Date: 11 May 1998
To: RichMailList
Subject: [RichMailList 205]: Mitch's First Concert

• Christy Frampton's review of Mitch's concert
• Duane Rolfson's review of Mitch's concert

From: Christy Frampton
Date: Mon, 11 May 1998 15:10:45 EDT
Subject: Mitch's first concert

Dear Danl,

We found out on Friday, May 8 that Mitch McVicker was going to
be opening for Rebecca St. James, on Sat. night, in Greenwood
which is south of Indianapolis.  We hadn't been planning to go,
but when we heard Mitch was going to be doing his first concert
after the accident, right in our old church, we felt like we had to be there.

Before the concert I met Mitch's parents who were standing at a 
table in the lobby selling CD's of Canticle of the Plains (now we
finally have it!)  They were talking to someone about Mitch's injuries,
I realized it was his parents and told them how we had all been so
concerned about him and had been praying for him.  His mom said
this concert was very emotional for them, and she got tears in her
eyes, which I did also. I told her we were on your mailing list, and
she said, yes, they know you. They talked about Rich and how much he
had helped Mitch, and how that Rich was just like he was on stage.
You couldn't help but sense what a big occasion this was for them
after the ordeal they have been through the last 8 months!  What a
miracle.  On the table there were also pictures of Mitch, little yellow
cards that said "Sippin Lemonade," and a flyer titled "Mitch McVicker,
In His Own Words."  He tells a little about his life, and what he
has been through, some things he has learned from it.  

Rebecca did the whole first half, and we enjoyed her and her band
very much, all the while wondering how Mitch was going to perform
after all of Rebecca's light shows, etc!  Finally, after the intermission,
the drummer did a short drum solo, which was good (I'm not really
sure what his purpose was, but anyway!)  As he was playing Mitch 
took the stage.  Lights came on and we gave him a warm ovation,
as he played and sang a simple hymn, with his guitar and harmonica.
Then he began the first full song, accompanied by Eric and Mike,
I would put down their last names, but not sure how they are spelled.
Eric played cello, barefooted, by the way.  They sounded beautiful.
Mitch then spoke, and said "It's been a long time since I've been
up here.  It feels really good.  I'm glad to be here."  He got kind of
choked up at that point. Of course we all understood the deep feeling
that was in that statement and applauded again.  He sang, hope this
title is correct, "He's Right Here." He talked about Rich, and how Rich
had believed in him and helped him.  He introduced "Heaven is Waiting,"
saying this was one of the songs he and Rich had written together, and
how it is even more meaningful now.  That song got our tears flowing! 
Especially since Mike was playing hammered dulcimer!  Whew.  It was
emotional for all of us, so I know I probably am not remembering all the
details to give you here.  He said that Eric and Mike had been behind him
the last 8 months, so they must be good friends of his. Mitch talked 
about the things he is still recovering from.  He said he still has 
double vision.  "So this crowd looks really humongous to me!"  He talked 
about how he had not planned to sing again until his voice was healed.  
But plans are just plans, and sometimes God has other things in mind.  
So when Rebecca gave him this opportunity he decided to do it, and how 
that this concert to him was "huge."  At which point he got a little 
choked up again.  He closed with telling about this song he had written 
that was kind of goofy, but that sometimes something profound comes out 
of silly stuff.  As an example he talked about how Christ said we should 
become like little children, and wondered what he had meant by that.  
It doesn't mean that we should stay immature, he said.  He then sang the 
song most people remember him for, if they have heard him, the Lemonade 
song.  It sure was great to hear it again.  When he was done, Rebecca's 
band went right into their next song. I have to admit I had a good cry 
about then, and it took me a while to get back into the concert.  I was 
struck by the fact that Rich wasn't  going to be there. But also I 
just felt happy for Mitch.

We thought his voice sounded very good, if a little rough.  He seemed
to have a little trouble with the higher notes.  We were encouraged
by everything he said, and I can't help but be reminded of Rich a little
bit by his sense of humor.

After the concert we went right out to Mitch's table.  He was there
signing autographs.  I was feeling a little nervous about meeting him,
and I kept dropping things!  When it was my turn, I told him we really
loved Rich, and had seen him with Rich a couple of times, and how
good it was to hear him sing again.  My husband took my picture
with Mitch, and I took a couple more of him signing autographs with
his parents and friends looking happy and relieved in the background.
I spoke to his parents again, told them I was glad to meet them,
and that we thought it went very well.  His mom said it was really
emotional for them, and she gave me a hug!  She said thanks for the
prayers.  I gave Mitch a letter, also, to let him know we were glad
he was doing well and that we would continue to pray for him, and
how we miss Rich but we're glad so many are carrying on his legacy.

There must have been a lot of fans of Mitch and Rich in the audience
because they were very excited and supportive!  We are really glad
we could be there.  We never did get the chance to meet Rich, so it
helped me feel a little bit of closure to meet Mitch somehow.

A couple of people have asked me if Mitch is going to be continuing
on tour with Rebecca, but we forgot to ask that and we don't know.
Hope many others will get the chance to see him soon!

By the way, Mitch signed his autograph with "Peace of Christ."

With love,
Christy Frampton

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From: Duane Rolfson
Subject: Mitch in concert
Date: Sat, 9 May 1998 23:54:06

Daniel,
 
Howdy from Indy!  I've been on the mailing list for quite some time now but
have never contributed but I now feel compelled to write you this letter. 
I attended a Rebecca St. James concert tonight at Mt. Pleasant Christian
Church on the south side of Indy.  The reason for my attendance was the
announcement that Mitch would be playing at the concert.  He performed
after the intermission halfway through the show.  They introduced him as
the man who was traveling with Rich Mullins when he was killed in a traffic
accident, which I thought was a little tacky.  It was an appearance of many
emotions.  He talked about his struggles during the last eight months and
threw in some humor as well saying that one of the effects from the
accident that he is still struggling with is double vision.  He said it's
kind of weird because I look out over the audience and it's really
humongous!  He only sang three songs.  The first was a guitar/harmonica
song that I believe is on his album.  The next he announced had special
meaning because it was the first song he and Rich wrote together, Heaven Is
Waiting.  Then he finished with The Lemonade Song.  Mike, the drummer, and
Eric, both of the Ragamuffins, were there to play with him.  Mike played
hammered dulcimer on Heaven Is Waiting.  Mitch commented when he came out
how weird yet how nice it was to be back on stage performing again.  He
gave the impression, as did the radio promotion,  that this was his first
stage performance since the accident.  As for his voice, it did sound good,
but a little weak on the support side and his vocals were a little more
crackley than usual.  But a wonderful job, all things considered.  There
was also a local television station there taping his performance.  I made
it home in time to see it and it was one of the first stories on the news
cast.  They had a short interview with him backstage and showed bits of his
performance.  A very well done interview.  Well, that's all I have on that
subject.  I appologize if I rambled or if any of this is confusing.  It's
kind of late you know. :)  Keep up the good work on the mailing list and
Thank You for keeping all of us informed about everything that is
happening!
 
                                                              God Bless!!
                                                           Duane Rolfson
                                                                  (:o}

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