Here, on the eve of my departure from New Orleans to head back to the mountains and home, I’m realizing that book tour really is very similar to band tour. Duncan often affectionately refers to my book and various other extracurricular pursuits as my “band,” and, while I’ve never actually been in a touring rock band, I imagine that life on band tour is very much like mine has been this past week. I’ve had many meals consisting of bad coffee, sour cream & onion potato chips and beef jerky, and listened to more than my share of christian radio in the bible belt. I’ve also made it through hours of driving listening to some of the best country stations I’ve ever heard- old songs I haven’t heard in decades, played by warm and interesting DJs who truly love the music. I’ve felt addled from driving long stretches through miles of cotton fields and small towns, and felt joyful from the oases of welcome at my gigs in between. Touring can also be lonely and taxing, and I’ll be glad to get home to my boys, but in the meantime I’m grateful to have had the opportunity to visit some of my favorite places, meet new friends and old, and share this book, so long in the making, with them. My first stop was Oxford, Mississippi, at the beloved institution Square Books.

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