New Photos -- February 27, 2006 -- click the photo > 
The RoadKill Sisters & How We Spent the First Three Weeks of December
Version 2.1 (7 January 2006)
10,523 miles. That's how far the Christmas tour took us this past December. From the 1st till the 19th, we traversed this country from the midwest to the east coast, then back up north to the cold country... eventually, we snaked our way back to the east coast with a few stops along the way. On December 18th it was over, but not before we'd experienced some incredible shows. Twelve cities. Thirteen concerts. 10,523 miles.
I'd like to share some of it with you. I'll refer to my journal (the write-ups I do for our little group of Kathy's Clowns @ yahoogroups). * It'll be a little stream of conscious journey that I hope you enjoy. Enjoy the photos, too....courtesy of Rene!
For Your Information, RS=RoadKill Sisters & KM=concert highlights.
**********************************
RS: 11/30 I was on my way to the airport today when I heard a report that said that Walmart had instructed their employees not to say "Merry Christmas". They were to use "Happy Holidays" or some such secular greeting. I'm sorry, but that's just stupid. I believe in cultural diversity and I'd like everyone's religious beliefs validated, but come on. If I were checking out of Walmart and a clerk wished me Happy Glubnucks, I would wish him/her Happy Glubnucks right back. It's not a time for exclusion for the sake of political correctness. I'm happy to hear references to Kwanzaa or Hanukkah. Bring it on!
KM: 12/1 Peoria, IL Well, for the uninitiated, Kathy's Sounds of the Season Christmas show consist of two parts: one hour of hits followed by a hour plus of tunes from Good News & Joy for Christmas Day. Here's a sample set list: O Holy Night,Come From the Heart, Love at the Five and Dime, Live It, 18 Wheels, Gimme Shelter, Where've You Been, 455 Rocket. The Christmas show: What a Wonderful Beginning, Straw Against the Chill, Do you Hear?, Christ Child Lullaby, Angels We Have Heard on High, Somebody's Talking 'Bout Jesus, All Because of Him, The Collage, Unto Us, Baby King, Mary Did You Know, Adeste Fidelis, and There's Still My Joy (encore). Two other songs were also included in some cities: New Kid in Town and Brightest and Best.
RS: 12/9 There's a tiny little post office in North Carolina that I'll never forget. I walked in with some mailers (CDs in padded envelopes) and the look of dread on the clerks face surprised me. She weighed one and pushed the entire bunch off to the side. (For the record, I had about 18 envelopes). She gave me a total and I paid the amount. (She said she'd do the others later in the day when she had more time...can they do that?) A few folks had lined up in back of me, constituting an uncontrolled mob, I guess and it was making her nervous. The supervisor came out, surveyed the situation and asked me rather curtly if I could please call before I came in again with such a lot of "stuff". I was dumbstruck, but managed a feeble, "Sorry, but I'm a stranger in these parts." He told me they weren't set up for bulk mail. I apologized and slunk out like a whipped puppy. Shame on me.....bad fan club president, bad.
RS: 12/9 A brief glance at the map told us Supply NC was near the beach! So we had to go. The weather in NC had been mild and beautiful, compared to other places we'd been. After finding a public access walkway we made our way down to the water. Rene took her very expensive camera out on the beach to take some photos for the RoadKill blog. ** We wanted a picture of both of us standing in front of the sunset. There was a curious sand formation on the beach I'd never seen. You walked out so far and there was a 3 foot drop off. Like sand stairs. Rene thought she could put her camera on the "shelf", set the timer and take our picture. But the "shelf" collapsed and with it her heavy camera. She caught it by the strap just in the nick or it would have been completely buried. Close call.
KM 12/9 Kathy greeted the audience tonight with a line she'd been saving up for days....HELLLLLO SUPPLY! And she mused, what are folks from Supply called? Suppliers? Supplites? Supplicants? I truly believe you can figure out a crowd from the introduction...and this audience rocked. I believe the bar had been raised for this performance. We were five shows into the tour. It felt like it was going to be great show... and it was. The sing-along to 18 Wheels was thunderous...At the conclusion, Kathy remarked, "Now that's how it works....you demand, I Supply!" Another hometown reference, another direct hit. It also didn't hurt that two of her band members (Jim and Rick) are from Charlotte. (That makes them Charlatans). Out in the lobby an usher showed me a hand-painted tie that he had painted. There was a likeness (very good one, too) of Kathy, an 18 wheeler and a dozen roses. When Kathy saw it, she freaked! What a wonderful tribute! **
RS: 12/9 Occasionally you have to drive all night to get to the next gig. It is at times like this that it goes from "Isn't this fun?" to "Kill me now". We left Supply NC for Glasgow KY (646 miles) around midnight after finding a McDonalds to take a McWhizz. (McDonalds is where traveling Americans use the restroom). Rene valiantly tried to get us there but she was exhausted, so she'd pull off in a truck stop to catch some winks. When the engine was off, it was freezing cold. Luckily, she had a coat, but I had only a hooded, sweatshirt type deal. So instead of sleeping, I was wide awake, shaking. When it was my turn to drive, I was so tired I only got in a good hour and ten minutes. I'm just no help at all. Don't know why she puts up with me.
RS 12/10 I have an eye problem. It doesn't keep me from functioning (yet) but still the same, it interferes with my life. I have trouble with curbs, uneven ground...anything my peripheral vision can't pick up near the ground. I also am in deep trouble at night if it is completely dark. As a result, I've taken some Chevy Chase-like pratfalls. Most of the time, I just laugh. Usually there's no pain involved--just embarrassment. In Glasgow, KY Rene backed into a parking space across the street from the theatre. That made it more difficult to get into the trunk and in trying to do that I caught a yellow curb-type of obstacle. I fell over sideways into some landscaping, finding myself butt first on the ground clinging to a lamp post and resting against a chain link fence. It was one of those, "I've fallen and I can't get up" scenarios.... The next one was more painful. Rene finally stopped for a restroom break and I tear out of the car, headed for the building. It's a bit dark, I'm hell bent on peeing and miss a very substantial curb. I fly though the air like a runner diving headfirst for the bag at second base. Palms on the cold pavement, skin scraping for two feet. Glasses go flying through the air. A very nice lady (NOT Rene) standing nearby fetched my glasses, offered help and waited to see if there were broken bones. There weren't.
KM: Kathy's Christmas concert is probably the finest thing I've ever seen her do. By my count, she's done about 70 of these gigs, from 1994-2005. She doesn't take it on the road every year (they laid off in 1997, 1998, 2001, and 2002). A concert was taped at the Renaissance Center in Dickson, TN for distribution to PBS stations around the country. It has evolved over the years...overhauled to include songs from the newer, Joy For Christmas Day. It's been done with symphony orchestra (Atlanta, 2003) and taken to every nook and corner of this country. The one constant I've noticed is its effect on people, especially with the inclusion of the song, There's Still My Joy. This song (written by Melissa Manchester and Beth Nielsen Chapman), sung at the conclusion of this beautiful program, speaks to loss and grieving...and the hope this baby Jesus we've heard about all evening, can bring. This song is the exclamation point at the end of a very beautiful sentence. In five minutes, with one song, Kathy can do more to help the grieving than a boatload of psychiatrists, pills or well-meaning friends. Her introduction to the song mentions the loss of her own parents. It is brilliant and so simple: as humans we can feel more than one emotion. And we can be grateful that we have loved others so intensely in this life...after all, no love, no grief. Experience this concert, friends. For some it's a pleasant night out. For others, it changes lives. I'm not sure it changed my life, but it certainly has enriched it beyond measure...many, many times.
RS: 12/12 Truly, the most fun we have during the Christmas season is finding Kathy's gift. For the past two or three years, we've gone in together on a nice present. It's so darn hard to buy for someone that has everything. She won't give you any help, so forget asking. We agonize. We whine about how hard it is. And we go shopping, hoping for inspiration. This year we decided to go to the Mall of America in Minneapolis. We had in mind a really nice cashmere sweater. Now honestly, wouldn't you think a mall with 400+ stores would have more department stores than 4? Finally at Nordies we found the perfect sweater...a nice cable knit tan number that all 6 of the beautiful, young, thin, classy sales ladies thought was divine. Say what you will about Nordstrom's but they give the best service on the planet. A bit snooty, but nice even to riff-raff like us. I don't think they thought we had enough money between us to buy it, but we fooled 'em. Only took a total of 4 credit cards..... (not really).
KM 12/13 Minneapolis is always a kick in the pants. They just love Kathy there for some reason. Maybe because her husband Jon was raised in a suburb of Minneapolis? Maybe because they all have exceptionally good taste? Whatever the reason, I always look forward to it. You don't really associate the Christmas concert with rowdy audiences, but that night two vocal fans spoke right up. In the Christmas show Kathy was explaining that the song she was about to do had not been recorded...and that it would only exist there "in the moment". She did their fabulous version of "Do You Hear What I Hear". The audience loved it...and as the applause was dying down, a lady from the back demanded, "RECORD THAT!" The entire place thundered their agreement in loud and long applause. I think it's clear...Kathy needs to get crackin' on that third Christmas recording. The people have spoken..... A bit later a man waited for his moment and yelled, "SING SOMETHING COUNTRY!" Now, I thought it rather rude, but perhaps he didn't mean it that way. I mean really...I don't associate the great Christmas songs she does in this show with country music. Without missing a beat, Kathy acknowledged the "heckler" with New Kid in Town, a Keith Whitley Christmas classic. And Kathy said, "It doesn't get any countrier than that."
RS: Sometimes the walls of a hotel feel like they are closing in on you. Sometimes you just want to shoot out a television screen like Elvis. I've often wanted to order a big meal from room service and send it to a Room 408. Or throw caution to the wind and break open a $5 bottle of water. The boredom, the uncomfortable beds, the crappy pillows...all that can get to you. On one occasion I was sitting on my bed looking at my camera, minding my own business. Rene had found a red ball in the middle of the street on the way home from dinner. She took it out of her purse and hucked it across the room, hitting me square in the face. It didn't hurt (much) as it was very lightweight...somewhere between a nerf ball and a normal ball. Of course, I didn't know that and braced myself for a fat lip or broken glasses. I sensed the beginning of a new game: REDBALL. The next shot was mine. By my rules, Rene had to stand up straight, with hands down at her side, and take my best shot. I must say, she took it like a man and got a tiny little fat lip out of it. Of course, we were laughing so hard, we were rolling around like spazzes. Granted, we are way too old for "games" such as REDBALL, but sometimes you just gotta go with it. You know?
RS: 12/17 I knew it had to happen. Someday the RoadKill Sisters would wind up in an Emergency Room. In the six years of traveling, we'd avoided serious illness or accident. (which is amazing given my stumbles) After the Frederick show, Rene was going crazy scratching. (It reminded me of my dog Phoebe who has allergies). Poor Rene. See Rene itch. See Rene scratch. Absolutely every part of her body was driving her crazy. She made it back to the hotel and saw redness and splotches on her face and hands... took her shoes and socks off to find the same. She thought she'd feel better if she could take a hot shower. A few minutes later we hear a scream from the bathroom only to find that when she'd undressed in decent light her whole body was covered with welts the size of coasters. Off to the ER to find out that she was in stage four of five stages. Stage five being the one where your esophagus swells up and you die. Anaphylactic shock. So we all spent the night in the ER, but had to leave bright and early at 6:00 a.m. for the final show in Burlington. There's just no rest for the weary.
KM: 12/18 Burlington, NC. Two shows left. Wow, I can't believe it's almost over. Tomorrow we'll be headed home and reality sets in. One week till Christmas. Worked piled high on my desk. But for now, I'm gonna drink in these two shows...enjoy every minute. Show One...Kathy does a killer job on Mary Did You Know. I'm sitting towards the back and I see the beginnings of a standing ovation. It heads for the back of the theatre like a wave. I'm up, for sure. Why doesn't this song get a S.O. every night? Has there ever been a more beautiful song written? I know legions have recorded it, but has anyone ever done it better than Kathy? I'll leave that for you to decide.... Show Two, another full house, another memorable performance. Long, long lines form at the merchandise table to meet Kathy after the show. It's late and still they wait. It's very late and still Kathy sits on the stool, meeting the people who felt strongly they needed to look her in the eye and say "Thank You". To be able to touch people so deeply through music...what a blessing at this most special time of year.
RS: 12/19 Rene drives home all by herself today, fighting the left over hives and drowsiness brought on by Benedryl. I enclose myself in that tubular flying contraption and endure the claustrophobia of flying for 6 more hours. It's my 30th wedding anniversary today and I'm eating peanuts and Fig Newtons instead of dining at our favorite restaurant and receiving gifts I don't deserve. I hope I get a rain check on the dinner. It'd serve me right if he left me stranded at the airport. Shame on me. Bad wife, bad, bad wife....
Final thoughts: Recently my RoadKill Sister/good friend Rene asked me a deceptively simple question: Why do we do this? (Meaning of course, why do we feel the need to go to so many shows). I think she really was looking for insight. I honestly can't remember how I answered, but my guess is it wasn't a "lightbulb" moment for either of us :) For me, being around intelligent, passionate people is incredibly inspiring. Kathy never gives less than 110%....ever. She knows her songs, her voice and her band like any great artist. But it's more than that. In her head, and in her heart and soul, she's THERE. She gives all she has to every performance. When she blurts out, "I LOVE MY JOB!", there is no one who doubts it for a moment. No one. And when the lights come up and people slowly exit, I chuckle when I hear the husband say, "I'm so glad you made me come tonight."
Well, that's all for now....just remember: Good things come to those who hit the road when they know what they want.....
The RoadKill Sisters, or Rene & Sue's Excellent Adventures
Version 1.1
27 November 2005
Doesn't your heart just sing when you hear those two little words: ROAD TRIP!!!!!
Let me introduce you to the RoadKill Sisters. I am Sue Phelps, Kathy's fan club president and long-time fan. My good friend Rene Scheiderer, the brains of this outfit, is the one who will be supplying the AWESOME photos. Together, we travel the highways and back roads of this great country on our way to Kathy's concerts. In five years, the total number of shows we've missed could probably be counted on the fingers of two hands. Depending upon who you talk to, we are either very lucky or very messed-up. (I think the jury is still out).
I began traveling to Kathy's shows back in 1991. Somewhere along the way I figured out that if the mountain doesn't come to Muhammad, Muhammad must go to the mountain. (For those of you from Tennessee, that means that since Kathy doesn't come to Utah often enough, I have to go wherever she is). Somewhere along the way, the whole thing escalated from an occasional weekend to something bigger. In 1998, I met Rene at a weekend gig in Nashville. We've been sharing rental cars, hotel rooms and incredible experiences ever since. It's been more fun than you can imagine.....except when it isn't.
"The Road" is the challenge. And it can clean your clock. It's about flying 5 hours to a city, getting on a shuttle and riding another 2 hours to where your "ride" is. Then you travel all night to get to the city where Kathy is playing. You check into your hotel, grab 3 hours of beauty sleep, then rush to the theatre to set up (we sell merchandise). Somewhere in there, you have to eat. Then hurry back to the theatre before they open the doors to the public. If you can stay awake, you enjoy Kathy's show! After the show, Kathy meets 'n' greets with fans. It all winds down about midnight and it's back to the hotel for as much sleep as we can get before the wake up call (which is determined by how far we need to go the next day).
Mind you, we travel the same route as Kathy. We just get to see it in the daytime. And we don't have a well-rested bus driver. Or bunks. Or bathrooms. And while it can be very grinding, it can also be a fascinating study in life. In Montana, we came around a bend on I-15 and found a car upside down, it's contents strewn all over the road. There was a dazed, bloodied man walking around muttering to himself and gathering up his possessions. He'd fallen asleep at the wheel. Again in Montana, we were held up in a line of cars while Life Flight flew into a narrow canyon to rescue a pretty messed up motorcyclist. Recently, we passed an 18-wheeler exiting into a rest area. The truck exploded less than a minute after we'd passed it on the shoulder of the road. People from the rest area went running to help the trucker while flames shot into the air. We are reminded constantly of the fragility of life. And the price of bad decisions.
We've seen the good, the bad and the nutty. Once we checked into a Hilton in North Carolina. We decided to get a bite to eat and when we came back, we discovered someone had taken a shower in OUR bathroom. Sounds a little like the Three Bears, doesn't it?
No doubt about it. The Road is hard. That's why we are the RoadKill Sisters. We're not named after the furry little creatures that unfortunately don't make it across the road. Rather, we recognize that the road can "kill" but with the right attitude you can make it a blessing in your life. It really is all about attitude. Is it a 500 mile drive or a chance to talk, laugh, listen to music and trade stories? Is it a butt-numbing, foot swelling monotonous journey or a chance to see parts of this great country and stop and explore little shops and museums? In the end, it's whatever you want it to be. You get to decide.
I choose to think it's XM Radio, the fun of finding wonderful little mom and pop restaurants, pasties in the Upper Peninsula, cheese curds in Wisconsin, the Short Hills Mall, rest areas just in the nick of time, conversations that might not ever take place anywhere else, breathtaking scenery.or the pure joy of finding a Roy Rogers in the most unexpected places. Lately, it's all about GPS, or as we like to call her, RITA. (Rene's Informational Transportation Aide). Sell your blood, do whatever it takes, but get yourself a GPS device for traveling. It saves marriages and friendships. Trust me on this.
We won't just talk about "getting there". We'll discuss Kathy and her show, complete with highlights and memorable moments captured digitally for all to enjoy. You'll visit some of the great theatres and cities of America. You'll meet some real characters and fans along the way. We'll be your tour guides through Kathydom.
And you will see some of the most amazing photos EVER. Rene is very humble....she's not one to brag about her work. But I am. And you will be able to enjoy them in living color. We'll keep a camera ready for action...and when we're backed up in traffic by a buffalo laying in the road....well, we'll record it. Next time we see a 50 foot tall Paul Bunyan with Babe the Blue Ox outside a restaurant in Minnesota, we'll snap away. I'm toying with the idea of shooting some video for you, too.....Think of us as Charles Kuralt or Garrison Keillor---without the talent. Believe me, what we lack in talent we make up for in enthusiasm.
So, have a seat, get comfortable, buckle up and take a sip of your favorite beverage. In the next two and a half weeks, we'll be visiting twelve very lucky cities. Lucky, because the fine people of Peoria, Edwardsville (IL), Rolla (MO), Omaha, Wilkesboro, Supply (NC), Glasgow (KY), Minneapolis, Madison, Cleveland, Frederick (MD), and Burlington (NC) get to see Kathy at her very finest. Sounds of the Season is a Christmas show like no other. If you can, get to a show. If you can't, join the RoadKill Sisters right back here in the Blogosphere!
