Tonight, June 30th,2001 I got a lovely phone call from the big celebration in Lansing, Mich. ELDERLY INSTRUMENTS was celebrating their thirtieth anniversary of the founding of their store by Stan Werbin. And what a grand music biz he's put together there. The call was made on old friend, Cathy Fink's cell phone and I got to say hello to a slew of old road friends---Cathy F., Marcy Marxer, Stan Webin, Joel Mabus, Bob Blackman, Carrie(spelling??) Potter and on and on... (She and her band were on stage at the time of the call & I got to hear 'em doing Craig Johnson's "Fire In The Jackpines" in the background. They knew pretty much I would've been there if I could've and it sure was wonderful for them to take the time to gimme a buzz.

Also celebrating their 30th anniversary on the same night was/is CHARLOTTE'S WEB FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS in the venerable old town of Rockford, Illinois. They started out as a coffeehouse in the '70's---went on to be a fine bar and nightclub and they are now a concert venue of the highest order.

My heartiest CONGRATULATIONS go out to these two fine Midwestern U.S. music operations. Long may they wave.

I figure some of the other Catters just might like to send salutations and good wishes to 'em too.

Love,

Art Thieme