End of Summer Update

Well, we're back from the 40th Anniversary of the Summer Of Love concert on September 2, 2007 at Speedway Meadows in Golden Gate Park, San Francisco. The TV news said "some of the bands had only one or two original members because the rest of the band wad dead!" I had a chance to see some of the bands that played the free concerts in the park 40 years ago. A lot of young people were also present, and the one common theme that arose from the event is that we all need the "peace, not war" feeling now just as much or even more than we did then. In 1967, we were against an unpopular war and an unpopular president. Need I say more? I wish these concerts were a weekly thing, and happened all over the USA. We learned our lesson about drugs, so we wouldn't have the same problems we did in the `60's, but why have we forgotten about peace, love, understanding, sharing, equality and brotherhood?

We rented a new Ford Mustang for the trip, and I'll have to admit that it is a nice car to drive. But I'm still waiting for the new Chevy Camaro to come out next year. I'm thinking that I'll like that even more! We took the "scenic" route on the trip up, along the coast and through Carmel and Big Sur. I really enjoyed some of the small towns in the wine country and Morro Bay areas. We also stopped by the Los Padres National Forest to see the fire damage from the recent Zacca fire. We also had time to see some of the San Francisco attractions such as Fisherman's Wharf, Coit Tower, Chinatown, Lombard Street, Haight-Ashbury, the beach, and a few other neighboorhoods. I enjoyed San Francisco and would like to go back. It seems more laid-back than San Diego, and the people are more friendly and polite.

I have posted some photos of the event at tomsmerk.com/photos.html. Enjoy!

I haven't done much recording yet on my new CD projects because I've been busy rehearsing with our new "old-time gospel" group. So far, we have lead and rhythm guitar, bass and drums. Three of us take turns singing lead and the others sing harmony for two or three part vocals. Our songs are mostly standards, country and bluegrass. I have also written a few songs for the group, and am continuing to write more. We would like to add more singers, steel guitar, and keyboards to achieve a bigger sound. Once we get everything sounding like the groups you are used to seeing on TV, then we would like to go on tour and play for churches, revivals and festivals around the country. Right now, we are playing twice a month at the Faith Fellowship Christian Church in Lakeside. If you would like to come to one of our services, let me know and I'll tell you what days we will be there. For October, we will be playing on the 21st and 28th at 10:30 AM.

The same group has also been practicing secular country, rock and blues songs hoping to be able to play in some local nite clubs or for festivals. When we start playing for some local shows, I will let you know both here and also on my web site.

Please, don't forget to take a moment and leave your comments on any of my posts. What good is having a blog if nobody is going to write comments?

Thanks.