Honoring Our Service Men and Women
Hey guys! Hope everyone had a fantastic Memorial Day weekend. Got to pause a moment and thank all of our veterans and active duty military men and women for their service to our great country. Also want to thank all the wives and husbands who gave up time with their spouses…the parents who gave up time with their kids…and the kids who waved good-bye to mom or dad as the departed for weeks, months, sometimes years at a time. I sit here in the shade of a tree by a softball field…it’s peaceful and safe, and all of this is possible thanks to a marine, a soldier, an airman, or a sailor who gave their time and some ultimately their life so we can enjoy this incredible freedom we enjoy. Thanks just doesn’t quite seem enough, but it sure is a good start.
Been a couple of weeks since I last talked with you all…life’s been good. The guys are all healthy and summer has descended upon middle Tennessee which has made all the kids smile. Schools out and with the passing of a school year comes the anticipation of late nights and even later mornings. My daughter in particular enjoys the fact that she gets to skip breakfast…not because she isn’t hungry, but because technically when you wake up at noon I think you call that first meal “lunch”. As the weather warms, so does our schedule heat up a bit. A couple weeks back we got to visit our dear friends at Southside Missionary Baptist in Indianapolis, IN. Always a great trip as we get to hang out with all the former members of the singing group The Patterson Family. You guys have heard this story, but it bears repeating. My first real taste of Southern Gospel music came not from the radio, or a CD of the Cathedrals or Gold City….nope, it came from homecoming at my church where the Patterson Family came year after year. They’ve since retired from the road, but you can always count on a makeshift version coming together at homecoming, and this year was no exception. In fact, this year in particular they made it happen because Southside was celebrating its 50th year in existence as a church. Awesome stuff. At one point during the service they asked folks who were saved either at the church or under her influence to stand up…and people were standing all over. What an impact our churches have in families and communities as the years scroll on by.
This past weekend was a particularly special one for me and my family as we headed over to an area not far from home… to Algood, TN…just outside of the greater Cookeville, TN area (home of Tennessee Tech). Why special? Well…it’s close to my Granny Cherry’s original home…and I say “close” because her technical “home” is now several feet under water at Dale Hollow Lake. She grew up in Willow Grove, TN and that area was annexed by the Army Corps of Engineers to create the now gorgeous reservoir used by fishermen and water sports enthusiasts from many states. Paran United Methodist was the place and one of Granny’s nieces helped get us booked. By the time the meal was served for their homecoming gala, we had well over a dozen friends and family mosey on over to hear Granny’s grandson. Here’s the sad thing…we were there but they didn’t get to “hear” me. Why not? Infernal allergies strike again! Not sure what the deal was, but about half way into the service my voice was gone. Became a bit entertaining just to see (or better hear) what was going to come from my mouth. Squeaks and silence seemed to dominate the afternoon. One super beneficial thing was it was Marty’s first weekend as our “occasional” piano guy. His awesome work on the keys helped to make up for my shortcomings at the mic…plus, Marty is a huge UK basketball fan as is my Granny, so he diverted her attention away from the trouble at hand to the promise of green pastures up in bluegrass country with the new coach. Hated it happened for the church folks, but…as my lovely bride has reminded me many times in the last few days as I lamented…whatever the reason for it, the whole thing was in the Lord’s will and there was a plan and a purpose. Personal note from me: I’m hoping the Lord’s purpose was met and I don’t have to face that humiliation anytime again real soon! 
Got a weekend off to prepare for our extended trip to New England the following week. Plan to make use by spending lots of quality family time to make up for the time away. Been adding several dates to the schedule, so be sure and check them out when you get a chance. Getting ready to start working on a new CD very soon to…so look for more detail on that soon as well. Firming up those plans for the homecoming/reunion of the quartet this summer, and like I said…late July or August looks like the target right now. Trying to confirm all our boys will be here. The early plan is to start back to the way it all started with those early “pre-CD” songs we sang at church and work our way up to where we are today. Should be entirely too much fun reminiscing over the last 6 years. Hope you all can be there for what should be an incredible night for us…stay tuned.
Have a great weekend and we’ll talk again before we get gone. Maybe I can find time to update here and there from the road. I can already taste the lobster roll now! Should be a fun trip…and speaking of fun trips….don‘t forget Gatlinburg in November. Our previous times have been nothing short of awesome and I fully suspect this year will be no different. Can’t think of anything else super pressing…so you guys all take care and we’ll talk soon.
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