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Happy Thanksgiving … the Holidays season begins! – blog Nov. 28 ’13

Greetings to all Orleans fans and friends around the world, and Happy Thanksgiving Day to those of us in the US.

This is traditionally a day for family and friends to get together, whether or not they do so at any other time of the year. Sometimes relationships are strained, dysfunctional, uncomfortable … and, as adults moving into (hopefully) our wiser years, maybe some of us have gotten better at (if not mastered) the art of not only surviving the Holidays, but actually enjoying them. What a concept!

Of course, for some of us, the Holidays ARE in fact enjoyable times of reconnecting and sharing with family and friends. Nothing wrong with actually LIKING those closest to you by virtue of birth, right?

As for me, I feel as if I am right now attempting to reconnect with the family and friends of Orleans all around the globe, having done a particularly poor job of staying in touch this past year+. Sorry for that.

I could make excuses, like “I was too busy” (and I was plenty busy but, hey … so were you), or “There wasn’t much to talk about” (which would be a lie) … but I guess the truth is that, in the wake of the events of 2012 and the process of rebuilding the band on the fly this year, this very private person has become even more so.

What I’m trying to say is part apology for being uncommunicative and part explanation. As evidence, I would point out that I have never opened a personal Facebook account (really?!?!), never sent a tweet nor an Instagram, nor am I on LinkedIn, and I’m certainly not broadcasting my current location on Foursquare! Nope. I’m only available by phone or text (if you have that number) and by email (and you all can do that from the Contact Us page if you ever wish to).

Anyway, It’s nothing personal. I (and we) still love you ALL and, on this day of heightened awareness about what there is to be grateful for in this world, I would like to say on behalf of all of Orleans, that we are MOST grateful for YOU … our fans and friends, who have supported us through the good times and the not so good times, and made what we do worth the doing for over 40 years.

With love and appreciation,

Lance Hoppen (for the entire Orleans ground crew)

Orleans_portrait_with_Curtain
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Showing All Comments

Barbara Meyer

Happy belated Thanksgiving to the entire Orleans family. Thanks for all you do and for keeping the Orleans spirit alive and well.
December 4, 2013 @ 10:43 PMReply

Colleen R. Krtanik

Happy Thanksgiving Lance! I re-connected recently with Orleans via yourself at the Rock and Roll Autograph show.I really appreciated the great conversation,and your genuine interest in discussing music and also our loved ones moving on. The love shared is the tangible part and is as real and alive as it ever was.I’d like to share a miracle my mom ‘sent’ to me for my birthday a few weeks back. If you would like to hear about it let me know! Your fan and friend, Colleen
December 2, 2013 @ 4:29 PMReply

Mark Dwigans

Thank you for sharing your thoughts and feelings about family and staying connected. It echos what most of us think and deal with at some time or another. In passing, just wanted to say that your efforts in maintaining the band and touring DO NOT GO UNAPPRECIATED!! ‘Still The One” has been my all time favorite song since its release, and only this year at Indianapolis did I get a chance to see you guys perform. Keep on keeping on!
November 30, 2013 @ 8:17 AMReply

Jim Carey

Hi Lance: We enjoyed your heartfelt comments about the holidays, and family and friends. Hope you and yours had a wonderful Thanksgiving as well, and look forward to seeing you and the guys in concert soon. We ARE all still havin’ fun…thanks to all of you!
November 29, 2013 @ 4:52 PMReply

Angelica

Happy Thanksgiving to you too, Lance, and a Joyous & Memorable Holiday ahead.
November 29, 2013 @ 4:17 AMReply

Bert Hensel

Dearest Orleans-people, I’ve had some very intelligent mail-exchange with you (the intelligence was on your side, of course). I think in Germany I was the first one to write about your magnificent music almost 40 years ago. I greatly respect how you try to come to terms with the tragedy that hit you. Probably the biggest hit, that the one passed will somehow hear and feel. I hate computers. What is this sign so and so characters left? Love from a character: Bert “The word”, Hensel “The pencil”.
November 29, 2013 @ 12:37 AMReply

Amber

Happy Thanksgiving to Orleans the band I love you guys and I always will love you all lance I think of your brother Larry all the time because I too have lost loved ones and I know how that feels I also hope to see Orleans the band in concert soon.
November 28, 2013 @ 11:57 PMReply

Sky

yo my brother…just came home to find this message from you, and what a fantastic way to wind up this wonderful Thanksgiving day…we had food and bevvys and dessert and merriment and some spontaneous live acoustic jammin’…and now I cap off the day with an Orleans aperitif!!! could the day be more perfect?…see ya next week !!!
November 28, 2013 @ 10:31 PMReply

Marty W

Hey,Lance, I’m sure all that have known you through the years particularly fans, understand that this may not have been the easiest year for you and the band. This is the first connection I’ve attempted with you since then. I Never quite knew what to say. I do want you to know my prayers have been with you and your family. Your all strong personalities that I m sure will “Still having fun” for many years to come. The past should never be forgot. The future can still bright. Happy Thanksgiving!
November 28, 2013 @ 9:31 PMReply

Laurie

Thanks for reaching out. I had a rough time last year as well (lost my mom to pancreatic cancer). We actually got to see you in Utica NY this past year and your brother was missed. You put on a great show and have been a fan since high school. Any way Happy Thanksgiving and hope to catch you guys soon in concert. Have a great holiday season.
November 28, 2013 @ 7:20 PMsusan
Happy Thanksgiving enjoy your day family and friends.
November 28, 2013 @ 3:56 PMReply

David Grapka

Hello Lance, Thanks for taking the time out today to let us know you are thinking of us, your fans, and the things you are thankful for. My wife Barbara and I are very grateful to you and the band for providing the hits to the soundtrack of our lives together. I met her in the fall of ’74, right around the same time I was first introduced to Orleans music. You’ve been with us all this time as we are still together having celebrated our35th year of marriage. Thank you so very much!
November 28, 2013 @ 3:16 PMReply

Tony Taravella

Happy Thanksgiving you you and your family.
November 28, 2013 @ 3:02 PMReply

Bob Michalski

Happy Thanksgiving Lance! I sat in with you guys in Lexington SC and you let me solo on my sax. My life was changed ever since that day. I’m so thankful that you guys let me play. I will never hear your music the same. It’s much more special now. Keep playin’ man. God bless you. I hope you have a wonderful 2014. bobthesaxplayer.com
November 28, 2013 @ 1:35 PMReply

Donny Coutts

Happy Holidays to Orleans band and crew from Scotland. Very nice to get an update after a wee break! What you’ve been through in recent times has been tough, Lance – tough for all of you, of course – but with a million happy memories, and the resolve that has seen the band run up an amazing 40plus years, I’m sure there will continue to be a wonderful Orleans presence in the Rock n Roll world. My best wishes to you all – please come back to Scotland. Hopefully I’ll see you in the US again, too!
November 28, 2013 @ 1:23 PMReply

Donna Payne

As always…thanks to you for all you do! Happy Thanksgiving to you and the rest of the band! Hope to see you again soon! Peace and love to you all…
November 28, 2013 @ 12:52 PMReply

FACE

Hey Lance, “what Mike said”… And I have to say, not only can I appreciate where you’re coming from (and empathize with what you’ve been thru); but that you just expressed yourself with the eloquence of a statesmen (or a “statesperson”, for those concerned with such details) in what you’ve written to us all. Hoping for the best of seasonal cheer…and a lifetime of music and merriment for all you guys, the extended families-and, what the heck, the world! (Maybe even the universe :>) FACE
November 28, 2013 @ 12:32 PMReply

mike gothard

Lance, Happy Thanksgiving to you and the band. Thanks for your music over the years. Whenever I hear one of your songs come on the radio, I whisper a prayer to God for you guys whose music has provided much of the soundtrack for my life, especially when I was a teenager in the ’70s and ’80s. Take care and God bless you all, Mike
November 28, 2013 @ 12:17 PMReply

JoAnne Connolly (Reply to: mike gothard)

Thanksgiving means a lot – even if it’s a strain, there are always memories created to savor later. I wish you and all your loved ones lots of happy memory creations today.
November 28, 2013 @ 12:24 PMReply

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