THUNDER!! THUNDER!!

THUNDER!!

I'm at Josh's house 'cause we're practicing all weekend, and his house is closest to the place we practice. Danny (he's playing guitar with us again) and I were both snoozing upstairs in one room and suddenly we both woke up at the same time. Why? A gigantic thunder explosion struck the earth right outside the window. We both shot up like the freakin' monster of Frankenstein. I'm a really heavy sleeper, too. It was like God was bored and wanted to remind his people that if he wasn't so loving and merciful ... he could vapourize us in the blink of an eye.
Geez.
What a terrifying thought to wake up to. : )

So like I said, we're practicing this weekend. Remember Ben from the Hello Kelly TV episodes and the Rock Hop and Roll tour? It was sweet having him on the road, but I guess The God of Terrifying Thunder Explosions had different plans for his path and ours. We're still great friends, and he's planning on starting up a new band - so I'll be sure to fill you guys in on that so you can support him. Stepping in to fill his shoes is our good buddy Danny Mutter! He played with us for all of 2007, and it's really great to have him back. The other good news is that James is playing with us again too! It REALLY feels like one big happy family.

So are you ready for a story? I've been spending my time in Orangeville these days, putting in some hours at my old job to keep the bills paid. One afternoon I was at my dad's place and I had just gotten out of the shower. So picture me: hair's all wet, holding a cup of tea, wearing sweat pants and some old work shirt. Looking like the furthest thing from a rock musician. The doorbell rings. I open it. Two tiny little girls are standing there with a scrap piece of paper and a pen.
I guess they saw the van in the driveway. Tres strange.
They asked me for an autograph. I gave it to them, feeling the most awkward I have in a long time. Somehow it's WAY different when you're at a show. I wanted to tell them: "There's a high probablility that I was doing the siding on your house like ... yesterday. I am NOT that cool."

But here's the twist. Two days later, we were playing at Pitch and Praise and this Canadian piano-pop artist was doing worship. Amanda Falk was her name. My friends, did she ever have a pretty face and an even prettier voice. I was legitimately star-struck. I tried talking to her a couple times but I was about as smooth as a bag of nails. I ended up just buying her CD and getting an autograph. I felt like those two little girls from two days before. So it goes.

Another thing! Do any of you guys know the band Casting Crowns? Well, your parents might. They're the old guys who sing: "If we are the body, why aren't his haaaaaaands movin??" Well, we're opening for them in two weeks! YES! Haha. We're actually really excited about it. But here's the thing. There hasn't been a TON of promo so not a lot of people know about it!
So, Click here for all the details! If you live anywhere close to there, PLEASE come! Tell your parents! (They'll love Casting Crowns - muah hah hah!) Jump in a van with your friends. Tell your youth group. It's a great summer event to spend outside and come see Hello Kelly! DO IT!!

Okay okay okay, last order of business!
Josh McCabe, our drummer, just released an EP with his side project Nineofive. If you're into worship-rock stuff like Starfield and Hillsong United, you'll LOVE his stuff. Click here to check it out!

Thanks so much for all the support! We're playing quite a bit this summer in Ontario so check out the "SHOWS" section and come see us!

-francy and the HK crue