And I bid you goodnight...
Well, campers, the day has come. Regular readers of this blog might be a little less surprised about this particular piece of news, but I'm pretty surprised to be writing it. I've been writing it in my head for a few weeks now, but now that I'm sitting here, I don't really know how to put it.
I joined this band at the age of 24 to accomplish a few objectives. I was barely a year out of college and was already tired of washing dishes and rolling burritos for a living, so I prayed for a gig. I met John Skehan within a week, and the rest is history. What I wanted then was to get out of the kitchen and play professionally (with my college educated hands), to travel, and to learn about the music business. Check, check, and check. I never intended to be a touring musician for the rest of my life, and have proceeded to plan my life with my wife and our son and our dogs accordingly. We played Red Rocks a couple of months ago. Icing on the cake.
About a year and a half ago (as regular readers know), the flame of my creativity began lighting a different path than the one that I was on with RRE. I'd always been pretty good with computers. I only recently realized that the main reason that I like recording and production so much was mainly because it involves using and being good with computers. It took an iPhone to spark the idea that I should take matters into my own hands and start learning how to program myself. So, for the last 18 months, that's what I've been doing. I'm not quite to the point that I'm ready to make a living with it, but God has taken care of me and me family so far, so I have to place my trust in him now.
I had a medium-range plan that had me exiting RRE at the end of next year - 2010 - and dovetailing my present and future careers together the best I could in the meantime. Then a record deal came along. I'm a lawyer's son, so when it became apparent that this deal was probably going to actually happen, it kinda screwed up my plan. I couldn't sign a piece of paper committing myself to RRE and touring for the next 3 or 4 years when I knew good and well that I didn't have it in me. That's when I knew I had to tell my bandmates what was going on with me. Needless to say, they were probably a little surprised themselves. I gave them until the end of next May, but they've rightly decided that since a new record needs to be written, and we won't be on the road while that's happening, it's probably best to just go ahead and call it.
I'm not sure what the future holds, but I've got a few ideas. I know how much RRE means to many of you, and many of you probably think I've gone off my rocker reading this, but I have to ask you to trust me. RRE has meant a lot to me, too. I'm lucky to be able to say goodbye to a few of my favorite cities in America - Denver, San Francisco, and Portland - before hanging up my cables after the New Year. RRE is an unbelievably good band, and I have no doubt that they'll pick a worthy successor for me. At the very least they won't have to talk some kid into sleeping on hotel floors for weeks on end anymore.
To my bandmates I want to extend my deepest thanks for the opportunity to do exactly what I always dreamed of doing for the last 7 years, and to play the best music I'll probably ever play. To Mikey and J Ro and Phil and Stacy and Alex and especially Gayle I want to say thanks for working way harder than I ever did to make sure that RRE not only had people at the show but that they were lavished in the most inviting atmosphere possible, even at the Nick in Birmingham. To Brian I want to say thanks for talking me into such a ridiculous situation in the first place and for everything that you've done for RRE. And lastly to all the strangers who have become fans who have become friends, I will miss the hell out of y'all, but I won't be too hard to find either. I have an entire industry to try and save now, for the benefit of musicians and music lovers alike, and I'll need all the help and support I can get.
Thanks for the ride, and I'll leave you with a little Gillian Welch...
EDIT : I'm going to be checking in here frequently over the next several weeks as this process unfolds. I had a thought during last night's show that it'd probably be very helpful to me and informative for you if I use this blog as a tool to try and explain to you just what I'm so fired up about that I'd quit a fantastic band to go do it. Please stop back by. Later...
Comments
Best of luck to you in the
Best of luck to you in the future. I have greatly enjoyed listening to your playing.
Damn. You've made it clear
Damn. You've made it clear that this was coming, but it still makes me very sad to read it. I've enjoyed so much watching you up there rocking your bass. I hope to continue chatting on Twitter and computers and other nonsense. Best wishes with the expanding family and all your future endeavors.
Wow, life is full of
Wow, life is full of curveballs. Johnny, it's been a privelige and a pleasure to see and hear you perform everywhere from the Nick to Red Rocks and especially here back home at the Variety Playhouse. I'm proud to call you a friend and sure hope our paths will cross many times in the future. Best of luck in the future!!!Bill & Sue
This is extremely sad to see.
This is extremely sad to see. I have learned so much from you as far as twitter goes with music. Thank you so much, I have improved the fanbase of the Mclovins by using twitter, and that was all from your tips and they way you use it. Your playing, just AMAZED me. I never thought of a Railroad Earth without you, and am really sad to see that occur. You brought so much happiness to me and the rest of the hobo community. Thankyou so much. I hope to still keep in contact some how, and wish you the best of luck.Tyler
You gotta do what you gotta
You gotta do what you gotta do man, and I can't say I'd want to sleep on hotel room floors that much either. ;-) Good luck to you Grubb!
Funny, I never thought I was
Funny, I never thought I was that good at the Twitter thing. Now, @stringdusters, on the other hand - those guys get it.
Club Grubb to be no more?
Club Grubb to be no more? Say it ain't so, Johnny! I'm just messing with you - you've given us all a lot to be thankful for these past few+ years. You're a talented and smart guy and we're all better people for having been given the opportunity to spend some time with you on a musical and personal level. Hopefully our paths will cross again, and I wish you, your wife, your son, and your dogs all the best. You get to reconnect with your family, man...that's good stuff!Keep movin' on.....
damn Grubb. im going to miss
damn Grubb. im going to miss the shit out of you bro. I love you guys sooo much. Thanks for everything youve done and your awesome energy. It was a pleasure to see you play man. Keep up the awesome vibes and smile you always rocked. Everytime i go see these guys from now on yelling TURN UP THE GRUBBB!!!
Wow, bummer! I'll miss
Wow, bummer! I'll miss hanging with you buddy. Let's do it right for SF and PDX. Good luck to you on your new endeavors.
Hey Grubb:Thanks for all the
Hey Grubb:Thanks for all the great moments in Houston and elsewhere. You brought it every time I saw RRE and earned our respect and friendship. That will never change. I know you'll kick ass at whatever you do. Hope to see you in the crowd some day.Love,Alan FriedmanTapir Productions
I still remember the first
I still remember the first show in which I saw you, your 2nd. Murray's. Seems like yesterday. God Speed my friend.....j
Wow Johnny - this is a
Wow Johnny - this is a shocker indeed. Although I have followed your blog, and I have seen you getting into computers, I didn't see this coming. I will sure miss seeing you on the road. The Gilbert family holds nothing but the highest esteem for you both as a musician and a person! You have our best wishes for success in everything you do! Please keep in touch, I know our paths will cross again.
Wow. Best of luck to you.
Wow. Best of luck to you. Thank you for all the magical moments. I hope we'll still be seeing you around.
Here's hoping all that you
Here's hoping all that you envision comes to fruition for you and your family. And now that you won't be on the road all the time don't be such a stranger ; )
> It took an iPhone to spark
> It took an iPhone to spark the idea Another reason to hate the iphone ;-pI already said this on fb but we love you & will miss you. Things just won't be the same. Here's to you new life & future - Cheers!Greg Yost
Good luck man! Great to see
Good luck man! Great to see you again in Asheville! Keep in touch!Patrickplewis6@hotmail.com
Moonshiner,I'm so sad you are
Moonshiner,I'm so sad you are leaving the band, but happy you are continuing your own journey. I have appreciated that you are so approachable and that you have spent a great deal of time with this community. We'll miss you.
All the love and support for
All the love and support for you in your future endeavors, Johnny. Good for you for following your dreams. You will be missed!
Johnny, you were the new guy!
Johnny, you were the new guy! But you were good and won me over immediately. You are in one of the best bands ever. That will always be a fact. Good luck and hope paths cross in the future-Jim "The Beam" Anderson
aw schucks :( ill miss you
aw schucks :( ill miss you deb
Gotta follow your heart.
Gotta follow your heart. That's how you stay true to yourself and the people you love. Best wishes for the future.
PS - I'm not born again. I'm
PS - I'm not born again. I'm just a musician who has felt the "spirit" in the room just like you guys have. Call it whatever you want. Had I said "I place my trust in Jesus, who watches over me" or something like that, I could understand where you'd make the assumption that I was leaving to program for Jesus, but that's not what I said. What I meant was that I've been very, very lucky (blessed, even) my whole life. I don't know where my paychecks are coming from after NYE, but I've already been given a mountain of reassurance from so many of you guys that apparently trust in me and my ability to do something else besides play bass. It gives me a very warm feeling. Call it whatever you want...
miss ya buddy..Though I'll
miss ya buddy..Though I'll see ya up on the farm during our annual trip to the barn (it seems like it's annual at least...does two summers in a row make it annual?..hmm)...Maybe you will start answering my texts, now that you will have all this time on your hands...shithead :)
Grubb, Great getting to know
Grubb, Great getting to know you over the years. Best of luck in all your endeavors with your new opportunities and your family. See you next week at the Fox in Boul-duh. Best, PedroD.
Best of luck in all your
Best of luck in all your future holds, Johnny! Thank you for the music you've made, I wish nothing but the very best for you and your family.
Every Railroad Earth show
Every Railroad Earth show I've gone to has brought tears to my eyes... Rather its from the voice of Todd or a prodigious solos from Tim, John, Andy, Carey or John.. All have the ability to melt my mind and rattle my soul.... You will be missed on stage John... And I look forward to the RRE reunion with you.... Live Easy,Sean ForrestChicago, IL
Every Railroad Earth show
Every Railroad Earth show I've gone to has brought tears to my eyes... Rather its from the voice of Todd or a prodigious solos from Tim, John, Andy, Carey or John.. All have the ability to melt my mind and rattle my soul.... You will be missed on stage John... And I look forward to the RRE reunion with you.... Live Easy,Sean ForrestChicago, IL
This news has been on my mind
This news has been on my mind all day.Kinda Sad. It's been great knowing you as a part of the greatest band ever, and I hope to know you beyond it as well. We will miss you more than you believe! You are an important part of a magical band that restored my musical love. Your shoes will not be filled, there will just have to be a new pair. I hope you will be able to see now what we all see. It is a new experience from the rail! Hope to see ya there sometime! Love ya man! Come by and visit us in Boone sometime! Seriously!Phil & Dusty
This news has been on my mind
This news has been on my mind all day.Kinda Sad. It's been great knowing you as a part of the greatest band ever, and I hope to know you beyond it as well. We will miss you more than you believe! You are an important part of a magical band that restored my musical love. Your shoes will not be filled, there will just have to be a new pair. I hope you will be able to see now what we all see. It is a new experience from the rail! Hope to see ya there sometime! Love ya man! Come by and visit us in Boone sometime! Seriously!Phil & Dusty
First, as being a young RRE
First, as being a young RRE fan (4 years this Thanksgiving show!) it's really sad for me to hear this. It'll be strange to imagine seeing RRE without you - especially after almost 20 times now.Second, though, as Junior in Computer Science who's hoping to be in web development (or something that can contribute to web development) in the future, I'm really excited to find your blog/hear this! It's really cool to see that somebody from a group of people I admire is going into a field that I'm into also (and is probably pretty awesome at what they do).So, here's to you Mr. Grubb - Thanks for all the awesome shows and I look forward to seeing you again this Thanksgiving! I also look forward to reading this blog frequently! Also, I really hope you play Moonshiner (since we won't be able to get to hear you sing that anymore!) But it's fine if you don't.
Best of luck!Thanks for
Best of luck!Thanks for helping bring RRE into my life, it has been and will continue to be a blast!Keep pluckin'!
Best of luck Johnny! Go and
Best of luck Johnny! Go and light your new path. Life is too short, enjoy the road it takes you on.
I'm having a hard time
I'm having a hard time picturing someone else playing bass for RRE, but when I think about you this all seems so perfect. I wish you all the best!
As someone who worked in
As someone who worked in software development for 19 years and was recently made redundant by programmers in India, and China. I would suggest a hearty re-evaluation of this decision. Cubicles and 9-5 gets old real fast. (As I have). Sitting in a chair is a comfortable death, you wont realize it but life will go and then you will too.Even if you don't pursue music, don't accept the comfy chair.
We clearly don't know each
We clearly don't know each other or you wouldn't have these concerns.
Furthermore I congratulate
Furthermore I congratulate you on finding yourself released from a job whichyou so clearly disliked. May your path from now on be much more fulfilling. It's up to you.
Well, I guess we are
Well, I guess we are passengers on passing boats. I too went from music to Software, though my stint was in the mid to late 80's and was nowhere near as successful as RRE, but I did get to play at CBGB's. There is a lot of fun to be had on the software path, lots of pizza and beer and late night debugging. At 48, its a bit too much for me, but it put my kids through college, and got me a small home with a great view of the smokey mountains. I'll wish you the best and leave you with one seemingly obvious bit of advice. No drinking and coding at the same time. It may look okay when you write it, but a month, or six down the line (when something breaks) you'll look back at it and wonder what the heck you were thinking when you wrote it.Cheers!
Hey Johnny,Wish you all the
Hey Johnny,Wish you all the luck and more bountiful blessings as you head down this twist of the road. Will you be at all the shows through the year-end? Noticed you replied "not attending" to the RRE Sherman Theater event:http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=114551599...Peace,Mike
Thanks for the years of
Thanks for the years of wonderful music and countless fun times Johnny! It's truly been an amazing ride and I feel blessed to have shared portions of it with you. Looking forward to whatever the future holds...
Saddened but not surprised to
Saddened but not surprised to hear this. The last couple of times our paths crossed you seemed burnt out on life on the road. The best of luck to you Johnny, and the best of life. Andrea
That's interesting advice,
That's interesting advice, and I'll definitely take heed...
Thank you so much. We'll miss
Thank you so much. We'll miss you.
WOW what a bummer!!!! Best of
WOW what a bummer!!!! Best of luck to you though, I will miss watching you dance with that big ol' bass!!
Best of lucky Johnny!!! You
Best of lucky Johnny!!! You are doing what you think is best for you and your family. I don't think anyone could ever fault you for that. You will be sorely missed and never forgotten. See you in Boulder at the Fox for my finales with you.
This comes as a hard hit to
This comes as a hard hit to me and my friends who have come to love RRE over the years. I thought you did a great job programming bass lines - but I could see how the road puts a lot of stress on the family situation. I mean...look at Todd -his family means everything to him...EVERYTHING, but he does it because he is so passionate and his music is so in touch with the land- he HAS to be on the road....you, on the other hand, have another passion to fall back on and follow through with. I can tell you though, most folks wish they were NOT staring at a computer all day and instead touring the country with one of the best bands out there right now (myself included)! You will be missed at Delfest next year - these last shows of the year (I'll be at the 9:30 club in D.C.) mean even more now!There are a lot of session bass players that could fill your spot, but no one does it with the style and energy that you brought to the table . Unlike the world of computers, you cannot telecommute to a gig!By the way - what type of programming are you interested in pursuing? Ruby on Rails? (pun intended)Best of Luck in all your endeavors.
Pout! Pout! Stomp.
Pout! Pout! Stomp.
Thanks for the great
Thanks for the great entertainment you and RRE have provided me over the years. Your contribution to my favorite band is so dearly appreciated. I am very sorry to hear this news, but I applaud you for making a difficult decision in effort to further advance your life and pursuit of happiness. Best wishes, dear friend. If you have time and RRE is playing at Telluride Bluegrass, could ya stop by and say hello? just a thought. Take care, friend.
perhaps Keith Mosely would
perhaps Keith Mosely would replace Grub. He's standing in for him on Jam-cruise. that'd be way cool.
God was talking to me about
God was talking to me about about driving 18 hours to PA from nothern Wi to see you guys Now i know why. Once the RRE music hit my my ears it migrated into my blood and washed the notes to my soul. johnny i had the privilege of watching you up close from my spot in front of the stage in Chicago and what i love most about great musicians is they play with their hearts. May God continue to watch over you and those you love. He will guide your soul take each step with all your heart .
That's a really cool thing to
That's a really cool thing to say, Wendy. Thank you.Grubb
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