Nights like tonight happen with me often, so bear with me...

      I am talking about the aching, the yearning, but at the same time the excitement, the fear, the desperation we all feel when we're driving down that lonely highway, country road, or flashy city street... or when we're lying awake in bed, listening to just the right song at just the right time, and we're stripped to the core with the reality of what's going on in our lives. I don't have a name for this feeling, but I have come to know it very well. It's what drives me. For me, it is an internal connection that continues to remind me of what I was made for and where I am in my life's journey. For me, it's God voice, but only speaking through my internal emotions instead of an actual voice. Why am I writing about this you ask? Because this feeling has been gripping me very tight and very often as of late. I have used it as fuel for the new album, as a focus, if you will.

      I have been hard at work, playing out around LA, writing, digging in, taking steps back, and writing and playing again and again. I have chosen 12-14 songs from a pool of over 40 that I had written for the new album. It was a rough task to narrow them down. Songs are like children, you have to nourish them, love them, and help them grow, and they are constantly changing. So when you have to leave some songs on the threshing floor, it is never easy. I just have to remind myself that they will be ready in time as well as the ones that were chosen for OM&CF... the right time. One song that snuck in at the end of my elimination process (I actually wrote it in the process of weeding out other tunes), entitled "We Own the Night." This song doesn't necessarily attempt to make sense of or tackle the mystery of "the feeling" that I mentioned earlier. It is rather a celebration of that feeling. To me, if you don't have that feeling burn you inside every once in awhile, then you're not truly alive.
    
      I first started noticing this feeling halfway through high school. I would make frequent joy rides with my best friends, of whom I am still so very close with, in my Jeep with the top down around the Ohio Valley and surrounding tri-state. I'll never forget the freedom of slicing through the summer evening air while listening to bands that continually shape and influence my sound and writing today. It's amazing to me that 5 years later, I am experiencing that same feeling, and amplified. Only this time I am driving through LA, in newer Jeep, with the stakes a little higher. It's quite a metaphor if you think about it. I am a newer me, a slightly older me, with more life lessons learned, and more experiences under my belt. However, it's the joy of not knowing what I don't know yet, the yearning of continuing to become the person I hope to be, and the promises to myself to never give up on becoming and doing everything I've ever dreamed of.

     That's what my new album, Open Minds & Closed Fists is all about. This collection of songs encompasses an incredible transistional period of my life - A raw, yet enchanting time of learning, hoping, living, and loving. I can't wait until it reaches your ears.

     One of my best friends, J.W. Johnson, with whom I have shared and will continually share some of the best times of my life with, has started a really great blog that discusses the topic on hand tonight. Please check it out and visit often. He has a lot of great things to say. Here's the link... www.lifeinthree.wordpress.com .

Stay tuned for more blogging soon...

Goodnight,
Dom

Hello world,
    How are we doing? It's another beautiful day in LA. People keep telling me that phrase will eventually leave my vocabulary due to the high volume of beautiful days during the year here. I hope that's not true. No matter how many fall in line together over whatever period of time, I never want to stop appreciating it-looking at it with new eyes every time. Life here is different from back home for sure. Some aspects much better, some that just can't be replicated, some that don't even come close to that home-grown goodness. Whatever it may be, it's a change much needed for me at this point in my life. I am definitely feeling the weight of missing family and friends, but that has just been a constant inspiration for my writing.

     I know a little while back I promised to let you in on the new demos for my next album. Don't worry, I haven't forgotten. New songs are just around the corner, as I am finalizing the recordings, so you can at least bear to listen to them. I have also been hard at work putting a band together out here since BC is finishing up at Berklee, and Anthony is finishing his next full-length solo album. As of yesterday the LA band is assembled and ready, so stay tune for a show near you soon!

     So, I am a little behind on the times in TV world. I have seen one or two episodes of LOST here or there, and have loved it. However, I am a busy man and barely sit down and watch TV. So, I am determined over the next couple of weeks (or months, however long it takes) to catch up on all past seasons, starting right from season 1, episode 1. In light of my recent task, I have supplied you with my "LOST Top 20." This is a list I compiled of 20 albums I could not be without if I were stranded on an island. I know, I know, why not a top ten? Am I that much of a wimp that I can't narrow it down to 10? Well, I mentioned before that I am a busy man. I am also a cup-half-full kind of man, so I am just going to assume 20 albums survived the crash (they were stored in my black box...aka..iPod...come on people it is more than likely).

Stay safe,
Dom


LOST TOP 20 (no particular order...iPod's on shuffle...I am trying my best to avoid duplicate artists, or else 1/4 of this list would be devoted entirely to The Police)
1. Sting - Soul Cages
2. Jimmy Eat World - Clarity
3. John Mayer - Continuum
4. Pete Yorn - musicforthemorningafter
5. Death Cab for Cutie - Plans
6. B.E. Taylor - Try Love
7. The Police - Reggatta De Blanc
8. Longwave - Secrets Are Sinister
9. Switchfoot - Nothing Is Sound
10. Copeland - Beneath Medicine Tree
11. The Boxer Rebellion - Exits
12. The Police - Certifiable
13. Coldplay - Parachutes
14. Death Cab for Cutie - Transatlanticism
15. U2 - How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb
16. Jimmy Eat World - Futures
17. John Mayer - Heavier Things
18. Jon Foreman - Fall
19. Fiction Plane - Left Side of the Brain
20. Lovedrug - Pretend You're Alive

So now I am safe and sound in LA. Adam flew back to Ohio...for now (he is convinced he wants to come out here himself now...of course, I can't blame him). The trip, I must say, was life changing. I saw some of the most breathtaking sights I'd ever seen, eaten some of the best food my taste buds had ever touched (except for your cooking, Mom), and met some of the most amazing people I've ever met. My new friends Fernando, Mike, Anderson, Joe, and Uriel took me around Hollywood to get me acquianted right away. Many thanks to those guys. I also owe a shot out to Aubrey and Sandra who put up with Adam and I cheering the Steelers towards that big Super Bowl win while they watched the Cards fall like good sports. I could go on and on about the trip, but I figured I'd sum it all up via photo gallery.

Enjoy, and thanks again for riding along with us...See you soon,

Dom

I HAVE ARRIVED!
After a long week of driving, and driving...and driving, I have reached my destination: Los Angeles. Adam and I have been cruising the streets of Hollywood for the past two days, checking out the hot spots and hanging with some really incredible people. I figured the best way to share the experiences with you is via photo gallery, which will be uploaded in full within the next 1-2 days to the site. Please check back for some incredible shots!

FOR NOW HERE IS THIS.

Click here for th VLOG of the Grand Canyon! Enjoy!

more coming soon!

pics to come soon!

Hello once again,
I sincerely apologize for the delay. Adam and I have been incredibly busy trying to get some killer photos, food, and unique experiences in order to give you the best report. As I am sure you know, Vegas is a 24 hour a day city, so there is much to be done all the time.
We first stayed at the Fiesta Henderson in Henderson, NV, right outside of Vegas to see how life was right outside the crazy city. For the most part, it was a very relaxed atmosphere. All of the staff at Fiesta was incredibly friendly. The facility had about 5 restaurants inside, as well as a 12-screen theater added to the casino. One of those “restaurants” was a Fatburger. I have never been to a Fatburger before. The rest I’m afraid, is history.

Adam and I, starving from a one meal to 8 hour driving ratio decided a nice, greasy American burger would solve the hunger issue. So we each had a Fatburger with everything (cheese, egg, bacon, chili)…oh, and with fries too (which I NEVER EAT!). Needless to say, the meal hit the spot. This is where the story should end….but ladies and gentlemen meet my stomach…

After chatting with the very nice Eli (head cook) and Menuca (server/waitress), I was convinced, 10 minutes after my first meal that I was so hungry I could take their Triple King Challenge. I don’t know what came over me. Maybe it was because my East Coast birthday had hit (we just entered Pacific Time, my birthday, Jan. 29th, had commenced in Ohio). Anyways, the next thing I know, Eli had whipped up a Triple King and sat it in front of me. It was massive. Three 1/4 pound burgers (it looked like) with egg, bacon, chili, and cheese. Holy Cow! Needless to say I didn’t actually finish the whole thing, but everyone at Fatburger was so nice they gave me a picture and certificate anyway.

So after the pigout at Fiesta Henderson, Adam and I headed straight into the heart of Vegas, staying the next night at the Mirage. I was definitely stunned by the visual euphoria that is Vegas at night. However, I had reaffirmed that I am not a high roller, and I am not fit for the typical Vegas highlife. I only lost money, and was happy to get out of town before the arms of sin city sucked me in. One great thing we experienced, besides a nice hotel suite at The Mirage, was a fantastic sushi joint named The Social House. Our very sincere and accommodating waitress, Adin, hooked us up with a great view of the Treasure Island Pirate Show. A special thanks goes out to Adin and her willingness to make us feel at home. Before Adam and I hit the desert trail the next day, we continued our sushi kick and stopped at Sushi Mon, an all-you-can-eat Sushi bar that is unbelievable good!

Right now Adam and I are taking in the LA life…we will upload the latest ASAP.


From Santa Monica,
Dom

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Hello All,
As many of you know, today was Adam and I's day to check out the Grand Canyon. We headed out of Flagstaff at about 9:30AM local time and planned on taking Interstate 40 (the quick route) to the Canyon with no stops. Our plans were fortunately changed at about 9:45AM when we stopped at an Italian Bistro called Dominic's. We planned on getting a few cliche pictures of me standing in front of the sign and then instantly getting back on the road. However, to our right was a little place called the Late for the Train Coffe Shop, awarded Flagstaff's best for the past 5 years or so.
We thought a nice morning coffee couldn't hurt, so we stopped in....OUR MINDS WERE BLOWN! Adam and I had the best coffee our tastebuds have ever encountered, not to mention some incredible breakfast burritos thrown into the mix. We want to send a special thanks out to Katie at the Late for the Train Coffee Shop for the great service, and the advice to take a different route to the Grand Canyon. Adam and I ended up taking SR 180 instead of I-40, which enabled us to see this:

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And here is what we waited a looooong time for. I can't even put into words how breathtaking the view is:

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Jan. 28th - Day 4
Places of Note Visited:
Dominic's Italian Bistro - Flagstaff, AZ
Late for the Train Coffee Shop - Flagstaff, AZ
San Fransisco Peaks - Flagstaff, AZ
The Grand Canyon, AZ



SOUNDTRACK:
Arizona: JIMMY EAT WORLD DAY!
Jimmy Eat World - entire discography

Nevada:
Longwave - Secrets Are Sinister

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Jan. 27th/ DAY 3:
Hey guys & gals,
Today was by far the best day of the trip. Though Adam and I were skeptical because there was still a very wintry mix on the ground when we left Amarillo, and we were stupid tired. However, the clouds parted, the real Texas we all know and love shone through, and we saw some incredible sights. We also learned that Glenrio, TX might have existed at one point, but not anymore. So if you decide you need to stop in Texas before crossing into New Mexico...don't...you may die...here's my proof:
     Killer sights, killer food, and killer times were had today in NM. Adam and I, against all common sense and instincts, stopped at an Indian Food/Carry Out Truck Stop in San Jon. The incredibly suspicious look of the store combined with the audacious idea of eating "authentic" Indian food at a truck stop in a state renown for it's Southwestern food tells you enough about where this story is headed...or does it?      I'm not going to lie, Adam and I totally wimped out on getting the food. We ordered some chicken burritos instead. We thought we were off the hook until a very insistent non-English-speaking Indian man convinced us to include two servings of what sounded like it was called "moosa" (not sure if that's how you spell it). At the time is looked like a cone-shaped mystery dumpling. He included a small container of dark sauce to dip the moosa in. Adam and I were as excited as we were fightened to try the new dish. We knew if it were in any way bad to our digestive system, our day was ruined.
     After one bite Adam and I were hooked. It was incredible. The friend cones were filled with a mashed potato-like food, which was combined with spices, vegtables, and spinach. The General Tso-like  sauce only added to the dish's amazingness. We were off to a great start.
     As we neared Albuquerque, the sights just became more and more mountainous, and more and more gorgeous. We had a late lunch at Garduno's, which was the best, most authentic Mexican restaurant I've visited. The food was only outdone by the orange sunset against the mountains. There was even the perfect backdrop of a Santa Fe line train passing through the canyons.
     Speaking of canyons, we are headed to the Grand one tomorrow. For now, Flagstaff, AZ is our home.

Places of Note Visited:
Ghost Town Glenrio (named by myself) - Glenrio, TX
Unknown Indian Food Truck Stop (also named by myself) - San Jon, NM
Route 66 Auto Museum - Santa Rosa, NM
The Blue Hole Natural Spring - Santa Rosa, NM
Garduno's Mexican Restaurant - Albuquerque, NM
"Standing At the Corner"- Winslow, AZ
Soundtrack:
Texas:
Steppenwolf - Born to Be Wild
Brad Paisley - Play: The Guitar Album
Kings Of Leon - Only By the Night
Jon McLaughlin - Indiana

New Mexico:
Anberlin - New Surrender
As Tall As Lions - As Tall As Lions
Copeland - In Motion
John Legend - Evolver, Once Again
Switchfoot - Nothing Is Sound
      namely "Setting Sun" during the sunset
Alexi Murdoch - "Orange Sky" also during sunset

Arizona:
Eagles - "Take It Easy" during Winslow, AZ
Switchfoot - Stars
Sleeping At Last - Keep No Score

OK... so Adam and I, after 16 stressful hours of driving through hazardous conditions, have finally reached our goal destination for the day: Amarillo, Texas. Unfortunately, if there was anything other than Whadaburger (which may have been the best fast-food experience I've ever had) to experience in the northern panhandle of Texas we wouldn't know. We were too bogged down by slush and snow to see anything. We are beat, and still have an 8 hour day of driving tomorrow to make it to our desired Flagstaff, AZ.

Here's an update of the soundtrack:
Kansas
Kansas - Carry On My Wayward Son

Oklahoma (cont..)
Eagles - Long Road Out of Eden
Joseph Arthur - Redemption's Son, Our Shadows Will Remain
finished Summer Heights High

Texas
Paramore -  Riot!

Good night world...We hope a more athstetic day lies ahead tomorrow

Here's three pics to sum up today:

So yeah...Adam and I are stuck in a major ice storm in the middle of Oklahoma, where apparently the ice (not wind) comes sweeping down the plain. We are trapped at McDonald's and are trying are best to not order anything that will give us an instant heart attack. Here are the places to note that we've visited thus far today:

Clanton's Cafe - Vinita, OK
Adam's sweet rat tail

Soundtrack thus far:
Missouri:
Coldplay - Prospekt's March
John Mayer - Where the Light Is
Lincoln Brewster - Today is the Day

Oklahoma:
Joe Bonamassa - Blues Deluxe
Band of Horses - Cease to Begin
The Almost - Southern Weather
The Manchester Orchestra - I'm Like A Virgin Losing A Child

I'll keep you updated..we'l have some pictures soon too. Here's a video blog.
Stay Safe,
Dom