Road trip 2011
Saturday, July 9, 2011 at 5:19PM It's time for my annual pilgrimage to Houston to visit friends and family, eat authentic Mexican, play at the ol' stompin' grounds, roast alive in 95 degrees with 95% humidity, etc. Due to the amount of stuff I usually have to carry, plus the fact that one needs one's car in Houston, I drive to Houston more often than I fly there. Each year, I make several stops along the way to check out an instrument or visit a friend or visit my sister. This year may be the most schizophrenic yet:
It all starts with a short conference at Campbell University, which is in Eastern North Carolina (which is the opposite direction from Houston. I told you this was schizophrenic). From there to Macon, Ga., to make friends with an instrument I'm playing next March and to visit with Harold McManus, my predecessor at First Presbyterian, Houston. Harold is a prince, and his service playing will bring tears of joy every time. From there I'll overnight at my sister's in Dothan, AL. Next morning to Tuscaloosa to make friends with the organ at the University of Alabama, where I'm playing next January. From there to Atlanta to visit the organ at the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer, where I'm playing next February, then on to Houston.
In Houston, I'm looking forward to interviewing my mentor and teacher, Clyde Holloway, for The American Organist magazine. I'll also serve duty at a Board meeting for the Aeolian Manor Foundation, which my dear friend Glen Douglas set up to encourage young organists. (Once his house organ is finished, we'll be hearing more about all that.) Then play for First Presbyterian in Houston, then go play slot machines with my sister in Biloxi. Then back to Houston for the annual Richard Forrest Woods choir reunion, then head back home, perhaps checking out the Aeolian-Skinners in Longview and Kilgore, Tex, along the way.
This is only a two-week trip. Perhaps I'll practice during some of that time; perhaps I'll ride my bike through the hot, moist air. In any event, my belly will be filled with wonderful cuisine, and my soul will be renewed by a great city filled with great friends. If you'd like to come along, just let me know.