Hello Krew

I am finally at home after a hectic week, and finally have time to write to you to tell you what's been going on. 

 A couple of funny things first!  Last week I was showing a car to a prospective buyer.  I had a CD copy of the rough mixes of my new Live project laying on top of my folder.  As the prospective buyer sat in the drivers seat, I picked up my folder out of the passenger seat to make room for me to ride as she tried it out.  She saw the CD that just said "Kirk Talley."  She said "You like Kirk Talley?"  I kinda smiled and said, "He's OK."  I suddenly tried to remember if I had told her my name when she answered the ad in the paper or not. Evidently I hadn't.  So she continued to look around the Tracker and familiarize herself with all the gadgets.  She then turned to me and said "Well show me how that CD player works."  The only CD I had was the rough mix CD, so I put it in.  Quickly she said "I don't know that song, is that one of his new ones"?  I smiled again and just said "yes."  I am thinking by this point, "OK, she evidently keeps up enough to know my music, surely she recognizes it's me," but I didn't say anything.  She test drove the Tracker around Pigeon Forge, said she liked it and thanked me for showing it to her. Said she would go to the bank the next day to get the money and then call me. "By the way, what was your name"?  "Kirk Talley" I said.  "Oh OK, well, I'll call you tomorrow," and she left.  I laughed to myself thinking maybe she would come to her senses by the next day, but she never called back the next day, I haven't heard back from her at all!  

 Sunday morning of last week, I was checking out of the hotel in Chambersburg, PA.  I was at the front desk, waiting on the receipt, and the girl behind the desk said "Are you from North Carolina"?  I said '' Well, I have lived there but I am from Tennessee."  We struck up a conversation about southern accents and Tennessee and laughed a little about the way I talked.  She then looked at me with a questionable look on her face and said "you sound like Kirk Talley."  Immediately I thought "I look like him too."  I was so surprised, I didn't have a come back.  She continued "you sound just like him."  She was looking right at me.  I couldn't figure it out.  She was familiar enough with my voice, my music, even my speaking voice to recognize it when she heard it, but here I am, within 5 feet of her, talking to her, and she don't recognize my face.  "I love his music," she continued.  By this time, I am puzzled.  She had my hotel card with my name on it in her hand, she was printing the receipt for the room, the room was in my name, She had it in her hand, but still I just sounded like Kirk Talley.  I immediately thought of the woman who tried out the Tracker.  Had I changed a lot? I know I have picked up a few pounds, but geez, that extra 10 pounds must all be in my face!  Immediately I thought of the "Nanny" episode where Fran had an allergic reaction and instantly gained a bunch of weight as she tried to warm up to Mr. Sheffield.  I couldn't help but laugh.  Finally, I told the lady that I was indeed Kirk Talley and all she said was "Oh, well nice to meet you, hope you enjoyed your stay here."  I thought to myself as I left, "oh yeah, its been really interesting."

  Sat night I sang in Chambersburg, PA for Don Hollinger.  Don decided last fall that he would bring me back to Chambersburg.  The local promoter that had been bringing me into that area, decided not to, so Don, having never promoted a concert, decided he would try it.  He began passing out flyers and trying to get the word out and had a good concert last winter, so he tried it again this summer.  It was great to see some great friends, and a LOT of Kirk's Krew members there.  Robin Ringer, a soloist from that area also sang a few songs. Also, Crystal River, www.crystalriveronline.org, joined me this time in Chambersburg and they proved to be an audience favorite!  Everyone loved them.  I am sure they will be back in Pennsylvania soon!  On the second round, we did a few songs together.  I decided that if I was going to be in a quartet with all these young guys, I would have to spike my hair up to look the part, so I carried a bottle of hair spray out on stage with me and ran my hand through my hair, messed it up as much as possible and sprayed it. Immediately in my mind I could see my mama, lickin the palm of her hand and rubbing on my head to try to get my hair to lay down and "act right," and here I was 40 years later, trying to get it to stand up and look like it looked when I was just a kid!  There are pictures on the website.  It was great fun.  Special thanks again to Don Hollinger.  He worked very hard on this concert, had opposition again from the Gospel Radio Station, WTRM.  But he kept promoting.  He tried to buy advertisement from them, but they wanted nothing to do with my concert there, Don just kept promoting. I listened to the station on the way into Chambersburg, to see what commercials and "community calendar" announcements were made.  I heard sun tan bed commercials, Car shows announcements, flea market announcements, all kinds of things....but nothing about our Gospel Concert.  Don later told me they wouldn't even return his calls this time, but he just kept promoting, kept putting out flyers, kept telling people word of mouth. Thank you DON.  You are a great friend!  

 Sunday I went to Elizabethtown, PA for a wonderful Sunday Night Service at Shenks Community Church.  Nathan Olweiler told me that I had been there some thirty years ago when I was playing bass with the Hoppers, but I didn't remember it.  It was a beautiful little white church sitting out in the middle of a corn field!  The service was great.  I saw a lot of people that I haven't seen in a long long time!  It was great to see Paul and Sheila, John and Susan Heil, of the Gospel Greats Program.  Several of the volunteer help from Garden Spot Promotions came also.  

 I left that church about 9:00 pm and decided to drive a few hours before stopping for the night.  The further I drove, the more "wide awake" I became, so I just kept driving.  About midnight, I stopped for fuel and I picked up one of those energy drinks, and kept driving.  I don't know what's in those drinks, but let me tell you, it works!  I drove all the way back to Tennessee!  I arrived home about 5 am and crashed about 5:30 am.  My telephone rang at 7:30 and I jumped up and started my day.  It was my only day at home for the week so there were lots of things to get done.  Rick called and needed help unloading some railroad ties so he could build Pootie Ann a play area in their back yard, so I went with him to load and then to unload those.  By 10 pm, I was filthy, with railroad tie stuff all over me, I crept home, yes I was already sore, and showered and went to bed. 

 Tuesday, up at 5 am, to drive to Nashville.  I started repairing vocal parts on the new live project and sang all day.  The ensemble from River of Life Church, came in about 7 pm to stack and sweeten some parts, and we sang til about midnight.  I left Nashville that night about 12:15 am EST, and drove 3.5 hours back home, arrived about 3:40 am, just in time to shower and pack a suitcase and head to the airport.  My flight was at 6:25 am so I just had enough time to make it to the airport by 5:30 am.  I flew to Dallas on Wed morning, was on the set at TBN studios at 2:30 for rehearsal and we sang til early evening.  The next morning we started at 9 am and recorded four UNFOLDING MAJESTY SHOWS that day.  Yesterday, we did four more shows and then I rushed to DFW airport and flew home last night.  I got home about 12:30 am.  Walked in and immediately a wave of heat hit me.  It was 88 degrees in here.  The air conditioner was broken again!  I didn't even care at this point.  I raised the window turned on the ceiling fan and was out like a light!  Today, the repairman has already been here, and now I am going to Lowes to buy filters!   

 Be sure and watch UNFOLDING MAJESTY in the next few weeks.  I sang about 6 songs during the course of the 8 shows, so be watching for those.  I know it is aired on Tuesday nights at 7 30 pm EST on the TBN network.  There are a few other times its aired during the week in some areas. Check your local listing.  Then write Dean and Mary Brown and thank them for having me on there!  The only picture I have from the taping is one that Del Way took of me and Alvin Slaughter, but Del hasn't sent it to me yet.  I took my camera but it has decided to malfunction again.  So a digital camera is on my list of things to pick up this weekend.  So far, a digital camera and an air filter.  No telling what will be added to the list before I get to town. 

 There are is a new feature on the webpage.  You can now listen to some of the songs, by clicking the SONGS tab on the front page.  

 Let me remind you about the TRIO concert next weekend in Sumter, SC.  Pete and Shirley Ward are the promoters and it's always a great concert in Sumter.  If you are within driving distance, come on over to Patriot Hall on Saturday night for a fun filled night of Trio.  Shane Dunlap really adds some spark to the trio and I know you will be blessed and glad you came.  Shirley always has great BBQ waiting on us when we get there!  I love that NC type of BBQ that's marinated in vinegar!  I can't wait!  If you can make it, give Shirley a call at 803-436-2140 or 803 968-0951 and she will hold you a ticket as close to the front as possible!

 Speaking of TRIO-I have a TRIO special that's pretty incredible.  For the next month, you can get all three Trio CD's for 15.00 (plus $5.00 shipping) "THE TRIO," "BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND" and "HAVIN A GOOD TIME" are all three great CD projects. 
"Havin a Good Time" is the last of the TRIO series.  It was recorded live in my living room!  Well, what used to be my living room.  That living room now belongs to a nuclear scientist and his wife.  But all three TRIO projects are great.  Call the office at 865 933 2100.  Ask for the KREW special on the T shirts too.  It's a great buy for those who take advantage of the Trio CD special. Dot will explain it to you when you call. 

 Don't forget you can pre order the new ALIVE AT THE RIVER OF LIFE project.  CD and DVD will be available (hopefully July 30th) and the pre-orders are stacking up at the office.  Call the office and reserve your copy today.   865 933 2100.  

 OK -For those of you who want off the list, I will say this once again.   GO TO WWW.KIRKTALLEY.COM and hit the UNSUBSCRIBE BUTTON.  That's the only way to be removed from the list.  If you change email addresses, go to the webpage, using your new address, and re subscribe.   

 I have to get to Lowe's and get that air filter! 

 Hope to see you all in SC next weekend!  

 Kapt Kirk