Year 2000
September 1st, 2000
Hi Friends,
Greeting from the road. We have been hard at work completing all the art and liner notes for Arch Allies, the new live CD of our St.Louis concert with REO Speedwagon. We look forward to unleashing it on you later this month (September)!
As you might notice from our tour schedule we have been busier than we have been in almost 20 years and there is no end in sight. The decision to take STYX to the far corners of the globe was a commitment indeed. After over 180 performances since we embarked in 1999, we have only scratched the surface! The world may have gotten smaller on your computer, but out here where the rubber meets the road it seems to have grown exponentially. Fear not, we are as committed now as ever before to bring STYX as close to your door as we can, as soon as we can.
In October we will be coming to Canada and from there we fly to Germany and Switzerland for most of the month. Jeanne and I will stay behind once we finish all the shows to visit some friends in London, by way of Amsterdam and Paris first. Then back to the USA where we will begin our fall ARCH ALLIES Arena Tour with REO Speedwagon.
STYX and REO really grew up on the arena stage and so we look forward to returning there indoors for this final leg of ARCH ALLIES 2000/2001. It has been the most fun we have ever had on tour, hands down. REO is a unique band, from Kevin, Dave, Bruce, Neal and Brian down through their managers and crew. Their calm and upbeat attitudes have made this seemingly impossible concept a piece of cake. And I mean REALLY GOOD CAKE! The kind you sneak back and have one too many pieces of while no one is looking. They are the ultimate pros and we admire them more and more as we go through the paces of this extended tour. Bravo REO!
Thanks for your support. We have big plans for STYX over the next few years. As I said, the world is a big place, and we are going to scent mark as much of it as is humanly possible!
Meet you somewhere on the planet soon!
Tommy Shaw
April 2nd, 2000
Hi Friends,
It has been a busy week for sure on this end of the world. The new tour went on sale in several cities and the response has been phenomenal! The promoters say it is our best initial sales since we toured in the 80s. You gotta love that!
Also, we launched STYXworld.com this past week which was no small undertaking, but one we have been very thrilled about. I love the way it looks and it is rebuilt from the ground up, and will be capable of handling many new demands we plan on placing upon it this next season. Check in there every so often to watch it grow.
It was a great week for certain, but one that required me to be either on the phone or on the computer from early morning to late at night and come on, I am a musician! I am not used to this kind of thing and frankly I look forward to the part where we hit the road and see all of you from where we stand on stage. THAT is my idea of a good day's work...
So today Jeanne and I got out of the house and went to the Hollywood Farmers Market which goes on every Sunday, 12 months a year. If you visit Los Angeles, by all means go to Disneyland, Universal Studios, Rodeo Drive and all the other usual tourist attractions, but if you want to rub elbows with the people who live and work here, go to the Sunday market. It is full of the kooky people I call neighbors and it is the best place to find fresh fruits, vegetables, flowers and original creations from all types of craftsmen. Lots of music, great food and a great way to get the feel of this town and the best part--no cover charge!
Cheers!
Tommy