1. Report November 30
2. Report December 4
3. Report December 6
4. Report December 16
5. Report July 4

Note: Further notes will be published on the offical Lisa Lynne site.

Sunday, November 30, 1997 11:55 AM

Hi there

wow things are really something... its now 32 degrees in Omaha ... we have done two shows so far, the first one there was alot of reason to be nervous.

Mostly because everything being so new, not enough time to rehearse the music. The place held about 800 and was just a few seats from being full. the sound crew and light crew was really on the ball, the audience was really wonderful and loved every minute. It is a two part show with intermission, and its a good thing if everyone comes back after intermission. Which they did. I already am extremely fond of all the other people in the show.

Patti the singer, is really a character, she is like being with Gladys Knight or Patti Labelle, or some big star , she has been all over the world and is very wise, and never nervous, so it helps me the new kid alot.

Anyhow, it was a big relief that is went so great, we got an encore... The harp was a big hit, the dress was a big hit, we all go out front after and do the autograph thing it was like a dream.Then we drove to Louisville KY that night after the show, and checked into our next hotel, I realize now, ALL the hotels are very very nice, with red carpet treatment, and no vacuum cleaners and people yelling in the morning like at Super 8.

The show in Louisville was at a massive church called Cathedral of the Assumption. One of the hired crew broke his hand unloading a truck, so some very nervous kids had to run some stuff, so we had some sound problems, since there was a mass at the time of our sound check, we weren't prepared in most ways, then the promoter was a gum chewing greasy haired polyester suit guy who tried to tell our tour manager that he was losing money on the show etc, so our tour manager said don't go on until I say, no matter what anyone says... so we waited back stage.

They let in the people and it was PACKed standing room only, hundreds over the capacity. We were pacing all around, it was apparent the promoter was lying, and he wouldn't fork over the $$. So we got held back 40 minutes to go on, our road manager said we would not go on until the agreement  was honored. the whole audience started clapping and stomping and we were all totally shook up. They were so restless, like a riot, and it was pretty upsetting ...

Even our own sound guy had to run back stage as people were verbally attacking him in the back of the room... finally we got the sign, our tour manager (John)  came out and said LETS ROCK and ROLL... so we went out, and I have to start the show by triggering a drum machine and doing a really fast harp pattern, then everyone else comes out, we crashed into the first song, and no monitors and the sound was off, and no drums and crazy stuff, it was terrifying, we got through the song with lots of mistakes and then everyone leaves me for my solo tune , 900 lukewarm people are looking at me going, "what was that, and what is next?" and my hands are going shake shake shake, it was really hard but we got through it, me and George play a tune from the new album, and that was the beginning of winning them over ... by the end of the show, we could do no wrong and another encore, and a big WHEW... lots of people wait around at the end for you to come out, then they really show their appreciation.

I felt so glad they all thought the show was great, the promoter, the greasy guy that we all thought was on coke, left with his tale between his legs, and bought us all dinner at the 5 star restaurant in the hotel. all 12 of us ate, and drank the very best stuff at a big table, it was great. Then at 1:00 am our bus pulled out and drove us to Omaha, (our driver sleeps in the days). We got in this morning about 9am and now have two days off.

Yippee.

The pattern seems to be we drive at night after the show, watch movies in the bus until four, sleep a little on the bus and a few more hours in the rooms, then eat, and sound check at 3:00 in the afternoon. Now were in  another fancy schmancy hotel.

We are going to take a taxi to the IMAX theatre this afternoon. Its quite a big adjustment to get used to these kinds of hotels, (with grand pianos, and golden entry ways, and guys with white gloves, and room service,) but I'll manage somehow. I guess the days of Motel 6 are over now.   ... more to come...

Love, Lisa

Thursday, December 04, 1997 10:24 AM

Hello friends and family,

the last I wrote we had done two shows and now we have done two more. We left Louisville KY, and went on to Omaha Nebraska to play at Witherspoon Hall, a large theatre in Josyln Museam, it seemed extra large that night as it was only about half full.

We were dismayed when we got to town and found no advertisement anywhere... not even in the Sunday entertainment section. (the show was Tuesday)... but Jennifer Reid (agent at home) and her assistant Janelle came in from Colorado to see the show and camp out in my room, and it turned out to be super fun. Then I found out how the whole promoter thing works, there is a different promoter for each show, its up to him to fill the house, if he doesn't, we still get paid the same, and he is the one who loses money. So I didn't feel so bad.

We saw the first snow when we left the next morning... but it melted away fast. We drove to the next venue in Lawrence, Kansas, and during sound check we got the sad news that a fellow musician on our label was killed in a car wreck in Northern California. His name is Michael Hedges, one of the greatest guitar players who ever lived.

This was very upsetting for the other members of this tour, as they all had long personal relationships with him, there was lots of tears , and when we went on stage Patti announced the loss, and the whole audience gasped, I saw some people in the front rows start to cry, so the show commenced and it was quite emotional the  whole time. Liz played his favorite song, it was so incredible. Backstage in the downstairs dungeon was an old underground abandoned club that Ike and Tina used to play often, the dressing rooms are graffiti filled from over the years, and George got a marker and graffitied a special tribute to Michael too.

We finished up and drove to Memphis, where I am right now. I am happy that my mom and sister are here to see this show. they are visiting Graceland today. Well off I go.

More to come...

Lisa

Saturday, December 06, 1997 3:03 PM

Hello everyone...

so far so good still... we played last night at the Westport Playhouse in St. Louis. It was one of those round stages that rotates back and forth in circles while the audience sits all around the circle.

wow... it was really disorienting as much as we switch off getting off and on the stage. There was a man in the audience who was just beside himself with grief about Michael Hedges untimely death, and was shouting things about him during the show... afterward he was the last person still sitting there as we were packing up, he was sobbing  by himself there. It was really sad... we didn't know what more to say to him.

After the show we get in our sweats and get in the bus for the long drive to Michigan. We watched a Jimmy Hendrix documentary till very late.

Now I'm backstage at the Detroit Opera house... this place is extraordinary... so beautiful.We have done sound check... have two hours before the show... This is the time where the tired people nap, and the hungry people eat.

So I'm going to do just that... chow for now...

Lisa

Tuesday, December 16, 1997 7:38 PM EST

Hello there

Reporting in from New York City... "NEW YORK CITY!! I always hear that commercial in my head... the salsa commercial...

We last left you backstage at the Detroit Opera Center, after that show we went on to Columbia MO, where we played the Blue Note, and had a couple days off, (actually more than planned as our bus driver got food poisoning so we left a day late) for Nashville.

My Dad and Margaret came and spent the day, saw the show that night. It was really fun. They stayed and did the whole Nashville experience, drove to Graceland, and saw the grand o'l Opry too. We then drove to Columbus, Ohio, and played the most beautiful theatre called the Capitol Theatre.

It was a wonderful show, (we have had standing ovations every night) and the president of Windham Hill, Steve Vining, was there. He had alot of great news about how well the records were selling, how pleased everybody is, and next year is going to be a very big year, with a television special and the works.

So spirits are really high. We did a show in Pittsburgh, and now came to New York, today we performed a mini show at the mega Barnes and Noble across from Lincoln Center, we walked around the hall and I saw a huge glass enclosure on the street of our pictures, and I was so surprised it just took my breath away.

I see the room, and I cant believe its real. I am remembering when I played at the Lincoln Center before... on the steps... :) 

I didn't actually go in the building, but it was quite exciting anyway... imagine... to actually play IN the building... wow... I'd never been to Central Park before, and we walked all around and went to Strawberry Fields where the John Lennon memorial lies... really wonderful, the weather has been incredible, sunny clear days in New York City, its cold, around 30, but its so beautiful with horse and buggies, and everyone is in such a nice mood. Ice rinks and happy skaters.

I took the subway this morning to Greenwich Village... and Soho... intending to shop, but I really just ate... tomorrow we drive to Virginia, and then come back to New York and then to Maine. Were all still having such a fine time. Its going to be over too soon.

Until next time

Lisa

Saturday, July 4, 1998 1:32 AM PST

Hello there

Its been way too long since I have written an update here. I promise I won't let this long a time go by again, in fact, I just decided I will write something for the website the beginning of each month, at least,  from now on.

Since I last left you we were on the Windham Hill Winter Solstice tour. It ended, (too soon for me) and everyone went home just in time for Christmas. I rested a bit in January and then myself and George Tortorelli the  bamboo flutist extraordinarious commenced our full time touring schedule, playing at the usual art shows and street festivals around the country.

We did a few shows around South Florida, the northeast, Texas, some things around L.A, where I live; did some instore appearances (where you play at Borders Books on the little stage, and eat too many cookies from the coffee bar) to promote "Daughters of the Celtic Moon". We got to go to Maui, (never been to the islands) to play the jazz festival there, and more instores. I found out that in Maui everybody gets naked when they swim - (well, at least George's friends do), I was the only one in a bathing suit with cell phone and pager, and felt like a dork.

The album came out in all the stores in February and was featured in listening stations around the country. I was absolutely shocked and amazed to see it climb the Billboard charts to #13, on the New Age chart. It stayed around between #13, and #25 for many weeks, I think it surprised everybody. Even the
label. Its hard to get on the charts, especially as a newcomer so soon. Over the
years of my own touring, I have gathered a mailing list of over 12,000 people who signed in. I sent a mailing out about the record and I really feel that helped it to sell so well. All the good people of all the little towns really came through and went to the stores - wow - like a miracle.

These big labels are really something, by the time your first record comes out, it's about time to start the next one. I start recording the next album for Windham Hill in two weeks and have been a hermit in my own studio the past couple of months getting ready. It feel this is going to be my best so far. I have collected some very special instruments lately, and have been building up my recording studio and doing all the pre-production. Even though I have album quality recording equipment in my house, there are too many dogs and crickets and airplanes flying above to do the real recording in this neighborhood (unless I was doing a nature album, with airplanes and little lawn blower men).

So I get everything ready and we'll go to a place called "Castle Oaks" studio. We will be recording for the months of late July, August, early Sept. Each week I fly out for the weekend shows, and back for weekday sessions. Sometimes I wake up and I have no idea where I am ... its not like the 70's where musicians are on drugs. I am on carrot juice and digestive enzymes, and I still don't know where I am ... Motel 6 in Somewhereville, U.S.A.

I haven't thought of a title for the new record yet ...
I'm open for suggestions :)

Until next time. Peace

Lisa