Mitch McVicker
Chasing The Horizon - CD Release Concert
with his band Brad Layher, Joe Curet
and special guest, Mark Robertson on bass
February 18, 2001
First Baptist Church, Augusta KS

As the crowd pours in for another Mitch McVicker concert in Augusta, Mitch's mom & dad
(Doug's on the left, back to camera) manned the merch table selling Mitch's new CD,
Chasing The Horizon for the first time. The CD will be available at concerts starting this evening, and hits the stores March 6th.

Mitch relaxes before hand and warms up the fingers.

Mark Robertson, Ragamuffin bassist and Mitch's producer, goes over the evenings set list.
He made the trip from Nashville just for tonight's special "CD Release Concert."
While Mark has played bass for Mitch in the studio, this is the first live performance (other than the being on the same ticket)

First Baptist Church's pastor Dick Smith introduces Mitch and guys.

Mitch is always glad to get back to Kansas ... to see old friends and mom & dad. He's always pretty busy, too.
In addition to participating in the Legacy'sBlessed Are The Broken retreat and tonight's concert,
Mitch also made a quick trip Saturday afternoon to sing a few songs at the Light-99 Renew Your Vows Ceremony in downtown Wichita.
 

Mitch opened with my personal favorite, "Strength To Move."
Having the full rhythm section with Mark's bass added to Cobra Joe's drums was special treat.

Mark Robertson also just recently produced a CD for Brad Layher (left) which is his first solo project.
Due out in early April, they just have mixing and artwork to do, and Mark says it's going to be great!
( ... but then he's probably as biased as I am when it comes to these guys and their music ... )

The concert was almost two hours long, not including a brief intermission halfway through.
Mitch did all of the songs from the new CD (if I remember correctly), as well as some older ones including from the Canticle In The Plains
. Now that I've listened to the new CD several times, two songs are moving their way to my "personal fav spot."
They are "Upside Down" and "Watch Over Me."

Mitch was playing in Salina, KS at a boys home when, in just a few hours, he wrote the song
"Watch Over Me." Mitch's portrayal of the pain and raw emotion is surpassed only
by his effective witness of the hope we have in a saving grace through Christ.

Except for possibly Michael Aukofer, Joe has one of the most interesting "drum sets" I've seen.
In case you haven't noticed (or heard it), that's a genuine car brake drum just below the tambourine.

While Mitch covers BGVs and harmonica, Brad sings "Tin Man" from his upcoming new CD.

After the last song was sung, Mitch returned to lead everyone in praise songs.
The "congregation's" harmony was inspiring and emotional.

Afterward everyone visited for a while, and then it was time to pack up to hit the road
(though Mitch stayed behind to hang out in Wichita for a couple more days).

See Cobra's new trap case? It is so cool, but he wouldn't even let me ride around in it. :-)

(left to right) Brad Layer, Mitch McVicker, Cobra Joe Curet, and Mark Robinson.