Picture by Mitch Lafon

As previously reported, TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA guitarist Chris Caffery (SAVATAGE) is keeping a tour diary for the duration of the east coast company's North American tour. He has issued the following update:

"On our way to Detroit now!!!

Cinnci was amazing! Great crowd! Line was a kind 211!!

Back to where was I!!!

Columbus days off were very calm. Monday I woke up pretty late in the afternoon, I met Stevie for a little lunch. I then headed to find some envelopes to mail out CD orders. That was about it! I returned to my room and slept! I caught up on My Space friend requests which are completely out of control! About 100 a day!

Tuesday I slept and slept again! I woke up late also. James and I were going to get lunch, this wound up being at like 4:30!!! I was being picked up by one of my childhood best friends for dinner at his sister's house. Brad Smith and his family. I have known them since I was 5! His Mom and Dad were there. Both of his sisters and their families. It was a great time. Lots of amazing food. We all caught up on so many parts of all of our lives. They were all coming to the show the next day.

Show day in Columbus I slept in late once again. I have been so tired on this tour. I think it is a combination of things. Mainly my concussions and the schedule. I am not complaining because it has been so much fun and the tired is a good tired. My knee is getting better each day. I feel fine. Just run down. I seriously think the blow to my head from the log was a bit worse than the actual stab wound! I have had five major concussions and they are all catching up I think! No matter what I would never let it curb my stage performance. People work so hard for their ticket money and I want to make sure they get every dime's worth. I remember how difficult it was for my parents to even buy me new clothes when I was growing up. This was with both of them working full time. So, I kinda imagine that every ticket is a pair of sneakers...every person is me as a kid. Every ticket could be something that is that precious to each person in the audience. I have played shows with broken ribs. This was Savatage on the Magellan tour. I did a Butcher show with a broken hand. I did half a TSO tour with a broken foot. This tour it has been my head and my knee. I think it keeps me out of trouble in some ways!

The Columbus show itself was another fantastic one. Seriously one of the top three loudest crowds. Over 13,000 this time around! The OH-IO chants were starting even before we hit the stage! I had my Ohio State Jersey on below my Blue Jackets one. The crowd went nuts! The Smith's gave me an Ohio State hat as well. I can't remember if I mentioned what I did in Cleveland, but the Ohio State jersey was the last one I pulled out there too. It seemed to work well.

Jon Oliva was there again. His wife Kathy finally got to see a TSO East show. She loved it. I was happy. Jon picked my football pool picks. I won the game tonite so I am off to a good start!

After the show we had a meet and greet with the smith's and Kathy's family. Then we headed to the line.

266 I think I siad it was...it is all getting confusing to me because I am writing a day or so behind.

At least I am trying!!!

I will hope to write the Cinnci story in my hotel room tomorrow before we leave for the venue!"

Goodnight!

C

To view all TSO 2006 tour dates - east and west coast touring companies - go to this location. Links for ticket purchases can be found at the same location.