FEBRUARY/MARCH 2002 NEWSLETTER


So, it seems as if I've gone to a bi-monthly format with the newsletter. However, I'm allowed that sort of executive whim, since the newsletter has my name and an apostrophe "s" on it, which means it's all mine, and possession is 9/10ths of the law, and the law seems to be what everybody's preaching these days, so I have God on my side in this case, so nah.

THAT's entertainment!

Where was I? Oh yes, February. We began the month by heading with Troy to Houston, for an annual gathering of Youthworkers called the "Extra Vaganza." I think they treat it as one word, but it's a lot more fun to pretend that it's a gathering called "Vaganza" with just a little extra, or maybe to imagine that it's just a little outside your regular kind of Vaganza. Anyway, we had an absolute blast. Plus, they asked us to be the MC's (as in "YO!"), and we were "done with that," as the young people say when they're "in the home, y'all." I had an especially great time because I got to set in with all sorts of bands and stuff. I played with—get this list—Trace, Jonathan Rundman, Nate Houge and Honest Folk, Rachel Kurtz, The Fitz Family, Micah Taylor, and Happy Fun Time (I'm serious). You can link to all (or most) of these artists through Churchnoise.com. Since the event was held over the High Holy Holiday of Superbowl Sunday, the hotel rolled in huge-screen TV's for the occasion.

"Yippee Eye Aye, guys" Brrrr!

Following the Extra Vaganza, we headed over to Beaumont, Texas, where we played in the Steamboat Museum. I'm not quite sure of the connection between Beaumont, Steamboats, and iron statues of cowboys with bird droppings, but there we were nonetheless. That night we drove to Shreveport, LA, where I did my first interferon injection while traveling. (See last month's newsletter for a brief explanation of all that.) Next day, we drove on toward Arkansas. On the way we hit massive snow. Here's a photo of the view from my cargo cage in the back of the van. That night, we played again at the Lutheran High School in Little Rock, in The Natural State. (As Michael pointed out, "Natural State" has a completely different connotation to us northern boys.)


Next day, we returned to the Heights Church in Richardson, Texas. As always, we had one great time in the huge room. The following evening, we played another huge room with helpful hosts in Memphis, Tennessee. Afterwards, we had to race on down the road to make it to Greensboro, NC for the evening's event, which was called CCYC. Were warmly welcomed, and headed off into North Carolina. The next night, we retuned to visit with our long-time friend Dean Hansen in Hickory, NC. Dean always turns out a great crowd, and we enjoy returning each year to his place. That night, we also got to hang out with Michael's relations in the North Carolina area. From there, it was yet another drive through the tiny mountains in order to reach Knoxville, which we found in Tennessee, right where we had done left it. It was a return engagement at the fabulous Cokesbury Center, which is housed in a converted Lowe's store. (Once more, East Asheville Hardware is on the move.) An enormous crowd of folks shared all sorts of jokes with us, mainly concerning shopping carts suspended from the ceiling. From there, Michael and Troy dropped me in Cincinnati and continued on their way to the Metroplex.


Had a few days off, and I mean a few, and then I flew to the Metroplex, and Michael and I drove over to Sioux Falls, South Dakota, which was once called the Sunshine State, but ceded that title to Florida in exchange for the Mt. Rushmore State along with stock options and ballot boxes. Anyway, we had a great time in Sioux Falls, I mean who wouldn't? Our long-time friend Michael from Electric Pulp stopped by, and after getting an earful from each of us, made huge improvements to our website. Of course, I'd explain them to you, but I can't. The long/short of it is, our site rocks, if I do say so myself. And I just did. (Refer to paragraph one.)

Out by sundown! yummy! Why so blue?

The next day we played in Gothenburg, Nebraska. I expected everyone in Gothenburg to dress in black and be big fans of the Cure and Joy Division. However, this being Nebraska, that was not the case. Instead, we had a great group of fine folks who looked at the band instead of their own shoes. In fact, this recording wins my endorsement for the Live Recording of the month[s]. If you're interested in checking it out, you can click on Live Recordings. Next morning, we played at worship . . .wait, I mean we played music during a worship service, not like we were pretending to worship . . .in Amherst, Nebraska. Go ahead and find it on the map; I dare you. After the service, the kind hosts prepared a roast hog for us, which rocked. They didn't follow through on their threat to make us kiss a hog, which is another story altogether. The next night we returned to an old favorite of ours, Seward, Nebraska. Say what you will about your friends LOST AND FOUND, we're always at home in Seward, Nebraska. The next day, Michael and Pete dropped me off in Des Moines, and drove themselves back to the Metroplex. (At this rate it seemed like after the next tour, Michael would just drop me off in Seattle on his way home.)


While having a few days off, we received the sad news that a family friend of ours passed away. He was the man I was named for; he was my Godfather; and he was a saint, who from his labors rests. Michael and I were able to stop by and visit the family on our way to Pennsylvania.


When we got to Hershey for the Impact event, we were given chocolate bars every time we turned around. When we checked in, "Here's your candy bar." After dinner, "Here's your candy bar." Climbing into bed at night, "Here's your candy bar." I began thinking perhaps the theme of the gathering was "Here's your candy bar." Which, come to think of it, wouldn't be such a bad theme. The kingdom of God is like this: "Here's your candy bar." All that aside, we had a fine time with the folks in Hershey, though we looked forward to brushing our teeth at every opportunity.


After the event was over in Hershey, we headed east and played in a beautiful room in a town called West Chester. We had to apologize profusely for using the sacramental tables as speaker stands. That's a pretty big oops, eh? I wished we'd had a candy bar to give to the facilities manager. Anyway, we had a really great time with some really fun folks. This time, I dropped Michael in Harassburg for his airport harassment, and headed home. We had a very few days off, and then regrouped to play in Evansville, Indiana. Had a good time with lots of old friends. In fact, some we've known for longer than we'd care to admit (right Mitch?). The next day, we traveled to Rockford, Illinois to play an event called "Hearts on Fire." This was a good thing to call the event, since it kept us warm in the midst of a horrible blizzard. Going outdoors was out of the question, so we all settled in for a good day and a half. The next night, we drove through the snow and made it to Champaign, Illinois. Haven't played there in a long time, but lots of folks came over to have what I recall was a great time. Picked just the right size room and it was filled to capacity. Then, I dropped Michael in Chicago, and drove home again.

Stumping. Hitting the circuit Sign right here On top of!

After a very few days off, I drove over to Canton, Ohio, where Michael met me and we played for a group of pleasant concertgoers. The hosts were super helpful, and once more we reconnected with folks we've known for longer than any of us care to admit (right Mike and Kismet?). Next day, we returned to Cincinnati, Ohio for another delightful Youth Encounter Congress. What a blast was had. I once more got to sit in with Happy Fun Time (I'm so serious about that), and we got to hang out with our old pal Peder Eide too. (You can reach both of them at Churchnoise.com.) Michael delivered his stump speech, and prepared to take his speech on the road. That Sunday night, we played in North Worthington, Ohio, which is Columbus to you and me. Boy, they turned out one serious huge crowd, including our friends named Brown. Afterward, a fellow asked us to sign his license plate. Not sure if that kind of thing is illegal in Ohio, but I should look into it.

Crowder band rocks Hey, where's my face? Practice, man, practice!

Then we went to my house, Michael flew to his house, and I met him there 3 days later. We zipped down past my mausoleum and played in the morning at Concordia University. As always, had a great time there. We played a brief set for chapel, and then extended it with requests, including the Concordia Song. On the recording from that day, however, it will be difficult to make out that song, since we intentionally stepped away from the microphones. You know, can't be too careful when there's a tape recorder in the room, as a certain famous preacher can tell you first hand. That night, we played in a town called Cypress, and spent the afternoon relaxing with the hosts, who were most helpful and friendly, courteous and kind, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent. Next day, we managed to make it to the gig at the crack of dawn to stand around and wait for our soundcheck that afternoon. (Just kidding Craig.) We were invited to play at something called Fireproof, which is organized by our friends Craig and Jake, who are alive. We were very psyched to see lots of old friends like the David Crowder Band, and Superchic, both of whom rock my face off. Also, Michael had some time to work on his chops. Also while there, we didn't have any kind of banner for our cd display. So, after digging around the church a bit, I found this sign. It's really handy to have the name LOST AND FOUND when you play in churches all the time.

"Get me the janitor!"

That night, we stayed at Michael's house in LA, then drove leisurely up to Roseville, California. (If you ever want to go there, be sure to head for the Roseville near Sacramento, not the one near San Diego. It's a big state, after all.) We were reunited with our pal Dave Price and his family, whom we've known for . . .well, let's just say a long time. We recorded Speedwood One at his church when he was in Irvine, all those years ago. We noticed, either they have a lot of spills and stuff at the host church, or perhaps they just want to feel like the janitor is always available. I mean, not every church has the janitor hotline right there in the narthex, you know? Had a great time, in the pouring rain, and then Michael dropped me at the Sacramento Airport on his way home. (Hey! That's not far from Seattle! I'm psychic and stuff, huh?)


After I got home, I had my throat investigated by a doctor and a tube with a camera. This was to check for a problem that didn't exist. Well, it's a problem that exists, I'm sure, but it didn't exist in my body, and that's all I care about sometimes. (Refer to paragraph one, and hey, here's your candy bar, okay?)


Then we began a break of two full weeks, the likes of which ain't been seen by this band in a long time. If you'd like to see the pictures from the keyboard cam, you can go to the Photo Phrenzy. If you'd like to participate in our online survey regarding the length and format of LOST AND FOUND concerts, you can click on survey. In other news, Michael and I are nearly done writing the songs for the next album. We'll be in the house (well, it's a studio in a house, so I guess that's correct) in late May, and the album will be out sometime in June. Lots of surprises that wouldn't be surprises if I told you about them today. In other news, I'm getting the privilege of setting in with Jonathan Rundman on April 10th, at Concordia University in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Details should be available at his site or from the school.

Anything else?

Nope.

Layder,

george

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