Volume 7

Reaching for the Stars

Just a handful of entertainers have stepped aboard "Patty's Charm" - The Preservation Jazz Band from New Orleans, the crew of Cirqué Eloizé, and Pittsburgh's country rock band The Fabulous Gunslingers. Another famous and revered entertainer nearly became a passenger in October 2003.  His name is Ravi Shankar.

Legendary sitarist, composer, teacher, and writer Ravi Shankar is renowned throughout the world for his pioneering work in bringing Indian music to the West.  Called the "Godfather of World Music" by the late Beatle George Harrison, Shankar worked with Harrison on the humanitarian effort to feed India's starving population by performing and recording "The Concert for Bangladesh" in the decade of the '70s 

Now, with years past and more than 60 albums later, Ravi Shankar continues to tour the world offering his music for all to experience.  But at age 83, a concert schedule becomes a weary venture for Shankar. With the urging of his family, he agreed to consider traveling on a motor coach for his fall 2003 Canada and U.S. tour.

Mrs. Shankar found Private Motor Coach, Inc. while surfing on the Internet and she called to talk with President Ed Lonsbary.  He told her, "My coach "Patty's Charm" is not designed to be an entertainer coach but with a few modifications I can seat up to 10 people. There's plenty of room for the instruments too.  Let's see if we can make this work."

Many phone calls, faxes, and emails later, it became clear that the logistics of the tour meant that there were too many miles to cover in too short of a time for one driver and one coach to do it all.  Mr. Shankar would never step aboard "Patty's Charm." But, Ed and wife Patty got to step into Shankar's world for just a bit. 

The U.S. tour brought Ravi Shankar and his daughter Anoushka Shankar to Dallas, Texas on October 18, 2003. Two complimentary tickets to the 8 PM performance at McFarlin Auditorium on the campus of Southern Methodist University waited at the box office for Ed and Patty.  After the show, the couple greeted Mr. and Mrs. Shankar during a backstage reception. What an honor to step into this remarkable musician's world.

Make Room for Family

The Lonsbary home brimmed full with family over the Thanksgiving Holiday.  First, three arrived from Ingersoll, Ontario - Ed's mom Jean, and his two sisters Marie Barry and Betty Ann Lake - "Eh." Next, Ed's son Andrew with his wife Cindy arrived from Houston - "Eh." Never, since moving from Pennsylvania, had this Texas house been so delightfully full! "Eh!"

With so many people, come nighttime beds went to the first staking a claim and that's when "Patty's Charm" came in handy sleeping two or three people. Each morning and night you could see the parade of family in nightshirts making their way to and from the bus sitting on the hill. On Thanksgiving, we even used the bus oven to bake a pumpkin pie!

In Appreciation

When Private Motor Coach, Inc. President Ed Lonsbary counts his blessings he looks to the many people who offer encouragement and still say "Wow" when he talks about his unique travel concept.  And, although the economy and travel have been down, Ed is anything but "down."  He continues to build the company with grateful appreciation for many who continue to work with him.

First, there's wife Patty who manages the company accounting and finds creative ways to publicize Private Motor Coach, Inc. by submitting articles and press releases to select media.  Then, there's Ken Polino at Prompt whose server keeps the company connected to the Internet and helps to drive the Spam away.  And, let's not forget Ralph Burrows, the redheaded guy who is the web master and submits key words to all the crawlers so that www.privatemotorcoach.com pops up when people search the Web.

Thanks to all!

Our motto is... "Anywhere - Anytime"