I will be adding myself to Yahoo next week because this e-mail thing isn't
working the way I'd hoped. Also individual conversations with several members
in the group have encouraged me. Finally, my work computer giving up the ghost
had it's input as well. (not like you care- but ... anyway) If you get this -
great. If you don't- it's just my opinion and doesn't really matter THAT much.

It was a 3 hour and 40 minute drive from my house to Sam Payne's.

After setting up and eating, we shared songs. There were about nine of us there
who played. The notes below reflect both the song-writer's circle and the
concert in the St. George Tabernacle.

Neil Owen, whom I had never met, did some WAY cool blues stuff. LOVED it. I
believe he is a remarkably great musician and I am proudly sporting one of his
CDs. Come see him in Springville this Wednesday night at 1900. Just wow.
Wonderfully fun- but touching all at once. His song augmented by a guy named
Ryan Tilbe (sp?) on the Mandolin was especially cool.

Jeff Fairbanks. His PhD must be in COOL, because he had the best rental car on
the planet- but he wrote these two remarkably beautiful love songs. One was a
duet he sang with Chalice (Lundquist) and the other was a solo for her. He also
did a cover of Sam's "Ohio Son." He plays guitar AND piano very beautifully and
writes great stuff. Here is a man who has gone to great lengths to help so many
other lights shine; I hope we get to see more of his. Again, I found both songs
to be very moving- and the duet was both spiritual and romantic all at once.

Chalice Lundquist (sp?). Her name is really quite suitable as she is clearly a
vessel of praise to God. She sings clear as a crystal and without reservation.
Her support is constant and her pitch is perfect.

Brother Lundquist (sp?) Sorry I forgot his first name. Here is a guy who
prefaces, "I'm just now taking lessons... getting things on paper... and I am
not a musician." Then he sits down to play. Imagine a large, imposing Arnold
Frieberg CPT Moroni with a perfect tan sitting down to a little keyboard and
playing so beautifully. People from his work are already trying to write lyrics
to his stuff.

Corey Reese. Yay- a keyboardist. Just wonderful. This guy has broken the code
on a great many things. We could all learn from him. Too much to say about
this guy- it's all good and you would all get bored.

Julie Keyser (sp?) This lady's humor and poise is not only a hallmark of her
performance; but probably her main job as a mom (from which she draws her
material.) She has some GREAT ideas for a very fun and probably poignant
musical. Her self-effacing humility is not exactly in consonance with her
remarkable lyrics and sentiment. It would be a kick to be one of her kids, I
can tell.

Mary Lunford (sp?) Here is an enigma to me. One who doesn't perform, yet has
broken the code on solid LDS inspirational music and verse. During a short
combat writing clinic with Sam, she penned two songs in 20 minutes- each of the
passable and one with the melody already intact. This was a little scary for me
to witness. She played two songs for us from a CD she has. The song about
being daughters of God was very cool- and had outstanding harmonies. She has
great musical sense- and seems to do something different to turn songs that
could be ordinary into something quite special. Her testimony shines through-
that is probably what it is.

Ryan Tilbe (sp?) NO IDEA if that is the lad's name. I actually believe this guy
was the glue- and possibly the continuity behind most of the music I heard
today. Humble, quiet, unassuming and D_ _ N TALENTED! Apart from Sam, I have
to admit, he was the most fun for me to watch. Holy smokes this guy is good- at
EVERYTHING.

Steve Lemon- not sure I got that name right either. He supported Sam and
Lindsay in their music. Also quiet. Also remarkable.

Lindsay Housekeeper. - I am almost 100% sure I am wrong on her name as well.
But anyway- This young lady has all the markings of an artist already signed
with Deseret Book, except for one glaring difference... I LOVED her SONGS!
Sorry to be so blunt. The one called "keep smiling" was absolutely beautiful and
completely easy to relate to as a dad.

Matt Whitney. That's me. I played a couple of songs. The most common feedback
I get is, (paraphrased) "Holy Crap, that was loud." I think I manage to
distract almost everyone from the songs I write by my boorish performance. I
need to figure that out I think.

Sam Payne- As I related to him upon departure, the trip was worth it- and he
made it so for me. He taught me something that flies in the face of everything
I have ever believed about my own song-writing. I left realizing that, yes- I
can write a song on demand and that it's OK. While I still balk at contrived
"spirituality" I can see a place for deciding to write a song and doing it- with
or without the muse hitting me over the head. It is bound to speed up and
improve the process once the muse strikes as well. Sad to report, I didn't
write a song on my way home. I listened to other people's music instead. His
performance was great, but as a senior couple related to me afterwards, "It was
way too short- I could have been there another hour and not minded at all."
Sam's last song was worth the trip alone for me.

The venue: You know- say what you want about the amphitheater- I sure would
like it more if it were full. Attendance was spectacular. Acoustics were
controllable. It would have worked in foul weather. There was good parking.
Senior's and children could walk in and sit comfortably for long periods without
killing themselves. And I think the price was the same.

Marketing: I have no idea. It was suggested that broad attendance occurred due
to paper and radio plugs. But Sam's survey at the beginning of the concert does
not support this conclusion.

Simplicity: This was a smaller and more targeted effort, in terms of both
musicians and audience. So it is not appropriate to compare the two festivals.
I know that I was at once skeptical about them doing one in St. George. I felt
that it would somehow dilute efforts and attention from what I considered to be
the main effort in American Fork. Yet, in every military operation, there is a
main and supporting effort- and every unit has it's place and it's job. As we
continue our feeble attempts to broadside the milk-toast juggernaut of Deseret
Book; and at outflanking the LDS synthetic-pop cruiser, Excel Entertainment, I
think every bit helps.

In regards to music- more is always better.

This was a great experience. I am glad I went. My less than hidden agenda is to
ensure that Sam and crew find their way up North in August. Please carefully
consider this.

I arrived to my holy drive-way 3 hrs, 40 minutes and 12 stop lights later.

Fulfilled.

Matt