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:

"Wow!

What a day! We surprised the crowd with Jon Anderson! He did the night show as well! What a nice guy!

At dinner I was introduced to Tony LaRussa and his wife. They are huge TSO fans and flew in for the show! So I am sitting there with him and discudding the first pitch strike to Carlos Beltran in Game 7 of the National League Championship Series! How cool is that! I can get Cardinal tickets anywhere now! It was so much fun to watch them in the audience. They were singing and smiling it was surreal!

Speaking of Surreal. 'Roundabout'! WOW! It was just fantastic. I had Jon sign my Les Paul. Actually I had Tony sign the back. I also had Greg Hildebrandt sign the back. I figure I will get famous people that come see us to sign the back and the guest musicians to sign the front!

I wore a Westbrook Jersey onstage because McNabb is hurt and my Iverson would not have gotten a real roar! Well...a bad kind!

Signing line was the longest yet. 401. Moved quickly, but it was long.

Brian from the Pirate's Den was in the house. I was happy to see him smiling at the show!

Playing 'Roundabout' was different than the Ian Hunter songs. They were both incredible experiences. I think because 'Roundabout' is more difficult musically you were caught in between the surreal and the reality of concentrating on the parts and the arrangement! I was like 'Holy shit, I am playing 'Roundabout' with Jon Anderson...oh shit, here comes that riff!!!' In Cleveland I was able to relax and just be like, 'Holy Shit. that's Ian Hunter and we are playing 'All The Young Dudes!' Plus we had played Cleveland Rocks at least 30 times live so we knew this song like it was one of ours.

Either way, this is so cool!!!

These two gentlemen were so kind to us and so incredible to work with. Superstars, but so humble and genuine. I will of course never forget the musical experience. The personal experience will also never be forgotten either! Lessons to be learned all around!

I have to thank Paul for making this happen. It was an early Christmas gift to myself, the rest of the band and the fans in Philly!

Sleep is on its way...two again tomorrow!

My brother is coming. Cheese steaks were everwhere on the bus tonite."

Goodnite!

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.