Hello Classic Country Family Friends, Fans,
Yes I know I don’t keep up with this in the winter but since we the band have taken winters off there is not much to say when it comes to the band. On a personal note I could tell you lots but it would probably be boring. You are all in our hearts when we are not together. But Since some of our band members have moved so far away and it is really hard to find replacements that want to play and drive in the winter. So we take what we can and do it. Clubs are not booking good bands they would rather book CHEAP and less QUALITY and only think that most bands do the playing for fun and that it is not considered a real job just a hobby. That might be true for some but not for this band these band members want to play but they also want to be respected in their field. There are bands who play just for the money and not for the love of the music or venue itself. We all know that this has hurt the live band venue its either DJ’s or Karoke and for the older classic country music lover that is not for them for the most part. However they are pushed into listening or participating in this if they want to go out for a nice evening. None of the older people care to go out at night any more as their night life as been forced to change, Not because of their age but because of the music scene itself. Yes some chose not to go out because of night driving, drunks on the road medicine that needs to be taken at a certain time that makes them not be able to have a couple of drinks and still enjoy the night out. So as a band we chose to play early evenings or Sunday afternoons and the crowd fans, friends loved that. But with time that changed as some of the venues decided that cheap and not great quality was the way to go. The crowds dropped off the venues could not see what they were doing was hurting them. A $250 or 300 dollar band who drew only 20 or 30 people for them was an ok crowd. Well our band with its experience with the quality players and the following it has built and all of the BEST CLASSIC COUNTRY MUSIC out there decided we would never play for Under price as we were and ARE the REAL Deal!
Now this may offend some but I hear this from the crowd itself, by emails, by letters, by phone calls in person and so I am not saying anything that is not true. But when a following has to chose to listen to a band not of their choice is because there is no other choice they do it to be able to get out and enjoy dancing and being with their friends. It should be something they really like and not just do it because its the only thing available! Thousands of you have all said this over and over again that why wont they hire a good band and we tell them its because the DO NOT DEMAND A GOOD BAND FROM THE VENUE THEY ARE GOING TO. The Bands CAN NOT make a place hire them with out the crowd or following wanting it and strongly letting the venue know that you and your friends will not participate in a crappy band line up. So as your Classic Country Band you want to see us you have to come to the venues that will have us and think they are getting the best in this band.
Well I’m not changing much with the above mentioned information as I still believe it. However there is lots to say about this 2020 Year and so far it has not been good as most of you know January and February were not to to bad but THEN came MARCH 2020 and everything went to hell. COVID 19 came in like a roaring loin and closed down all of our schools, jobs, eating out, movies’ any entertainment you can think of was and is gone for the most part bars, sports, put distance between out own families not able to go to our own family deaths can’t go to Church cant spend time with our kids our grandkids took everything we have ever worked for away from us. How sad is that? China sure is trying to ruin our United States as we know it and we the people can not let it happen. We in this family lost Alans Dad and his Uncle we lost many dear friends and couldn’t be there for them to help them through this. Black Lives Matters came into our cites destroying there own business and killing our cops and killing our little kids who were innocent just going out to play with friends trying to take our FREEDOMS away how dam crazy is that? I am mad as hell at all of it and I miss my family my friends my freedoms that I am used to doing, ARENT YOU?
All of Our band jobs cancelled we understood but still miss playing being with all of our fans, friends, and yet we did not want to put our fans or friends in danger by having more than 50 people in the same room and having to stay six feet apart and expect you to wear a mask. We thought that would truly be unfair to all of you and if one of you got sick we would feel so bad and worse yet if one of you died from COVID from being at An Alan Godage Dance how horrible that truly would be. Yet we know we have to move on and keep living and not be afraid but not one of us would feel good if you lost one of your dancing partner friends or a spouse so its a deal all the way around.
We have been planning to do a Face book show and was all prepared to do it when Alan had a second hand surgery that would not heal and can’t play guitar when you can’t use your hand. So having to make you wait is not his style by any means but I hope we can get to it soon!
The one thing that has happened this summer is my lawn looks great and my garden even better as we have time to take care of it. We do hope this finds all of you in good health great spirits and hope that this COVID SHIT is soon going to be behind us. I waited till now to update as I was waiting on a couple of the fall dates we had to make it a sure thing they were off and they are. DARN! However, we have been asked to come back to all the venues next year if this is all behind us, We can all hope and pray we do not have to go through this yet another year. I will close for now and try to keep this updated better for all of us. Stay Safe, Healthy, and keep reminding yourselves together we can get through this.
Your Friends,
Alan Godage and Sundown
Alan, Barb, Dan, Eric, Barry
Well, some personal news Alan had a ANKLE Replacement Surgery on March 25 of this year. It was the best decision he could have made. NOW pain free. So, a few aches and pains like everyone and this winter and early spring and forever wet spring has had everyone complaining. But as we all know it will not be long and we will be complaining on how hot it is and can’t wait for the winter. I’m not sure I am one of them I like it hot and sunny and at the same time love our Minnesota seasons so living in a state that’s does not have the seasons is not for me! Our grandkids have grown with our oldest turning 23 and the youngest being 4. Our 15 year old grandson now driving and waiting to get his license, dating wow and being 6’3 tall and giving his parents the sassy mouth we sit back and just say oh really. Nothing has changed Alan still has a huge garden and had all of his plants in the dining room longer than expected but they have now been evacuated to the big Greeeeen House. Planted 100 Pine trees and have some nut trees to get in the ground. Getting that compact tractor last fall has helped get his garden ready early only now we need the ARK to get to the garden so unless it dries out those plants may just end up staying in the Greeeen House! Our remodeling job is still underway some siding left to put on as well as some windows to finish I hope we get it done this summer as the winter projects he started as far as remodeling got put on hold due to the ankle surgery. So I have a bedroom 3/4 done. The garden comes first and while the garden is growing the other projects get inline to get finished.
Well friends its time to get your DANCING shoes out and your GPS tuned in to where ALAN GODAGE & SUNDOWN are playing as there are not many gigs for you to join us on before the fall rolls around and my guys go back into hibernation. The schedule is updated on the web and we are looking forward to seeing all of OUR band family, friends, and fans in the coming months, Untill then we hope this finds you all in good health and ready to dance to YOUR favorite Classic Country Band Alan Godage & Sundown!
SEE YOU SOON,
YOUR FRIENDS IN CLASSIC COUNTRY MUSIC,
Barb
Alan Godage & Sundown
BELLE PRAIRIE HOLY FAMILY CATHOLIC CHURCH FESTIVAL
Sunday, June 9, 2019 1:00PM – 5:00PM
18777 Riverwood Dr. Little Falls, MN
SWANVILLE MID SUMMER FESTIVAL
Sunday, June 30, 2019 2:00PM 6:00PM
Located in Downtown Swanville, MN
CROW WING COUNTY FAIR/ MILLS FREE STAGE
Wednesday, July 31, 2019 6:00PM – 10:00PM
2000 SE 13th St. Brainerd, MN
CONCERT IN THE PARK / Sturges Park – Park Shore Pavilion
Thursday, August 1, 2019 7:00PM – 8:30PM
Located on Hwy. 25 and 2nd Ave. S on BUFFALO LAKE, Buffalo, MN
NOWTHEN THRESHING SHOW
Saturday, August 17, 2019 5:00PM – 9:00PM
7415 Old Viking Blvd. NW Anoka, MN
NOWTHEN THRESHING SHOW /Sunday Gospel Service
Sunday, August 18, 2019 8:00AM – 11:45AM
7415 Old Viking Blvd. NW Anoka, MN
COUNTRY GOSPEL SERVICE IN THE PARK /REC PARK (Alan Alone)
Sunday, August 25, 2019 10:00AM Service
Milaca, MN
Bring your Lawn chairs and stay for the picnic after word
PRIVATE PARTY/ANNIVERSARY
Saturday, August 31, 2019 7:00PM-11:00PM
Britz Hilltop Farm
28874 173 Rd. St. Pierz, MN
PRIVATE PARTY/PRINCETON VFW
SUNDAY, September 8, 2019 1:00PM-5:00PM
133 Rum River Drive, Princeton MN
PRIVATE PARTY/PRINCETON VFW
SUNDAY, September 8, 2019 1:00PM-5:00PM
133 Rum River Drive, Princeton MN
Sunday, June 30, 2019 2:00PM 6:00PM
Located in Downtown Swanville, MN
CROW WING COUNTY FAIR/ MILLS FREE STAGE
Wednesday, July 31, 2019 6:00PM – 10:00PM
2000 SE 13th St. Brainerd, MN
CONCERT IN THE PARK / Sturges Park – Park Shore Pavilion
Thursday, August 1, 2019 7:00PM – 8:30PM
Located on Hwy. 25 and 2nd Ave. S on BUFFALO LAKE, Buffalo, MN
NOWTHEN THRESHING SHOW
Saturday, August 17, 2019 5:00PM – 9:00PM
7415 Old Viking Blvd. NW Anoka, MN
NOWTHEN THRESHING SHOW /Sunday Gospel Service
Sunday, August 18, 2019 8:00AM – 11:45AM
7415 Old Viking Blvd. NW Anoka, MN
COUNTRY GOSPEL SERVICE IN THE PARK /REC PARK (Alan Alone)
Sunday, August 25, 2019 10:00AM Service
Milaca, MN
Bring your Lawn chairs and stay for the picnic after word
PRIVATE PARTY/ANNIVERSARY
Saturday, August 31, 2019 7:00PM-11:00PM
Britz Hilltop Farm
28874 173 Rd. St. Pierz, MN
PRIVATE PARTY/PRINCETON VFW
SUNDAY, September 8, 2019 1:00PM-5:00PM
133 Rum River Drive, Princeton MN