THE 2016 SOLO PIANO TOUR/September Blog

Three years ago, when I was out on the holiday tour, we came to a city where I had family members attending that night. We were in the middle of a recession, and everyone knew that it had been a rough year for people in the music business. We were all sitting around a table in my dressing room, which was actually a teacher's conference room. While we were talking, an extended family member turned to me and said, "well Lorie, are you planning your farewell tour?" My head started spinning. All I could picture was Cher and The Judds. Rather than answer the question, I asked him if HE was planning to retire at his job in the near future. (He is older than me.) Well, heavens no. Times were tough, but I was not going to just lay down and die. I realized he was just trying to be nice, create conversation. But a farewell tour was the last thing I was thinking about that night. 

When Tim was a teenager, he used to mow Mr. Miller's yard. They lived across the street from the Lines in a cute farmhouse in a modest neighborhood. Mr. Miller was young (probably early 20's), handsome (still is), full of life . . . ambitious. Over the years he became very, very successful. They enjoyed watching him become semi-famous. When he was in his late 40's or early 50's, he sold his business and retired. Cashed in handsomely I figure. We have been friends for years and every time I see him he says, "Lorie, don't retire. You become insignificant."

So a farewell tour? I don't think so. Not now anyway because I get the whole "insignificant" thing. I like getting up every day having to look at my calendar. I like new projects, planning my year, multi-tasking and almost being what I call "insanely crazy busy." I also love my lifestyle and that would all change if I decided to sit at home.

I am not going to sit at home.

Recently I have been making a few appearances playing all by myself, just solo piano. Like the Dayton's days, but more of a show. I guess the one comment I hear a lot is "I just want to hear YOU, Lorie." Last week I got an email from a fan that said, "pack up your piano and come and see us. Just you."

So, that is exactly what I am going to do early next year. A solo piano tour. My FIRST solo piano tour in my career. February and March.

This is kind of fun to think about. I am going to 30 cities, just Tim and me, and we will travel city-to-city, back-to-back. We are going to rent a tour bus (a star coach) and hire a professional driver so we can travel by night (like we always do on the holiday tour). Typically we share a bus with 10 kids and Tim and I have bunks with everyone else, but not for this tour. Like most businesses, managing people is the most challenging thing we do, so it is quite exciting to think we will have the bus all to ourselves. A real bedroom in the back (no bunks), a living room, kitchen, and a bathroom with a shower. We'll bring our own cappuccino machine and I'll stock the frig with our own beautiful food. I can't imagine this, but I will be able to hang my clothes in a closet (instead of dragging out a suitcase from underneath the bus in the snow). And instead of cooking nightly for 12, I will be just cooking for two. It will feel like a vacation! (I told my son about all of this today and he said, "oh Mom, you are going to LOVE this.")

We are traveling to towns where we know we have fans but can't get to them on the holiday tour. So . . . Florida, Texas, Arizona, California, Oregon, Washington, Nevada, Utah, Colorado . . . here we come. If it is successful, we will continue on and go east in March. Oh, I almost forgot to mention this. We are going to hitch a trailer on the back of the bus and pull my piano, wardrobe case and our sound board. All self-contained. I know you are probably laughing, but there's more. Tim is going to set up our two state-of-the-art microphones that we carry for the piano, he'll hook up the sound and turn it on. And then he is going to get up in the rafters and focus the lights. And just turn them on. Simple, but beautiful. Meanwhile, I will decorate the stage, steam my clothes, prepare meals and set up the merchandise on the sales table in the lobby. And of course . . . bring a fluffy cappuccino to Tim from the bus.

Whaaaaaaaalaaaa.  Show time.

We have already started booking this tour and tickets will go on sale Monday, November 2nd. I will be sure to keep in touch with all of you regarding cities and dates. All of the venues will be VERY SMALL. 200 seats. (If you have any suggestions, please email tim@lorieline.com.) We are going for a living room setting. Oh, speaking of a living room setting, in June I am continuing THE 2016 SOLO PIANO TOUR and will host a private concert six nights in my home on Lake Minnetonka. Seating will be for 40 people each night. We will serve champagne, wine (or sparkling water), beautiful cheeses from all over the world, dessert (made by Lorie) and fluffy cappucinos (made by Tim). More on that later, but if you've always wanted to come and visit Minnesota, and specifically Lake Minnetonka, June is the prettiest time of the year. And we'll fit in a personal garden tour.

Before I sign off, I wanted to thank all of you for your nice comments about last month's blog PRAYER. I received more letters and emails on this blog than any other blog I've written. I thought all of you would like to know how it went having Zeus over for coffee. A senior pastor read the blog and called Zeus to inform him about the story. Last Sunday he stopped and thanked me for all the kind words I said about him. It was cute. He wanted to follow-up about that coffee date, so I invited him for lunch AND coffee. It was a cooler day so I made homemade chili with corn casserole, and a rhubarb and blueberry crisp for dessert. His story and where he comes from was so inspiring. He is amazing. And delightful.

Of course Tim said the prayer.

All my best, and farewell. For now.

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Lorie and Zeus having lunch.