Cheers to 2022!

Hey all; Emily here. It’s been awhile. Just wanted to take a minute and fill you in on the last year. You may have noticed the show calendar was a bit bizarre at times. There was COVID…and then there was my son’s accident.

Some of you have met Drew along the way as he is an honorary member of the Messengers! He played his first show with us at age 14 and subbed in on drums ever since when Mark couldn't make a show. He is 23 now, living in Nashville and doing the music thing while becoming quite the entrepreneur.

On August 19th, Drew was involved in a serious car fire. His electric (modified after-market) car suffered a catastrophic battery failure that led to an explosion and fire while he was driving. He suffered 3rd degree burns on 25% of his body and as a result had to go through 4 major skin graft surgeries. We had to cancel a number of shows (a first in our decade long run as a band) and I had to step away from others in order to be there for him. Andrew and I were in Nashville from August to December, only coming back to Chicago for a few days at a time.

The surgeons and staff at Vanderbilt Regional Burn Center worked some real magic and Drew put in the hard work to get himself out of there in just one month. Lots of rehab and therapy later, he is waiting on one more reconstructive surgery (happening soon) but is doing amazing!! He didn’t let this accident get in the way of things he is trying to accomplish, and he taught me a few things about patience, determination, and will power along the way! To say I am proud of how he handled all of it would be an understatement. I cannot wait until you see him back on stage with us this summer!

I need to give a huge shout out to the rest of the band. From day one we have always treated this (us) as a family, but they surely proved it! Played the shows they needed to, but took the time off so Andrew could also be down in Nashville with us. No hesitation or questions. It is hard to put into words just what that meant to me and Drew!

To the bar and venue owners who were so gracious about moving shows around…thank you! Not having to worry about that was a huge weight off my shoulders and we are excited to be back on your stages! We consider you all our friends and you've proven it... not just by supporting the band... but by your kindness, understanding and help as we pushed though the last 6 months.

And last, but absolutely not least, thanks to all of you! Not only for the outpouring of love, support, donations, messages…but for becoming our friends. There are so many of you who came into our lives through the band and I am forever grateful! Getting to know so many of you, your families, playing your weddings, birthdays, and kids graduations. This is why we do this. Family!!

So, cheers to 2022! Wishing you all good health and happiness and hoping we cross paths again soon!