Join us at UP Methodist for: Best of Connections, 2020. We’ll be revisiting some of our favorite songs from previous shows, in a high energy concert that spans the 70s and 80s. You’ll hear classics from Chicago, Linda Ronstadt, Doobie, Brothers, Dire Straights, REM, David Bowie and many more. Our beneficiary for the night will be ODIM Guatemala, a mission supported by several North Texas Methodist Churches that does incredible work among the indigenous people there. Join us!
Dear Connections Friends,
As it says in Ecclesiastes, “For everything, there is a season….”
So it is that we are announcing to you that Connections Band intends to take an indefinite hiatus, following our current season of concerts.
Many of you have been fans and followers of our band for years, so we wanted to be sure you heard this word now. Know that this is a bittersweet decision for all of us, as the core members of the group.
The reality is that Connections’ shows always take a great deal of time, energy and commitment from our entire band. “Load in/Load out” for an average show means a full day of work for some of us. Rehearsals, booking, etc…the daily grind of any band…also takes up additional time.
So, for this season, we feel that it is time for us to enter into a time of “hiatus.” To be clear, we are not “breaking up.” And there is absolutely no bitterness or animosity among our membership. We *love* what we do as a band. But we do not intend to book a “season of shows” past the current season.
Each of us also have other musical outlets, family, and church obligations that we feel the need to tend to, in the near future. Brian will soon be retiring. Rusty has several other musical projects, and may well continue playing shows with some of the current members of the band in another form. (If so, we’ll say more about all this as it happens…) Eric hopes to spend more time with his own music. Much of our horn section also plays with other bands too.
In short, we’ll all still be doing music…and we’ll hope to keep publicizing that through our website…we just won’t be doing Connections shows. And, we certainly hold out the possibility of “reunion shows” down the road. In fact, we can all easily imagine that happening.
So…when will this hiatus happen?
Well, that all depends upon how many shows we book over the next few months. Which is to say:
If you’ve ever wanted to book, or rebook the band at your church or venue…now is the time to contact us! You can get in on this “Final Tour” year.
Contact any of the three of us if you would like to book us.
Finally, a word of thanks to all of you who have been such avid supporters of the band over the years.
Fourteen years ago, we started with one show. We never in a million years could have dreamed of all the amazing things we experienced since then….
Playing for THOUSANDS of people…and more than 70 shows…
Playing with an orchestra and choir…twice!
Raising $335,000 for charity…
And all this from a band fronted by Methodist clergy…
You couldn’t make up this story in a million years.
It’s been such a blessing to be a part of this ride, and such a joy for each of us, and for all the members of our band.
We are not done. Let’s plan for a great final year together.
But we thank you now for all the memories we carry with us, and for all your continued support.
Grace and Peace,
Rusty King
Eric Folkerth
Brian McPherson
Previous events
Join us at Fairview Town Center, as we debut a brand new show: Best of Connections, 2020. We’ll be revisiting some of our favorite songs from previous shows, in a high energy concert that spans the 70s and 80s. You’ll hear classics from Chicago, Doobie, Brothers, Dire Straights, REM, David Bowie and many more. This is an OUTDOOR show!! So, bring your blanket or lawn chair and join us for a great evening. (Inclement weather location: FUMC, Allen). This show will benefit continued Hurricane Harvey relief along the Gulf Coast through in cooperation with the Rio Texas Annual Conference.
April 12
Join us at FUMC Lewisville for our “Rhythm and Soul Review.” This show is filled with classic rhythm and soul songs from the 50s, 60s, and 70s. Our big horn section and core band funk out to great hits by Sam and Dave, Stevie Wonder, Tina Turner, Marvin Gaye, Earth Wind and Fire, and many more. This show will benefit continued Hurricane Harvey relief along the Gulf Coast through in cooperation with the Rio Texas Annual Conference.
THE ALLEN AMERICANS ARE EXCITED TO PARTNER WITH THE CONNECTIONS BAND FOR A SPECIAL TICKET OFFER TO OUR NOVEMBER 16TH GAME AGAINST THE TULSA OILERS. AS AN ADDED BONUS, IT IS OUR FAITH AND FAMILY NIGHT IN WHICH INCLUDES A POST-GAME PLAYER TESTIMONIAL AND PERFORMANCE BY THE CONNECTIONS BAND!
Connections debuts their new show, "The Rhythm and Soul Review" at this great venue in Allen. We'll cover classics from Sam and Dave, The Staple Singers, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye. This show has lots of horns, and lots of classics from the 60s and 70s. Don't miss it!
We will be perfoming in FUMCR's new contemporary worship space, and doing our current set for the last time. Lots of great music, including Dire Straits, Tom Petty, REM, Journey, and many more. The show is free, but will benefit hurricane relief in South Texas. Join us for a great show in a great new venue.
We will play our new 2017 set, in a fundraiser for Hurricane Relief.
We'll play many artists from the 1980s....Hall and Oates, U2, Dire Straights. We'll also put back in several songs to honor Tom Petty. Great music for a great cause...don't miss it!
We will play our new 2017 set, in a fundraiser for Hurricane Relief. This show will specifically benefit the US Virgin Islands, who are not receiving much attention. We'll play many artists from the 1980s....Hall and Oates, U2, Dire Straights. We'll also put back in several songs to honor Tom Petty. Great music for a great cause...don't miss it!
Connections in Flower Mound: Hurricane Relief
Our first show this Fall will be back in Flower Mound at the Senior Center. This show will benefit the Hurricane Harvey Recovery efforts. Join us!
Connections in Allen
We'll be playing our annual show as a part of Change the World Weekend. This will be a new show, filled with a brand new set off music. Details and venue later.....
We'll be coming back to Sachse, a place we've loved playing many times before. We'll be doing our "Summer Party Set" in a benefit show for UMCOR.
We will be performing our "Summer Party Set" at FUMC McKinney. The beneficiary is "Hope Rising's" program called "Stronger Than Expresso," a group dedicated to equipping survivors of violence with the tools to reclaim what abuse took away.
Join us!!
Connections will be playing two shows to benefit flooding relief in Louisiana. The second is Sunay, at FUMC Rockwall. We'll be playing our party set...lots of high energy songs from Chicago, Stevie Wonder, BTO, Steely Dan, and many more.
Connections will be playing two shows to benefit flooding relief in Louisiana. The first is Wednesday, at the Senior Center in Flower Mound. We'll be playing our party set...lots of high energy songs from Chicago, Stevie Wonder, BTO, Steely Dan, and many more. As always admission is free, with a love offering that benefits UMCOR's work in Louisiana.
Connections will be playing this private event, the national Church Connections Network.
Connections will again be playing a show as a part of "Change The World" weekend in Allen. This will be an outdoor show, on the new "South Green" on Watters Creek.
Connections with the Allen Symphony Chorus
Cottonwood Creek Baptist Church, 1015 State Highway 121, Allen, Texas
"Bringing the 70s Back" Benefiting North Texas Tornado Relief. Connection is back with a big show. Our full band. The Allen Symphony Chorus, and an orchestra. We'll be doing songs from Chicago, Stevie Wonder, Elton John, and many more.
We'll be playing our Tribute to the Eagles and Chicago on this night, at a great outdoor amphitheater in Allen. Bring your picnic blanket, food, and get ready for a great time. They'll be activities for the kids, bounce-houses, a rock-climbing wall and more. We've drawn 1,000 fans to a show here before, and hope to have 1,500 this night. It's all a part of "Change the World Weekend" in Allen...where several churches are banding together to deploy hundreds of volunteers to make a difference in their community. Our love offering this night will support "Change The World Weekend." First United Methodist of Allen is the lead sponsor.
Free Age limit: All ages
Connections Tribute to Chicago and The Eagles
Stonebridge United Methodist Church, 18oo S Stonebridge, McKinney
We'll be playing our tribute to Chicago and the Eagles. This is one of our favorite shows, and even if you've seen it before you'll hear several new songs from both bands. The Eagles set features favorites like "Take It Easy," and "Hotel California." The Chicago set features our amazing horn section, on songs like "Saturday in the Park" and "Make Me Smile."
As always, our shows are free. But we will take up a love offering for United Methodist Committee on Relief.
Age limit: All ages
Connections Tribute to Chicago and Eagles At Northaven
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Connections is back! And so is one of our most popular shows: Our tribute to Chicago and Eagles. We'll break out some of your old favorites, along with some new surprises too. "Saturday in the Park," "Make Me Smile," "Hotel California," "Desperado" and too many more to mention.
No admission for the show, but a love offering will be taken to combat Ebola in Africa. Dallas is Ebola-free. But this disease still takes too many lives in Africa. Come enjoy some great music, and continue to an important cause. Learn more about our cause here, and if you can't make it that night, you can contribute online now: http://www.umcor.org/umcor/resources/news-stories/2014/august/0807ebolaemergency
Free!