Standing on the Promises

Here are the Blufftones, singing a classic hymn this morning at the Onalaska United Methodist Church- "Standing on the Promises".

Although missing two of our strongest singers, I think the somewhat "softer" sound we achieved suited the hymn very well!

I've always wanted to just get up with the guys holding the red hymnal, and sing out right from the book, simply and in a (hopefully) heartfelt manner.

The "secret" to making the hymnal work for an all men's group is to take the second or "alto" part, and sing it an octave up- this gives a wider range, and a more "barbershop" like sound.

If the quartet was mixed men and women, they could just sing through the hymnal as written...

I sure wish there was more harmony singing done, it is so beautiful!

I think Jane did a great job filming as well!

Korean trip update!

As of July 1, 2008, your OLD MAILMAN and his daughter, Holly, will be enroute to KOREA for a trip sponsored by our Onalaska United Methodist Church, and its' Pastor Kim.

I am looking forward to singing with the Kimtones; and also hopefully the Kimettes. which include my daughter and Brianne Bertrang. We only need some good material... but, I'm working on that!

Stay tuned!!

Tumbling Tumbleweeds will be on the repetoire of the Kimtones... will Cowboy/girl songs also be on the Kimettes songlist??

Only time will tell- STAY TUNED!!

Cowboy Jay

One BIG TREE!

This is the maple tree in my yard; it overhangs Moos Road. I have NEVER in this area seen any tree that matches up to the size of this monster- it is at least 100 years old!

About 18 years ago, about 1/3 of this tree, in the form of a huge branch that hung over the house, FELL one night, and struck our roof... over $3000 of damage was done, and one branch bounced off of the roof, and scraped down the side of the house, ALMOST plunging through the living room window, where my youngest, baby brother Jimmy was sleeping!

If the trajectory of the falling branch had been just slightly different, Jimmy would have been CRUSHED!

But, now he is a healthy 41 year old...

but, the tree is ....

waiting for his next visit....


Happy Easter!

If you want to hear some good music, come to the United Methodist Church of Onalaska tomorrow, Easter Sunday, and hear the choir, directed by the amazing Cory Groves!

Watch for a white haired old man in the tenor section-but, if he asks you to sleep in his living room, you'd better think twice!

Old Mailman goes to Korea!

It is now official: in July, the old mailman will be going with a church group from Onalaska United Methodist Church to Korea! The above photo shows a group of Koreans who visited us here this past winter. (They sang us a goodbye song at the church).

The old mailman will be accompanied by his daughter, Holly, who will be home from her freshman year of college. Our Pastor Kim in Onalaska is from Korea- he is the reason and inspiration for this cross-cultural exchange. It should be very, very interesting, to say the least!

I am NOT one who loves travel, and so, anticipating a trip to the other side of the world! seems quite extreme... but, I know it will be a wonderful thing! Overwhelming, but wonderful.

Hopefully, Mark Bertrang, my singing compadre, and Pastor Kim can also do some singing over in Korea- Koreans are new to barbershop and gospel music! I'd really like to sing them The Star Spangled Banner !