Reading some of the posts from the old forum...........

Thinking back to just over a year ago and re-reading some of the posts on the old forum and how we all cried over the loss of Michaels 'old' band members, Jason, Janis, Tre, Land, Kiku, Sandra, Monique and Chris and how we'd never be able to build up a relationship with the new guys.....

Well just look at us now!! Look at the wonderful relationships we've built up with Michael L, Ryan, Chad, Tiffany and Cameron!!

I still miss the old guys, but boy, havent we all gotten on so wel lwith the new band members too?

Some of us have regular chats with them and have managed to meet them all or at least some of them and we all feel as if they've always been with us!! We also post on their Facebook and twitter sites and comment on the photos that they share with us and we even get to proof read some of their blog pages for them, which is more than we were able to do with some of the other guys who weren't as accessible.

I will be the first one to put my hands up and admit that when I first heard the news, I thought that 'stage life' and concerts would never be the same without them, but I was wrong!!

We still keep in contact with the old guys and they are all doing well in their lives and all seem happy.

Sometimes, change can be good cant it even if it felt like we were saying good bye to old friends?

How do you guys feel about it now we've had a year to meet the new band members properly and now we've mostly all be able to see them live and in action on stage with Michael?

Jennifer

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Permalink Reply by Dianna Shipman on July 18, 2011 at 12:53am

Hi Jennifer,

If my memory serves me I don't think I had too much time adjusting as I had never had the fortune of meeting Michael nor his band :)

I would have loved to have met Janis though over all the years of being on the forum's I have always heard what a lovely lady she is so I wish I had met her.

As for the new people I think their great,lovely and kind people in every sense.

I enjoy reading their Facebook comments etc and I try not to invade their privacy too much

Love Dianna xxx

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Permalink Reply by Robin on July 18, 2011 at 1:23am

I still miss the old band, and always will, but times change and things change, so I have come to enjoy the new band too, been nice getting to know them some too!!! And this band has had time now to gel and get in a groove together too, that takes alot of shows and time together onstage...But that's nothing against the older band members that were with MB over all those years, I will always miss them up there... In talking to the girls recently in CT they have the utmost respect for Janis and the old band.. We were chatting and when they realized I knew all the older members they totally understood and I wanted them to know they are great too and it's nothing against them. .The both said said no problem, they totally get it!!LOL I'm guessing it wasn't easy filling the old band's shoes so to speak...Nice gals, both of them..I've enjoyed Michael Lington and the others as well.

Robin in MD :)

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Permalink Reply by Kerie VanWinkle on July 18, 2011 at 4:58am

Hey Jennifer,

I think I will always miss the old band also, but like Robin says, times change, things change! I really miss Chris, Tre and Janis as I met them over the years, but even earlier, really missed it when Mugs and Joey left, but have adjusted over the years...I have met several of the new ones and they are all just wonderful, friendly and very talented! I have really enjoyed all the concerts I have seen with the new band and everytime I see them, they get better and better together. So as long as Michael continues to sing, he will have a great band to back him up, don't think he would have it any other way!!!

Kerie

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Permalink Reply by Jennifer Steadman on July 18, 2011 at 5:11pm

Thank you so much for your input here Dianne, Robin and Kerrie and I agree whole heartedly with you all. I remember only too well Kerrie how I felt when Mugs, Joey and Schuyler left. We coped ok then didnt we? Ha Ha!

I still miss the old band, but the new guys have found their 'niche' and are really making their mark now arent they? They've really proved themselves and have shown that they are 100% 'upto' the job of filling some very large and very well loved shoes!

They must have been petrified knowing who's places they were taking and especially knowiong how much we had grown to love the old band guys!!!

Dianne, I really wish you had known Janis. She truly is an amzing woman. Kind hearted, talented and once you are a friend, you are a friend for life. She still send me e-mails today letting me know what she's upto. It would have been lovely for you to have experienced the old band too so you have a comparrison. But hey, it wasnt to be and you have seen the new guys and they are excellant and brilliant too and you love them so all is not lost! Ha Ha!!

Thank you again guys, I'm really interested in everyones oppinions, but it looks as though ours are all pretty much the same anyway. We love the new guys but still have a pang for the old band which is only natural when you think of how long we've all been together.

Jennifer XX

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Permalink Reply by Jennifer Steadman on July 18, 2011 at 10:48pm

No, you cant Juliet!! Take it back now!! Ha Ha!!

Only kidding!!! You can say whoever it is you miss Juliet.

Jennifer

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Permalink Reply by Robin on July 18, 2011 at 11:08pm

Chris Camozzi!!LOL I miss Mugs and Joe Turano, Schuyler, Joey Melotti and all those guys, Vann, Janis, Pat Hawk etc..

And of course all of them in between, Scott Mayo was a great sax man too!!! Lots of changes in the 17 years I've been traveling to see MB if I think about it..

Robin in MD :)

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Permalink Reply by Ivana on July 20, 2011 at 9:02am

Thank you for your words !

This is "our old band" that all of us are still missing !

Our message to them: We did not forget you !!

Ivana

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Permalink Reply by Jennifer Steadman on July 21, 2011 at 9:11pm

Awwww, Ivana, I have a tear in my eye looking at this old photo. I have such happy memory's of being backstage with the crazy guys!!

Look at them all, Awww bless!!

For those who don't know their names-

Left to Right- Tre Balfour, Carol Jarvis, Karen straw, Janis Liebhart, Kate Mylnar, Land Richards, Chris Camozzi, Nelson Braxton, Brian Becvar and Jason Peterson Delaire.

I have listed these names to the very best of my memory. I know that they are all correct but I'm questioning myself that that is Kate Mylnar standing in between Janis and Land. I'm sure it is, but I cant remember if Kate had darker hair?

Great photo Ivana, thanks for sharing with us.

Jennifer

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Permalink Reply by Robin on July 22, 2011 at 12:26am

Nic pic but my older band memories go back to 1994 and mid-1990's and Chris, Mugs, Joey, Schuyler, Janis,Vann, Pat, Joe T. and Steve Scales too..LOL Had a few different gals in the mix and percussion and sax guys..enjoyed everyone that came and went since!!! Still miss them.Robin in MD :)

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Permalink Reply by Kathy Rosario on August 3, 2011 at 7:50am

Hi ladies.....nothing ever compares to the original. Michael's new band is delightful and very talented!! I will always cherish my loads of "original" memories. As I recall Michael was also much more guarded back in the day as was his band. Those were different times :) I respect all the members privacy including Michael's and with that I accept whatever they choose to share with fans. Today with the advent of all the social media it is much easier to be accessible and even inevitable. I will ALWAYS support Michael with any band that he employs :) His choices are certainly good enough for me! Keep rockin' Michael and your super band...love them all!!!!!! Two more concerts coming up....yippee!!!!!