33 Comments
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Rachael Salazar's avatar

💝

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Brian Forkum's avatar

I love this version as much as the original!! I loved it as the closing song to that album. The same with the closing song on Find A Door album - The Lord Is Busy. Stripped down, beautiful love songs.

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Pete Droge's avatar

Hi Brian- I'm glad you dig the new version. My new record has a stripped down acoustic song to close out side two.

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BroGreg's avatar

Wow. 30 years ago. Amazing! And that classic pic of you and Tom dancing on a table in NYC is priceless. As you recall, by time that Petty's tour reach the East coast, The Jayhawks were the opening act for Petty. We watched the show from great seats near the side of the stage. It was a great show. I am so happy that you and Elaine are preparing to take the show on the road again. see you when you make it this way.

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Pete Droge's avatar

Hi BroGreg- Yep.. 30 years! I have more pics from that night. Tabitha Soren was in on the dance party too. I should dig those up.

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Jeff Pearson's avatar

That picture is epic.

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Pete Droge's avatar

Hi Jeff- I know, right?

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Jeff Clark's avatar

Amazing tour - saw you twice on it and have been a fan since. They should get you on SiriusXM Tom Petty Radio as a guest or even your own show...

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Pete Droge's avatar

Hi Jeff- yes.. that tour was totally amazing. Tom at the height of his powers supporting one of—it not the best—album of his career.

I was a guest DJ on TP Radio a while back talking about opening four nights of The Fillmore run. That was a blast. I'd be stoked if they had me back!

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Dylan's avatar

Can't wait, my friend! The new recording of Hampton Inn sounds great! Very sweet song and a beautiful to close that album.

I remember in my brain hearing a full band version of Hampton Inn. Jack's Sugar Shack 1994! Killer show!

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Pete Droge's avatar

Hi Dylan- Glad you like the new recording. Just a quick sketch on my cassette four track... it's got some vibe.

Jack Sugar Shack... we had some good times in that joint. That's cool that you remember us playing "Hampton" live with the band. I always had a great band, so I'm sure they delivered something cool.

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Dylan's avatar

I was too young for Jack's but it's historical to me!

There's a soundboard recording out there (on archive) of the show which includes a song called, "Falling Back."

This song was new to me! You guys sound like you're having a great time.

There's also an early appearance of Dear Diane.

✌️ ❤️

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Jacob's avatar

Hampton Room 306 is one of my favorite of all your songs. I've loved the simple lonely heartfelt feeling of connecting with someone when you're away. Calling home from a hotel room is always a weird limboish act of connection. Plus its just a pretty song.

This rehearsal tape was a delight, hearing it now with your voice having changed a little, and the really bright sound of the guitar really changes the song from a melancholy undertone to something warm and comforting.

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Pete Droge's avatar

Hi Jacob- Thanks for this. It's a very simple and pure song that comes from an honest place. It's one that a lot of folks dig. That's probably why. It is interesting to revisit an old song and see how my voice has evolved over the years. I'm enjoying singing more than ever now. It used to be more work to 'find' my voice.

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Irma Kaye Sawyer's avatar

Thank you Pete. That song is a personal favorite. Hearing it on a demo was simply beautiful. Your voice sounds great, by the way. I think it resonates even more deeply now in these times, where our friends and loved ones are so important to our health and hearts. 💜

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Pete Droge's avatar

Thanks, Irma. Thanks for the kind words about my voice. As I mentioned in a previous comment I spent a great deal of time keeping it in shape these days. And hopefully after all these years I've learned a thing or two about how best to use it. Nice to hear that the song resonates more deeply for you.

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Jon Barnes's avatar

All-time favorite. Before LAST year's show when you asked us to comment with what we wanted to hear, I think this was top of my list. So glad you're dusting it off. Can't wait to hear it next month. And man it took teenage me a long time to figure out how you played it on the recording...glad the capo on the 5th is now confirmed.

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Pete Droge's avatar

Hi Jon- We'll include it in the VCA show for sure. On the record I play it with a capo on the second fret. I play the shape of a C chord to the shape of an F chord... but since it is capo'd up a full step they are actually D and G. I like it now with capo five... has a slightly different flavor.

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Jon Barnes's avatar

Thanks for that...excited to hear your latest take on it!

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Mike LaBo Music's avatar

Thank you Pete. For everything.

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Pete Droge's avatar

You are so welcome, Michael. It's my pleasure. I'd write and record even if no one listened. But the fact that folks appreciate it means a lot.

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Mike LaBo Music's avatar

I know how you feel. Been posted up in flat in the mountains of Arizona tonight playing music to the rain rather than go out and hit the town.

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Shannon Kringen's avatar

Love it. That's when I first heard your music Pete. Forever grateful to Tom Petty- his music WIDENS my jetty! Ha ha.... for having you open for his band. Huge fan of you both!!! Gorgeous melody and tones in your voices

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Pete Droge's avatar

Thanks, Shannon. I'm grateful to Tom for having me too!!! What an honor that was.

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Shannon Kringen's avatar

yes i can only imagine what a feeling that was to be part of that tour 30 years ago! excited to listen on March 29th!

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Bryan's avatar

Beautiful track…..always been a fav 🤘🏼

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Pete Droge's avatar

Thanks, Bryan. It's one that I kind of forgot about. I'm happy to have revisited it.

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Sylvan Groth's avatar

One of my favorite songs by anyone. This is a great version.

Being a fan is more emotionally complicated than one might think, and you captured part of that so well in this sweet story. I'm glad one of your heros was as awesome to you as you are to your music lovers.

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Pete Droge's avatar

Thanks, Sylvan. Glad you like this new version. I'm really enjoying singing it. This morning we worked on bringing Elaine in on harmony vocal and uke. Really nice additions.

And yeah... Tom (and the HBs and crew) were so good to us. Good people.

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Travis Middleton's avatar

…you sound better than ever

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Pete Droge's avatar

Thanks, Travis. I still work at it a ton... I'm always practicing guitar and keeping my voice in shape. Nice to know the time I spend has me moving in the right direction.

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Travis Middleton's avatar

Can’t believe that show was 30 years ago. One of the best concerts I’ve ever been to. 5th row!

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Pete Droge's avatar

Hi Travis- Tom and the HBs were always great. I'd watch every night. It never got old.

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