Mighty fine and a great big western howdy, Cyberpals! What can I say? Get two or more Cyberpals together at a Riders in the Sky concert, and it just has to be wonderful! And that's what this weekend was at Bear Creek Farms in Bryant, Indiana: WONDERFUL!

Ellen and I packed the old pickup with lots of junk and a sackful of Joey Fan Club T-shirts and took off Sunday afternoon. The T-shirts, which were supposed to be ready Friday afternoon, weren't ready 'til SATURDAY afternoon, which gave Ellen practically no time to get the polka dots on the sleeve. Yep, I said "sleeve," singular. After getting them on both sleeves on one shirt, she decided (and I definitely concurred) that they look much better with dots on just one sleeve. Anyway, we had enough response at the show that we're thinking about getting more, if anybody wants in again? Approximately $10 (I think that will still be the price) if you need us to mail it to you? "The Joey Fan Club" and an accordion on the front, and "Play dat FUNKY MUSIC Slovinian Boy!" on the back. Joey loved 'em! Pictures will be appearing on the web page shortly I think!

Anyway, we had a safe and uneventful trip to BCF, although AAA had routed us straight up Route 27, which passed through a million tiny towns with speed limits of 25 m.p.h. But we listened to RITS and George Jones all the way! It was wonderful! We got to the hotel at around 8:00 p.m. where we met Bobbie and her granddaughter Jessica, a delightful young lady with an enormous amount of energy, who was to become an undying source of delight and laughter during the shows! We grabbed some chow at Mickey D's, then went back to the hotel and played with an incredible "Bubble Thingee" and made giant bubbles in the parking lot. You guys just gotta go to a Riders' show with a couple of clowns like Bobbie and Ellen (and they really are clowns; real pros!). It's a wonderful experience!

Monday morning arrives, dawn breaks (tinkle!) and we hit the trail to BCF. We got there about an hour before check-in. While we were waiting, we saw the Ranger and went over for a chat. He took us backstage because it was incredibly hot and humid outside, where we chatted and I got a guitar lesson (he taught me how to play "Autumn on the Trail," and he let me play his new Stromberg to do it! (He just got another Stromberg, a 1950 model.) This Cyberpal was in heaven fer sure!), then it was hugs all around when Joey came off stage from the sound check. He said loved the shirts (Ellen and I had them on), then he played Postman and delivered a card from Lisa to me. She had all the Riders sign it at a show the day before. THANKS LISA!!!!! So my BCF experience started out in the clouds!

Finally, it was time to check in to our room, grab some chow, and get ready for the first show. We had front-row seats and I was ideally situated with my 35mm camera and Telephoto lens. I think I got some great shots, but they go in today for developing, so we'll see shortly! When the show started, the Joey Fan Club went into action. Each time Joey was introduced, sang a song, or played a polka, he was greeted by his fan club (Ellen and me!) chanting "Jo-EY! Jo-EY! Jo-EY!" He seemed to enjoy the attention with huge Joey grins (aren't they great?) and a very slight blush. Ranger Doug introduced the Joey Fan Club to the audience, and during the even show asked us to stand and be recognized! Ranger Doug also mentioned the Cyberpals several times from the stage, so it looks like we're getting a little recognition now. Wahoo!

The first show included a few small glitches? (they had just driven up from Nashville that morning.) RD was distracted by something at the beginning of "Autumn on the Trail" and so Slim sang the first couple of lines. I was too busy with the camera to write down an accurate play list, but I did hear something I hadn't heard in a loooooong time; Too Slim sang "I Ride an Old Paint," one of my favorites! It was request heaven for the first show, as they did "Autumn on the Trail" and "Desert Serenade" (isn't RD the best??!?!?). Then Joey sang "Texas Sand" and my afternoon was complete. Frankly, I must admit that I can't remember to many specific songs from the first show. I was floating too high to have a good view of the earth after they did the requests (actually, I didn't request "Texas Sand," but Joey knows it's my favorite song of his. I got a couple of winks and a great posed picture during the song, if the picture comes out okay!. *SIGH*). Remember, Joey had already delivered Lisa's card by that time?and Doug had let me play is Stromberg? I hope you can forgive me for operating in a fog at that point!

During the show, little Jessica was so delighted with the show that her laughter seemed to press the "overdrive" button for the guys. They took her delighted laughter and ran with it. Pretty soon the entire audience was infected with it. I strongly suggest going to any show where you know Jessica will be. She's a walking ray of sunshine! (Well, she doesn't walk much. She runs, skips, spins, and leaps, but she doesn't walk much!)

And still it gets better 'n' better. After the show, Joey brought out autographed 8?10s for his fan club; I scanned mine and I'll send it to everybody, hopefully this afternoon! He also posed for pictures with the fan club. He seemed so thrilled to see Ellen and me there with our Joey shirts on. We didn't tell him he would soon be seeing them all over the country. We'll let that be our little surprise, won't we? We had a brief break, then went to dinner and on to the next show, which was, if you can believe it, even better than the first! The air was filled with references to the Cyberpals and the Joey Fan Club, Palindrome made an appearance, they sang "Autumn on the Trail" and "Texas Sand" again (no "Desert Serenade" this time, but I think I can live through that! I was overwhelmed with the requests during the first show and figured that the rest of the day was just icing for the wonderful cake they had already served up!), and the "Jo-EY!" chant rang out loud and strong again! After more pictures and a little bit more time to talk with the guys after (yes, I passed along all the messages, including the message to Slim--you know who you are!--along with his Hershey's kiss? I added a Hershey's Hug to go along with it, and the message was received with delight by the Slimster!). Jessica even got up the courage to ask the guys to autograph her violin and her T-shirt.

Sidenote: The Merc now carries a jigsaw puzzle of the new album cover, and a T-shirt with that cover on it too! Yes, I got both! They are really cool! The puzzle is in large pieces, suitable for a little one, but lots of fun for grownups, IF you think I'm qualify to make that judgement!

It was a glorious trip to see a fantastic bunch of guys with super good friends. I had a wonderful time, and I can't wait to go back!

Speaking of going back: We checked into it, and the BCF office told us RITS is scheduled to come back to BCF next year on June 14, so we have tentatively (note that I said "tentatively"; there are no firm plans yet!!!!) planned the first annual "Cyberpal Gathering" next year at that show. Mark your calendars, and stay tuned for more information as Bobbie and/or I find out anything definite! We'd like to have a huge showing, if possible. We're even considering official "unofficial Cyberpal" T-shirts and everything. But remember, the operative word here is "tentative"!

Ellen reminds me that in the first show they did "Strawberry Roan" (RD sang that one. Great!) and during the second show, the CPK did the "Norwegian Wood Polka" (with a bit of cajoling from his fan club!)...

Catch ya on down the trail, saddlepals!

-- Every day...the Cowboy Way! donna j.