I would love it if Alan sang songs from his Bluegrass and Gospel Albums at his concerts!  Mix in a bit of everything.  How cool would that be?   

Thank you.  Just Thursday at the Merlefest.   We were returning from family Easter Celebrations in Raleigh, North Carolina.  Wish we could have stayed for Jim, also Steep Canyon Rangers, Sam Bush, Ricky Skaggs, Lonesome River Band..wow..so many to hear!   We plan to return for many more  years.  

If your on the floor at a venue I find you are standing up to sing and dance!   Now at the Merlefest....everyone sat and sang till the encore, we were up on our feet with respect.   I like both!

Packing our beach chairs and a picnic cooler we found a place to set up camp on the lawn for the day.   Between the Watson and Cabin stages there was a continuation of fine music from Junior Sisk and Ramblers Choice (not to be missed!) to The Carolina Chocolate Drops.   With music to stroll by we checked out the Instrument tent, the Artist CD sales tent, rows of merchant booths and the hand craft tent where talented crafters from wood spoon  and leather carvers to wool / yarn spinners demonstrated there gifts.    While my hubby took a siesta, I kicked off the shoes and felt the sun on my toes.   Across the grass children played tag, young folk danced with ribbons and us old folks downed ice creams cones.   As the sun started to set we found a big round table of Merlefest veterans  in the food tent and set to eating BBQ chicken, beans and slaw while laughing to tales of Wilkesboro and past Merlefests!    As the tall trees glowed behind the Watson stage  Alan took the stage with Long Hard Road.  By the third verse we could hear those behind us on the lawn singing along with the chorus.  Yes, Alan is welcomed!   With his respectful and humble words Alan gave tribute to Bluegrass music and the many gifted artist and wished to honor them with his 3rd Bluegrass performance.   All of Alan's band shared such amazing  talent in harmonizing and instrumental solo's with each song!  Sierra Hull was amazing!  By the ninth song I found myself looking up to the stars and giving thanks for all God's blessings on this beautiful day.  You know  Alan's songs have  always had a way of warming your heart but his Gospel and now Bluegrass songs go way beyond to moving our souls.    Well Alan continued to play his Bluegrass songs from his album and returned to the stage for an encore.  But he pulled out with a fast one and took us on the Dixie Hwy to send us back on home!  

Do you know that old song by "Chicago" "Saturday in the park"?  

People dancing, people laughing

A man selling ice cream.

.........

People talking, really smiling.

A man playing guitar.

And singing for us all.




Yes.....It felt like one of those days you like to sing about!  

Bluegrass festival vs a concert venue?    

We be making plans for the festivals!

Yes it was a real nice performance.  Funny how you hear their voices and music so very clear when it's on the radio/internet. 

So glad to have tuned in for the Opry Live on WSM tonight!  Everyone who listened was treated to 2 wonderful new songs off Thirty Miles West!  A real fun song "Dixie Highway"    And the beautiful song called Everything But the Wings.  So very sweet!   Thirty Miles West CD is sure to be cherished.  

Oh, no email.... I like to keep check on the Opry schedule.  Would love to visit Nashville and the Grand Ole Opry someday.   A road trip to Nashville in the fall would be beautiful!   Hope you have a wonderful time! 

Alan scheduled for the Grand Ole Opry on Tuesday, September 13th, 7 p.m.!   
   

    We too have tickets for Windsor's show in November.   We would love to see Zac Brown Band, Billy Currington, Lee Ann Womack, Amber Digby or Dierks Bentley open, just to name a few!  Looking forward to a Good Time! 

AlanFan from Michigan!   Every home should be filled with music!  Hope your daughter plays again soon!  Try sending her some of Alan's sheet music! (sold thru fan club website)   How could she resist Alan's songs?

Are you going to the Mt Pleasant or Sarnia concerts?   The Sarnia Rogers Bayfest (outdoors) in Canada looks to be a big event and growing every year!  Sarnia is just across the Detroit River on the Blue Water Bridge from Port Huron.....not to far!  Would have love to see Alan & the Strayhorns again.....Seeing George Jones and Chris Young in September (husbands birthday wish come true) instead!   

Glad to hear other Michiganders enjoy Alan & the Strayhorns too!

Great Lakes Kayaker.....Lori

Freight Train is a favorite!  I too was hoping for it at the Fort Wayne Concert!   I love the touch of Bluegrass!  And really enjoy the instrumental solo's!   Maybe next Year!

Let's all call the local radio stations and request "Freight Train"!!!!! 

 

Thank you Hope for sharing your review.....How very sweet!  Love the sharing of roses too!
Happy 28th Anniversary!

Alan Fan,   I too am from Detroit area.....and I am still trying to make Biscuits!   My husband keeps saying "it's not like they make them in the south!"   "Where I come from" must be his favorite song too! 

Thank you Gayle for all the pictures!  They are fantastic....so clear too!   You must have been sitting/ or should I say standing right in front of us!   I tried to take pic's....but I was so into the music and the people around me....so glad you are sharing them with all of us!  What a concert!   I am still smiling!   
     
Andy did not share with me why he had 6 months....He looked to be very weak and fragile.  And so young.

I am so amazed at all the fans on this web site!  You are all so kind and friendly!   I feel like I am making new friends all over the world!  How cool is that?   As you can see this is my 1st fan club and the 3rd message for me!  I am overwhelmed with how sweet everyone is!   Wish we could all meet up for a Picnic!   But where would mid-way be? 

Gayle thank you also for sharing the song list.   I think I too received one after the concert(thank you Dee!)  Not sure if it was Alan's.   Look's alot like your's with the lines separating the songs and black tape on top/bottom.  But instead of song names it has.....emotions!    I would send a photo....if I knew how to copy.   
It goes like this.    Felt, Held, Known (single line) tasted, wasted (double line) Kissed, resist, missed (single line) hated, granted, (double line) needed, pleaded, lost (single line) worshipped, cursed

Interesting!   What do you think? 
 


     

     I couldn't help but share my thoughts.... Still pondering... I am finding a lesson.  With all that is happening in our world, I think I have been asking God "Why" alot lately and not nearly enough thank-you's.
     Yes, Mar4aj, Alan did sign my poster!   Thank you Alan.    
     And Thank all of you for your comments....But I am just Like all of you!   Just trying to do good.  (you just don't want to meet me when I'm being bad!)  
     Back to the concerts.....I wonder if Alan is planning on singing the song "Freight Train" for the first time for our good neighbors in Canada.  Does it not originate from Canada?  How cool would that be?   Oh, how I love the pickin' in Freight Train!
     To all Fan's going to the next concerts......Make sure you have those "Goodtime" signs!  

In closing.....I will share this with you....Helping 3 year old's with their hand printed Mother's day cards, I asked "Why do you love your mom?"   Their reply's:   "'Cause she tickles me."     "Cause she plays lego's with me."  "cause she makes me "Alien" Mac & cheese".  "Cause she makes me birthday cupcakes" (does mom watch AJ video's?)  And....
"Cause she adores me.   That means she loves me in her heart!"  
Give all those mom's you know a Hug!    Happy Mother's Day!

Please know that all of you suffering from the floods are in our prayers.
 
     Sometimes we don’t realize how much we touch each others lives. 
As we live with a song in our hearts we can’t help but share!  Share a smile, a “howdy”, joy, a hand, a song, a signature, a tissue, a compliment, a hug. And love. 
          My Doug and I looked forward to our evening in Fort Wayne, our youngest of 4 was graduating this June and this was to be one of our special nights….just the two of us, so I thought. 
      As we left for the concert my Doug looked smashing in his new western shirt and the hat he hadn’t worn in years.  In my eyes he was 30 again. 
     We where in awe at our seat locations, they where far more than we could have wished for, far enough back to see over those standing in the front rows.  Perfect!    Thank you so much Cindy for all the time and emails spent on reserving our seats. 
      We started up conversations with just about everyone around us…..Where ya from?, devoted fan?  First concert?   Everyone was happy to share their excitement.     Seated by us, Emily and her Mother, who were still glowing after attending a M&G.   I don’t think I have ever seen so much Joy!  Made me thankful for the special times we have with our daughters and our mom’s.
     Chris Young and Josh Turner were charming as they sang with their deep voices and a tip of the hat.  Truly Chris & Josh are up and coming Hollywood Stars too!.  Their songs made me just want to get up and dance!  Sitting tight to his seat, my Doug shared a squeeze instead. 
    As the fiddles announced Alan and the Strayhorns on the stage, our area was up hootin’ and a hollarin’.   What fun!  All the videos on the big screens where very entertaining and most endearing where the smiles during “Little bitty”.   Everyone in the house had to be shinning their purlie whites! 
   We too enjoyed the reminiscing and songs of Alan and the Strayhorns as they sat on the stools…..Kind of remind us of  “Pickin’ and a-Grinnin’” with Buck and Roy.  We couldn’t help but love the solo’s of the Strayhorns.  As only Alan can say it “That was good!” 
     Cute how Alan questioned the spelling during “Goodtime”s……He must really like to see those Goodtime signs!   
     Well, we counted 25 hand clappin’, toe tappin’ , sing a long, make ya want to cry sometimes songs!  (So nice of the couple next to us, Dee and Bill, to pass me a tissue during “Where were you?”.   Thank you!)   
      Near the end of the concert Dee and Bill encouraged me to take my poster to the stage to get signed.  Thankfully Dee took my hand and led me up.  (A big Thank you to the security guards for letting us pass.)  After placing the poster on the stage floor, I turned around to see the excitement in the front row fans!   There behind me was a young man in a wheel chair.  I asked if he would like Alan to sign his hat.  Of course!  Alan must have noticed him for his hat was the first to be signed.  I did not see Alan sign my poster for as I returned the hat to the young man I noticed tears from his eyes.  I told him it was ok and how cool it was to have Alan sign his hat.  I could not help but to give him a hug.  As I hugged him he told me he had 6 months to live……we continued to hug as the concert ended.   (Please say a prayer for Andy) 
      When my Doug and I returned to our hotel that evening we met two couples reminiscing over the concert in the hotel lounge.  As we joined them they complimented on how nice it was to see my husband open the door for me twice on the way to the concert.   
    By this time my heart was bursting!

Thank you to all of you who made our night so special. 

You know God blesses us with fleeing moments where we can touch each others lives.  So turn around, give a wink to those without a smile, wet your whistle and keep a song in your heart.  Take time and count your blessings!
 
Alan, The Strayhorns and Your Families…..Thank you for the songs we love to sing.