SUMMER 2002 NEWSLETTER


Hello, and welcome to storytime with George. This quarter's story shall be called "I Really Should've Written This a Long Time Ago, Because Now It's Going To Be a Novel-Length Epic Poem, Only Without the Poetry Or Adventure." Think of it as TIME Magazine writes The Odyssey.


First off, some housekeeping. Upcoming, we have our 4th Annual LOST AND FOUND Christmas Tour, featuring The Fitz Family, Famous Actor Justin Vetrano, and hip-hop artist Agape (for Christmas rap). You can find details in the Concerts Near You section, but the basic outline is Memphis, Atlanta, St., Louis, Minneapolis, Madison, Cincinnati. If you live near any of those towns, please consider coming on over. It really is a fun departure from the regular LOST AND FOUND concerts. (Not that they necessarily need any departing; that's just what is is.)


On September 9th, we tried our first online chat. It went pretty well, and was certainly fun for us. You can read the transcript by clicking on the link for ONLINE CHAT. Also, our concert-length survey has provided lots of information and interesting comments. However, it seems like most folks would prefer that we pretty much keep things as they are with our concerts. And, like The Kinks, we've decided to give the people what they want.


And speaking of music, I thought I might tell you what we've been up to since Alabama. (I did get out of that hotel and on a plane, for those of you who were still wondering.) After AFFIRM, we flew west to California and headed to Long Beach to play yet another CIY event. This one was held in the Carpenter Center at the University there. That's right, Carpenter, as in "Rainy Days and Mondays Always Get Me Down." Had lots of fun, and saw bunches of Carpenters memorabilia. From there, it was back east to play a unique event called "Mission Fest," with our long-time pal Dave Carroll. Had an absolute blast, and were impressed with all the great service projects the young people pull off. Quite inspiring, that. Following Mission Fest, we drove over to Georgia for the always-a-joy Challenge gathering of the Free Church.


Wow, how much more fun could we have? The answer is, none more fun. I was going to insert some photos and stuff from Challenge, but I realized there are so many fun photos that it deserves its own page. If you're interested, you can peruse the selection by clicking here.


After Challenge, we flew back west again to play some songs at the Western States Gathering of Lutherans. Saw lots of old pals, including our favorite producer in the whole world, Jonathan Rundman and his cousin Bruce. (That's Bruce, not me, in the photo there. Weird resemblance, isn't it? Come to think of it, I guess all bald people kind of look alike, don't we?) Had great fun, and traveled on to Normal . . .Illinois, that is. Here we were playing at the Central Illinois district gathering, and had the good fortune to hear our friend Tom Rogers speak to the group. On the wall in the auditorium, we were all quite amused by the French waiter. You probably had to be there.

New Look? Bekki rocks on

From there, we drove over to Lifest, near Appleton, Wisconsin. Once more, got to see all sorts of great bands. I "set in" with Jonathan Rundman, which was predictably great. Among those we got watch was Bekki Hemmingway, who—as some of us know—rocks. We played all sorts of different stages, and had a wonderful time. At some point, our mixer broke, but our friend Tracy Howe came to the rescue and loaned us hers.

Biggest Fan Cat Girls

After Lifest, we drove down to Milwaukee to play another servant-type event. Lots of fun with the people in blue shirts, including our biggest fan ever. Next day, played at a new Lutheran High School in Green Bay. Among the interesting people who showed up were the "cat girls," so named because they brought along their own inflatable cat. But, then again, who doesn't, right?


Next up, was Brookdale, Minnesota. Played for a large group of folks, and our friend Tracy Howe agreed to play some songs before our own set. A good night to all and to all a good night. From there, we drove off into Iowa. Lamoni, to be exact. We were there to participate in the spectacular event called Spectacular. A really interesting way of planning a youth gathering. Among the more unusual activities, we were asked to help judge the Iron Chef competition. Let me say, it was some of the best food I've had in a long time. Well, actually, the MOST unusual event was when a girl offered to (and actually did) straighten Michael's hair. Oh my goodness. I still laugh when I see the pictures.

Hook him up! Yuck!

Next up, a return engagement at the CIY event in Carbondale, Illinois. Well, "return engagement" sounds like Wayne Newton in Vegas. What I mean is, we played our songs and people listened. While there, I found a device that might help Michael to keep both feet on the floor. I still have to some investigating to see how it works and so forth. After leaving there, I drove home and Michael flew home. During the break, my family and I met up in Western New York and had our usual blast of a time. As you can see in the photo, Eleanor found the clay pits on Lake Ontario.

New look #2? Stone on top of, alright

After the vacation, I flew to North Carolina, where Michael picked me up and we drove down to the coast to Oak Island, which turns out to be one of the most interesting venues for a youth gathering. The event was held at an old army base called Ft. Caswell. Had a great time, and spent lots of hours exploring dangerous parts of the fort. We flew home for a couple days, and then came back to the same place for a repeat of the same gathering. Just as fun, just as interesting. Between the both weeks, we got to see some witty drama and some good musicians. Also, we picked up what we call the "Methodist Magnet," which now sticks on the driver's door of our van. It occurred to us that "Methodist Magnet" would be an excellent name for band. From Ft Caswell, we headed north to Virginia Beach.

Celebrities! Methodist Magnet Pipe on, Josh! Safety first

Played a concert for some nice folks who drove over. No one drove as far as our friend Brian from Rhode Island. (That's right, Rhode Island.) Out in the narthex, we found a picture of the Royle Family. Quite an honor to have them present while we were playing our little songs. After the festivities, we headed off into parts west to play in Emory, Virginia. Survived the pounding rain, and played for a surprisingly large crowd of fine folks, even though NASCAR was driving in circles just down the road in Bristol that night. Next night, we played in Asheboro, North Carolina. Before we played, a group of young people played some songs for the folks. They didn't have a name for their band. We provided them with the obvious solution, and suggested Methodist Magnet. They saw the potential for cross-denominational appeal and went for it. And in the afterglow department, Josh from the Ft Caswell gathering brought along his bagpipes and tried in vain to give me a lesson or two. (Not sure I'll ever figure out that instrument, but it was cool to hear him play.) Also in Asheboro, some concert goers brought along their professional-quality banner, which we displayed prominently throughout the evening.

Tracy and Aaron

During the next chunk of time off, our family moved into a new house. (Well, new for us; it's actually 60 years old.) Lily and I took time out of unpacking to play some songs together. After the break, Michael and I both flew out to Colorado for a small series of gigs. First up, we played at the Air Force Academy chapel. Our friend, Tracy Howe, once more provided some songs before our own set. Let me just say, she and Aaron are really good.


Next night, we zipped up to Longmont, where we had a great time. Next night, down to Englewood, where our friend Chad Lowry turned out a fine crowd. Before our set that night, a band called SOK played some songs. They were really good, and we joked for some time about how both bands picked the exact same odd tape colors to identify our cords. However, for the first half of the night, the fire alarm in the narthex was wailing away. On the plus side, it gave us an opportunity to practice our bagpipe chops by singing along with the alarm between songs.


The next morning (as in, crack of dawn), we flew to Minneapolis, where our friend and sound engineer extraordinaire John Simshauser helped us record a few songs for an upcoming project. We took a break at some point to go to the LAFOffice in order to have the aforementioned online chat, which, as I aforementioned, was great. Then, it was back to John's house to finish up the recording. Then, get this, we took a couple days off.


Then Michael flew to Chicago, and we did a quick Midwestern tour, starting in Libertyville, Illinois. Had a really fun time, and received a lecture on guitar repair over the church p.a. while setting up. After the fun, we drove off toward Portland, Michigan where, it turns out, there's a time change. So, as you might've guessed, we were running just about one hour late. Fortunately, we had lots of helpers unloading, and all went well. We got to see the newlyweds Lauri and Carl (of CPR Comedy fame). Then we drove on to my house in Ohio. Next day, it was back across the time zone for a concert in Lansing, Illinois. We thought the concert was at 7:00, though it turned out to be an hour earlier. Fortunately, Illinois sets their clocks back an hour, so everything worked out fine. Michael headed for a hotel near the airport, and I drove back home to Ohio, losing that hour yet again on the way. And then . . .


GERMANY.

Christian interprets

Yep, it was time once more to return auf Deutschland. As always, we arrived there exhausted from the through-the-night flights. However, our good friend Christian Utpatel met us with all the sound equipment and plenty of water, and we headed out into the Fatherland. First night, we played the old faithful Uelzen, in the Kulturen Hall. Troy arrived before the concert by train, and we set up and played for a large assemblage of German friends.

Niederwiesan youts

The next night, we returned to play in one of our most-favorite German towns, Niederwiesa. As always, we made the journey up into the bell tower to survey the countryside. A rather large crowd came over and seemed to have as much fun as we did, which is a lot. Afterwards, we were treated to trays of unusual German snacks, and chatted with the youth group. In typical German fashion, we discussed politics and international relations. Quite interesting.

Bartender, a Lost And Found, bitte Weaving shop

The next town allowing us to play was Pforzheim. You wouldn't call it the prettiest town in Germany, but the folks were really wonderful, and treated us to a "LOST AND FOUND," which is a cocktail containing various juices and coconut. Quite good, actually. We stayed in town, and the next day I finally got to visit the town from which my ancestors emigrated. As best we can tell, they would've worked in this weaving factory.


Also while in Laichingen, we visited the local tourist trap called the Tiefenhoele. I guess tourist trap is an apt description, since it's a deep hole in the earth. Just little bit this side of creepy and claustrophobic, if you ask me. But when in Laichingen, do as the Baums do I guess.


The next day, we played another new town called Balhorn. Before the concert, Michael and Troy worked on their game. During the sound check, Michael wondered what the words behind him might mean. Had a really fun concert, and headed back to the Utpatels for food and rest. The next day, we drove to Kassel, in order to set up for a festival called the Christival, which constitutes our first festival outside the U.S. As you can see from these photos, when Christian kept talking about needing to "build up the booth," he wasn't kidding.


Then it was off to a radio interview with Anne, from the special Christival radio station. She decided to interview us outside, and some local youts can be seen peering down from the garage next door.


After the interview, we headed over to the Mainstage to catch the insanely popular opening act, Normal Generation. The best way to describe them is, picture a very early cast of 'N Sync with the Partridge Family choreographing dance moves behind them. Yeah, kind of different than festivals around your neighborhood, eh? Anyway, then we went back to the Utpatels for snacks and sleep until we returned to the Christival to play our first set.


Our initial appearance was on a street corner in the rain. Cool, huh? Turns out, the Germans are much more resilient than most Americans, and didn't seem to mind standing around in the cold rain to watch some American band play some tunes in English. It was a really fun set, and following us was some kind of techno Cheerleading For Jesus routine. I have to say, that was different.


Next up, we participated in something called the Christival Grand Prix. Though we brought our driving gloves just in case, it turned out to be more like Starsearch. There were about seven bands, and each had one of these containers up front. The idea is, after all the bands have finished their five-minute set, the audience comes forward a la Communion, and drops a ping-pong ball in the container for their favorite band. As you can imagine, being the last band would have distinct advantages. So, we went first. Michael brought out our secret weapon in order to boost our numbers. It didn't help. But then we headed out to our next and final Christival appearance, at the Brucken Schlag Cafˇ.

Huh? The Brucken Schlag The Utpatels

Though the time was clear to most German folks, we had a bit of trouble figuring out when, exactly, we were supposed to play. Fortunately, Christian is a German man and thus speaks the language. He was able to interpret the sign for us, and we were on time for our set. Our time at the Brucken Schlag was by far our funnest set in Germany. We premiered our new song, Enschultigoong Sie Meine Schlecties Deutsch (i.e. Please Excuse My Bad German). It really is a funny song, to a German speaker, but would not make any sense at all to us English sprechers. So, after that little appearance, it was back to the Utpatels for snacks and sleep, until we headed for the Frankfurt airport.


We flew and flew and faced delays, and flew and flew and finally each arrived in California: I, in Sacramento, and Michael in Los Angeles. This wasn't a case of the airlines misplacing a passenger; it was our actual plan. I went immediately to sleep, as did Michael. Then he and Troy drove up to Sacramento the next day so that we could meet up and play this year's first Youth Specialties National Youthworkers Convention. Not surprisingly, it was wonderful. We enjoyed meeting up with lots of folks we haven't seen all year, and played a couple fun sets, including the now-traditional late-night concert with the fellows from CPR.


After that, we each went back home for two days, and then flew to Florida, where I now sit writing my story called "I Really Should've Written This a Long Time Ago, Because Now It's Going To Be a Novel-Length Epic Poem, Only Without the Poetry Or Adventure." I hope you enjoyed our little journey through time. If you've heard our Something Different cd (and haven't already responded), please drop by the survey on the opening page of our website. We like to hear your thoughts on the new album.


Hope all is well with you. If you'd like to see the view from the piano bench, you can look at crowd photos by clicking on Photo Phrenzy. You can expect the next newsletter to magically appear sometime near the end of the year. I finally go off the interferon treatments then, and expect to have much more energy. Similarly, I now turn my attention to the 300 e-mails awaiting some response. Um, thanks in advance for your patience if you're one of the 300 who haven't heard back from us yet.


Hoping all is well that ends well,


Georg (translation to English: George)

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