One of the wonderful privileges of working with and meeting so many persons over the years is the opportunity to part of special moments in their lives.  These occasions may be the celebration of marriage, a new child, a fishing trip, friends and family gathered together – and yes, also getting that phone call that someone we have spent a good deal of time with as a client and friend will soon be leaving this earthly dwelling.  Such was the case last week when I heard from Melvin Cullum’s family.

About 11 years ago Melvin and his friend, Pat Langdon, came to Tesco Productions to complete a compilation project entitled “the tales of…  TWO GUN PETE”.  My colleague at the time, Jon Guggenheim, engineered the recording and mastering and we all became good friends over time.  I’ve stayed in touch with Melvin over the years with calls and visits.  One of the last times we were together he was singing one of many, many songs he wrote that have gone with him – some of which were never performed or heard.  So Jon was the first to get my call that Melvin was soon leaving us.  Today Pat and I attended his homecoming celebration.

Melvin Cullum has concluded “Headin’ Down the Home Stretch” (final CD cut), and knew he was ready to cross his finish line.  Our sincere love and care to his family.  Thank you, Melvin, for sharing your God-given talents and joy of life with us all.

Jon adds, “I was saddened to hear of Melvin’s passing.  Not only did he have a beautiful voice, he had a beautiful spirit.  Both came through in his music.   I’ll try to view his passing through ‘Rose-Colored Glasses’ [CD cut].  He will live on in the songs he left behind.”

Dan Holtz is a Nebraskan through and through.  Several years ago he and a few friends recorded 18 traditional and original songs, complete with stories about Nebraska’s pioneering and settlement days.  This week he returned along with Jeff Barker, who also was a part of the first CD, to record “Sail Away”.  The song celebrates the annual migration of the sandhills cranes through Nebraska.  Dan writes from first-hand experience of seeing this amazing spectacle.  If you’re a Nebraska history buff or would like more information on Dan’s latest song drop me an email or call and I’ll put you in touch with him.

Well I’ve long said there’s no two days alike around here (which generally is a good thing), but this month was quite out of the ordinary.  The second week found me setting up sound for the annual Desert Ministries Christmas program held at the Double Tree Hotel, downtown Omaha.  “Christmas In Our Hearts” has been presented the past 11 years.  The concert showcases a variety of performers who give residents of nursing home and extended care facilities the opportunity to attend a real Christmas performance.  Paul Falkowski, director of Desert Ministries, spear-heads the event each year.  The outreach of Desert Ministries touches countless lives through its daily programs, activities, and training for care-givers.  I encourage you to take a look at their website for volunteer opportunities and other ways you can be involved.

Upon coming back to the studio and unloading some sound gear, I repacked some install equipment and tools and headed out to a relative’s place to finish installing a sound system in their cattle sale barn.  It’d been quite some time since I experienced the clamor of a live auction, but it brought back some good memories of childhood days with my dad at the local sale barn.  Winter’s first blizzard put a crimp in the schedule, causing a two day postponement.  But everyone heard the auctioneer and sales manager the day of the sale, and even the cattle were entertained by speakers above the cattle holding areas.

Oh, did I mention it was an unusual month?