Hello SLR friends and family -

We hope this email finds you all well, keeping cool and enjoying the summer, and hoping the following announcements can give you a few things to look forward to in the coming days... 

And now for the big news:  We wanted you all to be the first to know that we've decided the best way for us to honor Kirk's memory is to get together and play some shows.  As we all know, Kirk was never one to give up, and we're pretty sure he would have wanted SLR to get back up on the horse and do what he was always determined to do – keep on playing.  That being said, we have the following dates to announce:

Friday Aug. 17 – Wichita, KS / Cotillion Ballroom (with Reverend Horton Heat and Murder by Death)

Friday Sept. 21 – Kansas City, MO / The Crossroads

We may add a few more regional shows, so please stay tuned to the website for updates…

One more announcement to make – if you haven't visited the website in the last week or so, then you'll be happy to know we've added the "SLR DVD - Live at the Cotillion/ Dec. 8, 2006" to our merch page.  We decided our best option was to set it up for presales.  Fortunately, we've already sold quite a few without making an announcement, and we're hoping that now that we're getting the word out we can sell even more, which in turn would mean we could get it out to you faster.  We're expecting approximately a month or so for ship time, but that all depends on you guys.  So please order now and encourage others to do the same – trust us here at SLR HQ – it's well worth it.  Check out the merch page of the website (www.splitliprayfield.com) for more details including the song list from the DVD…

We hope some of you were able to make it out to Kirk's memorial at the Wakarusa Festival… It was a pretty moving experience to be within that circle and feel all of that love for our friend.  We want to thank John Bukaty, Bridget Law and the other artists that help put it together, and also a big thanks to those of you who donated your pictures and added your kind thoughts and words.  It was a great way to remember Kirk and we hope to continue to build on the memorial at the Waka Fest for years to come. 

That's it for now!  Stay tuned for updates and as always, thanks for supporting us through everything… you guys mean a lot to us!

Split Lip Rayfield

With great sadness we must announce that our band mate, friend and brother Kirk Rundstrom has lost his battle. Anybody who knew Kirk knew that he had more zest than all of us. He truly had an ethereal spirit. We have been proud and impressed with the way he went out on his own terms. It wasn't easy, it wasn't fair, and it sure as hell isn't right, but he was an inspiration. We love him and will miss him.
Thanks for your prayers...
Split Lip Rayfield

Hey Kids...Thanks for coming out to all the recent shows.  They have all been amazing, thanks to you.  The folks at lawrence.com turned me onto these pics and video from some of the recent shows and I thought I would pass them along.  Scroll down through the "party pics" and there are 4 or five different galleries floating around.

http://www.lawrence.com/videos/indie/
http://www.lawrence.com/photos/galleries/sets/party_pics/

See you in November...Keep the Fire!

JEff

From the Split Lip Rayfield Mailing List:

Hello Split Lip Rayfield fans, friends and family,

Just wanted to send you all a little update on Kirk and SLRs current status Im sure by now you are all aware of Kirk Rundstroms diagnosis of esophageal cancer in early February. Despite some of the setbacks Kirk has had to face (see www.kirkrundstrom.com or www.splitliprayfield.com for further info), he remains strong and is steadfast in his fight against this illness. He is still trying alternative therapies that are making him feel better; hes been exercising a lot, and maintaining a positive outlook.

That being said, we have some news that should put a smile on your collective faces. If you havent already heard, Kirk has decided that music is what ultimately makes him the happiest and could end up being the best kind of therapy out there for him, so he and the boys have decided to hit the road for a stint of shows in their key markets. Now that youre smiling, lets go one step further Wayne Gottstine (mandolin) will be coming back for the majority of these shows! Yep thats right, theyve all decided it wouldnt be the same without Wayne on board for these last shows. Heres the schedule:

Thu 8/17 Kansas City, MO/ Daveys Uptown
Fri. 8/18 Lawrence, KS/ Bottleneck (sold out)
Sat. 8/19 Manhattan, KS/ Auntie Maes
Sun. 8/20 Wichita, KS/ Cotillion
Mon. 8/21 Lawrence, KS/ Bottleneck (JUST ADDED!!!)
Thurs. 8/24 St. Louis, MO/ Blueberry Hill
Fri. 8/25 Chicago, IL/ Empty Bottle
Sat. 8/26 Columbia, MO/ Blue Note
Thurs. 8/31 Fort Collins, CO/ Aggie Theatre
Fri. 9/1 Boulder, CO/ Fox Theatre
Sat. 9/2 Denver, CO/ Bluebird Theatre
Sat. 9/16 Winfield, KS/ Walnut Valley Bluegrass Festival Stage 5
Wed. 9/20 Tahlequah, OK/ The Dream Theatre
Thurs. 9/21 Fayetteville, AR/ Georges Majestic Lounge
Sat. 9/23 Austin, TX/ Continental Club
Sun. 9/24 Austin, TX/ Continental Club

As you can see, weve added another Lawrence show on 8/21 for all you Lawrence people who didnt get tickets in time for the show on 8/18! And for the rest of you in these other areas, I suggest you go buy your tickets immediately after you read this These are their last tours in these areas, so tickets are going fast! Go to www.splitliprayfield.com for info. on all of these shows and more.

A few more newsworthy tidbits

The latest Split Lip Rayfield release, Live at the Bluebird Denver, CO is for sale on their website. It was recorded at their last show, Jan. 28th, a few days after Kirk received the news of his illness. The boys really put some heart into this one--its a must for your SLR collection!

And finally, for those of you in Lawrence, please check out the silent art auction at the Olive gallery located at 15 East 8th St. to bid on fabulous artwork by local, regional and national artists, and listen to great music while your at it. All proceeds will go directly to Kirk. Bidding closes on Aug. 3rd at 8:30 with music by Drakkar Sauna and DJ Zippy...

Thats all for now Thanks again to everyone for keeping Kirk in their thoughts and prayers Please continue to send him your love and be sure to get your tickets soon to come see us at the shows!!

Amanda and SLR
www.splitliprayfield.com