We're playing at San Quentin.
I've been inside a couple of times as a reporter, but this will be a new experience. The band has been invited to help entertain inmates and guests associated with a program called "No More Tears". The program aims to bring peace to the lives of men who have often known very little of it.
We met the other day with the woman arranging our visit and learned a few of the rules:
- You can't wear blue. Or orange, yellow, red or much of anything else but black or white
- Handshakes are OK. Hugs are not.
- No gifts of any kind, not even guitar picks
- Inmates are not allowed to dance
- No drinks will be served
We've had to submit a very detailed list of the equipment we'll be bringing, and we're told the odds are good that something will go wrong at the gate. I'm sure it will be stressful at times, but I'm thrilled to have the opportunity.
