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This Past Weekend in NH & NY
Mon., Aug. 7. 2006 6:37pm EDT
This past weekend in New Hampshire and New York was a little shorter than we expected, but it exceeded our expectations in other areas.
On Friday night, we played to what may have been our largest audience yet this year, at SoulFest '06 in Gilford NH. Thousands showed up for our concert at the Inside Out Stage, which was amazing, considering that one of the most popular Christian bands in the world, Jars of Clay, was on another stage in an overlapping time slot. We haven't seen all the concert photos yet, so we don't know if they'll capture the immensity of the crowd, but it was something to behold.
Of course, a large crowd isn't necessary for a great concert, nor does it guarantee one. But the huge ApologetiX crowd at this year's SoulFest was full of very enthusiastic fans, and it was amazing to hear the roar after we'd finish a song. God gave us a beautiful summer night with perfect temperature and a skilled sound and light crew, who greatly enhanced the experience.
This was our fourth year at SoulFest (We also played there in 2000, 2002, and 2005), and those New England fans are always so encouraging and appreciative. But there were so MANY of them this year! We really had a wonderful experience -- It's almost enough for us to forgive them for rooting for the Patriots! :)
In 2000 and 2002, our next stop after SoulFest was the Kingdom Bound festival in Darien Center NY. We played Kingdom Bound every year but one from 1999-2004, but in 2005, we played a concert in North East PA instead. This year, we struck a compromise; although we didn't play at Kingdom Bound, we played a concert in nearby Rochester NY on Saturday night.
The Rochester show was drummer Jimmy "Vegas" Tanner's 100th concert with ApologetiX, and he was greeted with signs and even a commemorative t-shirt that included the dates and locales of all 100 concerts on the back. We had a lot of fun, and it was great to see our old pals Pastor Dave Siriano, Mike Miller, Rick Campbell, and Jim and Kathy Lewis, too.
As promised, the Leasures (Derek, Brandi, Jenna, and Caleb) were in attendance -- they've now been to at least one ApologetiX concert for seven straight weeks! They hope to attend all three of our concerts in the Pittsburgh area this coming weekend. We also met a member of a band that does cover versions of Christian parodies, including many ApologetiX songs. We think they're called The Christian Brothers Band, but there are a couple bands by that name, so we're not sure. We asked them to email us some more info, so we can tell you more.
Here's a nice email from a fan who attended Saturday's concert:
I was at your concert in Rochester this past weekend. I was the guy you said looked some what like Bill Cowher except without the chin. I'm a huge Steelers fan but I must say that I'm now a huge Apologetix fan as well. I've been listening to you guys for a few years. My cousin gave me one of your CDs. From there that was it. I bought most of them & have bought them a number of times. This is because I give them out as B-Day gifts or just give them to people I know, knowing I won't get them back because once they listen to them, they will be hooked just like me. I'm actually going to have to online & order some more since my collection is pretty depleted right now.
The concert was a blast. You guys are great people. You are doing a great thing as well. Many lives are being touched by you. I was telling Karl that I put a new stereo in my car just to listen to your CDs on the travel to work & back. I pull up to people with the windows down & they will think it's the original artists until they hear you mention the Bible or something like that. I'm waiting for somebody to ask me who it is I'm listening to so I can just hand them a disc. Thanks for all you are doing. You guys rock!
Gary Wandel
Spencerport NY
Thanks, Gary! YOU rock!
On Sunday, we were scheduled to play at a women's prison, but we weren't permitted to disclose the location beforehand due to security reasons. Unfortunately, we still can't tell you the location, because the prison asked to postpone the concert at the last minute due to pending administrative approvals and electrical power constraints. While we hated to postpone, it was a pleasant surprise to be back at our homes on Sunday.
Thanks to our roadie, Micah Clausen, and to:
Our table coordinators: Micah (Gilford) and Jim and Kathy Lewis (Rochester)
Concert coordinators: Tony Wallace and the entire staff at SoulFest (Gilford), Pastor Dave Siriano (Rochester)
Although we were unable to play Sunday's scheduled concert, we did receive an encouraging email from the coordinator of the previous Sunday's concert in Conneaut Lake, and we'd like to share it with you:
A week has past since I met you and the band and I'm still impessed. The talent and skill The ApologetiX posess is amazing. However what impresses me more are your character and priortities. Individually or collectively you guys could be making much more $ in the secular music industry, I respect that you choose to use your gifts for Jesus and his Kingdom. The ApologetiX are a great example for me and your devoted group of followers. Keep up the great work. You are making a difference in people's lives.
Your brother in Christ,
Jim Zill
Thanks, Jim. You did a great job organizing it!
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