Oh, the miracle of birth. I flew home from the last show of the Musical Chairs Tour (Phoenix), and landed two hours before my son Kenny was born...Kenny just turned three the other day. My bandmates and I didn't know it at the time, but we were embarking on a hiatus that would foster many beginnings.

After Kenny, Soni's daughter Cameron was born. Then came Dean's little Gracey. Next up was baby Daniella, Darius' little pride and joy. Followed by baby Ailey(ilee), Dean's second.

Once we realized we had this process down, we decided to make something together again (a new album). It was conceived this past May, and is currently gestating for nine monhts. We don't have a name for it yet, but it is due in February.

I also want to inform you of some other projects that are in their embryonic stage. I have completed production on an album by a South Carolina band called Five Way Friday. With the help of an excellent engineer named Nick Brophy (also worked on our new one), we made a great sounding CD, full of really good songs, and sincere energy. Upon it's release, it will be available on our website.

I have also recently started a full-length album with Camden, SC native Patrick Davis, whose four-song demo is currently available on our website. Patrick moved to Nashville, and we holed up in a studio there with Gary Greene on drums and tracked eleven songs.

The release of the second Handpicked compilation CD is also planned for February. Handpicked is a collection of great songs by independent artists that we feel you should know about. The first Handpicked is currently available on our website.

Jonasay, one of the artists from the first Handpicked, has released a new album that shows a great deal of promise. The first time I heard it, I thought I was listening to the radio. These guys have a sharp sound, and are solid live, playing all over the East Coast on a consistent basis.

Well thanks for reading, and I hope to see everyone on tour next year. It's been a relaxing, productive break, but now I know what Tom Petty meant when he wrote "The Waiting is the hardest part".

peace!
fluidly,
Mark Bryan

If you missed the September broadcast of the 8th Annual Hootie & the Blowfish Monday After the Masters Celebrity Pro-Am, you'll get a second chance to view it in November. MAM will air November 18th, 2002, 4:00-5:00pm on ESPN2.

www.hootiegolf.com