One Day At A Time

OK, time for an update of some sort. I will be here at Alive Hospice for the time being. I will be saying goodbye to my condo. I have been lucky in my life to have done and had many of the things I wanted and I can say my condo and office was one of them. Even though home is now one room, there is never a dull moment around here. Those who know me best know that there are always a zillion things going on in my head to do besides keeping up with all the daily stuff around here.

One interest I have begun to cultivate in here is modern history…I am becoming a fan of the History Channel. I prefer the documentaries, but have started watching “Pawn Stars”as well. I didn’t think I would like that kind of show, but these guys are so smart about any kind of item that gets brought in to their shop…really amazing.

As always, thanks for the love and support…stay tuned

How Bright The Sun Shined

They came from the West, the East side, from across the river to a place that in the past year became a second home to me…Kingston Springs, TN. The Fillin’ Station so generously opened its doors and heart to so many friends who wanted to say hello and play their music. There were so many very special, God-ordained moments that it’s impossible to name them all…everything from people who may not have known me who donated, bought something, showed up or posted on Facebook.

Here is one such God moment. My transport van to the Fillin Station was donated. The very special gentleman who drove it had done ministry on Music Row, was a songwriter himself but was away from it for awhile. As Rene and I talked to him each way, it was clear it was no accident that he was supposed to be with us. He joined us for the whole event, even remade some contacts, and it all turned out to be a true blessing for him to be there as it was for us.

Besides all of the personal love I felt from so many, the most satisfying thing for me is to know this message of encouragement I’ve been preaching for years has worked. And I must say, worked here in Nashville (and beyond). How blessed can you be to go listen to new writers, give some attention and a smile, and know it really means something?

Immeasurably, as I found out.

God bless you all who had anything to do with this day.

Better To Have and Not Need

When I moved to St. Paul in 1989, my first apartment was a renovated hotel room, much smaller than where I am now at Alive Hospice. It had two hot plates, a bed, a night stand and a table, and a TV that didn’t work half the time. But I was thrilled because it was my first place on my own. I was there for about six months until I found a better job and a bigger place. Then came the year long shipments of “care packages” and things from home sent by my dad.

Over the years in MN, I bounced back and forth from living in apartments and owning a home. When I arrived in Nashville, I first moved into an apartment, then
my own condo with finally an office space…which is where I’ve been until all this happened. Now I am back full circle in a smaller room here with only a fraction of my stuff. I spend a lot of time rotating things from table to table on each side of me as I need them.

Surprisingly though, one of the things I am realizing on this part of the journey is how many things really were true necessities and how much else you can make do with what you have or with reasonable substitutes. It makes you wonder how much of the life clutter you would really miss if you had to, and to what you could say “been there, did that” to if you needed to. I’m finding that out right now, and realizing that all the letting go isn’t a bad thing.

Another update

Thought I’d try to give an update….I am in good spirits, feeling reasonably well and the positives we are focusing on are hanging in well. Again, I am completely blown away by the support of all kinds of folks and for those who have been willing to take part in a benefit for me. I will see you all for as much as I can on the 13th (medication schedule permitting}.

Despite their humility, my angels remain my angels. I want to thank TJ for his thoughts on the show last week. Would I have done the same? Without a moment’s hesitation. God took our partnership along with Rene and made it bigger than a radio show. By the way, we are still trying to get the phones patched in on a Saturday so TJ can bring me on for a moment—stay tuned.

I must say I did not miss my work commute here in Nashville as I saw folks abandoning their cars in the snow along my work route.

Continuing to praise God for continued healing.

At last...more on the journey

First, please excuse any and all typos. The shift, caps lock and enter keys are still confused.

I am, after all, happy to be online right now.

It has been quite a whirlwind since about 1-24-11 when life turned upside down in one evening at St.Thomas Hospital. I went from dragging my painful,swollen legs to the radio station to TJ and Rene taking me off to the ER. Tests were run and I was pronounced with advanced breast cancer. After a couple of days in the hospital, I was sent home with pain meds and plans to have some home health care complete with hospital bed and all.

but then, another day, more decisions and the next I knew I was in an ambulance being whisked off to Alive Hospital downtown where I was told I would be getting the kind of care I really need now. Life has been a bit uprooted and uncertain. No more working (though that job would have ended at month end anyhow) and no driving on pain pills.

Now on to the blessings.

The incredible outpouring of love and support from friends, church, music people, Facebook friends by way of calls, visits, cards, gifts, concerts(yes, in –room). All including a benefit show in Kingston Springs with about 25 acts playing. Go to my Facebook page for info on that.

The angels who have been in my life through it all: TJ and Rene Kirby first and foremost. Kimberly, Cathy and Jack, Sharon and the rest of you who know who you are.

The magnificent women and men of Alive Hospice. These are not glamour jobs. But these people are American heroes.

Now to address a comment or two. I do not accept man’s opinion of how much time I might have—only God decides that. I heard there was a comment of me having “limited days” left. That is NOT true –my vitals are very good right now and I feel pretty good overall. As for the radio show—TJ’s not about to let me go without a fight!

As long I am able to (health and tech wise) I will be blogging this journey. So stay tuned.

Unfortunantely--me too

My fuzzy brain is slow right now so sorry for typos. I went to St. Thomas Hospital due to my friends and their worried insistance over my swollen legs SaTurday night. Well, the doctors did their their numerous tests and found advanced cancer starting from my breast. Please know I am at peace with this. I am getting much help from friends and others from this. So I join that other large group of groups: cancer patients. Please do not be sad--the last thing I want is negativity or doom. The main thing is positivity.

More news later--I love you all!--Wendy

Where Have I Been This Year?

I realized it's been a year since I wrote anything in this blog. I guess for the most part I've been too busy to ponder. Anyhow, I've always done some year-end recap around the holidays, so here's what's been happening for me this year.

At the end of last year I stepped down from my "Never Too Old" radio show and joined T.J. Kirby as a sidekick on "T.J. and Company". It's been quite the experience. T.J. has always been a radio mentor to me, so I have learned a lot in the process...most of all that a supporting role is what I am most comfortable with. In addition to being on air, I also do the "administrivia" for the show. I created and maintain our website (www.tjandcompanyradio.com ), I write our show blog and make sure guests and stations get MP3s of our show. Yes, we are syndicated as well with at this writing six stations that also broadcast our show...we like to call it the "see ya on the radio network." We've had some great guests on our show, ranging from music legends such as Lenny Welch, Beverly Bremers and Alan O'Day, to some up and coming talent such as Runaway Home, Calico Trail, Brittany Allyn and many others. Another exciting thing that happened for us this year is being nominated in two categories for the 2010 Nashville AIR awards. There is more to come in the next year, so stay tuned.

In March, I got back to work long-term. An agency out of North Carolina somehow got hold of my resume and offered me a temporary position in the Brentwood area. It was supposed to be for a few months, but here I am coming up on a year. My position will be up in February and then it will be time to look for work again.

I thought turning 55 was going to be positive, with maybe even some senior discounts out there. But around this time, I began going through something that had pretty much eluded me: health problems. I started having leg and hip pain and began to limp. After waiting a while to see if this would just go away just like every other health problem I had did, I recently bit the bullet and went to a chiropractor. I found out that my spine had rotated a little and it put my right hip out of alignment. So we are at the beginning right now of attacking this problem. Chronic pain is not fun. It's been the worst ordeal I've been through. It's forced me to put every ounce of energy to get through my job each day and curtail my trips to writer's nights. So that is why you haven't seen much of me, my songwriter friends. I wouldn't wish this on anyone. But I'll be back.

So that's my year. I hope you had a good one. Here's to you in 2011.

School Days

I've recently rediscovered many of my elementary and high school classmates from my hometown of West Haven, CT on Facebook. One of the most fun parts of this is the groups that were created around my neighborhood elementary school and high school covering the time I attended in the 60s and 70s. What's really been a blast is the memory-jogging photos, names and stories that have gone along with the postings. So far, I've managed to escape any unearthing of photos of me from these sources, which could be a good thing. But isn't it funny how looking at a picture of a childhood friend in the old neighborhood can bring you back nearly 50 years with instant recall of what it felt like.

On one of these groups, the talk turned to teachers we had and various stories. Being a writer, I have a few of those to tell. I don't want to hog the group so I thought I'd add a couple of those here.

I went to Noble School which was just a few blocks down from where I lived. I actually lived on three of the four sides of the block during my childhood (starting with Noble, Cottage and then our home built on the extended side on East, so we skipped the Blohm side). I learned some key things about myself during my time there. I was apparently a precocious reader...I remember being brought by one of my kindergarten teachers, Miss Keefe, into one of the other teacher's room (I think it was Miss Sullivan, who I eventually got as a teacher) to read a paper or something for her. I also remember getting a peek of the almighty "permanent record card" of mine which was on a teacher's desk. I could have sworn the description written on it of me said "Odd child". Actually, I don't think I'd dispute that description.

I also recall another incident which perhaps foretold my destiny. I remember one day a few of us kids were brought down to the all-purpose basement room of Noble School. I might have been in kindergarten or first grade. I was placed in front of a microphone and told to say something that went pretty much like this: "My name is Wendy Vickers. I go to Noble School. I cross at the corner of Noble and Washington. Please watch out for me, WDEE listener." I remember a teacher or someone saying, "she says that so cute". I think I even heard it once on the radio. Funny how I remembered that throughout all these years. This, folks, could very well have been the genesis of my ensuing "radio career".

In third grade I had Miss Bluette as a teacher. Somehow or another I became the "teacher's pet". She must have really liked me because my report card for that grade was all A's. I kept it for the longest time but it eventually got lost in all my moves, I guess. I doubt very much that I was that brilliant at everything I did in that grade. One of my "perks" of pet-ism was that I would get to "watch the room" when Miss Bluette had to leave the room.

Probably the most memorable occasion of that was the day President Kennedy was shot. She and the other teachers went from room to room trying to get the latest news. There was a bit of confusion as to whether she told me to watch the room or take over the reading group that was going on--but I decided to presume she said to watch the room and so I took the seat at her desk. I remember a couple of kids sitting in the back of the room laughing and drawing a picture. I asked them why they were laughing at a time like this and they said "nothing". Finally she came back and announced to us that President Kennedy had died and they sent us all home. I remember it being rare that I walked home on my own; my mother would usually meet me and she probably freaked that day that I walked home myself (or at least with other kids). But hey, I survived. Perhaps that particular memory is why one of my biggest pop culture interests is media coverage of the JFK assassination (there's a treasure trove of that now archived on You Tube. Uncle Walter got us through, as did Frank McGee, Bill Ryan and Huntley-Brinkley on NBC; ABC's coverage, however, was a train wreck. But I digress...).

When I got into high school, I was one of the stereotypical misfit nerds who wouldn't have a snowball's chance of being on the cheerleading squad and such. But that's been one of the other surprises of these Facebook groups: learning that so many not only remembered me, but did so fondly. Maturity changes one's perspective. Taking a cue from Brad Paisley's wonderful "Letter To Me" song, I advise all teenagers who were like me to ride the years out...it'll change. And maybe it's better than you thought...and so are you.

When It's Done Right...

I watched most of the episodes of "The Sing Off" this past couple of weeks. There were some really talented groups competing. One of those was the Voices of Lee, who I have seen many times at Gaither Homecoming and Mark Lowry events, so I knew them to be amazing. Despite the fact they were out of their usual comfort zone and did some music on the show that was very different for them, they did a great job. I voted for them, but could have gone with any of the finalists. I enjoyed the humor and style of the Beezlebubs, but I sort of felt Nota had that thing going on and they would win...and I saw that it would have meant the most to them to win.

The finale was superb. One other standout was the judging...imagine--positive, encouraging, helpful, constructive criticism. And if you saw the last show, these judges really cared about these artists. Awesome job Ben, Nicole and Shawn.

This series was done first class all the way. I hope it returns. If you missed it, take a look here. American Idol, take a hint. You can do something besides being cruel and outrageous and have a success.

Halloween Surprise

We've had some technical issues in the course of the upgrade to a new frequency at Radio Free Nashville. My friend and "radio mate" T.J. Kirby's planned Halloween afternoon show was a casualty of those issues. So with his afternoon free, he called me and asked "want to go for a good meal?". I said sure, why not. When all else fails, eat, is what I say.

I met T.J. and Rene at their place, got in their car and rode with them. We started in the direction of Kingston Springs. It seemed like maybe we were heading to Sonic again, as we've often done lately. Nope--went past it. We didn't stop at the nearby Mexican restaurant, either...another wrong guess. We got on the freeway and T.J. said he and Rene had a surprise for me. Fine by me. When it comes down to food, I'm game for most things...except foods which are onion or egg-heavy (as they hear from me all the time!).

The surprise was a visit to some of Rene's relatives, who were having a southern catfish fry in a huge barn. The spread was enormous and incredibly delicious: fried catfish, fries, chicken, cole slaw, white beans, turnip greens, macaroni and cheese, and a host of desserts. For a chow hound like me, it was paradise. There was also a lot of warmth and southern hospitality.

It wasn't just about the food, though. It was about continuing love and friendship being shown to me by angels in my life who know of my ongoing difficult circumstances. When certain parts of your life get tough, you have to look at the "big picture". In the midst of challenges, be grateful and focus on those things that are blessings. Sometimes that's easier said than done. But it's what keeps you going.

Honesty Is The Best Policy

This morning I went out to pick up a few groceries but needed to first stop at my bank's ATM. I pulled behind someone who seemed to be taking a little time and pressing a lot of buttons. The person drove off, and I pulled up to the window. As I was about to insert my card, a stack of bills spit out with a receipt. It looked like it might have been about $200 or so--I didn't even count it. I think this person ahead of me probably thought the transaction didn't work the first time, tried it again and unknowingly made a double withdrawal. But I didn't think twice about what to do. I pulled around to the bank entrance and brought the money and receipt inside, explaining what happened and asked if they could track the customer down.

All the people at the bank told me how sweet and nice I was to have done what I did. Are you kidding me? I wouldn't have thought of doing anything else. I wouldn't have considered keeping the money--even in my situation of being out of work for so long. I also answer to God. It's someone else's money and I know had it been me realizing I might have lost the cash, I would have been in a panic. I would hate to think anyone would have done otherwise.

So I drove back through to the ATM and did my own paltry withdrawal. I lingered for a second to make sure nothing extra was going to spit out. :)

Too Busy To Ponder...

I've pretty much been behind in all my blogging as of late. Too many activities going on. I'm perhaps spreading myself thin but hey, I like doing all these things.

Here's a recap of what I have (and haven't) been up to:

The lack of employment situation remains the same. 'Nuff said. There is always talk of possibilities, but nothing yet materializing. I am doing a little support for an artist I absolutely believe in, which is great in that at least I can say right now I am an artist assistant, if anyone asks.

I have not had time to continue the "Wendy V's Pondercast", plus that well's been a bit empty lately. Thus, I have decided to bring it to a close for now. I'm grateful to all who have listened and to Cyberears for being a great host site. I may take some of the better ones and see if I can host them on my website as a "best of" series.

I spent the 4th of July in a small town called Pegram, about a dozen miles west of the part of Nashville I live in. A fellow Radio Free Nashville DJ and the mayor of Pegram, both of whom I got to know via Facebook, recruited me to judge some baby and children's pageants (No such thing as an ugly baby by me-I was quite generous in my scoring!). I also helped with some various and sundry tasks before and during the event. It was a lovely small-town America celebration. I've always been a cityfied gal, but these folks treated me as if I were their own. I felt I made a bond with this area and its people with a few new friends.

I also had my big break in the music community here. I was accepted to present a topic at a fairly new music industry networking organization called Indie Connect. This helps various independent artists and service providers network and find each other for potential opportunities. One of my fellow industry professionals suggested I share some of my radio station knowledge, so I proposed a topic on how radio interviews/appearances could be effective for artists. I've gotten quite a bit of compliments on my recent radio show guest interviews. Thus, I took some of what I learned there and brought it to this presentation. It was the first time I spoke before an industry crowd here in Nashville and the first time I've done any kind of group speaking in quite a while. I hoped some of my Toastmaster training stayed with me, and I'd have to say that it did. I had a couple of friends and Indie Connect meeting regulars come, and that was fine by me. I was pleased with how it all went and very grateful for the opportunity. Here's hoping it leads to others!

I also filled in for a couple of DJ friends of mine on their WRFN radio show while they were playing at a music festival in Latvia. See, it's things like this show, the presentation, etc. that makes me continue to want to have my days flexible to take advantage of these opportunities.

Of course, I am still writing, going to shows 4-5 nights a week, etc. and doing what it is I do. Right now I am continuing to trust God to provide for my needs and He has not failed me yet. The one thing I need right now is an efficient computer with enough memory to do proper support for folks. So I'm trusting and believing for that as well...

Check in and I'll keep you posted.

Recommended Reads

As a writer, I just love it when I find some drop dead amazing, spellbinding writers that keep me engaged in every word. If you remember the scene in "Amadeus" where Salieri picks up a score that Mozart left lying around, reads it and you see the intense emotion in his face as he hears the music in his head, that's the "wow" effect I feel when I read some of these writers. Sure, I wish I had the same kind of talent...or I'd take at least a fraction of it. But I appreciate it for what it is and soak it up like a sponge when I read. Anyhow, in no particular order, here's some of who's on my list these days.

- My musician/ex-talk radio friend from St. Paul, T.D. Mischke, who is flat out a killer writer. His move to City Pages was a win-win for him and us all. Read his section.

- Dale Connelly, MPR host of the internet based "Radio Heartland" who has a blog "Trial Balloon" to go with (not bad grammar...a Minnesota-ism). A genius humorist and one of my long-time radio and writing heroes.

- Rand Bishop, most notably a hit songwriter ("My List" for Toby Keith), has an entertaining, engaging and informative book, "Makin' Stuff Up", on the art of songwriting and his own experiences in the music world. I also enjoy him greatly as a speaker and performer.

- I found a book in the library I couldn't resist: "Radio On", by Sarah Vowell. A listener's diary, it was written over 10 years ago when she was in her 20s. Amazing writing. What's it like to have that talent that young?

I'm also looking forward to reading the new book by my fellow programmer at Radio Free Nashville, River Jordan, called "Saints In Limbo".

My $.02 and change...all worth checking out.

...But Sometimes It Doesn't

I guess I jinxed myself by opening my mouth. The temp position came to an abrupt end. I won't say much about it except that either I was gone too long or God changed His mind about where He wanted me. At least He put me in the right place when I got the word...right in the middle of the Tuesday night prayer group I attend.

To add insult to injury, there was a mouse in the house the next day. Many of you know that's one of my worst fears and nightmares. But I guess if you buy a house, you're due to have a mouse (gosh, I'm so poetic). The main advice, of course, was the same: "get a cat." Look, I like cats, but cats mean care, feeding, and vet bills. I can't afford that. It's cheaper to buy traps. However, I haven't seen any sightings since I placed traps everywhere. I gave the mouse an ultimatum: leave or die. Maybe mice are a little more polite here in TN than they were in MN and it said "yes ma'am" and split. Could I be so lucky? We'll see. I'm not sounding the "all clear" yet, though.

From here on all fronts, it's about moving forward and focusing on the things I know I am successful at. Most especially, I'm concentrating on my goal of supporting artists for most of my time and getting by financially doing it. I am stepping out in faith for awhile and trusting God for provision, trying not to get sidetracked by economic fears which lead to wrong places. There, I said it. I'll take any prayers and encouragement.

It All Makes Sense(us)

Just to catch folks up who have been following my employment(or lack of) status:

For the past month I was working for the US 2010 Census. I was a lister, or address canvasser, going around with a hand held computer to local neighborhoods. I was updating the address records for the mailing of the 2010 Census form, matching what I saw on the ground to what was on the computer's lists. I got to make my own schedule and braved rain, dogs, various conditions of homes and petulant computers. It all was very interesting at times. Last week I and the rest of our team completed the mission and were let go. Friday of that week I was called back to my old temp job. Absolutely, positively, without a doubt, God in the timing and details of that one. It's nice to be back among familiar people and surroundings. I'm not certain for how long that will be, but I'll keep showing up until they tell me not to. And I will trust that God will continue to provide as He has for the past year.

It's Not About Me...

My musician friend Steve Haggard was kind enough to say a few words about me in his latest column "The Real Music City" in the Nashville Free Press. But, especially reading the posted comment that followed made me realize that it wasn't so much about me but about two things I believe in and that guide what I do.

The first is the message of encouragement that I've been "preaching" all these many years. I've said over and over again how critical encouragement is and how much it matters in people's lives. It changes lives and it brings hope when it seems there is none, and that power's in every one of us if we'd just use it on each other. Need more convincing? Please spend some time here.

The second is that I've noted on many occasions that this musician support work that I do is bigger than me. It was shown to me a long time ago that this was a calling for me. Trust and obedience are sometimes not easy things to hold on to as you're being used of God for a particular purpose. But if you're willing to hang in for the end result...it's priceless.

Easter weekend was a fitting time for this column to come out. I'm one grateful and thankful gal.

DOG is GOD Spelled Backward

I came home from one of my nights out feeling slighted, rejected and somewhat shattered. As I pulled into my carport, I was greeted by my neighbor's dog. He's getting old now, and has a hard time walking. But as soon as he sees me, he always heads straight for me, wanting to come into my house or my car, and always appreciates being loved on and petted.

Then I remembered something someone once pointed out: DOG is GOD spelled backward. As I thought about it, that's not all that far off base. Dogs (or at least the ones I've known) aren't fickle; they don't love you one moment and move on to someone different the next. They love unconditionally, no matter who you are, how unattractive you may look in the morning or how badly you've messed up.

God loves us that way, too. It seems like dogs, and perhaps some of our other pets, do a better job sometimes representing Him in the world than we humans do. And we're supposed to be the intelligent ones.

Could the answer for humanity and how we should treat one another lie in our pets? Should I just get a dog? I'm just asking...

Network, Network, Network

I've been too busy to post here lately, I guess. I've been otherwise occupied...networking. So many of these online social networks have been popping up these days. I think I am in about 10 of them right now. I've been set up in the obvious ones for awhile--My Space and Facebook--but I'm also in a handful of music business related ones. I've also been out almost every night in the week at music events. I've never had so much fun.

I must say that it does work well for meeting people here in Nashville. The one piece of advice I've gotten the most since I came here was to network. 'Course, if I were that good, I'd have a job by now, I suppose. But the value for me in it all is not so much the professional aspect as it has been the personal. I now can go to a number of writers nights and such around here and know a bunch of people, and most of all feel included. That's huge for me.

Another advantage of these networks is you can find people you've lost touch with. I re-found a lot of my old southern gospel music friends recently. I had to leave the Gaither.com site I was part of for many years when the price of their old community became unaffordable to me. I was glad the Gaither site decided to be more in line with other networks and go with a free Ning network community. It's been a lot like being a prodigal returning home.

So now if you'll excuse me, I need to update my status and answer those messages...

TN or MN?

Once again, as I see I did last year, I find myself wondering if I am in Tennessee or back in Minnesota with these cold temperatures. This same time last year I wrote an entry or two about temperatures here in Nashville as cold as in MN. This year, though, it's a little worse. I am keeping in mind of course that we are technically above zero, which would be a heat wave right now in the Twin Cities. But I guess my blood thinned out pretty fast after living here for a bit. I just wish I hadn't given away my long johns. I am also getting nostalgic for the "big black bear" coat.

On top of that, there is something wrong with my condo. It's cold. Cold air is coming from everywhere. I've tried the light the candle to find the draft thing, but it's a steady flame. I think it's coming from some place I don't have the money to try to fix. So I guess I am going to suck up those high electric bills somehow for the next couple more months. Not a good time for that, either.

Ah well--this too shall pass.

Big Southern Gospel News...

Well, all the Southern Gospel bloggers are weighing in on the biggest buzz out there since yesterday. I know friends and others will be looking for my opinion, so I will weigh in on this as well. There's been a major shakeup in the Gaither Vocal Band, with the revamped lineup being Mark Lowry, David Phelps, Michael English, Wes Hampton and of course, Bill. Guy Penrod and Marsh Hall have exited the group. Here's my $.02 and change:

- My guess is either the GVB reunion video or the Guy Penrod substitute rotations, or both, sparked the fire for these guys and made the group experience fresh once again.

- I knew when I saw all those Gaither Homecoming dates suddenly appearing on Mark's schedule that something was up. I thought perhaps Mark was continuing to cover the Penrod hiatus, which is of course now permanent. Big change for sure for Mark and some of the people that support him. I am happy, though, that Mark's new solo release, "Life Gets Loud", was not a casualty of this change...it will be out in February. I'm anxious to hear it, particularly some songs written by a couple of Nashville songwriter friends of mine, Steve Christopher and Scooter Simmons, that Mark covers.

- It will be fabulous to hear David back in the group and knocking that range into the stratosphere.

- It is a compliment to Wes Hampton that he remains in the lineup. I'm glad for him...he's a fine singer and one of the most down to earth, sweet persons I've met in this circle.

- Sorry that Marsh will be gone, but he will be fine. He's a great singer and I was a fan of his before he joined the Vocal Band. He's done some good work with Benjy Gaither on their CD "Songwriters". But you know, if I had to choose between baritones it would just have to be Mark.

- I will certainly be looking forward to a Guy solo project. I also wonder if he will eventually put together a family group--the kids sing and the harmony I've heard them do in his video was quite good.

- I'd only heard the Michael English era of the GVB in video clips, so I will be up for hearing him back in the fold. My good thoughts and prayers are with him and Marcie in this musical and life change.

It should be our turn here in Nashville to get the Gaither Homecoming Christmas show this year, so unless I get a chance to hear the group live before then (doubtful, since I've more or less "retired" from concert travel), I'll be waiting on that concert.