NEWSLETTER #121
by Wendel Werner

           
HELLO AND WELCOME TO THE WENDEL WERNER NEWSLETTER #121

Alright...right out of the gate we have big news. TWO NEW CDS COMING OUT IN THE NEXT TWO MONTHS!!!


First..."LIVE AT MOONDOLLARS CAFE VOL. I" This is the first of three volumes of music recorded throughout the month of June 2009. This album is an overview of what you might get at a Wendel performance. The other volumes will be more specific. (Volume II is gospel stuff and volume III is bluesy stuff.) It will be released on December 19th with the cd release celebration at Moondollars cafe (of course!!!) in Oliver Springs. There will be a performance that night from 8pm-10pm. The usual cover charge of $5 will apply. (I'll have other singers with me. They need to be paid, too.) But we will have the cds on sale that night for the first time. Please reserve december 19th as the time to get the new Wendel recording...or perhaps buy several as a way to torture your friends for Christmas. Either way, I'm quite excited to see the first of the trilogy finally becoming a reality.


Second..."Nothing Personal." This is the jazz piano trio recording with drummer Tim Paul, bassist Dave Slack, and me. The release party and concert will be on Saturday January 23, 2010 at Bill Jones Music on Kingston Pike here in Knoxville, Tn. The concert will special guests such as saxophonist Terry Schmidt and there will be a reception after the concert. Now, everyone needs to be aware that the people at Bill Jones Music have decided to publicize the event through all of their media, including the use of their mailing lists, in conjunction with how we usually publicize. Their mailing list consists of over 500 people. SOOO...they are asking that everyone make reservations if you are planning on coming. They prefer that you call Tina, their marketing manager at (865)690-64665 or e-mail her at tina@billjonesmusic.com. Either way, please reserve this date: January 23, 2010 at 7pm. Come be a part of this celebration as well.


Third...it's the Christmas season. That means it's time for the "Wendel-Destroys-All-Christmas-Songs" Concert. This year's concert is on Friday December 11 at 7:30pm. Again, Trinity United Methodist has opened up their church for me to have this concert. And, like usual, the concert comes with a warning: IF YOU LIKE YOUR CHRISTMAS MUSIC DONE TRADITIONALLY, THEN DO NOT COME. You WILL NOT hear a single holiday song done in it's traditional form. I think that's a fair warning. This year, we are asking everyone to help with the Hand up for Women organization. This is an organization that helps women that areon the street and gives them to tools to be able to work and gain independence. What these women need are gift cards...to anywhere. The organization will then pass them out to the clients that fits the needs of the given card. Anything like this that can be donated would be greatly appreciated.


Alright, it's the month of December. You know what that means?

Wendel-overload!!! .



TUESDAY DECEMBER 1, 2009
THE UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE CHORAL CONCERT
COX AUDITORIUM
8PM
This will be the first time in over 10 years that the UT Singers have performed in the choral department's Christmas concert. At the same time, I've heard several of the other choirs in their rehearsals. This is going to be a great concert of choral music. Come support all of us.

FRIDAY DECEMBER 4, 2009
THE WALTERS STATE COMMUNITY COLLEGE CHIRSTMAS CONCERT
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH in MORRSTOWN, TN.
7:30pm
Right after the UT concert, then you can come to the city of Morristown and hear what Walters State has to offer. I direct the Womens Choir here. in recent rehearsals, the ladies informed ME that there are certain things THEY want to do in this upcoming performance. I agreed. Want to know what those things are? Come to morristown.



SATURDAY DECEMBER 5, 2009
THE WENDEL BAND feat: KATY FREE, JENNA LICKLITER, DANIELLE MADISON and OLGA POWERS
MOONDOLLARS CAFE in OLIVER SPRINGS, TN.
8PM-10PM
$5
We are here THREE TIMES this month. But this will be the first time we are working in some holiday material. Either way, if you've seen this group already, you know that it's difficult to say what is going to happen throughout the course of a performance. You will not be disappointed. The Wendel Band always presents a fun evening.



TUESDAY DECEMBER 8, 2009
HARDIN VALLEY ACADEMY and KNOXVILLE CHILDREN'S CHOIR CONCERT
HARDIN VALLEY ACADEMY
7PM
$5
I am the accompanist for both these groups. Lucky for me, they performing on the same night.


THURSDAY DECEMBER 10, 2009
GIBBS HIGH SCHOOL CHORAL CONCERT
GIBBS HIGH SCHOOL
7pm
$5
I am the accompanist for this choral program as well. Seems that I'm touring the high school circuit this week, huh?



FRIDAY DECEMBER 11, 2009
THE ANNUAL WENDEL-DESTROYS-ALL-CHRISTMAS-SONGS CONCERT
fundraiser for the Hand Up For Women organization
TRINTY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
7:30PM
as a donation, please bring gift cards to any local business.
cards will be given to clients that fit the needs of the given card.

It's that time of year again. You are getting tired of all the happy Christmas songs. You are ready for sarcasm again. I'm your man. And this is your concert. I will have several special guests on this concert: Sheryl howard, Katy Free, Jenna Lickliter, Danielle Madison, Olga Powers....that's just SOME of them. Those of you that have watched this performance grow, you know what's in store. Those that don't know, you really SHOULD know. Come hear what CAN be done to these songs.

Last year, we took in money and clothing for Storehouse Ministries. This year, the organization we are helping is Hand Up for Women. They have asked for gift cards that can be given to their clients. Anything from gift cards for gas or groceries to gift cards to Walmart or Target. As a donation, this is what we are asking.



TUESDAY DECEMBER 15, 2009
BAKER-PETERS JAZZ CLUB
JASON THOMPSON w/DAVE SLACK, ALONZO LEWIS, CHAD VOLKERS, and WENDEL WERNER
7pm
free
Yes, I know. I said I was going to be here last month and it turned out to not be true. BUT I REALLY AM THERE ON THE 15TH THIS TIME!!! I've been away for more than a month. Come help me celebrate coming back!!



THURSDAY DECEMBER 17, 2009
SUSHI SPOT in POWELL, TN.
6:30PM-9:30PM
Again, I've been away for awhile but I'm back as of this date with sax player Jason Thompson and drummer Alonzo Lewis.

FRIDAY DECEMBER 18, 2009
THE COUNTRY CLUB in MORRISTOWN, TN.
6PM-10PM
This is my last appearance at the Country Club for the year. Should you be a member, please come down for what LOOKS like really good food. (I've never eaten there. They ALWAYS offer but, by the time I'm through, I'm ready to drive home.) I promise to play some holiday music...just not in a traditional form.



SATURDAY DECEMBER 19, 2009
CD RELEASE PARTY AT MOONDOLLARS CAFE in OLIVER SPRINGS, TN.
THE RELEASE OF "LIVE AT MOONDOLLARS CAFE, VOL. I"
w/Katy Free, Jenna Lickliter, Danielle Madison, and Olga Powers
8pm-10pm
$5 cover

FINALLY!!!! THE FIRST OF THE THREE LIVE ALBUMS ARE HERE!!!!! This will be the first time you can get one. Come on down to Oliver Springs and celebrate with us.



MONDAY DECEMBER 21, 2009
WENDEL WERNER CHRISTMAS CONCERT at WALTERS STATE COMMUNITY COLLEGE
MORRISTOWN, TN.
fundraiser for the WSCC choir trip to New York this Spring
w/special guests Gabbi Ambrose, Katy Free, Jenna Lickliter, Danielle Madison, Olga Powers, Laura Ritter, and others.
7:30pm

The money rasied from donations at this concert are all going to help the Walters State Choral Students get to New York this Spring. Getting them back? We aren't so concerned about that. I've done Christmas concerts at Walters State every year for the past few years but this one will be a lot different. NUMEROUS SPECIAL GUESTS. Come see what I do with them!!



TUESDAY DECEMBER 22, 2009
BAKER-PETERS JAZZ CLUB
7PM-10PM
FREE
Again, I'm here with bassist Dave Slack, drummer Alonzo Lewis, guitarist Chad Volkers, and leader Jason Thompson. Jason has a Christmas album that is available. I'm sure if you ask him nicely, he'll sell you one.



SATURDAY DECEMBER 26, 2009
the WENDEL BAND at MOONDOLLARS CAFE in OLIVER SPRINGS, TN.
w/Katy Free, Jenna Lickliter, Danielle Madison, and Olga Powers
8pm-10pm
$5 cover

I'll have the new album with me. I'll have these fine singers with me. What we're missing is a cool audience. Bring your family members...you know, the ones that are still in town and are making you wonder what to do with them. We'll take them for a couple of hours.

TUESDAY DECEMBER 29, 2009
BAKER-PETERS JAZZ CLUB
7PM-10PM
FREE
Again, I'm here with Dave, Alonzo, Chad, and Jason. Bring leftover turkey...and leftover family.


Okay...other stuff:

*The jazz piano trio album by Tim Paul, Dave Slack, and myself called "Nothing Personal" will be released on January 23, 2010. We are celebrating with a concert at Bill Jones Music at 7pm that evening. Desserts will be served during the reception folloing the concert.


*I'll be oerforming with organist Bill Snyder January 4, 2010 on his Mighty Music Monday concert. I'm his featured guest. We haven't decided what we are doing yet. But I wouldn't tell you anyway. Can't spoil the surprise.


*The next Hand Up for Women concert will be on January 31, 2010 at Trinity United Mthodist Church at 6pm. If you attended the last one at Graystone Presbyterian, then know that this one will be bigger.



Alright, I think that's it. Well, except for the fact that I'm leaving out all the Sunday services and the Christmas Eve services that I'm doing at my church, Graystone Presbyterian. You are welcome to visit anytime.



Thank you for your support and PLEASE have a blessed holiday season.

Wendel