Coachmen Newsletter - March 2008

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IN THIS ISSUE

Introduction
- 3rd Annual Cruising with the Coachmen Scheduled
- Planned Coachmen Concert DVD Release
- Old Hymns Recording Planned
- Staunton’s Praise in the Park
- Bob Campbell Running for Council
- Coachmen CD’s For Sale

Hello from The Coachmen!

Amazingly, it has been nearly 5 months since our last update. Since that newsletter, we have recorded our first live concert video which will be released in the spring, successfully pulled-off the “Christmas with the Coachmen” 2007 tour, and hosted our second annual “Cruising with the Coachmen” trip throughout the Western Caribbean. We have simply been busy and a demanding 2008 is developing quickly. We’ll be speaking more in this newsletter about our recent activities and upcoming plans. We hope that 2008 has been good to you we hope to see you during our travels this year.

In Christian love,
Pete, Bob, John, and Chris

3rd Annual Cruising with the Coachmen Scheduled

Download Cruise Flier (PDF)

In February, we joined Select Tours and Norwegian Cruise Lines aboard the Norwegian Majesty for a 7-day cruise throughout the Western Caribbean, our second annual. We performed 4 shows during trip, each to a filled audience in our quaint 300-seat theater. This year, the schedule included a rather impromptu performance on a day that the ship was unable to dock due to extremely bad weather. What a “rocking” show that was, literally! We have come to find that these cruises are often loaded with fans of Southern and Americana gospel music and entertainment. It is an awesome way to entertain for a secular audience and still bring forth the message of our song. The 3rd annual “Cruising with the Coachmen” is scheduled for May 31 – June 6th, 2009. It will depart from Norfolk, VA and embark aboard the Carnival Triumph for a 6-day Bahamas cruise. Cabin prices for 2 people range from $1,720 - $2,320 depending on the type of cabin booked (e.g., inside, ocean view, or balcony). The price includes your cruise, port charges, government taxes and round trip motor coach between Staunton and Norfolk. If interested, please contact:
Select Tours c/o Fay Davis:
PO Box 734, Churchville, VA 24421
540.337.7240, fdselectours@aol.com

Planned Coachmen Concert DVD Release

Last November, Anderson Productions and Atomic Sound and Media from Virginia Beach joined us for a special Coachmen concert at Clifford Baptist Church in Amherst, VA. This church is one of our favorites and provided the perfect set for a concert video. The recorded show provided the footage for our new promotional video and concert DVD. The promotional video provides a brief overview of who we are, where we’ve been, and where we are heading. It is narrated by Chris and includes many unique images of the Coachmen throughout its history, in additional to segments from the live concert. The full concert DVD predominantly includes our original material, following our Americana gospel format along with a brief Christmas segment. The videos look great and we are so excited about their release in the spring of 2008. They will be available for sale through our website, at our live shows, and at select retail outlets. Thanks to Mike Fitzgerald and his staff and congregation at Clifford Baptist for arranging for us to shoot the video there.

Old Hymns Recording Planned

For several years now, we have considered producing a collection of the old hymns we grew up singing as children. On our recent Caribbean cruise, we opened up our concerts to audience requests and amazingly, most of the requests were to sing the old hymns (i.e., Amazing Grace, Old Rugged Cross, Just a Closer Walk, Have a Little Talk with Jesus, etc.). This really brought to light for us the interest in the old songs. Accordingly, we are planning to make this our next CD and will likely go to work on this project in late summer, so stayed tuned for further updates on the Old Hymns Project.

Bob Campbell Running for Council

This is a section solely intended for our hometown followers. As many of you may know, our bass singer Bob Campbell is running for Staunton City Council; elections will be held in May. It is funny, last year Bob was running from the Council, now he’s running for it! It just doesn’t make sense! In all seriousness, if you wish to see critical change take place in the City of Staunton and are at all concerned about local taxes, we highly suggest that you visit the polls in May and cast your vote for Bob. This is a role that he has considered for quite some time and carries a high degree of passion for. Bob and The Coachmen would appreciate your support!

Staunton’s Praise in the Park

For five years now, we have participated in a summer concert series in our hometown billed as “Praise in the Park”. This weekly concert is held at our local municipal park and we are always one of the acts scheduled for the kick-off of the event. In past years, we have had the opportunity to share the stage with such groups as The Isaacs, The Crabb Family, and the Mike Bowling Group, all highly acclaimed artists in the gospel music industry. This year we will be opening for INO Records artists “Echoing Angels”. The young group is one of the hot acts in Christian music and is most known for their 2007 hit “You Alone”. Nothing Fancy, a great VA bluegrass act will also be performing along with many other groups that day. The Praise in the Park kick-off will be held on Sunday June 29th. It is followed by a weekly Tuesday evening concert series throughout the summer. This event is ever growing; the 2007 kick-off brought out well over 2,000 people and the 2008 kick-off is expect to be even larger. Accordingly, if you are looking for a great day of music and entertainment, come join us on June 29th at Gypsy Hill Park in Staunton, VA. We’d like to send our appreciation to Linden Heights Baptist Church for sponsoring this concert series.

Coachmen CD’s For Sale

Arise (2007) – The Coachmen’s third compilation, considered by many critics their most original and diverse to-date. Popular original songs include Chris Campbell’s ‘Arise’ and Bob Campbell’s ‘Sandlot Hero’, in addition to covers of ‘He Walked on Water’, ‘Wonderful Time Up There’, ‘Oh Shenandoah’, and ‘Everyday Will Be Sunday’.

Going Home (2005) – The Coachmen’s sophomore recording effort, which shows a more advanced Coachmen in terms of their vocal, musical, and songwriting style. Popular original songs include Bob Campbell’s ‘Three Roses’ and Chris Campbell’s ‘When the Eagle Flies’, in addition to covers of ‘Long Black Train’, ‘Love Can Build a Bridge’, ‘Back Home Again’, ‘Thanks to Calvary’, and ‘God on the Mountain.’

This Old House (2004) – The Coachmen’s first CD as an Americana Gospel group. Popular original songs include Chris Campbell’s ‘I Pledge My Allegiance to the Cross’ and Bob Campbell’s ‘Home Sweet Home Virginia’, in addition to covers of ‘This Old House’, ‘The Baptism of Jesse Taylor’, ‘The Fourth Man’, and ‘Sweet Beulah Land.’

Christmas with the Coachmen (2007) – After years of requests, the Coachmen released a Christmas project in 2007 comprised of many of their sacred and secular holiday favorites. This CD is reminiscent of their live Christmas shows and was recorded as a live set. From “Let It Snow” to “Do You Hear What I Hear” to “Til’ the Season Comes ‘Round Again”, the collection includes something for everyone.

To order CD’s or tapes, visit the Coachmen online store or contact the Coachmen directly.

See the Coachmen's schedule for updates