Happy Friday to all - Tim here writing from sunny British Columbia. The northwest is amazing this time of year. I’d invite all of you over for a cookout, but I need to change out the propane canister for my grill and it’d be embarrassing to have thousands of people over with no food. Maybe another time.But that’s not why I’m writing you today. I’m talking about our first-ever headline US tour. I love typing that. We’ve opened for great bands in our career and have loved all the youth conferences and worship conferences, but there’s something about going out with our own sound and lighting and ideas and songs and all of that. And we’re taking out a great opener - Above the Golden State - from Portland, OR. We’re very excited.I do have a couple things I’d like to plug, while I’ve got your attention:1 - We’re hitting a lot of cities, so check out the tour schedule at myspace, at starfieldonline.com, or in ‘Events’ at Facebook.2 - If you’re a Facebook person - join ‘The Official Starfield Group’, add Tim Neufeld (that’s me!) from Vancouver as a friend, and RSVP to whichever concert might be in your area.3 - check out the invitation video we posted at myspace and youtube. And not to be too Facebook crazy, but Jon posted his own video on there, too.So that’s a good update for now. I’ll write more once I figure out the details for our cookout together.Tim
Loving the fall weather way up here in Canada. We’ve had some beautiful drives and amazing scenery on our trek across Canada. The highlight for me being the north shore of Lake Superior. Probably the most remote stretch of highway ever, where we nearly ran out of gas multiple times, but it was all worth it for the serene landscape and piercingly blue hue of the largest fresh water lake in the world. Tim and I used to come here when we were kids and stay at our Grandmother’s cabin in Schreiber, a small town on Lake Superior, so this drive always floods us with memories) Taking in the beauty of creation has always been my favorite part of traveling so much.
Anyways, all scenery aside, this tour has been a riot. We’ve had a lot of fun hanging out late into the night with the Johnny Parks band (our new Irish friends), and we’ve enjoyed getting to know Will Graham a bit more as well. We’ve been going now for something like 7 days straight and I think we’re all ready for our day off in Calgary in tuesday…It will be a much needed break for sure…We are on our way to Medicine Hat as I type…and we will finish the tour in Alberta this coming friday. - Jon.
On a side note, I’m a little sick of Tim Hortons since it’s the only thing there is to eat or drink in most of these towns…I think I’m okay to abstain from Timmy’s for about a year after this tour. Although the breakfast sandwiches are pretty good…I’d even go so far as to say that they beat out McDonalds “Egg McMuffin”…Can I get a witness?!
Well, we’re on the road again, on our cross Canada “I Will Go” Tour 2nd leg, playing smaller markets in Canada this time around, so all of you in the boonies can come and say “hello”. The first 2 shows in Belleville, and Barrie were both great. We felt lifted up and carried by the energetic crowds in both these places after long setups left us scrambling to start the shows on time. Thankfully both shows went on without a hiccup. Also, it’s been great teaming with the BGEA (Billy Graham Evangelistic Association) and having Will Graham (Billy’s Grandson) come on as a speaker on this tour. He even wore a Starfield shirt last night (what a good sport). That’s all for now - Jon.
All beautiful places that we’ve briefly experienced in the last week. I feel like I could’ve easily spent a week in each of these places, experiencing the local culture and the amazing natural beauty all around. The hightlight for me so far was staying at a hotel resort in Ireland called the Galgorm (www.galgorm.com) An incredibly beautiful grounds built to modern perfection. Randomly, we arrived in Belfast on the day of the worst rains the area has ever seen and there was crazy flooding all over Belfast and the North of Ireland. So, the quaint little river right beside the resort was now a rushing river that would intimidate the most experienced of white water rafters. It was possibly the greenest land I’ve ever seen, and after that much rain, I like to think that no one has ever seen it that green…But who knows. Anyways, just a little tidbit from what’s been an amazing time out here in Europe. The shows have been amazing, uplifting, and humbling. It turns out there’s people that know our songs out here. It’s pretty amazing. 2 more gigs to go. Then it’s home sweet home. - Jon.
The Galgorm Hotel Resort just outside of Belfast, Ireland.
“Revo” Festival near Frankfurt Germany.
Hello all - just a quick note. Had a wonderful time in Sweden yesterday at Frizon festival, and we’re now en route to Switzerland. The next two weeks have an incredible amount of travel, but each day we arrive in a spectacular city and it’s worth the sleepiness.In the midst of all this travel, we’ve still got a lot of work to do for the Canada tour next month and for the US tour that we’re currently scheduling. On three different occasions yesterday I was video chatting with our manager back in Nashville - the world feels very small when you can do that so easily and cheaply. We’ve been reading your comments about what cities to visit and I think a lot of you are going to be happy. More news to come as wireless permits.Tim
So we added a string of Canada dates to the schedule today - Sep 5 through Sep 19, starting in Ontario, working our way all the way to Grande Prairie. We’re really excited about this run of dates - a terrific worship leader and artist from Ireland - Johnny Parks - is opening for us for the majority of dates. And Will Graham - the grandson of Rev Billy Graham - is coming along to deliver a message each night. We think it’s going to be a special tour and hope you’ll come out. One of the interesting things on this tour is we’re hitting cities that we haven’t visited in a long time. All of you people in Medicine Hat, in Brandon, in Belleville….you’re neglected no longer. Which brings up the larger question for all of you who might live outside of Canada - what cities are we blatantly ignoring? What’s the one city that’s simply had to wait too long for a visit from Starfield?
So, I’m thinking about taking a dip in the “Salt Lake” this week. After all, we’re in Salt Lake City, and what better way to experience the local culture than taking a swim in the lake that gave this city it’s name…I’ve heard that you float…Without treading water or using “water wings” (those orange things you wear on your arms when you’re a kid) But, I also heard you smell like a rotten egg afterwards. So there’s pros and cons…
Anyways, the reason we’re here in Salt Lake is because of an Evangelical free church event that happens every 2 years. So this year it’s called “Challenge ‘08″. Last night, Francis Chan spoke a phenomenal message on how we view God. He outlined a few different descriptions of encounters with God in the bible from Isaiah to John. In every story he recounted, the one who experienced a vision of God fell on their face, not worthy to look upon a Holy God. He communicated the “other-ness” of God in a descriptive and powerful way, and it left the room in silence and reverent repentance. We went on stage and slowly built up into “How great is our God” and ended with the people singing “Our God is an Awesome God” Acapella. It was a powerful night that we won’t soon forget. - Jon.
Look up Francis Chan’s podcast in Itunes if you get the chance - He’s great.
somehow we snacked at McDonalds again today… how does this keep happening? we’re in one of the culinary capitals of the world and we’re eating at McDonalds! I’m so disappointed in myself… On a lighter note, we saw ‘Hairspray’ (the musical) and visited the ‘British Museum’ http://www.britishmuseum.org/ today… I have to say i prefer Zac to whoever the dude playing Link was in the musical…. but i digress… the museum was AMAZING… all those years growing up i never realized just how un-awesome the manitoba museum of man and nature really was 
I do however remember being terrified of the Native American/buffalo/cliff display though… were they REALLY just lifeless dummies? We’re headed Back to Edinburgh tomorrow then flying home to Canada on Saturday… it’s been a fun getaway but I’m dying to be home, tim. 
London is like New York’s older brother… more refined, more mature, and the very best kind of cool (not because it tries so hard - but just because it is). We’re loving our few days off in England’s capitol… Jon and Myself (and our lovely wives) rented a flat just outside the city center and have spent the first couple of days just soaking in the sights and sounds. Today is tourist day as we’re booked at 1:30 on the ‘London Eye’ (a massive ferris wheel on the banks of the river thames - hopefully it doesn’t rain) and hope to see a few of the other historic sites and museums as well. on a much sadder note: somehow we’ve already been to McDonalds twice since we’ve been here… booo tim. ps - here’s video from last night of some brotherly shenanigans in an english grocery store… it was late, and yes i was about as tired as a man can be while still performing for the cameras :-) mvi_4301-iphone-cell.3gp
I can’t begin to explain how spectacular this event is. For those that were there - 30,000 strong - there’s no need for me to explain… but for those that weren’t - believe me when i say it is the single greatest event we’ve ever been apart of… Nothing we’ve done in any other country in the world exceeds the the production team, production value, and overall vibe of this event. Sponsored by the dutch government, and televised on Dutch TV, EO youth day was a BLAST to be a part of. oh, and the people were great too! they LOVE their soccer… and why wouldn’t they? the night before we played, the Netherlands team won their second straight match against France in the Euro Cup… and that’s another thing… you haven’t lived until you’ve watched a playoff soccer match with the Dutch on their home turf… life-changing! We can’t wait to be back in the Netherlands for Flevo Festival in August. I’ve added some video so you can experience it for yourself! tim.