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MAY-JUNE 2004 NEWSLETTER (Covering from May 7th to July 7)
So, you want to hear about new LOST AND FOUND stuff? Good. Because that's the perfect way to open this newsletter.
As you may have seen on your way over here, we have two new items available for your purchasing pleasure. The first is a cd of hymns called Speedwood Hymns. Now, bear in mind, it's US singing hymns, so don't be buying it for the liturgist in your life. Basically, if you've seen us play a hymn in the past, it's like a whole album of that kind of thing. Don't worry, though, it's only about 30 minutes long, so most people can tolerate it in one sitting.
The second item up for bids on today's show is our first DVD! Our friend George Panagos put this together for us using footage he'd collected along with some stuff we sent him. You get one concert, that concert again with us commenting on it, a music lesson from each of us, and some interesting footage of us recording the hidden bluegrass version of Multiply from our Something Different cd. An interesting collection of stuff, for one easy payment of $12 plus shipping and handling. But wait, put your checkbook away because we'll include-free of charge-one LOST AND FOUND business card with every order. Plus, we'll also include one tan padded envelope with your order. AND, one free canceled postmark! How's that for a deal? And now, back to your regularly scheduled newsletter . . .
Alathea Rocks On
Turn It Up!
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Back in early May, we traveled to the Tar Heel State to play in China Grove . . .as in the Doobie Brothers. Our friends Alathea came over and played some songs before we started. It was a pleasure to hear them again. If you've seen them play, you know I tell the alathea. The next night we were in Durham, which is part of the technological triangle, or something like that. (Don't take your technology there, or it may mysteriously crash or sink.) This night, the keyboard we used had a strange dial on it. I had the sneaking suspicion that I should have turned it farther to the right a long time ago. Life could've been much easier for me.
From there, we went home, until it was time to meet up in Michael's Golden State. We drove up to a town called Clovis, where the room gave the impression of our being really small and outside someone's basement. I know, you had to be there. Then we drove over to Bakersfield for a second helping of Springfest (which I mistakenly called "Winterfest" in the last newsletter). Sunday night, we played in Garden Grove (which is different than China Grove), and had a very fine time admiring the church's outdoor pool. (Note to self: bring swimsuit to concerts more often.) Then I flew home.
Seems Familiar
Is Tony Home?
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Next up, Michael and I met at Starbucks for coffee. Did I mention that the Starbucks was in London? We flew in to different airports, and by the magic of public transportation, met at Victoria Station. Then, courtesy of the magic of the United States Air Force, a van came and picked us up, and we headed back to a secret location. I could tell you where that was, but some things are a matter of national security. Okay, okay, we spent three days playing gigs at two USAF bases in England, if you must know, Nosey Parker. The first of these appearances was at a Sunday morning worship service at Mildenhall AFB. Then, that night, we played at a service at Lakenheath AFB, which was where we were staying. All the concerts were part of something called "Combat Touch." We were proud to do our part to help Combat Touch. The next day, we visited Cambridge, which is named after a town in Massachusetts. Oddly, when we entered the courtyard at King's College, I had the strong desire to hop on a broom for a quick game of quiddich. As we strolled around the streets, we thought we'd found Tony Blair's house. However, he must live at a different Number 10 than the one we found. Then, that night, we played for Club Beyond back at Lakenheath. The next day, our pal Christopher drove us to the airport. I didn't want to appear rude, but it sure seemed to me that he was driving on the wrong side of the road the whole way there.
Yummy!
Put The Tool Down!
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Then, we flew across the pond and went home. I went to Lily's graduation from pre-school, which is an event designed specifically to make grown adults cry. Then, on Friday, I flew back out to the Golden State, and Michael met me in Stockton. Our friend Steve The Dancing Maniac Episcopalian was the host for the evening, and a band from the local Methodist Church played some songs to start off the night. (A better journalist would've made a note of that band's name, but I am not a better journalist.) The following Wednesday, we both flew to the capital of the Magnolia State, which wants to change its name to the Hospitality State, but I ain't falling for it. Although, based on the fine welcome gifts our Jacksonite hosts left in our hotel rooms, perhaps I might just consider lobbying on their behalf. We were in Jackson to play some songs for Missionfest, which is an annual event hosted by the folks at Galloway United Methodist Church. It is a true honor when we get to participate in their city-wide service to the community. We visited several of the worksites, including the Habitat for Humanity house they were building. Michael even tried to help out with a little power tool application, but cooler heads prevailed and we disarmed him quite quickly. Before leaving, Michael and I joined Dave Carroll in posing in front of the familiar silhouettes on the wall.
Just Chillon
Laichingen
WELCOME!
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After Jackson, we both flew home. Though I didn't have long, since my family and I were heading early to the next destination to visit relatives in (get this) Switzerland. As you can see, an overnight flight sure can take its toll on a five year old. Eventually, we cleared customs, and drove on down to Geneva. Leaving Geneva without finding the memorial to Michael Servetus as was my want, we passed through a painful town. It even has a port, apparently. A highlight for our daughters was visiting a castle called Chillon, as in "I'm just . . ." After that little adventure, we drove back up to Germany, and visited the town where my ancestors lived. The next day, we arrived in our old standard Homberg, where we met up with a whole slew of familiar faces. From Michael my musical partner, to Christian our host, to Michael's brother Mark, to our friends Jonathan and Lalanya, to the Czech guy who runs the Spaghetti ice cream store. It was like the end of the Wizard of Oz, I tell you.
We're Back!
Our Best To You
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That night, we played the first concert in Balhorn. In an apparent effort to ease us into the Trays of Interesting German Snacks, the hosts ordered pizza. Had a fine time, and we were done in time so that nobody missed the Fussball game. (An Aside: There's this sport they play in Europe called "soccer," and they had a big tournament while we were there, but nobody in the United States seemed to notice. However, I can tell you that Greece won big, but the ball was designed in Germany, and the Italian coach used to coach the German team and we still get a lot of mileage out of his famous quote "Ich Habbe Fertig.") From there, we drove back to Homberg for a good night's rest. The next night we played once more in Uelzen, though we were in the church instead of our usual Kulturen Halle. (My guess is the town folks caught on to our lack of Kulturenal merit, and finally put their foot down.) Here in Uelzen, we were thrown full force into the experience of Trays of Interesting German Snacks! Check out this spread. Before the concert at the church in Uelzen, someone came up to Michael at the table and asked "Which is your best cd?" Michael's English isn't so good, I guess, since he smiled politely and pointed to this bathroom door in response.
Put Your Hands On Your Hips!
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The next day, we did a little sightseeing in Leipzig, which is quite an amazing city. And, when in Leipzig, who can resist a little round of that old favorite, Christian Says? While walking the streets where Bach walked, we came across these two young musicians playing their recorders under the statue of the great organist. It occurred to me that we were witnessing the Leipzig version of singing "Hound Dog" at Graceland. (You can see why the folks in Uelzen had us play at the church, can't you?)
We continued from Leipzig off to one of our favorite venues, Niederwiesa. As always, the hosts in Niederwiesa pulled no punches with the Trays of Interesting German Snacks. Even my daughter Eleanor joined in with feasting on this night. And Mark enjoyed the grapes. Or, at least he marveled at seeing so many at one time. As always, the Niederwiesans welcomed us warmly, and called us back for several encores. (Another Aside: If you're in a band and you come to tour in Germany—like, you know Whitesnake, or Styx or what have you—it's a good idea to plan your set to end a half hour before you normally would, since the German folk will insist on at least 6 encores and will feel cheated if you refuse to come back out, a la Axl Rose.)
Jung Café
Your Pizza, Sir
Rock Guitarist
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Then we drove in the dark back to Homberg. Since we had three vehicles on this night, Michael and I both got to experience the odd exhilaration of driving a hundred miles an hour, but having to move to the right lane to let the actual speeders get past. It definitely ain't no Jimmy Carter speed limit over there . . .though the Election Monitor would give them high marks in the thermostat category. The next day, we drove down to Kandern, which is in the Black Forest area. Met some new hosts, and had a great time. After the concert we stopped in to the Jung Café, which is either the place where youth drink coffee or where people talk about Gestalt Theory. They put us up at an empty furnished apartment (wait, that doesn't make sense, does it?), and brought over both pizza at night AND Trays of Interesting German Snacks for breakfast! The next day, we didn't have far to drive, so we went to France on the way. Knowing of France's reputation for culinary delicacies, I wanted to eat some of their famous Fries or Toast while in France (I refer you back to the decision in Uelzen), but faux pizza was the local option in Strasburg. However, you'll note, it is a snack, and it is on a tray, and it is being carried by a German, thus making it a Tray of Interesting German Snacks—in France! Also while visiting the country that gave us mayonnaise and the Statue of Liberty, we went to the cathedral in Strasburg. It was really quite moving. However, I was puzzled by this particular ornament over the front door. It seems someone had prefigured Michael by many centuries.
Yummy!
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Following the French excursion, we continued north to Pforzheim, where we set up in time to watch a little bit of soccer. The German team was playing this night, and their loss put a bit of a damper on the evening. However, we had lots of fun, and following the concert, stayed with a great family in a really cool house. I had a bit of a not-so-cool adventure in the middle of the night when I fell down the ladder leaving the loft in the room where I slept. But, these things happen. The next morning, we played a couple of songs at worship in Pforzheim, and then got some more pretzel bread and drove on off to Bochum for our final concert. (Long-time readers will recall that this is the town where my computer was stolen many years back.) We had a really great time, and saw several of our long-time friends that night. Both before and after the concert the hosts provided Trays of Interesting German Snacks. Then, we all drove back to Homberg and slept the night away. The next day, we spent time wandering around town, spreching our deutsch, and eating spaghetti ice cream. Talk about your Interesting German Snack, eh? Later in the day, the Utpatels cooked us some food and we spent the evening watching the soccer on TV.
The next morning, before dawn, we all headed to the airport in Frankfurt to fly home. Michael's flight was canceled, but he was able to take another one. My daughters watched "Scooby Doo 2" several times each, and then, we were home. The next night Germany had its final chance to make it into the finals in the big soccer competition. After no small amount of effort, we were able to locate a channel that was showing the game. Eleanor made a banner to cheer them on. However, even this was not enough, and Germany was out for another four years.
Next up, Michael and I were finally reunited with our van, which had been sitting in Minneapolis for two months. On the drive from Minneapolis to Ohio, Michael stopped in Chicago, flew to New York to find housing for school, flew back to Chicago, and drove to my house. This was as hard as it sounds.
Once he got there, I took over and we drove down to Mason where we once more met up with our pals Alathea. Before they played, the host-church band Persuaded played some songs as well. Once all the good music was done, we took the stage and played our set. The next night, we drove to nearby Hillsboro where we set up in the parking lot. After a torrential downpour, we moved everything inside, and Alathea once again played some songs prior to our music. At the concert that night, we were honored to have a couple of smurfs with us. I've never seen one in person, and it was a real treat. The Siamese-DuctTape Girls were also in attendance, so it really felt like a reunion of sorts. Also, bumping up the celebrity quotient, following her elevation to the throne, the Junior Queen of the Festival of the Bells came by and stayed for the rest of the concert.
After all that excitement, we all went our separate ways, and I drove Michael and myself back to my house. In the morning, he flew home, and I worked on preparing our house for the annual 3rd of July party. But first, I set up my Rhodes piano and did a little recording in the garage. I tell you, that protools stuff sure expands the options of recording locations.
After all the fireworks, Michael and I both flew to Phoenix to play some songs for the youth who were attending the NACC gathering, where I now sit writing you this brief note. From here, we'll fly home for 24 hours before heading for Canada. So if you don't hear from us for a while, look around Manitoba.
If you'd like to see some pictures of the people who tolerated our concerts, you can click on the Photo Phrenzy. And don't forget about the DVD and the album of Speedwood Hymns. But, most importantly, I'd like to remind you that the time to rock is now!
stein auf!
george
Read more of George's monthly newsletters.
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