July 19, 2000            #1 Welcome to our first newsletter! We hope to send out a brief communique monthly to update you, our friends, on the "latest" developments in (our professional writing/performing entity). Some tidbits: LEE'S MUSICAL ITINERARY THROUGH JULY AND AUGUST: July 23 -- Asbury United Methodist Church, Prairie Village, KS 913-432-5573 (a.m.) Pleasanton UMC, Pleasanton, KS 913-352-8752 (p.m.) July 30 -- Concord United Methodist Church, Roxboro, NC 336-599-7630 (a.m.) Hayes Barton UMC, Raleigh, NC 919-832-6435 (p.m.) Aug. 6 -- Lancaster UMC, Lancaster, CA 661-942-0419 (a.m.) Shepherd of the Hills UMC, Monterey Park, CA 626-573-1240 (4p.m.) Aug. 19 -- Mountain View UMC, Mountain View, MO 417-934-2155 (p.m.) Aug. 20 -- Forsyth UMC, Forsyth, MO (a.m.) and (mid-afternoon) Theodosia UMC, Theodosia, MO 417-273-4312 (p.m.) Aug. 27 -- First UMC, Hartselle, AL 256-773-6952 (a.m. and p.m.) LEE ON THE RADIO Lee recently had the honor of being a guest on Nashville radio station WSM's "Opry Star Spotlight" (650-AM). He and Willie (Lee's son) first appeared in May. Willie played bass. Great fun! The next appearance was June 9 with Kathy Mattea and James Dean Hicks. Tomorrow night (Thurs./Fri.) Lee will again be the guest songwriter/singer. The 50,000-watt flagship station of the Grand Ole Opry can be heard throughout the U.S. and Canada, and is broadcast on the Internet at www.wsmonline.com. The show airs between midnight and 5 a.m. Get that coffee perkin' and stay up late. LEE RECEIVES A DOVE AWARD (WELL, SORTA KINDA!!) Lee is honored that the song "Howard Gray" was included on The Bishops' album, "Kentucky Bluegrass," which recently received a Dove Award from the Gospel Music Association as the bluegrass gospel album of the year. Howard's story continues to reach many hearts and we are deeply grateful for that. Please continue to keep Howard in your prayers. As many of you know, he lives in Topeka, KS and has been very ill these past months. NORMA FULL-TIME EAST ROW-ER Business is booming and Norma has retired from the outside world for the 3rd time to help Lee. In addition to making coffee and washing underwear, she is organizing the business as she pursues her own writing and speaking career. KEEPING-IT-SIMPLE SPIRITUALITY (Lee and Norma's current routine and suggestions:) THE ARTIST'S WAY,by Julia Cameron (Lee) I'D RATHER BE WRITING,by Marcia Golub (Norma) WHITE SOUL,by Tex Sample (Lee) THEOLOGICAL WORLDS,by W. Paul Jones (Lee) THE SEAT OF THE SOUL,by Gary Zukav (Norma) Well, that's it for now, folks. Next time we hope to have a couple of exciting new developments to report. No, Lee is NOT running for public office again anytime soon. He likes to think of himself as a politician in permanent exile. Take care and keep in touch. Anyone not wishing to receive this newsletter should just let us know. As the old Bartles and James commercial used to say, "We appreciate your support." Top of Page