Well, folks, this weekend marks the 39th anniversary of the Texas
International Pop Festival. It's been a long, strange trip, a long
and winding road, a long time a'comin', a long, long, long time, and,
well, you get the idea.

While we're all wrapped up in this election thing, gas prices, wars,
mortgage crisis and all, it's a nice idea to sit back and think of
something worth while like: Did you know that this weekend is
identical to the 1969 Labor Day weekend? That is, the dates and days
fall the same. Saturday is the 30th, Sunday, the 31st, Monday, the
1st. It kind of makes the anniversary more potent.

I'm happy to report that I've been doing more painting on the bus. I
hope to really get beaucoups of crap on it this fall, while the
weather is cool.

Unfortunately, the Texas Pop Fest Revisited that was scheduled to go
on this weekend got cancelled due to poor ticket sales. The good news
is that Angus Wynne, one of the organizers of the original festival,
is seriously considering a bigger 40th anniversary festival. Contrary
to popular desire, he is looking at Fair Park as the venue, but it
still could be a cool thing to do. I'll keep you all informed.

I want you group members to know that I intend to get cracking on the
book this winter and complete it by spring's end. I'd like to get it
published before the next anniversary, especially if there's going to
be a concert where I could sell some copies. I know it's taken a long
time, but there's one thing you should know about me: Sometimes I
take my time doing what I say I'll do, but I generally do it. I
surprised a lot of folks who didn't know that about me when I built
that bus. Always remember, it's not a pipe dream if you smoke it!

Happy 39th, y'all!
Peace, Love,
Richard