Thursday, May 31, 2007

Thank You, Music Lovers


It's been a week of comings and goings. This past weekend, we learned that a good friend and former member of Just Friends, Rudy Thomas, passed away. Rudy was a real character, and the stories about him are part of the lore of the band. The tag line of this entry, for example, was a quote from Rudy. The picture here shows him performing with us at the Lawnton Legion. It was a tradition that at some point we would begin "Route 66," and Rudy would stroll up to the stage with that confident smile, and sing that song like he owned it. He will be sorely missed.
Joreen and I also send our prayers and condolences to Barry's family on the passing of his father. Barry was raised in a family that loved good music, and that love lives on in every performance Barry gives. God's peace to all who mourn, until we're reunited again.

Friday, May 25, 2007

So, What's New?




He is. His first name is Theodore. His middle name is John. His last name is the same as his mother's. (I'm preventing his full name from being a Google hit at his tender age.) In this photo, he is about nine hours old. He was born May 23, 2007, before breakfast, and after his mom had a very, very hard night's work. He came in at eight pounds, seven ounces, 20 inches, whip-smart, dangerously handsome and poised for greatness. As of Saturday morning, he will be residing with his mother and grandparents.





Surprised? So are we. The details of the story are unimportant to share here. Those who need to know them will. What I'd just like to say for now is that perfect love really does cast out fear. A mother's love is a miraculous, transformative thing. Prayers are heard by a loving Father, and sometimes answered faster than you would believe possible.

Hold on to your hats, kids. This next part of the trail isn't on any map I've ever seen.

Monday, May 14, 2007

Gonna Break out the Hats and Hooters


Sorry for the delay in new content here. We've been busy. The big news is the band management has signed a contract with the Sheraton Harrisburg-Hershey for New Year's Eve, and I have some details.


The celebration begins at 8:00 p.m. Tickets are $55 per person and include dinner (Italian, of course), a champagne toast/coffee and pastries at midnight, and of course music and dancing with The Just Friends Band. Tickets are at this moment in the process of being printed and will be available directly from Jack Traino, Sr., band manager, at 717-939-4462. Or, of course, Joreen or I will hook you up.


We are really getting excited about this as we begin to fine-tune the details. I personally want to thank Jack, Vince and Gio for all the hard work in negotiating with the Sheraton. If you've shopped for New Year's events in the past, you know that $110 a couple for a complete dinner, live music and other goodies is a bargain. We're going all-out for this, and in the words of that guy from Animal House, "This is gonna be great!" Stay tuned for more information as it develops.

Thursday, May 10, 2007

A. Ginger Ale, Dayquil and Lipton's Chicken Soup

Q. Why hasn't John updated the blog since May 2nd?

I have lots to report but no energy to report it with. I started with a cold that went into flu symptoms. Talk to you all later.

Wednesday, May 02, 2007

Just Friends at the Verhovay

Just a reminder that the Just Friends Band will be at the Verhovay Friday, May 4, from eight to midnight. We don't have many shows on the schedule that the general public (that's you!) can come to, so we expect a good crowd. We hope to see as many of you as can make it. Drink prices are reasonable, the menu of bar food is filling and tasty (don't order the fries unless you have someone to split them with) and the dance floor is always open. We'll even turn the mirrorball on for you.