Holiday Wishes for 2004

Holiday Greetings to one and all!

Wow, what a year! 2004 started out with a bang at a New Years’ Eve party at Amy and Matt Sagraves home which went until way past midnight (more like 5am) and it was a wonderful time. I got to see the love of my life, Laura Nelson, and spent the next two days in bed recuperating from the over-abundance of cheer!

Otherwise…life was eventful this year. I was in a production of Sound of Music as Uncle Max; worked as director and singer in a production of Bizet’s opera, The Pearl Fishers; musical director for productions of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and Smokey Joe’s Café; actor and director for Sleeping Beauty and director for Snow White; and Oscar Madison in a production of The Odd Couple. I’m getting ready to sing for a Cabaret for New Years’ Eve this holiday season and recently was cast as Horton the Elephant in an upcoming RSP production of Seussical the Musical.

I got to see my first real Broadway show with Fiddler on the Roof in New York in June. Mom and I got to go backstage and meet the cast thanks to my friend, Elaine Lord, who plays in the orchestra for that show. We also got to see 42nd Street on Broadway as well with Shirley Jones in the role of Dorothy Brock. Both of them were magical experiences and I fell in love with the city (except for the traffic and the rude people).

I won my first Elly award after 7 years of nominations for music directing Smokey Joe’s Café. I am continuing to serve on the Board of Directors for Runaway Stage Productions who also had a wonderful year with eight Elly Awards (out of 34 nominations…the most of any other company in town).

My company, Sprint, is winding down its Sacramento-based operations. We all see the writing on the wall and I won’t have a job there much longer as of January 28th. I am looking forward to the severance package and will probably take a year or so off. I am leaving for a cruise to Mexico with my mother in January which is going to be her Christmas present this year.

I added a new member to my clan with a new dog, Odie, in October of this year. He is Dachshund/Corgi and is a real cutie pie. He and my other dog, Lucy, get along really well. I started renovating my home with new furniture, appliances, drapes, new garage door, landscaping, etc. It is almost unrecognizable from its previous condition.

I’ve been able to spend more time this year with my God son, Justin, and his mom. We took a vacation to Disneyland in April. We also have started Justin on drum lessons and got him a set of drums to practice on. He is very talented and I’m sure he will do well if he sticks with it. I also was able to get back in touch with several dear friends this year…Jeff Chandler, Terry Benjamin, and Mario and LeAnne Fabian.

I cut back on my vocal and piano teaching schedule this year, but I’m planning to expand dramatically after the first of 2005. I’m taking on 10 new private students in February in anticipation of making teaching my new career.

I also lost my grandmother in June of this year. That was a big blow to my entire family. Granny Pig was the glue that held a lot of the Carlisle (my mother’s maiden name) clan together. I don’t know how the family will survive. It was a difficult time and continues to be difficult because she and I were very close.

But, we all must endure hardships like this from time to time. And those trying times are made easier because of friends like you. I wish all the best to you and yours this holiday season.

With much love,

Ray Fisher