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	U.S.A. TOUR 2011

Vince Gill with me at Station Inn in Nashville Tennessee

Click here to see photos of tour

Tuesday July 12

Started our journey from Wellington at 4am Tuesday morning and arrived at our motel in Dallas Texas some 30 hours later via Sydney and Los Angeles. Up again at 4am the next morning local time and reached our final destination of Omaha Nebraska 4 hours later. Picked up at Omaha airport by our promoters Tex and Mary Schutz who were very concerned because our cellphone wasn’t connected and we had no way of contacting them. Went to our base at Lincoln Nebraska to acclimatise to local conditions currently running at 40 degrees during the day.

Wednesday July 13

Bad jetlag and lack of sleep, just lazing around today.

Thursday July 14

Very groggy still from jetlag and lack of sleep. First practise tonight with Tex and Mary in the ‘bus’. Our first show is Saturday at Tekamah Nebraska.

Friday July 15

Moved the bus from Lincoln to Tekamah for our show tomorrow afternoon which is at 2pm in the auditorium. Weather still around the 40 degrees and really sapping our strength but hopefully will get used to it soon.

Saturday July 16

Our first show at the auditorium in Tekamah and it went really well.  Tex and Mary started the first half with their traditional style while I finished both halves.  Good to see so many folks there from last years show and introduced several new numbers to see how they would go. Got a great hand and standing ovation at the end of the show so it would seem as if the tour is off to a good start. Having trouble coping with the 100 degree (40 centigrade) temperatures during the day.

Sunday July 17

Travelled from Tekamah Nebraska to Hutchinson Minnesota about 300 miles and arrived at Louise and Ralph Hartsuikers place where we will camp up for the next three days. Got our own little mobile home however the air conditioner is working very hard to keep things cool – 100 degrees fahrenheit every day so far. 

Monday July 18

Had to go into Hutchinson this morning to do some PR work and meet some people from the local radio station who are interviewing me on Wednesday morning. The rest of the day was spent practising with Tex and Mary and trying to stay cool in the 100+ degree temperatures. In the evening I was invited to sing a couple of songs with the local polka band Country Dutchmen. Lester Schuft was the band leader and local radio identity and lead trumpet player. It seems that polka music is a big deal up this way.

Tuesday July 19

Very hot again today – hope it cools down for the show tonight.  The show attracted a medium crowd who appreciated the music that we produced for them.  We suspected that the high temperatures kept a few of the people away.  Tried out a few new numbers to see if they will be suitable for the TV show on Saturday at Sandstone, Minnesota. 

Wednesday July 20

Had a very successful radio interview this morning with Lester Schuft at KDUZ Hutchinson.  Sang three songs live with Tex and Marys help.  Lester called us later to say that the feedback was phenomenal and the best that this radio station has ever had.  Drove up to Spicer to stay a couple of days with Tex and Marys friend Les Chermack who lives on Greenlake.

Thursday July 21

Spent the day relaxing by the lake and Les took us for a ride around the lake in his boat.  Later in the evening Les took us to his cousins ‘honky tonk’ for a meal where we did an impromptu show which went down very well with the patrons.

Friday July 22

Left Les’s place this morning heading for Sandstone and the taping of the TV show tomorrow.  Will stay in the motorhome tonight and park outside the theatre in Sandstone.

Saturday 23

It is so nice here today – much cooler and raining this morning. Going for a sound check at noon and doing two shows today one at 3pm and the other at 7pm.  Cathy and Joe Jensen who run the Midwest Country Theatre told Roger that he was the best vocalist they have had at the Midwest Country Theatre.  Very high praise indeed as they have had some of the biggest names in the music business at the theatre.

Sunday July 24

Back to back shows yesterday at Midwest Country, CD’s selling well.  These shows are recorded live and presented on RFD –TV and have a large following.  Very enthusiastic audience reaction and an open invitation from management to reappear next year.  Tried out  a few new numbers – still trying to determine what works and what doesn’t.   

Monday July 25

We drove from Duluth to St Cloud Minnesota to a campground east of the city and just rested for the day.

Tuesday July 26

Tex, Rog and I went to Walmart to do grocery shopping and Mary stayed behind in the motor home to catch up with admin work. Came back and did laundry and ironing and then went shopping for Tex.

Wednesday July 27

On the road again heading for Mankato Minnesota about three hours drive for our show tomorrow night.  Very hot and muggy today and a good day to stay inside the motor home with the air conditioning on high.

Thursday July 28

The show tonight was held at the Hosanna Lutheran Church in Mankato, Minnesota to a small but receptive crowd. Only a year old, it’s a beautiful modern-style church with a state-of-the-art sound system and a sanctuary area with a beautiful oak platform that we used as our stage. This was a variety show, not a strictly gospel music show, and Tex & Mary’s “Farmer in the White House” was a hit and once again, Roger’s rendition of “How Great Thou Art” proved a favourite.

Friday July 29

Got up early and got the motor home ready to travel to Kansas City, Missouri, a trip of about eight hours. Arrived at T.J. Ballard’s acreage (on the north edge of Kansas City) and immediately made friends with this newly widowed, but cheerful and animated man.  We sat down at the kitchen table for a nice get-to-know-each-other chat and a few minutes later were treated to a performance by a mama white tail deer with two fawns in the back yard. We watched through the big picture window for several minutes while they drank from a fountain in a flower garden.  It was an awesome experience that made our arrival at T.J.’s  place very special.

Saturday, July 30

A morning of relaxation. Went to a church meeting in order to meet up with talent agents Terry and Jennifer O’Brien of Big Bear Productions in Kansas City Missouri.  We were later invited to his place for an informal meeting and an audition.  He talked a lot about the music industry and gave us several contact names to follow up on.  Terry also arranged a live radio interview for the next morning in Kansas City.  Although very informal we have the feeling that something very worthwhile could come from this.

Monday August 1

R & R day at TJ’s. Went out to dinner into Kansas City at an original BBQ joint and had our first taste of a rack of ribs. YUMMY!!! After dinner we drove to the famous corner of 12th street and Vine (from the song Kansas City) also the  famous blues/jazz area of 18th and Vine. Very emotional for both Denise and I. We only get to hear these words in a song - but to be actually standing there was truly awesome.

Tuesday August 2

On the road again heading for Aitchison for the county fair. It was held outside at the County Fairground and although our show started at 8 o’clock it was still around 100 degrees F around 38 degrees C.

Wednesday August 3

Left Aitchison early this morning and got into Topeka about 10.30am and onto Clay Centre  Kansas for a gospel show tomorrow night.

Thursday August 4

Raining and cool today – only about 74 F degrees. Did a gospel show at the local Lutheran Church in Clay Centre Kansas. The show went really well and I was asked to do some yodelling in amongst the gospel songs. It seems that this is going to be the format for most of the gospel shows here – everyone seems to love yodelling.

Friday August 5

Shifted up to Concordia Kansas about fifty miles up the road. Day off today. Did some shopping at the local Walmart.

Saturday August 6

Lazy day today. Our show tonight is at Brown – Grand Theatre in Concordia with Marge LeBlanc. We were a late inclusion into this programme consequently only had a short time slot. Marge LeBlanc originally from the bayou in Louisiana and now living in Onalaska, Texas is a girl with a big voice in the Patsy Cline style was very impressive with the full backing of the Kansas City Band - Stranger Creek. The concert was held in a truly beautiful old theatre of French style.

Sunday August 7

Came up to Beverly Kansas for a gospel show in the local church featuring Bailey Wilton the young local identity. A very good evening of predominantly gospel music featuring myself, Tex and Mary and Bailey. We were all well received. We were treated to an amazing lightning display in a thunderstorm later that night.

Monday August 8

Stayed last night at the home of Robert and Judy Schrader – a beautiful farmstead home. Really nice to get a nice comfortable bed and a little privacy for a night. Much appreciated and wonderful hosts.

Tuesday August 9

Travelled to Holbrook Nebraska this morning. There is a festival here this Friday and Saturday called Burtons Bend – looking forward to that. Went and had lunch at an original Bar/Café that must have been here for a hundred years called ‘Ho Jo’s’. I had a rib eye steak and Denise had ‘fried chicken’. Probably the most forgettable steak I’ve had in America. Earlier today in Kansas we called into the original log and limestone cabin of Dr Brewster Higley the author of ‘Home on the Range’ which is now the state song of Kansas. The song actually started life as a poem titled ‘My Western Home’ which was put to music by Dan Kelley in 1873.

Wednesday August 10

Have got our own bed at a lodge in Hunt Nebraska for a couple of days – it’s great. Fetsival this weekend at Burtons Bend so resting up for that. A few days R & R.

Thursday August 11

Enjoying a few days on our own at the lodge. A day of rest and shopping.

Friday August 12

First day of Burtons Bend Festival.  A very busy day for me – have three shows today and a show tonight. Held in an old brick building which originally was a school and subsequently converted into a theatre complex. 

Saturday August 13

Festival continues with three shows again today plus the main show tonight. Highlights of the festival so far – local identity Alexa Whipple an up and coming yodeller. Janet McBride now in the twilight of her career and ‘still lovin the ride’ which is also the name of her new book. A lovely lady. The Richards Family – a family of 14 children plus Mum and Dad. Multi talented musicians and singers. Pat Boilsen another local identity well known in Nebraska.

Sunday August 14

On the road again and heading for Grand Island for a gospel show tomorrow night.

Monday August 15

Berean Bible Church in Grand Island Nebraska. Programme of predominantly gospel songs performed to a capacity audience. This would be the best church programme we have had to date, with the addition of a few yodelling songs to the programme rounding out a very satisfying evening. We are beginning to notice many people are starting to follow us from previous shows.

Tuesday August 16

Off to buy Rog a new pair of Levi jeans. The rest of the week is rest and relaxation time.

Sunday August 21

Dinner and show at Fullerton Senior Centre Fullerton Nebraska. We had lunch at Ruby and Arnies – friends of Tex and Mary and now firm friends of ours. Ruby is the lovely lady who makes the best cherry pie in the world!!! We had a lovely time visiting with them until the show at 7pm. Spent most of my segment of the show talking to the people about New Zealand who were very interested in our little corner of the world.

Friday August 26

Nebraska State Fair. Being the first day of the fair we really didn’t know what to expect in the way of an audience with so much else going on around the huge fair ground. The evening show is going to remain famous as the smallest crowd I have ever played to!! The big named concerts drew the crowds and sometimes you just simply need to put it behind you and walk away. Tomorrow is another day.

Tuesday September 20

Fox Theatre Nevada Missouri – Pretty theatre built in 1915. Tex, Mary and I presented our programme to a very enthusiastic audience. By now our ‘standard’ show is refined and running very well. Met up with a couple Cherie and Kevin Van Der Poel from New Zealand who are dairy farming up here in Missouri.

Thursday September 22

In the morning we were invited to Cherie and Kevin’s dairy farming operation. They are milking 3000 head on three adjacent farms with two other Kiwi couples. It was really interesting to see the different methods being used up here to cater for colder winters and warmer summers and different pasture growth rates. A little bit of New Zealand transplanted into Missouri.

In the evening we had a show at the El Dorado Theatre Missouri – unfortunately we only had a smallish crowd at what was a very good show. Our kiwi friends came along.

Friday September 23

A day of travelling from Missouri to Nashville Tennessee through the Ozark Mountains and rolled into Nashville full of anticipation.

Saturday September 24

The Midnight Jamboree - Troubadour Theatre Nashville Tennessee.

A beautiful theatre immediately adjacent to Ernest Tubbs number two Record Shop. This is one of the premier tourist spots in Nashville with all sorts of history including Ernest Tubbs tour bus – ‘The Green Hornet’. This theatre is the home of the Midnight Jamboree – the second longest running live radio show in the USA and originally was started as a ‘jam’ session at the conclusion of the Opry Shows - hence it’s starting time of midnight. It is broadcast live all around the world. To be included is truly an honour. The host for this show was Ron Williams, son of Leona Williams who was once married to Merle Haggard. Leona is a performer and songwriter in her own right. The show was backed by top Nashville musicians including legendary guitarist Jimmy Capps. As an invited guest I had two songs – Danny Boy and Where Did All The Yodellers Go.

Sunday September 25

Troubadour Theatre Nashville Tennessee – Cowboy Church.

Held in the same theatre on Sunday morning so we were back ready to go after about five hours sleep. This was a great show featuring gospel singer Pam Weston, Joanne Cash Yates (sister of Johnny) and myself along with a different world class Nashville band. My two numbers - The Place Where I Worship and How Great Thou Art felt very easy with this band and received a standing ovation from the capacity crowd. The highlight for me was sitting next to and talking with Joanne Cash Yates. I couldn’t help but see the resemblance to her brother Johnny. Lovely lady. She has been hosting the Cowboy Church for twenty one years along with her husband Pastor Harry Yates who shared the message with us.

Monday September 26

The Station Inn – Downtown Nashville Tennessee

On the recommendation of George Hamilton 1V we went to The Station Inn Club. There was a crowd waiting and was queued back for a hundred yards waiting for opening time of seven o’clock with many people waiting over two hours to get in. This turned out to be a typical rough looking beer joint but what a night. There was a strong rumour that Vince Gill might show up and sure enough just before the band was due to start at nine o’clock in he walked and simply took his place as part of the band. This was quite simply the best band I have ever heard - their name is The Time Jumpers. Featuring three top fiddlers, rhythm guitar, two lead guitars, steel guitar, upright bass and drums with a female backing and lead vocalist. Led by top fiddler Kenny Sears who plays most nights on the Opry. I was invited up to do a song toward the end of the evening and in a strange way it felt perfectly natural to have Vince Gill sitting immediately to my left and playing guitar for me. I produced my best version of Where Did All The Yodellers Go to thunderous applause and a standing ovation. A truly great experience to associate with these musicians and sing on the same stage as Vince Gill.

Tuesday September 27

Ryman Auditorium – Went for a tour of this magnificent old historical building so steeped in country music history where all the great country music stars have appeared. Recently refurbished – it still hosts winter shows when the much newer Opryland venue cannot be filled. Stood on the same stage where the great performers like Hank Williams, Patsy Cline have sung.

Wednesday September 28

Took in a Grand Ol’ Opry show featuring Charlie Daniels Band, Little Jimmy Dickens, Terry Clark and Rascal Flatts. We were lucky enough to have back stage passes courtesy of George Hamilton 1V.

Friday September 30

Memphis Tennessee stayed overnight and did the tour of Graceland. This is something we were really looking forward to and it didn’t disappoint us. Standing at the graveside was particularly moving.

Thursday October 6

Dosey Doe's - Woodland Hills, Houston Texas

I was booked as support for the main act – a trio of well known singer/songwriters.

The venue was a real honky tonk – meal and a show place, beautifully done out in an old barn style building with the stage virtually right on top of the front tables – very intimate.  I was solo and did not really know what to expect. I was an unknown here, where the likes of Tommy Emmanuel and Lorry Morgan would be playing over the next few nights so there was a lot to live up to. I needn’t have worried. I found the crowd simply fantastic to work for and received a standing ovation at the end of my set.  We are definitely invited back here and also to a second Dosey Do venue opening shortly.  An excellent result from our first booking in Texas.

Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday October 18, 19 & 20

Branson Missouri

It was a ten hour drive from mid – Texas to Branson Missouri. I had heard so much about this place over the years that it was somewhat surreal to finally be here.  It was exactly as I had pictured it, with glitzy theatres and neon lights everywhere. This town lives and breathes country music and I was here to take part in three shows put on by ‘Midwest Country – Live in Branson’ at the RFD – TV theatre (ex Ray Stevens’s theatre) over three nights.  This town feels like a mini Las Vegas except for the lack of casinos, and tourists flock here in huge numbers to take in the country music shows of every description.  We went to see the longest running show ‘The Baldknobbers’ which has been running non – stop for fifty two years – very professional, very classy and very funny.

RFD Television runs its own theatre in Branson and the three shows here were a celebration of artists currently appearing on their Midwest Country shows, including myself.  These are filmed in Sandstone Minnesota but every now and then they present a series of live shows here in Branson.  This was the first time I have performed with the RFD – TV band – a great bunch of guys who I really enjoyed backing me.  It was good too to meet local sweetheart and fellow yodeller Maggie May.  It’s not every day you run into another yodeller and it’s always interesting to compare styles.

Singing at this level is a very satisfying experience and you are immediately aware that everyone, no matter what their role, is thoroughly professional in their attitude and work to a very high standard.

I was curious to track down a backing band that my old friend Wayne Horsburgh from Australia had played resident with for quite a few years in Branson. I found them – The Horse Creek Band – still playing at ‘Silver Dollar City’. Unfortunately Wayne is no longer singing here but we had a great afternoon with them and they asked me to join them and so a few songs for the audience.  Silver Dollar City is situated a few miles out of town and is a complete event destination in itself. An all encompassing fun park that needs a full day to see it completely.

We loved Branson. It is exciting, colourful and simply bursting with entertainment. All too soon however, it was time to go and hit the road again.  We are invited back and can’t wait for this part of our tour to roll around again next year.

Conclusion:

Sometimes things happen that you are not expecting or something jumps out of left field and hits you in the eye.

So it was with us and upon receiving some sudden family news we decided we had no choice but to cut short our American tour this year and head home.  It is never a good thing to cancel engagements but sometimes you’ve just got to do what you have to do and so, with mixed feelings we packed our bags and hurriedly jumped on a plane for the long journey home.  It has been another wonderful adventure with some wonderful achievements, friendships made, goals made and new ones set.  We look forward to returning next year to continue the mission.

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Click here to view slideshow of photos youtube.com of 2010 tour of the USA

Calgary Stampede and Canada trip - July 2008