Into the Deep South
April 2022

Atlanta show
Photo © Brad Jeter

Steve in Savannah on a spectral evening
Photo © Jo Hackett

The Washington, Durham and Atlanta shows were terrific, with a fabulous crowd response.

Jo and I then travelled south with our pals Mark and Ian. On visiting the Allman Brothers house, I was given the chance to play the actual guitar used by Duane Allman on the recording of Clapton's Layla. Winding up that evening in Savannah, we were struck by both the beauty and the spookiness of that town which had inspired the story 'Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil'. A ghost walk felt like the perfect thing to do in that extraordinarily atmospheric place which apparently is largely built over a necropolis... We also looked around a house which had belonged to a wealthy slave owning family. The conditions those poor slaves lived under were appalling. Back in Atlanta we'd visited the Museum of Human Rights and were struck by the epic struggle in the fight against segregation.

Following one more drive taking us down to Ponte Vedra, the four of us visited St Augustine, the oldest town in the USA. The whole place has a strong Spanish vibe and style.

All four Florida shows in Ponte Vedra, Orlando, Clearwater and Fort Lauderdale went off like a rocket with fantastically enthusiastic crowds! Every audience so far on this USA tour has been amazing. I think they appreciate our return here as much as we do!

It was lovely to spend both a lunch and an evening beside the sea. The good thing about Florida is to enjoy the outdoors, to feel the heat of the sun and hear the lapping of the waves...

Now we're heading for St Louis. A different vibe altogether and it'll be great to play there again after such a long absence!