Posted by Bryan Moyer Suderman on Apr 8, 2011
(The following has been reconstructed from top secret files and the memory of several key agents. Well, one in particular. We have reason to believe it is a reasonably accurate depiction of the sequence of events, if not an exact transcription of actual conversations and timelines. The phone lines and vehicles were not bugged at the time in question.) ——- It all started with a surreptitious call from an elderly secret agent in Donnellson, Iowa. “Hi. Our pastor really likes your music, and we’d like to get her three of your CDs as a baby shower present. We want it to be a surprise. Can you get them out here by the weekend?” Transaction completed. Parcel delivered. Surprise sustained. Mission accomplished. Until… “Hello. I’m a pastor in Donnellson, Iowa. I really like your music. If you’re ever coming through this area, please let us know – we’d love to have you come and do an event with our community.” Operation phase 2, approximately 10 months later… Morning assignment completed. Gathering with local chapter of agents in Iowa City… instructions deciphered from scripture, allegiances reaffirmed, all sent forth to continue the mission… Sustenance attained (compressed energy via stacked noodles in lasagna formation, stimulating conversation, uproarious laughter, new connections and allies in the cause), rolling down the highway en route to rendezvous in Mount Pleasant McDonalds parking lot… anticipating transference of asset to agent in green Buick… Positive identification on green Buick… approach initiated… transfer completed… next rendezvous: Donnellson. Asset hustled into building… more compressed energy via stacked noodles… more conferring and connecting with co-conspirators… equipment checked, materials (digital discs, printed transcriptions) laid out in plain view… operation smalltallsongs awaiting signal, ready for launch… …communication delivered and engaged… multiple agents deputized, equipped, mobilized, dispersed… … subsequent multi-location operations initiated… awaiting further...
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Posted by Bryan Moyer Suderman on Apr 7, 2011
I’ll admit, I was getting nervous before the show in Pueblo, Colorado. A sequence of very large men in cowboy boots and hats had come up to me, saying things like “So you’re the PROFESSIONAL musician! Looking forward to hearing the way the PROS do it…” And so on. Yikes. The place was packed – people were arriving an hour ahead of time to get good seats – and this was thanks to the fact that it was a joint concert with Fireweed, a local bluegrass group (with a sizable and dedicated local following) playing first. They did a fabulous set, which I (and, clearly, the whole audience) enjoyed very much. After a short intermission it was my turn. Just me and my guitar and these simple, simple songs. Gulp. My set went well as well. I was certainly enjoying myself, and I think the audience did too. But I found myself huffing and puffing and struggling to catch my breath between songs. Phrases where I know exactly what my voice can do, but I was running out of air… Partway through the concert I had to apologize to the crowd and say I didn’t know what was going on… I didn’t think I was that out of shape… maybe it was that “slopper” we’d had for lunch at the Sunset Inn (watch this for an introduction to this unmatched Pueblo delicacy that makes poutine look like health food). The audience just smiled knowingly, and someone hollered out “Don’t worry – it’s the elevation!” Ahhh… yes… I hadn’t thought of that… Pueblo is at 4 and a half thousand feet elevation. Now at least I had an excuse. It takes practice, you know, to learn to perform while “high”… For the next three days – with performances in Colorado Springs (6 thousand feet), Lakewood (Denver – the “mile high city”) and Boulder (5 and a half thousand feet) I got used to it… took my hosts’ good advice and drank lots of water (even during performances – not something I normally do)… and though I still got breathless sometimes, it felt really good to sing my songs, for the first time, in the Colorado air… Rocky Mountain High...
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