| mattwesselmusic.com |
| matt's journal august 5, 2007 |
| I was at the Brewers-Phillies game today and had to watch Milwaukee blow a five-run ninth-inning lead. Ugh. It was terrible. I felt so bad for the team. I know their loss means that the Cubs could move back into first place with a win tonight, but I’m still sad. I really want the Brewers to make the postseason. And even if that weren’t true, anytime you watch a team blow a five-run lead in the final inning at home, you have to have some sympathy. There’s always tomorrow. That’s the great thing about baseball. Losses don’t linger for days – they only linger for hours. Speaking of baseball – the Cubs are on ESPN tonight so I have to make this quick! CONCERT RECAP I’ve been meaning to write about last Sunday’s show in Mount Prospect. We played for a wonderful crowd of about 100-150 people and helped raise about $2,700 for the American Cancer Society (and I believe that total will end up even higher.) We originally reported $1,700 raised, but more donations came in after the show. Mike Koenig and his group did an excellent job with this one – just like they did in 2005 in Libertyville. I arrived a couple of hours before the show and couldn’t help smiling when I saw the set-up: purple table cloths, gorgeous programs, food, raffles, pins, purple bracelets that said “HOPE”, various signs and posters, flowers and – most importantly – a gorgeous baby grand piano from Pickle Piano. And it was nice and bright – just how I like them! We played a couple of sets with an intermission in between. This was our first show since April and I was a little nervous at how we would sound. We didn’t practice and only rehearsed enough to do a sound check. But I shouldn’t have doubted the talent on that stage! I think the show was outstanding. We played on a really small stage with a really low ceiling, so everyone could hear everyone else pretty well (some more than others) and it was a different effect. I liked it. Larry was a master of sound, as usual. There was a slight scare when Mike’s (bass) plane was delayed. He was flying in that day from Washington, D.C. and was coming right to the show. He texted me that morning saying his flight was delayed. Having been on a delayed flight to Washington, D.C. a few weeks ago, I knew that it was very possible he could miss part of – if not all of – the show. But he rolled in around 2:30 – a good 30 minutes before show time. We were thrilled that Dan Meyer (guitar) was able to join us on stage. Dan – my old roommate at Marquette and a former member of the group – is in town this summer (he makes his home in California as a teacher) and was able to fill in for Chad who couldn’t make the gig. The rest of the show featured familiar faces – Molly, Kelly, Amy, Beth, Emily and Chris. Charlynn Hansen – the ACS representative who always comes to our shows and who has given us more support over the years than we could have ever dreamed of – was on hand and she brought her daughter to take pictures. I’ll post some of those when I get them. Charlynn wrote me a really nice letter this weekend. To paraphrase part of it, she wrote: “You have no idea of the impact your music makes on an audience unless sitting among the listeners. I always make sure this pleasure is mine to take advantage of. This past Sunday lit up so many lives. Hands reached out to hold hands, there were smiles on faces with tears.” The ACS has always done a great job of letting us know of their support and appreciation. Thanks to all of the people that came out to the show. It was a gorgeous Sunday afternoon and there were a lot of other things people could have been doing. Nearly $3,000 raised on a nice summer day is quite an accomplishment. Congratulations again to Mike and everyone that was involved with the show’s planning! Let’s do it again next year. Oh, and a big congratulations to Mike who was once again honored by the ACS with a Distinguished Service/Leadership Award for his work with the CFL. Way to go, Mike! DOOR COUNTY I spent this weekend in Door County. My buddy Chris and his family go up every summer. They’ve been inviting me since I was in college. It’s always a good opportunity to hike, swim, kayak, golf (regular and mini) and, of course, eat. For the record – an excessive amount of beer, Mexican food and cheese curds do not mix very well. But they’re all very delicious. We had perfect weather all weekend. And every time I go up there, I convince myself once again that I eventually want to own waterfront property. BACK NORTH NEXT WEEKEND This coming weekend, I’m going to the Boundary Waters with Katie’s family (minus Katie) up in Minnesota. We’re going to do three days of fishing, canoeing and camping. The only bad thing is I have to get myself up there (because I have to work a half day on Thursday) and that means I’ll be making a 9-hour drive by myself. And I thought the 3-hour drive to Door County was long. But I’m really excited. I had my grandpa put a two-piece rod and small tackle box together for me this weekend. I think I have everything I need except for some heavy-duty OFF – something with a high concentration of deet. I may not be allergic to mosquitoes, but they’re still annoying as heck. So please think of me next weekend because I may be lost somewhere between the United States in Canada with nothing but a canoe, fishing rod and extra pair of socks. SHOWS I’m hoping to book a show for later this morning – still waiting to hear from the church. I also anticipate an October show in Pleasant Prairie, WI, and a November show in Milwaukee, WI. Stay tuned! |