Tour Blog: An unforgettable two months in America with The Trouble Notes

Dear Hivers,

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Wow. The past two months have been an absolute whirlwind, and we can’t believe how quickly they’ve flown by! From the first notes we played in Wisconsin to the final encore in Northwest Indiana, we’ve traveled over 8,000 miles in a giant loop around the United States. Along the way, we saw so many of you Troublemakers—it felt familiar, yet new and thrilling every step of the way. This wasn’t just a tour; it was an adventure. We wrote new music, deepened connections, and started dreaming of our next big endeavor—a larger show, touring across the States.

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*Wisconsin & Michigan: A Full-Circle Start

The journey began with an opening weekend in Wisconsin and Michigan, including our first-ever festival in Sturgeon Bay. It was such a success that we decided to end the tour in Green Bay seven weeks later. Driving around Lake Michigan, we landed in Ontario, where Barb and Eric warmly welcomed us. We spent time sharing stories and music, capped by a magical night at Toronto’s Drom Taberna. There was a moment of panic when Flo lost his passport, but a kind stranger saved the day—it reminded us of the good in people we meet on the road.

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*Syracuse: A Promising Debut

Crossing back into the States, we made our debut in Syracuse. It was here we met Scout and her mom, Sheila, two incredible people who would weave themselves into our journey in unexpected ways. Syracuse turned out to be a fantastic musical city, and as we headed south, we knew it wouldn’t be our last time there.

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*Pennsylvania & Maryland: Autumn Magic

Pennsylvania greeted us with golden leaves, a warm welcome from Tina, and an unforgettable FALL day: a corn maze, delicious meals, and a heartfelt concert in Spring City. From there, it was on to Maryland, where Dara hosted us before a high-energy show at Cult Classic Brewery. Exploring Annapolis the next day brought inspiration, and we started piecing together new songs.

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*North Carolina: Resilience in the Mountains

Driving down to North Carolina was a turning point. Charlotte gave us a lively crowd, and the Appalachian Mountains gave us heart. In Western North Carolina, we witnessed the strength of a community rebuilding after Hurricane Helene. Jen and E.C. welcomed us like family, and our time there—playing shows for their Montessori school and the local community—left us deeply inspired. It reminded us why we do this: music as a way to bring people together.

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*Atlanta & Mississippi: Connections and Charity

Next, we headed to Atlanta, where Stefanie’s childhood friend Sarabeth and her husband Dale opened their home. Between meaningful conversations and a show at Smith’s Olde Bar, Atlanta proved its reputation as a vibrant cultural hub. Then came a charity fundraiser in Columbus, Mississippi, where we helped raise over $4,000 for a youth camp. Seeing the joy and generosity in that room was unforgettable.

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*Louisiana Bayou: Swamp Adventures

In the heart of Louisiana’s swamps, Eric introduced us to a life like no other. Between barbecues, boat rides, and ATV adventures, the Bayou gave us some of the most unique memories of the tour. We filmed videos, ate gator, and soaked in the natural beauty of Livingston Parish.

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*Texas: A Homecoming

It had been five years since we last played in Texas, but it felt like coming home. From Houston to Dallas, every show was filled with warmth and excitement. Austin was a creative haven—five days of writing, including jamming with Vic and Julie and her incredible steel pedal guitarist father. And yes, we visited four Buc-ee’s in 10 days.

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*Tennessee & Kentucky: Music at Its Core

In Nashville, we performed live on Today in Nashville, an exciting milestone. Knoxville brought us to Boyd’s Jig and Reel, where the roof nearly came off during our set. A return to Mag Bar in Louisville was like revisiting an old friend, and we ended the weekend with an electric night in Cleveland, OH, at the Music Box.

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*The Finale: Chicagoland, Indiana & Green Bay

The last stretch of the tour was unforgettable. Performances on TV in Indianapolis and WGN Chicago set the stage for three incredible shows in Northwest Indiana, Chicago, and Green Bay. We debuted new songs and reconnected with so many familiar faces. Green Bay was the perfect ending: a massive Packers watch party followed by a PACKED show at Frets and Friends, where the audience was so engaged no one even checked their phones. The energy was electric.

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Back in Chicagoland, Thanksgiving brought a chance to reflect with Bennet’s family. We closed out the tour with a “secret” show at Byway Brewery in Hammond, Indiana, where the room was overflowing with love, joy, and familiar faces. It was overwhelming in the best way.

This tour reminded us why we do this—not just for the music, but for the connections, the stories, and the Troublemakers like you who make every mile worthwhile. Thank you for being part of this journey with us. The memories we’ve made together will fuel our next chapter.
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With love and gratitude,

The Trouble Notes

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PS: What city should we visit next time? Let us know—we’re already dreaming of the road ahead.