Labor Day weekend in New Ulm, MN

Labor Day weekend took us to Minnesota for two shows--a return visit to the Kick'n Up Kountry festival in Thief River Falls and a trip to my hometown of New Ulm--or Happy Town, USA as Sarah once called it. My godson, Deivin, called our show his first country concert and he came appropriately dressed donning his cowboy hat.

Somehow it seems that food always shows up at a Mustang Sally concert. This time it was cake--lots and lots of cake. Not only were my brother and I surprised with birthday cakes (guitar cake for me, "bustier" cake for him,) but there was a beautiful three-tiered anniversary cake for my parents. At one point we even got Mom and Dad out on the floor for a slow dance.

Thanks to Kris Schwab for the lovely cakes, thanks to Vicky and Lonnie Spaeth for your hospitality and opening your home to us (Lonnie, Tobi says better luck next time at the pool table!!), thanks to the New Ulm Journal for the great articles, and thanks to all my family and friends who came out to see the show.

Like the Jon Bon Jovi song says, "Who says you can't go home. There's only one place they call you one of their own." Thanks Mom and Dad for bringing Mustang Sally back to town and thanks for all the goodies from the garden and the kitchen. It was great to come back home, if only for one day.

bz


New Ulm Journal articles
http://www.nujournal.com/page/content.detail/id/502621.html
http://www.nujournal.com/page/content.detail/id/502518.html

Hershey Park

It's a little know fact that Sarah met her husband Ted while working at Hershey Park in Pennsylvania. Congrats again to you both... So in honor of that, Ted took the ride with us while we got the chance to headline the Colgate Country Showdown in the amphitheater in the park. I have always had a good time playing this show cause the people are great. But then again who wouldn't be great--it's the chocolate capitol of the world! They not only have great candy bars but they make some pretty good meals there too. I want to give a special thanks to Diane and Eric for the homemade meal you guys made for us.....**** four stars. Thanks so much we needed that after all the candy bars.

This is Diane and Eric hanging out with us after the show... I would also like to give a shout out to winner of the contest Lindsey McKay.... good luck in pursuing your career. We once again had a great time. Thanks to the folks for dancing and singing and thanks to the gentleman who gave Sarah and me a kiss on the cheek. I'll have you know we will expect that every time we see you. Thanks to the park for letting us ride all the rides and thanks to the band....... because nobody got sick............. Tobi

When Harry Met Sally

Everyone knows when it comes to us there is always some crazy story.... And I know you ask yourself, is that true? Last year at the Beer Barrel Saloon, Scott and I thought it would be funny to get Rachel a man. So Saturday night rolled around and on stage I told her I had found the perfect man for her. After blowing him up on break, I brought her out this inflatable doll. It was really funny and someone from the crowd danced with him and that was the last we saw of him.

A year goes by and we are back at the Beer Barrel and low and behold a group of folks come in and say they have the doll and he has been traveling in a Winnebago with them for the last year.

They named him Mustang Harry and he is from Monroe, Michigan. Harry seemed like he had been having a great year and Rachel was glad to be reunited with him. I think it is awesome that our Michigan friends took care of him and brought him back to see us. Harry was quite the show-stealer! I was also told that he would be back next year and I asked them to take pictures of his shenanigans throughout the year and keep us updated. I never laughed so hard and had such a good time. Thanks for the memory of When Harry Met Sally....... Tobi

Lisa and Brenda....The Birthday Girls......

Happy Birthday to you both....... Just posting a couple of live shots.....................

Happy Birthday...... To Lisa!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I know I have explained how much we love food, but this is ridiculous......... Eating birthday cake without even getting out of bed or off the floor. Don't tell me we don't know how to party!! Well when you're on the road you have to celebrate anywhere you can. Thank you to our dear friend in Las Vegas George Quigley for ordering Lisa's cake and having it delivered to our show in Dahlonega, GA. Happy Birthday Lisa....... Another Good Year. They just keep getting better. Can't wait for next year......Tobi

Florham Park, New Jersey

I have to say over the last few years I have grown attached to the folks of New Jersey. We have made so many friends there. I wish we got to visit more. I just want to say how much fun I had at Florham Park and thanks for letting us close out the year's events.

I love all the families and the couples dancing and having a good time during our show. In Linden, New Jersey they brought us pizza. In Echo Lake they brought us Sloppy Joes and Donut Holes. At Florham Park our friend Mel brought us an entire bag of goodies. We met her in Linden and what a blast she is. Mel, I want to thank you for your support and even bringing us the picture and another bag of goodies all the way to Hershey, Pennsylvania... you're too sweet. And to New Jersey I hope we see you next year. Thanks for making us feel like you're our second home...... Tobi

Little Known Fact....Tobi's an Oompa Loompa?

Whether or not you all know it, I was actually in the original Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. Can you find me in this cast picture from the movie?

As usual, I'm full of......you know.... chocolate...

There is a great chocolate store on the island in Put-in-Bay--The Chocolate Cafe. Coffee, Fudge, and Ice cream.... Just another delicious thing to do on South Bass Island.... Tobi

Put-In-Bay : More than just a big party

Normally I'm always talking about the party at the Bay. Don't worry, I will still do that but not in this blog. I wanted to talk about what else is on the island. They have Putt Putt, and an arcade, golf carts, shopping, eating, golfing and you can even go down into a cave... So one day Rachel, Jake and I decided to check out the Crystal Cave on the island.



Down we go......
Spelunking......I know what a stalagmite and stalagtite is but that's about it... The best I can tell you is it was cold....














So cold that when we went back up Rachel's glasses fogged up.... There are a lot of things to do on the island... It was a cool day..... Just ask Rachel's glasses....Tobi

Four Score and Seven Years Ago.......

Gettysburg, Pennsylvania......

So much history in one town... Of course Lincoln and the Gettysburg Address but there was so much more going on here. So many battles won and lost. I can't even attempt to explain so much history so all I can do is suggest that you see it for yourself.

So many soldiers lost their lives fighting for what they believed in... I can only share pictures taken from several battle sites and statues to honor the lost soldiers and Regimens from all over the country.


They have reenactments of famous battles and speeches. I wish I could explain more but I would hate to give information I'm unsure of so the best I can do is say I'm glad I've seen history with my own eyes... I hope you get the same chance one day............. Tobi

Come Sail Away...Come Sail Away....Come Sail Away with Me...

I personally have never been sailing before so I want to give a big thanks to our friends from the Cleveland Yacht Club for taking us out on a beautiful boat on a great day.......

When we got the offer Lisa, Mandy, Jake, our sound crew, and myself jumped at the chance. I really can't describe it, but our gracious sailor gave us an experience to remember.

We also got the grand tour. You see this big house........ That belongs to the infamous Elliot Ness.....

For those of you who know Lisa, she can do anything... She even helped put the sails up.

This is the view of downtown Cleveland when you are out on Lake Erie. I just want to say thanks for taking the time to give us our first experience on a sailboat.... Loved it.... Thanks Tobi

Have You Seen My Baseball??????

Well you can't hit a city that is so rich in sports and not go to a Major League Baseball Game.....Progressive Field and the Cleveland Indians.

This was awesome. The Indians kicked Tampa's butt. They hit so many home runs that they ran out of fireworks. So not only were we there, but Tampa is the #1 team in the league... and Cleveland won.

I'm not sure but maybe it was just excitement but we started singing WILD THING and I'm pretty sure Charlie Sheen never took the field :) Oh well.... Too many movies when you travel in a bus 200 days a year.

You know at a game you must take in all the festivities.............. Brenda:Beer.


Mandy:Hot dogs.

Scott:Texting... to tell his friends, "Hey I'm at the game..."It was a great game and to top it all off, I even left with an Official Game ball.

The long trip home............

After a full day running all around Cleveland

The game was over and it was time to get back to the hotel. I have to say I wish Nashville had a railway system. We took the train everywhere. Not only is it affordable, but it is fast and convenient. It is the way to go when you visit this great little town in Ohio. Just some pictures from the train.....

I think Mandy has a headache......THIS BIG>>>>>> Tobi

P.S. You would have thought after the Hall of Fame and the game we would have been full and tired...... But we all managed to get back to the hotel and order PIZZA>>> I love that town......

CLEVELAND ROCKS

Well I guess Drew Carrey was right... Cleveland Rocks. We are on the road so much during the summer that when we get a chance to hang out in a city we do our best to make the most of it. So with a day off in Cleveland, Ohio what do you do? You go to the Rock "N" Roll Hall of Fame. This is a must for any musician. They had everything from Madonna's famous cone outfit to David Bowie and Freddy Mercury's stage clothes. I especially loved Janis Joplin's Porsche and the red dress that Tina wore for Proud Mary. Every guitar from a Les Paul to a Fender. They even had a special tribute to the Beatles and The Doors. But I was slightly disappointed because every where I looked I couldn't find anything about Mustang Sally. I know we have a long way to go but heck a girl can dream can't she. Okay maybe next time I can duct tape an 8x10 somewhere on the wall............... You never know....... Maybe...... Someday............ Tobi

It's True........These White Girls Can't Dance

No, seriously, we did take dance lessons and I'm sure with a lot of hard work and countless hours in front of mirrors in a dance studio I'd bet we could bust the move. Heck, you never know when we might just pull it out and surprise you........... Or make you laugh. Either way, we want to thank Stacy Flood-Popp from the School of Performing Arts for taking time out to work with us on our dance moves. I've (Tobi) finally recovered and can get up and down without pain in my legs............. HA. Dancing is a work out. We won't give up. You never know when you might look on stage and see the REDNECK Pussycat Dolls.....................Tobi