We have played several shows on this 'European Tour' (as publicity releases here are calling it) and the venues in which we have performed are beautiful. Last night we performed at a venue called 'Bier Hall' so I expected a small,tavern-like venue. In fact, it was a huge, multi-level, marble-floored mansion with crystal chandeliers on the ceiling! At times like this I really miss the talented photographers the Hilary Scott Band has had the chance to work with, such as Kevin Dingman and Stacie Pottinger. In the midst of the excitement of this new experience, I also miss home, family, friends and my American band members (who are basically my second family) very much.

One interesting thing is the way in which my songs have been 'Europeanized' by the D'Alessio Trio, which is comprised of Giuseppe D'Alessio on bass, his brother Nicolino D'Alessio on guitar, and Stefano Ripa on drums. Because the public here cannot, for the most part, understand my lyrics, we have made the music as akin to the style of music they most often listen to here in Italy as is possible. The style is a bit more heavy, more pop-rock. I appreciate both this new energetic style and the original, emotion-laden style of the Hilary Scott Band very much for the fact that they each bring out a different aspect of my music. Admittedly, the biggest challenge for me has been to express myself vocally while knowing that the meaning of my words is to some degree, inconsequential. Difficult for a songwriter! But I am learning and growing and that is the most important thing. These months are serving as a sort of test for how my music can be received abroad, and everything is looking good! We are hoping to find a way to continue this project (and perhaps get some of my Hilary Scott Band members to cross the ocean with me next time) in the years to come.

There is so much I would like to share with you in this newsletter about my experiences here, and so little time in which to write it all down. I am sure the December newsletter will include a very long article from me about my experiences, as I don't have regular access to a computer here, and therefore have not had time to blog as I would have liked. So in closing, I want to say 'ciao e grazie per tutto' agli amici italiani miei, and 'I miss you' to everyone who is reading this back home and wherever you may be. I hope you are having a beautiful autumn, full of change.

Hilary Scott and the Band enjoyed getting back to their roots with a series of mid-Missouri gigs in August and September. In addition to two private events, on September 1st the band played at the Martini Bar. BA and Utah opened for the Hilary Scott Band and Jeremy Acton joined the band as guest guitarist.

Other gigs included a performance at the Central Methodist Coffeehouse, an evening at Coopers Landing and an exciting appearance at the Roots 'n' Blues 'n' BBQ Festival, where the fans treated the band to a standing ovation! The artist lineup for the festival included Blues great Taj Mahal.

Hilary Scott's Italian tour schedule has been busy. Venues include Siddhartha in Avelino on October 11th, Enjoy! in Benevento on October 14th, Batavia in Arianoer on October 18th and Bier Hall in Avellino on October 19th.

Gigs to come include Soulluan in Cava de Tirreni on November 9th, Skene in Caserta on November 16th and a major festival, the White Knight Festival in Avellino on December 10th, and more performances are continuing to be booked.

Hilary will be busy when she returns from Italy. The exciting writing project she's doing for Keith Colley (America's Song) is ready to be recorded. She and Keith will be recording it this winter.

And even more songwriting news....Hilary will return to Nashville this winter to finish the songwriting and publishing project with Matthew Wilder.

...This photo was taken by Douglas Greene...

Agnes Daitraix (http://20six.fr/thesoundofmusik) translated the comments posted by French fans on the site and sent them to Hilary Scott. Here are some of those comments!

"Welcome Hilary! Its been a long time since he have had an artist from across the Atlantic. (You have) A very beautiful voice, soft and strong. The music is also soft and beautiful, even if this is not usually the type of music I listen to. A perfect harmony for our great pleasure, the style is very American. The Dylan cover is very good! I do appreciate your performance.".

"It (Hilary's music) reminds me of the years not so long ago when I used to listen again and again to Nick Drake, Neil Young, Leonard Cohen, etc....The songs have this little thing that sounds different and not boring like some folk songs. Only two songs is not enough! This is a change from the heavy metal music we usually listen to on Zikannuaire! It proves we are eclectic persons!".

"I was feeling a little bluesy, I was pretty sad. But this (Hilary's) fairy and magical voice is so beautiful, this sweet music made me forget my worries. Her voice is so strong and powerful! I just want to thank you for the nice moment I've spent and for the nice moments I'll spend (again) by listenting to your work. Thank you Hilary, for me that's emotionally first class.

"The two songs are very root and natural, without any artificial effects, high on emotion. The instruments and the (Hilary's) voice reach the heart. They are well done and relaxing".

"Hilary's rich voice is accompanied by soothing acoustic guitar, bass and percussion. The lyrics have depth, and the singing (has) emotion. (Her) music is filled with emotion and is interesting".

At Coopers Landing - Hilary Scott and the Band perform Loser Blues at Coopers Landing. Video produced by Scott Wilson, Missouri River Cultural Conservancy.

Live On the Missouri River - Hilary Scott and the Band perform To Make You Feel My Love. Video produced by Scott Wilson, Missouri River Cultural Conservancy.

Hilary Scott and the Band perform My Friend. Video produced by Jeff Bassinson, Bassinsight Productions. This video is a clip from the DVD, Hilary Scott Live at the Martini Bar.

Hilary Scott and the Band perform Sugar Bomb. Video produced by Jeff Bassinson, Bassinsight Productions. This video is a clip from the DVD, Hilary Scott Live at the Martini Bar.