Road Notes 2003

Oh, boy, do we have some true road adventures to share this month! We're enjoying our first multi-day tour in months right now. After Thanksgiving we headed East to Pennsylvania, where we set up our base in a hotel in the far western suburbs of Philadelphia. What a beautiful area of the country, especially after a fresh snowfall!

For several days we did shows at elementery schools in the area, which was just a blast. Little kids are so fun to perform for, they're so fun, and they just loved our show - which made us enjoy performing more than ever. These shows were to culminate in a longer, friday night holiday show open to the community. Unfortunately, 6 inches of snow decided to fall at just the wrong time, resulting in the cancellation of our final school shows and the community show we were looking forward to.

We really wanted to make this show happen, so we started a discussion about re-scheduling. Unfornuately, the only date available to our hosts in the next eight months is next friday. But we have a show in Wisconson the following Sunday, and we woudn't be able to perform in PA on friday and safely make it to WI by Sunday morning...so we got to brainstorming, and a plan was born:

Next wednesday, after our last show in PA from this tour, we would drive to Chicago and park the van at the house of our friend and former Four Shadow member, Eric Skalinder. We would then fly back to PA thursday night, do school shows friday day, and, finally, perform our community concert here in Malvern, PA, using a sound system borrowed from our hosts. On saturday we would fly back to Chicago, collect the van, and calmly drive to Wisconsin. Kevin found great airfare, and our solution to the problem was all locked up with the press of a "buy now" button on the internet.

Or was it?? Just that moment, our agent called, telling us we had a new show booked - on saturday, an hour west of Minneapolis! So Team Four Shadow went to work again, checking online atlases for mileage, calling our friend Beth to arrange an olympic relay-style handoff of our van, and, most amazingly, convincing ATA to change our flights for us without charging us the standard fee.

But it all worked. Thanks to creative thinking, teamwork, flexibility on the part of our hosts, and favors from our friends Eric and Beth in Chicago, we finally solved the problem. Needless to say, we'll be very, very, very busy for the next two weeks!

Hope to see you on the road soon!

David - Sunday, November 16, 2003

Hi there! I thought I'd take this opportunity to introduce myself - I'm David, the New Guy. I'm really excited to be singing with Four Shadow - they're a great bunch of guys, and great singers, too! Here's a little background: Most recently I sang with Eric Skalinder in the vocal rock band, Blind Man's Bluff, out of Chicago, IL. Bluff broke up a couple years ago, though, and I've been missing the road life. I was overjoyed when the guys offered me this opportunity - It sure is great to be singing full time again.

Things have been busy for us in the last two months - Just when I'd gotten up to speed on all the great tunes we sing year-round, the Christmas season popped up out of nowhere. As you might expect, our minds are now filled with a Christmas soup of carols. If you've seen our Christmas show, or if you own a copy of Flake, you'll be excited to know that we've added a few more tunes to our winter set.

We've been keeping it local lately, with most of our shows within a day's drive or less from our Twin Cities base. Last night we had a great time in New York Mills, MN - what a great town. It was truly a pleasure to sing for such an enthusiastic audience. Doing shows in Minnesota has helped me get used to my new surroundings (very different from urban Chicago), but I'm also excited that we're going to embark on an honest-to-goodness full-out tour next month. We'll be visiting the hilly green world of eastern Pennsylvania early this December, then heading back to the Cities for a few local shows before the end of the year.

If you haven't made it to a show in a while - please, come on out! I'd love to meet every one of you. And if meeting me isn't reason enough for you, we've got new T-shirts, too!

See you soon,
David

Drew - Sunday, September 21, 2003

Happy September! Well, it's happy for us anyway. This past summer was full of ups and downs fur us and we've managed to come out pretty clean on the other side.

It began with a busy June; we hit all the usual spots: Iowa, South Dakota, Wisconsin, and Minnesota. In July we performed a lot more in Minnesota, which meant we didn't have to travel as much. And, of course, we spent August out in the sun at any number of festivals and state and county fairs.

If you check the site regularly, you'll notice a new face in Four Shadow's lineup. The dapper young chap filling our 2nd tenor position is David Anderson, most recently of Chicago, IL. David's first show was last night in Granite Falls, MN. He did an amazing job and we can hardly wait to get back on stage and sing again.

For those of you wondering what happened to David's predecessor, let me assure you that he is fine. After his sudden departure in July, an old friend named Del Coy flew up from Orlando, FL to fill in until David could get here. Del did an outstanding job and deserves our most heartfelt thanks.

We've been rehearsing with David and (as I mentioned earlier) he's already done his first show with us. He's great, folks. We're all excited about the future of Four Shadow, and you should be, too. I'll have to get David to do a road notes soon so he can tell you all about himself and how he came to be with Four Shadow. Until then, keep on listenin' and lookin' for upcoming shows in your area. Drew

Stacy - Sunday, June 8, 2003

The Calm Before The Storm Or at least, The Calm Before The Summer. Four Shadow finds itself relaxing and recording, venturing occasionally into that great big world out there to do a show or two, while the Summer looms ever closer.

That's right, the Summer. Also referred to with trepidation as "Our Busy Time". Last year, we were home for a grand total of six days in July, and most of those six days were spent moving. Summer is a time of county fairs, state fairs, outdoor festivals, corndogs, cotton candy, the smell of 4-H, and (more often than not) three shows a day. In the heat, mind you!

But are we complaining? Perish the thought! Summer is one of our favorite times of the year, when we get to meet legions of new-fans, as well as hang out with the legions of already-fans. Summer is when we get to work on our tans -- sometimes while on stage, which, since we can't very well turn our back to the crowd, means we get to work on half our tans, and then hope that the next show is facing the other way. Summer is also when we get to emcee the occasional County Fair Queen pageant. Ah, summer...

So while we've been taking it relatively easy these past couple weeks, we've also secretly been storing up vast reserves of strength, and subliminally checking the prices of sunscreen in bulk, that we might better tackle the beast known only as... The Summer...

(If you think about it, it's a lot like the Hulk, in that it's big, mostly green, and capitalized. Okay, maybe that's only if I think about it... yeah, probably.)

Anyway... See you at the fair!

The Stace Cowboy (also pronounced "Maurice"... reee-rowrrr)

Kevin - Monday, May 12, 2003

Well, it's been a busy couple of months, and I was just thinking back on how lucky we have been to have been able to perform for such nice folks recently. Our time in Arkansas was wonderful! We got to spend quality time at the Peabody Hotel in downtown Little Rock (my first time ever there!). I have been in a few hotels in my nearly six years in this group, and that was one of the finest hotels from top to bottom that I have ever seen. I was glad to be able to partake liberally from their selection of fine Shampoos and Conditioners. The folks at the Arkansas Bankers' Annual Conference were really sweet to us, and we appreciate their having us out to sing for them very much.

Similar Kudos can go to the Broadmoor, a fantastic resort in Colorado Springs. All the thoughts that I shared about the Peabody can pretty much be echoed about the Broadmoor, except that while I was there, I continually wanted to sing, "The HIlllls are aliIIIve, with the Sound of MUUUUUSic.." So Beautiful! And the Pennslvania Bankers were a fun crowd to sing for too! Not to mention the awesome climbing wall that Marty, Stacy and I navigated in our tuxes! Whoo hoo!

Thanks also goes out to our fans in Spencer, IA, who came out and supported our first ever self-promoted show there this week. We certainly hope that we can do it again sometime soon.

Peace,
Kevin

Stacy - Wednesday, April 9, 2003

Headline: Dirt Missing In Arizona

So there we were, driving peacefully through northern Arizona, reflecting on an absolutely wonderful show the night before in beautiful Yavapai College Performance Hall... just driving along, making our way to Nebraska, when all of a sudden, there's this giant hole in the ground. I'm not kidding. We were driving north, and we had to divert to the east for about forty miles or so, just to get around the thing. It was huge, I tell ya. I don't know if anyone else has noticed this big hole in the middle of northern Arizona, but just in case, I wanted to let everyone know. I mean, the least they could have done was post some signs. Or mention something about it on the maps. Come to think of it, it was actually a rather picturesque hole; maybe they should set up some kind of preserve or park around it. Might be good for tourism, who knows. Because I've seen some canyons in my day, and this one was by far the grandest.

And now, as Drew and I sit in a hotel room, resting after our fourth annual Really Fun Show For A Lot Of Cool People at Chadron State College, and channel-surfing between motorcycle racing and puppies, we think back to that big hole, and wonder... Is it still there? Or has some kindly groundskeeper come by and filled it in? Maybe some day, we'll go back and see.

Tomorrow, we go see Carhenge. See, it's a lot like Stonehenge, but with one major difference: it's in Nebraska.

peace and geometric harmony, everyone

stacy

Kevin - Monday, March 24, 2003

Welcome gentle reader to your latest installment of notes from the road. Today Four Shadow chimes in from the beautiful American South West, with tales of heartache, lost luggage, and sweet, sweet singing...

Our story begins at an hour not well known to our heroes. Wake up call for the boys was set for 4:00 AM, so that they could catch their plane to Albequerque, New Mexico. They were scheduled to perform there that day for an outstanding group of young people having their state wide meeting of FCCLA. Over eight hundred high schoolers were to be in attendance at the character building, professional development event. Four Shadow was the final evenings entertainment.

So despite the early hour, spirits were high as the group languished in Spring Break lines at the Minneapolis airport on Friday morning. After a lengthy wait in the US Airways Ticket line, during which various helpful suggestions for better line management were floated, the boys finally got their chance to speak with a representative. He had bad news: THE GROUP WAS NOT FLYING US AIRWAYS. "But how can this be?" cried Kevin. "I bought these tickets from US Airways website! Theres even a huge logo here on the printed itinerary to prove it!" "Ah yes," smiled the wise travel guru behind the ticket counter. But this flight, though purchased from us, is not operated by us. It is a United Airlines flight. You need to go stand in THEIR tremendously long line now."

Disheartened, but valiant, the boys trudged through groggy early morning holiday travelers, forcing their way through the sea of rolling carry-ons and vacation bric-a-brac in their attempt not to miss this flight. You see, dear reader, Four Shadow has never missed a gig due to illness, travel delays, or other silly shenanigans like that, and they sure werent going to on this day.

The next piece of bad news came like an IRS auditor to a funeral procession. Due to snowy weather in Denver, Four Shadow would miss their connecting flight to Albequerque. The soonest that the ticket agent could rebook them was for five in the evening. Now the gig was slated for 7:00 PM, so technically the news COULD have been worse. At least they werent going to miss the gig altogether. But this was a blow for the boys: It meant that sound check on a rented sound system a task that normally strikes fear of long hours of screeching speakers into the hearts of even the hardiest of musicians ("There sure are a lot of knobs on this thing!")- would be nearly out of the question. This was to be the next disturbing twist in their swiftly degenerating tale. Something would have to be done to stem this tide of ill luck. And that something was just a short flight away.

In Denver, after much running from gate to gate, with airplane doors literally being slammed in their faces, they finally got the break they needed: a kind soul from Fontier Airlines took pity on our weary travelers, and stuck them into bulkhead seats on a 9:00 AM flight from Denver to Albuqerque. This was the good fortune they had been waiting for, ever since Kevin had set this bad Karma machine in motion earlier that morning by forgetting to tip the cab driver in Minneapolis.

Of course upon arrival, the boys found that none of their checked luggage (gig clothes, CDs to sell, hair product), had made the connection. It would arrive later that night. But this was a small price to pay for the outstanding welcome they received outside of security in the Albuquerque airport. There was Breanne, a FCCLA associate, with a sign reading "Four Shadow." From that moment on, the day was a warm walk on a sunny beach. Wonderful sound guys arrived on time, and with great skill proceeded to hook the boys up large style. Fun event planners treated the group to lunch and dinner, and oh yeah, the show was great too! Enthusiastic students greeted the songs with happy applause and excited participation in the show. All was turning out well for our weary travelers.

But lest you feel too envious of their glamorous exploits, the boys would like to remind you that their time in sunny New Mexico is ending tomorrow. Their wake up call: 4:00 AM.

Drew - Saturday, March 8, 2003

Hey all,

We got back together today after about a week of vacation and had a rehearsal. We did some arranging on a couple of tunes. It was good to be singing again. It's amazing how quickly the voice gets out of shape when you don't use it. W'll be doing more rehearsals, gearing up for our show on Thursday in Worthington, and continued studio recording starting Monday.

I spent some time yesterday listening to what we've already recorded for the new album. It's exciting to hear how our sound continues to develop and improve. Still no projected release date on the album, but since summer is our busiest time you can bet we're aiming at having it done before then.

That's it for now.

Drew

Kevin - Saturday, February 22, 2003

Greetings from the road, fans of Four Shadow! We write to inform you that gigs DO exist out there in the world, and we are finally doing some again! Last Wednesday we drove south down I-35 and west I-80, on our way to a gig in Peru, Nebraska. This trip took us through the many brilliant exits of Iowa: Maxwell Slater would be a great name for a character in a short story I might or might not yet be writing, to say nothing of Joice Kensett, Roland McCallsburg, or Huxley Cambridge. I'm not kidding! Check it out! For dinner, in case you cared, we stopped in at the World Famous (or if it's not already, it should be, for it is truly awesome!) Cyclone Drive-In in Stuart, Iowa. There we partook of the finest cheeseburgers, fries, malts and homemade pies available to all humankind. It was an emotional awakening from the sad, corporate drudgery of Arches Mc Gross Food that we normally eat while on the road. Many brows were arched in delight during the course of that meal, and vows were performed, committing us to a lifelong journey on the food-road-less-traveled. While there, we were waited on by the family who ran the place, who cared enough to plug in video games for us to play. I can't say much for the Addam's Family pin ball game (I have never been so humiliated - and Marty will agree!), but other than that, the experience was sublime. Eat there without fail if your GPS tells you that you are within a in a two hour radius of 41.4 degrees N Latitude, 94.3 deg W Longitude. In Peru, we performed a FUN gig for the students of Peru State College, NE. That was a particularly fun gig, because the folks who had us there were really on the ball, and treated us GREAT. Thanks again for all the cookies! Then it was on to Pine River, MN, where we spent a full day working with students in workshops at the Pine River-Backus High School. We touched on Performance techniques, warm-ups, recording, harmony, and live sound engineering. It was a groovy day of sharing what we know with some kids who were really excited to be hanging out. Then we sang a school assembly for the 5th - 12th grades, and an evening concert for the community. We would like to especially thank all who came out to see us for supporting the arts in Pine River, and we hope to see you all again, real soon. It was fun! Kevin

Marty - Monday, February 10, 2003

Wow, my first road notes! Let me break it down for ya. Don't worry I'm not going to rap the road notes. In all, things have been pretty busy. We've spent alot of time in the recording studio, worked on new songs, performed at some great gigs and have met some super cool people. Fourshadow has recently stumbled across something that may become tradition. Potluck Night! When cooking, I will now refer to Drew as "The CrocPot Masta"! That boy can slow cook anything.

I have to say hello to all the great people we met in Montana! Fourshadow had the honor to perform at the Montana Performing Arts Consortiuma week ago. All the people in Havre, Montana were so hospitable and really made the group feel comfortable. We are hoping to get back to Montana soon to do someshows. I really love what I do.Oh, before I forget! There might be some awesomepictures of Fourshadow doing kind of a boys night out at the Bryant Lake Bowl.I believe we could start an a'cappella league if I could stop hitting myself in the leg when I throw the ball. What's perfect form anyway? Well, we'll talk to you soon! Bye yall!

Drew - Friday, February 7, 2003

It's Thursday night and I've just spent the last couple of hours surfing the net looking at various music related web pages. My vision is blurry, my brain is tired, and my judgement is most likely impaired as a result of fatigue. But I checked the Four Shadow website and noticed that nobody's posted to the road notes for some time so I thought I'd take a moment from my busy life of web surfing to post a few words.

If you checked the calendar you'll see that we're not too busy this month - making our lack of posts both sad, because we're obviously not busy doing shows, and sorta justified, because in order to do notes from the road it helps to be "on the road". Anyhow...

As I said, not much going on here. I thought it might be of interest to mention that Stacy has taken up playing harmonica. He's gotten pretty good. So good, in fact, that he inspired me to use some of my own free time to learn a new instrument. So I made the obvious choice: Irish whistle. That's right I said Irish whistle! Between the two of us there's hardly a moment's peace around here. It's like some wierd folk festival gone horribly awry. I never knew there were so many dogs in our neighborhood.

Well, I'm off to do more surfing for irish whistle web pages (how dorky does that sound? Jeez!) hopefully we'll get that new guy, Marty, to post something soon so you'll all believe he's real. If not, I'll just have to come back and regale you with horrifying tales of my lame irish whistle escapades!

'Til then...