open book tour blue october

An Open Book: An Evening with Justin Furstenfeld of Blue October

Justin Furstenfeld, frontman of platinum-selling rock band Blue October, comes to Plano for a solo show that includes storytelling, audience Q&A, and stripped-down versions of Blue October fan-favorites with live footnotes.

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An Open Book Tour with Justin Furstenfeld stops in Louisville, Kentucky

A stage set with blue lighting.  One chair and one mic centered on the stage.  An acoustic guitar resting on a stand.  Chairs arranged in rows for the audience.  Families and individuals of all ages in attendance. 

This is not how you would typically describe the venue preparing to see the alternative rock band, Blue October.  However, tonight is a little different.  The band’s founder, front man and songwriter, is the only performer tonight.  This is the Open Book Tour: An Evening With Justin Furstenfeld. This tour was originally started in 2009 as a book tour for his self-penned Crazy Making - The Words and Lyrics of Justin Furstenfeld , in which he goes into explicit detail about the inspiration behind each Blue October song to date, along with a few that were written during poignant times in his life, that were previously unreleased. 

For those who may not be familiar with Blue October or Furstenfeld, you may not “get it” however, this book is so much more than just a what and why of the songs.  The book, now in its 3rd Edition Release with tour dates selling out, is a look at lessons in life, coming back from the very dark edge of mental illness and addiction, perseverance, and most of all how the journey through all the struggles and roadblocks can only keep you from having the best life has to offer, if you give up.  Furstenfeld holds no punches, with the words in the book or the topics discussed on stage.  To have a beloved musician of a highly successful band, open his heart and throw every item of dirty laundry out on the stage for all to hear, is very rare in a day when it seems to be all about protecting images and covering up the things that may not be packaged perfectly.  For Furstenfeld, it appears to be a part of his healing process.  Not to mention how his honesty and nothing too raw approach seem to affect the droves of fans who packed these shows.

If you have not been keeping up with the band or Furstenfeld, this concept may be confusing to you and your senses, so let me give you a little background on why this evening, while not the norm, is such a very special night for everyone in attendance.

Furstenfeld, a musician since the age of 13, attended a performing arts school and was a member of a high school rock band called Last Wish.  Being the lead singer in a band, especially during those unpredictable high school years, can tend to be ego-boosting, causing a euphoria that is created by the droves of girls who want to be with you and guys who want to be you.  This is a time when most teenagers are finding themselves and learning what they think they want for their future.  It was a time when Furstenfeld was definitely taking advantage of all that life has to offer when you are the “star of the show”  

It was discovered at the age of 16, with the help of his parents and doctors, that he was suffering from depression, admitting openly, he has been on Paxil every day since.  Discussing that this taboo topic of “mental illness” is something that, unless you have suffered with yourself or someone close to you has, you cannot understand how the mind plays with your sense of self.  Your taking your meds as they tell you to do and all of a sudden, you feel great.  So, if you feel great, you do not need the meds any longer, right?  You then stop taking them.  That is what makes sense.  Why would someone who has a cold continue to take cold medicine after the symptoms are gone?  Maybe a better example here is why would a diabetic continue to monitor blood sugar and watch the things that they eat, even after that have maintained and plateaued with their goals?  The answer is, if they do not continue the path of maintaining and working with the program of monitoring and healthy eating, the disease will kill them.  The same is true for any mental illness and particularly mixing that with alcohol and illegal substances, as Furstenfeld did, often.

The Songs from an Open Book album was released in 2014, which explains, much like the book, each of the songs along with their meaning, purpose and reasoning at the time each one was written.  Why would you write a song titled “Hate Me” and have it become one of the top selling songs of your career?  What was going on when you wrote that and more importantly, who was the song written for?  If you can do that and people love it, it is only normal to a diseased mind, riddled with anti-depressants and substance abuse, to rationalize there is not a problem.  Once again, in walks that ego boost, a high which continues to fuel everything that is slowly taking your life away from you.  Furstenfeld also discusses, with no off the record requirements, that while he was a father during this time, he was fighting a fierce battle with his daughter’s mother and could not have visitation or even talk to his child.  Therein come the demons again, which makes for great songwriting, but does nothing to repair the relationship or even allow someone to see that they could be what is delaying that process. 

An addict, someone who suffers from a mental illness, or someone not willing to look at themselves to see there is a problem that they, themselves are the center cause of, will always continue to suffer.  Furstenfeld’s, wife Sara, looked at him, several months pregnant and clearly explained that he had two choices; get help or he would never see this child either.  She organized an intervention which included family and friends, which Furstenfeld says must have led to him getting help because the next thing he knew he was in Nashville at the door of a treatment center.  There was some light, at the end of this long dark tunnel, and even though the road would not be easy, it would be worth it.  As explained, through song and raw emotional discussion, he had to be ready to see it, he had to be ready to accept the help, and he had to be willing to put down the ego and facade, handing it all over to a power higher than himself.  He had to “do the work” and not just for then, but for each day from that point forward. 

Furstenfeld says he is the happiest he has been in his life now, and that once he could face those demons, those misconceived thoughts that the mental illness, as well as the substance abuse gives you, things become very clear.  He now understands he was not capable of being a good father to his first child, or any future children for that matter at the time.  He was not able to be a good son, supportive husband, and reliable band mate. He was not able to even be a person anyone would want to be around. 

The audience was filled with fans of Blue October, fans of Furstenfeld himself, along with recovering addicts and their families.  There were moments that you would see people hold onto each other during a song, there were tears, a lot of laughter, truckloads of raw uncensored truth, and in the end, hope.

Make sure you catch the tour, Open Book Tour: An Evening With Justin Furstenfeld , when in a city near you and pick up a copy of the book, Crazy Making , along with the album, Songs from an Open Book.  

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Beginning about age 13, music always been my “safe place”, my “escape”, it became a part of who I am. My background includes being a photographer/journalist for newspapers, magazines and radio stations and more recently I have been an artist manager. What I continue to strive to learn is, what is important to the fans/readers? I find that the answer is always that they want to feel close to the artist they are supporting. The human contact that we all need is something that I want to deliver to anyone that happens to read something I write or see a photograph I shoot. It is important to me to provide that experience, because I am, after all, still always a “fan” and that giddy 13-year-old girl is simply amazed! I never imagined that my passion and love for music would lead me where I am today! I use the hashtag #iamtheluckiestgirliknow because I cannot believe how blessed I am! I’m excited to see “what happens next” and take you all along with me! This is going to be amazing…

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People can change: Justin Furstenfeld’s unique approach to his book tour

By: Mary Beth McCauley, Staff Writer at University of Tennessee Daily Beacon Feb 9, 2017 — Updated Feb 13, 2017

People can change: Justin Furstenfeld’s (of Blue October) unique approach to his book tour

Knoxville (Tennessee) had the chance to get up close and personal with Justin Furstenfeld , the lead vocalist of alternative rock group Blue October , at the Square Room in Market Square this past Wednesday.

People can change: Justin Furstenfeld’s (of Blue October) unique approach to his book tour and his story of recovery

Furstenfeld has been traveling to cities across the country to promote his book, “Crazy Making: The Words and Lyrics of Justin Furstenfeld to the Music of Blue October.” The “Open Book Tour” also gives Furstenfeld the opportunity to share stories regarding his struggle with addiction, depression and relationships along with playing an acoustic set in front of a small, intimate audience.

He kicked off the evening with “The Answer,” the title track of Blue October’s first album, and began to tell the audience about his own personal journey, starting with his teenage years. Furstenfeld led his first band called The Last Wish at only 15 years old, the age that he was officially diagnosed with depression. When the Last Wish split up, Furstenfeld went on to create Blue October.

Although Furstenfeld was raw and honest with the crowd, he told his stories with such charisma and humor that throughout the heartfelt details we were all laughing and smiling. He often reminded the crowd, “This is the open book tour. No holding back.” The auditorium felt like a room full of friends, a safe space to share their darkest secrets.

Furstenfeld played a few other songs from Blue October’s debut album, such as “Black Orchid” and “Breakfast After 10.” In these, the audience learned of his first love, Mamie, and how he forgot her birthday after two years of dating. His belated birthday song to her was “Calling You,” the song that scored Blue October a record deal.

He told the audience about his band’s first 15-passenger tour van — and their second one, and their third. He walked us down the path that began his drug addiction, partying on tour every night in hotel rooms and bars. During this same time, Furstenfeld met his first wife and had his first child, a baby girl named Blue, and that changed everything for him. The audience sat quietly absorbing every detail and feeling every emotion as he told his story.

He bravely shared the details of his divorce, the custody battle for his daughter and his spiral back into addiction. And, through all of these hardships, he continued to make music.

Furstenfeld pieced together all of the major events in his life one by one and sang us the songs that stemmed from those events, making them even more meaningful and emotional for the audience, many of which were already huge fans of Blue October.

Towards the end of the evening, Furstenfeld shared his redemption story. He went through a 75-day program at Cumberland Heights, a rehabilitation center in Nashville , and found his faith there. He has been sober for four years now. The audience cried, clapped and cheered for him, all rising to their feet in applause. Furstenfeld truly was an open book, and told his story bravely without shame, but with hope.

After the show, Furstenfeld took time to meet his fans, shaking hands and signing posters, all with a smile on his face. His merchandise sports the phrase “People Can Change,” the perfect summary of his journey thus far.

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Cinde Stewart Freeman, RN, MAC, LADAC II

CHIEF CLINICAL OFFICER

Cinde Stewart Freeman is Cumberland Heights’ Chief Clinical Officer and has been with Cumberland Heights for 30 years. During her tenure, Cinde has served in nursing, clinical management, and administrative roles.

Cinde is a bachelor’s prepared Registered Nurse and a master’s prepared Licensed Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor, Level II. She holds NAADAC’s Master Addiction Counselor (MAC) credential and is a Qualified Clinical Supervisor (QCS) as well.

Cinde has a love for the places where opposites touch. This has led her to clinical explorations of somatic and spiritual healing of the things that wound us, as well as explorations of how the lived wisdom of the 12-step tradition informs and brings color to clinical education and experience. It also leads her to the beach as much as possible!

Cinde regularly trains on topics ranging from 12-step based Dialectical Behavior Therapy and Spiritual Care principles to ethical practice and clinical supervision. Her core belief is that love is more powerful than the wounds we have experienced, and, in fact, can cause us to become our strongest at those places.

Randal Lea, MA, LADAC II, QCS

CHIEF COMMUNITY RECOVERY OFFICER

Randal Lea, our Chief Community Recovery Officer is a licensed addictions counselor with 30 years of clinical and administrative experience.

Randal received master’s degrees in counseling from Trevecca Nazarene University and in psychology from Pacifica Graduate Institute. He is a frequent presenter on a variety of topics such as assessment, sexual behavior in children, ethics, dreamwork and trauma. He is a certified practitioner of DreamTending and a qualified clinical supervisor.

Prior to his current role as Chief Community Recovery Officer, Randal served eight years as Assistant Commissioner with the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services. In 2008, he was recognized by the Praed Foundation as a national “Systems Champion” for implementing a statewide children’s assessment for DCS. He also received the Friend of Children Lifetime Achievement Award in 2010 from Tennessee Voices for Children after seven years on their board. Randal was also recognized in both 2000 and in 2015 as Professional of the Year by the Middle Tennessee chapter of the National Association for Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors (NAADAC).

Jay Crosson, MBA

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Jay Crosson began his career with Cumberland Heights in 1993 and accepted his role as Chief Executive Officer in 2015. Prior to becoming CEO, Jay was the Chief Financial Officer for the organization.

Since 2016 Jay has served on the board of directors of the National Association of Addiction Treatment Providers (NAATP).  As past chair of NAATP’s Ethics Committee, Jay was instrumental in important changes made to the organization’s code of ethics. In addition, Jay serves as Treasurer/Secretary of the Foundation of Recovery Science and Education. He has also served on an advisory committee with LegitScript, certification that lets search engines know which treatment centers operate safely and legally.

Jay is a grateful recovering alumnus, having been a patient at Cumberland Heights in 1989. His personal treatment experience helped shape his leadership principles today.

Jay is a Nashville native and graduate of MTSU with an MBA from Belmont University.

Nick Hayes, PhD, LMFTA, LCDC

CHIEF SCIENCE OFFICER

Dr. Nick Hayes is the Chief Science Officer at Cumberland Heights, overseeing all research, technology and quality related initiatives for the organization. His research focuses on measurement-based practice systems, digital phenotyping and intensive longitudinal monitoring.

Nick’s work highlights Cumberland Heights’ commitment to outcome-oriented care, using proven techniques to put those struggling with substance use disorder on a path to success.

Nick received his PhD in Couple, Marriage, and Family Therapy from Texas Tech University. He is also on the faculty of Lipscomb University as an adjunct professor of psychology.

Chapman Sledge, MD

CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER

Dr. Chapman Sledge, a nationally recognized physician and speaker, has been the Chief Medical Officer at Cumberland Heights since 2009. Prior to joining Cumberland Heights, Dr. Sledge was the Medical Director of Addiction Treatment Services at Pine Grove Behavioral Health in Mississippi.

Dr. Sledge has been named Nashville’s top addiction doctor by the Nashville Business Journal, a recognition only five percent of physicians in the United States hold. Dr. Sledge served on the board of directors for the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) and was among the first physicians to receive certification from them.

Dr. Sledge is a sought-after speaker in the industry, talking about the critical need to treat both the mind and body of those struggling with substance use disorder. In addition to working for Cumberland Heights, Dr. Sledge is an assistant professor at the University of Tennessee College of Medicine.

Dr. Sledge is a graduate of LSU and the University of Mississippi School of Medicine.

Butch Glover, MBA, NCAC, OSAP

CHIEF OPERATIONS OFFICER

Butch Glover, a state licensed and nationally certified addiction counselor, accepted his role as Chief Operations Officer in 2015.

Butch began counseling in 1989 and worked with Cumberland Heights throughout the 90s doing Aftercare, contract work and individual counseling.

Butch worked for one of the state’s first intensive outpatient programs in Jackson, TN and the Jackson Area Council on Alcoholism. During this time, he developed two pilot addiction programs in the Greater West Tennessee area. Butch also maintained a private practice, specializing in family of origin work and addiction populations.

Butch is a Tennessee native. He is a graduate of Lambuth University and earned an MBA from Union University.

Cindy Patterson

CHIEF DEVELOPMENT & MARKETING OFFICER

Cindy Patterson accepted her role as Chief Development and Marketing Officer in 2019. Cindy has more than 16 years of experience in non-profit fundraising, most recently serving as Development Officer for United Methodist Higher Education Foundation. Prior to that she was V.P. of Development for Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee, a position she held for 10 years after serving as Development Director for Nashville Read. Before her many years in fundraising, Cindy was the Manager of Premium Services for American Airlines.

Originally from the Greater Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky area, Cindy holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Eastern Kentucky University.

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

Robin Cox is the Chief Financial Officer at Cumberland Heights, the Southeast’s premier alcohol and drug addiction treatment center. Robin accepted her role at Cumberland Heights in 2006.

Robin previously worked as Controller at Accu-Crete, Inc., a concrete contractor based in Washington D.C. She is currently responsible for business accounting activities including, preparing financial statements, creating an organization budget, and managing payroll. Robin is an advocate for education and volunteers at Coopertown Elementary School.

Robin is a middle Tennessee native and a graduate of Western Kentucky University.

Kathryn Mastin

CHIEF HUMAN RESOURCES OFFICER

Kathryn Mastin, Cumberland Heights Chief Human Resources Officer since 2015, has spent more than 30 years as a Human Resources professional. Most recently she served as the Human Resources Director at Parallon, one of the country’s largest revenue cycle partners, with more than 15,800 employees serving hospitals and physician practices.

“My goal at Cumberland Heights is to help provide the best possible care for our patients,” said Mastin. “The way I’m able to contribute is by taking care of our employees so they can carry out our mission.”

Mastin is affiliated with the United Methodist Church where she serves many roles and sits on the board. She’s also on the regional board of directors at the Center for Youth Ministry Training where they find new ways to minister to young people. She earned her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from the University of Tennessee.

Howard L. Burley, MD

DIRECTOR OF PSYCHIATRIC SERVICES

Dr. Howard L. Burley, Director of Psychiatric Services Cumberland Heights, is an addiction psychiatry specialist, and has been practicing for 34 years.

Dr. Burley graduated from Meharry Medical College School Of Medicine in 1985 and specializes in addiction psychiatry.

• Jun 13, 2023

Write Your Own Song - Expression, Songwriting, Poetry & The Stage

Join Justin Furstenfeld and special guests on a 3 day retreat at the Full Moon Resort located in the beautiful Catskill Mountains . During this multi-day, creative deep dive into the inner workings of songwriting and creative expression, you will experience workshops, jam sessions, write your own song instructional and social elements.

Create and work with Blue October’s Ryan Delahoussaye (Violin), Matt Noveskey (Bass), Steve Schiltz (Touring Guitar), and Eric Holtz (Recording Engineer). You DO NOT have to be an aspiring songwriter, musician or performer to attend. This retreat is for everyone. You'll get to experience Justin going through his creative processes with your fellow retreat attendees and attend several performances Justin will give. There will be lots of interaction with Justin, Ryan, Matt, Steve and Eric.

Tickets include 3 nights of accommodations, meals, workshops, performances, and use of rehearsal spaces and equipment. Everyone is welcome!

Learn more at https://www.writeyourownsong.com/experience

Purchase tickets

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It's wonderful to see artists like Justin Furstenfeld giving back to the community by sharing their knowledge and passion for songwriting. This retreat promises to be a unique and transformative journey for all participants. Such music needs to be popularized, in particular, try buying 50 soundcloud likes: https://artistpush.me/products/50-soundcloud-like s

In the realm of emotions, where souls collide,

There lies a band with hearts open wide.

Blue October, their name echoes in the air,

A vessel for words we all long to share.

Through verses profound, they paint a vivid scene,

A dance of words that touch the places unseen.

With introspection as their guiding light,

They lead us through darkness, into the night.

"Hate Me," a cry that pierces the heart,

Unveiling vulnerabilities, tearing us apart.

"Into the Ocean," a journey within,

Where waters cleanse, washing away our sin.

"Calling You," a plea to a love so true,

The ache of distance, longing to break through.

And "Home," where solace is sought,

A refuge within, where battles are fought.

I recently discovered your Music. It is very uplifting . I have enjoyed all I have heard so far. I wish I could have heard this while I was going through my Cancer 7/2021 ---last treatment 8-2022

still not told I am remission, but I am about to turn 55 and I am working on finishing my BA in Special Education. I have never known easy. I am beyond broken, I continue to rebuild and move foward. I look at my past full of abuse, poverty , issolation, deceptions , being torn apart... finally attempting to move ahead , finding someone that continues assure me I am worthy as I work at a special education school for children that h…