This week saw our jaunt up to Indiana for two concerts, one at the ACSI Midwest convention in South Bend, and another at Evansville. 

South Bend began in a late night set up session for the guys. Because of the size of the venue, we added a pair of A-line cluster speakers to the mix, and boy did they deliver! Dealing with speakers of that size puts the fear of God in a man. We raised them in the lifts with bated breath. One close call (better forgotten) made us think that the cluster was about to fall off the lift. Being crushed by a few thousand pounds isn’t the way any of us plan to go. But thankfully the night ended in victory, and we headed off to bed at about 1:00 a.m. 

8:00 the next morning found us dressed and ready to play for the first gathering of the day. Before us were two sessions, three lectures courtesy Robin and Annie, and a final evening performance, followed by another late night tear down. The lectures proved eventful. Robin’s first speech was held in a small wrap around theatre. A decent number showed up, and we left expecting similar things at the next lecture. Like a wave, we were hit between the eyes by a group over double the size of the first. Unfortunately we had moved to a much smaller side room and had to steal empty chairs from other rooms (sorry folks!). One may wonder with such a tight schedule how we didn’t internally combust, but the enthusiasm of our audience and the wonderful staff of ACSI made the day smooth sailing.

After our evening performance, Scott managed project a radio broadcast of the Vice Presidential debate. Being political junkies, we slowed to a crawl tearing down, listening to every word of the candidates (Palin won). 

We (meaning the guys) crashed landed after midnight, and left the hotel around 5:00. A six hour drive put us in the vicinity of Evansville, Indiana, where we were scheduled to perform at The Centre, a theatre in the heart of downtown. A quick load in confronted us as the banquet, at the time of arrival, was a mere three hours away. Thankfully, our set up was less than expected and we clocked in about the time the guests started to arrive. The sponsor of the banquet, a non-profit called Evansville Christian Life Center, is a wonderful organization and we urge you to check out their mission at www.restoringpeople.com. Starved by the end of the performance, an exquisite meal awaited us in the green room. 

Saturday arrived as we pulled into our last stop in Bearden, TN. Once again, (perhaps you are perceiving a pattern?) we set up till the wee hours for the following Sunday. Helping us along the way was an incredible staff and one of the most enthusiastic and big hearted music ministers in our experience, Wendell Boertge. One example of the fabulousness of our hosts at Central Baptist Bearden was the sudden shipment we received of fresh Krispy Kreme donuts long after sundown. Now if that’s not service, we don’t know what is. Sunday dawned with two outstanding services, and a delightful luncheon with our friends, the Dougans, who stuck around and helped us load out after the concert (thanks a bunch, guys ). As for the concert, we have rarely had a performance as energized, entertaining, and enjoyable as the one at Central Baptist. Thanks again to all the great staff who made it possible. We can’t wait for Round 2.

But I would be remiss to end this edition of the Week in Review without telling you about the big Giraffe we saw driving back to Nashville. Mario thought it was fake, but we proved him wrong with a few dynamic and dangerous close driving photos taken mid-journey. 

And that’s the Week in Review.