Just for Jon

Alright, alright! I know it's been awhile but honestly, I have a life that I have to keep going too! I titled this "Just for Jon" because my best friend from college days has been complaining (through other people, mind you) that I haven't posted in awhile - but I'm still here and have a lot to tell you about. I'll throw some pictures at you too.

One of the exciting things in my life recently was the opportunity to fly back to Asheville, NC and record some new tracks for Liberty Quartet with the esteemed Roger Talley. That was simply amazing! I met some great studio musicians and was honestly blown away with their talent. I have a few mixed emotions about that time: 1. I can't play the piano 2. I want to practice more than ever before! It was very inspiring to say the least.

This new project won't be finished until next year but I've started the process rolling so we can record hopefully in March or April some time.

Here's the little man -Taylor with the family cat "Twinkles". Yea - you read right - Twinkles. Courtney named her.

Setting up the Christmas tree in the family room.

Courtney helps out with the decorating while Taylor drinks his 'coffee' (consisting of mostly milk)
Here's a picture of our new-found friends: Nate and Melissa Roskam - actually, I should say the Reverend Nathan Roskam. He is the lead Youth Pastor at our church. We have been hanging out with them more and love getting to know them. They are great people and a lot of fun to be with. He's pretty crazy too - that always helps!

Here I am again with the greatest person that's ever come into my life! I'm blessed with a wonderful family.

Yea - here he is again! I just can't leave it alone totally! I know the blog war has slowed down a little but that doesn't mean Keith is out of range yet!

Moving on now...

I realize that everything has been focused on a Mr. Keith Waggoner lately - it's definitely time to move on to more interesting things. I guess I don't understand how he finds so much time to post so regularly but hey, each man has his own list of priorities.

Well, in my life I have been traveling and then traveling some more while my daughter Courtney is doing the 2nd grade school thing and Taylor continues to beller out Liberty tunes. Diane is a hard working, busy Mom with a full-time job at Gold's Gym. That's life on a regular basis but we do find time for family fun, and church, etc.

Here's a picture of the latest family fun - a little neighborhood trick-or-treating. Taylor was a Power Ranger and Courtney a Princess. Diane was beautiful and me, well - I just showed up.

Spider Man is the neighbor boy (Alex) and Mr Power Ranger (Taylor) is looking on in amazement.

Here's my little Princess.

I opted for no costume - I figure it was bad enough the way it was. Thankfully Di helps bring beauty to the relationship.

As far as church, we are really enjoying our worship experience at Nampa First Church of the Nazarene. www.nfcnaz.org Pastor Kent is an incredible pastor and has a passion for God that comes through in his personality and ministry. The music department is led by Mike Wiebe and he does a great job blending traditional hymns with contemporary choruses. Diane is getting more involved doing some choir accompanying, and singing and playing keyboards for praise team.

On Tuesday evenings Diane and I go to a small group Bible study that we have really been enjoying. We have been studying the book "Power to Be Free" which talks about being led by the Spirit of God. Life can be so crazy sometimes -it's great to slow down and take time to pray with friends and discuss spiritual issues.

Well, we're on the road to the Pacific Gospel Music Association Convention (long enough name?) We (Liberty Quartet) are one of the featured groups - it should be a great time. I'll post some pics later. By the way, I get to be part of a cool event... I'll tell you later.

People are coming through!

It has been very interesting to see the responses from those of you who are like-minded in my attempts at giving a very balanced and unbiased account of life as a friend of Keith Waggoner!

I have received different emails and pictures to share on my blog because you all realize how unfair things have been in the blog world. So with no further introduction, I submit the following photos of my friend Keith Waggoner:

Here's 'lil Keith

Keith with childhood playmates -things started going wrong here!

His insatiable thirst for the camera started at such a young, vulnerable age.

Just completing his first concert as a tenor??

He's pretty happy about the growing fan base!

Kudos to Keith! Actually looks cool shaved - he's just too chicken to wear it to concerts!

This is where he'll be if things don't turn around for him! Right beside our good buddy Dan!

I think that's enough for now. Honestly, there's only so much of this kind of thing my blog can take at a time! It's a little scary to me that someone this un-photogenic would be so willing to step in front of a lense time and time again! I really do wish him the best - I'm sure there's some way that God can use him!

It has been so quickly proven!

Well, case in point!! I had no idea that Keith would reinforce and prove what I said so quickly! I mean, think about it - he thought he was responding to my blog post; what he was really doing was proving that he is camera hungry/greedy. In fact,the picture of me on his site is one that I staged and asked Dan to take of me. I told Keith to email it to me so I could post it but NO - he had to put it on his blog already. Have I received it yet?? NO!
He has so quickly proven his insatiable thirst for the "get even spirit".
By the way, I thought it was also interesting that he felt "led" to post his reply on his own turf instead of commenting on my blog. I guess it takes real strength to face issues head on. I have tried diligently to post this comment on his blog but he has so many blocks, etc there that I wasn't successful. Between having to reenter my password time and time again and having to type some kind of weird word, I just realized that all my efforts were totally in vain.

and more photos

Here's the love of my life! She's amazing!

Well, there's a small view into our family. I'm sure there will be more to come. I'm a blessed man - I love my family!

Still Here

Yea, I'm still here in the world of blogging. Thanks to everyone who actually visited the site and responded- it's great to hear from people I've known for years but have somewhat lost contact with. I must say that it seems like some people do spend a lot of time blogging and surfing and everything else associated with a screen and keys - what do they do for a living? I guess I can see how it would be addicting.



Hey, people have been telling me to say hi to Diane - I'm going to post some pics in a later post but she has the camera with her at work that has the recent ones on it. In the meantime, here's one of the kids.

I told you that it was only fair for me to have equal time with Keith's blog. Let me explain this: Keith is the Liberty "geek" and has his laptop with him just about for every trip. He also is the first to take Royce's camera and any other camera that he can get hold of and download all of the pictures from the evening. He then makes his selections very carefully (meaning he takes the worst of us and the best of him) and posts them to his blog. So, one of my missions with this site is to show you that Keith has been biased (to make him look good) and I need to unashamedly share the whole truth! This picture is one from this last weekend in LaPine, OR and he is doing his normal, stage enhancing performance of some song. This is Keith at his finest! My only regret is, I don't have a clearer picture to share with you. Rest assured, my quest for photos shall go on - it's my obligation! Maybe, just maybe someone out there has a picture or two from Keith's history that they could email to me - I would love to share them. My address is dritchey@clearwire.net

Hello World

I’ve tried this once before with very little success. Not because something was wrong with the site - it was perfectly fine. I managed to do one post back in January of 2006 and then I stopped blogging. Oh well, here goes another effort.

I travel with Liberty Quartet based out of Boise, ID and another one of the guys (a certain bald tenor who shall remain nameless) has a blog and he posts anything he wants and shares pictures of the rest of us to his disgression. I’m thinking that a little equal time is necessary so I’m exploring the blogging world once again.

I’m finding that the best things in life are the ones you take the time to appreciate and enjoy. There’s always things to do - a person can occupy themself with busy work all day long - but, there’s nothing like spending time with your family. One of my favorite things to do is just to be with my wife and kids making memories, laughing together, and playing. I’m definitely finding that if my family is happy, I’m pretty content.

Well, we (Liberty Quartet) just finished our Eastern Tour. We were able to take in NQC for the first time in Louisville, KY - that was a great experience. I got to spend time with my family in Virgina ( they drove from PA), my inlaws in Kentucky, and a great pastor friend in Ohio. In spite of all the fun, I’m really glad to be home for the weekend. I absolutely love going to church with my family and worshipping with my wife beside me!

Well, stop by and say hi
Later