May 9, 2008

MOTORCYCLE CRASHES SPICE UP LIVES OF WATCHMEN

The watchmen have often talked about motorcycle trips among our members. Fortunately, we have not had to talk about crashes…until now. Dennis, Garry and Jon were motoring to a series of concerts in central California. The mountain roads were smooth and curvy. The evening weather was superb. The scenery was spectacular. All was well with the world until Jon failed to negotiate a steep left hand turn. The motorcycle slid to the right and down an embankment while Jon chose to roll around on the asphalt for a while. A few broken ribs, a little road rash and 40 or 50 miles later on the back of Dennis’ motorcycle, he was x-rayed at Porterville community hospital. Looks like no lasting injuries but the hurts will take a few weeks to dissipate. All the watchmen sang three concerts the following day and three more the following weekend at the Fresno gospel music fan fest. Not to be outdone, Dennis tried…but failed…to outdo Jon. Following the fan fest, Dennis traveled to Oregon to pick up a motorcycle he’d left there a few months earlier. His return trip to southern California was uneventful until he ended up on the asphalt about 100 feet from his driveway. Dennis is basically unhurt, except for his pride. Jon still hurts and his pride will likely never heal.

May 5, 2008

FIRST NEW WATCHMEN CD/DVD IN TWO YEARS AVAILABLE NOW

The “live” concert album entitled “Final Tour” has just been released and was made available for the first time at the Great Western Gospel Music Fan Festival in Fresno. There have been four previous “live” recordings by the Watchmen, each capturing the excitement of a large concert venue. This fifth and final one should thrill you as it did nearly 1000 people and all the Watchmen at Rose Drive Friends Church for the January 6 final homecoming concert. The project is available on both CD and DVD and can be ordered through the Watchmen office at (714) 524-0101. DVD is $20, CD is $15 and the combination price is $29.

February 26, 2008

Following the January 6 final Homecoming Concert at Rose Drive Friends Church, the Orange County Register did a front page article about the Watchmen retirement. You can view the entire article with photos and all by clicking here.

October 17, 2007

WATCHMEN QUARTET TO RETIRE IN 2008!

YES, IT’S TRUE! The Watchmen Quartet, co-founded in 1971 by Dennis Zimmerman and Dick Moore, will begin and end 2008 with what has been dubbed the finest Watchmen Quartet ever. At the conclusion of the 2008 tour, Zimmerman will retire The Watchmen into the memories of its remarkable 38 year history. Each current member, Jon Ramsay, Garry Brier, Dirk Zwiebel, Gregg Lancer and Arnold Villocino, as well as Zimmerman, continues to be in awe of the effect the group has had on the lives of people all over the West. In the years since the beginning, Zimmerman’s recurring statement has been, “God put this thing together, He’ll make it clear when it’s time to retire.” Though Dennis is the only member senior enough to retire, he states, “God has given me a real peace about this decision.” The Watchmen will be adding additional dates in ’08 but there may be some annual dates that can’t be filled. Plan to hear some songs requested throughout the years in these final concerts. Elsewhere in this publication is a reproduction of the article that will appear in the November edition of Singing News magazine, America’s pre-eminent voice of Gospel Music. Further information and updates can be found on the Watchmen website, www.thewatchmen.org

This site was last updated Friday, May 09, 2008