Jeremy Porter Road Blog

Road Blog: Tuesday May 13, 2025 - Fredonia, NY

Road Blog
May 13, 2025
Fredonia, New York

My Tuesday was spent at the BnB working in the library, drinking coffee, getting caught up on communications around the next shows, lodging, and future plans, and a little rest before the show. I had every intention of getting out for a run, but the day got away from me, and it’s been so fast-paced and non-stop for the last several days that I just took advantage of a little downtime.

Around 5PM I left Buffalo and headed back southwest towards Fredonia, about an hour’s drive. It was a steady sprinkle of rain, the first I’ve seen since Michigan, and some annoying construction, but the trip was relatively uneventful. Fredonia is a village that has a music school ( Fredonia School of Music ) and a football team called the Hillbillies. It’s a small, Main Street USA town with a couple restaurants and a Walmart on the outskirts and seems like a quiet place to raise a family, but you’re just an hour out of Buffalo if you want to go a concert or a football game. My first stop was at Rhythm & Grooves Record Store (can't tag), where I met Sage, the owner, and picked up a copy of Rainbow – Long Live Rock and Roll, which has been on my list forever. They’re now carrying my GTG Records solo album Dynamite Alley and The Tucos’ last album Candy Coated Cannonball, so stop on in and get your copy! Thanks Sage! Xx

From there I drove around the corner and parked in front of Downtown Brew. Inside was my pal Scott and his girlfriend/DB’s owner Janet. I’ve known Scott as the singer from ALL, and we talked about how I saw them back in the day in Detroit. He has memories of those shows and it was fun to revisit. He’s a rock and roll lifer and we have a lot in common, so we get along great. Janet is his calming force, providing some structure and organization, but she’s a rocker too, and super fun and supportive of live music. They are awesome people.

I set up and did a quick soundcheck and ran across the street to Mrs. Fred's where I scarfed down a couple awesome tacos (Taco Tuesday, ya know) and a bowl of their amazing chicken and sausage soup. The waitress was wondering what a fella like me was doing in a joint like that and she raised an eyebrow and nodded reluctantly when I told her. She was lovely, and just salty enough to make the dining experience authentic. I wouldn’t have it any other way. Don’t ever stop being you, darlin’.

I went on shorty after 8pm to a decent sized crowd and played for about an hour. I fumbled a few lyrics, nothing new there, but otherwise played ok, and people seemed to dig it. I got some compliments on a couple of the new ones, and some indifference to the quieter stuff, but that happens. We endeavor to persevere. After my set, Eric Weinholtz (can't tag) and Ed Croft went on and played an hour of great blues/country/old-timey tunes that had the crowd going. Fantastic picking and great chemistry up there. These guys were a late add to the bill, and I was glad they were able to do it. I can say with relative certainty that we haven’t seen the last of each other.

Merch sales were good and we had one last toast and some hugs and it was load-out and back to Buffalo. I called TrooperGirl22 to get me through the drive and we talked for most of the trip. She was in a bad way on the count of some shitty Szechuan take-away she got after she got her hair did, that she’s been thinking about for a few days now. The struggle is real in suburban Detroit too, I guess. She’s holding her own, and had to remind me twice what day of the week it was.

Huge thanks to Scott and Janet and Eric and Ed for a great night at Downtown Brews. Tuesday nights are a crap shoot, and this one was a winner for sure. I had a blast and made some new friends, and there’s not much better than that.

This morning I’m inhaling some yogurt and granola, grabbing a quick shower, posting the blog, and heading east, were I’m playing Silhouette Lounge in Allston, Mass (near Boston) tonight with The Big Lonesome and Manuverse. Doors at 8, music at 8:30, come on out – my last show in Boston was a total drag so let’s get it right!!! Xx