Hello everybody! First of all, I want to apologize for being out of touch since the release of our album, The Fire Inside. I will not beat around the bush. The last several months have been tough for me. Not making any excuses whatsoever. I just want to shoot everyone straight and be vulnerable. We all have tough times in our lives that we have to overcome, and I want to let you all know that you and our music has been on my mind throughout this time. In fact, continuing to think about all of you music-lovers and our supporters, along with our music, has helped me get through this tough time. Music is always the cure for me, as I know it is for a lot of you. Yes, music IS magical!
Just a little about what was going on. We had an awesome set at Gruene Grove in New Braunfels, Texas opening for Jamie Kruger Group on February 11, 2022 to kick off our album release. The evening was cold, but the Blues were hot! Jack and The Box and Jamie Kruger Group brought down the house. We will finally post some live videos of a few tunes soon to share some music magic with you all. A big thanks to everyone who made it out to the show, Gruene Grove for having us, and my music brothers that, excuse my French, kicked ass. What a great time! This was the first time back on the stage for a full set since I started my health journey with the Sarcoidosis that left me blind and paralyzed, as well as my first show as a frontman, and our Jack and The Box stage debut. I just have to say. Believe! because everything IS possible.
It took about a week to recoup. Looking back, that was about the time that everything started pressing for me. I was working on finally getting out of nursing facilities after nine years. You would think that the album release along with moving to a new house would have set me sailing. It did! I think that therein affected me as well. I went from such a high to a low when my move was delayed again. I had a move target of mid-December. Then January. Then March. Then finally moving in April. The delays tugged at me more than I knew at the time. It was all the logistics that I had to iron out with my insurance, getting the necessary furniture and medical equipment, and getting personal attendants lined up. After ten years in hospitals and four nursing facilities, I will not say I ever totally got used to it all. I will say that I became “conditioned.” Now managing my own care, managing my attendants, managing my doctor appointments, lab work, scans and wheelchair transportation to and from, as well as getting use to my new space and situation has been a challenge physically, mentally, and financially. It all has stretched me thin in so many ways. The adjustment became a big hole I was having to dig out of. Then a hospital visit in June pretty much set back the progress I was making with the adjustment
Another episode of sepsis from an infection gained a short vacation for me. Even though it was all-inclusive and the food was pretty good, it was not a very relaxing vacation at all. I need to talk with my travel agent. Ha ha! Plus, I get in about a month fog recouping from those episodes and all the heavy hitting antibiotics I have to take. Whew – to put it nicely! ha ha! You all know me. Never give up. Never give in. Keep pushing. That all is what I do and did.
I started physical therapy again a couple of weeks ago. My therapist and I have been hitting the bricks pretty hard a couple of times a week. I started a song co-write with an amazing young Blues artist that I hope to share soon. I have been organizing lyrics I have had ready for a while as well. It looks like they are conceptually falling into place for what will probably be the next two albums. I am starting to plant the seeds in that fashion. Working out and music? Right on! Just what Dr. Pevoto ordered and Professional Patient Pevoto needed.
Both physically and mentally I am finally bouncing back. We all have a fire inside where our passions and inner strength lives. Sometimes it takes digging really deep to rekindle and fuel our fire to help us not only manage life, but to be able to find balance to find and enjoy some silver lining. Trust me. If I can find the courage, motivation, and drive, anyone can. God, you all, my family and friends, and YES music makes these bonus years of mine so rewarding. More music to come soon. Believe! Get Busy Living! Peace, Love, and Cool Blues, Keith
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