I rather enjoyed by last visit to my hometown on August 10, performing at the East End Coffee House, held at the Ascension Lutheran Church on Shelbyville Road, just past the Snyder Freeway.

Yes, that was the same area and weekend as the PGA tournament at Valhalla.

Yes, that was the same weekend as Strassenfest.

Yes, that was the same weekend as the St. Joseph Picnic.

Do I know how to pick 'em or what?

Despite the competition from these events, John Gage and I had a respectable gathering. Some came from as far away as St. Louis to hear us, actually, and I don't understand why I've yet to play their city.

It was also great to see former editor of Louisville Music News, Jean Metcalfe, as well as part-time writer and reviewer, Wally Stewart.

Does this sound like shameless self-promotion, folks? Well, maybe it is, but then maybe it's just because I've been in a rather comfortable place with myself lately. It's so good to see familiar faces of fans who are also friends for the most part, still coming out to see and hear me after twenty-four-and-a-half years of being a full-time singer and songwriter. Yes, 1997 will make the Silver Anniversary of Alan Rhody, the art school graduate who was drafted at the start of the Vietnam War, left the service after six months and moved with his family to Canada, where his music career started.

I held a day job while beginning to play out and even recorded somewhat. Still, it was 1972 before I made the move to being a full-time musician.

Anyway, John Gage, our fair size crowd and I had a very special evening and, if you weren't there – your loss.

A special thanks to David Lundahl, who said it would be the last show for him in the coffee house series he started a few years back. David has accepted a new position our West and will be leaving the Louisville area sometime this month. He says someone will try to keep the series going and I hope he's right, for everyone's sake. Thanks again, David.

Speaking of series of events and years of working at what one loves, another little milestone will be coming up in about a month or so and I want to give everyone fair warning. The Roadman will be hitting the big five-oh in October and I plan on bringing a few of my Nashville songwriter and musician friends up to help me celebrate, as well as some Louisville cohorts. It'll probably be at my favorite haunt, The Rudyard Kipling. It'll probably be on October 10, start around 6:30 p.m. and offer Kentucky burgoo and Southern cornbread. It'll definitely be a great time.

Part of the proceeds will go to the Maurice L. Kohnhorst Foundation. This is an organization set up by my sister Sarah, and her soon-to-be-husband Eric Faber, in our Dad's name, to install a memorial rose garden on the grounds of Kentucky Children's Home in Lyndon on LaGrange Road. My father was Superintendent there for over ten years. It'll not only be a beautiful and lasting memory of a man who spent his life helping others, but it will also be a great educational, hands-on opportunity for the children at K.C.H., as well as any of the public who care to donate time or money to keep it in shape. Not to mention the peace of mind and contemplative space it will bring to many.

The Maurice L. Kohnhorst Memorial Rose Garden will be officially dedicated on Sunday afternoon, September 29. For more information or to send a donation, write: The Maurice L. Kohnhorst Foundation, P. O. Box 6476, Louisville, KY 40206.

Hope to see you at the rose garden dedication, folks. Whether you make it or not, I hope to see you at my 50th Birthday Bash! Stay tuned for details in October's Louisville Music News.

A couple of personal parting shots: John, I still have your tuning gear turner. Jean, you don't look anywhere near your age. Wally, you do, but that's all right. Larry [Davenport, Gage's bass player], you played superbly.

Till next time, everyone. Adíos.