The Nashville Tribute Band: March 2008

Thoughts on the Tuacahn shows...

Hey everybody, back in Nashville to the real world this past week after Tuacahn. I was very happy to get the following e-mail from Tim Gates this weekend (lead singer of Due West that also sang GOD IS GOOD, WIDE ENOUGH and COMING HOME at the shows) that brought to mind how great it was for all of us to be with you for those shows under the red rocks:
"I feel really blessed to be a part of this wonderful tribute to Joseph and to the Pioneers! I have always said that there is nothing better than being on a stage singing your heart out to others. But when I am singing my heart out to others about such a powerful message, it is undeniably the greatest combination I can think of. Performing at Tuachan was really special! It is such a beautiful place. There was a moment while I was singing Coming Home, I felt the presence of those people that were involved in the great TREK to Utah."
Thank you Tim! Your humble talents are just what we needed that night! -Jason Deere

Tuacahn 2008

There seem to be about a million reasons why our two shows at Tuacahn were wonderful this past weekend. Allow me to mention a few:
1. Tuacahn amphitheater is situated in one of the most beautifully, pristine settings on God's green earth, well I should say God's red earth in that valley. I can't tell you how many times I looked up as we loaded in and sound checked and lost my breath for a second looking at the majestic crimson bluffs towering against the blue sky. Then, when evening fell and show time came, the fantastic cliffs seemed to humbly stand in reverence to their God in the stars above. Marvelous!
2. Kevin and the entire staff at Tuacahn were not only top-notch professionals, but they are the kind of people you want to hang with. We wanted to move in permanently.
3. I had the honor of having 7 of my best friends in the world on stage with me. They played and sang their hearts out and and their talents strengthened my testimony of the things I believe and my understanding of my religion.
4. My wife and kids were with me. In over 125 shows nationwide, they have only made a few of them. I must admit, at the ages they are, they are a pain in the booty to travel with. In fact, we are now in SLC waiting to catch a 6PM flight home. Last night after driving from St. George to my sister-in law's in Sugarhouse, both of my daughters threw up all night long (one every 30 minutes). The fiasco started with one of my daughters blowing Richfield's best Mexican food all over from her bed to the bathroom. I cleaned it up and threw up while I did it. Then my other daughter started and it was an indescribable sleepless night. All that aside, when my kids sang "Somewhere There's A Mountain" under those stars, my life somehow changed forever.
5. The people at KONY Country radio were so kind and generous with NTB and Due West. We love you guys!
6. However, the highlight of the weekend were the people of St. George and its surrounding areas, as well as those amazing people who traveled all the way from California, Arizona, Colorado and many other places to see the shows. We heard incredible stories and got to know beautiful people as we talked with you after the shows. We are truly blessed to live in this day, to know of our history and to have the blessings that we do today as members of our Savior's church. Keep up the great work, keep those wonderful smiles and we can't wait to see you again St. George! We love you!
Jason Deere

Here are a few of our pictures from last weekend. You can go to www.nashvilletribute.com/photos.html to see more.

We love the red rock at Tuacahn!

Mindy Gledhill singing "Sleep" from the Trek album.

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Two incredible musicians! No one is better on the piano than Dan Truman,...and Ron Saltmarsh will amaze you on just about every other instrument.

Jason Deere singing "Wolves" on Saturday night.

Due West 'doing' their thing!

Jason during a profound moment of thought

Due West warming up the vocal cords

No one bangs a drum like Tony McClellan

Brad, Jason, & Tony

The Band

Tim Gates enjoying a little down time in the sun. (Sorry ladies...he's already married...but with legs like those is it any wonder?)

Dan & Ron

More on Tuacahn from Tony

Jason's turn to watch the kids....and he lets them play on a cliff!

A fun afternoon in Snow Canyon

Let me start by saying "amen" to Jason, my brother from another mother. Spending the weekend with the good people of St. George was a spiritual refill as well as a nice break from the lingering winter that Cache Valley is having. Touring with your family comes with its own set of interesting challenges, but the blessings of having your kids feel the spirit as they listen to songs and stories about the Pioneers and the characters of the restoration. Words can't describe how proud I am of my little girl Alexis. She did a great job performing "Somewhere there's a Mountain" in sign language. She had three people come and meet her after the shows that are hearing impaired and tell her how much they enjoyed the connection to the performance that she brought. You can almost see me smiling as I write this cant you!

There are a lot of "bands" in the world, but I think you would be hard pressed to find a group of friends that get along so well as we do. I can attribute this to one very simple thing. The Nashville Tribute Band is not about us.....it is not about the performance....it is about the message! How blessed my life is to be a very small part of such an amazing thing and to be able to call these guys (and Mindy of course :) ) my best friends!

I echo the thanks to Kevin and his staff. Kevin my friend, you are truly an artist. Thank you so much to the people that took the time to share their testimonies and experiences with us. You have no idea how that lifts us up and makes the time away from home and family worth the sacrifice.

I will try to get a few photos of our down time posted here. If you have photos or experiences to share, please send them to me or post them here on our blog. We would love to share them with you.

Labels: "Pioneer Names" at Snow Canyon with the McClellan and Deere kids