We’re just back from what should have been a great trip to Texas. Our performances and workshops with Trout and Wheatfield went even better than expected. It would have been the perfect trip, except that our van and all of its contents were stolen!  Imagine the surprise and shock when Keith went out to the parking lot of the hotel and there was no van waiting. We’re still coming up with things that are missing as a result of the theft. At first, it was just the instruments that we were thinking about. Then we thought about the PA and the amplifiers. Our dolly (Salvadore) was in the back of the truck. There were boxes of t-shirts and CDs.
   We came to grips with all of this. Then we remembered, Ro Bear!!!!!!! They got Ro Bear!!!! What a surprise for Ro, when he woke up from his overnight hibernation to strangers pawing through his home. We can see him summarily lifted from his box of cables and tossed aside as the thieves dug through looking for valuables. Those bad people had no idea who they were leaving behind.  
   The outpouring of love and support from our friends and fans has been overwhelming. Pictures of our instruments have been shared on Facebook and across the web. Our friend Chris Hirsch (banjo player extraordinaire) created a web page for our instruments. Folks from all over have offered to lend us equipment including a box van to drive around in! We do have insurance on most of our stuff and our van. In the long run, it is only stuff. Special stuff to be sure, but we know that whatever instruments we play, through whatever amps and PA we play through, it will still be us.
   A lot of you have asked us how you can help us through this. The best thing you could do is to come out to our shows and enjoy the music. If you bought CDs and t-shirts for yourselves and your friends, we all win. Our next gig is Saturday, Feb 4th, in Bartlett, TN at the Bartlett Performing Arts Center. After that, we’ll be at the Yucca Theater in Midland, TX.

   Something that’s totally getting lost with the stolen stuff news is that Ezra went on a guided fishing trip in south Texas and caught some, “epic” speckled trout! Thanks to Jay Watkins for putting us where the fish were!

Troutfully yours,

Keith and Ezra

This is a story done by our local TV station about my treehouse! Thanks to Mitch Roberts and Channel 5 for doing the story. Also notice my very handsome hoodie! It was a Christmas present from my son. Click HERE

For a slideshow we did of the progress on the treehouse check out the Kids page on our website or Click HERE. (When you see the slide with me and my two kids, you realize how long this project has taken. My son is now 6’11″. )

Troutfully Yours,
Keith and Ezra

Troutfully yours,

Ezra and Keith

Keith and Ezra proudly use Elixir Strings

The book/cd also earned a Mr. Dad Gold Seal of Approval.

Keith says buy the new “Chicken Joe Forgets Something Important” Book/CD set and get a free copy of “Merry Fishes to All” … buy 2 books, get 2 Merry Fishes CDs…etc!
(Please don’t add Merry Fishes to your shopping cart, we will add it as we process your order.)
ORDER

Ezra says get our Four Grammy Nominated CDs with FREE SHIPPING! $40
(includes inFINity, Merry Fishes to All, My Best Day and Big Round World) ORDER
 

We are getting the orders out within a day, so try to order by Tues the 20th and your order should make it for Christmas.

Questions? Just give the Trout House a call at 888-HEY-TFIA (888-439-8342) or 

Email Karen@troutmusic.com

Troutfully yours,

Ezra and Keith

PS Another nice review from blogcritics.org on “Chicken Joe Forgets Something Important.”

It’s been a crazy ride this year. We’ve already survived not 1, but 2 ‘Ends of the World.’ Now we’re tumbling headlong toward 2012 and all the problems those Mayans started by not planning ahead far enough. Gosh, I hope it’s not as bad as the Millennium crisis was when they forgot to include the 21st century in the computers. But, I guess we’ll muddle through somehow.

Our new book/CD, Chicken Joe Forgets Something Important is still doing great. Last month, we told you about the NAPPA (National Parenting Publications Awards) Gold Award. Right after that letter went out, we got word that the book had received more Gold!

This is in the 2011 Moonbeam Children’s Book Awards (Book with Music). We went to NYC last month to showcase the release at Symphony Space.We also recorded a show on Sirius/XM Satellite Radio. The book/CD really is a lovely project. Even our Moms like it… and they can be tough critics! If you’d like to listen to it on the radio, you’re in luck. We were asked to guest host a radio show called The Hilltown Family Variety Show. You can tune in Saturday, Nov 5th to WXOJ 103.3 FM – Northampton, MA from 9-10 AM or listen to the podcast at HilltownFamilies.org. We talk, say intelligent things, play some of our songs, play some of our favorite songs from some of our friends, AND present the Chicken Joe story in the middle. Don’t miss it! Don’t forget something important!

Please check our calendar as some new dates have been added to our schedule. Among other places, we’ll be in Dallas, Houston, St. Louis, Chicago, Fayetteville AR, Wilmington DE, and Ocean City NJ. We hope you have a wonderful 11.11.11 (especially at 11:11 AM and even at 11:11 PM!!)

Troutfully yours,

Ezra and Keith

The Trout’s were inspired to put together a video using a song from the new Book/CD set “Chicken Joe Forgets Something Important.” The song is called “16 or 17 Hours of Sleep” and you can go HERE to see this one.

You can also visit Trout Fishings Youtube page called MusicbyTroutfishing. Subcribe to us, share the videos, and make comments.

No telling what is next!

Thanks to all of you who sent us your HAIR PARTY photos. We are still collecting them and will add them here and on  Trout’s ofFISHal Face Book page in the photos section. Send to karen@troutmusic.com. Trout fans Rock!