LegacyFest 2000 Scrapbook

Newman University Wichita, KS - August 4 & 5, 2000			Click here for an explanation of the LegacyFest Symbol
Page 1 \| Page 2 \| Page 3 \| Page 4

(click on thumbnails to see a larger picture)
photos by Danl Blackwood
copyright © 2000 danlnet.com

Return to Danl Blackwood's Music Scrapbook

David Mullins and Eric Hauck share a laugh "backstage." No stranger to Wichita, Mitch McVicker (right) and Brad Layher, started their set just before 7:00pm. (For those counting, that's three hours into the concert). Mitch and Brad have been touring together as a duo for over a year now ... ... and just recently, "Cobra" Joe Curet has joined them covering percussion.

Since the accident that took his friend, Rich Mullins, and almost his own life, Mitch has continued to heal and improve. One area of great improvement is Mitch's songwriting, as well as his playing. Everytime I hear them, Mitch and Brad have re-arranged at least half of the set - and they have developed a great ensemble sound.
In addition, Brad has begun to sing and write more, including a song he does about the Tinman from the Wizard of Oz.

Mitch is one busy guy, with a very full tour schedule. In fact, he just recently returned from an extended Compassion-sponsored mission trip to Thailand, and kept a full diary of the trip for you to read. He has also recently released a 4-song EP, a preview of an upcoming full-length CD entitled "Chasing The Horizon." For sound clips and more info on that, go to his web page at <http://www.mitchmcvicker.com/>.

Andrew Peterson (center) is someone that Mitch calls one of his best friends. Andrew, his wife Jaime (right), and Gabe Scott are one of my new favorite groups. In fact, Gabe (center) was Mitch's roommate in Nashville for quite a while.
A special treat for many was Andrew playing "Three Days Before Autumn." Telling us this was a very special song "about a good friend who never knew him," the song was written about his feelings and dealing with Rich's death.

In addition to playing his wonderful songs, they also played one of Rich's songs, "Promenade," that I had not heard them do before. Andrew asked Eric to join them for a tune that he plays on his funky little "Armadillo guitar." At one point he turned around to Eric and exclaimed, "When did you get your eyebrow pierced!?" Kinda caught Eric off guard, and gave us a good laugh. Great set. Next up ... This Train ... one of the most fun bands in CCM today.

Mark Robertson and crew were their usual wild and crazy selves. Two news bits we got from Mark ... (this one not so new) he got married (to Janelle) and loving it, and the other was he is in the beginning stages of a solo album. Those familiar with Mark's producing (particularly This Train and Mitch's CDs) and his songwriting (with the Ragamuffins) will be as anxious to hear that as I am.

While their touring has been limited, due to the duties with the Ragamuffins and other projects; Mark, Jordan Richter (on guitar), and Cobra Joe (on drums) have still been able to get some dates in with the Train.

With Mark's great humor and charisma, Jordan and Joe round out one of my favorite bands to see live. Before the Ragamuffins closed out the evening, the Legacy and Native American elders present had one important agenda item to accomplish. Because David and Alyssa's extended time in the field was beginning to take away from administrating The Legacy, they recently "promoted" Tammy Pruitt (far right frame, center) to "Native Ministry Honcha." Also Randy Freeland (white shirt and baseball cap) was recognized as "Native Ministry Field Dude." John Lansa (far right, green shirt) and the elders then gave Tammy and Randy the traditional "sending ceremony," with gifts and blessings that their ministry will benefit Native Americans in accordance with the will of God.

There was a bit of a delay before the Ragamuffins could begin, and out of the blue, the Legacy staff (from left, Randy Freeland, Tammy Pruitt, Alyssa Loukota, and David Mullins) is up there singing the "baby shark" song (baby shark, doot do, doot doot do-do). If you've never heard it, then there is no way I can explain to you how funny it was watching them do the very involved hand motions. (Great fun!) David and Alyssa thanked everyone for their support in this ministry they have "taken over" for Rich Mullins, and made their life's work.
Finally it was time for the "favorite sons" of Legacy events, A Ragamuffin Band. This musical group, led by Rick Elias (right frame), has come a long way since that day in 1997 when they decided to go ahead with the recording project of their dear friend, Rich Mullins, who had just been taken home to the Father.

It seemed almost ironic that they would be here headlining the third annual official Legacy event, singing not only Rich's songs, but their own songs. Ironic because that is precisely what Rich once asked them to do ... that is, record an album of their songs together without him. They all just laughed and said, "no Rich, you don't understand, people want to hear you!" Mark Robertson (on right of far left frame) and Jimmy A (third frame) joined Rick playing all those great Rich Mullins songs and new Ragamuffin songs, and I'm sure I wasn't the only one thinking, "Man, it sure would be neat if Rich was here to join us." The following week, the group leaves for Europe, and will be performing as part of the Catholic Church's World Youth Day in Rome.

A bit of surprising news was that Aaron Smith had left the group, and moved on to other ventures. However, the new drummer, Steve Latanation, a close friend of Mark's, was definitely rockin! (and he only had one rehearsal!) Billy Sprague joined the Rags as they led us in "Step By Step," always a perfect end to a ragamuffin day. While most groups had run behind schedule, it didn't matter much to the crowd that they had been there since 4:00pm, with the concert ending up around 11:30pm - a long but wonderful weekend. The Rags (from left), Rick Elias, Mark Robertson, Steve Latanation, and Jimmy A Kathy Sprinkle and Dan O'Neil announced to everyone's delight that the LegacyFest (originally planned for only a couple years) would continue for the next three years. Next year's event would be held on August 10th and 11th, 2001, and Brennan Manning had already confirmed his participation. Woohoo!

Return to Top

Return to Danl Blackwood's Music Scrapbook

Page 1 | Page 2 | Page 3 | Page 4

last modified Mon, Feb 5, 2007


David Mullins and Eric Hauck share a laugh "backstage."	No stranger to Wichita, Mitch McVicker (right) and Brad Layher, started their set just before 7:00pm. (For those counting, that's three hours into the concert).	Mitch and Brad have been touring together as a duo for over a year now ...	... and just recently, "Cobra" Joe Curet has joined them covering percussion.


Since the accident that took his friend, Rich Mullins, and almost his own life, Mitch has continued to heal and improve. One area of great improvement is Mitch's songwriting, as well as his playing. Everytime I hear them, Mitch and Brad have re-arranged at least half of the set - and they have developed a great ensemble sound.			In addition, Brad has begun to sing and write more, including a song he does about the Tinman from the Wizard of Oz.


Mitch is one busy guy, with a very full tour schedule. In fact, he just recently returned from an extended Compassion-sponsored mission trip to Thailand, and kept a full diary of the trip for you to read. He has also recently released a 4-song EP, a preview of an upcoming full-length CD entitled "Chasing The Horizon." For sound clips and more info on that, go to his web page at <http://www.mitchmcvicker.com/>.


Andrew Peterson (center) is someone that Mitch calls one of his best friends. Andrew, his wife Jaime (right), and Gabe Scott are one of my new favorite groups.	In fact, Gabe (center) was Mitch's roommate in Nashville for quite a while.	A special treat for many was Andrew playing "Three Days Before Autumn." Telling us this was a very special song "about a good friend who never knew him," the song was written about his feelings and dealing with Rich's death.


In addition to playing his wonderful songs, they also played one of Rich's songs, "Promenade," that I had not heard them do before.	Andrew asked Eric to join them for a tune that he plays on his funky little "Armadillo guitar." At one point he turned around to Eric and exclaimed, "When did you get your eyebrow pierced!?" Kinda caught Eric off guard, and gave us a good laugh. Great set.		Next up ... This Train ... one of the most fun bands in CCM today.


Mark Robertson and crew were their usual wild and crazy selves. Two news bits we got from Mark ... (this one not so new) he got married (to Janelle) and loving it, and the other was he is in the beginning stages of a solo album. Those familiar with Mark's producing (particularly This Train and Mitch's CDs) and his songwriting (with the Ragamuffins) will be as anxious to hear that as I am.		While their touring has been limited, due to the duties with the Ragamuffins and other projects; Mark, Jordan Richter (on guitar), and Cobra Joe (on drums) have still been able to get some dates in with the Train.


With Mark's great humor and charisma, Jordan and Joe round out one of my favorite bands to see live.	Before the Ragamuffins closed out the evening, the Legacy and Native American elders present had one important agenda item to accomplish. Because David and Alyssa's extended time in the field was beginning to take away from administrating The Legacy, they recently "promoted" Tammy Pruitt (far right frame, center) to "Native Ministry Honcha." Also Randy Freeland (white shirt and baseball cap) was recognized as "Native Ministry Field Dude." John Lansa (far right, green shirt) and the elders then gave Tammy and Randy the traditional "sending ceremony," with gifts and blessings that their ministry will benefit Native Americans in accordance with the will of God.


There was a bit of a delay before the Ragamuffins could begin, and out of the blue, the Legacy staff (from left, Randy Freeland, Tammy Pruitt, Alyssa Loukota, and David Mullins) is up there singing the "baby shark" song (baby shark, doot do, doot doot do-do). If you've never heard it, then there is no way I can explain to you how funny it was watching them do the very involved hand motions. (Great fun!) David and Alyssa thanked everyone for their support in this ministry they have "taken over" for Rich Mullins, and made their life's work.		Finally it was time for the "favorite sons" of Legacy events, A Ragamuffin Band. This musical group, led by Rick Elias (right frame), has come a long way since that day in 1997 when they decided to go ahead with the recording project of their dear friend, Rich Mullins, who had just been taken home to the Father.


It seemed almost ironic that they would be here headlining the third annual official Legacy event, singing not only Rich's songs, but their own songs. Ironic because that is precisely what Rich once asked them to do ... that is, record an album of their songs together without him. They all just laughed and said, "no Rich, you don't understand, people want to hear you!" Mark Robertson (on right of far left frame) and Jimmy A (third frame) joined Rick playing all those great Rich Mullins songs and new Ragamuffin songs, and I'm sure I wasn't the only one thinking, "Man, it sure would be neat if Rich was here to join us." The following week, the group leaves for Europe, and will be performing as part of the Catholic Church's World Youth Day in Rome.


A bit of surprising news was that Aaron Smith had left the group, and moved on to other ventures. However, the new drummer, Steve Latanation, a close friend of Mark's, was definitely rockin! (and he only had one rehearsal!)	Billy Sprague joined the Rags as they led us in "Step By Step," always a perfect end to a ragamuffin day. While most groups had run behind schedule, it didn't matter much to the crowd that they had been there since 4:00pm, with the concert ending up around 11:30pm - a long but wonderful weekend.	The Rags (from left), Rick Elias, Mark Robertson, Steve Latanation, and Jimmy A	Kathy Sprinkle and Dan O'Neil announced to everyone's delight that the LegacyFest (originally planned for only a couple years) would continue for the next three years. Next year's event would be held on August 10th and 11th, 2001, and Brennan Manning had already confirmed his participation. Woohoo!

	Return to Top

	Return to Danl Blackwood's Music Scrapbook

	Page 1 \| Page 2 \| Page 3 \| Page 4