THURSDAY, MARCH 27TH – FRIDAY, MARCH 28TH, 2026 – RUNAWAY JUNE TO “ALBI’S COUNTRY FESTIVAL” IN ZURICH, SWITZERLAND:
First time in a very long time that I didn’t have to leave my house at 3:00 am to go to the airport for an early morning flight! I departed at noon and met up with all but one of the Runaway June group. One member is flying roundtrip LAX for this event. This is the “1st Albi’s Country Festival” in Zurich. There is a huge lineup of talent from all over the world and I booked Runaway June and The Bellamy Brothers for performances at the event. It is wonderful to be working with them again. They are such wonderful people and I love them and think they are so talented!
The line for security was the shortest I’ve ever seen at the Nashville airport. Took me less than 2 minutes to go through.
Our flight departed Nashville on time and arrived Philadelphia early. We are flying American (tied with United for my least favorite airline!) on this trip. As 3 of the group was boarding, the gate staff advised that they had to “gate check” their carry on bags. The bags were not oversize or overweight but were told it is a full flight, so they could not take them inside the plane. They agreed but then were told that the bags had to be checked all the way through to Zurich. Someone please explain to me “why”? We are on a HUGE airplane from Philadelphia to Zurich. Doesn’t that sort of defeat the purpose of packing items you’ll need on the flight in a carry on bag only to be forced to check it all the way through?
As soon as we landed, Jen and I talked to the Gate staff. They said there was nothing they could do but that we should check with the Gate Agent or in the Lounge to see if they could have the bags pulled for them. No one was at the gate (of course!) so we went into the Lounge. I didn’t like the answers the lady was giving me so I asked for a supervisor. She tried to explain their policy but it still made no sense at all. End result was they were not allowed to retrieve their carry on bags for the flight.
The flight departed on time. I ate dinner (which was edible) and watched a boring movie and then slept for two hours. At least there wasn’t a lot of turbulence. We landed on time and Albi was waiting for us with vehicles to take us to hotel which is right across the street from the venue. Convenient!!!
And, surprise, surprise, our rooms were ready for us to check in at 9:00 am! It is a nice hotel and very friendly staff. A few of us had breakfast before the buffet closed and it was a good selection and good food. Some people decided to take a nap, some decided to walk around and after unpacking, I worked! We were supposed to meet up at the Mandarin Oriental Savoy Hotel at 6 pm for a dinner which was being provided complimentary by Jen’s boyfriend. I haven’t met him yet but I like him already!
Jen sent me a text at around 3:00 ad asked if I could come to the restaurant early because the guys were “fading” from lack of sleep I had already showered so I was able to grab an Uber and join them quickly. The food was amazing! I took photos and will post on Facebook. Let’s just say that Black Truffles are in season and made me very happy. Dino’s birthday is Sunday so we celebrated him.
After dinner, I was going to rush down to the train station to purchase candy at Sprungli but decided to wait until Monday when I’ll be down there for lunch with Iris ad the Bellamys anyway We used the UBER app to have a van pick us up and every time it would pull up in front of the hotel and then it would disappear! We finally had to get the hotel to call a taxi van for us. ODD!
I was back at the hotel by around 8 pm and have been working non-shop since then. Hope to get in bed by 1 am and up by 6 am to work some more. We have a 9:00 lobby call for sound check because there are so many people on the festival. But we will be finished by 11 am. I want to see The Boykinz perform so I’ll need to go back over there at 5:30 pm and then rush back to the hotel to meet the Bellamy Brothers who should be there by 7 or 7:30 pm to check in!
Jude
IT IS HARD TO TYPE WITH ONE HAND!! FORGIVE THE MISTAKES, PLEASE!
SATURDAY, MARCH 28TH – FIRST PERFORMANCE AT ALBI’S COUNTRY FESTIVAL;
Hannah — who is filling in for Natalie with Runaway June — arrived late last night with her family. Met everyone in the lobby and we departed at 9:15 AM for a 9:30 AM sound check. Sound check times are very short because it is a festival and we have a very strict schedule to follow. When we arrived, we learned that the production company had a problem that morning, and the band sound checking in front of us was still on the stage. That threw everything almost an hour late.
I was so happy to learn that our dear friend Lukas was handling the Backstage area. We worked with him years ago on the project with Gola. Long history between us. And he had an amazing artist that he is managing working with him. Her name is Leonie and she is only 17 years old – – same age as my grandchildren. She has wisdom beyond her years and is incredibly talented. Can’t wait to see what the future holds for her. She and Lukas were a godsend handling everything in the Backstage area because there were so many artists performing.
After Soundcheck, we went back to the hotel and I got things sorted out for the Bellamy’s arrival and their guests for tomorrow night. There wasn’t enough time to go into Zürich between the delayed Soundcheck and when we had to go back over for the show.
Bellamy’s flights were on time and I met them in the lobby at around 7:30 PM. I had the room keys ready when they walked in. They were tired after the long trip and most of them went straight to their room. But a couple went over to see the concert.
Runaway June’s musicians departed for the venue at 8 PM and I waited and rode over with the girls at 8:30 PM. I finally got to meet Peter — Jen’s significant other. What sweetheart he is and I am so happy for her.
Right before the show, Swiss TV asked if they could interview the girls. They agreed and I stayed in the room to listen to the interview. The guy only asked a couple of questions about them and then went straight to politics. The girls handled it well, but he would not let it go. They explained to him that they never discussed politics with anyone anywhere yet he just would not back down. He was pushing for them to say something negative about President Trump and the USA. After the interview, I called him into a separate room and asked to look at the interview footage. I told him he was going to have to delete everything that he filmed once he started asking questions about politics. He was not happy.
Runaway June went on stage late because the show started late due to the delayed soundcheck. They were asking artists to cut songs out of their set to make up for the lost time. They got a great response from the audience who obviously love country music. Took lots of photos with people Backstage and I actually met a female singer from Switzerland who will be performing at the Gstaad festival this September. Really, cute young girl.
I hated that Runaway June flew so far and had their show cut from 90 minutes to 60 but the audience loved their show. I will be at soundcheck with the Bellamy Brothers tomorrow morning when Runaway June leaves so I had to say a sad goodbye tonight to them. They have followed me around the world so many times and it’s been such an honor and privilege to work with them.
Jude
SUNDAY, MARCH 29TH – BELLAMY BROTHERS PERFORMANCE AT ALBI’S COUNTRY FESTIVAL:
Met the guys in the lobby at 8:15 to go over for an 8:30 AM sound check. Everything was much smoother today and we finished exactly on time. I had a few minutes to run upstairs and look at all of the booths that were set up in the lobby area. That area was packed with people.
When we arrived back at the hotel, breakfast was still being served. Howard had just come down so I went in and sat with him and talked to him for about an hour. There still wasn’t enough time to go into Zürich because the Bellamys show starts at 5 PM today.
Found out Susan was not feeling well and would not be going to the show tonight. I met our dear friend and an amazing photographer Sandro in the lobby and gave him tickets, laminates, and a parking pass for him, Gola and his family, and Zappu. The band went over to the venue at 4 PM and I rode over with the Bellamys at 4:30 PM. It was wonderful to see Sandro, Zappu, Gola, Heidi, Nikki, Leslie, and Lenny again! Bellamys took photos and went on stage on time. I walked up in the stands to find Markus and Brigett in the handicap section so I could tell them how to get down to the meet and greet after the show. Lukas and Leonie went with me. Only they were not seated where they were last night. Lucas went across the stadium to another section and I walked down the very steep very narrow stairs. And this is where everything went bad.
I held onto the handrail all the way down because it was dark and the stairs were treacherous. I got to the bottom where the handrail ended and naturally assumed that was the last step. Wrong. I fell and fractured three bones in my left foot!
EMT’s from the venue transported me to the nearest hospital and Leonie went with me. So glad she did because hardly anyone spoke any English. They did x-rays and a CT scan to confirm the fractures. Leonie’s train was leaving so I told her to leave. Thankfully, Lucas was able to come over and interpret for me.
Someone came by and collected about 1000 Swiss Francs for the ambulance ride and x-rays. I think I saw three different doctors in the ER. Someone came by again with a credit card machine and wanted to collect 12,000 Swiss Francs! He said he had to collect for five days and if I didn’t stay five days, he would refund the difference. I explained to him that I did not have the money to pay him and that I was only staying one night and flying home for the next day. The Doctor who was on duty told me that since I was in the emergency room they had to treat me free of charge. He then said he would only collect another thousand Swiss francs for one day. So how is it that five days cost 12,000 Swiss francs but one day only cost 1000? Healthcare is the same the world over.
They finally got me into a room and I told Lukas to leave as I would be fine until I can get out the next morning. He promised to come back and pick me up and take me to the hotel. Thank you Lucas and Leonie!!!
MONDAY, MARCH 30TH — DAY OFF IN ZÜRICH FOR EVERYONE BUT ME:
Doctors and nurses started coming in very early. They brought me breakfast and it was a slice of bread, not even toasted, and some jelly and butter with it. I guess that’s what you get for 1000 Swiss Francs. They made me order lunch in case I was still there at lunch time. I was. I was supposed to have an airplane sized soup, salad and pasta plus a cup of ice cream. They brought everything but the pasta! When the staff member came about an hour later to pick up the tray, I pointed out the mistake. She went all surly and grabbed the order slip to check. I had already checked it and knew it was correct. I told her not to bring anything else because I just wanted to get out of there.
I finally saw the doctor who was able to tell me I could get out as I do not want to have the surgery in Zürich. She said I could fly home the next day as long as someone would fly home with me. David was so sweet to allow Susan to leave and take care of me so that I could fly home.
Susan got some clothes together for me and sent a bag with Lukas when he came to pick me up. They put me in a walking boot and gave me crutches. That proved to be a challenge in my hotel room. We finally got my desk chair, which was on wheels and also got one from Jim’s room. I put one by my bed and the other in the bathroom so I could transfer from one to the other.
It was a miserable night! I was so bummed that I didn’t get to spend any time with Zappu, Sandro, and Gola in his family. I also didn’t get to see the Bellamy‘s performance but everyone told me it was fantastic. Albi was very happy with both Runaway June and the Bellamy Brothers. I don’t know what I would have done without Lukas, Susan and David!
TUESDAY, MARCH 31ST — FLYING HOME WHILE THE BELLAMYS TRAVEL TO GERMANY:
My travel agent was able to get Susan and I on a flight back to Nashville through JFK today. The tour bus taking Bellamy’s to Germany dropped us off at the airport. It was so hard to send them all without me, but I’m sure everything will be fine.
Susan and I were able to get wheelchair assistance for all of the flights. I won’y bore you all the challenges we faced on that journey!!!! Flights ran late, but we still arrived in Nashville only about an hour late. Lindsey picked me up and Susan overnighted at a hotel before flying home on Wednesday. Without Susan, I would have been STUCK in Zurich!!!
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 1 – – BELLAMY BROTHERS PERFORM IN HOF, GERMANY:
I was so looking forward to meeting some dear friends at the show in Hof, Germany. My dear friend for decades named Silvia was driving over to meet me. She was supposed to meet me at Graf last August when I was there with the military tour, but the weather was so bad that she decided not to come. The MWR Director, Tony, who is also a dear friend was also coming to the show. And our favorite Tour bus driver — Michael Tietze — was meeting us there. I feel like I let everyone down.
Kurt, the promoter, took great care of them. It was a sold out event with 1700 people in attendance. They said it was a great show.
In Nashville, I went to the surgeon and got my surgery date set for next Tuesday. I wanted to stay at my house that night even though the crutches were a challenge. We brought the desk chair down so I could move around in it. But, Lindsey also had a little rolling seat that I could put my knee on and move around.
Here’s where it went bad again. I managed to fall off the device and break my wrist and fracture a finger! So now I have two surgeries next week – – foot on Tuesday and Hand on Friday.
Feels like I am living in a nightmare. I’m not good at being incapacitated and this is going to be a long healing process. Definitely could use your prayers.
I had cancel my trip to Okinawa in two weeks and will have to send the group without me. Lindsey can’t go because she has to help me. It’s really too late to add someone new and get them approval to get on the military base.
Like I said. I really messed up. Thank God for Lindsey who is providing round the clock care!!!
Jude
