el Goose Times Volume 10

EditorialStaff

JonCaruso TEDitor-in-Chief

LisaGoverna GooseChicksTEDitor&ClassifiedsQueen

RyanStorm MusicMaestro

MarcKomitoContributingWriter&ResidentDanceTeacher

RickGallego ResidentChefdeCuisine

AmandaCad MasterStoryteller&LogisticsSpecialist

AndrewDaRosa FeatureTEDitor

TamaraSastowBCMusicTherapist&Multi-instrumentalist

GarrettDorfman SuperTEDProjectManager

JoeJoseph CreativeGuru&Webmaster

RusSo OGFan&Historian

PaigeCarusoIdeaEntrepreneur&GooseChicksAmbassador

JackQuinn NumberOneNewsie

(satellite)Team

MarcChiavon MemeWizard&elConfidante

SparkmanClark ComicArtist&StrangeManAccomplice

MikahAtkind SisterSpud

SaraTonin EmpressofHarmony

RebeccaJaneLee CanadianArtiste&Visionary

KhaleeKay CreativeQueen

AlexGrosby TEDvertisingAdvisor

SpecialThanksTo:

Jon&BonnieLombardi

EllieDeneroff

AndrewGoedde AngelaLindsay

GregKnight&DaveDiCianni B.Cheese

BruceRobinson AsherGallego

AdamBerta &OurCommunityfor WesternSunFoundation supportingus!

TableofContents

Pages4-5

Page6

Page7

Pages8-11

Pages12-13

Pages14-15

Page16

Page17

Pages18-23

Pages24-25

Pages26-27

Pages28-29

Page30

ALookBack:TheEvolutionof TheelGooseTimes

AShortHistoryof"ElGoose" withBruceRobinson

DepthsofSpace:Summer2023Recap

SameOldShenanigans RevisitedwithJonLombardi

FallTour2023Recommendations & Long-TimeListener,First-TimeCaller

SameOldShenanigans RevisitedwithAndrewGoedde

BesidetheFire'sGlow:"WysteriaLane"with guestwriterB.Cheese

HotChocolateinAsher'sKitchen:Spud'sPotatoCandy

elGooseChicks:AnOpenLettertoOurTEDitor AnInterviewwithPaigeCaruso

Arise:InterviewwiththeWesternSunFoundation's AngelaLindsay&AllINeed(isaLogicPuzzle)activity

CallingfortheRhythm:SeekersontheRidgePart1

"RosewoodHeart":A TedtheGoose cartoon

Classifieds& TheAdventuresofStrangeMan Episode7comic

ALookBack:TheEvolutionof

Aswecelebrateourtenthvolume,ourteamthoughtitwouldbefuntotakealookbackatthehistoryofthisspecialpublication, reflectonhowitbeganandhighlightsomeofthemajormilestonesthatwe'vehad(sofar).

November2020

TheelGooseTimes concepthasevolved significantlyoverashort periodoftime.This publication'snamewas inspiredbytheFacebook group,"elGoose".

Itwasinitiallycalled TheelGooseTimes becauseitwasasatirical summaryofthe"hot topics"intheFacebook groupeachweekregarding theband.Atthistime,it wasaone-manoperation byournowTEDitor-in-Chief, JonCaruso.

May2021

TheelGooseTimes VolumeOne debutedinMay2021duringthe shortSpringtourrun,which beganonMay3rd2021in Frederick,Marylandandendedin Pelham,Tennessee.

Sinceourteamdidn'thavea printeratthispointintime,we utilizedlocalStaplesprinting facilitiesaroundeachvenue.This volumewasprintedonasingle 17"x11"sheetofpaper,doublesided,foldedandprimarilyin black&white(outsideof100 colorcopiesthatwerenumbered). Thefirstissueincludedan interviewfromAndrewGoedde,a showreviewfromRyanStorm,a TedtheGoosecartoon&more.

Summer&Fall2021

Ourteamcontinuedtoevolveto suittheneedsofthemagazine, withnewfull-timememberslike AndrewDaRosaandJackQuinn, occasional(satellite)contributors, aswellassomewhomovedon amicably(astheEGThasalways been100%volunteer-based).

TheelGooseTimes continuedto evolveovertheremainderof 2021,developingvolumesin supportofGoose'sfirstfestival, FREDtheFestivalandtheirFall tour.InterviewsincludedMatt Campbell,MoMitarotondaand SamBardani.Frontcoverartwork wasaddedtofeatureartistswithin ourcommunityandaddtothe magazinefeel.

February2021

TedtheGoose madehis firstappearanceon February9,2021in "GooseDoodles#1" ofthisversionof TheelGooseTimes

Hisnamewasinspired bythe TedTapes andthe word"Ted"itselfhas circulatedthroughout circlesoffriendsinthe Wiltoncommunity.

April2021

LikeNickFuryfromMarvel's TheAvengers,Jon broughttogetherateamofGoosefanstocreatethe firstvolumeof TheelGooseTimes.OurOGteam includedMarcKomito,RyanStorm,RickGallego, JoeJoseph,KyCousin,Russo,PaigeCarusoand more.Ourgoalwastocreatea"lotrag"surrounding thebandandcommunity;inspiredbyfanzines thatwelovedandgrewupwith,including Dupree'sDiamondNews and SurrendertotheFlow

June2021

Shortlythereafter, TheelGooseTimes team continuedtogrowwiththeadditionoftheamazing LisaGoverna.FollowingfeedbackfromVolumeOne, ourteaminvestedinanewcomputerprogramfor layoutsandresearchedpotentialprintingpartners.

Theoneweultimatelychoseistheonewestilluse today.Fromthisvolumeonward,weshiftedaway fromatraditionalprinterpapertoglossypaper.In addition,thisnewprinterallowedforfull-coloratno additionalcost. TheelGooseTimes VolumeTwo debutedonJune11th2021inSwanzey,New Hampshire.Thisissuefeaturedaninterviewwith Coachandincludedahostoffewfeatures,withthe debutofourelGooseChickssectionandHotTeain Rick'sKitchen(Goose-inspiredrecipes).

April2022

TheelGooseTimeslauncheda subscriptionservice,whichallowedfor readerstohavetheirvolumesmailed directlytothemonasubscription-basis.

Summer&Fall2022

VolumesSixandSeven featuredamulti-column formatthatmadeiteasier toreadandmirrorother magazineformatstylesthat havetraditionallyworked well.

AmandaCad,Sparkman ClarkandMikahAtkindall joinedourextendedteam duringthistime-all bringingfreshnewideas. TheFallissuefeatured debutsofthreenew subsections:Callingforthe Rhythm,BesidetheFire's GlowandLong-Time Listener,First-TimeCaller.

May-June2022

TheelGooseTimesVolume Fivecontinuedtopushthe envelopeandfeaturedthe debutofthesolidorange border(thankstoourfriend andcoverartistKnotPollock), aninterviewwithJeffEngborg andRitaCaruso,aswellasthe debutofItBurnsWithinfrom our(thennew)teammate TamaraSastow,aswellasa "Where'sWaldo?"inspired centerfoldartworkbyfrequent collaboratorandfriend MarcChiavon.

Asignedcopyofthisvolume (signedin-betweenthetwo RadioCityshowsinNewYork thatJune)soldfor$726and allproceedswenttocharity.

Fall/Winter2022

Winter2022

Withtheannouncementof theTreyAnastasioBand& Goosetour,Jonreachedout toChristyArticolaof SurrendertotheFlowfor aone-timecollaboration volume-theresultwasa trulyuniqueexperiment andunprecedented, withtwocoverartists andalmost40people contributingtothisvolume whichcelebratedthe greaterPhishandGoose communitiesequally.This volumefeaturedinterviews fromTrevorWeekzand JamesCasey.

RebeccaJaneLeedesignsanewlogoand "newsiegoose"artworkforthepublication (inacollaborationwithJonandteam), helpingpavethewayforthenextevolution ofTheelGooseTimes

Spring2023

Ourcontinuedsuccessand ongoingsupportfromthe bandandcommunitybrought atrulyuniquespecialedition tocelebratetheCapitol Theatrerun,inadditiontoone ofourmostfully-realized issuesyet,VolumeEight.

Summer2023

Ourteamcontinuestoexpand withGarrettDorfmanandSara Toninjoiningourfamily.Our Summereditioncontinuedto builduponthesuccessof VolumeEight,featuingan interviewwithGregDeLuis(of DeLuisguitars),anelGoose Chicksinterviewwith SamWrayandmore,with coverartbyMisterDude.

TheCapitolTheatre specialedition featuredan interviewwith legendary photographer JayBlakesberg,a briefhistoryabout thehistoricvenue andaflipbook imageofTedthe Goose.

VolumeEight featuredinterviews withPeterAnspach, TwinFlameDesigns andPaulaMeyer,in additiontovenue recommendations, anewhoroscope sectionandmore.

It'shardtoputintowordshowproudweareofthis100%fan-run,communitypublication.Ourteamissogratefulfortheloveandsupport we'vereceivedfromthiscommunityoverthelasttwoyears-withoutyou,noneofthiswouldbepossible.We'llcontinuetoworkhardto providesomethingpositiveandfunforourjamcommunitytoengagewith.AsGoosecontinuestoevolveandgrow...wewillfollowsuit!

AShortHistoryof“ElGöose” AShortHistoryof“ElGöose”

Therehasneverbeenabettertimeduringthemidstofanavian uprisingtolearnthefascinatinghistoryoftheEGTnamesake, ElGöose!Thisshorthistorywillattempttoavailyouofthedeeproots behindtheinfamousonlinegroupthatspawnedthetremendously popularperiodicalyou’rereadingrightnow,butitmayultimatelyfailin thatattempt.Iacceptnoresponsibilityinthatcase.My recommendationwouldbetoblametheTEDitor-in-Chiefforallowing thispiecetomakeittopublication…or,maybeyoucouldpostyour complaintsonElGöose?Justathought…

…anyway,let’sdigintothe good stuff.

Mostlybyhappenstance,theFacebookgroup“ElGöose”hasbecome oneofthelargesthubsforsocialinteractionamongfansofthe burgeoningIndie-AmericanaFolk-FunkbandGooseoverthelastfive years.However,ElGöosewasn’tthemainhubforfriendsandfansof thebandduringtheinitialtenureoftheband’sprecedentoutfit, Vasudo.Atthattime,manyoftheirsupporterswerepartofan extensivenetworkofmusicloversthatgreworganicallyfromasmall baseof“localdegens”(colloquiallyspeaking)inWilton,CT,who jokinglyreferredtothemselvesas“TeamBlozz”or“TB,”forshort.It’s probablyworthnotingthatTBisNOTinreferenceto tuberculosis in casethatless-than-fortunatepresumptionisstilllingeringinthe collectiveconsciousnessofthefanbase.

ThelinchpinofTeamBlozz–boththephysicalgroupofpeopleand theprivategrouponFacebook–wasJon“Coach”Lombardi.He createdtheFacebookgroupyearsafterthenamehadstuckin referencetoourgeneration-spanningcircleoffriendswhoregularly wenttoseeliveshowstogether,andwhowerecloselyconnectedby theirsenseofhumor,tastefor“perceptiveaccouterments,”and unabashed,unbridledloveforbandslikeTheGratefulDead,Phish, WidespreadPanic,andcountlessotherjam-scenegiants.

Throughouthighschool,college,andbeyond,Coachwouldperiodically addfriendsoffriendstoTBwithwhomhehadseenatleastoneshow with.Overtime,theformerlyclose-knitgroupbecamerelativelylarge innumber,butinextricablyconnectedemotionally.Somanyofmy mostcherishedrelationshipsexistasabi-productofconnections forgedthroughTB,andIcannotoverstatehowluckyandgratefulIam forhavingbeenpartofthatgroup.

Inevitably,wordspreadthroughourwidecircleofclosefriendsabout Vasudoandultimately,Goose.Afterthebandstartedplayingshowsas Goose,Joncreated“GooseGroup,”whichwasbasicallyTBwitha focusonGoose.Overtime,GooseGroupbecame“FunkyFlock,”but thatnamewasquicklyrescindedwhenwediscoveredthatPigeons PlayingPingPongfanshadalready(accurately)usedthesame nomenclatureforthetitleoftheirfangroup.

Etymologically,GooseGroupnaturallytransitionedtothenow permanenttitle,“ElGöose.”Youmaybethinkingthatthistransition hasnoetymologicalbasiswhatsoever,andyou’dberightinthinking that.Youmaybethinkingthat“ElGöose”isatongue-in-cheek referenceto“ThePhish,”oraloosereferencetothe“metalumlaut,” implementedfirstbyBlueÖysterCultandsubsequentlyadoptedby Motörhead,MötleyCrüe,Queensrÿche,andofcourse,Goose’sfan group.Youmaybethinkingofotherthingstoo,butI’mnotclairvoyant. Regrettably,Gooseneverofficiallyadoptedtheumlautfortheband name,butthey’renotexactlymetal,eveniftheEmpressfromSPAC getspretty“gritty”bysomestandards.

Althoughthetitle,mission,andatmosphereofElGöosehasevolved overtheyears,thegoalofthegrouphasremainedthesame:to provideawelcoming,informative,supportivelandingpageforfansto easilyconnectwithoneanotherandsharetheirfeelingsaboutthe band,theirowncreativeendeavorsandinterests,andtheirpassion formusicandcommunity.Ithasn’talwaysbeenaperfectplacefor everyone,butthegroupmodscontinuetoworktomakeitthebest environmentitcanbeforasmanyfansaspossible.ElGöosehas grownintomorethananichemessageboardforourfriends–it’s becomeacorollarybutaltogetherindependentprojectthatmanyhave benefitedfrominwaysthatextendfarbeyondamusement, entertainment,orfandom.It’salsotremendouslygratifyingthatthe grouphasanyconnectionatall–evenbynamealone–to monumentalpassionprojectslike TheElGöoseTimes.Additionally,to beabletoprovideaplacewherefriendsandfansalikecanforgetheir ownrelationshipsandmemorieslikethosethatIcherishsomuchhas madeadministrationanunexpected,butextremelyfulfillingenterprise thatIhopeIcancontinuetosupportinperpetuity.

Ideally,IhopeIwasabletoprovidesomemeaningfulcontextto readerspreviouslyunfamiliarwiththeoriginsofElGöose.IfIfailed, well…theFacebookgroupisalwaysopentocontinuethediscussion.

withGuestWriter&El Göose Administrator BruceRobinson

with RyanStorm

ItwastheSummerofThatch…orsomethinglikethat.

Inreality,itwasthesummerofGoose–thebandonceagainspenttheearlypartoftheseasonburningdownaseries ofcitiesandvenues,astheir2023soundcontinuestoexpand.

Beginningwithsomeone-offfestivaldatesin lateMayandearlyJune,thequintetquickly demonstratedthatthesewouldnotbe yourrun-of-the-millfestivalexperiences–SummerCamp’s“Thatch”and CatheadJam’s “Tumble”arebothexcellentandmemorable jams,withthelatterfeaturingsometrulyunique andlayeredpianoworkfromPeter.Thesecond setofCatheadalsoboastedanimpressive pairingof“RedBird”and“InYourEyes”–where drumswereking.Wrappingupthequickjaunt withappearancesin Chattanooga and Lexington where“Goocius”returnedforthefirst timesincelastsummer,thebandheadedinto tourproperonaseriousmission.

Beginningin Chicago onJune21stwithavery interestingintroductionfromfanandcomedian BertKreischer,this“intimate”showatthesite ofthe2021NewYear’sEveconcertssawthe bandcraftanastoundingseguesandwichwith “Elizabeth”->“Caution”->“Elizabeth”and absolutelyblowthedoorsofftheplacewithan all-killer,no-fillersecondsetthathadPeter’s arpeggiatoreverywhere.

Louisville hasbeenaveryimportantplacefor Goosedatingbacktotheirfirst-evermulti-night runinJune2018,soitwasafairassumption thattheseshowsweregoingtobeincredible.In justthethirdsongofthefirstseton6/22,the banddelivereda“Borne”ofthehighest magnitude,somehowexpandingonthemajestic previousversioninEugenefromApril.Washes oftexturesandaninfusionofklezmervibes werealloverthisall-timeversion,whereasthe secondset’s“Arrow”stretchedtonearlyhalfan hourandbeganthestretchoftheyearwhere Jeffhasreallybeenshowingoffbothhis percussionchopsandincrediblychemistry withSpuds.LouisvilleN2’sfirstsetwas highlightedbyaNUCLEAR-level“AllINeed”–oneoftheloudestcrowdreactionstoajamin Goosehistorythatisclearlyaudibleonthe recording.Rick’sincrediblesoloventuredinto some“HollywoodNights”-ishterritoryatopabed ofPeter’ssynthsandorgantohigherandhigher peaks.Theemphasisonwell-craftedupbeat jamscontinuedinthesecondset’s“RedBird,” whereTrevoranchoredapowerfulspaceonce againfilledwithlayeredPetertextures.

Whilea90-minuteappearanceatanEDMbasedfestivallike ElectricForest wasexpected tobearelativelyskippableshow,Gooseopted insteadtotakeupnearlyathirdoftheirallotted timewithasprawling“Madhuvan.”The darknesstookoverquicklyforthefirstfive minutesofthejamandthebandseemedas thoughtheyweregoingtowrapupaconcise12 or13-minuteversionofthesong–butRick foundanewveinofinspirationandthey explodedintoacharging,hose-likespacethat sawPetersticktoguitarforlongerthanhehas foralotofthisyear.Continuingfromthere,the improvbrokedownintosomefunkierterritory andeventuallyclimbeditswaybackhome.

Columbus,SHOWHIOonJune27thwasaunique affair,andsawthereturnsofmanysetliststaples onaconspicuouslylongshowgap.“TimetoFlee,” forinstance,hadbeenmissingsinceBozemanin Apriland“Honeybee”sinceMarch.“TheOld Man’sBoat”returnedaftera20-showgapwitha newelement–Peter’sarpeggiator,whichlentthe VintageVibejamacoolextralayerofsound.This showalsohadthecrazybustoutof“RosaLee McFall”toclosethefirstset,spanninga300+ showgap.SpudsandJeffdialedthemselvesinon thesecondset-highlighting“RosewoodHeart,”the show’simprovisationalcenterpiece.

Itwastimeforsomemorefestivalplayingwith Peach onJune29th,wherethebandoffereda showlackingahugeimprovisationalcentrepiece, butinsteadawell-craftedtwosetswithgreatflow andpocketsofshorterjams.“FeelitNow”tested itselfasashowopener,appearingoutsideofthe secondsetforthefirsttime,whileboth“Butter Rum”and“RedBird”gotintosomeunique groovesledbytherhythmsection.“Drive”gota jamforthefirsttimesincetheCap(!!!),andthe bandpunctuatedthatwithatriumphant “HollywoodNights”before(ofcourse)“Thatch” closedoutthenight.

Twonightsastheheadlinerat Resonance inthe stateofShowhiowasarecipeforgreatness,and thebandofferedsomeseriousheattothe relativelyintimate(andmuddy)audience.Adash ofKennyLogginsgavewaytoanotherstandout “AllINeed”beforePeterteasedusallwitha“Lily’s Tiger”teasewithin“Pancakes”–possibly foreshadowingthenextday’sGreatBlueset.In thesecondset,wegotanothermonstrousand expansivehalf-hour“Arrow”andsomeSERIOUS grimein“WysteriaLane”–nodoubtoneofthe year’sMVPjamvehicles.

WhentalkingaboutJuly1st,onecanlookatthe greatcoverchoices(“W.S.Walcott”and “DancingintheMoonlight”),thefirst“DarkHorse” of2023,orthesolid“EchoofaRose”insetone, buttherealstarcomeswiththe “EmpressofOrganos”featuringJoelCummins andJakeCinningerofUmphrey’sMcGee.Whereas Trey’sRadioCityandTABoosesit-insfeltlikethey hadsomemusicalrespectanddeferenceon Rick’spart(inagoodway),thisUMcollaboration lethimgowildagainstJake,shreddingbackand forthastheycontinuouslytriedtoone-upeach other’slicks.Joel’scontributionsonkeyswere incredibleaswell,firstrippinguptheVintageVibe andthenpianoasheaddedajazzyelementwe’re notusedtowithPeter.Bothmusicianshadclearly practiced“Empress”andthetightperformance. OnlygreatthingsthathappenatShowhio Gooseshows!

MovingbacktotheEastCoast,atwo-nightstand at AsburyPark’sStonePonyovertheFourthof Julycontainedwhatfanshaveaffectionately named“EverythingMustGOAT,”thoughthis version’sliquidmajor-keygrooveissuretobe surpassedthisfall.

Well-timedfireworksovertheboardwalkhad theenergyskyrocketingduringtheamazingtrio of“Yeti,”“Creatures,”and“Arcadia”inthe secondframe.Thepicturesandvideocan’t possiblydothemomentjusticeandallwho wereinattendancewillnodoubtcarrythat momentforever.Closingtheframewasa piano-dominated“Dripfield,”oneofthelongest versionsinthesong’shistory.

Onnighttwo,GooseplayedtheGratefulDead’s “U.S.Blues”forthefirsttime,thoughthesong hasbeenanOrebolostaple.Auniquely-woven “Thatch”carriedthesecondsettoanother peakenergymomentinsingalong“What’sUp.” Upthecoastto Portland theywent,andleft Thompson’sPointablazeafteraseriously“Hot Tea,”thisonestretchingcloseto25minutesin amemorablygorgeousmajor-keymotif.

ICYMI–Gooseisanamphitheatreband.

Aftertakingthestepuptoarenaslastyear withMoheganGoosemas,thelogicalnextlevel wastheiconicsummershedcircuit.Making their SPAC debuttenyearstothedayafterthe finalVasudoshowtookplaceasaPhishafterpartyatthesamevenue,Gooserosetothe occasionanddestroyedthe12kpeoplein attendancewithanear-perfectshow.

Whilethearenadebuton2/26/22feltlikethe bandhadsomethingtoprove,SPACfeltmore likeacelebration–weknewthatGoosewas readyforthissize.Fromtheopeningnotesof “SilverRising”tothefinalstrainsof“Factory Fiction,”therewasnotalullinenergyora momentwhereitdidn’tfeellikebandand crowdalikewereconnected.

Oh,yeah–andthereweresomeincredible jams.Fromthefirstset’s“RedBird”that journeyedatopSpuds’punchypopcornsnare toajoyousmotiftothegnarledandtwisted “Empress”thatopenedsettwo,theband rockedtheamphitheatretothehighestlevel possible.Theycouldn’tnotplay“Thatch”here –andthecrowdknewit,reachingafeverpitch asGoosetooktheirtimedevelopingapatient motifinpossiblythesong’sfinest outingtodate.

Acoupleofexclamationpointswereputonthe summerwithsolidappearancesat Levitate and NewportFolk festivals,thelatterofcourse beingknownforitsMuppetsit-in.

Withacross-countrytrekinstorefor SeptemberandtheirfirstEuropeanvisitin November,theroadtoGoosemas10at Hamptonisfilledwithaseriousamountof music…let’skeepbuildingthis2023 momentumuntilDecemberwhenweburn downtheMothership!

Iwasfortunateenoughtoholdhimwithme asawalkedtheboysoutonstagethat night.Forme,it’sjustthesmallthings,but thatwaseverythingforme–lettinghim checkoutthewholecrowdandknowing whatthatvantagepointlookslikefromthe lawnorfromthepavilionthereatSPAC...it’s almosttoosurrealtoeventalkabout–I havegoosebumps,thehairisstandingup onmyhead.Forme,itwaskindofaSimba moment,everyoneofGoedde’slightsthat thesehandstouches,isallyours,youknow, somethinglikethat(chuckles).Itwas beautiful,evenmydogGretawasthere...the wholefamily.IgaveBodieakissandwent towork,becausewhentheshowstarts, that’swhatitis.Tohavesharedthat experiencewiththemisjustsoincredible.

Inourpreviousinterview(Volume2)with MarcKomito,oneofmyfavoritequotes was:“Withoutloveinthedream,itwill nevercometrue.”Reflectingbackonthis twoyearslater,doesthisstillholdtrue foryou?

That,withoutadoubt,holdstrue-insome parts,anethosbuiltinmybodyfor everything:fatherhood,theband,lifein general.Thingsgetrealandthatloveand thedreamsthatcomefromthatlovethat youhave–thinkingaboutanypassionor anyhobby–it’sreallywhatseesme through.Ikindoflivebyit.Itmakessense tome,atleast.

Asa“fatherfigure”ofGoose,howhas yourroleinthebandevolvedovertime? Whataresomeofyourfavoritetourstories and/ormemoriesyou'vehadthusfar?

(Laughs)Ohman.There’salotof stories...howmyrolehasevolvedhasreally changedalotinacoolandfortunateways, sinceI’vebeenheresincewestartedthis band.I’veworneveryhatthereis–interms oftheproduction-sideandthebacksideof things,inoneformoranother–between management,booking,promotion,lights, audio,backlineandperformingwithmy friends.Howtherole’schangedisso beautiful,inthatitscoincidedwiththe growthofthisband.Irememberwhenthe boysmetGoeddeandMartaatashowin OhioIbelieve–theywereworkingandI remembermeetingthem,sawhowhard theyworkedandIwaslike,“That’stheguy.”

Whenthedaycameandwewereableto addacrewmemberanditwasGoedde,it wasjustphenomenal.I’llneverforget meetingthemthefirsttime,wepickedthem upontourandIbelievewewereheading outfromBuffalotogoto(ifmyfoggy memoryservesmecorrectly)Nebraska–Showmaha,Nebraska–tostartIthinkit wasnineshowsoverelevendays,opening upforAqueous(oneofmyfavoritebands, greatpeople).Themomentthatweaddeda crewmember,thedynamicstartedto change:IhelpedGoeddesetuphislights andessentiallybecamealighttech, learningmoreaboutlightsmyselffrom Andrew.He,inturn,helpedoutwith backlineaswellandanythingelsewe needed.WethenaddedSamBardaniandI believehisfirstshowwas10/1/19-Parish PublicHouse,Albany.OurbuddiesEggy openedforus(lovethem)anditwasSam’s firstshowasfrontofhouse.Itwassucha greatfeeling,asthebandandIhadtalked aboutgettingSam,ashewasalocallegend inourareadoingsoundatFTC andlocalvenues.

JonLombardi akaCoach

VideoDirector&VideoCrewChief Goose

TheelGooseTimesinterviewwith

PhotoCredit:AdamBertaPhotography

Goingbacktothatquote,whichisanactuallyaJerryGarciaquote (Ican’ttakecredit),withmytheethosandthewayItrytolive,it’snice tobearoundlike-mindedpeople–evenifthey’renotexactlythesame.

HavingthosekindofvalueswithinSamwashugeforme.Iremember himsaying“Hey,isthereanythingIshouldknowabouttheband?Any songsubtleties?”Isetmerchup,rightinfrontoffrontofhouse(back then,atabarthenit’sjustlikealittlestandinthemiddleoftheroom).I knewhewasgood,hehadagoodearandIwaslike,“You’regood,I’lltell youwhattypeofgenre.AllyougottadoisturnTup.OK?”(chuckles)He wasrealgoodatitman,andI’mtellingyou,setbreakofthatshowIwas smilingeartofuckin’earbecauseIwaslike,“Man,it’sjustcoming together,we’regettingacrew,thiskidisagreatsoundengineer,we havethebestyounglightguyaroundworkingwithusnowthatnobody knowsabout.”Ifeltsoluckyandfortunatetobeabletostarthavinga crewandbeinginthevan–itwasn’tjustthebandandme...itwasthe crewandtheband.Thatwasthestartofthegrowth.

DannyandMartawerealwaysaroundwithAndrew,atsomebigshows theywouldjustbetherehelping.PizzaintheParkinStamfordIbelieve, 2018,MartaandPaulaGoedde(theirmother,greatwoman–welove MomshereatGoose,soshoutouttoPaula–alltheGoeddesreally, shoutouttothem)werethere.Martawaslike,“WhatcanIdo?”and helpinggetvideocontent.Paula’srunningupanddownI-95toLowes andHomeDepotgettingfansandtapesandstuffwecoulduse,you know?So,they’vebeenaroundandthenaturalprogressionastheband evolvedandgrewandmoredreamsweremet...westepupandboys puttinginthepassionanddedicationtodowhattheydoeverydayin, dayout,whetherthey’reontheroadornottohonetheircraft.Tomake thatproducty’allhear,theydeservemorehelp.Sowhenthetimecame toaddhelp,itwasgreattohaveMartaGoeddeandDannyMcDonald comein,essentiallyjustfittingtherestofourIndyfamily,essentially. Since2018,wealsobeganworkingexcellentphotographerslike AdamBerta,ChrisQuinnandsomanyothers-we'refeelveryfortunate forthat.Aswe'relearningandgrowing,wehaveavisualrepresentation thankstothem(whichispriceless)andthere'ssomanyother"bootson theground"teammatesthatarekeytoouroverallgrowththatIwishI couldlistthemall.Andatthatpoint,itwasamazinganditwaslike BingoTour,andthentheDrive-Insandthat’swhatwewererollingin.I’m notgonnalie,itfelt good.Itwasarelieftohaveafullteamandcrew,so thatwecouldallleanintoourabilitiesandmaketheshowsthebestthey canbewithwhatwehad.

Asthatcrewgrew,itmadeourproductionsbetter.SamKingcoming alongreallyisjusthumongous,becausewitheveryoneworkingtheirtails off,nightandday,it’sessential–it'scritical-forSamKingtobearound andkeepusallaliveanddoanamazingjobofeveryone’sday-to-daylife andhandlingitall,she’sagreattourmanager.Fastforwardtowherewe arenowwithafullcrewbusofpeople,withEricLoomis, PeteSpadaro is ourlightingcrewchief.Wehaveafullvideoteamnow,whichisgreat.We addedJesstothemixandsheisjustphenomenal,workingwithguys fromGatewaywhoallworkwiththePhishvideoteam.Inaddition,I'dbe remissnottomentionour11E1evenGroupmanagementpartnerslike DaveDiCianniandBenBaruchandPRextraordinaireGregKnight. It'sanincrediblefeelingtohavebrothersandsisterstoleanonandhelp outandlearnfrom–becauseallofthesepeoplearesogoodat whattheydoinaproductionthatwe’realllearningfromeachother andtodatemyself,we’rekindoflikeCaptainPlanet–whenallofthe powerscombine,we’regoingtofuckshitup!

We’reCaptainPlanetbro. (chuckles)

It’samazingbecausewe’realldoingittogetherwiththatsameloveand thedreamforallofthis,it’sallwe’vewantedtodo–someofusknewit, someofusdidn’t.Ican’twaittoseewhereitgoesandIreallyfeel confidentgoinginwiththiscrew.There’salwaystimetolearn,butthat confidencefromknowingthegroupofpeopleI’mwith,becausethey’re allverybadass.

Whataresomeofthebiggestlessonsyou’velearned whileontheroad?

Therearesomanylessonsyoulearnontheroad!Startingfrombackin theday,sometimesyoucouldmissagig,missasoundcheck...onetime onI-95,somehowahammerjustfelloutofsomeone’struckandwe werelike,“Whoaisthatgonna-”(Whack!)Rightintothewindshield. Whenitreallybreaksdowntoit,I’mprettysurebigSteveParish(legend) saidinScorcese’sDeaddocumentary,“ItcangofromJerrybeingthe bosstothetruckbeingtheboss”-anditstrue.Imean,whenyou’reon theroad,youwanttomakesureyouaccountfortraffic,thevan, incomingweatherandmostimportantly,thevanortrailer.Inaddition, youwanttobethereforloadinandsoundcheck-youwanttobeearlyto beabletostretchyourlegs,sayhitothepromoterandthebandyou’re openingfor.Theseareallthingsyoulearnwhenyoustartout.

Fastforwardtosomemostrecentlessons,Iknowmostrecentlywhen wegottoworkthisTaboosetour,itwasunbelievablyincrediblefora multitudeofreasons.ThebiggestthingItookawaywasknowledgein whattheydo,whilewatchingthebestofthebestdowhattheydo.

PhotoCredit:AdamBertaPhotography

PhotoCredit:AdamBertaPhotography

PhotoCredit:AdamBertaPhotography

PhotoCredit:Providedby Jon&BonnieLombardi

Duringtheshows,beingabletogoinandco-direct withTreyandseehowtheirteamoperate-just hear,listenanddowhatmyDadwastellingme yearsagoattheconstructionsite:“Lookaround, checkoutwhatthey’redoing,seehowitsdone andlistentothelanguage-justabsorbstufflikea sponge.”Givenourmostprimitive,earlylearning situationsinvantimesandhowtogettoshowsontime,howtobookshowsandallthatstufftofast forward,howtoreallybethebestatwhatyoudoin thehighestcaliber-levelofprofessionalismwasall taughttousduringthatTaboosetour,andit wasamazing.

Goingbacktothequestionofmysonbeingborn thattour,whenIknewmywifewaspregnantand alsoknewthetourwashappening,bothbeautiful, amazingthings–youcouldevensay,“the best thingsthathaveeverhappenedtomeinmylife,all atonetime.”Veryveryclosetogether,becausethe touractuallycoincidedwithmywife’sduedateand I’mlike“alright,well...”AndgoingbacktoBonnie’s great,undyingsupport,shewaslike,“Okay,well, youknow,it’salongpregnancy,you’reherewith mealotofthetime.”Yougotowork,doyourthing andfortunately,yougetback,soIwasabletoget backwhilebeingonthattour.

Tellusthestorybehindtherainstick:whendid thatstartandwheredidthatideacomefrom? Whoseideawasittohaveyouuseitduring songslike“Honeybee”?Ilovethevibeitbrings tothesong.

(Laughs)Youhadtodoit,didn’tyou? Oh,you’refunny.

It’saburningquestioninthecommunity!

(Laughs)Soimportant,right?Let’ssee...Idon’t knowwhatyear,butBenlivedwithmywifeandI (Spuds)forafewyearsandonenight,hehadto getsomesticks–maybesomedrumheads,Idon’t know–wehadtoridetoGuitarCenterinDanbury, Connecticut.We’reinthere,he’scheckingstuff out,we’remessingaroundwithstuff.Longstory short,thatdayIwalkedoutoftherewithsome percussiongearandoneofthethingswaslike“oh man,arainstick,thisishilarious,weshould–I shouldgetthis,whynot?”

Ireallydon’tknowwhatexactlyhappenedbutI knowatonepoint,Ibroughtitwithus,“Wecould dosomethingfunny."Thefirsttimeitwasever used,Ibelieve,wasSteamboatSprings.

Wedidatwo-nightrunthere–shoutouttothe OldTownPub,SeanRegean,hiswifeandhiskid, absolutelyjust,oneofthebestpeopleinthe world–butanyway,wehadagoodtimethattwonightrun.Itwasfun,itwassnowing,itwasa goodtimeandIthinkwedida“IUB”jamand“IZ U”,whichisalikesomesortofambientjam.We broughtouttherainstickandTrevorandIwere likesayingsomeinsidejokesintothemic-“IUB” or“IIZ”or“IZU.”Ithinkwehadanideathe nightbefore,justkindofhangingoutlate, goofingaroundbeinglike,“let’sdosomething kindofoutthere.”Andyeah,thathappenedand itwasfun–itwaspretty“B”asfriendswould putit,butitwasfun,it’salwayscooltogetup therewiththem.

ThestickwouldbewithusandIthinkrandom times,wewoulddostufflikethat.Fastforward,I don’tknowifwasarehearsalorashoworwhat itwas,butPeterwalkeduptomeandwaslike, “Heyman,Igotapartforthestick,”inthisepic, positivesmileyPeterwaythat'salwaysin hisdemeanor.

AndIwaslike,“Forwhat,therainstick?Whatdo youmean?”Andhegoes,“Yeah,theintroto "Honeybee,"letmeshowyou–it'llbesweet!” AndIwaslike,“Okay.” (chuckles)

Itjusthaskindofbeenathingsincethen,Idon’t know.WithBroadcastanddirecting,sometimesI don’twannagetupfrommyareaandworldof whatI’mdoingwhenI’mintoit,butI’llgetonthe crewtalkbacks,likeBardanionetimewaslike, “Wherethehellisthestick?”AndIwaslike, “Oh,shit!”It’skindofaninsidejokebetweenthe guys,somethingthathappenednaturally.

Walkourreadersthrougharegulartourday lookslikeforyouandyourcrew.Intermsof preparation,setupandwhateverelse.

Goingbacktothatquestionofourcrew expanding,fortunately,wehavespecialized departmentsnow,insteadofeachoneofus doingfourtosixthingsatatime.It’smoreofa tightlyranshipwithamuchofshipmates,people working–whichisnice.

But,ifwe’regoingtolikeanidealfestivalday,I’ll helpoutwiththatstillbecausethere’sstillour changeovertimes,whichisallhandson-deckfor afestival.Atypicalday,especiallyonafestival day,forusis–andwithafestival,whenyouplay lastoroneoftheheadliners,youload-infirst.

So,we’retalkingabout6am-6:30amoffthe bus,we’recrackingtrailersandusuallyour stagemanagerPadgeisdirectingpeopleon wheretobringwhatcases,localhandsthatare helpingusout.Stuffwillcomeout,lightingis firstandthenbackline(whichismusicgear).

Videoisinthereaswellandthenas everything’scomeoffthetruck,peoplekindof makesuretoputthingsin theirrightplaces–downstageleft,upstage right,centerstage.Aswego,it’sdefinitelya methodical,longballetdance:theartofload-in, throughtheshowandtheload-out.Casesget putoutwheretheyneedtogo,lightinggetsup andmovescertaincases.Backlinecomesout, youseerisersgetbuiltforthedrummersand startcomingtogetherwithPadgeandHarry Reece.You’llseeMartagettingPeter’sworld together,aswellasRick’sandTrevor’s,withthe helpofPadge.

I’llbehelpingMartaonfestivaldayswithPeter’s gear–whichissomethingforalong-timeIdid onmyown,nowshedoes–butonfestivaldays, Igiveherahandwiththatbecauseit’sallhands on-deck.Andthenwe’llhaveJessgettingvideo worldsetup,usuallywe’restageleftnear monitorworld(nearSamBardani)andwesetup ourvideoworld,whichisseveralcases–betweenthedirector’sbridge,therowbow bridge(whichiswhereourmovingcameras,our roboticcamerasarepositionedandMartaworks duringtheshow.Engineeringstationsareon thataswell,whichJessworksduringtheshow.

Aswemoveonthroughload-intowardsline check,whichisjustbeforesoundcheck,you’ll seeeverythingbebuilt.Atthatpoint,Peter's worldwillbealmostfullydoneandthedrums willbeup.Marta,Jessandmyselfwillmake surecamerasgetupintotherightpositionand ourworldisallsetup(ourcameras,recording, everythingiscalibratedwhereweneedtogo). Dannywillhopoffofdoinglightstuffoncethat’s finallydone,becauseDannyandPetedothatas well.He’llmakesurehiscamera’supand runningbutsoundcheck(ideally).Weliketobe allsetupinvideoworldanddoingalittlebitofa checkofourownastheboysdotheir soundcheck,whichhappensafterlinecheck. It’squickonafestivalday.Thenwemakesure thatwemarkourplacesofwhereeverythingis becauseonafestivalday,afterthatsoundcheck –boom,werolleverythingoffandthestageis clearforthenextguys.

PhotoCredit:AdamBertaPhotography

PhotoCredit:AdamBertaPhotography

We’llcomeonback,we’llhave3or5hoursto relax,andwe’llcomebackmaybe2hoursbefore oursetandwaitthere.Assoonasthelastnote hitsfromthebandinfrontushits,what’scalleda “Changeover”happensandtheotherbandgets offpromptly–mostfestivalsaregreatatdoing that.Thenwegeteverythingthatwebuiltthat morningbackonstage,drumsbackinposition, rugsdone,Peter’sworldbackin-position.

Wherewelastleftoff,usuallyaround9:30-10am, sometimesnoon,andthiscouldbeanywhere from10-12hourslateratafestival,wedoaline checkagain,makesuretheaudioisworkingand we’llmakesurewe’regoodtogoonthe videoend.

Thenwehitashow,inwhichthattimeeveryoneis justknee-deepintheirworlds.Particularly everyoneinvideoworld,soIhaveaheadseton, I'mlisteningtothebandandtalkingtoMarta,who isusuallytomyright,operatingroboticcameras. I’mtalkingtoDannyMcDonald,whoeveryone sees,he’son-stageandourgimbaloperator,our movingcameraoperator.Attimes,I’malsotalking tooperatorsatfrontofhousewhenwehavelong lenses,oroperatorsinthepitwhenwehavethe opportunitytohavepitcameras.Naveedhaseven one-timelastGoosemasheldashouldercamera. I’mtalkingtooperators,itcouldbeasmanyas six-pluspeopleatatimeandfortunately,Ihave thegifttogabandIknowthemusicwell.It’s somethingthatkindofflows...somewouldsay chaotically,somewouldsaysymbiotically,butyou havetothinktwo-three-fourshotsaheadoftime.

Incaseanythinggoingincolor-matchingwise,we cantellourengineerJessandshecanusethe awesometoolswehave,thankstoGateway,to shadeandengineeranddoherjob.We’redoing thatduringtheshow.

Setbreak,ifanyproblemsneedtobefixed,we checkthemout–I'llgopopinandseetheband, “Howareyoudoing?Areyoudoingokay?”Oneof those.Wedoitallagainsettwoandthenweall breakitdownrightafter,theencorebandwalks off,broadcastendsandimmediatelyweare-the trucksarealreadyopenandcaseshavebeenpresetouttostartputtingstuffbackin.

Wepackthewholecircusupinaspecificway, whichGoeddeandEricLoomisdiscussandthen inthetrucksanywherefrom2to3hourslater.We getbackonthebusesandrideontoanothercity. Thenextthingstartsthenextday,unlessitsan offdayandwe’refortunatetocatchourbreathsa bit,workingonproductionadvancesforfuture gigs.Nextcity,nextnight.Itdoesbeathavingto drivewithTrevorallnightandhavetoitallall ourselves,it’sdefinitelyaprogression.It’s definitelyalongday.Everymomentisjustkindof filledwithstuff,tothepointwhereyougettothe pointwhereyou’relike,“It’sencorealready?Oh shit!It’salmosttimetoloadout.”Timefliespast whenyou’rehavingfunanditdefinitelyholdstrue overhere.

Howdoesthebandapproachmilestoneshows versusregularshows,intermsofsetlistsand production?

It’sdefinitelyabiggeroperationnowandthere’sa lotmorepeopletotalktowithalotofgreatideas tomakemilestoneshowsasspecialaspossible. Thisallstartsfromthetop,soRickywillalways haveagreatidea,orthinkofsomething–it usuallystartsinbossman’sheadandwillkindof trickleout.Weallstepuptothatidea–wetake whatwehaveinourdepartmentsandwestepup. Someonethat’sveryinvolvedwouldbeGoedde and TonyCaporale,takinganidealikeCincyNew YearsandthenWillThresherwilltakeRicky’sidea anddowhattheydocreatively.WillThresheris oneofourdearfriends,he’sourheadcreativein termsdoingstuff,lotwithvideo.He’sbeen aroundsincetheVasudodays.

“ButterRum”isaboutaButterRummuffinthathe boughtatsomemarketinMassandwalkedbackto thehousewithitorsomething–Iwasn’taroundfor it,butWillisOG,sowhenhisvibesarearoundit’s great.Will,TonyandGoeddewilltakeabossidea fromRickyandtrytoputtheirendonit,soforTony andAndrewit’swithlightingandprojectionand visualsandhowwecankindofmeetthisidea.Will aswellwillhelpthemwiththosegraphicsandwhat yousawupthere,thevideoduringthecountdown andwhatnot–andeveryoneelsestepsup.Videowise,forexample,thatwasashowthatIwanted somemorecamerasat,abiggervenue,andwe weredoingsomethingcool,sowewantedtomake thebroadcastkindofmeetthatanddoasmuchas wecouldwithinwherewe’reatnowtogetall thisgear.

WithaRedRocksorSPAC,forexample,wehad, broadcast-wisetomakeitextraspecial,Ithought bringingaflashcamera,whichisjustanother vantagepoint,aside-vantagepointfromthe mezzanine.Ithoughtitwouldbecooltoshow everybodybackathomeonthebroadcastorthose whohadneverbeentoSPAClike,“Wow,thisisa beautiful,biginsidepavilion.It’snotlikeanyother typicalshed.”Italsoprovidedanotherperspective ofGoedde’sbeautifullightrigandtheboysfrom theside.

Approachingamilestoneshow,ideaswillstartfrom thetop,fromlikeaRickyorPeterormanagement upthere,andthengotolightingandthenWillat Creativetoseethataspectofit.Broadcast-wise, we’llwanttocaptureitacertainwayandaudiowise,Ericisverykeentoknowingrooms,howthey allare,andwillbringinasoundsystemisbest fittingfortheboy’ssoundinthatroom(especially foramilestoneshow).Everybodygetsexcitedand wantstoputouttheverybestproducttheypossibly canfortheguysandalsoforeverybodyouttherein thestandsandeverybodyoutthereathome.It’sall abouttheboysandthecommunity.

Asthisbandandcommunitycontinuestogrow, whatareyourbiggesthopesandaspirations?

Whenwefirststarted,whenIwenthomeafter havingthatconversationwithRickandTrevand Bonwastherethatnightaswell,abouthowthisis whatwe’redoing,we’restartingthisbandandit’s gonnabeGoose.Ihadalittlenotepadandwrotea bunchofgoalsandaspirationsinthere.

Alotofthosehavebeenfulfilled–reallyit’scrazy, we’vehitsome:RedRocks,playingEurope,getting Goosemastoabiggervenue.Ihaveinmynotepad: “Goosemas,Movingtour,somethinglikeaWarped orHORDEtour”.Justvisionsofblazedkidwriting someideasdown...buttoseeRickandtheguysand Trevor,Spuds,justeveryoneworktheirtailsoffto tonetheircraftsandalongwitheverythingwith buildingacrewandnowusworkingourtailsoff.

Seeingallthatgrindinggodownandhavingthose goalsbehitisphenomenalandIfeelsofortunate andluckyeverysingledaythatwegettodothis.I’m sogratefulforit.Tosummarizewhatsomeofmy goalsandaspirationswouldbenow,andits somethingI’vesaidforawhile,it’s“60yearsof musicormore"–let'sdothisforever.

Togetthatdone,it’sjustalotmorehard,hardwork oneverybody’send.I’mveryfortunateandgrateful forwherewe’reatandwherewearetryingtogo andwhatwe’retryingtodo.Andit’sjusttoplayas muchaspossibleforourawesomecommunityand togrowandbethebestsupportsystemforthese guys,whoareonajourney.

Astheirgreatfriendandbrother,I’mjustsoexcited forthemandthecommunitythatyouallgetto experiencesomeofthis.Ithinkthemostimportant timesarejustaheadofus–ourtenyear anniversaryiscomingup.

OurfirstshoweverwasSeptember27th2014at Jimmy’sSeasideinStamford,Connecticut(shouts toJimmy’s).We’recomingupontenyearsinabit. It’sveryimportantthatweallcontinuetoputthat pedaltothemetal,orIguessastheyoungkidssay, “Allgas.”Keepgrinding,everyoneworkingashard astheycan,becauseweknowthat’swhattheboys aredoingupthere.Production-wise,we’realljust tryingtogetbettertomakethisthebestitcan possiblybe,becauseinmyopinion,whatseparates agenerationaltalent(musically,metalkingasa fan)andsomeonethatcanspanmulti-generations anddoitformultiplegenerations,todoubledown evenmoreandmakesureallofthechipsareinand giveiteverythingwegot.It’syear10-20thatreally definesabandandgiveitanidentity.Iknowthese guyshaveitinthemandI’mexcited,fortunateand gratefultobealongfortherideandtoworkmytail offaswellwithmycomradesandbepartofthe ride.Sixtyyearsofmusic–keepthistrainrolling,all withthesameloveandpassionthatwe’vealways had.Beingtruetoourselves.Fortunately,alotof goalshavebeenmet,inthisamountoftime-I’m gratefulforit.We’rejustgoingtokeepitata macro-levelandwewantmusicgoingforalong timearoundhere.Thebestisyettocome,whichis exciting!VeryTed.

Whatwasitlikehearing“EmpressofOrganos”at SPACtenyearstothedayitwaslastplayedby Vasudo?Talkaboutserendipitoustiming!Asa fan,Ihadanoverwhelmingsenseofpride-Ican’t imaginehowyoumusthavefelt.Itmusthave beenwild.

Toseethemplaysongson-stagesongsI’veheard themplayinabasement,toseeRickjustabsolutely smashvocalsonsomethinghewasthebackup singer(nottheleadsinger)duringVasudo.He’s workedsodamnhardonhisvoice,it’stremendous. Toseeallthathappeninfrontofmyeyeswasone ofthemostamazingandhumblingandgrateful experiencesI’veeverhadandeveryjamfromthat nightwasjustamazing.Thatwassuperspecialto seewhathardworkdoesandwhatallofthoseguys on-stageworktheirtailsoffandit’sgreattosee thathappen.

Thankyoufortakingthetimetochatwithus, Coach!Wecan'twaittoseehowyouandyour teamcontinuetoevolveasGoose keepsongrowing!

PhotoCredit:AdamBertaPhotography

FallTour2023Recommendations

with AmandaCad(PhDJ)

Grabyourflannel,pumpkinspicelatteandgetreadytocelebrateFallTour.ToensureyourtravelsarextraTED,checkoutsomeof ourvenuetipsandrecommendations,soyoucanbesureyourwi-fialwayschecksout.

October1st

BrooklynBowlLasVegas

3545SLasVegasBlvd. LasVegas,NV89109

Phone: (702)862-2695

ForMoreInfo: brooklynbowl.com/las-vegas

WhatToKnow: It’seasytogettothevenue fromseveralnearbycasinos.FromHarrah's/ TheLinqStationisa2minutewalk,andthe FlamingototheCeasar’sPalaceStationisa3 minutewalk,accordingtotheirwebsite.

FunFact: BrooklynBowlLasVegashasracked upanumberofaccolades,includingBestLive MusicVenuesinLasVegasfrom Travel+ Leisure,Reader’sChoiceforBestLiveMusic Venue,BestConcertCalendar,BestNewMusic VenueandBestPotatoKinishfrom LasVegas Weekly,andBestVentilationfrom VegasSeven

October3rd

PepsiAmphitheater

FortTuthillCountyPark Flagstaff,AZ86001

Phone: (480)656-9940

ForMoreInfo: pepsiamp.com

WhatToKnow: Youcanbringlow-profilebeach chairs(under9”inheight)withyouorsoft, leglesschairs,aswellasblanketsortarps thatarenolargerthan8x8.

FunFact: PepsiAmphitheaterisnestledamidst thelargestcontiguousPonderosapineforestin theworld.

Mikah: Topfour-

4. Phillynight2

3. Phillynight1

2. Leftoverpopcornonourdrivebacktonyctheday afternight2

1. Leftoverpopcornforbreakfastinbed themorningafternight1.

October5th-6th

RedRocksAmphitheatre

18300WAlamedaPkwy. Morrison,CO80465

Phone: (720)865-2494

ForMoreInfo: redrocksonline.com

WhatToKnow: PrepareforallseasonsatRed Rocks.Radicaltemperaturechangescanbring rain,hail,orevensnowatthistimeoftheyear. Comfortableshoeswithgriparealsokeyforall thewalkingyou’lldo!

FunFact: RedRocksisthefavoritevenueof manyinthemusicindustry,creatingan impossiblestandardtomeetforallother outdoorvenues. Pollstar gaveRedRocksits BestSmallOutdoorConcertVenueaward eleventimesbeforedecidingtojustnamethe awardafterit.Othervenuesnowvieforthe RedRocksAward.

Fall2023Edition

with MikahAtkind

Mikah: Iwilltakepotatoesinalmostallforms,butobjectively, theworstisthefriesthataresneakilycross-contaminated withgluten.

Mikah: We’renotreallyaprankingkindoffamily,buthewas stuckinthemiddleoftwosisterswhoreallylikedschooland followingrules,andwhomasteredtheartofdiggingyournails intosomeonewho’sbiggerandstronger-soyoucouldcallthat onelifelongprank.

Mikah:

1.Coolestbaldguyinthefamily

2.Annoyinglygoodatcallingshowopeners

3.Probablytheworld’snicesthuman

Mikah: PhillyEcho,becauseIwasthereandIhadpopcorn, plusLouis,theguyonsecurityinoursection,wasthe absolutebest!

TEDitor'sNote: Askaway,Richard!

Asfortiming,Iwasadrummergrowingup,so keepingupwiththeJamscameeasyandthe experienceIhavenowwiththebandoverthe yearsandhowtheyplayhastaughthowto knowwheretheyaregoingtotakeasongand howtheywillgobackintoasongfor smoothtransitions.

HowIlightGoosenowisactuallysignificantly differentfromhowIdidwhenwefirststarted. WhenImetGoose,Iwasattheverybeginning ofmyexperiencewithprogrammingand operatingandIwasconstantlytryingtofigure outhowtodothingsatthesametimeputa showtogetherthatverynightatwhateverlittle venuewewereat.Therewasnostructure basicallyatall-Ihadverysimpleprogramming thatIhadfigureoutandjustjammedwiththe bandthewholetime,evenwiththecomposed parts,becauseIdidnothaveanystructureat alltospecificallylightthatcertainsong. Ijustbasicallywingediteverytime.

Rightbeforethepandemichappened,Istarted studyinghowotherdesignersdidthings, programming-wiseandInoticedhowflawless andconsistentthelightingwasforcomposed partsofthesongsandlearnedafewdifferent techniquespeopleweredoingtogetthis product.Oneofthembeinga“cuestack” whereyoucanstackasmanycuesasyouwant ontopofeachothertolayoutthestructureof thesonglikeIntro,Verse,Chorus,etc.Thiswas themostcommonwayIfoundthatthebiggest designersweredoingforthebiggestshowssoI knewthiswaswhatIneededtostartworking on.Duringthepandemic,Ispenteverydayin myhomeofficetryingtofigureoutthebestway towritingcuestacks.Iwouldspendsometimes 3weeksononesongandcameupwithsome awesomestuff,butitwasverychallengingto geteverythingtoworkhowIwantedto.When westarteddoingshowsagainIstartedrunning theseforthefirsttimeanditwasprettymucha disaster.NothingworkedhowIwanteditto oncewegottotheshowandatthetime,we hadacompletelydifferentlightingrigsfor everyshowsoitwasimpossibletokeepup withupdatingallthecuesforeveryshow.

Itwasn’tuntilImetTonyCaporale,whoisnow ourlightingprogrammer,thattaughtmethe properwayofhowtoprogramcuestacks.The wayItaughtmyselfhowtodoittookway longerandwaslessimpactfulandless consistent.Weworkedourfirstshowtogether atGoosemasMoheganSunandcuestacked the Dripfield albumtheweekpriorandranit forthefirsttimeatthatshow.2yearslaterand weareontracktohave50goosesongs programmedthiswaybytheendofthisyear.

Manyofourreadersmightnotknowhow muchworkgoesintosettingup(and breakingdown)thelighting,videoandsound equipmenteverynightontour.Howlong doesittypicallytakeyouandyourteamto setupandbreakdownthelightingrig?

Setuponagooddaytypicallytakes4-6hours forlighting.Igetinahourearlywithourcrew chiefPeteSpadaroandwechalkthefloorfor thelocalriggerstohangourmotors.From therewegetourRigflownwhichtakes2hours orso.Fromthere,backlinecomesinand buildsthebandsgearwhilewebuildthefloor packageandIspendafewhours programming.Afterthat,werunsoundcheck anddotheshow.Forloadoutittakes2hours orsotobreakitdownandputitback onthetruck.

AndrewGoedde

TheelGooseTimes interviewwith SameOld SameOld

Founder&Director GoeddeSound&Light

Canyouwalkourreadersthroughtheevolutionofyourproduction rig(lighting,audioandvideo),especiallyfromMay2021to present(aroundthetimeofourfirstinterviewinVolumeOne)? It’ssimplyincrediblewhatyouandyourteamhavecollectively achievedthusfar!

Probablythebiggestchangewehavemadewasmovingour productionservicesovertoGatewayProductions.Weworkedwith themontheTAB/Goosetouranditwasagame-changerforour production.MostofthecrewworkedforPhishandhadsomuch experiencethatwelearnedalotfrom.Afterthattour,Iknewwe neededtoworkwithGatewayfull-timeandthisyearhasbeenthe firstyearofthat.Havingthesupportofabigproductioncompany likeGatewayhasmadelifealoteasieronandofftheroadforme andourcrewandhastakenourproductionlevelandexperiencefor thefanstoanotherlevel.

FortheupcomingFalltourforGoose,isyourteamthinkingof addinganynewlightsoreffectstothearsenal?Ifso,isthere anythingyoucantalkin-depthabout?

Thiswillbeourlasttourforthediamonddesignwehavehadoutall year.MeandTonyareworkingonprogrammingnewsongsforthis runsowillbeawesometoseethosecometolife.Fromhere,I’m workingonaextremelyexcitingnewdesignforGoosemasandalso somethingnewfornextyear!

I'vealwaysbeenreallyimpressedwithyourwhistlingwhenyou’ve joinedGooseon-stageduringthe(nowrare)PaulSimoncover “MeandJulioDownbytheSchoolyard”.Haveyoualwaysbeen abletowhistlein-tunelikethat?

MydadalwayswhistledandIguessIjusttaughtmyselfhearinghim doitgrowingup.IremembergettingintroubleinclasswhenIwasin gradeschoolcauseIwouldwhistlinginclass.Thebandcaughtonto itfastoncewestartedtouringtogether,whichiswhytheymademe getuponstagetodoiteventuallyevent,thoughIdidn’twantto.

Lastly,justforfun:inourVolumeOneinterview,yourfavorite show(atthetime)wasPlayingintheSand2020andfavorite songwas“SlowReady”.Hasyourchoiceschangedsincethen, andifso,whatwouldtheybenow?

FavoriteShow:Goosemas2022FirstbankArena

FavoriteSongtoLight(Currently):"FeelItNow"

PhotoCredit:AdamBertaPhotography

PhotoCredit:AdamBertaPhotography

WysteriaLane

By B.Cheese and PhDJ

“Hello?Isanyonethere?”Myvoicecould barelygetthewordsout.Ihadlosthope solongago,buthadtotry.Bymymark,it hadbeen7monthsand26dayssinceI hadfoundmyselfalone,onarockybeach nearthesound.

Inthetimesince,Ihaddoneasmuch investigatingaspossible.Everything seemednormal.Thehouses.Thecafeon thecorner.Eventheicecreamshopdown thestreet.Butnoonewashere.Atleast, noonethatIcouldsee.ItwaslikeIhad beenleftbehindontheworld’slargest fieldtrip.Fortunately,wherevereveryone elsewas,theyhadn’ttakenanyfood.Iwas survivingonwhateverIcouldfindinthe kitchensofalloftheseabandonedhomes andstores.

Thisparticularmorning,Iwashanging outsidewhatusedtobeabreakfastspot ontheAvenue.Theskywasastrange, cloudyhaze.IlookedupasfarasIcould see,hopingtobesaved.Praying,even.But therewasnothing,justthisstrangeand quiethellIhadfoundmyselfin.The weirdestpartwas-Ilivedhere.Iknew everystreetinthissmalltown.Ijustnever thoughtI’dbeherealone.

Itriedtorememberexactlywhat happenedrightbeforeIwastransportedto the“GreatBeyond,”asI’dtakentocalling it.Ironic,consideringIhadn’tactuallygone anywhere.Everythingseemednormal thatday.

AbunchofushadgoneoutonJim’sday sailer,Itwasabeautifulafternoon;clear andalmostnowinds,withsomany cumuluscloudsthatboththeskyand waterlookedlikemarshmallows.

Wehadagreattime,althoughtherewas thatoneoddmomentwhenwethoughtwe hadheardthecrackofsomethingonour hull,andsomeonelaughing.Westarted rocking,butthefixedkeelheldus,andina secondortwo,thewholethingwasover. Weneversawanydamage,butthatlaugh hadstuckinmymemory.Ihadnoidea what,ifanything,itmeant.

Imadedinnerandtookanap.AndwhenI wokeup,everyonewasgone.Ithoughta lotaboutJim;myroommateandbest friend.Hehadbeensittingontheother couch,justalittlesunburntfrombeing outsideallday.Andthen,withoutany warning,heslippedintoanotherworld.Or atleastthiswasmycurrentworking theory.IfonlyIcouldbringhimherewith metoday.

“Enoughlounging,”Ithoughttomyself. “Timetogohome.”Idraggedmyselfoff thebench,tookonemorelonginglook downtheAvenue,andthenwalkedbackto WysteriaLane.

AsmuchasIwantedtomoveintooneof thebiggerhousesonthewater,something aboutWysteriakeptmethere.MaybeI waswaitingforJimtocomeback.Itfelt differentthere,soIstayed.

Thatnight,asIwastryingtosettleintosomekind ofsleep,Iheardarustlingfromoutside,andsaw alightmovingoutsidemywindow.Myheartraced; Ihadonlyseenafewanimalsinallthistime,so thenoiseofanythingelseotherthanthelapping ofwateragainstthebeach,wasalmostjarring. ThenthesunsetonWysteriaLane,butsomething aboutitjustwasn’tthesame.

“Jim?”Icalledout,knowingtherewasnowayit couldbehim.Anditwasn’t.Itwasaman,though, wholookedlikehewasseeingaghost.

“Don’tbescared,I’mnotgoingtohurtyou,”he said,anditwasclearhemeantit.Hecouldbarely walk;helookedalmostlikehe’dbeenrecently unfoldedfromsomesortofhumanorigami project.“Ican’tbelieveIfoundyou.”

“Me?Whywouldanyonebelookingforme?It’s everyoneelsewhodisappeared,”Isaid,finally realizingjusthowmuchIhadbeenholdinginside thisentiretime.“IstayedhereonWysteria becauseIcouldn’tbeartoleaveifanyonecame back.Itfeltsafehere,somehow.Howdidyouget here?Doyouknowwhathappened?”

“MynameisIsaac,”hesaid,staringaround.“Ilive afewstreetsover,oratleast,Iliveafewstreets overinmyversionoftheworld.Doyouknow abouttheGreatBeyond?”

Myheartskippedafewbeats.Howdidheknow thatwasmynameforwhateverhadhappenedto takeeveryoneawayfromme?

“No.Well,maybe.I’mnotsure,”Isaid.“AllIknow isthateveryoneisgone.Exceptyou,Iguess.”

“It’sactuallytheopposite,”Isaacsaid.“Youleft us.Exceptyou’restillhere,justinanother dimension.Therearestillalotofpeopleon WysteriaLane;youjustcan’tseeus.Andwecan’t seeyou.Untilnow.Ihavebeenworkingona machinetomovethroughtheGreatBeyond.AndI thinkitworked.Willyoucomebackwith metoday?”

Heheldouthishand,andIhadnochoicebutto takeit.AswewalkedtowardwhatIsaactoldme wasaspacemachine(butjustlookedlikeabox truckwithoutwheels),hedescribedwhatwas abouttohappen,aswemovedthroughthe membranefromoneworldtoanother.Itooka deepbreathandclimbedin.Timetoseeifmy WysteriaLanewasstillthesame.

Recipe#8: Spud'sPotatoCandy

with ChefRickGallego & specialguest AsherGallego

STORYTIME: Weallknowourbeloveddrummerisnicknamed"Spud's"butdoyou knowwhy?WhenBenwasalittleboyhewasverymischievousandalwaysbangingon thedrums.Beneitherdidn'tliketolistenorcouldn'thearverywellduetoallthe drumming.WhenBenwasuptohisusualShenaniganshisdearGrandmotherwould alwayssay"Benjamin,you'dbettercleanthosespudsoutofyourears!" andthenamestuck.

BecauseBenlovedto"movetothebeatofhisowndrum,"hedecidedtostarteating potatoesmorning,noonandnight.Fried,baked,mashed,latkes,potatosalad,au gratin,boiledandhisfavoriteofall....POTATOCANDY!Hisobsessiongotsobadhe almostsoldhisfirstdrumsettopayforthemassiveshipments.Sohedecidedtostart makingithimself.Spudsbecameamasterofmakingpotatocandy,a"professionnel delapommedeterre"(astheycallitintheSpudcommunity)ataboutthesameagehe becameanexpertatthedrums;somesayhewasamasteratbothcraftsthedayhe was"Borne."

Benreachedacrossroadsinhislifewhenitwastimetogotocollege.BerkeleyorLe CordonPommedeTerre?Ithinkweallknowwhathechoseandwe'resogladhedid, butonecanonlywonder,whatif?Throughhoursofresearchandafewshadylotdeals IhaveacquiredBen'sTopSecretPotatoCandyrecipeandI'mgoingtoshareitwithyou andhopehedoesn'treadthis!Andbytheway,thisisagreatrecipetotryoutwithallof yourkids(hell,Benperfectedthisrecipeat21/2yearsold)sograbyourgoslingsand tryitout.ThisSpudsforYou! Ingredients:

Directions:

1.Dependingonthesizeofyourpotatowilldependonhowmuch powderedsugaryouuse.Mypotatowasabout8oz(seepicture forsizereference)andIendedupusing12cupsofpowdered sugar.

2.Peelyourpotatoandcutitintoabout1incubes.PlaceinCOLD waterandturnonhigh.Cookuntilforktender,about12minutes. (Whydowestartpotatoesincoldwater?Potatoesarevery starchyanddroppingtheminboilingwaterwillresultinthe outsidecookingveryquicklyandthemiddlebeingrawleaving youwithagoopymess.Ifwestartthemincoldwater,the temperatureofthepotatowillincreaseevenly,resultinginan evencook)

3.Afteryourpotatoesarecookedanddrained,letthemcooloffto aboutroomtemperatureandaddthemtoastandmixerwitha whiskattachmentorabowlanduseahandmixer.

4.Nowmashthetaters.Makesurenottoovermixthem,ifthereare smallpiecesofpotato(aboutthesizeofapea)dontworryabout it,wehavealotofmixingtodostill,itwillsmoothout.

5.Startaddingyourpowderedsugar1cupatatimemakingsureto periodicallyscrapethesidesofyourmixingbowldown.Ifyoudo thisandthepotatoesarestillhot,thesugarwilljustmeltand you'llendupwithsweet,soupymashedpotatoes.

6.Continuetoaddpowderedsugarbythecupuntilyourdoughis theconsistencyofplaydoh.Notsure?Just"FeelItNow"tofind out.

7.Onceyourdoughisready,putapieceofparchmentpaperona largecookiesheetandspreadyourdoughoutintoaneventhin layer.Iputanotherpieceofparchemntontopandusedarolling pintogetitevenbutyourhandsoryourgoslingswebbedfeetwill workjustaswell.

8.Afteryourdoughisevenlyspreadyoucanstartspreadingonthe peanutbutter.Youcanheatyourpeanutbutterupforabout20 secondsinthemicrowavetomakeiteasiertospreadbutmake sureitsnottoohotoritwillmeltyourcandy.OnceyourPBis spreadyoucanaddalmostanythingyou'dliketotheinsidewe putsprinkles(OR"Jimmies"ifyouarereadingthisinBoston) ConnoisseursandPCM's(PotatoCandyMasters)willsaythisis blasphemybutI'moverherelike,"Can'tIlivewhileI'myoung?!"

9.Letyourcandyrestinthefridgeforacouplehoursandthenits timetorolloneup...alogofpotatocandythatis!Takeyourtime andusetheparchmentpapertoyouradvantage.I'mgoingto skipthedirectionsfortherollingprocessbecauseifyouare readingthis,I'msureyou'verolledathingortwoinyourday.

10.Afteritsrolled,takeaknifeandrunitunderHOTwaterbefore eachslice,thiswillkeeptheknifefromstickingandgiveyoua nicecleanslice.

11.NowyourSpudsPotatoCandyis"SoReady!"AndIcanpromise afteryoutakeyourfirstbiteallyou'llthinkis"TastesGood,Not TooHarsh.Whatitdid?Itwentstraighttomyheart!"

I'djustliketothankmybestfriendintheworld,mysonAsher fortakingovermysectionandhelpingmewiththisrecipe."Go Everywhere,FeelEverything.Myloveforyougrowslikeavine." LoveYouBud!

Chicks

AnOpenLettertoOurTEDitor

Aninterviewwith PaigeCaruso

DearJon, Firstofall,don’tpanic.Thisisn’toneofthoseDearJohnletters.It’squitethe oppositeactually—thisisanaffirmation.Secondly,surprise!I’msurekeepingthis contentasecretfromyouonourbiggestvolumeyetdidwondersforyourblood pressure.(Editor'sNote:Itdid).Asperusual,Imanagedtouseeverysecondofour deadlinetofurtherexacerbateyouranxiety.Goodthingyoudon’thaveanyhairto lose!Truly,thankyouforyourtrustandsupportthatitwouldbedelivered.

ThisideaspawnedinNorthPhiladelphiaonMarch25thatapproximately2a.m.We hadjustwitnessedthemostepic"EchoofaRose"atTheMet.Weordered cheesesteaksfromPat’sandGino’s,soPaigecoulddecidewhatshelikedbetter (neitherofwhicharethebestbutthat’sawholeotherarticle).Wethoughtabout you!Wewishedyouwerethere,butweresogratefulyoustayedhomewiththekids, soPaigecouldragefortheweekend.Boom!Thereitwas.Volume10content inspiredbygratitude.

I’llstartbyexpressingmine.AlotoffolkshaveaskedmehowIjoinedtheEGT.The shortanswer:divinedesign.ImetMarcKomitoonlot(someonepleaseputthaton ashirt)inFrederick,MD5/3/21.Ididn’tknowyouyet,Jon,butyour‘Thisweekinel Goose’memesgavemelifeandIwaslookingforwardtosnaggingVolume1in person.AfterseveralhoursofconversationwithMarc,heasked,“Doyouwrite?”to whichIrespondedwithsomethinglike,“Um,no.Writewhat?”.TheEGTwas expandingandwantedafemaleperspective.MarcthoughtIwasthechickforthe job.Yougavemefullcreativefreedomformyfirstarticle,asatiricaleditorialpiece inVolume2called"HowtoImpressYourEmpress."Iwasabsolutelyterrifiedofthe debut,butmanyvolumeslater,hereweare!Cutestory,buthere’swhatitreally meantforyouandtheteamtotakeachanceonme,someonenobodyknew,with zeroexperienceandanunbridledpassionforabirdband.

Atthetime,ImetMarc,myloadwasheavy.My weddinghadbeencanceled3timesandfinally postponedindefinitely.Thenmymomdiedofbrain cancerinSeptember2020.Iwassettling uncomfortablyintomymortality,battlinggriefand depression,isolatedfromfriendsandfamily.COVID silencedmyescape,thelivemusicscene.Butalas, therewasGoose!Abeaconofresilienceand adaptabilityatatimeIcouldn’tfathomeither concept.AndbeyondGoose,acommunitythat fostersharmony,positivity,andconnectedness whenIneededitmost.

ThatFrederickshowon5/3/21wasavisceral experience.Iwasbaptizedinthemuddyrainwater blessedbythe"SpiritoftheDarkHorse!"Ireally neededthevalidationthatIwaswhereIwas supposedtobe.Ireallyneededtotrusttheuniverse again.Ireallyneededapurpose.EvenasIwritethis now,searchingforthestrengthandcouragetoquit myjobandpursuepersonalfulfillmentovera paycheck,Igettheprivilegetowritetoyouandit feelsgood.Thanksforbeingmyfriend!Thanksfor givingustheEGT!Andmanythanksforhavingme!

SoMr.TEDitor,incelebrationofour10thvolume,I submittoyouforyourreviewandapproval,an interviewIdidwithyourincrediblybraveand hilariouswifewhomIabsolutelyloveandadore.It’s notnewstoyou;thisisthestoryyou’velived,but nowourreaderscanknow.There’sawholelotof historicalcontextbehindtheTEDitor’sdesk,and whobettertotellitthan PaigeCaruso?

Paigehashadseveralnicknamesoverthefewyears I’veknownher.Coattailswasfirstbecausewherever theEGTtookJon,Paigewasintowfortheride.I fondlycallher"Thatch"becauseherdarksenseof humorisalittlebitfucked.She’sprobablymostwell knowninourcommunityforherloveanddevotionto Peter,herfavoritebandmemberwho-despitea thickheadofhair-hasanuncannylikenesstoher husband.PaigeandJonaretheEGT,butthereisso muchmorebeyondthepublication.

Paigegrewupdoingmarchingband.Shewasthe captainoftheColorGuardforafewyears.Generally, andshockinglytothosewhoknowhernow,shewas veryshy.“Ididn’thaveatonoffriends.I’mthe youngestofthree.IhaveabrotherJRandsister Michellewhoare5and7yearsolderthanme.I grewupinNeedham,whereBenAtkindisalsofrom. Myparents,werehighschoolsweethearts.Mydad wasaplumberandmymom'salunchlady,sowe hadamodestupbringing,ifyouwill.Mydadwasbig Deadfanbackintheday.Igrewuplisteningtoalot ofDaveMatthews,Elvis,andAbba.Onourfamily ridesuptoNewHampshire,wewouldrockoutto ElvisandAbbagreatesthits.Oneofmyfamily traditionsthatwedoatweddingsorpartiesofany kindreally,isweallperform"Paradisebythe DashboardLight."WeactitoutlikeweareMeatloaf andEllenFoley.Wedoitatallofourownweddings. Wedoitatotherpeople'sweddings.It’swhatmy familyisknownfor.”

Theyhavealittlesliceofheaventheyvisitevery summerwiththeirfamily.“I’vebeengoingtoTerrace PinesCampgroundinNewHampshiremywholelife. MyMomstartedgoingin1969andmyparentsgot theirownseasonalin1989.JonandIgotourown seasonalsitelastyear.Ilovethatplace.It’smy happyplace.IlovethatIcantakemykidstherenow. Allmybestfriendsarefromthere.It’ssomethingI feelblessedthatmyparentsgavemeasachild.”

Paigeisadie-hardPatriotsfan.Betweenfootball, Goose,herfulltimejob,andherfamily,she’sgother handsfull.“TruthfullyIdon'thavemanyhobbies.Idid learnhowtomakeballoonanimals!Twoartsandcrafts specialistsatsummercampwerelearninghowtodoit andtaughtmesowecoulddoittogetheratspecial eventsduringtheweek.It'sactuallyquiteentertaining! JonandIalsowatchalotoftrashyTV.Wespentmy wholematernityleaveandarestillnowwatching BelowDeck.”

Shecommutesanhourtowork5daysaweek.That’s twohoursround-tripwithouttraffic.“Iamasite coordinatorforanafterschoolprogramatan elementaryschool.Ihaveabout130kidsandabout15 to16staffmembersthatI'minchargeof…Theydon’t allcomeononeday.Wehaveamaxthatcancomeper day,butit'saprettypopularprogram.Wehavea waitlist!I'vebeentheresince2012.It'sreallygrown substantiallysinceIstartedthere.Thiswillbethe company's40thyear!”

AfterPaigedescribedanaverageday,Iwantedtosign upmyself.“Whenthekidscometous,theyhavea snackandthenweusuallygooutsideweatherpending. Thentheydohomeworkoranartprojectpreparedby thestaffortheycangotothegym.Sometimeswe'll bringinoutsidevendorsorperformerslikereptile handlersoraFrisbeeguyorabubbleshow.It'scool thatparentswhoworklongerhourscankeeptheirkids afterschool.”

PaigewenttoFitchburgUniversityforearlyeducation, butendedupswitchingmajorstointerdisciplinary studies.Aseriesofquestionabledecisionsledherto meettheloveofherlife.“JonwasajuniorwhenIwasa freshman,andwemetinmyfirstfewweeksofcollege. IwashangingoutatacampuseventwithsomegirlsI met,andthisguycomesinandlookslikehe’sstraight offStatenIsland.Hehadspikedhairandachainwitha shirtbarelybuttoned.He'dcometothiseventtosteal stacksofpizza.Hesaid,‘I'mbringingthesepizzasback tomyplace!Cometomyapartment!’Asthree18year oldgirls,wethoughtthatwasagreatidea.Sowe followedthisguytohisapartment,beingyoungand dumb,andwecouldn'twalkintoanerdiergroupof people.There’sprobablyabout10to15people playing RockBand.”Paigedescribedthemas“thekind ofpeoplewhohaveaStarTrekmarathonwherethey watcheveryversionofeveryepisodeof StarTrek ever.”

ThepeoplewholivedtherecalleditTheCasa.“It turnedintoeveryThursdaynightforThirstyThursday meandmyfriendswouldgotoTheCasabecause thesenerdyguysweretryingtomaketheirplacethe placetobe.Anditwas!Wehadablast!Wewould regularlyplayRockBand.That'swhatwedid.Iwould bethesingeronTheAllAmericanRejects"DirtyLittle Secret"becauseIknewallthewords.Westartedgoing therenotforjustparties,butintheafternoonsafter classes.IstartedtoseeJonaroundplayingRockBand andwetalkedbackandforthonFacebook.Iremember thinkingtomyself,Idon'tknowifIcandatethisguy. He’ssonerdy.Myfriendsaid,‘He'sprobablyrich.He’s fromConnecticut.’Notatruefactbytheway.”

PaigedecidedJon’sdorkynaturewasendearing.“Our firstdate,Joninvitedmeovertowatch IronMan with himandhisfriends.ItjustcameoutonDVD,andthey gotitfromtheRedBox.Irememberheheldmyhand theentiretime,andithurtsobadafterwards.”Paige startedhangingoutwithJonatthecomputerlabon campuswhereJonwasworkingasalabmonitor.“A coupleofweeksafterourfirstdate,wewerewalking backfromthecomputerlabthroughthequadandhe askedmetobehisgirlfriend.We’vebeentogether eversince!”

Noteveryoneexperiencesthefeelingofknowingyou’vemettheone.Ididn’t believeitexistedmyselfuntilImetmylifepartner.Paigehadthatfeelingfrom almostthebeginning.“IknewprettyearlyintoourrelationshipthatIwasgoingto marryJon.Iknew,like,amonthin.Myfriendssaid,‘You'renot!’AndIsaid,‘No, I'mdeadserious.IfeelthatI'mgoingtobewiththisguy.’Irememberthefirst timewekissedandwherewewereoncampusthefirsttimehesaidIloveyou. Ijustknewveryearlyon,evenat18yearsold,thatIwasmeanttobewithJon.” Jonknewittooandplannedhisproposal.“HisfamilywenttoOldOrchardBeach, Maineeverysummerforaweek.Jonproposedtomeatabirdsanctuaryonthe beachatOldOrchard.Hethoughtitwasafabulousideatomakemewalklike twomilesdownthebeach.NowIhatesurprises,soIknewhewasgoingto proposeonthistrip,Ijustdidn'tknowexactlywhenorhow.Mindyou,it’s7a.m. anddrizzlingwhilewe’rewalkingdownthisbeach.Jonhadboughtasanddollar andwrote‘Willyoumarryme?’onit.Wefinallygettothisplacehemademe walk50milesto(atleastthat’swhatitfeltlikebecauseIgotchubrubanditwas veryserious).Hegavemeahug,droppedthesanddollarbehindme,andsays, ‘What'sthatbehindyou?’Itscaredthecrapoutofme.Ithoughttherewasacrab orsomething.Ipickeditupandturnedaroundandhewasdownononeknee. Hewassmartenoughtohavehisparentscomepickusupsowedidn't havetowalkback.”

TheyweremarriedonAugust18th,2012,shortlyafterPaigegraduatedfrom FitchburgState.They’vebeentestedalotintheir11yearstogether;thefirst beforetheyevencelebratedtheironeyearanniversary.“Unfortunately,bothof Jon'sparentshavepassedawaysincewegotmarried.Hismompassedaway aboutninemonthsafterwegotmarriedveryunexpectedly.Shewasonly51.It wasverytraumaticforus.Thenunfortunately,lastsummer,Jon'sdadalso passedawayunexpectedly.”Thankfully,Jonhasasupportivenetworkinhis grandparents,hisaunts,hisbrother,Nick,andhisin-laws.Jon’sin-lawsarenot onlysupportive,butarealsohighlyentertaining.TheTheriaultclan,Paige’s maidennamesake,needadocuseries,anovel,orsomesortofplatformtoshare theirdailyexistencewiththeworld.

AswithPaige,incrediblepersonalitiesandasavagesenseofhumorrunsintheir blood.“Myfamilyismoreinvasivethanmostfamilies.(Laughing)Myfriendsin collegewouldalwaysmakefunofmebecausetheirparentswouldcallthemlike onceaweekonSundays.Mywholefamilywouldcallmesixorseventimesaday fornoreasonwhatsoever…we’reafamilythatdoesn'tsay'Iloveyou'alot.We showitindifferentways(morelaughing).Jonhasagreatrelationshipwithmy brother.Theydoalotofstufftogether.MydadandbrothergotJonintoDeadand Coshowsandthejambandscene,sotheyhaveaprettygreatrelationship.”

Now,thewholefamilyenjoysGoosetogether!TheTheriault’sarehugefansof JonandtheEGT.OneofPaige’sfavoritememorieswastakingherdadtotheFox G1BenefitshowduringtheCaprun.“Igottotakemydadandheembarrassed thehelloutofme...MydadandIwereontherailPetesideandhehadthissign thatsaidPaige’sdad.HeheldituprightinfrontofPeterandinbetweensongs Petersays,‘Paige’sdadisinthehouse!’Halfwaythroughthenextsong,mydad flippedthesignover.Theothersidesaid‘IknowJonCaruso’.Peterstarted laughingsohardhealmostfelloffofhischair.AftertheshowIwasstillso embarrassed,butPetertookapicturewiththesignandsaidheloveditandit wasgreat.TheEGTreallyhasmadeGooseafamilythingforus.”

PaigeandJonhavemadetheirownbeautifulfamilytogether.Theyhavethree amazingchildren—onewhostaysclosetotheirheartsinspirit.“Travisisourfirst son.Hewasbornin2015withaveryrare,severeheartdefectcalledHypoplastic LeftHeartSyndrome.About1in100babiesarebornwithsometypeofheart defect.It'sthemostcommonbirthdefect—anythingfromaholethatclosesup onitsowntoreallysevereconditionslikeTravis’s.HegotdiagnosedwhenIwas 18weekspregnantwithhim.Weweregiventhreeoptionswhenwegothis diagnosis:wecouldterminate,wecoulddocomfortcarewherewegethimto birthandthenlethimpassnaturally,orwecoulddoathreestagesurgery processthathada75%successrate.Wedecidedtodothesurgerybecause BostonChildren'sHospital,thebesthospitalintheworldforcongenitalheart defects,wasinourbackyard.”

“HypoplasticLeftHeartSyndromeisadefectinwhichyourleftventricleispretty muchnonexistent,andbloodcan’tcirculatecorrectly.Travis'sconditionwas madeworsebyanintactatrialseptum.Wherethereusuallyisaholeinbetween twothingsintheheart,hedidn'thaveone.Rightafterhewasborn,hehadtogo straightintothecatheterizationlabandhaveaholepokedthroughhisatrial septum.Inhissixmonthlife,hehadthreeopenheartsurgeries,sevenheart catheterizations,andafeedingtubesohecangetnutritionandmedicinewithout worryingabouthimthrowingup.”

Paigewasonly25whenshehadTravis.“Asyoungparentshavingyourfirstchild, itwasawhirlwind.Youdon'tthinkaboutsomethinglikethathappening.I would’veneverinamillionyearsthoughtIwouldhaveachildthathadasevere heartdefect.Hedevelopedthisotherconditioncalledpulmonarystenosis,which iswhatultimatelyledtohispassing.Yourpulmonaryveinsbuildupscartissue andtheonlywaytodealwithitistogoineveryfewweeksandhaveasurgeryto cleanitout.Whowantstogotothehospitaleverysixweeks?”

“OurgoalwithTraviswasalwaystogivehima chance,andthat'swhatwedid.Whentheytoldus therewasnothingmoretheycoulddoforhim,we acceptedthat.Weweren'tgoingtopushhimand continuetomakehimdoallthesethingsthatwere justgoingtoprolonghispassing.Thatwasareally difficultsituation,butalsoaverybeautifulsituation. Havingthattypeofthinghappeninyourlife,people rallyaroundyou.Webroughtsomuchawarenessto Travis’scondition.Hetaughtsomanypeopleinhis sixmonthswithus.Inthegrandschemeofmylife, fromhisdiagnosistohispassing,itwasonly11 months,notevenafullyearofmylife.Butit changedwhoIwasasaperson.It'ssomethingthat Iwilllivewiththerestofmylife.Ialwayswillmiss Travis.Mychildrenwillknowabouthim,especially becausewhenmychildrenhavechildren,they'll havetohavetheirheartslookedat.It'ssomething thatisinourfamilyforever.”

Noteveryonegetstotaketheirbabyhome.Paige andJonaregratefulthatafter98days,Travisgotto experiencelifeoutsideofahospitalsetting.“Oh,he hadabeautifullife.Hereallydid.Hegottogo home.HewenttoBassProShop.Onetimehewent toTarget.Weusedtowalkaroundwithalittle oxygentank…it'saveryhumblingthingto experience.Verysad,veryheartbreaking,butalsoit wassoheartwarming.EvenafterTravispassed awayalmost20staffmembersfromBoston Children’sHospitalcametohisfuneralservice…I alwayssayifIeverwonMegaMillions,myfirstthing IwoulddoisdonatelargesumsofmoneytoBoston Children'sHospital.IfIwaseverabletosomehow helpfundingforresearchforheartdisease,thatis definitelysomethingthatI’dlovetodo.”

Sohowintheactualhelldoesonebegintolivewith thiskindofgrief?Paige‘Thatch’Carusochoosesa onetwopunchofdarkhumorandveryopenly sharingherfeelings.“Mywholefamilydealswith thiskindofstuffthesameway.Iremembergetting Travis’sdiagnosesandbeingbesidemyself.Icried fortwodaysstraight.Mybrothersaid,‘Well,Ithink wecangetaMake-A-Wishoutofthis.Celebrities cometothehospitalallthetime!’Andhewasright. Mydad'sfamilyhadalotofchildlossaswell,soI thinkmyfamily'scopingmechanismishumor.”

PaigeistrulyoneofthefunniestpeopleI’veever met.She’sunapologeticallyherselfand courageouslysharesherlightandwitineventhe darkestmoments.

“Acoupleofyearsago,Iwentonaretreatfor womenwhohavelostchildren,whichIknow, soundslikethebesttimeintheworld.I'mworried thewholetimegoingintothisthatthesewomenare notgoingtoappreciatemydarksenseofhumor.I mentallypreparedtotonemyselfdownabouthow Ifeel.Iendedupbeingmyself.Peoplewere constantlylaughing.TheywantedtositatthetableI wasatbecauseeveryonewashavingsomuchfun. Notwhatyouwouldhaveexpectedfromthiskindof retreat.Attheendofit,awomanwhohadlosther childonlyaboutamonthbeforetheretreat,said shehadn'tlaughedsohardinoverayearbecause ofme.IfthathadbeentheonlythingIgotoutof theexperience,Iwould’vebeengood. Tohavesomeonewhojustexperiencedthemost traumaticthingyoucanexperiencesaythatwasall Ineededtohear.Thefoodisgreat,butnobodyis signinguptogotothatforfun.ToknowImade someonehappystuckwithmealltheseyears. Itmeantalot.”JonandPaigehavehadtwo incrediblechildrensinceTravis.

Theirsecondchild,Harry,isknownasarainbowbaby. “Hewasborn11monthsafterourfirstsonpassedaway. Ifullybelievethatthere'ssomethingintheuniversethat makeskidswhoarerainbowbabiesthewaytheyare. Harryismostinterestingkidyou’llevermeet.He’sinto theweirdeststuff,buthe'salsosupersweetandfunny.

HispreschoolteacherwastellingmeHarry'stheonlykid thatcouldhaveafullblownconversation.He'lltalk aboutanything.HelovesGodzilla,comicbooks,andright nowhe’sreallyintoturtlesandfrogsandtoads.Thekid walksaroundinafishingvestandan alligatorpawnecklace.”

IhadtheabsolutepleasureofhangingoutwithHarryfor hisfirstGooseshowonHalloweeninWorcester.Thiskid isreallyspecial.“Hismusictasteisverydiverse.He lovesMetallicaandtheGorillaz.HelikesPhishmore thanGoose.Truthfully,Idon'tknowifI'dbeasgoodin lifeasIamifIdidn'thaveHarry.Hetrulysavedmeata timewhenIneededsaving.Hehasapersonalitythatis largerthanlife.”

ThenewgalontheblockisSadie.Theepitomeofa GooseChick,she’snamedafteronePaige’sfavorite songs,LeadtheWay.Herconceptionwasanother journeythroughadversityforJonandPaige.“Istarted tryingtohaveanotherbabyinMarchof2020whenthe worldwasshuttingdown.Wehadjustboughtourhouse, andwealwayssaidwhenwegotahousewe'dhave anotherbaby.Weweren’tthinkingthatit’dbeanordeal, butitturnedintoanordeal.Ittookmealmostthree yearstogetpregnant.Wewereseeingfertility specialists.Thatwasaprocess.There'salotthatgoes intothat,anditwassetbackaftersetbackwithit.They weren'tgoingtobeabletodoIVF(invitrofertilization)on me…itreallywasadarkperiodforme.I'msomeone who’sveryopenaboutmystruggles,andIreallywasn't beingopenaboutthat.Ittookatollonme.”

“Istartedtoacceptthatmaybeweweren'tgoingtohave anotherbaby—thatwewerejustmeanttohavewhatwe had.Thedoctorsdecidedtotrackmycycleforsix months.Thatrequiredbeingpokedandprodded,ugh,so manyblooddraws.Butaftertheytrackedmycyclefor onemonth,thereshewas!Andbecausemycyclewas beingtracked,Iknowforafactshe’sa TedTapes baby.Itwasalongjourney,butshe’sthe absolutebestbaby.She’sthechunkiestlittlethingthat thereeverwas!She’snoteven10monthsoldandshe’s almost24pounds.Abigdaddy'sgirl!”Maybeitwasthe cycletracking,ormaybethere’ssomesciencetothese TedTapes babymakingjokes.

Sadiealreadyhassomeshowsunderherbeltwithan interestingstatistic.“Around23weeks,babiescanstart hearingoutsideofthebelly.Thefirsttimeshewentto whereshecouldactuallyhearwhileshewasinmewas RadioCity,andsothefirstlivesongsheeverheardin thewombwas"CaliforniaMagic."Thefirstsongshe heardatourfirstshowoutofthewombinNewportwas "CaliforniaMagic."FullCircle!”

JonandPaigehavethreefurbabiestoroundoutthe Carusofamily.“Mags,shortforMagnolia,isanine poundMiniatureDachshundthatwerescued.Wegot herafteroneoftheWestvilleshowsin2021. Dachshund’spickapersonandIhappentobeMaggie’s. WegotherwhenIwashavingtroublegettingpregnant withSadie.Ithinkthat’swheremyemotional attachmenttoMaggiecomesfrom.Biscuitsisourfat orangecat.PuttyPuttyisn'ttechnicallyourcat.Shewas mymom’sthenshewenttolivewithmysisterfora while.Mysistermovedtoahousewhereshecouldn’t haveacatsowetookPuttyPutty.She’sa16yearoldcat whospentthefirstyearofherlifeonthestreetsofSouth Boston.She'sprettybadass.SheputsBiscuitsinhis placeandkeepsMaggieinline.She’sincharge.”

HowdidGoosefindtheirwayintotheheartsandhomeoftheCaruso’s?I’ve askedthisquestionofmanyGoosefans,andapatternisemerging—atheme thatseemstostrengthenthebindsofourcommunityanddeepenour appreciationfortheboysandtheirjams—manyofusseemtofindGoose duringatryingtimeinourlives.

“OurentirerelationshipJonhasbeentryingtogetmeintoanytypeofmusic thathelikes.IwouldgotoconcertseveryonceinawhilebutIwouldhaveto reallylovethebandtogo.I’dprobablyonlybeento15concertstotalinmy wholelifebeforeGoose.Inthesummerof2020Jonwasreallystruggling.Jon lovedgoingtolivemusic.Thatwashistherapy.Whenhestartedtalkingabout GooseIthoughtherewegoagain!IguessI’llhumorhim.Hewantedtogoto thedrive-inshowinOctoberinSwanzey.Youcouldhavefivepeopleinacar andnobodywantedtogo,soIwent.WehadtogothroughFitchburgtogetto Swanzeysowedecidedtomakeadayofit.MymomwatchedHarry.Wedrove throughouroldcampusandwenttoourfavoritecoffeeplaceandgotour favoriteChinesefood.Wehadagreattime!OctoberisthemonthTravisdied. It'sreallyadifficulttimeofyearforus,butIwasfindingcomfortatthatshow.”

JoninitiallytriedtogetPaigeintoGoosewithsongslike"Yeti"and"Timeto Flee."Shewasnotimpressed,butafterenjoyingtheshow,shedidsome diggingonherown.

“Afterwards,Iwantedtolistentothemalittlemore.Iexploredonmyownon Spotify.Jambandswerenevermyscene.IwasintomusiclikeFallOutBoy. WhenIheard"LeadtheWay"and"ButterRum"Iwassold.ItalsohelpedJon showedmeapictureoftheband.Isaid,‘Oh!Wellthatonelookslikeyou!’ PaigehasbeenonPetesideeversince!PaigejoinedelGooseanddownthe rabbitholeshefell.ShefoundoutBengraduatedfromherhometownand attendedherafterschoolprogram.JongotPaigeaCameofromPeterfor Christmas.Hestartedregularlypostingtheiconic"ThisWeekinelGoose" memes.Theirpassionforthebandandinvolvementinthecommunitywas escalatingquickly.

PhotoCredit:AdamBertaPhotography

WhentheSwanzeyandWestvilleshowswere announcedforJune2022,Paigehadanideatotakeita stepfurther.“ItoldJonweshouldmakeaflyerofthe memetohandoutattheshows!”Acoupledayslater, JontookthatideatoanotherlevelandtheEGTwas born.“Hestartedreachingouttopeopleaboutbeingon ateamtomakealegitnewspaper.WegotMarcKomito, RyanStorm,Russo,andacoupleotherpeople… everyonepitchedin$75togetthefirstvolumeprinted. JustinWolfewasourfirstsponsor.Wedidn'tevenhavea printer!It'snowourbigjokethatwewenttoStaplesand hadthemprinted.Theyweren’tprinteduniformly.Some wehadtofoldandstapletogetherourselves.That'swhy they'resohardtofind.Idon'tevenhavevolumeone.It didn’thelptheywerebeinghandedoutatFrederick duringatsunami.”

“VolumeTwo,wegrewalittlemore…weinterviewed Coachandstartedgettingattentiononsocialmedia.We usedanactualprintingcompany.Wewerereallyexcited tolaunchitinSwanzeybecausethat’swhereourfirst showwasandwewerefinallygoingtohandthemoutin person.Assoonaswepulledupandopenedthetrunk, peoplewereswarmingus!Ididn’trealizehowbigofa dealitwas!”

“Laterthatnight,wemettheband!Whenwewalked backstage,peoplewereclappingandcheering‘elGoose Times’!Iwasflabbergastedpeopleknewwhowewere. WehadtheEGT’sResidentChef,RickGallego,withus andIrememberhimsaying,‘OhmyGodthere’scake! Wegettowatchthemeatcake!’Itwasreallyawesome meetingeverybody…theywerejustsoniceandso welcoming.PeterrememberedhedidaCameoforus. Itwasasurrealexperience.”

ThenextdayatWestville,JonandPaigereceived anotherwarmwelcomefromthecommunity.“Somany peoplewerestoppingJonthatitturnedintoalongwalk downthehill.ItwaswildtoseebecauseJonisdefinitely morequietandreserved.I'mmoreofthesocial butterfly…WhatIloveaboutthisexperienceforusthatI gettoseethatsideofJon.Iliketowatchhimgetting attentionandhavingsomethinghecanexpresshimself through.It'sreallyfuntowatchhimgetrecognitionfor somethingheworkssohardon.”

AsanEGTcontributor,IcannotexpresshowhardJon workstobringeachissuetofruition.Paigecallsit“a rollercoasterofemotions.”Itstartswithaconference call.Wediscusscontent,setdeadlines,conceptualize formatting,andfigureoutlogistics.Whichartistwilldo coverart?Whatsponsorsdoweneed?Dowehavethe fundstosupportourpagecount?Howmanycopieswill supportthewholerun?Oncewe,thecontributors,get ourshittogether,Jonformatstheentirevolumeandit headsofftotheprinter.

Jonusedtoworkforanewspaperdoingadlayouts.He usesthatexperiencetomakehisowncreation.“It’s basicallyasecondjobthathedoesn'tgetpaidfor.He spendsalotofhoursafterthekidsgotobedworkingon it.Hespendsalotoftimeonthecartoon.Hereallyputs hisheartandsoulintoit.Helovesthatthing.Buthehas momentswherehedoesn’tfeellikedoingitanymore. Thensomethingwillhappenwherehegetsthelife blownbackintohim,andhesays, I'mdoingthisforever.”

Oncewereceiveourprintedcopies,Jonpackagesand shipsthevolumetoover250loyalsubscribers.He packseachbyhand,ensuringtoprotecttheintegrityof themagazinesocollectorsandreadersalikereceiveit inpristinecondition.

JonthenheadstotheMillvillepostoffice.Shoutouttotheselovelypostal workersservingasmalltownof2300,whohandleahugeworkloadforus withcare.

AsmuchastheEGTisalaboroflove,itservesasapracticeincreativewriting therapy.“There'sbeentimeswhereJonhassacrificedalottomakesureit getsdone.Lastsummer,hewaswritinghisinterviewonanotepadnexttohis dadinthehospital.Eventhoughhisdadwasdying,hehadadeadline.He neededtodothatforhimselftoobecauseit'salsoatherapeuticthingforhim. Heputsalotofhisownheartintothecartoons,especially.Ifyoulookthrough them,you'llseeittalksaboutparentlossandotherthingsJonisexperiencing rightnow.Hebecameanorphanat34.Heputsallofthatintohiswork.”

There’ssomanyamazingthingscomingoutofourGoosecommunity. Ultimately,ourmissionistogiveback.“Noteveryonecanbuyashirtora souvenirwhentheygototheshow.Togivesomeonesomethingtoremember theirshowisreallyagreatthing.Jonlovestoseepeople'sfaceslightup.”

NoteverycouplesurvivesthekindoftraumasJonandPaigehave experienced,yettheCaruso’sarefullofgratitude.Noteverycouplehaswhat theyhave:truelove,truegrit,andtruepurpose.“Jonhasgivenmeeverything I'veeverwanted,everyhopeanddream.Hereallyhas.Heisanamazing husbandandfather.Ineverwouldhaveimaginedthatwewouldbepartof somethinglikethis.Wereallydohaveanamazinglifeand IjustIlovehimsomuch.”

ForthefirsteditionofArise,Ihadthepleasureofinterviewing AngelaLindsay of TheWesternSunFoundation.Ihopeyouenjoythe radiantrealmofthefoundation'swork,wherecommunity,enlightenment andgivingbackconverge.Thereisnodoubttheutterbrillianceandheart behindthemindsofthisfoundation.Asyoudiveintothisinterview,youwill soonlearnabouthowthey'reshapingabrighterfuturewiththeirimpactful drivetospreadlight,love,andthepowerofgivingback.

TellmeabouttheWesternSunFoundation,howdiditstartandwhy?

WesternSunFoundation(WSF)startedwhenalargegroupofcommunity membersgottogethertoworkonawebsiteprojectwithagoalofbringing peopletogether,supportingandbuildingcommunity.Veryearlyonitwas decidedtheprojectwouldactuallybepartofalargernon-profitthatwould givebacktothepeopleandcommunitiesGoosefansweretraveling through.WSFgrewfromthatideaofourcommunitycomingtogether,of harnessingthepalpableenergyofthefanbaseandtransformingitinto positiveaction.Morethanevercommunity-basedsmall&mid-sized nonprofitsarehurtingfinanciallyandworkinghardwithlessresourcestofill hugeneedsintheircommunities.Theirworkisimportantandmeaningful. Wesawthisneedandwealsosawarealdesirefromourcommunity memberstoworktogether,giveback,rallyaroundacauseanddo somethingpositiveandselflessthatwouldbebeneficialforothers.So,WSF wascreatedtohelpharness,organizeanddirectthatsamepassionand energyweallshareforlivemusicandGooseintopositiveinitiatives benefitingthecommunitieswetravelthrough.

Whoistheteambehind-the-scenes?

OurallvolunteerBoardofDirectorsincludesSarahBlazincic(President& ExecutiveDirector),StephanieBelcher(Treasurer),MichaelHuxleyand myselfasVicePresidentandDirectorofOperations.Wealsohave CariBryce,whonotonlyrecentlysteppedintotheroleofmarketingand socialmediamanager,butalsojustacceptedapositionontheboard.She hasbeencrushingitandwearesogratefultohaveherjointheteam!We haveanawesomegroupofvolunteersandsupportersthathelpus.It’s beenamazingtoseehowmanypeoplestepuptovolunteertheirtime, talentsandenergyforourmission.Therehavebeensomanypeoplealong thewaythathavehelpedusindifferentwaystogettothispoint.Weareso gratefulforthehelpandcouldnothavedonethiswithoutthem.

WehaveSOmanyfanartistswhosupportusthroughinkinddonations& socialmedia.Wehaveanofficialpartnershipprogramandareluckyto haveOrionJewelryDesignandKnittingbyDarianastwoofourofficialfan artistpartners.Wehaveawonderfulgroupofvolunteers,AijaPutelis, Tami&NickGroves,Christy&GrahamSingletonandSydneyMacCreery thatarehelpingusatourshowactivationevents-runningtheWSFtable, engagingwithfans,tellingthemaboutourpurpose,mission,anyactive campaignsandfundraising.Aswearegettingintoarhythmandgrowing wearebringingonmorevolunteersandstartingtohavecommitteesfor someofourlargereventsliketheupcomingRedRockscampaignandin personevents.Thesevolunteersarehelpinguswiththeentirecampaign, fromresearchingandselectingthebeneficiaryorganizationsthroughthe actualshowandactivationevents.Wearereallyexcitedtohave volunteershelpinguswiththatentireprocessnow.

WhydidyouchoosethesongWesternSunasthefoundationname?

Thesong“WesternSun”servesasareminderofwhowereallyareand whatreallymattersinlife.It’sacallingtolivefullyandmeaningfully.To connectwithothers,bepresentandintentional.Andthatisexactlywhat WSFisallabout.

HowdoestheWesternSunFoundationgiveback?

Wehaveaselectionprocessandcriteriatoselectbeneficiary organizationsaspartofourCharitableGivingProgram.Inthatprogramwe providemonetarygiftstothebeneficiaryanduseourplatformfor awareness&visibilitycampaignshighlightingthelocalorganizationsand theircauses.Wefundraisethroughvirtualsilentauctions,rafflesandwill haveourfirsteverWSFpinavailabletopurchaseforasuggesteddonation thisfall.Wehavesomereallyexcitingnewfundraisingpartnershipsand eventsthatwillhappenthisfalltoo.(Sostaytunedforthat!)

Wealsoholdcommunityimpacteventswithlocalorganizationsandsome ofourbeneficiariessuchasmakingFlowKitsfor914CaresinNewYork overtheCapTheaterRunorsortingbabyclothesandpackingdiaper orderswithShareOurSpareinChicagoduringtheSaltShedshows.Atthe upcomingDetroitshowwehelpedfacilitateaneventbetweenGooseand ourrecentbeneficiary,GirlsRockDetroit,forsomeoftheircampersto havetheopportunitytomeetsomeincrediblewomenintheindustryGoose’sTourManager,SamKingandGooseProductionManager,Marta Goedde.Thegirlswillgetanopportunitytoaskthemsomequestions, learnabouttheirrolesandthenwatchsomeofthesoundcheck.It’sa reallyspecialopportunityfortheseyounggirlsandwehopethe experiencewillcontinuetoinspirethemtowardsapathinthisindustry.

Weliketobuildarelationshipwiththeorganizationsinthecommunities wearevisitingandweworkwiththembefore,duringandafterour campaigns.OneofthethingsthatwethinksetsWSFapartfromother similarorganizationsisourawarenessandvisibilitycampaignsthatwe holdforeachbeneficiaryorganizationthatisselected.Usuallytheylast aboutamonthandweuseoursocialmediaplatformtoeducatethe communityaboutthebeneficiaryorganization-whattheydo,whothey serve,whatproblemtheyareaddressingandhowtheyareaddressingit. Wealsoliketousethattimeandourplatformtohighlightandeducatethe communityontheproblemitself-thestatistics,facts,dataandrealityof theissuesandtheeffectithasonrealpeopleinthecommunity.Weare firmbelieversthatit’simportanttouseourplatformtoprovideeducation, awarenessandvisibilityinadditiontofinancialsupport.

with SaraTonin

PhotoCredit:AbbyFoxPhotography

Wherewouldyouliketoseethe WesternSunFoundationgo?

Wewanttomakeanimpact,givebackinas manycities/statesaswecanandhelpasmany peopleaswecan.Wearereallyproudofthe workwehavedonesofarbutwewouldloveto continuetogrowouroperationalabilityand teamsothatwecancontinuetoexpandour presenceintoevenmorecommunitiesthe bandtoursthrough,expandourabilitytogive backtomorelocalorganizationsandholdmore communityimpacteventswherewevolunteer orgetinvolvedwithalocalorganization.We wantWSFtogothedistanceandbearoundfor 50+years.:)

WealsohopethattheGoosecommunitylearns somethingnewfromourcampaignsandwalks awaywithalittlemoreawareness,knowledge andempathy.Andmaybefansincertainareas ofthecountrystayinvolvedwiththese organizationsorcauseswehighlightedeven afterthebandhasmovedonfromthatcity.We wouldlovetoseethat.

Whatcanwedobettertosupportandspread awarenesstoyourfoundation?

Wedependonhelpfromthecommunityin ordertorunallaspectsoftheorganization. Financialsupport,volunteerhelpandsimply sharingourpostsandinformationaredefinitely thebestwaystohelpus.Reliable,taxdeductibledonationsarethebestwayto ensurethatweareabletocarryoutour missionandcontinuetomakeabigimpactin thecommunitieswearetravelingthrough.

Monetarydonations,inkinddonations, throwingyourownfundraiserforWSForsimply sharingourfundraisinganddonationpostsor linksareallahugehelp.Wearealsoalwaysin needofreliablevolunteerstohelpuswithour operations,charitablegiving/beneficiary program,fundraising,in-personactivation/ eventsandmore.

Ifyoucouldgiveonepositivemessagetothe Goosecommunity,whatwoulditbe?

IreallywishtheentireGoosecommunitycould trulyseetheimpactoftheirsupport.

AllINeed(isaLogicPuzzle)

Gooseisgettingreadyfortheir2023FallTourandeachband memberhasrequestedadrinkandfoodontheridertohave inthegreenroom.Matcheachbandmembertotheirspecial requestsusingthecluesbelow.

Clues:

1. Thebandmemberwhorequesteda jointalsorequestedtacos.

2. PeterrequestedOatMilk,butdidnot requesttheburgernortheglizzy.

3. Ricklovesburgers,butisnotafanof MountainDew.

4. ThepersonwhorequestedButter Rumwillnotdrinkitwithaburgeror veggies.

5. Trevorwasexcitedtodownhis MountainDewwithaglizzy.

6. Ben‘Spuds’Atkindorderedhis namesakefood–alargeorderoffries.

Becausewefocusonsmallandmid-sizedlocal organizationsandbuildrelationshipswith them,weareabletowitnessthepositive impactfirsthand.It'sbothhumblingand heartwarming.Thesupport,generosityand selflessactsofthecommunityhaveavery meaningfulreallifeimpactandthesearethe typesofthingsinlifethatreallymatter.Sokeep connectingwith,givingtoandlovingone another.Or,asRickwouldsay, "...don'tholdback.Goeverywhere, feeleverything,seeeveryone…"

Peter Jeff Rick Ben Trevor Burger

CowboyVectorArtbyVecteezy.com

presents "RosewoodHeart" a TedtheGoose cartoon by JonCaruso