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:

"OK...the first chink of shows are done and in the book!

I am frickin' exhausted. I do feel good. I am keeping very healthy on this tour. Not one drop of alcohol. Just feel like it.

I woke up at about 11AM. We stumbled into Toledo really late and I barely remember waking up from the bus and going to my hotel room. By the time I showered it was time to get to the venue. I had some soup and went to the bus to check my internet stuff and try to relax. Of course there was still so much to do. Then soundcheck. Things were running late. They never had time to aim the laser mirrors. The ceiling was really low in this place so we could not use any pyro that shot up.

The first show was very good. The frickin' snow did not work until the last minute of 'First Snow'. I forgot to introduce Dave Z!!! That has not happened since the first show we ever had with Tim Cain. I actually introduced him a few songs later! We only had 90 minutes between show #1 and show #2. Som I had no time to eat. I just showered again and drank a protein shake. I had to get another tux out 'cuz mine was still wet!

Show #2 was up and running. The snow worked. It did drop a few huge chunks! I remembered Dave but screwed up the set list. We changed things around a bit for show #1. I had trouble seeing my list in the fog. Not good if you introduce the songs! So...I introduced 'A Last Illusion' when I was supposed to introduce 'Wizards'. It was actually a good mistake because we are keeping the set like it was for my mistake! I could not see my list and just spaced!

The crowds were great. The venue is a bit odd shaped, very long sideways with a huge aluminum bleacher in the back. This made for a good thunder-like encore noise! Both crowds were great!

The signing line was not too bad. My last # was 149. So, WV won for the week as the longest. None of the venues yet had a capacity of over 6,000 so I am sure we will see a few lines of 500 or more!

I did get my Tony Paco's hot dogs tonite! We should be in Indy in 4 hours. I am excited for 2 days off. I have to send out a bunch of signed CD's and then it is all about rest. Mixed with business! I have not decided excatly what to give away for the line prize. I may just have something each night and pick a number before we start. I dunno!?

I definitely lost the pool. Oliva was no help but it was not his fault, It was a weird week in the NFL! The Bears? The 49ers?

YIKES!

I am off to the wonderful world of My Space and email!"

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.