Eighteen musically-gifted guests served us a wonderful buffet of American musical styles: folk, country, western,
bluegrass, blues, rock, pop, swing and jazz, mixing together in three hours of original songs of life, love, pain, joy and
hope born from the lessons of so many lives intertwined. A real Rocky Mountain high-time was had by all, as treasured
friendships were renewed and new friends discovered.
Our fabulous Brook Forest Birthday Band included (in rough order of appearance):
Rick Stricklan, Jim's cousin from Eldorado Texas, on guitar and vocal
Maynard Mills, friend from Denver, on dobro and vocal
Russell Rightrup, friend from Denver, on harmonica and vocal
Terry Lewis, friend from Denver, on bass
Nick Stoner, friend from Denver, on guitar and vocal
Jim Withers, friend from Denver on keyboards
Stephen Fulton, friend from Denver, on guitar and vocal
Joanne Stato, friend from Denver (now in Baltimore), on keyboards and vocal
Phil and Debi Jones, friends from Austin, on guitars and vocals
Liz Masterson, friend from Denver, on guitar and vocals (with yodeling!!)
Larry Rothwell, friend from Denver and Austin, on guitar and vocal
Butch Hause, friend from Denver, on bass
Eric Amelang, friend from Texas Tech (now in Houston), on guitar and vocal
Leslie Stricklan, Jim's wife, on percussion and vocals
and the Brook Forest Chorus: Mary "Woo" Love, Joanne Stato and Noreen Melliadis, on vocals
Special thanks must also be given to:
Terry Lewis for providing the PA and making everyone sound so good all night,
Stephen Fulton for providing the slide show equipment,
Scotty Borgeson and Lin Sutherland for assisting with still photography and videography
Andrea and the Brook Forest Inn staff who took such good care of everything
Thanks to you all who helped us make this happen by being there body and soul, and also to those who joined us in spirit.
Like the saying goes, "We've got rhythm, we've got music...who could ask for anything more." Like a dream, that night has passed, but the beautiful memory will linger on. Here are a few photos to start and there are more to come. We look forward to seeing and sharing everyone's favorite shots, so please send yours in when you get a chance...
VIDEO OF MESA VERDE MAMA - Click on image to start