Well, its the middle of the night, and I am in a hotel in the lovely state of Arkansas. No one should be here, aside from those who work at Clinton's library. Dear God. We can be okay at 49 states. That, and two red bulls, and suddenly I am going to spout my educated guess here.
I am sorry in advance. I can't tell if this is what I want to happen, or what I think will happen. No, its what I think will happen. Because what I want to happen is for Joe to play over driven guitars at the loudest possible volume, with that drummer, and that bass player playing hound dog taylor tunes on meth. Giant fast anthemic blues numbers, raw songs about girls, how we hate our dads, how the world has done us wrong, playing cards and losing to a red headed woman, and cars. Chunky guitars.
So heres what I think is going to happen...
We have heard about the round the world project. So I think Joe is going to disappear from the American scene for about a year. Hit the aiport, and travel the world recording whatever it is he is going to record. More than that, the young man who has worked for the better part of 20 years in music, is going to travel. Breath a little deeper, a little slower. I think that during this time he might kiss a girl, maybe that gets a little more serious. But that is just a fun little ditty.
During this time, him and his partners sign three acts, and with Crosby that makes four. I think J and R spend the year, more R really, managing the breaking of these artists. I think they face the challenges of using the old model, the old business idea on how to break an artist. They face some hurdles, and maybe falter. Sometime they hear about the new business model, and maybe bring in a new marketing cat with some new ideas. The existing team then gets recharged, and greater success comes to these artists.
Bonamassa returns from his time away, late 2008. Goes in the studio, spends the rest of the year going through the recordings, realizes its all amazing, and mixes down a double record. Puts together a holiday release date, and a tour of America.
While abroad though, Bonamassa meets so many great musicians that he wants to do a Paul Simon Lady Smith Black Mombazo thing. The business allows him to have a little room financially, and as a result brings back an all star world band blues band.
The record is finally a giant crossover. It moves the guitar hero from Guitar Player magazine to Rolling Stone and Spin.
The winter tour of America plays to 1500 seaters, by the end of the tour offers have come in to play 5000 seater in college markets. Early 2009 Joe breaks onto Leno and Letterman, and Conan.
Bonamassa has a choice, a crossroads. Go for the larger stages, take that risk, or stay in PAC's.
Thats my fantasy.
I think the interesting thing is this...Bonamassa has done this without a lot of overt bridges being built to anyone. For example his notoriety should have put him onstage at Crossroads in both Texas and Chicago. I would assume that Joe knows warren haynes, and the resst of that crew. Bonamassa has not played Bonaroo, or Lollapalooza, or any of the larger festivals that I can think of. Bonamassa tours like a cowboy alone on the range.
It truly is an interesting story to watch.
). But I say play original OR cover, but MAKE it original. But I like the idea of more and more originals.
And I am like everyone else, I have my favorite songs, CD's, etc... but I don't give a 2nd thought to the setlist. I just think it's all a big fun treat. I am so grateful that I am in attendance. And if I ever get to hear some of my favorites LIVE then I will just be even happier. There is a part of me that thrives on "what might be under the "setlist" Christmas tree?" 
