From: Bill Hammell stryx@mars.superlink.net
Subject: post for John and Dino

Hi John and Dino!

First I have to say I love your music immensely and thanks for doing this Q&A forum. I saw you guys at Cornerstone festival in 91, what a show you guys put on! It was my pleasure to have been in the press tent there when you introduced "Mastedon" to the media. It was the "Musical Adventure Of My Life!" To quote my Mastedon T-Shirt. I also saw you guys at Summer Winds Crusade at Ocean Grove New Jersey last year. John, your voice has never sounded better, "This Is What Love Is" sounded even better than on the album, not easy to do. Can't wait for John's new one! from Pamplin.
I have a John Elefante Web Page that I made and I wanted to know if I could get permission to use audio, pictures, etc. My friend Todd Ristau and I would love to make this page official, if you would let us. Here is the current address on the web for it http://www.geocities.com/Hollywood/7261. I also run a Kerry Livgren Email list which is really the Livgren/Elefante list. It is Email discussion about you and Kerry's music and is more Christian oriented than the Kansas list.
Kerry has allowed me to use audio and pictures on my Livgren page, (http://progrock.org/livgren). He actually emailed me and thanked me for my work on the page and Email list! A nice surprise to say the least!
I want to ask about any future collaboration with Kerry Livgren. An aquaintance of mine who is a customer at the bookstore I work in, talked with you at GMA week, his name is Alfredo (a very interesting person and he has a friend named Cupcake! that he was there with). He said that you were hoping to work with guys that used to be in Kansas, but this was all he knew about it.
Are there any plans of working with Kerry in the future? I recently read that you guys are considering a Mastedon album for late 97! Maybe Kerry would be involved somehow?
God Bless! Bill Hammell --
Bill Hammell - bill@progrock.org Co-Admin: Kerry Livgren, Rick Wakeman, Yes e-mail lists

Art Of The State: http://progrock.org/livgren/

John Elefante: http://www.geocities.com/Hollywood/7261/

http://irc.progrock.org:81/ - #livgren Livgren IRC

From: JOHN ELEFANTE (CCMO77B)
Bill, once again we are overwhelmed with the dedication and enthusiasm of our friends.! Today is the eighth of March and we are proud to say that Johns new album "CORRIDORS" is now complete.!! Feel free to insert audio and interview clips into your web site contact Pamplin in Portland Ore. to obtain the info you may need.
We have been in touch with Kerry and who knows what may happen?? Be looking for a new Mastedon album end of year. Please continue to support and pray for our endeavors, We will always put Christ first!!! Thanks...John and Dino
P.S. Cornerstone and Oceanview were highlights to us never to be forgotten!! Look for Johns tour fall of 97

From: DAWN WADE (LGRK25A)

John & Dino,

Just a note to let you know I love your work. I always know that if I pick up a CD by an artist I don't know, if it has the "Elephante" name that I won't be disappointed! Keep up the good work!
DMW

From: JOHN ELEFANTE (CCMO77B)

DMW, Thanks for the kind words we appreciate you prayers and support.
We always put our best effort forth and it is nice when people notice!! Thanks again John and Dino

From: KEITH BERRY (AKJL99C)
Dino,
I haven't gotten it yet, but I was thumbing thru Bob Hartman's new youth devotional and I liked it, and I saw your notes in it, nice touch and thoughts. Next time you talk to Bob, tell him some of the Petra fans have been around a littlel while ( not youth anymore) and it would be cool to read some stuff written for some of us "older youth". :-) Remember: "Age is a state of mind".
Bottom line is I think Petra ministers to quite a range of folks.
Nice job tho', on the project.
Take care,
Lord Bless & Abide (He promised)
Keith (Christian Music Board Memrep)
http://pages.prodigy.com/creation/keith.htm

From: JOHN ELEFANTE (CCMO77B)

Keith, funny you should mention the age of many Petra followers. As we speak, Petra is in the process of concieving a new record and it has been discussed many timesthat returning Petra to its more "mature" rock sound. Dont be surprised if the next record is exactly what youre talking about.Once again we appreciate your suggestions and support, I will express your comments directly to Bob.

Thanks Dino

From: KEITH BERRY (AKJL99C)
Dino,
Thanks! Besides a record, actually I was talking about a devotional type thing or even a book (seems like everyone is writing these days, Steve Camp is coming out with one). About the record tho' cool, sounds great!
While I have ya on the horn, how do you guys stay on top with your walk with the Lord, pretty much prayer and Bible study or do you also have a "core" of folks to help?
Appreciate you being on the board and the Net. It seems the Net's bad side gets all the publicity when God can use it for His good. A favorite saying I have is "the bad doesn't negate the good"! Thanx.
Take care,
Lord Bless & Abide (He promised)
Keith (Christian Music Board Memrep)
http://pages.prodigy.com/creation/keith.htm

From the Livgren/Elefante mailing list:
From: Glen Shanahan
Subject: Elefante Live

I have recently purchased a Kansas CD called Down The Road. It is a live CD with 13 tracks on it. Tracks 1-10 were recorded in 1989 during a live show in Philadelphia and 11-13 were recorded in 1982 during a live show in Omaha. (the same concert as the video many of you own and/or know of) It has a picture of Kerry with long hair on the front cover playing guitar and Robby on the back playing violin.
I thought this was strange in that neither Kerry of Robby played in the Philly show in 1989. (By 1989 Kerry was a solo artist and was replaced by Steve Morse and Robby had already had quit and was not replaced) The sound is superb and the song listings are different from other Kansas live Cd's. It does have PoKR, COWS and DitW, but also from 89 One Big Sky, All I Wanted, and Preacher. It has Portrait, PTGT, and Down The Road (w/ Robby on Lead Vocal) from the 82 Omaha show with Elefante singing (Portrait and PTGT) and Warren Hamm prominently featured on several instruments and back up vocals. Does anyone know of any other live Kansas material that can be had with Elefante instead of Walsh?? I highly recommend you try to find someone to sell/trade you this disc it is Excellent. John Sounds real good too!!!!

Peace, Glen

From: JOHN ELEFANTE (CCMO77B)

Glen, there was a full length video of the Omaha show released on Sony home video in 1984. It is shot very well and is available by special order at most music retailers
Dino Elefante

Board: CHRISTIAN MUSIC BB
Topic: JOHN & DINO ELEFANTE
Subject: TYPICAL DAY ???
From: DIANA MORRIS (YWDX42A)
Hi John, Hi Dino !!!

What is a typical day like for you?

In Joy! Diana Morris, bb leader, YWDX42A

From: JOHN ELEFANTE (CCMO77B)
Dianna, a typical day for us is as follows:
1. Awaken
2. Read daily bread, devotional, or Bible N.I.V.
3. Drink Coffee, throw kids around, off to work
4. arrive to 20 or 30 phone messages...return 10-15
5. check on status of works in progress usually 3-5 records at a time.
6. Go into studio A or B to listen and advise on next wave of overdubs or listen to mixes.
7. Sit in office and listen to tapes submitted, read and answer mail, log onto internet.
8. Go back to control rooms check on progress re-advise or re-direct.
9. Listen reports from business manager i.e. record sales, studio bookings and inquiries.
10. usually around 9:00 p.m. hear final progress on musical projects, discuss next moves, grab a quick bite, go home
11. rinse and repeat

From: JEREMY LANG (GCAK61B)
Wow, that's a lot!
I now have no regrets for choosing not to enter into the business world.

Whether music or not.
\o/ Jeremy

Photos by Diana Morris