News

News

8/15/08

Comcast shut me down for sending too many e-mails in a 24 hour period. I had to send the link via a webmail account. Hopefully you made it here. I apologize for the odd colors and readability. That’s what happened when I tried to copy from the e-mail.

You're going to see a lot of bikers in Danville between August 29 and 31. These aren't bikers of the bicycle type (I ride one of those too). Don't worry there is no need to grab your children and rush them inside. Nor will you need to hide in your basement. In fact crime may even go down that weekend.

Some of the greatest Americans I have had the pleasure of knowing will be in town. Some of you may know from past emails that I have the pleasure and honor of being the state captain of the Virginia element of the Patriot Guard Riders www.PatriotGuard.org .

About six months ago I made a comment to the national board about having our national gathering on the east coast instead of Tulsa, Oklahoma where it had been for the past two years. I was surprised to hear the words, "Are you volunteering"? I was even more surprised by what I heard next. I heard myself saying "Yes". Six months later the Gathering of the Guard is about to take place right here in Danville, VA.

Well my fellow Acoustic Groovers. Danville is the host city for Gathering of the Guard 2008. You might think I chose Danville, but the fact is my leadership team here in Virginia did. I'm glad they did. This is one event I will not have to spend hours getting to. I also love Danville and think it has a lot to offer.

Did you say what does this have to do with you? Well - Saturday evening August 30 at The Crossing - we'll be having LIVE MUSIC. Who would have ever thought anything I had anything to do with would have MUSIC. Saturday evening August 30 is open to the public. Heck Friday evening is too.

Hmmm. Should I start with Saturday or Friday. Friday - Saturday -Saturday -Friday.

Ok let's start with...

Friday August 29 - Landon Spradlin will play for us at Back to Bogies. After a day of riding around Virginia we will end our activities around 5:00pm. Many folks will head to their local lodging and prepare for Landon and his band. Landon will start at Bogies around 8:30 p.m. (could be 9:00 p.m). Please join us. Wear your leather and bring your whips and chains...errgh... Oops! wrong kind of leather.Wrong party for that matter. Anyone know where that one is? Most of you already know that Landon and his band are absolutely incredible. Please Join Us.

Saturday at the Gathering we will have quite a few interesting speakers. General Thaxton, David Luther, Gold Star father and Virginia State Trooper - Darrell Bowling, Kerri Darga - Gold Star mom and the energy behind the Military Spouses and Monument Project( www.militaryspousemonument.org ) , Congressman Virgil Goode and a few others.

Saturday evening Matt Poss and Rolling Thunder will hit the stage.

He would love to see your face in the crowd and so would I.

If you have a broadband connection click here and here and here for a few samples.

I found out a few minutes ago that Matt's website is having some issues, but he has a MySpace page if you would like to take a closer look.

There are song samples there as well. www.myspace.com/matthewposs Rolling Thunder is a song that he wrote after he went on a Patriot Guard Mission for a fallen soldier.

I guess now is a good time to tell you who the Patriot Guard is. <----- Yep I did it. I ended a sentence with a preposition. That's the second time already too. More on that later.

The Patriot Guard is diverse amalgamation of riders from across the nation. We have one thing in common besides motorcycles. We have an unwavering respect for those who risk their very lives for America’s freedom and security. We don’t care what you ride or if you ride, what your political views are, or whether you’re a hawk or a dove. It is not a requirement that you be a veteran. It doesn't matter where you’re from or what your income is; you don’t even have to ride. The only prerequisite is Respect.

Our main mission is to attend the funeral services of fallen American heroes as invited guests of the family. Each mission we undertake has two basic objectives.

1. Show our sincere respect for our fallen heroes, their families, and their communities.

2. Shield the mourning family and their friends from interruptions created by any protestor or group of protestors.

We accomplish the latter through strictly legal and non-violent means.

When I said diverse amalgamation I meant it. Black, white, Hispanic, American Indian, Pakistani American, doctor, artist, plumber, baker, engineer, college professor, Baptist, Methodist, Oops I should have never started that one someone will feel left out, I'll just jump right to Buddhist, Democrat, Republican, Independent, Libertarian - Ok let's take a break - Did I say U.S. Seal Team members, conscientious objectors, Peace Corps workers and... I think you get the picture.

I'm debating whether or not I should include an image here to give you one example of what we do.

I don't mean to offend anyone, but I have decided to include the image.

There are people that seek to disrupt funeral of fallen heroes.

This is what they look like.

Some of you may remember they came to Danville several years ago to protest against Averett College.

I've seen and heard these folks up close and personal. They yell and scream at families during funerals and memorial services.

Well - we shield the families from those that seek to disrupt them during their time of grief. We are invited by the families. Causality Assistant Officers tell the families about us and what we do. The family then determines if they want to invite us. Most do. We never attend unless we are asked to do so. We also serve the families of law enforcement, fire fighters and pre hospital care givers. The "protesters started showing up at those funerals too. Our mission has grown to provide assistance to wounded warriors, families of those killed in action and veterans in need.

Back to the Gathering.

Once a year we come together to recharge our batteries. As you can imagine attending so many funerals and seeing the protesters heap so much pain on the families - takes it's toll. We use the Gathering as a revival of sorts. It's probably not like any revival you've ever been to - trust me.

Matt Poss will be leading the revival. Can I get an Amen?

A $10 tax deductible donation will go to our Help on the Home Front Program. That's the program we use to aid the wounded warriors and the others I mentioned above. We also have a scholarship fund for the family members of those killed in action.

Please note once again that you do not have to be a veteran to join with us in this Gathering. I am not a veteran and many of my PGR brothers and sisters are not either.

Now it's time to insert the flyer for the event. You will see artwork that local artist Harry Aron did for us. Dan Vaden helped us with the graphic design. The artwork will be on the T-shirts we will sell at the Gathering (again all proceeds go to the HOTH program)

Tony - Can we see a little larger image of the artwork? Sure you can.

Hold it right there. Don't go any further ... yet.
If you like that design and you want to make sure you're going to get a T-shirt please go here

www.GatheringOfTheGuard.org

You can order one or two - or three or... more online. They really are selling quickly. We've sold hundreds. We'll only have a hundred or so at the Gathering unless our last order comes in time.
Remember the proceeds go to the HOTH program and then to those in need.

What the heck! Our screen printer sent me a picture of the first T-shirt off the press. It was taken with a camera phone so the quality isn't very good, but you can get a good idea what it looks like.

There ya go.

Here it is in a nutshell for those of you that chose to look for a nutshell
instead of reading all the way through.

Gathering of the Guard

presents

two great nights

Landon Spradlin and Band

Friday August 29

Back to Bogies
102 Tower Dr
Danville, VA 24540

8:30- ish

Free Admission

Matt Poss and Rolling Thunder

Saturday, August 30 - 7:00 p.m.

The Crossing at the Dan
677 Craghead St
Danville, VA 24541

$10 Donation
(tax deductible)
If you so choose

Tonight

Friday, August 15

A double Grammy - I mean whammy.

Deep in the heart of Mountain Hill Cajun Country
(you can hear the alligators hiss)

(don't believe me? Click here)
(Turn up the volume)

the

The Mojo Room
763 Mt Hill Rd
Ringgold, Va

presents

Rickie Fox

A $10 donation gets you admission and a cd
or
A $5 donation gets you admission and a chance.... to...(?)

9:00 p.m.

(doors open at 8:00 p.m. )

Check out Rickie's latest cd here

www.rickiefox.com/1music.htm

Make sure you listen to all the samples.

There is something for everyone.

I hear he'll be focusing on rockin' blues at the Mojo Room..

A note from Rickie...

Hello music lovers!!
My name is Rickie Fox and I was born and raised in Danville, Va. Music has always been the love of my life (besides my wife, of course), and I have recorded, traveled and played almost all of my life.
I have appeared on stage with such artists as, The Temptations, Otis Redding, The Shangrilas,
Eddie Floyd, The Tams ,The Drifters, The Showmen, and many more.
I have been part of Gene and the Teambeats, The Majors,

The Soulmasters, City Council. Fox and Company and most recently, 58West.
In 1975 I had a regional hit with the single "Come On Danny", and have recorded continuously ever since.
Last year I released "Monomusical", Which charted several songs on the beach and blues charts. Now I would like to introduce you to my brand new CD, "Labor Of Love", which leans more to the bluesy side.
I will be appearing at The Mojo Room, in Danville, Va on August,15, to share my music with you. I will have a great band, and we're gonna rock, so make plans to be there.

For more information, visit me on the web at: <www.rickiefox.com>
See You There,
Pray For Peace,
Rickie

What was that double whammy part?

Ok brothers and sisters...
Many years ago Rickie Fox had a guitar student that was about 12 years old.
That kid learned everything Rickie could teach him in a short while.
The kid continued studying hard and playing almost every awake moment that he wasn't in school
In fact I've heard that he would play his guitar until he fell asleep. After graduating high school he applied for and was accepted into Shenandoah Music Conservatory.
They tried to get this kid to major in Guitar. He was one of the best if not
the best they had ever seen.

He decided to major in Commercial Music and minor in guitar. Believe me he had already been majoring in guitar for quite a while. This kid - well he's not a kid anymore, but he... Rocks... and he will be sharing the stage with Rickie after Rickie does his sets. Many of you have seen this kid before and know what I'm talking about.

Ron Turner
(of Forwardhead)

will be in house.

Tonight.at the Mojo Room.

I'm almost done.

I promise.

Tomorrow Evening

Saturday Night

August 16

VC Restaurant
401 Wilson Street
Danville, VA
793-9999

7:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.

Free

Please join us for something really special.
It's been going on now for about six weeks and it's really rockin'.
We have folks coming from all over Virginia and North Carolina to listen and to participate. It's Open Mic Night at the VC Restaurant.

No you don't have to sing for your supper.
The VC staff will prepare that for you for a nominal fee. It's good food and good folks.
You can sing if you want to. You can play too. Bring your instrument or borrow a guitar from Mike and Kristie
Play bass? - bring one - play keyboard ?- bring one - play cello? - bring it. If you can play it bring it.
No radios, TV or full drum kits allowed. A snare or congas are welcome.

The PA is provided.

All styles of music are encouraged and played.

Oh yeah it's called

Mike and Kristie's
Open Mic

it takes place where?

At the

VC Restaurant

401 Wilson Street
Danville, VA

7:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.

Need more info about Open Mic?

theopenmic@hotmail.com

I have a few pictures here and quite a few more I haven't had time to upload.