From: Jen Guyer
Date: Thu, 5 Jul 2001 23:03:22
Subject: Concert summary

I had the privilege this last month (June 2, 2001) of seeing Mitch McVicker in concert in St. Louis, MO. Although I had been really looking forward to my first chance at getting to see Cobra Joe accompany Mitch and Brad, that didn't happen. As Mitch said, "They had better things to do." That brought a knowing chuckle from the crowd. For those who don't know, Cobra was still on his honeymoon and Brad was playing another wedding. While I was disappointed that they would not be there, I was very pleasantly surprised to learn that Michael Aukofer would be accompanying Mitch instead. What an unexpected treat.

Mitch played an assortment of songs from both albums and the Canticle while "trying to just keep up with Michael." I was too busy enjoying the concert to write down a play list. They also sang several hymns with Michael playing along on a variety of interesting percussion instruments including a unique Brazilian instrument called the heco-heco and a cardboard poster tube.

With out Brad along, there were not as many jokes and funny interactions that we get when they are together. But Mitch did share with us the hazards of playing a harmonica with whiskers. It was not for the weak of stomach. He has to deal with everything from pulled hair, ouch! to snot and spit! Thanks for sharing, Mitch! But, Mitch sounded great and it was a great joy to once again hear him share his music.

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Sandi: On the phone with us is Mitch McVicker who is in concert...ah... June two, which is Saturday... Saturday night. Good Morning, Mitch. How are you?

Mitch: Good morning Sandi. I'm great. Thanks for having me.

Sandi: If people have never seen you in concert before or may not even be all that familiar with your music, obviously you have a couple of solo projects out. You've got a new one out now. And, also though, perhaps a lot of people would know from the fact that you were touring and good friends with Rich Mullins.

Mitch: Right. I spent two and a half years with Rich. Traveling, doing concerts, writing songs. When we weren't traveling, we were living in the same place out in New Mexico. And, uh, so it was a wonderful experience to get to be around him. And then I was involved in the car wreck that ended up taking his life. So it's been an interesting road back to this point for the past 3 and a half years.

Sandi: How are you doing? Physically recovery...fully recovered from the accident?

Mitch: You know I consider myself fully recovered. There's a couple of things here or there that I just really don't notice. I'm very thankful for where I am at.

Sandi: That's great. And the story of how you guys met is quite interesting, in and of itself. A happen chance meeting or obviously, a divine intervention, or something. But how did you actually meet Rich for the first time?

Mitch: Right, well I was in school. I went to college for basketball. And I was there and Rich came back to school after a number of years. And I met him in a class and we became friends. And, uh, just began hanging out for about a year. And he didn't even know I was a...had any musical, you know, thing about me. So ah... But when we happened to graduate at the same time and he just happened to ask me to work with him, I had no idea what I would be doing but the road has led to this point.

Sandi: And how would you describe your music ministry? Or your calling in life? What is it that you're pursuing right now?

Mitch: Well, I just feel very fortunate to get to go around and do concerts for people and get to present Jesus to them and expose them to the Kingdom of God. I feel like what I would want to try and do is try to present Jesus to those who don't know about him. To wake up the apathetic, those who maybe have fallen asleep in their Christianity. And to nurture the mature. And I know that it's an amazing blessing to get to do that and to whom much is given, much is expected.

Sandi: Right. Well, your concert is Saturday night at First Baptist Church of Lemay in south county area. And, uh, an acoustic feel, I would imagine, for the concert?

Mitch: Right, um, it will be a, you know, basically an acoustic feel. You know, I play with another guy who plays guitar and hammered dulcimer, and his name is Brad. And I have a guy who plays drums and percussion. His name is Michael. And, uh, its pretty energetic and acoustic stuff.

Sandi: Now you know with the hammered dulcimer that the comparison or at least the link to Rich Mullins is not going to go away any time soon. Given that that was one of his favorite instruments. How do you feel about always being attached or at least, you know, connected if you will to Rich. Is that... What are you're thoughts on that. This side- I mean it's been three, over three years. Is it something that you... What are you're feelings about that?

Mitch: Well, first of all, I'm just, I feel very fortunate to have any kind of connection there. And anytime Rich and I are mentioned in the same breath, I, its an amazing honor and compliment. I'm thankful for that. Um, but you know, I wouldn't be doing this if it wasn't for Rich I, uh, and yet I'm just trying to proceed in the vision of where, I have had of where this is going. And if it's uh, it's similar to Rich, if it's the same spirit as Rich because that's who I was around. Rich was a great friend and uh that's who I came up in music around. So I'm just trying to do my own thing. And I understand and that many people are interested in me because of my connection with Rich and because I was the other guy in the jeep. But, it's been interesting to see how that it's evolved from that point to where people may have been initially grabbed by that but now they are actually interested in what I am doing and sometimes people don't even know about that. And so, I'm just, you know, like I said, I am very thankful and I'm trying to... You know, Rich pushed me towards doing this, uh, and I'm just trying to keep going ahead with where I thought it was going.

Sandi: One of the songs on your album is called Rich's Song. And, uh, why don't you set that up a little bit. We'll hear that one.

Mitch: Uh, well, this is a song I wrote when I was recovering from the wreck. Um... For Rich, to Rich and about Rich. I guess it might have been kind of a cathartic thing. It was just there. It was something that I wanted to do. And I was just...'cause I just couldn't get that upset about things. Um... People were saying 'Why aren't you grieving? Why aren't you mourning?' And, uh. Yes. But, I go you know, I just think that Rich got the better end of the deal. You know. For in one instant, um, everything that Rich was...uh...longing for and striving towards with this life was achieved. Um, when he was, all of a sudden he was in communion with God. And uh, so I just couldn't get that upset about that. I was happy for him. And I know that he's smiling more than he ever has before.

Sandi: mmm... Well, Mitch I appreciate you spending some time with us this morning. And, ah, looking forward to your concert. Saturday night. Again, First Baptist Church of Lemay. Concert time is at seven and we've got more information, a phone number if you'd like. Tickets by the way available in the South County area at One Way Bookshop, Lemstone Christian Bookstore and then again at the door tonight- ah tomorrow night, Saturday night. So, uh thanks so much for joining us Mitch and we wish you the best as far as your new album is concerned and touring and whatever God may have for you down the road.

Mitch: Thank you, I appreciate you having me and I'm really looking forward to the concert

Transcribed by Jennifer Guyer. Please ask my permission before reproducing.
copyright © 2001 JOY FM

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