11/27 Fukuoka Thanksgiving

On the return trip to the hotel..."now where is that next subway entrance?"

After returning to the hotel, we left for the radio station and a live interview promoting that night’s concert. Luckily Bob did most of the talking with some by Mark. Mike and I took up our seats in the rear, pretty much hoping we’d be forgotten, but no luck. We all got to talk about what was special or memorable to us about Fukuoka or Japan and we survived without saying anything embarrassing. I was thankful for that! I did mention that I was very thankful for the warm welcome we'd received by all the people we'd met in Japan so far.

A return to the hotel and lunch and preparing for our first full show of the trip. Deb came along in time for the sound check in order to meet Jason Rome and parents Geena and Tom. Now-10-year-old Jason emailed Deb a couple of years ago about using Dinosailors in a movie he was making. They were driving up from Sasebo City, close to the Naval Base where Tom is serving.

The two-hour trip took three with bad weather and a few missed turns and Deb hung out in the lobby waiting for them. We all got to meet them and Mike took a special interest in Jason--any 10-year-old who’s willing to put himself out and meet an author and create drawings for his potential show was worth spending some time with. Great fun meeting them all and finally get to put faces with the names. They've been helpful getting Deb started on her next year return journey to Japan to do school visits.

Not a full house for the concert, but he show was enjoyable and the first chance to do the full two-hour show. Jason and his folks were there for pictures and autographs after. A fine evening of friends, new and old and the first appearance of the Brothers Four Friends Club, a devoted and enthusiastic group of supporters, some of whom have been following the group since their first concert in Japan in 1961. What fun!