This is quite lengthy however if you have time to read it in it’s entirety I think you’ll enjoy the ride.
Tails from a lifetime musician. By: Randy Leiter
Hey yawl, sure hope you can take time out to come and see our Country, Variety Show on the 15th of April, 2023, at Forwards Quality Inn and Conference Center in West Branch. Time 6pm. It takes a lot of time and hard work at my age to put everything together, just to bring a smile to all your faces for a couple of hours.
I would like each of you to know this; even if I haven’t been to your homes, or called you on the phone lately, you are in my heart & thoughts continually. I first came to West Branch by invitation in 1975 to play piano and sing with my parents who at the time were Pastoring a small Church on Annie Street. My dad and I used to travel all around this area going from house to house, praying for those who were hurting or perhaps less fortunate than ourselves. Even when we were going through hardships ourselves we never let it show.
I met my wife Sue Mier Leiter here through other local folks who were in a band at the time and six months from the time we met, my dad married us in that same little Church. That was on Valentines day 1977. (this year makes 46 years of being together) Folks from this part of the country were always so gracious and kind to us here. Sue is a third generation of Mier’s from right here, and l living on the same property she grew up on.
The Doran Family from West Branch, ( who themselves were a family of professional musicians) all pitched in and helped me gather enough music equipment to get started performing again. Now, if time will allow, we would like to provide some family friendly entertainment for the good folks in and around this area where once again we can visit with everyone and at some point before my clock runs out, and get to know you a little better.
Back before credit scores and accolades hanging on your wall were the most important things to posses, people were not so afraid to be friendly with strangers. I get it, today seems worse then ever, but, it only takes a smile, a hand shake or even a kind word to bring a little cheer and peace into someone else’s life. Here is a little nugget I found in a dream one night. (“ Always find the truth in everything, not just what you think the truth ought to be”)
Let us enjoy each others company while we can!
I’ve lived just long enough to see most of my friends, most of my family and countless others I’ve known, leave this world without a chance to remines about all the good times we had growing up. And, since I can’t carry all this heavy music equipment very far anymore, Sue and I have found a nice place (The Quality Inn & Conference Center) where we can get together, pic and grin and enjoy each others company.
Growing up, we used to do this every week at my mom and dads house. Everyone (friends, neighbors and relatives) would show up just to laugh together, play music and games together and where the children all actually went outside and played together for hours. I’m thankful I lived without computers & cell phones while I was growing up. We told our parents where we were going, and they told us when we had to be home. Even the house seemed more happy & peaceful back then, especially with all the cooking, eating, talking and laughing together going on. That’s what the Lumberjack and Quality Inn remind me off. Happier times!!!!!
Well, since I can’t bring back all my friends and family and I sure can’t make the times we live in, go back like they once were, but I’ll do my very best to bring some fun and joy to share with each of you, as often as I possibly can.
One last memory I’d like to share with you before I close.
A few years ago, right here in West Branch a very kind elderly gentlemen came walking into my office with his cowboy hat tilted slightly sideways, and standing about six foot four, he had to duck a little bit just to get through my door. Once inside, he said “howdy Randy, do you have a guitar I can use for a minute” and I said sure and handed him one that was hanging on my wall. Then, he said ” I wanted to sing an anniversary song to you and your wife’. (it wasn’t our anniversary) but, just the thought of this man in his 90’s wanting to sing a special song for us was priceless. So, who could resist? When he was finished with the song, he just handed me back the guitar and said ” I’ll see you later kid” and walked back out the door. I had only been acquainted with this man for a short time, but he was a member of both the Michigan Country Music Hall of Fame and the Michigan Farmers Hall of Fame. His name was Bob Kartes. I never got to meet my own grandpa but I have a picture of him at six foot five, sitting in a rocking chair with his work boots all laced up to his knees and he was playing the fiddle. So for me, you can just imagine all sorts of good thoughts rushing through my mind. This kind man took time out of his busy day to sing me a song. So, Bob, my hat’s off to you sir. I’ll be your friend for life.
