First Show of the Tour

Today and tonight will be one long remembered by everyone. It started with plans to lunch with some employees and the Marines on duty at the Consulate here in Jeddah. We had lunch on the Consulate compound at the "Sheik and Bake Cafe":

[Catherine - THANK YOU for the key lime pie! It was great. I tried to get an extra piece but Amanda had other plans :-) ]

We then went next door to "Heroes Hall" to set up for the evening show. Heroes Hall is named in honor of the Consulate employees who died in the Al-Queda terrorist attack on the Consulate in 2004:

The flag in the frame above was flying the day of the attack. The terrorists tried to burn it but were unsuccessful and when the ordeal was over, the flag was preserved.

The band setting up:

Darren (from Scotland) provided all the gear and expertise for sound:

The audience in tonight's show was a Consulate invitation list with an amazing international flavor. In addition to the Consulate staff and the Marines, the audience included Americans working for American companies in Jeddah and Saudis who worked with the staff at the Consulate in every possible area from education and government to cultural affairs. The intent is for everyone to get to know each other outside of a business atmosphere and come and experience some American culture through our music.

I have to say I was really proud of everyone tonight. Since this wasn't our usual military type audience we weren't quite sure what to expect, but the band did a great job of giving this international audience a taste of American country music.

The stage was backdropped with a great American flag:

I think the band turned some folks into country music fans. Check out this video of Renae getting the audience going on "Orange Blossom Special":

After the show everyone mingled with an appreciative crowd and did our best to spread some American good will. Here is Bob doing his:

Here's Tim taking care of business:

(note: the ladies in the above picture were flight attendants from our last flight. Good work, Tim!)

Renae:

and Thom:

we had a little after party with the staff and Marines and headed back to the hotel energized by the experience of the evening. On the way home, I thought I'd try the Flip video camera on the fountain with the moon hovering above it:

Sadie, Amanda and all the staff were incredible in making us feel welcome. We feel (like we did in Riyadh) that we have made many new friends. Thank you! We hope our paths cross again soon.

Tomorrow we do a little shopping then back to the airport for a new adventure in Dhahran.

Talk to you then.