here.
Michael and Helen photographed at the Getty Center in Los Angeles. The photograph was taken by Paul Smith, an Australian expat. who hosted our visit to the Center. The J. Paul Getty Museum at the Getty Center in Los Angeles houses European paintings, drawings, sculpture, illuminated manuscripts, decorative arts, and European and American photographs.
Our Accommodation in Austin Texas was The Austin Motel - described by the owners as a place where you can slow down and relax. Family owned and operated since 1938, it has 41 unique affordable rooms and a cool 50’s style pool. Located on South Congress Ave., the Austin Motel has the perfect location for shopping, dining, clubbing, and generally enjoying what Austin has to offer. This photo shows the neon sign with the "so close yet so far out" sign.
One of the first artists we saw perform in Austin was Susanna Van Tassell (photographed with Michael at the Broken Spoke dance hall). Susanna Van Tassel earned intial repect within the neo-traditionalist country scene during the early 2000s for both her songwriting and her singing. Originally rooted in California, Van Tassel moved from Santa Rosa to Austin, TX, in 1995 to further her career as a country artist. In Austin she polished her craft, infusing her neo-traditionalist songwriting style with a hearty dose of honky tonk and incorporating occasional old-timey songs into her performances, yet did so without seeming obstensibly retro. Following contributions to compilations such as Pushing the Norton and The Edge of Country, she debuted with a solo album in 2000, The Heart I Wear, and followed with another in 2002, My Little Star.
We photographed Roger Wallace "guesting" during Susanna Van Tassell's gig at the Broken Spoke. His bio describes him as the most acclaimed new country music talent to rise of late out of Austin, Texas and claims he all but defines quality country for the contemporary age.
Jerry Jeff signed record cover at the Broken Spoke
Kinky Friedman collectables at the Broken Spoke
Helen meets a dummy at the Broken Spoke
With new found friends Cliff and Dean at Broken Spoke
Central Texas Bluegrass Association, incorporated in 1978 as a Texas non-profit, tax-exempt corporation, jam in car park at Artz rib house in Austin
Two members of the band the Hollisters with Michael at the Continental Club Austin. The Hollisters were recording a live album that night, but the band broke up before it was released.
Chris Wall and Dale Watson at Egos in Austin. A staunch adherent of old-style honky tonk and Bakersfield country, Dale Watson positioned himself as a tattooed, stubbornly independent outsider who was only interested in recording authentic country music. As a result, he never sold many records, but his music was championed by numerous critics and alternative country fans. Watson was born in Alabama in 1962 but spent his teenage years near Houston, and he grew to think of Texas as his true home state. Chris Wall is a grammy nominated Texas songwriter whose song "Trashy women" was recorded in Australia by Leslie Avril.
Left -- texas two step instructor, member of Dale Watson's band, girl from Sydney, Dale Watson at Egos Austin
Michael with Dale Watson (country music performer) at Egos in Austin
Michael performing with Bob Suffern (one time member of the Dead Livers) in Nashville
Bob Suffern at the pedal steel Nashville
Michael at Atlantic Records, Nashville
Barry Coburn, CEO Atlantic Records Nashville, accepting a Dead Livers CD from Michael
Bob Suffern, Helen, Michael at Atlantic records Nashville
Mary Chapin Carpenter on stage at the Grand Old Opry Nashville for the tribute to Bill Monroe show
Helen outside the Hard Rock Cafe New York
Helen in a coffee store in New York
John Lennon memorial Central Park New York
Michael outside the Dakota building where John Lennon was shot
Helen at frozen pond in Central Park New York
New York skyline
Helen on in the snow on the top of the Empire State Building New York
Helen at the Bay Bridge San Francisco
In the hotel Union Square San Francisco
The corner of Haight and Ashbury San Franciso
On the flower power tour San Francisco -- Janis Joplin lived in this house
With the flower power tour guide in Haight-Ashbury (San Francisco) - Gerry Garcia once lived in this house