A special Holiday message…
From Angela O’Neill
Driving around my neighborhood, it seems like my neighbors…and our neighbors…have really embraced the Holiday Spirit…with GREAT enthusiasm…as this challenging year…starts to wind down to it’s conclusion.
There is much to be thankful for…and there is much to grieve. So many lives lost…and yet we soldier on…don’t we. Comforting each other and encouraging each other when times are tough.
There are always exceptions…this has been a very tough and stressful year for so many…and we send blessings and love to the people who are still in harms way or still suffering and grieving.
This past year has been a bittersweet year for The Outrageous8 and our fans.
We LOVE playing live…that’s pretty much what we DO as a band…
I personally, LOVE the improvisational part of having a live audience. Looking around and seeing the pure JOY on peoples’ faces as the band and I play. And the people are GROOVIN with the music…knowing that we brought our audience a little respite and enjoyment…is truly satisfying.
In the last few years…we have lucky enough to play a couple of times a month…had pretty darn regular gigs…all over town… I don’t have to tell anyone…what happened in March.
A couple of venues that were regular gigs for us …are now closed. We’ll never play those again. It does seem strange to say that.
As a group…we struggled to keep our heads up and see any HOPE of doing anything creative with the shut down
Then…myself and Al Timss and Harry Smallenburg…decided to stay creative and stay IN IT..produce a Christmas Album together…and we STILL keep our Wednesday rehearsal nights…just by Zoom.
We encouraged each other…and protected and each other and have inspired each other…through these difficult months.
We managed to put on Safe Block Parties in Al’s Cul De Sac…Produce dozens of “stay at home” video/audio recordings, thanks to our Producers of those video/audio productions… Michael Rosen and Kathryn Hopkins.
Its gonna be an unusual Holiday Season…that’s for sure.
Kathryn and I have put together little gifty bundles…with CD’s and t shirts and hats…in case, like everyone else, you are shopping online the band does need your support…as all musicians are at zero earnings.
But most importantly, even though we cannot be together to enjoy a music experience Live right this second? The Outrageous8 and I and Al and Kathryn and Jackie…and Bill A. Jones…I think we all agree…
Please be safe…and hold your loved ones tight….if there is one Christmas message I can send to everyone? I send you love and joy and a celebration of the little things in life…a lovely clear day, a moment without traffic…the lovely sound of Christmas music you enjoy A VERY HAPPY AND HEALTHY HOLIDAY SEASON TO ALL.
xxoo Angela