But it was the pitchforks that brought me here.  I was providing the background music for the Pitchfork Steak Fondue for six nights during my “Blame It On Where I Grew Up” tour. On this first night, I sang what I thought might be the crowd’s favorite country songs, along with a couple of my originals that, hopefully, will also become their favorites.  More than 1,100 people chatted like old friends in line as they inched closer to the steak, skewered on a pitchfork

The Gull Lake Motel owner had texted me earlier, telling me the door was open and the key was inside.  And that’s where I found it.  The comfy and cute, rustic motel room in this Minnesota lakes area was my home for the second night of my “Blame It On Where I Grew Up” summer tour.    A quick outfit change, then I was off to Quarterdeck Resort, where I found the perfect outdoor stage:  plenty of room, lights, electrical outlets close by, and I could park and unload right behi

I hoisted my suitcase into the backseat of Brownie (my car that has 180,000+ miles on the engine - a sure sign of a touring musician), closed the door and headed out for the 4 1/2-hour drive to the first show in my "Blame It On Where I Grew Up" tour.