The Silver Lining

I am so excited to tell all of the King's Quest Fans about the fan-developed game I was a part of called "The Silver Lining". Created by Pheonix Online Games, this game takes you back to the Green Isles and the family from Daventry created by Roberta Williams. Graham, Valenice, Rosella and Edgar are all in it and it's a free download. I hope you enjoy some of the character voices. You may recognize the narrator...


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Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland

The River Cities Jazz Band played at the Music in the Park stage on July 5th and 6th. It was a magical, fantastic event. We performed in late afternoon on both days and got a considerable crowd. The backstage hand again were so kind. One in particular, "Gus", was even kind enough to show me how to say "Could you turn me down in the monitor a little bit please?" But, I never got the opportunity to use it. Perhaps if he told me how to say "turn me UP!"

We played our hearts out on the second day, knowing it was our last performance at Montreux and the the tour. I sincerely hope I get to go back soon. I truly enjoyed the people and the culture.

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Basilique Saint-pierre in Luxeuil Les Bains, France

Getting to do a concert in such a grand building could send chills down any performers back. On of the most amazing performances where I signed autographs for so, so many people. It was here that I also left the stage to be closer to the people. They seemed to appreciate the removal of boundaries.

One of the songs that River Cities Jazz does is Aquarius and I can tell you that it was haunting in this setting. David Poffinbarger (our bassist) does an amazing job most any time, but in the beginning of the number is a bass solo, so this was where he really shined!

Enjoyed the people immensely. Patrick (the organizer) and the others involved in the concert were incredibly kind to me and to the others in RCJ. I truly hope that we are invited back there soon.

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Theatre Sylvia Monfort in Saint-Brice-sous-Foret, France

Fantastic place! This was a great gig. The stage hands knew exactly what they were doing. Everything from the lighting to sound was top notch and we truly appreciated it all! One of the thrills of getting to do this job is meeting true professionals and these guys did an excellent job. Thank you SO MUCH!

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Newton-Aycliffe

Room to move! I really enjoyed this gig because I had the opportunity to engage the audience right out there with them. I love doing that. Being able to dance and sing while flitting across a large area is so nice. I was also able to get some of the people to sing with me, which is always fun. RCJ played fantastic as always and some would say that it was our best gig of the tour.

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Liverpool

What a fantastic city! So many different cultures all mingling together in a cultural stew pot. The concert was a fantastic opportunity to showcase the talents of our horn players as the acoustics were pretty live, so they had to show some control. Still, it went off without a hitch and because our opening act showcased a few of our numbers, we had to pull some tunes out of the hat on the fly. We also performed one song we did not at any other concert: "You'll Never Walk Alone" It seems that it's the theme song of their sporting events. We were thankful that we did it well. Everyone sang with us. It's amazing what hundreds of people can accomplish when they all work together - in pitch even!

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Heswall Royal British Legion Concert Suite

This concert was so much fun - Playing for a packed house always is. The River Cities Jazz Band gave it their all, even though we were still a bit groggy from traveling so much. Still, we had a very warm reception and the people of Heswall enjoyed a fantastic concert. Play on RCJ!

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General thoughts of the European Tour...

Now that I've returned from Europe, I'd like to give a recap of all the beautiful places I saw as well as the wonderful people I met. A definite impression was made from each location on me and I would relish the opportunity to go back and perform again in any of the places I had been.

First and foremost, the people. I met the most interesting, kind people. Staying with families like Bernard and "Cat" was amazing. My first real English-style tea was delivered while I stayed with them. Their garden is amazing! A fountain adorns the left side of the landscape and some of the most gorgeous Ivy I've ever seen.

I stayed with Pauline next. Her home is gorgeous! She has murals on almost every wall with different scenes and artwork.

The rest of my time was spent in Hotels, but it was still a wonderful experience being with my bandmates in River Cities Jazz - Who by the way, were tremendous!

In France I met Sebastian and Eric - both gentlemen were very kind to me. I'm hoping to get to see at least one of them again when I go back.

The scenery that divided the landscape can only be described as majestic, gorgeous and full of history. I was allowed to tour so many interesting places. A distillery in France where they specialize in Kirsch and Absinthe. A town that the Romans built and still has aqueducts and tombs in it. Stone walls that separated farmland. Scrolling billboards in Paris. Hidden grottoes. Castles. The Swiss Alps. Lake Geneva. Exotic plants. The Montreux Jazz Festival.

*sigh* I'm determined to go back and have a decent handle on French when I do. I'd really love to get to know the people I've met on a deeper level and to perform again for them giving 110% more.

Check out Amy's Website to see where she's playing next!