Well for the first time since NOV '07 I can honestly say "I'm Back".. back to doing local shows and lookin forward to them.  I've been juggling with all the touring and recording I've done and trying to do local shows so those went on the back burner.  Thanks to the great bears in Salt Lake City, St. Louis, Cleveland, Akron, Columbus, Wichita and more, I kinda shunned off local shows since I've been playing locally since 1989.  Problem is, rehearsing helps and is necessary (especially for me, I'm not a natural by any means) but nothing makes me a better musician than playing gigs, that's it, bottom line...  so I'm back to doing what I love, playing motorcycle ride-ins with big str8 biker daddys.. yeah the eye candy's nice, but I've felt good doing these shows, my voice, my guitar playing and selling my CD locally has sure made me glad to be back.  I've been workin on updating my set lists too with some new songs, so I went back to the beginning again.. learned some great blues and ofcourse added some new Beatles songs to my set after watching "Across The Universe".. Hey if you get a chance, I did an interview with this nice man named Louis from SanFrancisco, here's the link!  I figured if I put it on my live journal I won't forget it.  Hey if you guys get in my neighborhood of Ohio, look me up I maybe doing a local show.  As always, BIG BEAR HUGS and THANKS!  http://www.bearotic.com/2008/07/23/elijah-black-delivers-hard-rock-passion/

Okay, so it's the DAY AFTER.  That word conjures up all sorts of memories and thoughts for everybody.  For me, it's bitter sweet, yes there is nothing like being in your own bed.  Yes there is nothing like taking a dump and  having some privacy.  Yes there is nothing like eating, drinking or peeing when you want.  And OFCOURSE there is nothing like getting back to my home, watching my own shows and listening to my favorite music.  But I'll be honest, there was nothing in my life that will ever compare to being part of Bears on the Run (part 1 I'd like to tease ya about part 2, however my little brother Shannon will fill you in on that in the upcoming months I'm sure, including location).  
Right now I am sitting in my office and wish I was gettin woke up by dad (usually before the time he promised he'd wake us up) getting ready to move on to the next town after just a few hours of sleep.  I wish I was in the van smelling everybody's ripe aroma that occurs naturally to big bears after a good night's slumber.  I wish I was at a club trying to work out sound problems that occured when I would tie into the club's sound system.  I wish I was shopping at a gas station for munchies because we weren't sure if we were gonna have enough time to eat lunch or dinner.  I wish I was with all my brothers huddled around Bobaloo's computer watching the craziest, funniest youtube videos (yes even the gross ones he would pull up where men would insert bottles and even feet... well you can fill the blanks in here I'm just starting to get the vomit taste out of my mouth.. LOL).  I wish I could get that feeling I had seeing reviews and videos posted on youtube about BOTR, standing in complete amazement that concert comers would post without us even knowing it.  I am amazed that two woofy bears in ST.Louis would invite us to their home and make us the most wonderful meal we had in weeks.  And I am amazed by the honor it was to perform with the most talented men I know (and trust me I know tons, I've opened up for Motley Crue, STyx, Ratt, Jackyll, Cinderella and more) and these guys brought it out every night.  But nothing amazed me more than the joy I had singing for everybody that attended.  I am amazed at just how motivated I am to get a new album done, so by the spring tour, I'll have my disc finished with some of the new songs I wrote for this tour, yup including Better Man (Sammy's Song)- sorry to everyone I made cry with this one. Peace, Love and Big Bear Hugs, Elijah