Tampa

Years ago I drove down to Tampa to record with my band at the time. I'd never been and didn't know much about it. The first thing I learned was how hot it was. I'm from the coast of Mississippi which is hot and humid but this place in August, felt like it was actually on fire.

We slept in the van we drove down in because we were young, broke and had better backs than we do now but one night it was so hot I slept on the sidewalk and I can remember how beautiful all the buildings looked lit up in the dark. I also remember how understanding people were as they stepped over me the next morning on their way to work. 

This city has some incredible history, amazing architecture and some of the nicest people I've met. If you get a chance to visit, ride the trolleys, visit the old cigar factories, just don't sleep on the hot sidewalks.