Hi Rich Fans,
Many are still asking about the Rich Mullins tribute book HOME. Well ... good news! It's actually shipping! I believe that shipments are going out to retail stores first (so they can get large quantities out), and then begin shipping by next week to those that ordered individually. Even though I have three on order, I picked one up at the Better Book Room. It is well worth waiting for. Let me know what you think when you get yours. I'll collect some comments and post them.
The following is from the Better Book Room...
The HOME book arrived at Better Book Room late Wednesday. We're still inthe process of scanning it, taking exerpts, etc (for the web page), butit is available for purchase as of 4/2/98. Persons may order it onlineat http://www.betterbookroom.com/richmullins.shtml or by phone at 1-800-678-6119for $9.99 plus shipping.
Bob Thornton, Program Director and Webmaster, sent me the following info. The Light 99 webpage (at http://www.light99.com) has added several new features, including a scrapbook which is where all of the Rich Mullins material will go eventually. The first two items for that area will be posted on Friday, April 10th. They are the real audio archives of the Wichita Memorial Service (in 3 one-hour parts) and scans of Rich's handwritten lyrics to the songs on the forthcoming The Jesus Record. Bob also mentioned he has heard 3 complete songs from the album, and they're great. Ashley Cleveland does an incredible job on "Jesus". KTLI will once again host the world premiere of the album in early June, possibly late May. We will be sure to get you the schedule so RichMailList members can tune in via Real Audio.
Now I have some heartbreaking news to pass along.
Many of you will remember either reading on this list or hearing Rich tell the story about Madeline Smith. For those that don't know the story (you can read about her in the Wichita Memorial), Madeline was the daughter of Jim and Meghan Smith who was born with severe birth defects, and not expected to live. Rich lived in their upstairs apartment for a couple years here in Wichita (the video for "Hold Me Jesus" was shot there), and he had "adopted" Madeline as his prayer partner. He loved her very much, and wrote a song about her that many were lucky enough to hear last summer on Rich's last tour.
I say this is heartbreaking news, but it is only so for those of us who remain. You see, Madeline joined "Uncle Rich" in heaven last Thursday, March 26th. She had just celebrated her 2nd birthday last month.
Please pray for Jim and Meghan and their son Jacob. If you would like to respond, a memorial fund has been established in Madeline's name.
Madeline Smith Prayer Garden
Chapel Hill Fellowship United Methodist Church
PO Box 780889
Wichita, KS 67278
One interesting item ... "Madeline's Song" (which was performed at the funeral by Eric Hauck, Michael Aukofer, Mitch McVicker, and Matt Johnson) had as part of the song credits, "recorded by Phil Keaggy, March 1998" printed in the program. When I asked Jim Dunning about it, he told me he wasn't sure about a release or on what recording, but that Myrrh Records had requested permission and it was given.
This Train's latest CD, Mimes Of The Old West, until recently was a 1997 independent release. It has now been picked up by Organic Records, and they have released two singles - - "Missing Link" to ROCK, and "A Million Years" (co-written by Mark Robertson, Mitch McVicker, and Rich Mullins) to AC & CHR. Many stations have already picked these up (Light 99 started playing "A Million Years" last week).
You first read about this excellent CD last May when I visited with Mark (see [RichMailList 133]: This Train & Canticle Info). I like the continuation of the style of their first, You're Soaking In It (1995, Etcetera), with the added variety. One of my favorites is "A Million Years" which has Rich on background vocals. I was especially taken by the liner notes on that song, that seemed a bitter-sweet tribute to Rich, though since written before the accient, I'm sure Mark had no intention of it being a "tribute". My other impression of this CD is the marvelous ability to go from slapstick exaggeration to deeply serious revelation all in the same CD (sometimes in the same phrase) - all set to a great soundtrack!
I've been told the Organic release of Mimes is set for April 14. For you collector's, there are still some copies of the original 1997 independent release, and they are available directly from This Train for $15 postpaid (checks payable to "This Train") at:
This Train
263 DuPage St. #1
Elgin, IL 60120
The independent release is slightly different than the Organic release. One difference I'm aware of is that "A Million Years" was remixed for the Organic release (specifically for radio release).