Zehnder has written and recorded a new song, "Still Here" for the play, "The Last Angry Brown Hat." The play was written and directed by Alfredo Ramos and is hailed as "hilarious and poigniant" as it traces the story of four Chicanos dealing with the death of a close friend and the bond they once knew 25 years ago. Through his long time friend, Zehnder's drummer Mike Boggio, Ramos met and then asked the Zehnder brothers to write a song specifically for the ending moment of his play. Honored by the request, the brothers managed to write and then record the track with Boggio just in time for the play's opening. The show is no longer running, but you can still hear the song - and don't be surprised if the track finds its way onto a new CD the brothers have been working on...

Saturday night, May 2nd, at Knox Presbyterian Church in Pasadena, CA, "Zehnder rocked the house!," according to David Gist, California Regional Organizer of Bread for the World. As a way of partnering with an inspiring organization, the band gave half of the freewill offering raised that night to Bread; David went on to say, "Zehnder has been my steady soundtrack ever since the concert. Zehnder--I believe!"

Big thanks also to the kind folks at Knox for so graciously hosting the event. Longtime friend, Rev. Matthew Colwell, pastor at Knox, shared with us, "rave reviews from everyone who attended... you guys continue to inspire those of us blessed to hear you..."

The trio version of the band (the twins with drummer Mike Boggio) played two sets featuring songs from recent CDs as well as some brand new material. And in between, Bread for the World premiered a new outreach video featuring a soon-to-be-released film-soundtrack recording of "Any Day." Edited by Naohito Miura, the video is rumored to be finding its way to Youtube.

This was the first of a type of event Zehnder hopes to do more in the immediate future: a host organization provides space for a "free" concert at which a freewill offering goes to support that organization's cause of choice as well to support the work of the band.

The CD release party on October 25th, 2008 took place in Immanuel Presbyterian Church's Parish Hall - a space fully transformed by the creative genius of Christine Alton and other volunteers: Angela Camilleri, Eric Howland, Tracy Zehnder and Elizabeth Gibbs Zehnder; Tim Jones of Jones Lighting put on the brilliant finish to the look and big thanks to Fred Othmer for running sound. Through the very generous donation of food and drink, including sustainably farmed, single-estate, gourmet, organic coffee by Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market and donations from attendees, the event raised nearly $400 for Immanuel's Healing Center. Big thanks also to Launa Prince, Ted Richane, Lolo and Mom for jumping in behind the scenes, and to Rod Sprott and the IPC custodial crew for their support.

After an eloquent introduction from M.C. Keythe Farley, Zehnder played two sets including material from the new CD, Going Up? as well as songs from earlier releases: Breathing and Broken Train of Thought. Some highlights included: the brothers taking up instruments they rarely have the chance to perform live with: Tom's classical acoustic and Tim's Ernie Ball Earthwood Acoustic Bass Guitar; and the band was honored to share the stage with Keith Jones (aka Thesaurus G) of Street Poets to perform an improvised version of 'Justice Jam'- Zehnder's first hip hop tune and track #6 on the new CD.

Thanks to all of you who were there physically and with us in Spirit - for helping us celebrate!

Zehnder had the pleasure of teaching and performing during two different weeks at Ghost Ranch Abiquiu, NM: 'Family Week' June 30- July 6 and later 'Peace and Justice' week July 28 - August 3. Zehnder is grateful for the enthusiastic response from ranch goers and leadership and looks forward to this summer. In particular, during that second week, the brothers had the honor of co-teaching with Kim Bobo, founding Executive Director of Interfaith Worker Justice; the work of peace songwriting and the work of justice advocacy/awareness could not have fit better- mutually inspiring in powerful ways. Check out Tom's blog for more.
For more info go to www.ghostranch.org

Last June 14-17, Zehnder joined Bread for the World's Hunger Justice Leaders conference in Washington, DC. The brothers were tremendously inspired by the people at the conference and the work they are doing. Bread staffer, Gary Cook shared some thoughts, "You guys were tremendous at the Hunger Justice Leaders event. It's so great to work with musicians who are talented, dedicated and humble. Your enthusiasm and spirit are infectious, and your presence is so genuine that you were a perfect match for this event. Thanks for coming and giving so much of yourselves."

This February, a new website, www.deovox.com was launched as a way of relating the biblical narrative to today's culture. It features free audio devotionals that include some thematically appropriate Zehnder music. Based in the United Kingdom, Deovox is a new resource of the larger organization Damaris Trust www.damaris.org. The brothers are thrilled Deovox Managing Editor and Zehnder fan, Richard Collins approached the band with the idea and look forward to future fruitful partnerships.

UK-based start-up Militant Clothing is a new, sweatshop free, eco- and independent-minded clothing design company now associated with Zehnder. Mike Ball, one of the founders and designers, is also a musician and got wind of Zehnder through mutual projects with Tim. Seeing a good fit, they decided to act on it. If you see band members wearing something cool, it's probably from Militant!