Wednesday, July 26:
Today I depart to meet Chely Wright in Ramstein, Germany to do a show for the military.  Judy is currently with her, but once I arrive, Judy will leave for another festival in Europe.
Had a very easy check-in, left for Atlanta on time, no problems.  We ended up being late departing Atlanta because of an equipment change.  Once on board, there were lots of empty seats so everyone was able to move around.  It was so nice to have an entire row to myself.  Didn’t sleep much on the flight, boy, will I pay for that later! 

Thursday, July 27:
I was supposed to meet Judy once I arrived in Frankfurt and hand off some medication for her migraines.  Unfortunately, with my plane being delayed, I missed her. 
Andy, our driver, picked me up and just as we were about to arrive at the hotel in Landstuhl, he received a phone call from Tietze saying Chely was not feeling well.  Got in my room and called her.  She had a major crick in her neck from 2 nights ago and had developed into a huge knot and she could not move her neck.  This is not good since she has a show tonight.  As I had just arrived, Clay went with Chely to the Landstuhl Medical Center to get checked out and I went with the band for load in and sound check.  Chely got a shot, couple of meds, some food and went back to the hotel to rest. 
On our way to the base for load in, we had a bit of trouble getting me on base.  The others had their ID’s made in Schinnen and since I was not there, the driver was going to “sign me on”.  One of the guards working the gate was German and had no clue what we were talking about.  He took my passport to the security guard shack for about 10 minutes, and then another guard came over and asked me to go to another office with him.  I got in there and they said they were not aware of any musicians coming on base, so they made a couple of phone calls and were sending someone over to get me in.  Again, Andy asks, “Can I not sign her in?” and shows his ID.  Then the guy behind the desk says “oh, yes, you can sign her in”!  Guess we just needed to ask one of the US soldiers.  After about 30 minutes, finally, I am able to access the base!  Had a bite to eat, load in, sound check and back to the hotel to rest for a while to rest.
Departed the hotel at 8:30pm, dropped the band at the venue and Chely and I went for her to tape a PSA.  It was about safety and paying attention when you are driving, and not drinking, talking on the phone, messing with the radio, etc.  Can’t wait to see it, she is such a natural! 
Got to the venue, did a short m/g with some radio winners, and met a few friends of Kyle’s!  :)  Chely began thanking everyone during her show for making this date possible and she mentioned SFS.  (How nice!)  Well, then she mentions me and makes me get on stage with her!  I could have died!  How embarrassing!!!  Chely did a great show, the audience loved her.  Chely really interacts with the audience, even had one guy who was on the phone give her his phone so she could talk to his wife!  She sang “Bumper” and I don’t think there was a dry eye in the house, and she received a standing ovation!  What an amazing song in itself, but when you are there with the people that song is about, it takes on a whole new meaning and gives you a whole new understanding and appreciation for what they do everyday so that we can enjoy our liberties.  Chely signed autographs for about 1 ˝ hours and we all went back to the hotel for a couple of hours of sleep.
Penny