June, 2002:

I am having the studio record a song track next Tuesday. I will go over Thursday and record my part. It is a Santa Clause Yodeling Song that I co-wrote with a lady, Dell D'Lizarraga from Sulphur Springs, TX. It will be on the 50 years of Janet McBride Yodeling project that is in the works now.

This will be a 2 CD project with about 50 yodeling songs (me of course) on it. It starts with me at age 17.

July, 2002:

I have finished the 50 YEARS OF YODELING WITH JANET MCBRIDE double CD set, and it is now in the manufacturing place being put together. We have to proof read the printing and photo's stuff for the insert, but the whole sound area has been restored digitally and is finished.

There will be two (2) CD's in one slim line package with an 8 page pull out with two photos from early 1940's and one from 1951. Other photos are from the early Janet career and then a couple or 3 photo's of the early record label copys etc. The project has 61 cuts on it with 55 of them being different songs. Some of the songs were cut twice over the years. It is pretty neat.

It could still be the end of August before we get them, but we are on ready for when they arrive.

It was a tremendous project getting all of the info together for the insert. We wanted info on each session like the date, musicians, engineer etc. I think I did that and I hope it is correct.

July, 2002:

There will be four photos inside that are from the early days of the Lister quartet in 1941, one of me alone in 1942, and one of the quartet in 1950. There is a copy of a group of Grand Old Opry folks, plus me in the front row. You might have seen this one at the [Mesquite] Opry. It was there for years.

Anyway, it is quite a spread ... 8 page booklet ... we blew it all out for this one. I have wanted to do an anthology of yodeling songs with the classic stuff for years, and now, we should have it by the middle of August!

August, 2002:

I am getting suuuuuuch great response from those who have the CD now. It really has been good.

September, 2002:

We had a great time at the last two festivals. The Lord sees fit to keep me healthy in voice, so we go sing. I always dreamed of doing just that and now I can.

Please visit the Gene Autry Music and Film Festival web site to see the impressive lineup of western singers who performed with Janet.

October, 2002:

We had a really nice festival at Willcox AZ for the Rex Allen Days Celebration. They asked us to come again next year.

Next week we go for the weekend festival in Las Cruces NM. It's our second year and I understand that it's very rare to get a "call back." Yippee.

After that one we will have only one big festival in November, and that will be the doings for this year. Holidays will be fun at home which is as it should be.

November, 2002:

I was so excited about Alan Jackson, and his GREAT song winning at the beginning [of the CMA Awards on November 7, 2002], that I nearly stood up right here at the house ... and I was the only one in the room!

I think so much of him. Just everything about him is what the world should be about. And when you talk about Country Music, he is our hope.

I like others, as well, but some of their music has strayed. I wish we could hear George Jones more, as he is so worthy, but at least they let him appear.

Loretta [Lynn] was truly class. Dolly Parton's song was great, and so is she. That Brad Paisley fella might just stay country, we'll see.

I feel like The Lord did creep back in, and I loved it.

Thanks again for all of your work. Now we go to Las Vegas and the Western Music Festival. We're not big on gambling, but we'll have a good time just being there, and singing on stage.

I have two showcases each day until Sunday, and have 2 songs on the gospel show. I can't complain.

-o-