Almost Willie

Flash! Finally - a monthly news page...to keep all our fans updated & informed  - where we have been & what's happening!..and where we're headed...our adventures!

First, April finds us at niece's home, Debbie Jean's - signing up with new health product ADVCARE - we're trying to get healthier....good people, great product... now we are distributors for the product....can't say enough about ADVOCARE...terrific!  Call me if you want to feel better!

Next biggie- we are re-formatting our website & this project should be completed by first of June!  We scheduled an appointment with our Web Host, VIRTBIZ in downtown Dallas - drove there in a raging, blinding rain storm - one of the worst ever!!  Scary driving!!  We had borrowed a small car and found ourselves wading through rivers of water across the highways & streets of downtown Dallas. Mercy - drenched to the skin just trying' to get from the car to the door of VirtBiz!  We were delighted to meet Anita VP of Sales.  After talking with her for months over the phone for advice & assistance with our web site...now, we ask you, how many web host companies can you call & hook up with the same person 9 out 10 times??  We can!  We ALWAYS are able to resolve ANY issues at ANY time - they are the finest web hosts anywhere - ever!   We can only say thank you Anita for all you've done for us!!  You're the best!!

Next, we made a music video produced while performing with the No 1 band in all of Texas that we call the "Whiskey River Band" - a really great bunch of musicians!  Soon WE WILL have this project done too!

Oh yeah...Texas Roadhouse will never be the same after we stopped for a bite - we had them all fooled think I was "Willie" coming to check on the employees!  Had em' all jumpin'!!  Yum - those rolls....gotta be  the best in all of Texas..ate least half dozen ...that's before our meal!  ...great food, great times...great pics...will be posting soon!

Then....we've had numerous shows in between & all the other "stuff" that keeps Almost Willie on the road...see our tour schedule for all those great places!

Oh yeah, was personally invited by our dear friend Production Manager Betty Jackson, a member of AFI, to attend the (American Film Institute) in Dallas.  I was invited to appear in an animated children's video...later performed the following week for Last Call Ministries in The Colony, TX.   Met many of the "biggies" in the film industry this evening & had myself  quite a wonderful time!

And this is a goodie....was invited to a Ft. Worth Police Dept function with graduating class of recruits - whoa, a lot of "Almost" cops!!  I was on my best behavior!!  Taking pics with everybody!!

 Great April - see ya'll in May!!  God Bless you all!  Almost, Ms Kitty & Roadie.....on the Road Again!!

Try our Chioptle Mustard, Habanero, Cajun Blast, Pepper - you will love em' all! Great tasting on just about any of your favorite foods - makes a great Bloody Mary!!  Just call us to order your sauces today!  417-483-3551 .

We had some great shows early in the month too - found ourselves at the Mike  & Judy Osborne place in Springtown, TX for his grand daughters wedding - SWEEEEET! what a fab day - sunny & 75 degrees made for an awesome outside event.....  Nothing like smoked BBQ - Texas Style!  Thanks Mike for a grand time- your fine Texas hospitality was really welcomed!  Loved meeting "Samie" - keep up the "Hubba-Hubba dialogue - he may catch on sometime! Oh, while in Springtown, we were in luck to have caught up with ol' friends Johnny & Roxie from Late Start Farms - was grand catchin' up on ole times! Thanks for takin' us out for a great supper!!  Attended New Hope Baptist Church & celebrated Ole Fashioned Days - their church began why back in 1875  - they sure did dress up for the occassion - Preacher Jim included!  The food was delish & music was ol' time gospel - - was a great day - thanks!

Groan!!- the diesel fuel soaring prices seems to keep us held hostage - (like everyone else in the country)- talk about hemorraging at the pump!  We're past the pain now - it's just that awful numb feeling...is it ever gonna get any better we keep asking??  We have seen it jump double over last year - this is pure insanity if you ask us!Where & when will this insanity at the pumps stop??  If you have the answers please email or call us!!!

Our show at Happy's Electric in Alvardo, Texas was a fun time!  An old fashioned fish fry & lot's of good fiddle's was a real treat ....meeting new fine down home folks is always fun - Texas Grand!!!  Thanks "Happy" for fixin'  the air spring bag replacement - our bus rides a whole bunch better - is nice & level going down the road  - thanks to you!!  Yo Mama makes the best Apple pie - go granny go!!!

Spent a Sunday waltzing about downtown Ft. Worth  at the Stockyards... sayn' Howdy ya'll to friends &  fans while hav'n a cool one at the White Elephant...a sunny & bright spring day - couldn't have been any nicer!!  Almost bought Ms Kitty a lovely pair of pretty silver earrings for her upcoming birthday - what a nice surprise!!  He is so sweet this guy!!  Keeps a big smile on Ms Kitty's face for sure!!

Our good friends in Aubrey always know how to party....Almost Willie Style !! - we sure did enjoy ourselves at the Baron's Goose Ranch party - you be the man Mike with all the those 200 noisy but great look'n geese!   We spent a couple days there at the Goose ranch getting ready for Saturday May 10th - celebrat'n some birthdays & a special 10 year anniversary of Brad & Margaret Hines of Aubrey.   Boy was it a scorcher - 94 & HOT!!!!  Glad a cool breeze came up that evening!!!

Now, you see Brad  Hines is a special friend & a auto/truck/bus/tractor mechanic extrodinare!!  (He can fix ANYTHING! !) He is the last of a rare breed & if you need any mechanic'n done - you need to see Brad at Brad's Automorive out on Hwy 377 in Aubrey....he'll have you back on the road in no time!!  Be sure to ask for the $.50 museum tour - it's a must see tourist attraction right there at Brad's Automotive....then there is our fine friend Steve Coombs Pharmacist Owner of Community Pharmacy  right there in Aubrey  - who co-sponsored the big 3rd Annual Hine's party - what a guy! Thanks for the drugs Steve!   Party on Dudes until October when we'll do er' up again - Willie style of course!

Mother's Day found us touring about in Brad Hines' 73' Cadillac - what a thrill to enjoy such a luxury ride!  We found our way to a thriving flea market then on to some really grand Mexican food..although I wouldn't recommend that fish you ordered Brad!  The beer was cold & food zesty & made for a fab day - then off we toured over by the Texas Woman's University - Margaret's Nursing College - where we toured the lovely grounds & chapel - right where Brad & Margaret said "I Do" 10 years ago May 10, 1998...was a very special place....beautiful Chapel with it's custom crafted stain glass artistry ....to the rose gardens....it was lovely indeed!

While in the area we visited &  parked our Tour Bus at the Willbanks Paso & Paint Farm Pilot Point, Texas - what a terrific place they have!  Good friends Robert & Susie indeed - with some of the most  gorgeous awesome Paso's & Paints we've ever seen & ridden !  The mares with their new babes was a special treat!  Of course, our dear friend "Captain" Rick kept us good company - thanks "Cap " Rick for a great time!  YOU'RE THE BEST!

Good friends from Arizona taveling back from a vacation out in Florida found us to visit while in Aubrey....was great seeing HT & Berle again...safe journey dear friends! Great seeing ya!  We'll see ya next winter in Arizona!!

Ms Kitty celebratin' another birthday May 14th - no big deal right??!!  Well ,that's a big maybe!!  But, was reminded that women age like fine wine - we just get better with age! Ah, gotta love it!!  yep, gotta embrace what God has blessed you with each day!  Dined out to the Bayou Cafe - Cajun style eat'n - out on Hwy 380 near McKinney, Texas...frog legs, catfish, shrimp & dessert and a great frozen margarita....hee-yaw!  We celebrated big time & had ourselves a wonderful evening !!  Brother Daryl & family of Montana called & had sent Ms Kitty one of those musical birthday cards....with the music "can't touch this...what a hoot!  We are still laughing every time we open the card - even our "roadie"  cat loved hearing it & tried to figure out where "the people" were inside that sing'n card!  While Willie was visitn' Joey's Bar talking with Andy about his second grade class, Ms Kitty enjoyed a  Spa Pedicure at the Luxury Nails & Spa of Aubrey, Texas...was  great & sooooo relaxing - we suggest everyone have a luxury day at the this Spa!

Mid May finds us now traveling North towards Montana - had a fun show at the Wagon Master's RV Park in Sanger, Texas...with our fine Host & new friends,  Harold & Jan...what a night to remember!  Our "Roadie" cat "almost" got away from us - dashed off the bus so quick - want'n to chase bugs & birds!! A grand  time was had by all!!!  And yes, we retrived our "Roadie" cat thankfully after a quick romp across the lawn...he had to strech his "paws" after a long day travel'n....and yep, we'll be proud to have another "Almost Willie" show for you & guests when we're back in October!  See ya'll then - enjoy the new "Almost Willie" Sauce, ya hear?!

We're blessed each day with a sound runnin' Tour Bus and - meeting great people & making new friends....this is just the middle of May my how time is flying by...driving across on Highway Texas 287 - is especially beautiful in the Spring with carpets of wild colorful flowers covering the roadsides....why, my guy even stopped & picked me some pretty posies for my birthday!!  Whatta guy!! 

Spent one night at Wal-Mart in Childress ,Texas....where we met some more fine folks the Jones Family & Edward the Trucker.... Woke up to hear the melody song of the beautiful Meadowlark - ah, Spring in Texas.....thanks Wal-Mart for a good nights zzzzz!  We're pressing onwards now to Amarillo....so we'll have more updates soon from our travels ....God Bless you all!  Almost, Ms Kitty & Roadie...On The Road Again!!!

Here we are at Ft. Amarillo RV Resort  in Amarillo Texas- a beautiful park & one of the nicest rec halls that we've had our show - with a big red barn for a back drop, it was just like the Grand Ole Opry!  Some of the nicest folks you'll ever meet!  Thanks again Ft Amarillo for your warm hospitality!  Next night we played for campers at the KOA Amarillo.

Leaving Amarillo we're driving north on Hwy 87 headed to Raton, New Mexico was brutal - the high winds hit us hard but we pushed our way up the road to New Mexico...diesel....diesel....and more diesel...we could almost  see the $$$ bills coming out the tail pipe!  Passed a few stations with $4.89 pg, we didn't stop....Now we've Raton....We stayed with the fine folks at Raton KOA - Grant & Lisa, their chirldren Laura & Brandon & Mom Judy... our hosts were absolute angels!  Almost was interviewed live on KRTN radio with Billy, a great DJ - we gathered a HUGE crowd for our 7 pm show!  The family & staff and all the campers & friends at this KOA made for a fun fab show on Monday May 27th...why even the Mayor Joe Apache & his wife attended....a splendid time, one we won't soon forget!!!  Thanks too for the great picnic BBQ & ice cream social -(it was alll yummy!)  it was a grand bright & sunny Memorial Day!  Almost enjoyed playin'g "To all the girls I've loved before" for Judy, Lisa'a Mom...God Bless you all!  We'll be seeing ya'll next year!  If you ever have a hanker'n for chili - you will want to meet our new friend Guy Salano...he has the best chili fixin's anywhere right here in Raton! You can order them from him at 505-445-0949 or email him guysolano@msn.com - he'll fix ya right up!

Driving now headed north on I-25 through Trinindad Colorado where the clouds hung in a mist in the early morning and was real cool only about 50....brrrrr!  We've been used to Texas heat!  Bring out the sweatshirts! Pressing on now into Pueblo, Co and staying with some more new fine KOA friends, Michael & Carolyn our Host and their fine staff Kitty & Bil....and a fine crowd gathered near sunset with with Rocky Mountains as our backdrop.  We want to thank them too, for a wonderful evening of fun, food & music! ....oh and the next best thing was NBC crew, Allen & Sharon videoed the entire show!  Smiles! We hope we didn't break the camera!!  We certainly have enjoyed our stay here too!  Nice sleep'n cool weather here too!

We are headed just a short jaunt up to Colorado Springs now on Wednesday May 28th...have the night off!  Yeah right....another show for our friends at KOA!  What a wonderful night for a show!!  Great new friends!  We're off now to see Craig & Heidi owner/managers at the beautiful Lakeside Ft Collins, Colorado KOA....another fine KOA with lots of new friends!  Another jaunt up the interstate 25 on our into Wyoming....windy, warm & green with Antelope in sight everywhere....stopped in Kaycee for a picnic lunch!! 

 Beautiful sunny fair skies as we traveled below the snowy Rocky Mountains....wound up in Buffalo Wyoming at another fine KOA the last day of May...  Thanks Cathy to you & your wonderful staff & great campers for another fine show!! And the blueberry pancake breakfast was to die for!!! 

....end of May now Headed into Montana now we're in Hardin for another night at the KOA with Ken & Sandra - a little windy but the town came out & enjoyed an old fashioned ice cream social & the Almost Willie Show! 

Ah, another month on the road....has been fab weather through Wyoming & Colorado..and now Montana!  yee-haw

...One of our favorite places to visit - you need to visit this hiostoric beautiful hotel....enjoiy a meal & just relax!  You will find they really have fine southern hospitality!!

Yep, it's spring time in the rockies.....big blue skies that turn into dark thunderclouds & rain by mid afternoon to early evening...makes for iffy shows outdoors...but somehow the skies held off for most of those early evening shows...now we head up the highway now on 1-90 towards Big Timber,...ah Big Timber, wonderful friends Carol & Ellis had a great crowd from town & all the KOA campers...in spite of the T-storms, we were tucked dry inside & had a blast!  Thanks Brian  & the boys for fixing our fuel line leak!!!  We might not have made er' much further!  Then to Bozeman...Almost hadn't been here since 1965 when he ws assistantmanager for FW Woolworth...that was the modern day Wal Mart back then...our thanks to Robert & Leslie of the Bozeman KOA, you really shine even in a windy & cool evening performance... Arnold & Terry in the KOA Butte...great in the Mining Town of MT.....but found ourselves in snow country in June...brrrrr... at the top of Homestake Pass, elev over 6300 feet and cold!!!!.We're putting on extra clothes, blankets & turned on the heaters full blast as fast as the snow was fly'n!!  But this is spring in Montana!!  That's why we left Ft Worth, Texas a month ago when it was 94 degress & sizzling...and sure enough, it's 40 here!!  Oh yeah, Butta KOA  have the best chicken anywhere - snd homemade pies!!  guaranteed!!! So now it's time to head up to Deer Lodge, MT for the Almost Willie Show with our good friends at Deer Lodge KOA.  They may be the very best KOA in the family of KOA Campgrounds ...they may be the smallest but they have the biggest hearts!!  Mo & Cass & Work Campers Jerry & Nancy from Fla..even held .had a parade for us through town June 6th...& the sun was  shinning & warm on our shoulders - finally!  Big doings in this fine lil' Montana town ...big BBQ & the MT Fiddlers showed up to add to the festivities of the evening....Mo & Cass are the greatest & they sure do know how to put "on the dog!...the best Hawaiian Baked Beans, Burgers & homemade desserts were to die for.....you gotta visit these fine folks in Deer Lodge!! - you will enjoy every minute-guaranteed!!  We rocked the  Rockies!!!  In the rain or in the sunshine  Almost sang "Blue Eyes Cry'n in the rain" giving it a whole total new meaning...folks came from far & wide with umbrellas & rain slickers!!  Just like a Willie concert! Thanks to Bob at the Antique shop for taking our pictures while on Parade!  sorry he couldn't make it to the party, but the barn must go up!  Anyway, just can't say enough about our friends Mo & Cass....we want to especially thank them too for a great send off breakfast the morning we left...ham & farm fresh eggs, hot coffee....it was to die for!  Especially on a chilly June 6th misty rainy morning!!Thanks Mo & Cass - we know when we stay with you we're "ohana" so for now! Aloha friends, until next year!

Missoula KOA & Jim & Mary's RV Park are next on the Tour Schedule - fine folks in Montana all enjoying a beautiful spring although we can say we've had our share of cold spring weather...woke up to snow again in Missoula!  Brrrr.  Not quite sure what mother nature will do next....bring on the sun!

We left Dallas Texas May 7th...it was sunny and by may 10th it was hitting the mid 90's....we're about to freeze....so we are welcoming wamer temps....ah, by June 15th we're seeing 70'..now this is much better!  Our visit with family was fab!!!  Of course, our little grand children steal your heart in a moment!!  The longest day June 21st found us at the the family graduation party in Helena ....was another great highlight....roasted pig on the ground & lots of fine food...yummmmy!! And our congrats to Nephew & Nieces of yours truly, Ms. Kitty...Drew, Darcy & Danielle upon their graduations!!!  Party on kids!!! This fine lawn party was just after enjoying a nice time at our Lincoln, MT show (this is a fab Montana mountain get away....a little town snug in the mountains.....where big Montana skies abound, the people are super friendly & all had a grand time! Thanks Joann & Krista at the Lambkin's Casino in Lincoln - we'll see ya'll next year!!

 On to GT Falls....traveling north to the place where Lewis & Clark portaged their way across the mighty Missouri river, against all odds ....raging falls, dangerour & treacherous travels....these guys & their troop of men where the  ones who dicovered Montana and put er' on the map!  They have a lovely center to visit there right on the banks of the Missouri.....Our show at KOA with Host Tiffany & Cory was a fun night too....then it was off to Vaughn to the 1st annual Wild West Festival at the JS Rodeo grounds  Two days of fun in the sun! Met some mighty fine folks here too!  Met Brandon, the exceptional fine wood carver....he gave us "Yogi"...our new bus mascot to travel the country wth us- Thanks Brandon....we're proud to have Yogi on board!  Sorry about "Booboo"...but maybe you can come up with another onwe day soon! The Blackfeet Indian Nation held a pow-wow during this 3-day  & we met & some fantastic dancers.... Oh yes, and met the Lt. Gov of this fine State, John Bolinger and trusty aide, Dustin....took lots of pics with the Calvery too!  Just nice guys ya know?  Roadie was checking out the mega ground hog family....holes everywhere!  And a big gang of em' looking out of their holes checking Roadie Boy out too...he was trying to figure out just how to grab one of those cute vamits!  Now to Lewistown...on highway 200 east from Gt Falls...on the back roads of Montana, they are particularly wonderful...no traffic to speak of and nothing but shimmering green hay & grain fields, deer, cows and tractors.....with sunny clear big blue skies....ah, the ranch life is a good one out west in Montana!  Met some mighty nice ranchers while visiting Lewsitown....quaint little town in a wide spot on highway 200....but after a late night we're up at first light to push our way across the middle of Montana, still on hwy 200. Beautiful countryside with brushy cotton wood tree lined creeks, chicken hawks looking for their early morning grub....sure a pretty day for nearly the end of June!

Highway 200 is just a lovely two lane highway that take you up and down rolling hills, creeks and rivers, f ields of grain, pastures with cows & horses...most with their new babes suckling in the early morning light....mama deer & her young'n jump from the side of the road as we approach on a bend in the road, stay clear of the road it will get ya she must be saying to her offspring!....the Antelope are playing, jumping & running....ah, the wildlife here is great!  A bald eagle flies silently on the upper currents eyeing some tasty morsel below....it's such a beautiful place this Montana...our Montana!  So proud to call this great state our home.....We'll be seeing ya'll next tour!

But now we need to run our generator to make "electricty" for the bus....runs the lights, refrigerator, computer, etc...so we flip the switch & she's coming to life....minutes later she shuts off....now what?!  It's always something on the bus that needs our attention...so we stop, open up the bay door & discover to our dismay, that when we filled the radiator up with water in Gt Falls we neglected to replace the radiator cap!  So.....next the sizable town is still 100 miles..Jordon, MT....we pull in and find a good ole farm/ranch garage....radiator caps are needed out here on the tractors so they must have one that would fit ours...yup, they do!  Five minutes & .$50 cents later we are headed to the Hilltop Cafe for a farm fresh breakfast...plenty of good coffee & good fiddles!  Joanne stops in the Jordon newspaper to interview Almost....will run the feature article in next Fridays edition!  Thanks Joanne!  Nect we're headed to Circle, another big Ag town...then head out on Mt Hwy 200S to Glendive where we hunker up for the night after our show at the Glendive RV Campground....nice friendly place....gotta do chores like laundry (sigh, when will ever stop pilin' up?) but of course....we're "on the road in again" in Montana!  This will be our last night in this great State, Monday we're in No. Dakota....firstt time for Almost to be in this fine State...I've bragged about the No. Dakota's German cooking...can't wait for their wonderful dumplings!  ... then it's onward to Bismarck, Fargo Moorehead and then Minnesota for the big shows in July. 

Well, June might have started off cool...or rather should we say cold...now it's air conditioning time with 80's to 90's....ah summer is here!  Stay tuned for July happenings!