April 7, 2000 Journal Entry "Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy." (Matthew 5:7) Two days ago Buckeye Dan Michaels (from Akron, Ohio) stopped by Earful Studios, where Derri, Marc Byrd and I have been diligently working on the ‘City on a Hill’ project. Sam Levine (the best woodwind player in town) was playing penny whistle on a Caedman’s Call tune; but Dan, secure in his old age, wasn’t intimidated (though his sax chops must surely be rusty!). Dan informed us that he just got hired as the "Director of Artist Development and Marketing" (Will that title fit on a business card?!) for a new label called, "Red Hill," a division of Pamplin. Some of you may know that Buckeye…from Akron…has worked as Marketing Director for Tattoo Records, and then as A& R guy for Benson Records for the last 4 years – until a few weeks ago when Benson downsized dramatically and granted him sweet freedom. Well, now he’s back behind the corporate plow. Hey Dan, we pushed Derri’s pathetic beat up family van into a ditch last night. The tranny is out and it’s not worth fixing. Do you think you could pay to have it towed away if Derri promises to get back to work on the new Choir record soon? Thanks. Yesterday, an 8 piece string section played on two songs, ‘Merciful Rain,’ to be sung by Jennifer from FFH, and ‘You’re Here,’ performed by Sixpence. It was awesome! I stood by the engineer pretending to follow the conductor’s chart. That evening, Leigh Nash came back in to sing harmonies on ‘Precious Jesus,’ the tune The Choir performed. Now I’d like to see ‘em try to drop our song from the album! Buckeye…from…Ohio wants to play sax on it – and there is an 8 bar open section before the bridge but – well, I sure hope he’s been practicing once in awhile. (And I don’t know what’s gonna happen at the Cornerstone show this summer! Derri will probably pass out from fatigue! Oxygen!! Somebody get the singer some oxygen, for heaven’s sake!!!!! It’s a good thing Tim and I are still fit as ever). Today I tuned Dale Baker’s snare drums at Ocean Way. It’s great to perform a vital function! It seems the Sixpence album is moving along nicely after just a few days. They truly deserve success – Talented, humble individuals. I’m honored to call myself a friend. Tomorrow morning Dan Haseltine (Jars) will meet us at Earful to sing a bit more. Hobnobbing with the stars, we are! I’ll let you know how that goes. Then we’ll enjoy the weekend with our precious families. Peace to you and yours! Steve