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Odessa's USA Tour 2006 My grateful thanks are extended to so many who contributed to the success of my tour of Alabama and Oklahoma. I will try to give mention to all and the extent of their assistance and ask the forgiveness of anyone I inadvertently miss due to the numbers involved. Firstly, gratitude to my partner Peter for putting into place the logistics of the tour and for his road craft in getting through a blizzard for a safe if somewhat tardy arrival at Manchester airport, and to Mavis for holding the fort at home. Mike, who kept Rob out of hot water. Without their efforts the tour may never have taken place. A big vote of thanks is proffered to Virgin Atlantic for caring enough to get our luggage and us onto the plane at the very last minute, also, not least for taking special care of my musical instruments to and from the U.S.A. Very special thanks are due to Bob Chaney for his excellent playing and supporting vocals. Buddy Bruce (lead guitar), Mike Leland (piano) and David Teegarden (drums) who feature with me on my new album "Winter Roses" due to be released as Internet downloads on this web site soon. My gratitude is extended to the Tulsa Historical Society for accepting the original master tapes of my albums for exhibiting and retaining for posterity. I was thrilled to reacquaint myself with old friends and colleagues Thank you Tommy Crook, Bob Clear, who featured on my album "Interstate Highway Blues;" John Cummings, Billy ("Snowman") Snow and not least my old friend and band member Mike McKay all of whom showed such friendship and respect after so many years of absence. No tour can take place without accommodation that was of high standard and the food everywhere of which a special mention to that served at both ends of the price spectrum by "The Green Onion", "Lanna Thai" in Tulsa, Oklahoma and "As Good As It Gets" in Henrietta, Texas. ORLANDO TO ELLIJAY, GEORGIA. The first leg of the tour was not for performing, but to deliver songs t o Joyce Bennett, the composer of most of the spiritual songs that can be downloaded from this web site. During those first two days we encountered a bit of Britain flying high: Having struggled to find our way out of Orlando to head North into Georgia we found a bed to lay our heads after 5 hours driving just South of Atlanta. The next morning we completed the first leg to Ellijay, delivered three new songs to Joyce Bennett, the writer of the Spiritual songs on this website. ELLIJAY TO GROVE HILL,ALABAMA. We moved Southward through Georgia into Alabama via Atlanta and its crowded 18 lane super highway, how the city appears to have benefited from holding the Olympic Games. The trip to Grove Hill, North of Mobile was uneventful. We booked into a Motel at Thomasville, rested up in preparation of my first 'gig' at Gloria's Pour Café, Grove Hill accompanied by Bob Chaney. The show was so well received that we sold out of that evening's allocation of my album "Now to Then" (also available on line at this site.) By request of the management a repeat performance was arranged for the following day with similar result. Sunday found us in the outskirts of Mobile at Rebecca's in the town of Mackenzie where Bob and I played to a full house. Again, we were asked to return, but had to promise to do so toward the end of the tour if time permitted. This part of the visit to Alabama ended with a three hour concerts to a full house at Country Oaks, Thomasville and I was especially pleased that my mother could attend to hear me sing for the first time in over twenty years, Bob and I dedicated this concert to her. ONWARD TO NATURA DIGITAL STUDIOS, BEGGS, OKLAHOMA. Crossing the wide Mississippi Whoops! Making friends with the Texans No, not the Lone Ranger! A State Trooper! The time factor became urgent, we had to leave Alabama, cross Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas (naughty driver over the speed limit) to arrive in Checotah, Oklahoma to prepare for the recording session of my new album 'Winter Roses' at Natura Digital Studios. The new album was to be recorded with Buddy Bruce (of 'Tequila' fame with The Champs band in the 60's,) David Teegarden (Grammy winner for Old Time Rock and Roll with Bob Seger and The Silver Bullet Band,) and Tulsa jazz pianist Mike Leland. Mike Leland, David Teegarden, Odessa and Buddy Bruce. Such is the talent of this quartet; the album was covered to "master" disk state in less than two days. Is it a record? Not yet folks… but soon! I was so excited to be associated with such mega-talent. Keep checking this site for the downloadable MP3's of 'Winter Roses.' At Natura Digital Studio's mixing desk. On to Tulsa city where I was so privileged to renew acquaintance with Tommy Crook and meet Kathy Wolfe at Lanna Thai Restaurant. Tommy (of whom Chet Atkins said was his favourite guitarist,) made me so very welcome and I was proud to sit in with him for a few songs. Tommy played on my album "Interstate Highway Blues" the lead song of which got to # 14 in the KKAJ charts in 1986. Tommy Crook and Odessa. On Friday night the tour was further enhanced at the Four Aces Bar where I met up with Mike McKay who played in my band Reinbeau over 30 years ago, how age changes appearance, in those days he wore his hair in the vogue afro style and Carlos Santana moustache to today's well coiffured middle aged gentleman whose guitar playing ability has certainly not diminished. I would like to thank David Thayer and the rest of the Tulsa Boyz: Tommy Day on drums (I knew his parents who were also fine musicians), Richard Berryman on bass guitar (thanks Richard for letting me use your bass to sit in with the guys) and of course Mike McKay. These guys really are a must see band. I also had the pleasure of meeting with Bill (the Snowman) Snow, another face from my Tulsa past (the cd's are great…thanks Bill). On the following Tuesday I was thrilled to be invited to sit in for a song with that great pianist Bob Clear who must hold some sort of record for the longevity of his entertainment at Tulsa's Green Onion Restaurant. (Great steak Dianne, thanks chef.) Bob Clear also played on 'Interstate Highway Blues.' Tuesday afternoon 14th March will fore-ever stay in my memory as the day when my foot-print was left in the sand for posterity and I'm filled with humility to have donated the original 2inch master tapes of "Interstate Highway Blues" and "Tribute to Patsy Cline" together with Becky, Paul McGhee's daughter, to the Tulsa Historical Society for their future display of Tulsa music and recordings. I sincerely hope that many of future generations visit the Society's museum to hear the legacy of what so many great Tulsa musicians left for the enjoyment of all. This was the pinnacle of the tour and I'm filled with so much pride to have associated and played with so many of Tulsa's greats. Tulsa Historical Society 2445 S. Peoria Ave. Tulsa, Oklahoma. Becky (nee McGhee,) and Odessa present original master tapes to Amanda Lett, curator of The Tulsa Historical Society. Thus culminated a very successful tour of America. Oh! I did make it back to Rebecca's Restaurant, in Calvert, Alabama for that encore performance. Thank you one and all and thank you America.