CELEBRATION OF LIFE MEMORIAL SERVICE

Saturday April 14th '18

Longtime Ventures fan STEPHEN PEEPLES uploaded 'full video'
of this wonderful presentation to YOUTUBE (4/16/18) for fans 'The
World Over' to view.   It's 'so moving' throughout- heartfelt thoughts
from dozens, sprinkled amongst many musical tributes from his peers!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lUoQEm4y5zQ

On behalf of all our members, Walt & I thank you 'immensely' STEPHEN!

This will be our TENTH year holding the event & last year,
we used the heading FANS OF THE VENTURES on the front
of the keepsake 'commemorative program!'   Planning to do
the same this year.

The theme for the gathering come October is:   
NOKIE EDWARDS REMEMBERED.

Hopefully, many of you were able to catch 'the current lineup'
on tour in late January or more recently over a mid-March
weekend in Utah.   Now's the time to get behind 'the guys' &
help them continue the legacy of THE VENTURES.   During the
recent tour, a couple penned articles appeared locally.   'Great
reading' on both, chocked full of direct & sincere remarks from
Bob Spalding & Leon Taylor.   The best line went something like
this:   "We plan to stick as closely as possible to the DYNAMIC
SOUND co-founders Don Wilson & Bob Bogle 'perfected' early on,
then nurtured throughout five decades!   We're aware that even
some of 'the stalwart fans' have made remarks stating 'there are
no original members left' & that 'at this point, they're a tribute
band at best' but we don't see it that way- we want to continue
the legacy of THE VENTURES MUSIC!"     

& tho I managed to snare both Bob & Leon for the 2011 fest, I
think this is the year I nab all four of them.   Yes, I'm including
Bob's son Ian, along with their new bassist Lucas Griffin.   Have
been told by their booking manager- Ryan Greenblatt that they'll
try to 'tie-in' a fest appearance with another batch of East Coast
concert dates.   

In closing, please consider joining us for this rip-roaring (12) hour
event celebrating the 'infectious sounds' of THE VENTURES, offered
up in tribute by some of their biggest fans.   Cover charge for the day
is $60 & includes breakfast, lunch & dinner.   

Below is this year's version of the FEST ID CARD!   

Yes sir- you are absolutely right.   Nice to see.   'Most likely'
the first of many.   Billboard also ran a nice article titled 'the
(10) most influential Ventures songs!'   I posted it to my regular
facebook page!   

Thanx so much for posting this Walt.   

I feel as tho since late last year, the writing seemed to
be 'on the wall' as complications from surgery in Dec.
first reared their ugly head.   

Seems as tho the site has been forgotten of late.   Now
that THE VENTURES have started workin' again in The States,
I for one expected quite an uptick in posts in '18.   I'm still waitin.'   
C'mon- let's get behind 'the new lineup' & really hop back onboard this
'continuing legacy' quest since Don Wilson retired a few years back.   I'm
sure more than a handful of our members have had the thrill of catching a recent
concert or two, yet there are no reviews here.   I know 'you guys' have got it in ya!!!

Please be 'more specific' so I can
answer your question!

If you're wondering when 'the next'
fan fest is, it's scheduled for Saturday
October 6th!   More details down the road.

LOL- Always good gettin' an immediate response,
even if it's one that's 'mocking' in nature!   But I
do understand- I'm an easy target!

Thanx for thinking of us Howard.   As it turned out, we had
our 'best fest weather' ever that I can remember going back
more than several years.   "As you know, it's 'usually' damp &
dreary, with light rain & temperatures in the 60's.   For the send
off breakfast today, we're also 'good to go.'   Perhaps, what you're
viewing on the wearther charts, isn't due here 'til the beginning of the
coming week!   

Our jammers hope all is going well with 'you guys' there!

NOTED GUITARIST LES FRADKIN has now weighed in with
his 'featured set' for FAN FEST '17!

Tentatively scheduled for 7:30 PM, Les will be backed by
members of THE PICKNIKS who hail from the Cleveland
area of Ohio!

DAY AT THE BEACH
BODY SURFIN'
BOMBORA
DISINTEGRATION
REVERBIA
WALK THE NOSE
KICK SAND
CRASHING WAVES
PIPELINE
JOURNEY TO THE STARS
APACHE
DIAMOND HEAD
I FEEL FINE
SLAUGHTER ON TENTH AVENUE
TELSTAR
WALK, DON'T RUN '64