March 1, 2025 held a great evening in the course of my little life. I was super proud to be a part of Kyle Smith’s album release show at a new all ages venue in south Fort Wayne which he helps run. The bill was K. Edward Smith with full band, Sanchez Agency, and Tom & The Adam Sons.

I had the chance to play in all three sets. My sons and I did a short opening act with a few originals and two classic alternative covers – “Where is My Mind (Pixies)” and “1979” (Smashing Pumpkins). Last September, Sam, Zeke, and I went to see Green Day at Tiger Stadium in Detroit, the Pumkins opened and 1000s of fans sang along to 1979, and here we were playing it in a small room of 30 people or so, including my sister and nephews (Penny too!), two of my best college friends, some of Sam’s college friends, and Zeke’s friends too.

I was excited for Kyle’s players and friends to hear Sanchez Agency, and vice versa. Both are jewels in the crown of respective crowns: Goshen and Fort Wayne, just 90 miles apart. I was especially happy that Kyle’s go to trio, Sam Sheppard (Flying V) and Nathan (Upright bass) enjoyed the other bands too because I’ve enjoyed getting to know them and play shows with them over the last year.

For me and for Erik and John and Elizabeth, not just the covers I played gave the show a 90s feel. We had all done a ton of all ages shows in our day at DIY church halls and Christian coffee houses. Pettit Chapel is not a “Christian” venue, but it is in a Lutheran Church building and a small congregation supports it and hopes people are blessed and empowered by its existance. It really reminded me of Guido’s Cafe which was in the Muncie Alliance Church near Ball State in the late 90s/early 00s; where M.Cotu and or I played a lot. A bit of a time warp, where my sons were doing the same I did when I was their age, and we collectively kicked ass, “put sole to the donkey” and Duwayne and I used to say back then.

The boys and I are hoping to cut a single this year and maybe play a few more times and get more polished. We rocked, but were rough, but the potential is there, and it makes me proud.