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This Past Weekend in PA, NJ & MD
Mon., May. 19. 2008 5:37pm EDT
We played a historic series of concerts this past weekend, with shows in three of the original 13 colonies -- the second, third, and seventh states to ratify the U.S. constitution -- Pennsylvania (Hanover), New Jersey (Bayville), and Maryland (Eldersburg).
Speaking of originals, we also had the original ApologetiX bassist, Jerry Hayostek (a.k.a. Jammin' Jerry Jangles) with us for the entire weekend. Jerry played bass on four songs during our set so Keith could play lead guitar and Bill could focus on keyboards. When he wasn't on stage, Jerry was helping us with set-up, sound, and lighting, and we hope to have him do that a lot more in the future.
Speaking of set-up, sound, and lighting, on Sunday, Micah "Crazy Dane" Clausen became the first ApologetiX fan to ever attend 200 concerts. He has seen us in 26 states and one province. We first met Micah at a concert in Brookville PA on October 20, 2001. After years of volunteering at our concerts, in February 2007 he became our official production team leader, coordinating sound and light at our non-flying concerts. As Micah puts it, he has now been to "103 concerts as a fan/friend/volunteer and 97 as a fan/friend/crew."
In contrast, Donna Sweeney attended her first ApologetiX concert this past Friday:Just wanted to say thanks for doing what you do. I have two daughters who thought Mom was dragging them along to some boring event. The look on there faces when you started to play, priceless! It wasn't long till they were asking, "Can we go up front and stand?" Now they want to know when we can do it again.
This was my first show, but I came across your music shortly after becoming a Christian 1999. I spent close to three hours checking out song after song in a Christian publication, before I purchased my first Apologetix CD. I remember thinking, "these guys are singing about things from the Bible" -- which lead me to check out read more on the verses you were singing about.
Music has always inspired me. God has used music to reach me. Which is why what you all are doing is wonderful, because I know I'm not alone. So keep up the good work/Word!
Donna Sweeney
New Cumberland PA Special thanks to:
Our concert coordinators: Ernie Marcum (Hanover); Pastor Don Meckley (Bayville); and Tom Hild (Eldersburg).
Our merchandise coordinators: Jenn the Superchick (Hanover and Eldersburg); Christine, Jess, and Julie (Hanover); Marie and Beth (Bayville); and Nikki and Maureen (Eldersburg).
Our roadies: Nate, Jerry, and Brandon (Hanover, Bayville, and Eldersburg); Evan (Hanover and Bayville); and Rich (Bayville).
Our driver: "Danger" Dan Uber, who has now driven six times for us and has seen us play 25 concerts in 13 states.
Honorable mention to: recovering Philadelphia Flyers fan Nikki Diehl of Perkasie PA, who came to all three concerts this weekend, as did Brandon Gross on Connellsville PA, who has now seen us play 57 concerts in eight states.
Brandon's brother, Evan, was on hand for two of the shows (thanks to a faulty transmission in his car) and has now seen us play in 53 times in eight states. Jenn "Superchick" Kipp also attended two shows, and has now seen us in 85 times in 12 states/provinces.
Although Aliquippa PA residents Rich "Aquaman" Polick and his daughter, Marie, "only" attended the New Jersey concert on Saturday, they also made a historic contribution. Each of them has now seen us play at least one concert for 25 straight months! Rich has seen us play 108 times in 21 states/provinces, and Marie has seen us play 95 times in 21 states/provinces.
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