Christmas Concert

The Christmas Concert was a success!  We appreciate everyone and all their hard work.  Performing is never just some musicians getting up on stage and singing a few songs.  We had LOTS of help along the way to make it all come together . . . . . Thank You Star Valley for always supporting us.  We love you dearly! 

Radio Interview Tomorrow

Bright and early, 7:00am-ish Cal and Ted will be doing an interview on Star Valley Sunrise.  Now you've been warned you can tune in . . . . or not ;-)  We'll be talking about the Christmas Concert coming up Nov. 30th and the albums that we've been working on.  We sure appreciate the support from our local businesses like Star Valley's KRSV radio. 

RMAF Casper Wyoming

 This year, for the first time since I was 16 years old, I went to the Rocky Mountain Association of Fairs Convention as a guest instead of an entertainer.  It was enlightening to be on the other side of the great divide between performers and fair buyers.  I loved being able to visit friends and enjoy being "hosted" by them and see all their talents.  I hated that I couldn't hire all of them myself and bring them to our beautiful valley this year for my personal entertainment :-)  If wishes were fishes.  Anyway, we had a gorgeous drive, both ways despite the wind and weather that literally blew us home.  I have to say I felt so loved and welcomed and supported this year and it was so appreciated.  We love our RMAF family. 

 These photos are from Star Valley to Casper, mostly up Togwotee and on to Dubois. 

 We found a herd of Big Horn Sheep in Dubois and I was wishing for a long lens camera. 

 This ornery looking fellow didn't move when we stopped on the side of the road to get a good shot, again, lesson to me, bring the good camera next time. 

 This year there were some awesome new unusual entertainers.  Intricate balloon art anyone? 

 We love these dear friends.  Once a year is not enough. 

On the way home we ran across a Christmas tree in the wilderness, which is a perfect reminder of what Cal and Me are working on right now.  A new Christmas album and the Christmas with the Linfords concert November 30th. 

November 30th Christmas Concert

We DO support the Star Valley Arts Council and this year they invited The Linford Band to be a part of the Christmas Concert after the Parade of Lights.  We have been practicing up all the Christmas songs, so fear not Rosie and Nancy, there will be some of your favorites at the concert this year.  This will be my first hometown Christmas Concert in 9 years and I'm so excited to share this with our kids for the first time.  We hope you'll get your tickets and support the local arts.  We'll be there, with bells on. . . . o.k., maybe not bells ;-)  Also, if you like the Star Valley Arts Council on face book you have a chance to win FREE tickets!  Free is always good!  

Flashback for the Jerky Girl

Fall is the season for us to make hay while the sun shines, or in our case, make jerky day and night.  It's hard work.  Driving down to Dana's today I turned the station to the 40's.  No, not top 40's.  The 1940's.  The Andrew's Sisters, Count Basie and my favorite Glen Miller.  So, today while I cut, packed and bagged orders, my mind was in the past in a time when I traveled and sang and danced and cut my performing teeth and expanded my horizons in a way that has sustained me all these years.  Here's a fun little flash back of "way back when".

 

Stage Door Canteen Traveling Show:  Iowa, Chicago, Sun Valley Idaho, Utah, Thailand

 I worked my way through college by earning a performing scholarship.  As a member of the Sunburst Singers and Dancers we were Christmas Carolers and put on a Broadway style Glen Miller tribute show as well as serving as Ambassadors for the University. 

 

Stage Door Canteen Nurses and Clipboard Number

 The actual shows were only a fraction of the experience.  The friends and traveling made for a priceless college education.  We were Nurses, Arabian Princesses, Football Players and Soldiers and even Thai Dancers. 

 Stardust ~ Arabian Nights

 Holiday Cruise Military Tribute

 GI Jive ~ Tuachan St. George

 

 O.K. This photo needs some explanation.  As I mentioned earlier this summer, I have a beautiful and talented friend Dawn who performed at the fair with Lokalgrown.  Well, we met as backup singers for none other than Barry Manilow.  It does not get stranger or more fun.  You can't make this stuff up :-) 

And last but not least, singing and dancing took me all the way to Thailand and back home again.  The back home again part is not always guaranteed when traveling to some of the places we traveled.  It was an amazing three week journey to some of the most beautiful and impoverished places on the planet and I loved nearly every minute . . . maybe the snake kissing not so much.  Singing for the Royal Family, learning a little bit of Thai, wearing my weight in gold every night while tinikling, riding an elephant through the jungle, snorkeling with sharks in the waters off Phuket Island tend to make up for it. 

 

So when I'm up to my ears in jerky, all I'm really hearing is Moonlight Serenade and String of Pearls. And I'm feeling grateful while working all day to have had the chance to dance all night, so many nights.

Playing a Piece of History

Sunday night my Mom brought her Uncle Ern's Gibson guitar over for us to play.  We had heard about this guitar for years and never seen it so it felt like Christmas morning to play it.  The sound was seriously amazing.  We were literally playing a piece of history.  We played "You Are My Sunshine" for my Mum because it's one of the songs she remembers Uncle Ern playing on this very guitar. 

Awesome Guy From West Jordan!

The Entertainment Director at Utah State Fair forwarded this letter to me.  It just made my day!  So, thank you awesome guy from West Jordan for taking the time to put it in writing!  (names have been changed because the internet can be sketchy sometimes, although we, of course are not) 

(Utah State Fair),
 
Please forward this to the entertainment selection committee:
 
My Wife and I thought The Linfords on the Gazebo Stage were the best act in the Fair (and we saw some good acts)!  Their delightful singing and guitar skills were a big surprise.  Please bring The Linfords back again.
 
And thanks for a fun-filled day!
 
(Awesome Guy From)
West Jordan 

 

A Little Willie

 

Last Fair of 2013

Cal and Ted are going to take a little respite from our "real jobs" cutting meat and do what we really love for one last fair.  We'll be at the Utah State Fair Park in Salt Lake City, UT, one day only so we hope to see all our friends and family out there.  Last year was awesome and it was so fun to see all of you.   Below is the gigantic post from the Utah State Fair website with the details of the day. 

You don't want to miss out on your last chance at a moment like this! 

Utah State Fair Schedule ~ Monday, Sept. 9

Monday, September 9 Family Value Day ~ Compliments of 2 News Child & Youth, 12 and Under . . . . FREE Adults, ages 13+ . . . . $7.00 Purchase one All-You-Can-Ride Carnival Wristband at regular price and receive a second wristband FREE ALL DAY Agriculture, Horticulture & Floriculture Exhibits (Agriculture Bldg) "Be Ready Utah" Display (South of Grand Bldg) Clowns, Magicians, Jugglers and Strolling Acts Commercial Exhibits Cooking Demonstrations (Zion Bldg) County Booth Displays (Heritage Bldg) Creative Art Exhibits (Promontory Hall) Dairy Council of Utah Ice Cream Festival (Specialty Tent - begins at 3:00 pm) Dairy Farmers of Utah Butter Cow Sculpture (Promontory Hall) Demo - Origami - Ginger Brakke - 5:00-8:00 pm (Creative Arts/Promontory Hall) Demos - Bobbin Lace, Embroidery, Hand Spinning, Tatting (Home Arts/Zion Bldg) Fine Art Exhibits (Bonneville Bldg) Floriculture Exhibits (Heritage Bldg) Giant Yellow Slide (West end of Fairpark) Home Art Exhibits (Zion Bldg) Little Hands on the Farm - open until 8:00 pm (West of Arena) Mighty Thomas Carnival Photography Exhibits (Grand Bldg - Upstairs) Ranch Sorting Competition (Arena) Utah's Own Food Court (North Food Court) Wildlife Building - fishing pond open 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm Wizards Challenge Exhibit (Pioneer Bldg) Working Artists - 10:00 am - 4:30 pm - Ian Ramsey, watercolor / 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm - Al Rounds, watercolor (Fine Arts/Bonneville Bldg) MORNING   10:00 am Christopher Fair - Magic With A Flair (Walk Around ) 10:30 am Great American Duck Race (South of Grand Building)   4-H Demo (South Plaza Stage)   Eric Haines - One Man Band (Walk Around) 11:00 am Judging - Dairy Cattle, Holstein/Jersey/Other Recognized Breeds (Showring)   Karen Quest - Strolling Stilt Character (Walk Around) 11:30 am Paul Bunyan Lumber Jack Show (East Lawn)   Tiny the Clown (Walk Around Entertainment) AFTERNOON
12:00 pm	Randy Cabral (Gazebo Stage)
	The Bubble Show (Walk Around Entertainment)
12:30 pm	GT Coop - Golden Oldies (South Plaza Stage)
1:00 pm	Freddy Fusion Science Magic Show (Gazebo Stage)
	PORK Demo (Zion Building)
1:30 pm	Great American Duck Race (South of Grand Building)
2:00 pm	The Linfords (Gazebo Stage)
	Justin Carter - pop music (South Plaza Stage)
	Goat Milk Ice Cream Demo (Zion Building)
	The Bubble Show (Walk Around Entertainment)
3:00 pm	Paul Bunyan Lumberjack Show (East Lawn)
	Michelle O'Connell Studios - vocal students (South Plaza)
	Richards Round Up Barbeque Sauce Demo (Zion Building)
	Karen Quest - Strolling Stilt Character (Walk Around)
	Bobber the Clown (Walk Around Entertainment)
3:30 pm	Randy Cabral (Gazebo Stage)
	Great American Duck Race (South of Grand Building)
4:00 pm	Eric Haines - One Man Band (Walk Around)
	Judging - Sheep, Columbia (Showring)
	Mama Africa Demo (Zion Building)
4:30 pm	Freddy Fusion Science Magic Show (Gazebo Stage)
5:00 pm	Judging - Sheep, Rambouillet (Showring)
5:30 pm	The Linfords (Gazebo Stage)
	Great American Duck Races (South of Grand Building)
	The Bubble Show (Walk Around Entertainment)
EVENING
6:00 pm	Judging - Sheep, Corriedale (Showring)
	Keebler Cracker Stacking Family Fun Contest - registration (South Plaza Stage)
6:30 pm	Paul Bunyan Lumberjack Show (East Lawn)
	Keebler Cracker Stacking Family Fun Contest (South Plaza Stage)
	Sammy T Clown (Walk Around Entertainment)
7:00 pm	Judging - Sheep, Other Recognized Wool Breeds (Showring)
	Karen Quest - Strolling Stilt Character (Walk Around)
	Randy Cabral (Gazebo Stage)
7:30 pm	BRIDGIT MENDLER / youth/pop - $27 day of show, reserved seats (Grandstand)
	Slim Chance & His Psychobilly Playboys - western rock music (South Plaza Stage)
	Great American Duck Race (South of Grand Building)
	Eric Haines - One Man Band (Walk Around)
8:00 pm	Freddy Fusion Science Magic Show (Gazebo Stage)
9:00 pm	The Linfords (Gazebo Stage)
	Jackwagon! - rock music (South Plaza Stage)