Sunday, 22nd May 2011 in US Tour 2011.
Another long drive – this time to St Louis – a new one for us. On the way we hear rumours about tornados and huge hailstorms. In St Louis it is hot and humid and a warm wind tussles the trees. Our hotel is, as usual, out of the main town, so have no idea what St Louis is like. Neil has been asked to do a live recording at KDHX which is about five minutes away, and we drive past some beautifully painted wooden houses with well-kept gardens. The radio station is charming and run by very nice people. They have provided a Roland and Neil brings his Ukulele and a guitar and the interview is relaxed and happy.
Then onto the venue, ‘Off Broadway’, which is in a very different area, but a popular venue. All the time the sky is yellowing and the wind is whipping up. We have no experience of tornadoes, so although it looks bad – we have no idea what will eventually happen to a town close by. Neil goes onto the stage to the usual huge cheer and the set goes by without a hitch.
During the second set we hear hailstones beating down on the tin roof over the dressing room, but the rain lets up by the time the show is over and Neil has signed CDs and said goodbyes, and we get back to the hotel late. Putting the weather channel on we realize something awful is happening along Highway 44 where we are going tomorrow.