Jennifer and I might not ever forget this weekend. No one died or got sick or went to jail, but it was so strange enough none-the-less that I think we’ll remember it for a long time.

A few months ago our booking agent sent me over a concert request for an event in Lufkin TX to be held this past Saturday. I skimmed over the details and felt like it was something we should accept so I sent back an approval. A few weeks later Jennifer got a Facebook message from Robbie Seay (of Robbie Seay Band) saying that we’d be playing together in Lufkin. We’d played an event with Robbie not long before and were looking forward to seeing him again. He told us to check out the event’s website. Turn’s out that the event in Lufkin was to be a three-day event with rides, tractors, concerts, and a truck pull on the final day. “Pulling For Jesus” was the event’s official name.

Jennifer and I we’re planning a visit to her family’s farm in St Louis in June so we decided to drive up there and leave Hutch and Sadie-Claire with her parents while we flew down to Lufkin. We almost always take our kids with us but something about this one made me feel like it would be harder on them than it needed to be. On Friday evening Jennifer and I arrived in Houston and on Saturday we drove the two hours up to Lufkin to meet the rest of the band and play the concert.

We could tell immediately when we arrived that things weren’t going well. There were maybe four cars in the Fair Grounds parking lot and there seemed to be nobody enjoying the festivities anywhere. The 5000 seat arena was empty. Only two or three people we’re milling around the display tractors. During our soundcheck the concert promoter introduced himself to me and I asked him how things we going. He admitted right away that the event had already been, in his words, a “flop”. The day before drew in only a handful of people and the bands played to no one. Today was not much different and his spirit was visibly crushed. We went to a restaurant for supper and got back about an hour before our show was to begin. During Robbie Seay’s performance we counted 119 people in the stands, and at least half of them left during the break between his set an ours. So at 9pm we took the stage to play to a completely empty 5000 seat arena. 30 people ended up coming down to the floor to be closer. It was one of the hardest and most confusing concerts we’ve ever played.

I’ve been on tour for most of my adult life. I’ve been involved in many shows that have gone south but never like this. I didn’t ask the promoter what did or didn’t happen during his preparation. It was more merciful to just be as little bother to him as we could. He was visibly confused and defeated and we all hoped as we left that Sunday would be much better for him, but reports came back that it was just the same.

Why on earth did God allow us to leave our kids, fly hundreds of miles, and drive five hours, just to play music to an empty arena? Why did He watch this promoter put His heart and soul (and bank account) into a city-wide event to promote the Gospel that He knew nobody was going to show up at? None of it makes any sense.

We all have strange and awful days at work, but you have to admit, this is extreme, especially for this poor promoter has to pick up the pieces and move on. I hurt for him. If you think of us this week can you say a prayer for P.T. in Lufkin? He could use it, to be sure.

Peace and rest,
See you on Facebook,

Jeromy