Journal entry for: 12-9-2003

Well, it's been over a year since we've played together. I miss the guys a lot. Yesterday Andrew came down to Columbia, Tennessee where I live (Mark). He played Christmas songs with my band of youth students at my church. Almost made me cry looking across the stage and seeing my brother again...makes me miss the other 3. Andy is now touring with Caedmon's Call and producing records. He has four shows left this year...then he is home throughout the new year. Cason is in Puerto Rico playing with some country chick. I guess he is touring army bases throughout the world. I just called him on his birthday and talked to him for the first time in months. BJ moved back to Normal, IL (actually Morton, IL) and is working at a studio/design firm in Peoria, IL. Mike Taquino may have the coolest job of us all...he's a cop in Alabama. As for me...well, my wife and I are expecting our first baby on July 4, 2004! A little Lockett will soon be rocking the house! I own a web design business called Creative Sites Media. I love it, but really miss The Normals.

When are we going to play again? I don't know. The legistics of getting everyone together from 3 different states (and 2 different countries...Cason) is quite complicated. When are we going to record again? Soon...very soon. We are off ForeFront Records finally...feels like a piano was lifted off our chest. Andy just released a solo record that actually has The Normals playing 2 or 3 songs on it. Check out his site at www.andrewosenga.com. It's incredible...a must hear!

Most people we talk to say it's a shame so many people didn't ever see The Normals perform. Well, you now have a chance to again. On the Caedmon's tour in 2001, the last show we played was at Texas A&M University. Must've been 3 or 4000 people there, and I think we might have played the best, most emotional show of our career. Well, somebody recorded it...quite well actually. We have converted it to Real Streaming for you. It was compressed for a minimum of 128 Mbs (ISDN). I just couldn't bring myself to sacrifice any more quality of this amazing performance. Technically, this file is downloadable (not on a streaming server). Feel free to copy and distribute. Also, if you are interested in the master (which is MPG 352w), please contact me here.

> The Best I Can (live)
> Black Dress (live)
> We are the Beggars (live)
> Fake Plastic Trees (live)

As always,
Grace & Peace,
Mark Lockett
The Normals