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This Past Weekend in Texas
Mon., Oct. 17. 2005 10:11am EDT
We had a Texas-sized time this past weekend in Corpus Christi, Tyler, McAllen, and El Paso -- the first time we've ever played four consecutive days in the same state. It was our fifth trip to Corpus, our second trip to Tyler, and our first trip ever to both McAllen (near Brownsville) and El Paso.
Both Thursday's and Friday's events were benefit concerts. The Corpus Christi concert, which we played along with opening band Roadside Assistance, was a benefit concert for Niger called "Rock the Famine." The Tyler concert proceeds went to Hurricane Katrina Relief through the Salvation Army, Red Cross, and P.A.T.H. (People Attempting to Help).
Saturday's and Sunday's concerts were held very close to the South Texas and West Texas borders of Mexico, respectively. In fact, a number of Mexicans came to Saturday's show, which also featured the Newsboys. Sunday's show was held at Fort Bliss, home of the U.S. Sergeants Major Academy. It's the third military installation we've played, following Fort Benning in Georgia in 2003, and Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland earlier this year.
Special thanks to:
Arron and Joe at KBNJ, who coordinated the Corpus Christi concert; to our old pal Jay Crook, who shared ApologetiX transit authority duties with Marti from KBNJ; to Joe's wife, Ginny, who catered a wonderful dinner for us; and to Jennifer, who took care of our CD table.
Larry, who organized the Tyler show and doubled as our chauffeur; to Terry for supplying the sound; and to Laurie, Lehia, Alaina, Deneis, Angie, Dimple, and Cari for running our CD table.
Brother Bear, who set up the McAllen event; to Steve, Ruthie and E.J., who took us everywhere we needed to be; and to Andrea, Carrie, and William who managed the mob at our CD table.
Pastor Jason, who supervised the El Paso show; to our very own military escort, Pat, and his wife, Kelly; and to Venee and Brittany, two youth group members who were enlisted to work the CD table.
We met a lot of long-time fans this weekend, and we also made a lot of first-time fans. God gave us much favor with everybody involved, and it looks like there's a good chance we'll be back in all four areas sometime in the near future.
Here's an email from Ron Thompson, a 54-year-old fan in El Paso who'd been waiting six years to see us and finally got to do so on Sunday:
I just wanted to let you know how much I appreciate what you did for El Paso in coming to Ft. Bliss last night. I got to talk briefly with the four of you individually after the show, and now I feel that I've known you for a long time.
I have, in fact, been a longtime listener and fan (since 1999) and have been looking forward to the time that you would be able to bless El Paso as you did last night. Thanks again, and I am honored to have met you all. May God continue to lead and bless you!!
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