Still coming down from Saturdays show and it's Wednesday! Such an amazing evening and so many people who helped make it happen. The band rocked and a HUGE thanks out to Tommy, Rudy, Primo, Yahuba, Chris, Luke, Chris and Nate. Each of you added just what was needed and then some....The night was captured on video by Adam Lukowski (to be seen as we get to it) and in photos many of you have already seen by good friend Brian Drourr.
Musically, we had a ball bringing you a small piece of YYZ honoring the late Neil Peart(drummer) of Rush fame. Many folks didn't know but Neil also wrote all the RUSH lyrics on top of being one of rock history's most iconic and unique drummers. As a kid, I remember drumming and air drumming countless hours to the "Moving Pictures" cassette. I think I believed for a few brief moments that I was Neil Peart or at least someone very close to his extreme talents! We also had an excerpt of Martin Luther King Jr.'s book "Strength to Love" which quotes many of his famous sermons. It read:
"Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that
Hate cannot drive out hate, only Love can do that,
Hate multiplies hate, violence multiplies violence and toughness multiplies toughness,
in a descending spiral of destruction, the chain reaction of evil, hate begetting hate,
wars producing wars must be broken,
or we shall be plunged into the dark abyss of annihilation.
Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that,
Hate cannot drive out hate, only LOVE can do that." MLK (1963)
It was a powerful piece as Yahuba, Chris, Rudy, Jeff and myself each read a piece of this excerpt. We need more kindness in our world today and these words helped us to reiterate that.
Our sets were designed and built by Russ Bennett and Shawn Rice. They were just as I had hoped and brought such light to our already amazing lighting by Kyle Rose. The words behind us read : Be Kind, Brothers, Sisters, No War, Family, Love , Peace and More LOVE. I now see Ellen Degeneres' new campaign is "Be Kind to others" and I couldn't agree more. This all started with our sweet K/1 teacher at DOTY Elementary in Worcester , VT-Ben Larrow. His simple message to his kids of "Be Kind" has grown into a movement and will continue to grow as we realize its very simple yet imperative message. Thanks Ben!!
The sets went as follows: SET ONE: Fishin', Butch, MLK, Change, Left Lane Fascination, Eyes, Stop The World,Monster Truck, Breathe, B.O.D.I.
SET TWO: Flowers for No Reason, Better Days, YYZ, Rainy Day, Mama Knows, Vineyard, LIFE, 2 Tickets, Wake Up (Encore)--This bad boy had a percussion break created by Yahuba that Tommy, myself and Yahuba recreated. It was something and our first time doing a written out break. Thanks to Yahuba and Tommy for being patient with me--amazing piece!!
Many thanks to our sound crew of Josh and Ezra who help us sound pretty without all the volume!! Also, the whole staff at Spruce Peak Arts Center too: Hope, John, Belinda, Julianne, Meaghan, Paula, Jenny-Y'all rock!
These shows can't happen without our amazing sponsors so once again, Thanks to : Berlin Optical Expressions, Lawsons Finest, North Branch Vineyards, The Alpine Shop, VOLKL Skis, Breton and Simon, Freelance Automotive, Northeast Technology Partners, Ladder One Bar and Grill, Minuteman Press, Stowe Motel, The Bench, and WDEV and 101 The One. Thanks ALL! We held a raffle for a pair of VOLKL skis (donated by VOLKL) and raised $500 for The VT Federation of Families for Children's Mental Health. You can find out more about this VT organization at : http://www.vffcmh.org or contact Executive Director Cindy Tabor at !-800-639-6071. Please reach out if you or someone you know may need help with depression, suicidal thoughts or any other family related needs. They are amazing!!
More great shows to come so keep it right posted to this here sweet site! Peace out all!!
Chad
