Today I was chatting with one of my store managers about music and culture and touring. We talked a bit about my past touring history and he soon asked me which (U.S.) cities were my favorite to visit. Some of my choices were obvious and some I really had to think about… Here’s what I came up with. (Excluding my obvious favorite, Minneapolis.)
Top 10 Favorite U.S. Cities:
10. Charlotte, NC - The first time Sing It Loud played in Charlotte I absolutely hated it. Every time we were near the area we would stay at Pat Brown’s adorably accommodating relative’s house. Turns out I did a lot of growing up at that house and in that town- I started to fall in love with it. (Also, Sing It Loud’s fan base became pretty great there!)
9. Tampa, FL - To be honest, Florida was one state that I always (and still) dreaded going to. Why is it so humid!? But the friends I’ve met there are irreplaceable, life-long friends. Every person I had a relationship with from Tampa I still consider one of my good friend to this day.
8. Burlington, VT - I’ve only been to Burlington once. I was 18 years old and I thought it was the most beautiful place I’ve ever seen in my life. I hope to go back soon.
7. Nashville, TN - The people, the drinks, the food, the people and the drinks.
6. San Francisco, CA - San Fran is one of the most beautiful cities in America, but there is a feeling and an atmosphere that totally envelop you when you’re there. Just ask my good buddy Aaron Knickerbocker!!!!!!!
5. Portland, OR - I can’t really explain it, you just have to go there to understand. It’s absolutely gorgeous and I’ve never met a more friendly and unique people as I have in Portland. It’s like a liberal Minneapolis… on the ocean.
4. Boston, MA - Being a Midwesterner, I’ve always had an infatuation with the New England lifestyle. Perhaps we can call it, “Coastal Envy”. There was always something so much cooler and interesting about Boston than other cities; like the popular, preppy kid in high school (not the asshole; the one everyone actually liked). Boston is very much that kid and they are proud of it. There is an unmistakable vibe in Boston. It makes you feel alive.
3. Austin, TX - More crazy things have happened to me in this city than I care to recall, but I can tell you I have experienced the entire spectrum of human emotion inside the Austin city limits(pun intended), and I wouldn’t have had it any other way. Cheesecake, whiskey and ribs - ‘nough said.
2. Milwaukee, WI - There is honestly no other city like Milwaukee, insanely unique and incredibly warm and welcoming. The people and sooo indescribably friendly and the landscape is so freaking weird…. One minute your playing a huge and incredible show at an old brick a mortar building intended to be a U.S. Nazi headquarters, the next walking by the hotel where Jeffrey Dahmer raped and murder one of his first victims, then the hood, then past a prestigious university, then the hood, the a beautiful city situated on lake Michigan. Ridiculous; I love it.
Which leaves us with number one…
1. Seattle, WA - Seattle is in a league of her own. Seattle is like your first love. You’ll never forget the way she made you feel. She will be forever on a pedestal. You will compare every other relationship to her and every time you see her you’ve fall in love all over again.
(Runners up: Ashville, NC, Madison, WI, Buffalo, NY, Chiacgo, IL, Iowa City, IA, Dallas, TX, Philadelphia, PA, Cleveland, OH, Detroit, MI, Baltimore, MD)
