Got 4 videos from the Annual Christmas show. Go to Youtube for the others.

Here's the promo video for How The Big Band Stole Christmas.

The first "How The Big Band Stole Christmas" went well. I didn't go but Reed said the audience gave them a standing ovation. Last night Fernandina Beach had a night parade and Crescendo Amelia had a float with Reed and Marah singing. Here's a couple pictures.

Sounds of the Season Crescendo Amelia returns with a collection of holiday favorites Posted Monday, December 10, 2018 12:00 pm CRESCENDO AMELIA: HOW THE BIG BAND STOLE CHRISTMAS 7:30 p.m., Friday, Dec. 14, Theatre Jacksonville, 2032 San Marco Blvd.; 7:30 p.m., Friday, Dec. 21, Fernandina Beach Theatre, 315 Citrona Dr., $12 (kids), $30 (advance general admission), $40 (VIP) story by SHELTON HULL The holidays are here, and with them comes the annual procession of specialty events that showcase the best of local music across the board, more of which you’ll be reading about here in the days ahead. This applies especially to Northeast Florida’s jazz scene, whose most prolific organizations have things planned for the month of December. Among these artists, of course, are the more than two dozen members of the Crescendo Amelia Big Band, who’ll be working theaters in Jacksonville and Fernandina Beach with their show, “How the Big Band Stole Christmas.” (They’ll also be part of the New Year’s Eve festivities at Alhambra.) This is their fifth year doing this particular show, which presents holiday-themed standards in a broad-based, classic theatrical setting. The show includes classics such as “All I Want for Christmas,” “Baby, It’s Cold Outside,” “Santa Baby” and the all-time hit “White Christmas.” Some of these songs can be heard in studio form on their album Crescendo Amelia Christmas Vol. 1, which was released earlier this year. “The best part about the holidays is bringing the community together,” says trumpeter Dennis Negrin, who helps run the group, “and one of the things I’m most excited for now that we’re in our fourth year producing the show is seeing everyone come together this season, and music has a pretty magical way of doing that.” Produced by Negrin and drummer/founder Frank Basile, the show features the entire big band, which was formed as “Frankie and Friends” in January 2013 and rechristened Crescendo Amelia a year later. Its 23 members are augmented by a retinue of singers, including Reed Meyer, Marah Lovequist, Jennifer Burns, Linzy Lauren, Kim Reteguiz, Johnathan Leonard, Jay Fowler and the singers in the local music group Off the Record. The show is punctuated by elements of jazz, swing dance and ballet, in addition to the sumptuous vocal harmonies we all associate with the season. And, in addition to all that, I’m told that there will definitely be appearances by Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus and even The Grinch. From day one, Crescendo Amelia has always placed great emphasis on community outreach, and this season is no exception. They’re donating tickets to Rethreaded and Joy to the Children, both fine nonprofits worthy of your support. Rethreaded will have a pop-up sales booth at the Dec. 14 show, and if you’re familiar with their work, you’ll already know that their products are ideal gifts for the socially-conscious fashionista in your life. Also, if you’re a member of Big Brothers & Big Sisters of NE Florida, you can get a free ticket for your little one with the purchase of one adult ticket. Perhaps the best thing of all about this show is that if you see it and you love it as much as most people seem to, you can book the entire show for yourself, on whatever scale you prefer. This group is available for private parties and charity events. “We’re extremely grateful to our business partners, volunteers, musicians, singers, dedicated fans and our entire community for helping us keep the music alive and well,” says Dennis Negrin. And, no doubt, the feeling is mutual.

Christmas time and the Crescendo Amelia Big Band always adds extra singers to help out Reed and Marah. Here are three pics that came with the advertising email I got today.

Cruising Crescendo Amelia's Facebook page today and found this cool pic of Marah and Reed.

Reed showed me this today. He and Marah singing Quando Quando Quando at the last monthly dance gig. Great production as it was done on the fly. Trying to ask Reed about it but he's playing a video game.

Another Week and I'm home again,none the worse for wear. Managed to find HS friend John Miner but forgot to take a picture. He did take me to Alice's Restaurant in Stockbridge, MA where he lives as well as Arlo Guthrie. And then to show Reed I've got the classic routine embedded from YouTube

Ok So I took off for a vacation over a week ago as the myelogram I had didn't show anything and made me sick for almost a week. Stayed with Ry and Carole in Reston VA, then Sandee and Ray in Albany NY and now Herb and May in Danville NH. Took a pic of Sandee and Ray but now I can't find it on my phone. Here's Herb and May.

Crescendo Amelia sent me an email today advertising the October dance billed as a Masquerade Dance. It included this pic of Reed and Marah and I found another cool pic of Reed on their website.

OK Some things happening. Reed has started school again. Enjoying Music History class which was one of my favorite classes. I'm enjoying seeing Jade around here more. Drs have scheduled me for a myelogram in an effort to diagnose my neuropathy. That's next week. Reed has tired somewhat of Primerica so he's taking bartender lessons from M Shack where Jade works. Actually makes money learning how to do it. He's also making more money with Crescendo Amelia as they're playing a little more often and then Marah doesn't want to take her turn with the 4 piece combo so Reed's there every Saturday in stead of every other. BTW the monthly dance with the full group continues this Friday and I'll put up a song or two here if I get a chance.

Not a lot going on as we start school this last week. Jade's birthday party was yesterday up in Hanna Park. Reed and Jade have cut back their working with Primerica and Reed may start working with the same company as Jade also as a bartender. I took some bar tending lessons myself a lot of years ago. He's not sure when his start yet.

Crescendo Amelia had the second of 3 summer dances on Amelia Island last night. Good gig and the had a lot people.

Looks like I forgot to put what the surgeon, Dr. Keller, said about my neck, etc. Looking at my MRI while I was there he said he really didn't see anything particularly wrong. Yes, he could operate and fuse he lower part of my neck and see if that would take care of the problem but he'd rather not. He asked me about some treatments of putting my neck in traction. Sounded good so we're trying that now. I'm going back to Alicia for more massage also.

OK I'm home after having a great time at my reunion, having dinner with Asiya in Fargo,and seeing lots of people. But I forgot to take any pictures. However, I am supposed to get a picture in the mail so I'll add that here when I get it. Thanks to Corrie and Dee Kuester for the hospitality in Minneapolis and especially brother Rick for putting up with me and putting me up last week. Sharmell Murphy put this on my Facebook ------ And the Official photo of the class reunion finally came in.

In South Dakota and staying with brother Rick for my 50th HS reunion. Party at the lake last night.

It's been rather an uneventful month or so but I thought I'd put up a post. Reed and Jade took me and Jade's brother Aiden to see the Star Wars movie SOLO. Other than that it's the same ol as Reed continues on with his jobs, etc. I do see the Surgeon about my neck in a week. We'll see what he says. The physical therapy didn't help much so I went back to my massage therapist. However, between the two we've seemingly isolated the problem to my neck and the C7-T1 area.

So Reed got a promotion in his financial services job. He does seem to be taking it seriously.

Now Rick had a bucket list entry for Key West so we took off. A ways down there from Jax but we made it there and back with no problems. Night time is the best time in Key West.

Been awhile since my last post as I've been trying to figure out what's happening with my neck among other things. So I've been trying to keep a good posture with my head as well as see the physical therapist at Jacksonville Orthopedic. Things are still up in the air as "some days are diamond some days are stone".

Brother Rick showed up yesterday and I'm doing my best to give him a tour of the area.

Reed is working hard at his new financial job. It's keeping him out of trouble if not providing him with a major income yet.

Found a couple things about Reed on the Crescendo Amelia Facebook page.

So what's happened since my last post.

Bandages came off my incisions and everything went fine except it didn't seem to help. Well maybe it helped a little. And so it seems that most of the problem is in my neck. In fact I've even figured out a little thing to do with my neck and it shoots pain right down into my little finger on my right hand. So I went to a massage therapist I'd been to before and she thought I might be the victim of a long standing posture problem called Forward Head Posture from spending too much time on the computer.

And she just may be right as I got some heavy pain when I did a couple of the exercises but that seems to be disappearing after just a few days. Tingling may take a while longer as it's been 2 years in the making.

Took in the Kids/Gun March on Saturday at Hemming Park. And then picked up Reed at the airport coming back from Guam at which I didn't get a picture.

This is kinda cool. Thrilllist recently did an article on the oldest bars in every state.

Florida: The Palace Saloon on Amelia Island, 1903. Florida isn’t designed for longevity, but The Palace Saloon holds strong. It’s, well, palatial. It was built in 1903 with the help of Adolphus Busch (yes, that Busch), and made its name as the last American tavern to officially close during Prohibition. It proudly carries the title of “Florida’s oldest saloon in the same place, under the same name.” An honorable mention is the Green Parrot Bar in Key West, which opened as a grocery in 1890. The drinking in the back was originally only for locals, but it officially became a bar in the mid-1900s. Today it has a super sketchy live webcam pointed at the bar.

The Palace Saloon is where Crescendo Amelia did their latest promo video featuring Marah Lovequist and, of course, Reed, which gives me an excellent excuse to put up that video again.

OK so I had my operation today to try and help the neuropathy in my right hand and arm. Doc said my carpal tunnel wasn't too bad but my cubital tunnel (elbow) was real congested. Maybe 50 years of throwing curve balls can do some damage. We'll see if this helps as it heals.

Some more pics from Reed in Japan where it's obviously a little chilly.

Layla invited Reed to Tokyo for Spring Break. He sent back some pictures. Also a Wikipedia post so you know what you're looking at.

Tokyo Skytree (東京スカイツリー Tōkyō Sukaitsurī) is a broadcasting, restaurant, and observation tower in Sumida, Tokyo, Japan. It became the tallest structure in Japan in 2010 and reached its full height of 634.0 metres (2,080 ft) in March 2011, making it the tallest tower in the world, displacing the Canton Tower, and the second tallest structure in the world after the Burj Khalifa (829.8 m/2,722 ft).

The tower is the primary television and radio broadcast site for the Kantō region; the older Tokyo Tower no longer gives complete digital terrestrial television broadcasting coverage because it is surrounded by high-rise buildings. Skytree was completed on Leap Day, 29 February 2012, with the tower opening to the public on 22 May 2012. The tower is the centrepiece of a large commercial development funded by Tobu Railway and a group of six terrestrial broadcasters headed by NHK. Trains stop at the adjacent Tokyo Skytree Station and nearby Oshiage Station. The complex is 7 km (4.3 mi) north-east of Tokyo Station.

So surgery is scheduled for Mar 21 after which I turn left handed for awhile.

And Reed is now in charge of the Instagram acct for the band.

And I just learned how to put paragraphs into this blog.

Went to the Doc yesterday and it looks like there's going to be an operation on my right elbow and wrist within a couple weeks. He'll cut a couple of tendons in hopes of relieving the tingling and pressure.

And despite the uncomfortableness, a friend took me to Dos Cafe where a bluegrass band was having a jam session and I got to play a few songs.

OK I was going to put up another video from one of Reed's gigs but, of course, I forgot to take the chip that I need to record so.... sorry. Anyway I had my second epidural and there was virtually no effect so I see a different doc this Friday. Probably looking at an operation on my right elbow, at least. I'll let you know what else is suggested. One thing--This second epidural seems to have made the symptoms worse. Lucky me. Reed passed a certification test for the financial services company he's training for. That paid him some money and he can now, evidently, get paid for getting people to sign up for insurance and/or mutual funds.

Oh and I guess I should let you know what's been happening with Reed. First he's started an apprenticeship/training program with a group called Primerica Financial Services to sell their insurance/mutual funds products and seems to be taking it seriously. He's also getting up at 6:00 every day to go work out at the gym. This all is in addition to school, band, and his part time job. Busy kid. Hopefully it'll keep him out of trouble. :-))

So only a couple things have happened since my last post. First the docs at Jacksonville Orthopedic gave me an epidural in my neck to see if that had an affect on my neuropathy. Symptoms went down about 50% for about a day or so....so maybe. Another treatment next week. And I met a fun lady from St Louis who hates Trump even more than I do. She sent along her favorite cartoon.

So every year Crescendo Amelia gives a big Christmas show and the people around Amelia Island do their best to support them. I didn't get anything on video myself but Mark Barber who's married to Josephine Duenas Barber from Guam/Saipan managed to get some for me. Here's Reed singing I'll Be Home For Christmas. This is from the Dec. 20th show.

OK so I had a date with this lady down a couple hours south of Jax. Turns out she's a singer who likes to share her roughly made tunes with her friends. I invited her to come up to Jax and use our personal little sound studio at the apartment and take advantage of Reed's recording expertise. The only time she could come was between Christmas and New Years so she turned into my New Years Eve date at Reed's gig at the Alhambra Dinner Theater.