This Past Weekend in OK & PA
Mon., Nov. 21. 2005 10:47pm EST
This past weekend, we were livin' on Tulsa time and basking in our Philadelphia freedom, with concerts in Muskogee OK (near Tulsa) and Quakertown PA (near Philly).
Thanks to Vince Jacobs and Shane Keeter, who coordinated Saturday's concert in Muskogee. They were very gracious hosts, spending the day with us and taking care of our every need. No wonder Merle Haggard was so proud to be an Okie from Muskogee (even if he was born in Bakersfield CA).
After the show, we were amazed at the number of Okies in attendance who'd seen us all five times we've been to Oklahoma (twice in 2002, once in 2003, and once in 2004). But we also had visitors from Missouri, Kansas, Wisconsin, and even Siberia! Thanks to:
Audra Knactal, who travelled six hours to see us from Missouri, and ran the CD table with help from two Muskogee-area volunteers, Deta and Tiffany.
Sarah May, who travelled seven hours to see us with her mom, her aunt, and her friend William. Poor Sarah sprained her ankle, but still maintained that smile and attitude we know and love.
Chris Christopherson, who came with her mom, Memorie, and son, Alex, who drove 12 hours from Wisconsin to see the concert. Oklahoma is the 13th state Chris has seen us play in, and Alex isn't far behind. That ties Chris for second on the list of ApologetiX fans who have seen us in the most states.
Andy and Elizabeth Leininger, and their daughters, Hannah, Rachel, and Rebekah, missionaries to Russia who are in Southwest Missouri for six months and hope to see us at several shows. They told us that one of our CDs is played at a pizza shop in Siberia. Can you say "frozen pizza"?
Sunday's concert in Quakertown was a multi-state affair, too. Although primarily populated with Pennsylvanians, there were also fans from as far as Delaware, New Jersey, and Ohio.
Thanks to:
Jerry & Cheryl Bigenho, who coordinated Sunday's concert in Quakertown PA, and drove us back to our hotel near the Philly airport afterward. Jerry is a worship pastor breaking the mold by bringing Christian rock to a Mennonite congregation in a town founded by Quakers, and his wife, Cheryl, is a fifth-grade teacher who plays a mean cowbell! She demonstrated her considerable cowbell skills to our onstage effort during Bill Hubauer's tambourine solo.
Bob Witbeck, a state trooper, who assisted the Bigenhos and was our tour guide and chauffeur for the day. Seeing as he's a member of the police, it shouldn't come as a surprise that he was with us every breath we'd take and every move we'd make.
Jenn the Superchick, who ran the merchandise table, with help from Dayna and Nicki.
John Taylor, who played bass on "Smooth Grandmama," reprising the role he played this past summer in Elizabethtown, when he was part of a four-man team who filled in for Keith.
"Timmy D" DeMoss, our old pal and radio impresario, who stopped by after the show the day before a trip to New York City.
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