Date: Sun, 26 Jan 1997 08:42:42 From: Thomas R. Huckstep Subject: Rich Mullins in Indianapolis 1/25/97 [snip] As you are aware from your experience with Rich, he was incredible. It was an all acoustic concert, just him, Mitch McVicker and several instruments. Plus, in a large Indianapolis church sanctuary, there were the combined (very talented, I might add) voices of over 1,300 believers or seekers, which provided effective backing vocals on many of Rich's anthems. And for the chills up your spine close, he started us on the Old 100th Doxology and walked off the stage into the night. God was really with us. [snip]
Date: Sun, 26 Jan 1997 22:55:47 From: Leta Blank Subject: Indianapolis Concert Saturday's 3 hour trip from Illinois to Indianapolis was well worth every hour and mile there and the 3 hour trip back! Rich Mullins and Mitch at East 91st St. Christian Church was sold out. I heard a rumor that the place seats 1500 people and I know that people were on a waiting list in the lobby trying to get tickets. Rich and Mitch followed similar line up for previous concert reviews, except Rich now has a lap dulcimer (still had the price tag on - $98-mahogony, oak and redwood) that he played a song that he said "didn't have a title, it's just a lap dulcimer tune." He is so incredibly multi-talented! About a 1/2 hour after the show he came out and mingled with the 50 or so people still hanging out. Signing autographs, but most people just want to talk and he seems more than happy to do just that! I have a dulcimer fest t-shirt that Rich signed the sleeve of at World Fest '96 and this time he signed real big on the back! Rich's love for the Lord and zest for life is worth the 350 mile drive. Just consider how many miles he drives touring all over to see us!
Date: Mon, 27 Jan 1997 11:15:55 PST Subject: Indianapolis was awsome! From: Jeffrey L Voorhees Dear Danl & Crew- I attended Rich's Indianapolis concert last Saturday (the 27th). He was incredible! Being that this was my first concert, I was duely bowled over. He began with a couple of guitar duets where we met a guy named Mitch. Mitch was about 21ish and, as was evident when he spoke on his own, a very shy guy. He was also terrific on the guitar and the mandolin. Rich and Mitch went through a wonderful set of familiar songs and then took a break while there was a presentation for Compassion- the group that Rich is a part of that works with the Navajo Indian Reservation. After this, Rich began a few songs with his dulcimer, and then he played a song with an instrument I can only describe as being like a narrow, wooden steel guitar. He was wonderful with all of then. His "final" song was "Oh, God, You are My God" and when it was finished, he was gone. He modestly returned a few minutes later and sang with the crowd a few other familiar songs like Sandy Patty's "How Majestic." It seemed like everyone had a wonderful time, and a number of people were very moved by the entire evening. One thing that I heard people mention was that he seemed much more open to the audience. Between each song he'd talk for a few minutes. He even relayed how his father (and eventually he also) ended up in Richmond, Indiana from West Virginia. He said that (if I have this wright) his Grandfather worked in the coal mines in Appalachia, West virginia. He wanted a better life for his kids, so they were moving to Detroit to get factory jobs. Their car ran out of gas in Richmond, his dad met his future wife, so on and son, and the rest is history. Rich also told us about Beaker, a character I know nothing about, but would like to. He said that that morning, the 27th, Beaker and his wife had a baby boy. Avery Earl was 9 lbs 14 oz and was 22 1/2 inches long. The entire day was one of the greatest experiences that I've had. Jeff Voorhees Fort Wayne, Indiana P.S. In the most recent news letter there was a mention of this being Rich's "final tour." What's that about? Say it ain't so, Danl! Say it ain't so! I would really like to find out what's going on.
In response to this question (and several others who asked the same thing) about this being Rich's "farewell tour", some may already know that this is probably the third (or is it fourth?) "farewell tour". It has almost become a mandatory description (in jest, of course) for every tour. (see Ragamuffin Mark Robertson's comments at the very end of [RichMailList 98]: Info from Mark Robertson). There are many of us who were quite surprised to see Rich back on the road so soon after the last "farewell tour" (Brother's Keeper). God obviously has other plans for Rich and his ministry.
--Danl
F.Y.I. This past week we surpassed the 300 mark on membership to this mailing list. It's about time for another "Favorite 20 songs" poll (see [RichMailList 64]: Results: Rich Top 20 Survey), but I think I'll wait 'til after this '97 Spring/Summer Tour.