Lenting along . . .

So, Ash Wednesday came and went. (As did the ashes that some people got on their foreheads.) And we did as most folks do after Ash Wednesday, and headed for Pigeon Forge, TN. Our hotel had a Krispy Kreme AND a KFC in the parking lot, so we knew we were in the right place alrighty! Played a fun gig with the locals, and then Sunday night headed up to Knoxville, where we played our little concert, then raced back to the hotel to watch someone we know and love receive his first Oscar. A thrilling finish to a great weekend!

From there, Michael headed home, and I popped over to the World's Capital to take in a little conference on Architecture and Worship. With March marching along, it was time to head to Oklahoma, where we haven't been in a long while. Played a really fun gig, with lots of people in attendance, then headed back to Michigan so we could begin Lutheran Schools Week with 3,500 middle school students in Saginaw. Now THAT was fun! In the afternoon, we played the local Lutheran High School in town, and then headed back to my house in Ohio.

Then, we spent a couple days hatching our new plan, which I'll tell you about in a minute. At the end of the week, we drove south to Columbus, where we played for the Ohio District Lutherans, and the weekend's speaker was out old pal, Famous Actor Justin Vetrano. Had a fantastic weekend, and then headed back home, where I dished out corned beef on St. Patrick's Day, and Michael took in a little Los Angeles Marathon activity.

And, as promised, here's our new big idea:

Starting the day after Palm Sunday, which you obviously know is April 1st (no kidding), we will begin posting videos every Monday on our new Youtube channel. If you go there now (go ahead, I'll wait), you can subscribe to the channel, and then every Monday for many months to come, you'll be able to see a new video of us talking about one of our songs, and then playing the song.

We're very excited about this project, and we hope you'll enjoy them and comment, and come to concerts, and visit our website, and buy our new album, which will be released at the beginning of summer. (As you can see, we've got some seriously high expectations of you.)

But, first things first: Go to our youtube channel and subscribe.

Seriously, I'm still waiting. And I've got other things to do, like finish watching season 2 of LOST, for instance. So get going, would you?

george

And so, 2012 Begins . . .

So, perhaps you've made a New Year's resolution or two. If so, mid-February is right about the time when you're probably starting to slip a little, isn't it? (See? I am psychic !) Well, fear not my friends, because Lent is perfectly timed this year so that you can make the commitment all over again in order to keep things going. And then, when we hit Easter in April, well you'll be focused on doing your taxes, and that should keep you out of trouble for a while . . . unless you owe money, in which case your need for belt-tightening will get you right back into the kind of discipline you promised yourself at the end of 2011. And then, after you make excuses over the summer for why you deserve a break from your harsh discipline of the preceding months . . . well, you know what's just around the corner, right?

All of which is to say, I'd better get busy with fulfilling my own resolution, which was to occasionally fill in this big white box on my computer screen with a brief history of our goings on . . .

So, January 1st I preached at church, and then made my 13th Annual Moroccan Cornish Game Hens. I don't know what Michael did that day.
January 2nd, we slept in and then spent some time cleaning the house and . . . what? Am I going too slow for you? Okay, let's jump ahead to actual gigs then . . .

The first weekend of the year, we flew down to Houston, where our pal JD teaches music at a local school. As everyone knows, January 6th is Epiphany, and we spent the day at . . . wait for it . . . Epiphany School. Can you believe the coincidence of that? Michael says he and JD planned it that way, but that would be way too clever, if you ask me. We had a great time sharing songs back and forth with the students during the day, and then had a super fun concert in the evening, which was preceded by a fine selection of grilled meats in the parking lot. (AKA "burgers and dogs.")

Then it was back home for us both, until we flew down to Asheville (where I once lived, btw) and had a delightful return engagement at the Cove, playing for some local Methodist youth who were braving frigid temps and having great fun it seemed. From there we both headed home for a bit, until it was time for Michael to come to the midwest, where I met him and we headed off into the Land of Lincoln.

Aurora, IL is the home of Wayne and Garth, as everyone knows. And we had an excellent time there, partying on by way of playing a concert. We got to see some old friends that night, and that was especially cool.

From there we asked ourselves, Hoosier State? And then headed off into the most confusing assemblage of time zones, known locally as Indiana. More locally, we were in the capital of the state, which is named after the state with the addition of the Greek suffix for city, since as you know, Indiana was settled by Greeks escaping the invading Trojans, who tricked them by using a giant basketball filled with soldiers. But, enough of me and my history-buff showing off . . . While visiting the city of Greeks, we once again got to hang out with some old friends, and that was great. Played two nights there, and then headed back to our homesteads because the Superbowl was about to roll into town, and you don't want to receive a roundhouse to the head from one of those bad boys, I tell you!

Before you know it, along comes February, and on the 2nd day we all take a few moments to remember Bill Murray, who is still waking up to Sonny and Cher every day, somewhere in Pennsylvania. Speaking of that topic, the next Sunday was my Parish's Annual Meeting.

The next weekend, I was looking forward to our trip to Florida, given that I drove through a blizzard to get to the airport that morning. Of course, it was obviously therefore the coldest weekend of the season in the Sunshine State. Nonetheless, we had a great time hanging out with some old friends, and posing beside their new mascot, which Michael insists is a big chicken, but Michael's just full of stuffin', as his movie idol might say. That night, because of the high-tech hosts, we experienced our first streamed concert! Well, I suppose we didn't experience it, but people watching online did. It seems to have been a smashing success, and we're going to be looking to figure out the process and stream more concerts in the future.

And with Jacksonville being our final pre-Lenten concert, you are now brought all up to date and what not.

Good luck with your resolutions. But keep in mind, December is coming, so don't be too hard on yourself, okay?

From the Luther500 Website

Sometimes, it's best to just re-blog what another member of the band has blogged. (Original post can be found at www.luther500-festival.com)

You know, it's like they say: reduce, reuse, and remember your baptism, right?

Remember Your Baptism

Posted by Michael on Tuesday, November 29, 2011 | Link | Comment

Today, I noticed that my two-year-old daughter seems to be rejoicing, and, judging by her sheer delight in the tiniest of activities and sights, that her heart perhaps finds wonderful comfort. To be honest, to watch her running around, today is not much different than most other days. She seems to do a lot of rejoicing. One thing to know about Geneva, too, is that specific anniversaries are not her forte. She’ll sing “Happy Birthday,” as heartily on any random day to almost anyone at lunch as she would on someone’s actual birthday. So, I don’t think her zeal is a result of her remembering that today is the anniversary of her baptism.

But, I think the extra little zip in my step this morning, despite a late night, is. I know that at dinner tonight, we’ll invite Uncle Mark over, and we’ll light Geneva’s baptismal candle. We’ll pray—certainly her favorite, “Come Lord Jesus be our Guest…,” which we are learning to say in German, “Come Herr Jesus sei unser Gast, und segne, was du uns bescheret hast.” She will shout “Amen,” and clap her hands a bit, as she always concludes a prayer. Along with our daily bread, we’ll also thank God for one another, for the gift of family right across the street, for neighbors and friends, for fulfilling work and supportive colleagues, for faith communities, and for belonging.

And as we sit and chat we’ll remember Geneva’s baptism. We’ll talk and laugh and reminisce about our trip to Germany in November 2009, with the ten-week-old Geneva. We stayed in Berlin a bit, visited the museums and the Christmas Markets, walked throughout the beautiful capital city, and enjoyed long breakfasts. We went down to Erfurt for a couple of days. We visited our close friends the Utpatels and learned how four little boys make Christmas cookies and how their mom makes the house feel like the perfect intersection of Europe, the North Pole and Anthropologie. And, we spent a day in Eisleben, where Geneva was baptized by our friend Rev. Scott Moore, who was serving the St. Peter and St. Paul Church.

In this very church Martin Luther was baptized. Get this—the original font survives (with repairs). That is, on November 29, 2009, Geneva was baptized in the very font in which Martin Luther was baptized on November 11, 1483. Those in the congregation who had them, brought their own baptismal candles and lit them for the service (something it might be fun to see here), and Geneva received a candle from the congregation and one from a German friend on the occasion. She giggled and smiled, while Scott mixed hot water from the kettle in the sacristy with the water already in the font (which had been amply chilled by the November air filling a medieval nave) in order to reach a “room temperature” that would not shock the baby. As he swirled the waters, he reminded us of God’s presence through the ages and also in that place, of God’s promises, and of the community of saints including Geneva that knows no limits of time or national borders. And that’s what we want Geneva to know when we tell her about her baptism—she is part of something Big. God’s love and the community of saints.

Martin Luther said, “Remember your baptism,” and while I only remember mine in faith and theory and times of trouble, my wife and my brother and I, along with some friends in Germany, remember Geneva’s baptism quite well. And we’ll remind her of it, tell her the stories, and show her the pictures every 29 November for as long as we can—even after her candle, a very large pedestal one—has burned its last. And I hope that in celebrating and marking this anniversary each year, she will be reminded of this sacrament of belonging, and she’ll simply know, as sure as she’ll know there is gravity, that she is claimed, marked and sealed. She’ll know that despite the ups and downs of her feelings, the strength and weakness of her convictions, or the good and bad of her behavior, she belongs to the one from whom and from whose love nothing can separate her. And somehow—initiated in Eisleben in the chancel of a fifteenth-century church, continued this evening around our favorite yard-sale-purchased dining room table, and hopefully for years to come (even without her mom and dad) in a college dorm, a first apartment, a home of her own one day, or maybe, who knows, on a mountain in Tibet or in outer space—this little candle ceremony will be something to remind her that this is a special day, and that she is part of something Big. Life, one might say, is a journey of faith, from loneliness to having a home; and Baptism is a sacrament of belonging.

Join us at the Luther500 Festival in 2013. Remember your baptism. Let your faith be revitalized as you walk where Luther walked, and as you learn, serve and celebrate with friends. Take the day trip to Eisleben and visit the birthplace of Martin Luther, the church where he was baptized, and the pulpit where he preached his final sermon. While you are there, you’ll also have the chance to serve the Eisleben community with a special project that will leave a sign of God’s love in action and remind you that you are part of something Big.

You Jump in Where You Can, Right?

So, yeah yeah yeah, we'll admit it: we're not exactly a blogging band. (As if you haven't noticed.) There are updates on Facebook (profile: LostAnd Found, or official page Lost And Found), and the random photo and status update sort of serve as a blog of sorts. But when it comes right down to it, we don't often get around to updating this little section of the website. (And you'll notice how I am quickly spreading the blame for this by using the royal "we" as opposed to my usual "I.")

Anyway, we wanted to at least tell you about the groundbreaking, first-ever, biennial, Luther 500 Festival. As you'll see from the website, the initial Luther 500 was held in June of this year, and will happen every two years until 2017, which marks the 500th anniversary of the wall post heard around the world, when Martin Luther had a hammer.

With about 150 participants, we were joined by some of our favorite musicians, including the bluegrass duo Alathea, and the blues singer Rachel Kurtz, and of course the blue-speedwood group, yours truly. There are so many great things to say about the Luther500 Festival, that it's hard to know where to begin. But one great thing is that it takes place in Germany, with day trips to various cities, while spending the nights staying in a castle in Wittenberg. In addition, there are servant events, and recreation options. Plus, Morning Prayer in the Castle Church. I know, riiiight? So go poke around the website and give it some thought for 2013. Registration opens on Reformation Day of 2011, which is October 31st to you and me.

In other news, Lost And Found continues our regular lives of touring around the country and world, playing our little songs and hoping people will remember to call us up and invite us to come play in their towns. (Cue finger tapping you on the shoulder saying, "Hey, you live in a town, don't you?")

And maybe, just maybe, the piano guy will get his act together and start updating this blog more regularly. I wouldn't count on it if I were you, but we can always hope, right?

Getting you through summer (with acronymns)

So, remember how I was promising to write more often? Well, I had my fingers crossed. Let us jump in, shall we?

Late April, I flew westward for my annual YNS meeting (which is an acronym, and you'll have to guess what it means). Then I met up with Michael at his house and we traveled w-a-y up north to North Hollywood, which is so far north it has "north" in its name. Had a great concert, and drove way back down over the mountain to Michael's house.

The following weekend, not having had enough of flying across the country, I flew back to California, and we drove north of North Hollywood to play in San Luis Obispo. (As you can imagine, none of those three words passes spellcheck.) Had a great afternoon concert in a cool-looking church. Then, we zipped up to Seattle, where we played in Poulsbo. (Which also does not pass the spellcheck test.) The next day we flew home.

Obviously, it was time to head south, so we flew to Houston so we could play a really fun concert in Conroe, being reunited with the fellow who hosted in the Ag Building in Geneva, Nebraska, which is probably where Michael got the idea for his daughter's name. I should remember to ask him sometime. (Plus, I wonder why they didn't call her Ag Building?) After that, we flew back home for a few days, I got a new tattoo, and then it was obviously time to hit the southeast, so we flew to Tennessee and played a concert in Johnson City, where everyone is named Johnson I think.

From there we drove over to Martinsville, VA (where everyone is named Martin, of course), and played a fun concert in the local theater. Super great hosts. Good crowd. Then a race to the airport to fly home again. Off for a couple of weeks, until we needed to get a little Nebraska fix, and flew to Omaha, then drove to Grand Island, where we played for the Nebraska Synod Assembly. Had a great time, and met a pastor who has been ordained for 75 years. Yes. 75 years. 75. Years. Three fourths of a century. Back when Pluto was a planet, and World War I didn't need a Roman numeral.

Then we were off forever. Or so it seemed. Not a lot of concerts get booked in June for some reason. Must have to do with the impending summer solstice. But have no fear, July is here!

To start the month right, we flew to Edmonton, which is in Alberta, to play at the LCC National Youth Gathering. (Another acronym you'll have to decipher on your own.) Had a great week with lots of people who all carry colorful money around. Since it was freezing cold to these timid southern fellows, we needed to get some warmer clothes. So . . . on July 4th, Michael and I went to The Bay (Canada's Department Store) and purchased official Olympic CANADA hoodies. Yes. On Independence Day. In Canada. Thus, it's obvious we can never run for president. And, as an aside, if this event were held a century or two earlier, these hoodies would've been made of beaver pelts, and purchased at the same store. However, on the extreme upside, the hosts gave us sparklers on July 4th, and 500 Canadians sang our national anthem to us. It was quite moving, actually, and I would show you the video, except that my camera seems to have been stolen by some Delta Airlines employee. Well, perhaps "stolen" is too harsh a word. Maybe they're just still inspecting it, right?

After a fantastic week in the True North, Strong and Relatively Inexpensive, it was time for us to ease our way down south to Montana, where we played for the Western States Region of the UCC (another acronym). Had a fantastic few days in Billings, including a brisk walk up the mountain to retrieve my cell phone from a rental car at the airport. While in town we also played a concert at a local Lutheran Church, which was fun and Montanan!

Back at the UCC event, I was able to record a fun version of our Lions song on the last day. I set my camera on the piano, and filmed away. Sitting in on the drum is our new friend Masankho, who lives in the San Francisco area, where the fog is in a hurry.

After Billings, I went home for a few days, and Michael rejoined his family on Geneva's First World Tour, currently in The Great Lakes State. Exactly halfway through July, Michael and I began the drive south. After about 1,000 miles, we arrived in New Orleans, where the YAV's (acronym alert) met us near the dumpsters and carried in our tons of stuff, out of the kindness of their hearts! (I'll tell you, the V stands for Volunteer, and that is exactly what they did.) The reason we had tons of stuff is because the organizers once more threw caution to the wind and invited us back to the LC-MS NYG! (That's a double acronym there! And the second is not a football team.)

We had an amazing (and busy) week in New Orleans. Played 12 times in three days, and every single concert was as fun as the next one. Met a couple new bands, and our friends Alathea, Echelon, and Tangled Blue were there, so it was kind of a band reunion week. After the YAV's helped us load everything back out, we began the drive north. Along the way, we golfed in Mississippi and Missouri, with the piano player having slightly better scores in the first LAF Summer Classic. Then we stopped in Jefferson City, had a great concert with a fun group of folks in front of a blue curtain, and then headed further west. Currently, we're sitting in a Starbucks in Kansas City, about to drive once again to Lamoni, IA, where we're expecting to have a Spectacular week!!!

Oh, bee tea dubs, I have a couple of announcements:

We're in the process of finalizing details for the Luther 500 Festival, to be held in Wittenberg, Germany! It promises to be an amazing week, with amazing people, in an amazing place, all to begin celebrating the 500th anniversary of Luther hammering on the door of a church. Check out the website for more details!

Also, you can follow us on Twitter, if you do such things. Our username is hengh, or you kind find us by using the e-mail address hengh@aol.com. Or, there's that button up there on your right you can click.

More later, you people you . . .

Some Midwest Action

So, starting April 4th, Michael celebrated his first anniversary, our Lord rose from the grave, and the Yankees won two out of three against that other team: all was right in the world.

Having accomplished all that, Michael flew to Chicago, and I picked him up at Midway. From there we drove to Rockford, IL, where we had a very fine concert with some very fine peeps. From there, Gurnee, IL was next, and we felt fine afterward.

After that, we WauseOn'd in Oh-io, then drove to MadisOn after the concert. The next day, we stopped off in Reedsburg, WI to play at a school, and continued on to The Metroplex.

In the morning we played a high school, in the afternoon a K-8 school, and in the evening, a concert in a town called Fairbault. At the second school, our friend Joe was showing off the latest Metroplex accessory.



It seems that all the cool kids are doing it.

The next day we slept in a bit, and drove on up to St. Cloud, where we were reunited with our long-time friend, Jayne 1. Before the concert, she showed us around her church, and Michael enjoyed a large cup of coffee.



It seems all the cool kids are drinking it.

Anyway, they took us out to a fine differ afterward, and then we drove back to the Metroplex. On the way that night, we saw a most amazing sight, a glowing green light, a meteorite! Apparently, there were no injuries or damage, but there were widespread reports of bad poetry outbreaks.

The next day we both flew home, Michael to his coastal state, and I to my midwestern one, where I celebrated tax day by taking in a rowdy Ben Folds concert downtown.

Next up . . . California.

Catching up with Depeche LAF

So, if you're anything like me, you hate to update your blog between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox. That's just the way life is. It's the time for hibernating, not updating. It's like Pete Seeger said in Ecclesiastes, right?

So, since you last heard from us, here's where we've been . . .

Houston, TX, Seguin, TX, Hickory, NC, St. Peter, MN, Moorhead, MN, Manitowoc, WI, Mequon, WI, Milwaukee, WI, Columbia, SC, Simsbury, CT, Flemington, NJ, Lansing, MI, Knoxville, TN, Carmichael, CA, Danville, CA, Asheville, NC, Sherrodsville, OH, Sacramento, CA, Philadelphia, PA, Florence, AL, Sheboygan, WI, Saukville, WI, Sheboygan, Falls, WI, Menasha, WI, Marshfield, WI, Jefferson, MD, Oberlin, OH, Oakdale, MN, Garden City, MI, Mayer, MN, St. Louis, MO, Peoria, IL, Charleston, IL

And then came the Spring Equinox, as I said. As you can see, we were hibernating over this time, so we basically stayed home. Michael bought new clothes for his daughter, and George learned that his kitten is now able to tear up everything, since she is all growed up and all. (And if Geneva is anything like Pippin, Michael better start hiding the hair-ties and pen caps now.)

More sooner, I promise . . .

george