SPRING 2003 NEWSLETTER (Covering February-April 2003)


Let me be the first to welcome you back to February. As you might recall, I promised to write more regularly. However, I seem to write newsletters just as I write letters to distant relatives . . .i.e. not as often as I promise to. But, now that I have your attention, let us do our springly duty by turning back the clock . . .

Recognize anybody? First up

Early February found us heading for Michigan. We played some music for a gathering of Lutherans and, even more exciting than that, we debuted our new LOST AND FOUND hats. I snapped a photo of the first purchasers. Can't remember where they're from, but the smart money would be on Michigan. Sunday night, we played some songs at the church in Clarkston where one of my favorite piano players works. (Wow, that was a rough sentence.) His name is Tim Graf and I'm always a little embarrassed to play piano in front of him. I should've asked him to turn around. Oh well.


After that great time, we had a few days off until I flew out to Michael's west coast and we met up in Seattle for a few days. First we played in Very-Nearly-Canada, though some folks call it Bellingham. While there, we ate bunches of healthy foods from the healthy foods store. (This will come up again later.) We headed south and met up with our friend Tom Norwood of long ago . . .in fact, we've known him since last century! Had a nice afternoon with Tom, and returned to the church to set up. While setting up, I began to get sicker and sicker, culminating in a not-very-attractive scene just prior to the concert. Felt well enough to sing and didn't revisit the not-very-attractive scene until after the concert was over. Later in the evening, there seemed to be nothing not-very-attractive left to cause a scene and I began feeling better.


Then we headed south to Portland, where we were happy to spend some time with our writing friend, Tim McLaughlin. (You can find a fine piece of his writing combined with our own songs by looking at the link Graceland.) We spent some time eating not-so-healthy food so as to avoid not-so-attractive scenes. We were careful not to move the table in the entryway, as per the pastor's instructions, and we had a really fun concert with the folks from Milwaukee, which is another story altogether. Afterward, we had to drive north so we could get up early and play a few songs at worship in Olympia, Washington. That afternoon, we headed over to Federal Way, where the kind hosts went all out in decorating the place. They turned out a really big crowd and we had a really big time.

"We're waiting . . ." Rock on!

Having exhausted all the fun possible in the northwest, we both headed home until regrouping in the Chicago area at Concordia University in River Forest, Illinois. Michael got all gussied up in his Lost-And-Found wear. And, also he lost his voice. We had a lot of fun there on Valentine's Day. One does wonder, though, if Concordia's soccer team feels any pressure to have a championship season. From there, we headed west and eventually arrived in the Minneapolis area. (You know, The Metroplex.) The actual part of The Metroplex where we played was called Excelsior, as in Arthurian Legends. Our pal, Agape rapped out a few tunes before we played out songs. Also that night, a kind fellow gave us the nicest gift. It was a rock to which he affixed an electrical switch. And now, every time we begin a concert, we turn the switch on, in the hopes of rocking on. But don't get your hopes up; remember, it's just a prototype.


Next night, we played in Red Wing, as in high-quality work boots and earthenware. The locals have converted an old general store into something like a church and theater and place to hang out. Really quite an interesting place. Had a nice time, as expected, and Michael's voice was slowly returning. Then we drove to another version of Very-Nearly-Canada called Duluth, Minnesota. Wow, that's north, my friend. Played in a most unusual place right downtown that was something like a theater and a skateboard park and a place to hang out. Really quite an interesting place. Our pal, Agape rapped out a few tunes before we played out songs. Plus, Michael's voice was slowly returning. (This is like the déjà vu section, eh?) And, that night we made up a song called "Agape Dave" in Dave's honor. And, man, if we thought it was cold in Duluth . . .well, we were right. However, that was nothing compared to our return visit to:


SASKATCHEWAN!!!

Huh?

Yep, we came back. This was our first time returning since writing our smash-hit single called "Saskatchewan." When we arrived, our driver uttered the phrase which I will never forget. In the course of casual conversation, he actually said to us, "You know, there's a real difference between 30 and 40 below." As you might've guessed, we'd never heard those words spoken before that moment. In the heat of the day, it got all the way up to minus 15 during our visit. Among the free-time activities offered was "Ice climbing." Yes, I know. For those who've lived south of the 48th parallel, you might never have seen this phenomenon: most folks' cars come equipped with heaters and so cars tend to have a plug sticking out the front of them. And in the Unusual Signage Department, those Canadiens have different words for all sorts of stuff. For example, look at the price list sign posted at the concession stand.

Ladies and Gentlemen!

So, as you might've guessed, we had a real fun cross-cultural experience in Saskatchewan, and played the appropriate song many times during our visit. After Canada, we headed home and watched March come in like a month. The first event of March was one of those Youth Encounter congresses, held in Virginia Beach. Owing to some renovations on the regular building for this event, the gathering was held in a big top in the parking lot. As Michael aptly noted, "the Virginia Beach congress is kind of like paradise. But it seems they've moved paradise and put it in the parking lot." Despite the frigid temperatures, we all had a lot of fun under the big top. Before our first set, Michael had the resourceful idea to bring out the kerosene heater that we found backstage. It didn't actually work, but it added some ambience, which is something we're all about in this band. Also, while there, Michael and I had the opportunity to try on a couple of hats.


Then, we took a break and then met up in Wisconsin where we played for the students and some visitors at Martin Luther High School which is (not surprisingly given the name) a Lutheran School. Then it was heading east to K-a-l-a-m-a-z-o oh what a gal. We played in the coolest room we've seen in some time. It was hidden in the old high school and has recently been refurbished. I took a photo from the top balcony because I am always amazed by how nice things look until we take the stage. Anyway, we had lots of fun playing the concert and hanging out with the hosts before hand. The next morning, we played in Westland, Michigan at another high school. Then, that evening, we celebrated Christmas early by playing a little concert in Frankenmuth. We were greatly psyched that Wally Bronner himself came over and stayed for the whole concert. (Though a couple days later some guy told us that Mr. Bronner comes to everything, thus making us feel not very special at all. Thanks, Mr. Burster O. Bubbles, whoever you were.) Anyway, while we were in Frankenmuth, we saw our long-time pal Chuck Anderson, and we had a real fun time playing in the WALLACE BRONNER AUDITORIUM. (So take that, Mr. Bubbles.)

"Watch it, brother!"

We didn't have to drive far to get to West Branch, Michigan. (Interesting fact: This is the town where the Fitz Family have land and are building a house.) All sorts of interesting things this night. For instance, one fellow came dressed as an M&M. Our friends Reed and Ros brought their youth group. We had the "opportunity" to try on some hats made out of real dead animals. (Well, they were real dead, sure, but I meant "dead real animals.") Also, back in the teachers' lounge, we found a can of spray that Michael could use, if he ever gets tired of living with his brother Mark. And also, a few young ladies decided to get tattoos for the concert. West Branch concluded our Great Lakes State tour, and we headed way down south into the warmth of Baumy Ohio. (Get it?)

Uh-oh! Svelting On!

The next concert was in Sidney, Ohio, in a beautiful church. Our friends, the Fitz Family (the ones with land in West Branch) were in the area and they did us the kindness of stopping on by. Had a fun night, and then drove to my house a little further north. Next, we drove over to Illinois and played in a town called Grayslake, which is essentially Wisconsin to you and me. The hosts printed up some fliers suggesting a dismal future for people. I mean, if it doesn't get any better than LOST AND FOUND, well, yikes! However, on a happier note, the opening band was called Svelte Bobby and The Soulfixers. Yes, I know. Thing is, they seriously rocked in the most fun fashion. I love this band. Then we drove north and west.

Party on!

Wisconsin Rapids was next. Had a really nice crowd, in spite of the rain, including our friend Jeff Weiss, whom we haven't seen for several years. The next morning, we played in the very same room for the school's students. That was lots of fun, and then we loaded out in the rain, which wasn't much fun. But, we had a lot of help from the students who were eager to get out of class, so that was lots of fun again. From there, it was back to the Chicago suburbs to play another of Youth Encounter's congresses. This one is called "Chicago," but it takes place closer to Rockford I think. Anyway, we had tons of fun. One group took us out to lunch at Pantera, which is our favorite heavy metal restaurant. I tried on a new hat. I also had the opportunity to sit in with our pal Jonathan Rundman, which is a true treat for me. On Sunday evening, we raced southward to play in Champaign. I don't mean like we splashed around in some French product. Champaign is a town in southern Illinois. Come to think of it, it's not all that southern, but never mind all that. Point is, we had a fun time, and left Champaign pretty much as we found it.

zzzzz

Then we had some time off, until I drove and Michael flew to Kansas City. This was another Youth Encounter congress, though a little smaller than the others. However, we had the usual great time and enjoyed ourselves real good. This being Karl the sound guy's third weekend in a row, he was taking advantage of the lower stress by resting when possible. Sunday night, we played in the Kansas City area and had a huge crowd. In fact, this concert was so fun that it warrants my pick as The Live Recording You Should Buy When You're Only Buying One. (That's a category I just made up.) But, the recording came out great, and we all had lots and lots of fun. Oh yes, also we played some songs. Then we went back over to the airport and flew to our homes for a minute. Then we came back.

A Tire Emergency!

We began driving south. This continued for some amount of time until we experienced a near tragedy which is called a Front Tire Blowout. Though I kept the van upright during this trauma, it was a small miracle that I did. Boy, this will teach me to keep the tires fully inflated, not drive 80 miles an hour, wear my seatbelt, and not drink so much coffee. Fortunately, we belong to AAA, and they sent a guy out in the middle of nowhere who had a lug wrench that fit our van's tires, as opposed to the lug wrench that came with the van and which does not fit our tires.

"What white lines?"

So the point of all that southward driving was to get to Texas. Specifically, to Midland Texas, hometown of our current president. In fact, we played at the very church where he and Laura were married, way back when. They were not there, but I'm sure they had other stuff to do, like run the country and live in the Disctrict of Columbia, for instance. The next night we played in Gainesville, which is just north of Dallas. Though we were scheduled in Houston in the morning, tornadoes and large hail told us not to risk it, and we showed up some time in the afternoon. When I say Houston, what I really mean is Klein, where we played at the church where Lyle Lovett's parents were members. (Really making the rounds, eh?) Before the concert, Michael took a few moments to try his hand at a video game with some folks from the youth group. He's the car on the bottom. In spite of his performance, we do actually ask him to drive the van quite a bit.

THAT's how they wash the windows?

The next day we played at two high schools. Then Michael dropped me off at the Houston airport and (speaking of asking him to drive) drove all the way to oh my goodness Kalamazoo and can you believe it then he's not done back to Saint Louis where I leisurely flew in to meet him and have him pick me up. From there, we drove to Carlinville, which you've probably never heard of. It's in Illinois. We were there to provide some music for some very kind folks having their Council gathering of the Salvation Army. When we first got there, I was concerned for some of the young ladies who might be planning on misbehaving. However, this bin was just a prop for a skit. Had loads of fun, and they gave me a building to take home when I left! (I am not kidding one bit.) It's still in the van in the driveway, because I'm not sure where to put it yet. Too tall for the ceilings in our house.


Then, on Wednesday, Cris and I went to see Ben Folds in concert in Cleveland. Wow, now there's a fellow who can play piano. Let me be clear, though, some folks will find some of his lyrics a little bit distasteful. So, that said, he's still a really great piano player and songwriter, and it was one of the funnest concerts I've ever attended.


And then, it was Holy Week, and I finally got around to writing you this little note. Hope you had a nice and sunny Easter. If you'd like to check out the photos from the piano bench, you can click on the Photo Phrenzy. For those who might be interested, we're doing our third LOST AND FOUND live chat on April 30th, right here on our website. You can find details as well as the link to the chat at the front page of our website—which I'm guessing is how you got here.


Rocking ever upward,


george

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