summers almost gone........

.....as we sit here and complain about the heat, humidity and no rain, just remember, it will all change soon enough, and we'll then be complaining about to much rain, how cool or cold it is, etc......thats whats so great about this area, you definately get all four seasons, and all of the extremes of each......but just last week, the band was in a different area with a totally different climate and it was wonderful......we were in Northern Idaho, Sandpoint to be exact. 80-90's during the day, but in the shade, much cooler, and then in the 40's-50's at night....as you might guess, this was in the mountains.....just google Sandpoint, Idaho and you'll see what we were around. ( check out the Photo Album page on the website, "Festival @ Sandoint ) We were there for a short vacation and to be the opening act at "The Festival at Sandpoint" last friday night, (Aug 4th). We were the opening act, with Tanya Tucker , being the main act.....it was a very nice Festival, and a very successful one for Hilary and the Band. Merchandize sales were at an all time high, plus we had quite a few folks manning the booth, which we want to thank again and again. Along on this trip, were Hilary, Michael, B.A., Griff and Jeff Mueller ( on electric guitar and bass) and Ruth Acuff on backing vocals and bass, and Melissa ( Mike , Rob and Loyd had other commitments, but were along in spirit.) Jeff was our co-producer & engineer on the Floating World CD and Ruth is an accomplished singer/songwriter from this area...their current group Rutherford has a new CD out, entitled " Mapping Out Chaos" and their website is at www.luxmusic.net ....plus Jeff has a nice post about the trip on there. Photo's from the trip and show are starting to appear on the website, in the photo section, so check it out.......on the way out we stopped in Fort Collins, Co. for a couple of days at Hilary's sisters house and where we set up our stuff and practiced, went site seeing, relaxed and even played at a Bar-B-Que in our honor....to Heather and DeDea, we thank you for your great hospitality......on our third day we headed up to Idaho, seeing many wonderful sites and scenery, traveling with the Rocky Mountains beside us or thru them. Having a limited time frame to get there and back, we did see a lot of turn offs to some great vacation spots, which would of been nice to see, given we had more time......after about 16 hours in the band van, we arrived at our place of residency (actually early the next morning (1:30 am)....not being able to see our surroundings, till we woke up a few hours later, we were in awe, and what a beautiful surrounding it was.......so for the next few days we relaxed, practiced, ate, swam, kayaked, sailed,went to several get togethers in our honor and just basically had a mini musicians vacation....... instruments were sitting around, available to play at any time, decks of cards were abound, plenty of food and refreshments were provided, for our enjoyment at any time, and I will say a good time was had by all. The on friday we loaded up the equipment and headed to the festival grounds, which was a very nice setting indeed....immediately we were treated as honored guest, and given the star treatment.....everyone invloved with the festival was very helpful and friendly, and you can see why it has been a sucessful event for quite a few years......the performance went well and the crowd was very appreciative in their applause and in the merchandize sales.......hopefully, we'll be back again next year, but only time will tell.....we would like to thank a numerous amount of people, and I will name a few here, but if I missed anyone, just know we know you by face, but maybe not by name........it was a whirlwind of a trip, and we will cherish it for a very long time......thanks to Hilary, the most, for providing us the oppurtunity to share in her talent and life and these numerous adventures of the band. And in no paticular order, other than when the names come to mind,....to Ron, Robin, Heather, Dedea, All the Grandma's & grandpa's; Rug, Red, Art, Carole, Pete, George, The Twins, Pam, Michael, Matt, Jeff, Ruth, Melissa, Tanya, and her band, Sandy, Anthony, Julie, and all the folks involved with the festival, that we didn't meet, but benefitted from their work and help, and once again to all the fans, new and old and everyone who bought tickets that night.....it was great to look out and see 3000 smiling faces.....till next blog, thanks to everyone out there, whose been involved in whatever way, over the last 6-1/2 years, without you, this wouldn't have become a reality....thanks again....B.A.