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was nice enough to take time from the busy TSO touring
schedule and share his experiences with the fans by leaving
post on his website during the 2001/2002 tours...
Nov. 23, 2001
Well, here we are in Akron. We arrived last night after a
painless flight from La Guardia. We all got together last night
for a great Thanksgiving dinner. It was a really good start to
what should be an amazing tour. In a few minutes we're off to
the venue for soundcheck. We're all really excited to get this
show on the road. It's a beautiful day here in Akron. Since I
do have a good internet connection here at the hotel I'll try to
get back online line tomorrow before we leave to let everyone
know how the show went. Tomorrow night we're in Toledo
then we'll be driving up to Cleveland for four shows. Until
tomorrow have a great day!
***************************************
Nov 27, 2001
Well it's starting to look like the only time I'm getting a chance
to sit here are do From The Road is after the show. It's about
12:10 am and the TSO tour is really starting to gather some
steam. We can all tell because it seemed that the show went
by so fast tonight. It's also starting to become more relaxed.
Tomorrow Mark Wood our main violinist, Alex and Chris and
David Z are going over to the Rock and Roll Museum to give
a clinic to about 100 high school violin students. I'm gonna go
along for the fun of it to check it out. I'll also get in free
because I'll be with the band.. (ha). We're here in Cleveland
until Wednesday then it's on Dayton. Then on the Grand
Rapids, Michigan. I think I heard that we're doing a matinee in
Grand Rapids. That should be really cool. TSO in the
afternoon.
*************************************
Hi everyone. Well, I'm finally making
an entry in the afternoon. It's 1o'clock
and it's raining really hard here in
Cleveland. As long as it's rain it's no
problem. When it turns to snow that
can be a problem. We're checking out
of our room today at 3 then it's into the
buses. The theater is in walking dis-
tance so some of us'll probably walk
over. After the show tonight it's off to
Dayton then Grand Rapids, where
we're doing a matinee. I'm not sure if
the matinee is on Saturday or Sunday.
We won't be back in Cleveland until the
26 of Dec. We're all gonna miss doing
"Cleveland Rocks" as the encore.
me and Daryl are out front singing the chorus and I look over and there's
Steve with his tux jacket off and a pair of sunglasses on.. I lost it. We all
cracked up and even rocked harder.TSO was ROCKIN"! We're really
hitting a groove now. It's almost like we're catching up to where we were
at the end of the tour last year. I guess because it's the same bunch of
people, not a lot of changes that we're able to get off to such a good
start. Hey I'm just glad to be part of this amazing group of people... Last
year was my "I'm just happy to be here tour". This year is my "I'm just
happy to be here tour II".. I might not get to be able to get an internet
connection as easy as I have here in Cleveland, but I'll try my best to get
back on and keep you all informed... be talkin' to ya', joec
****************************************
Dec 3, 2001
Whew! I'm finally able to connect to the internet! We're in St. Louis
now. We pulled in a around 9:30 this morning. Yesterday was an
amazing day in Grand Rapids. We played our first matinee. We started at
2:00 then took a dinner break and went back on at 7:30. Both shows
were sold out. We have a well deserved day off today. I think a few of
us will be going to the movies to see Harry Potter. We're playing
tomorrow night at the Fox Theater. It's supposed to be a beautifully
restored theater. The tour this year is even better than last year. We're all
having a great time, meeting all the fans and being able to talk to a lot of
you after the show. Christmas to me was always the best holiday, but
being part of TSO has brought it up to a new level that I never imagined
possible. I'm really trying my best to get connected to the net whenever
possible but it's been a real challenge. Just trying to get this entry to
FROM THE ROAD I've been disconnected 5 times. But I'll keep trying
and keep connecting as long as I'm out here. One thing that's really been
good is the weather. We haven't hit any snow and we're all keeping out
fingers crossed. Personally I hope it doesn't snow until we get home for
our Christmas break. Then it can snow as long as it wants too. Well I
better log off before I get disconnected again. Hope to see you all when
we get to your town... take care... Joe Cerisano
*******************************************
Dec 8, 2001
Wow, what day is it? It's 10:00am and I'm writing to you from my home
computer. I had a chance to get home for a few hours to visit the family.
So right after the show last night in Philly got into a rented car and drove
over the Jersey state line. Even if it's only for a few hours it's great to be
home for the holidays. Last night's show in Philly was another great one!
( I bet you're all getting tired of me saying that) but it's true! We're
having a blast!. I've been singing for thirty years and I've never
experienced anything like this. It's a dream come true to be part of
something that spans the generations. I look into the audience and see
children, parents and grandparents, longhairs, shorthairs, no hair, suits
and tee-shirts all coming together! And after the show, meeting all of you
is as great as doing the show. Being able to wish so many of you a Merry
Christmas and a Happy Holiday is something very special to me and a
chance of a lifetime. Well, I gotta get off this computer and enjoy my
few hours here at home.
take care.. Joe Cerisano
*******************************************
Dec 10, 2001
Good morning all. We just pulled into Buffalo. It's Monday morning 9
am. The sun is shinning outside my hotel window and we've got a day
off! I've already called home to say good morning to the kids to tell them
that I love them and to have a great day at school. It was about a 6 hour
drive up to Buffalo from Wilkes-Barre Pa where we played last night.
Wow, what a show. It was our second arena show. Everyone was really
excited.The theater shows are more intimate and have their own special
charm but the roar of the audience of an arena show is really something.
Paul O'Neill came by. He's really been busy going from TSO east to
TSO West. He's definately one of the hardest working men in the
business. Chris fell on his butt last night toward the end of the show
while playing his guitar. I didn't see it but I heard about how much his
butt was hurtin' while we were sitting next to each other while signing
autographs. He loves the freedom that his new wireless guitar set up
gives him. It's funny because we all come to the side of the stage just to
see where he's gonna end up when he leaves the stage and goes into the
audience. One thing for sure, Chris insures that our shows are never
boring.
Claus last night! He was on the
autograph line! REALLY! The real
Santa! So Santa if you read this please
sign my Guestbook! You promised
that you would!
We all hope you're all getting ready for
Christmas because it'll be here before
we know it. Get into the Christmas
spirit. Get out to those malls and buy
everyone you know a present !!!! :-)
Make Santa proud!
Until next time, lots of love and Happy
Holidays... Joe Cerisano
Photo by Kris
Dec 11, 2001
Waking up in Buffalo. Looking out the window the sun is shining and it
looks like a great day here in Buffalo. We'll be leaving here at 3:00 for
Shea's Theater where we're playing this evening. Soundcheck is 4 to 6.
Then it's time for dinner and then the show. Tomorrow we're in
Pougkeepsie at the Mid Hudson Civic Center. It's almost 400 miles to
Pougkeepsie so we'll be sleeping the whole way waking up when we
arrive in the morning.
Our show Sunday night in Wilkes-Barre went a little later than usual
because we started a little later so when we were signing autographs it
was cute to see the kids coming up to the table with their sleepy eyes.
Being a parent myself I could tell that most of them would be asleep
before their parents were out of the parking lot. But they were all little
troopers wanting their programs signed. Well it's about that time again to
say so long until I can find another internet connection.
Until next time, lots of love and Happy Holidays.. Joe Cerisano
****************************************
Dec 13, 2001
We pulled into Albany about 3 am this morning. Slept the whole night on
the bus. It's raining and gloomy here today but I ain't complaining. At
least it's not snow!. I'm gonna make this entry really quick because I
keep getting disconnected. We're heading to Boston tonight after the
show and if I recall correctly we're staying at a really nice hotel that has
special internet connections in each room. I'll be able to take my time
and tell you a little more. So long for now. Lots of love and Happy
Holidays... Joe Cerisano
****************************************
Dec 15, 2001
Good morning from Boston. Last night's show was a good one at the
Orpheum Theater. We have another show this evening then it's on to
Wallingford, Connecticut. We'll be playing at Oakdale Music. After the
show last night we all met in the hotel bar downstairs. The band has a lot
of friends here in Boston so it was good to see everyone. Not much
more to say today. So long for now. Lots of love and Happy Holidays...
Joe Cerisano
P.S. I just heard through the grapevine, I don't know how true it is, that
we'll be doing a matinee at 3:00 pm on Dec.26th in Cleveland... hum???
********************************************
Dec 17, 2001
We pulled into Rochester this morning at around 7 am. Our rooms were
ready and we have a well deserved day off. A day off means laundry
day too. It's feels good to be able to catch up a little. Last night's show in
Connecticut was great. It was really a great venue and everyone who
worked there were very friendly. The dinner they made for was great
too!! It's raining here in Rochester today but it's not freezing. In fact, it's
not that cold. We constantly have our satellite TV on in the bus on the
weather channel to keep track of where the winter storms are. We've
really be lucky this year. We've had spring like weather for most of the
tour. We're all keeping our fingers crossed at the weather stay mild. I am
hoping for a little snow on Christmas Eve.
NYC at the Beacon Theater.
Everybody's friends and family
will be there. Then we get to go
home for Christmas Eve and part
of Christmas day. Then it's back
on the bus and on to Cleveland
for the Dec.26 matinee and
evening show.
I just have to say that being part
of TSO is really a rewarding
experience. I feel truly blessed to
be working with so many
talented people. It's something
that I'm proud to have my
children Michael 11 and
Matthew 5 come to see.
child and to able to do something to help keep the magic of Christmas
alive as an adult is more than one can ask for.
I was thinking about it the other day, what a very special privilege it is to
be able to wish everyone I met after the show a very Merry Christmas.
A few of you have even suggested that our hands must get tired from
signing all the autograph. Our hands don't get tired at all. It's a pleasure
to meet you all. It gives my Christmas even more meaning. Well it's time
to say so long again for now. Hope to see you at the show! -Joe Cerisano
****************************************
(This most recent post from Joe is one that will probably touch some of
you (maybe all of you). Joe called me right after he got home from the
Nov. 2000 TSO rehearsal he refers to here. When I heard what he had
to say, I knew that this story of what he experienced that evening would
be something that he eventually would want to share. This years TSO
Tour has been very special to Joe and Trans-Siberian Orchestra. The
upcoming show at Pittsburgh will be a coming home of sorts for Joe
because Pittsburgh is just a short drive of 85 miles from our hometown
of Fairmont, WV. Pittsburgh has always been just a skip and a jump in
going to see the major concert acts for all of us in the North Central part
of West Virginia. The December 29th TSO performance is going to be
an extra special show for Joe. With this show in mind, it's easy for me to
see why the time is now right for him to share this story with all of you,
and all Trans-Siberian Orchestra Fans. -Dave H.)
Dec 22, 2001
Hello from New York, even though I'm really in New Jersey. I came
home after the show last night so I'm writing this from my home
computer. Last night at the Beacon was great and we're gonna try to do
it again tonight! Then it's on to Providence RI then back home again for
Christmas Eve and half of Christmas Day. Then on to Cleveland!
Whew! Never a dull moment.
This part of FROM THE ROAD with TSO is on the more serious side. I
really thought about this a lot before I decided to share this with all of
you. But after talking to some of you after our shows I realized we have
a lot in common and I just had to share this with you so please bare with
me.
On Aug. 2 1993 I lost my little boy Joseph the IV in an auto accident. He
was 6 and a half years old. He was the love of my life, my best friend.
For three solid years I cried every day and I thought the tears would
never end. But, I'm sure for those of you who have lost a loved one you
find that the tears do eventually fade and life does go on even if we
sometimes don't really want it to but it's never the same. It's different
and it always will be. After losing Joe I didn't want to hear about G-d or
spirits or angels or that he was in a better place. The best place for him
to be was with me. I know we all react differently when tragedy hits our
lives. Some seek the shelter of their faith. I rejected it and didn't want to
hear it.
That brings me to why I'm writing this. When I got the call to be part of
last years tour 2000 it was about ten days before opening night. The plan
was to rehearse for a week in New York City then go out to New Jersey
to some empty warehouse to set up the lights and check all the
equipment and do the dress rehearsals. Things were going well. Even
though I only sang Dream Child on the Christmas Attic I was singing
"Ornament and This Christmas Day" on the tour, the songs of a father.
Everything was going fine we'd finished up the rehearsals in NY and I'd
gotten the directions to the warehouse in Hackensack NJ. When I got
into my car to go to the dress rehearsal, I didn't know it but that's when
the dream began. It took about 40 minutes to get to Hackensack. I drove
a few blocks and searched for the address. I went up the street then
turned around to backtrack and finally found where I was supposed to
be. I could also tell by seeing the tour buses, which were being readied
out in the large parking lot. When I pulled up to the building I looked up
and couldn't believe what I was seeing. It said Marshall Warehouse. I got
cold chills and everything instantly became dreamlike. You see, for the
previous six years I had been looking at accident photos. In every one of
those photos was the trailer of the 18 wheeler that killed Joseph. And
written on that trailer was Marshall Warehouse. This was the company
and the warehouse and where the truck that killed my Joseph left from. I
just sat in my car and called my wife Marie. I told her what I was
looking at and what had just happened. I can't tell you what this did to
the both of us. It couldn't have been a coincidence because I was there,
right there. It wasn't a dream. Of all the places to rehearse. I can't explain
it and I won't ever try. But I can tell you this. I do believe in angels now.
I know my Joseph is an angel who is always with me. I don't know how
it all works but he's with me. I have no doubt. I saw Paul O'Neill the
very next day and I told him about what had happened. He just gave me
a big hug. We didn't have to say much. It was something that was way
beyond words or explanation. I just had to share this with all of you who
have lost loved ones. I know there are a lot of you because I've met you
after the show. Our angels are here with us. They are real. Dec 29th is
my Joe's birthday. He would have been 15 years old this year. I want to
dedicate my performance to him at the Pittsburgh show on the Dec 29th.
This might be the last entry of FROM THE ROAD because it's so hard
to connect to the net because of the one nighters. So I'll try to wrap
things up here and say thank you to everyone that's come to all the
shows. I also want to wish you all a very sincere Merry Christmas and a
great 2002. I'll be updating the website when I get home sometime after
the 30th of Dec. G-d Bless you and your loved ones,
Joe Cerisano