I've gotten a little behind with a lot going on the last couple days- here we go... Chuck and Nadean Hillary continue to spolil us with their unparalleled hospitality. The benefit they arranged with Dr. Peter LaPine went great, we raised twice as much money as last year with twice the turnout. Heidi drove out to be with me but it was too busy to spend much time together...Next day we played at the St. Vincent Home for Children, heart wrenching and gratifying at the same time. Most of the kids were thrilled to meet us and try out our instruments, they liked our offering, too.These kids have had such troubled lives, it's a gut punch to think about what some of them have been through. The staff were all warm and kind, committed people doing a tough job, but trying hard. We tried to provide some bright moments and maybe a little hope and inspiration... I want to go back and do more, a lot more. Chuck and Nadean took us out to a beautiful Indian restaurant where we had a fine meal, and a full night of sleep afterword.
Today we played a really nice set for about 50 people that showed up at Elderly Instruments. We played without Pete the last couple days because he had an obligation with the DSO-it's great to have a drummer so good the Symphony steals him. On a personal note, I told myself I would try to learn something from everyone on the trip, and I've been with and around some really fine people. Phillis has filled in nicely on pusherbike/roadside for Pete, tomorrow we get my great friend and inspiration John Rutherford, and another super strong rider, Jim Gilligan as 2 pushers- we should go down the road... Also tomorrow we welcolme the maker of our beautiful craft, Mark Nobilette, he came all the way out from Colorado to ride with us for a couple of days...that's going to be cool for us, we'll roll with an all Nobilette rig... Getting ready for our homecoming, 1 PM in Chelsea Sunday at the District Library followed by a group ride at 3 to Top if the Park gig in Ann Arbor at 6:30, should be a very cool day for all of us... More soon.... Mark