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On Thursday, May 25, year 2000, we paid our final respects to our trusted vehicle, the Big Green Bus. In serving the band for over six years as a somewhat trusty workhorse, it logged over 200,000 miles in our service and outlasted some 15 band members, 8 roadies and 3 engines. She served us well and we mourn her passing. The following is a printed copy of Stumpy's eulogy, which we thought we would share with you all: From the brilliant mind of A.J. "Stumpy" Johnson: "Dearly Beloved, we are gathered here today to pay our final respects to one of our own whose time has come to pass into the next life. She is a close companion of ours whose service has never been questioned, whose service we cannot forget, and whose reliability has only wavered in adverse heat or over steep potholes. Our collective lives compose one vast journey, and this dear friend of ours has helped us traverse countless miles in this journey (approximately two hundred and fifty thousand of them), bearing this family of musicians from coast to coast like the covered wagons of pioneer families. Gentlemen, we are here to pay our final respects to the Green Bus. The Big Green Bus joined the Skinnee Family over six years ago. Originally brought into the world in the transportation services of the mentally infirm, she was acquired for four thousand five hundred dollars to continue her mission and to further the dreams and duties of a moderately popular touring rock band. While she would end up costing this impoverished, yet well fed, band about $60,000 in maintenance, we hold no grudge against her, because she gave only her best, as crappy as that was from time to time. She, my friends, was a fighter. If she was not the chariot of Apollo, at least she was his wheelbarrow. As she pulled oversized loads of instruments and amplifiers and merchandise up treacherous inclines, she would wheeze, rattle, and vibrate, but she would not go quietly into the night! And it was not quietly that she finally faltered on New Year's weekend, as we entered this new millennium. It was one of those bad clackety noises, like chank-chank-chank-chank-chank! You were all there, as we held up the cellphone to her engine on the side of the New Jersey Turnpike in the middle of the night. Sound man Bobby Oakes, who told us, 'Nah guys, she's toast!' It was almost as if she said 'I've brought you into the Third Millennium, boys you must go your own way from here.' We now commit you, Green Bus, to be dismantled for parts to provide futures for other vehicles that your spirit may live on. Axles to axles, rust to rust. Alpha Omega, Keep on Truckin'." OTHER NEWS THE LAST RIDE OF THE BIG GREEN BUS TOUR (IN MEMORIUM) and then a couple with just us... We hope to see all of you at all the shows, but if you can only make a couple that's ok. Just remember that you get extra Champion credits for showing up. You also get superdeluxe extra credits for showing up and buying our merchandise, which includes T-Shirts and CD's (Including the long out of print "Sing, Earthboy Sing") or ordering it online from our website, www.2skinneejs.com. The 2 Skinnee J's Street team is beginning "Y2J" very soon. A Thank You to all Champions who responded to the last call at Street2SJ! Another call is warranted here. Proud soldiers are still needed in the following states: Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Kentucky, Michigan, Mississippi, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Washington, and Wyoming. If you help by becoming a volunteer, please do. Even if your state is not listed above, your help is requested. If you have not corresponded with Street2SJ@aol.com within the last 2 weeks, please join the 2 Skinnee J's Street Team. A CALL TO WEBMASTERS WWW.2SKINNEEJS.COM ON-LINE MERCHANDISE and OLDER CD'S There is no attachment via email on this newsletter. If you would like to view the previous attachment, point your browser to http://members.aol.com/FamousRT and click further if you would like to read past 2 Skinnee J's Newsletters. TO BOOK 2 SKINNEE J's: CALL the skinnee hotline 212.560.7494 for tour updates, and don't forget to leave a funny message. E-MAIL FamousRT@aol.com and join our listserve to get up-to-the-minute skinnee info. E-MAIL Street2SJ@aol.com to join the Street team WWW.2SKINNEEJS.COM for all your skinnee needs |