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ApologetiX: More Concerts, Bill
Fri., Jan. 4. 2002 2:13pm EST
Karl Messner, lead guitarist and producer for ApologetiX (That Christian Parody Band) here.
I'll be your guest host for this week's newsletter, although J. is with me here in spirit, acting as my editor. In fact, he wrote that last sentence :)
Thanks to all of you who prayed for us to have safe, quick and hassle-free passage to and from Canada last weekend! God answered those prayers! We had no problem at all!
1. Now's Your Chance (to Bring ApologetiX to YOUR Town)
2. Bill's Accident
3. Keith's Dream
4. Karl's Readers
5. Revised Concert Schedule (Many New Adds Since Last Week)
6. ApologetiX Named Rock Band of the Year in West Virginia
1. NOW'S YOUR CHANCE
First of all, don't miss the updated concert schedule in this week's newsletter. We've added quite a few concerts since last week, including big festivals in Georgia, Wisconsin and Minnesota.
We get hundreds of emails every year saying, "Hey, how can I get ApologetiX to play at our church? And how much do you charge?" With all of the band members now able to play full time, we're can tour a little more. We're booking right now for the February- September concert season and there are a couple dozen open dates in there still. So now's your chance to make it happen.
Some people think you need a big arena and thousands of people to invite ApologetiX. Well, the best situation is one where a church or two pull together, hopefully with the strong support of the local radio station, and hold the event at a small or medium-sized church. With solid promotion on your part (and we'll help) you could see 150-300 people come, and that would be wonderful. Sometimes promoters go bananas and there's 700 people there, but for now, that's rare. Getting 300 people to change their schedule is an amazing feat.
As for costs, our ability to be available to more places came at the cost of bringing everybody on full time (See Item #3 in this week's newsletter, "Keith's New Job.") However, we keep a close eye on the fees of other ministries, and we want to always do things as inexpensively as we can. Some of our compadres charge thousands and thousands of dollars to play. (The one band I'm thinking of as being close to us in "visibility" charges 4-6k to do a show. And they're the least expensive national act I know. And we're still able to do it for considerably less than their typical show, and we never let money be the sole deciding factor.
Frequently churches charge a small ticket price ($5-10) which does two things. One, it INCREASES attendances. Sometimes we think that having a "free concert" will encourage more people to come, but many times, it's the other way around. Ask me how I know. ApologetiX has played many free concerts over the years. Often times, people seem to value something more when they have to pay admission, and secondly it helps defer the cost of bringing the band in.
We could easily just play last year's schedule again, since many places we've played immediately invited us back, but there are so many places we haven't been yet that we want to give you the chance first!
So, if you are the decision maker, or you know them, and you've been meaning to get ApologetiX there, email us at booking@ApologetiX.com and let's talk! Tell us what you have in mind, the size of your church, any bands you've had, the weekend you might be thinking of, etc. and Kathleen, our ever-energetic event coordinator will get back to you right away and we can see how we can make it happen!
I can tell you that I have a personal goal this summer, too. There are several states we haven't ever been to that we've been asked about frequently. Arizona, Washington, Arkansas and Louisiana top the list of those I've been asked about.
Email Kathleen at booking@apologetix.com today! Thanks!
2. BILL'S ACCIDENT
If you've ever seen ApologetiX live, you know what a high energy show it is from the get go. Well, if you weren't in New York on New Year's Eve, you missed it. Running onto stage to the cadence of post-introduction applause, our drummer, Bill Rieger, tripped over nothing and took a major spill. He played it off with liberal amounts of ham and cheese, and ran the rest of the way and we started the show. Half way through the first song, I noticed the sound techs crawling on the ground with flashlights in their mouths trying to figure out why they couldn't hear the kick drum. Then they saw that Bill wasn't playing it.
Between the second and third song, he wrapped his swollen ankle in duct tape (use #2039) and after the show, I carried him downstairs to the meet and greet. After we talked to everybody, I took him to the emergency room on the advice of nurse in the third row. He was finally discharged at almost 5 a.m., and we didn't get back to the hotel for over a half hour. His doctor says it may be a tendon that ripped OFF and tore away part of the bone. He MAY need a hard cast for weeks and weeks.
Tomorrow he and I are going to buy a leftie kick pedal and he's (as part of his physical therapy, of course) going to start learning all our songs on his left foot. He's never missed a concert in his life.
Here's an update from him that we just received tonight, after I wrote that previous section:
"Good day, all. Well, I saw the saw bones today and although he neither looked at my x-rays nor my foot he pronounced it a sprain (confirming Karl's original suspicions ). I am in an air cast for the next two weeks until I get to see him again. The air cast and the last 2 days of R.I.C.E. ( Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation ) has really helped. I thank everyone for the prayer and support. Keep it up. I am not done yet. Peace, Bill"
Prayers are coveted and I'm sure he'd appreciate a thousand animated get well cards ;) Bill@apologetix.com
3. KEITH'S DREAM
We're happy to report that on January 1, 2002, our bass player, Keith Haynie, finally realized his dream of being a full-time rock and roller and minister of the Gospel. Thanks to God's gracious provision, after over six years and two months of doing ApologetiX as a second (and mostly non-paying) job, Keith was able to become the third full-time employee of ApologetiX/Parodudes Inc.! Due to some circumstances that are too complicated to explain here, Bill is also able to play with us full-time in 2002, although he is not yet a full-time employee of ApologetiX. He's next in line, though, and God willing, we hope to be able to bring Bill on board very soon!
4. KARL'S READERS
In case you didn't know, for a while now, I've been reading the Bible a chapter a day and encouraging kids to do the same. I've encouraged them to start in John, read a chapter, write it in the back of their Bible with the date, and email me every day with where they are. After many concerts, I've shared a story of the first time I encouraged someone to do that, and how they're still doing it. As a matter of fact, the girl has read through the Bible over three times at the ripe old age of 15, and reads in sync with me now and still checks in every once in a while to make sure *I'm* keeping up with her! We're on Philippians 2 today. (I read already, Pam.)
Well, on New Year's Eve. I thought I'd go through and send a "hey, if you fell behind, let's get a fresh start" email to everyone who had ever reported what chapter they had read- even if it was only once. It was the first time I counted those emails and it turns out that 153 people are currently reading one chapter a day with me. Most of them don't continue to update me daily, but SOME ask me deep questions every other day, and keep me on my toes! I love it! I got lots and lots of updates from people who hadn't written in a while. Can I share one with you?
"Hi! I have kept up in my reading ... I made it for 101 days before I missed (I was really sick and completely forgot and felt horrible about it) but anyways ... I'm still going, and reading just one chapter isn't enough for me. I'm in 1 Kings 4 right now. It's hard being at college to get in the reading time like I would like to, and right now I am working on doing my reading in the morning instead of leaving it for right before I go to bed ... It's amazing how my doing this has helped me as well as being an example for other people, especially [one of my] friends at college who I pretty much live with. I have been able to inspire her through my efforts, and my efforts only come through you and Pam inspiring me, so thank you from the bottom of my heart!" ~Jackie
If you want to know more, want to start reading with me, too, email me at ReadingBuddy@apologetix.com
5. CONCERT SCHEDULE 2002
Here is how our 2002 concert schedule is shaping up. Please note that our schedule changes frequently, with new concerts being added all the time. There are plenty of other concerts in the works that are not listed yet on the schedule below. Also, some of the dates and details below have not yet been finalized, so please check with the contact to make sure of details.
To schedule a concert at your church or to ask questions about any of the concerts below, please contact our booking agent, Kathleen Burke at booking@apologetix.com or call (949) 770-3001 (Pacific Standard Time). To get directions from your house to any of these concerts, go to www.mapquest.com and type in your starting point and the concert location as the end destination.
Fri., Jan. 18, 2002 at 7 p.m.
Cheerful Heart Ministries
Location TBA
Cape Giradeau MO
Contact: Jim Hoyt 573-778-0955
Sat., Jan. 19, 2002 at 7:00 p.m. Fifteenth Anniversary Celebration
KNGM Radio
Flint Hills Christian Church
1836 US Hwy 50
Emporia KS
Contact: Steve Pearson, KNGM 620-343-9292
Friday, Jan. 25, 2002 at 8 p.m.
Heritage Center, Alma College
614 W. Superior
Alma MI
Contact: Lee Owens/Trinity Bible Fellowship
989-463-7304
Sat., Jan. 26, 2002 at 8 p.m.
Trinity Lutheran Church
501 Stewart Ave.
Wausau WI
Contact: Glen Dawersk 715-843-7023
Sun., Jan. 27, 2002 at TBA
New London High School Auditorium
1700 Klatt Road
New London WI
Ticket Info: Joe Olson
920-982-5386
Fri., Feb. 1, 2002, at 7 p.m.
"The Hangout"
216 West Plum Street
Edinboro, PA
814-734-6515 Web site www/thehangout.8k.com
Contact: Sandy McMann 814-763-3704 pwchischild@hotmail.com
Kelly Culbertson 814-734-9246
Fri., Feb. 8, 2002 at 7 p.m.
First Baptist Church of Camdenton
181 Iowa Street
Camdenton MO
Contact: Rusty Gunn
Church Office: 573-346-3355
Fri., Feb. 22, 2002 at 8 p.m.
Jackson St. Station at Southside Baptist Church
2300 South Jackson St.
Janesville, WI 53545
Tickets $5 advance, $7 door
Contact: David or Debi Ashley
Phone: (608) 757-8220
Email: jackson_st_station@yahoo.com http://jacksonstreetstation.tripod.com
Sat., Feb. 23, 2002 (Two Shows) 6:30-8:00 p.m. 8:45-10:15 p.m.
Cup O' Joy Coffee House
232 South Broadway
Green Bay WI
Admission: Free (Love Offering Taken) Contact: Jan Oettinger
Cup Phone (open hours only): 920-435-3269
Jan's phone: 920-437-6694 jano@cupojoy.com
www.cupojoy.com
Sun., Feb. 24, 2002 at 5 p.m., opening act at 3:30 p.m.
Eastview Christian Church
Martinsville IN
Sponsored by the Seekers of God Youth Group of Martinsville Baptist Church
Admission: Free
Contact: Rick Hoffman rickhoffman@lucent.com
Church Phone: 765-342-3616
Friday, March 22, 2002 at 7 p.m.
Downes Productions
TBA
Jacksonville TX
Admission: Tickets
Contact: Mr. Terry Downes 903-589-3665 Email: terryd@downproductions.com
Saturday, March 23, 2002 at TBA
Austin TX
Sponsored by KNLE Radio
Admission: Tickets
Contact: Brandon Johnson
Station phone: 800-647-4401
Saturday, April 6, 2002 at 7 p.m.
Venue TBA
Edinboro PA
Admission: Free
Contact: Kellie Culbertson
Phone: 814-734-9246
Saturday, April 13, 2002 at 7 p.m.
West Virginia Annual Conference
United Methodist Youth Spring Gathering
Fairmont WV
Admission: Tickets
Contact: James Malick
Phone: 304-366-5188
Email: journeyym@juno.com
Friday, April 26, 2002 at 7 p.m.
Ticketed Event
Glad Tidings Church
750 E. Grangeville
Hanford CA
Contact: Jeff Milhon 559-584-6644
Saturday, April 27, 2002 at 7 p.m.
Sunday, April 28, 2002 at 10:30 a.m.
Venue TBA
Sacramento CA
Admission: Tickets
Contact: Kathleen Burke booking@apologetix.com
949-770-3001
Saturday, June 8, 2002 at 7 p.m. Ticketed Event
Spirit FM Crossover Festival
N. Highway 5
Camdenton MO
Admission: Tickets
Contact: Jim McDermott
Web Site Information: www.crossoverfest.org
June 19-22, 2002, TBA
Atlanta Fest
Six Flags Over Georgia "Edge Stage"
Date and time TBA
Atlanta Fest runs June 19-22, 2002 Visit their web site at wwww.atlantafest.com
Thursday, July 4, 2002 at 8 p.m.
Free Admission
4th of July Celebration
156 Breckenridge MI
Admission: Free
Contact: Jim Hoyle Phone: 989-842-5806
Saturday, July 13 at 11 a.m.
"Stage 2"
Ticketed Event
Sonshine Fest
2002 Wilmar, MN
Sonshine Fest runs from July 11, 12, 13 www.sonshinefest.com
July 11-14 TBA
LiFest
Sunnyview Fairgrounds and Expo Center
Oshkosh, WI
Stage, date, and time TBA LIFEST runs July 11,12,13,14
Admission: Ticketed Event
www.lifest.com Or
telephone 800-955-5433
Saturday, July 20 at TBA
Spirit Fest Midwest - Variety Stage
Detroit Lakes MN
Admission: Tickets
Web Site: www.spiritfestmidwest.com
Friday July 27 or Saturday July 28, 2002 at 8 p.m.
Atwood Lake Ministries
6181 Riggle Road NE
Somerdale OH
Admission: Tickets
Contact: John Frazee Phone: 330-859-2578
Wednesday, August 7, 2002 at 8 p.m.
Kingdom Bound
Six Flags
Darien Lake NY
Admission: Tickets
Web Site for more info: www.kingdombound.org
Saturday, August 10, 2002 at 7 p.m.
Restoration Church
Wisconsin Rapids WI
Admission: TBA
Contact: Brian Hilgard Phone: 715-424-5834
Saturday, August 24, 2002 at 7 p.m.
Old Bethel United Methodist Church
7995 East 21st Street
Indianapolis IN
Admission: TBA
Contact: Jason Rae Phone: 317-359-9651
Saturday, August 31, 2002 at 8 p.m.
ApologetiX Headlines this concert day. OC Supertones Headline on Sunday. Altoona PA
Admission: Tickets
Contact Doug Sloey 814-940-0112 doug_Sloey@yahoo.com
Sunday, Sept. 1, 2002 at TBA
Six Flags
Jackson NJ
Admission: Tickets
Contact: Tim DeMoss/WZZD
timmyd@wzzd.com
Saturday, Sept. 7, 2002 at TBA
Ticketed Event - Sponsored by Calvary United Methodist Church
The Palace Theatre
276 E. Center Street
Marion OH
Admission: TBA
Contact: Rev. Dr. Michael Mohr or Jon Crothers/Youth Advisor
Office: 740-387-6830
6. APOLOGETIX NAMED ROCK BAND OF THE YEAR IN WEST VIRGINIA
This just in from Michael T. McVay Jr. of The Rock, WMUL 88.1 FM, in Huntington WV:
"ApologetiX has been named The Rock's band of 2001! You are the only band to get feedback upon airplay in 2001. Your song "The Real Sin Savior" was so good a listener thought it was better than the original! Your stick-to-it ness of bringing the Word ... to those that need to hear it is awesome! You've made a name for yourself without the help of a record label! Once again, Congratulations, ApologetiX. Have a Rockin' New Year!"
What can we say? We're honored!
Apologetically,
Karl -- Karl Messner Lead Guitarist/Producer ApologetiX (That Christian Parody Band) karl@apologetix.com
Hebrews 4:12
For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
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