Dear e-Fisherfolk:

Don't look now but the year has almost ended. Aargh! The 'aughts' are almost over! This year has been an incredible year for Trout Fishing in America and we'd like to thank all of you who have made it possible. Here's an overview of the year to show you what happened. It's an embarrassment of riches for which we are truly thankful. But I think Dizzy Dean once said, "It ain't braggin' if you done it." And we done it, so...

Year in Review
In 2009, Trout played concerts in 19 states (AK, AL, AR, CA, CO, FL, IA, KS, LA, MA, MO, NM, NJ, NY, OH, OK, PA, TX, VA) and Washington D.C. We played in two Canadian provinces (Alberta and Ontario) and attended a jam session in a third (British Columbia). Our CD, Big Round World, was nominated for a Grammy and was later chosen as Pick of the Year by both National Public Radio (NPR) and the Northwest Arkansas Music Awards (NAMA). For Houston's Main Street Theater, we wrote the music for a play called P's and Q's: The ABC's of Manners that was later named 2009's Best Original Musical by the Houston Press. Our children's book/CD, My Name is Chicken Joe, was published and released by The Secret Mountain. We played at least 10 major festivals, cruised Alaska with Jack Williams, did a concert with the USAF Band of Flight, and sang the National Anthem for the opening day of baseball season for the Arkansas Naturals (who by the way went all the way to the championship this year before losing to Midland).

We're not finished yet as we still have a few dates left this year. If you check out our calendar, we'll be returning to the Colonial Theatre in Phoenixville, PA, Skipper's in Tampa, and another big New Year's Eve in Ocean City, NJ.

We're also working in the studio on two new CD projects. One is for another Chicken Joe book as the first has been such an enormous success. The second is more of an adult project as we have a growing back catalog of songs for our more senior listeners who are ignoring the passing of time. Some people still take their fun seriously. We're also writing and working with Craig Calvert and Connie Mims on a Wheatfield release. In late January and early February of 2010 (can you believe that??), we're planning another of our Wheatfield 'band camps' and will be playing some shows in AR and TX. Don't miss them.

Troutfully yours,
Keith and Ezra

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