Last evening a friend of mine was front and center (literally) for an event that was a first for me. I love watching old silent movies (my wife hasn’t quite figured that one out) but I’ve never seen one in a theater. Well Jim Boston let me know he was playing piano at the Film Streams’ Ruth Sokolof Theater to accompany Buster Keaton’s The General.

While already one of my favorites and this time with live music, it was great fun to watch again the civil war train chases, the battle to save the South, and of course mishaps galore as the rejected Keaton’s character rescues his damsel from the Northerners.  The showing was part of the Silents in Concert series in the theater near downtown Omaha.  Jim plays ragtime piano and has participated in a number of contests over the years.  In 2006 he helped found the Great Plains Ragtime Society – which among other activities hosts a Ragtime to Riches Festival every summer in the Omaha area.  So, let the silents roll.

Last evening a group of folks gathered at Victory Church in Omaha to hear some of the songs from the long-awaited CD Are You Ready?

During the course of the evening Joe also shared the CD journey – from concept, writing songs, gathering musicians, and the recording process.  Joe reminded us that a whole team of people had worked together and supported this effort including his own church body.  About half of the artists who performed on the recording were on stage with Joe and so the songs sounded much like the disc.  It was a privilege to attend with my friend Allyn (who assisted in the CD mastering process) and enjoy a nice spread of goodies and conversation with others afterward.

Tesco Productions again thanks Joe for choosing to record here and congratulations on seeing this dream become reality.  I’ve listened to part of the disc again today and it was refreshing.  You can get more information about Joe, the music team and where to obtain the disc or song downloads at Joe’s website.  The compilation of Joe’s CD can be heard in our audio gallery.

Last Thursday found the Omaha Double Tree Hotel bustling with buses and vans as over 300 residents of retirement and assisted living facilities made their way into the beautifully decorated ball room.  They were all there to enjoy hearing again the story of Christmas, old favorite songs along with some newer tunes, and to share a smile.  Paul Falkowski and the staff of Desert Ministries for the past 14 years has gathered singers and other presenters to share some cheer with those who may find very little this time of year.  Tesco Productions was again called upon to provide sound equipment along with gear use donated by Midwest Sound & Lighting, and I engineered the presentation.  I’m always reminded to count my blessings of health, friends and family, and faith.  May we each share some of that first love gift this Christmas season.