Fred and Andrew, along with Andrew's mother Carol, recently returned from the Western United States, having spent most of January performing for enthusiastic audiences in Washington, California and Utah.

The Duo's first stop was in Raymond, WA, a small town two hours from Seattle. Andrew and Fred performed for an appreciative audience at the Raymond Theatre, a building on the National Register of Historic Places. The Duo was warmly welcomed, enjoying home-baked cookies and local smoked oysters before the show! Thank you to Virginia Carlson of Sunday Afternoon Live, and all who assisted in making this concert a reality.

After staying the night at the historic Tokeland Hotel in Tokeland, WA, Andrew and Carol set off down the coast, heading for San Diego. Fred spent some time visiting relatives in Seattle before flying to CA.

The next date on the tour was in Poway, CA. Ebony & Ivory made an afternoon appearance at the Remington Club, playing a shorter program for an audience of senior citizens, and then were joined in the evening by Chris Golden, bass, and Frank Briggs, drums, for their show at the Poway Center for the Performing Arts. Thank you to Renee Bloom, CD Sales; Garrett Moreau, Chief Engineer, Poway Center; Donna Howat, Remington Club; Lynda Jefferies, Hospitality; Marty Mathios; Leona Janis, Flowers; Irv Sherman; and Leon Bloom, President, Bernardo Concerts Association.

Another couple of travel days brought the tour van to Ukiah, CA. With a bit of time for sightseeing, the travelers visited the Grace Hudson Museum, a site honoring the life and work of the well-known artist. The Duo's evening concert took place at Ukiah High School before an enthusiastic audience. Thanks to the following: John Beatty, Sound; Steve Wilson, Lighting; Jarrod & Heidi McNaughton, Reception; George Husaruk, President; and the board of the Ukiah Community Concert Association.

The Duo's next destination was Yreka, CA, just a few miles from the Oregon state line. With a free day on their hands, the threesome spent several hours hiking in the mountains of Greenhorn Park. The weather was gorgeous, and the exercise a welcome change from sitting in the van!

The next day brought no fewer than three concerts for the Duo: morning and afternoon appearances for groups of schoolchildren, and then an evening concert at Yreka Community Theater. Many thanks to the following for making Yreka such an enjoyable place in which to visit and perform: Mary Ellen Bryan, Event Coordinator; Cheri & Bob Evanhoe, Posters/Tickets; Kathleen Kennedy, Publicity; M.E. Bryan, Yreka Chamber of Commerce (Mark Dean, Ex. Dir.), Nature's Kitchen, Ticket Sales; Joan Favero, Database; Virginia Parks, Membership; Michael Bray, Webmaster; Daniel Girdner, Program Layout; M.E. Bryan, V. Parks, Ethel Berryhill, Program; Eddie Harris, Promotion; D. Girdner, Steve Leal, Photographers; Michael Tyrer, Suzanne Breceda, Judi Washington, Maxine Hurley, Gerrie Cramer, E. Harris, House Staff; J. Washington, CD Sales; M. Hurley, Eleanor & Jane Collier, Presentation; Ingelore Weinberg, Hospitality; Tana Gliatto (Chairperson), G. Cramer, J. Favero, June Girdner, Lenora & Dwaine Lawrence, Carol Medrano, Sheryl Rooks, Dwala Smith, M. Hurley, J. Washington, Reception; Jeff Shinn, James Goldworthy, Sound & Lighting; Gerilee Shinn, Decorations; Barry Ohlund, D. Girdner, Printing; Kim Presley, M.E. Bryan, Educational Component.

The final stop on the tour was St. George, UT, where the Duo performed two concerts for the Celebrity Concert Series at Dixie State College. Once again, the Duo was joined by Chris Golden and Frank Briggs on bass and drums, respectively. The capacity crowds greatly enjoyed the performances, and CD sales were brisk. Thank you to Gail Bunker, Concert Manager, and all who assisted with these performances. Ebony & Ivory felt right at home in St. George!

For a more complete account of Ebony & Ivory's Western Tour, plus many more pictures, read Andrew's Tour Diary!