So I’ve been out of touch for a little while…for all those who have been on the edge of their seats waiting for the next update (because there are so many) I have had some pretty cool things going on. Between work and play, I’ve been keeping myself pretty busy.

 

Ending Fan Fair week (or more known as CMA Fest now) on June 8th I was able to be a part of a show called Sunday Mornin’ Country at the Ryman auditorium. I had 3 days of rehearsals with the back up choir I sang in called the Country Chorale. They do this show every year for the past 20 years or so. My dad used to be involved in it when we lived here, helping direct/produce and lead the choir and was on a few Hee Haw episodes. It was cool to see Ricky Scaggs and The Whites, Linda Davis of the popular Reba duet “Does He Love You” and Charlie Louvin of the Louvin Brothers. Brenda Lee also hosted. Many of the performers and people involved were regulars on Hee Haw like Cowboy Joe Babcock of the Hee Haw Quartet, Ronni Stoneman, and The Nashville Edition back up singers who have sung on thousands of recording sessions for countless artists like Elvis, Tammy Wynette and Merle Haggard over 4 decades (they are in their 70’s and came together for the first time in like 15 years).

 

Rehearsing for the show I also got a crash course in the Nashville Number System. If you’re not familiar, it’s a way of reading music through numbers transcribed by denoting the scale degree on which a chord is built. It developed by the Jordanaires and Charlie McCoy as a means to transpose a song quickly. I held my own pretty well and it was fun to learn. This is what alot of the musicians and singers in Nashville have been using for a long time.

I’ve also been performing at open mic/writers rounds with a couple other people and I’ve really enjoyed that. I’m hoping to record some original songs soon and get some up on the myspace page. Stay tuned. I will try to update more often!

• You can’t get out of a rut you created for yourself.
• Someone always pops up to steal your joy.
• Gas and the price of milk will continue to go up.
• You will always have farther to drive than you want to .
• Your health is something you wish you’d taken better care of.
• You can’t seem to finish things because you are afraid of it being sub-par.
• People always brag how great you are, but somehow you never seem enough.
• You want to be real, but sometimes real is just a little too much, even for you.
• You beat yourself up over a failed marriage or failed parenting.
• There’s often someone who gets the prize who seems less qualified than you.
• You focus so much on helping others and don’t stop for yourself sometimes.
• Things you once dreamed about just didn’t work.
• You regret immature financial decisions that you pay for today.
• You wish you’d spent more time with your kids when they were young enough.
• You never seem quite what people are looking for.
• Satan tells you you’re just never enough.

These are some of the most common lies that we are fed by Satan. And he’s very good at it. Now some of them are things we should work on… in some things we really need to say no more often to the good things so that we can say yes to some greater things, and in some cases we do need to find more time to keep our head and heart in balanced. And in ALL cases we should daily be reminded that Christ is our hope. You don’t have to feel like you’re not enough because God designed us for a purpose and plan.

2 Cor. 12:9 says, But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

It’s ok if we’ve messed up. It’s ok if we’re dealing with junk. It’s ok if I don’t have it all together. Because Christ is strong in my weakness, and that I can depend on. Don’t give up. Think positive. And most importantly put your hope in God’s word and what it promises.

Joshua 1:9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Chad playing a lil Dani California by Red Hot Chili Peppers with the band.  

If you haven’t heard, Leeland has a new album out. “Opposite Way.” Chad played it for me in the car this afternoon and it is moving, intimate and it just flat out rocks. The first track “Count Me In” is amazing and just talks about how Jesus gave himself up for us and chose us first; he’s got big plans and hopes for us so jump into a love relationship with him and say “Count me in!” Go pick it up or download it. Pick up the previous album, Sound of Melodies, while you’re at it if you haven’t heard it- that one’s got some of my favorite songslike “Yes You Have,” “Beautiful Lord,” and “How Wonderful”.

Oh yeah- and my all time fave worship song right now is one that our worship pastor Brandon Frazier at LifeChurch in Hendersonville has been rocking…called “Rise” by Robbie Seay Band. Another guy who leads worship there is Andy Kirk, and he’s got vocals on this song as well. Check him out here. Even American Idol has been using it in their commercials this season, pretty cool. Everytime I’m at church and it’s in the set list, people are SO into it and just singing their lungs out (or at least I am). Besides the fact that something about the mix of the lyrics and the way he sings it is just amazing, the words are simple but powerful and uplifting- they cheer people on to RISE and be triumphant over trials and have joy in Christ, to love and give love away.

Here’s a video of the song RISE from a few weeks ago (Chad playing guitar of course)- the quality sucks b/c I accidently left it on a smaller resolution, but you get the idea. This song rocks!

23 degrees this morning with snow! Brrrr.

The sweat drops of Bono up close and personal, the wave of the crash cymbal, getting sprayed with drinks, following the Edge’s every intricate move along the fret board, the thousands of people cheering, singing, and going nuts in front of me. Never in my life will I probably have enough money to attend a U2 concert that close to the stage.

And I didn’t have to.

Chad and I had the coolest experience… we attended a U2 concert. In 3D at the IMAX Theatre at Opry Mills. It was so weird how close the band was. Not only was the sound amazing, but this concert oozed with creativity, passion, inspiration, and a confirmation that Bono really believes in what he sings and says. To have that kind of influence on the masses is crazy. It was very good.

If you are anywhere near an IMAX, you have to make a point to go see it.

Chad and I are going to see some of my faves this Sunday night at the Opry. GAC is taping a special How Great Thou Art: Gospel Favorites Live From The Grand Ole Opry. Some people slated to perform in the live taping at the Grand Ole Opry House are Trace Adkins, Dierks Bentley, Charlie Daniels Band, Vince Gill, Sara Evans, Loretta Lynn, Ronnie Milsap, and Carrie Underwood.The show will air February 9th at 8pm on GAC. The recording will also be for sale in February. Here’s the track listing, and I bet alot of these will be performed Sunday:1. I’ll Fly Away - Charlie Daniels Band/Mac Powell2. Blessed Assurance - Alan Jackson3. Precious Memories - Patty Loveless4. Precious Lord, Take My Hand - Ronnie Milsap5. Family Bible - Ricky Skaggs/The Whites6. Just A Closer Walk With Thee - Sara Evans7. The Old Rugged Cross - Brad Paisley8. Wayfaring Stranger - Trace Adkins9. Where No One Stands Alone - Loretta Lynn10. Give Me Jesus - Vince Gill11. A House Of Gold - Dierks Bentley12. How Great Thou Art - Carrie UnderwoodI’m excited and we have pretty good seats…although there’s really not a bad seat at the Opry. This will be my first time at the Grand Ole Opry since I was a little kid.

I had the best week ever… or should I say weekend. And no, I’m not talking about the show.I’ve got some recent pics up on my Flickr, so check them out.

This Saturday not only did I audition for a new show premiering in March called “Can You Duet” that American Idol and CMT are teaming up on, and hooked up with an awesome guy singer to sing with (from Wilmington! small world!) which was lots of fun, I got a call from my Wilmington buddy Jonathan Anderson who goes to Belmont University here in Nashville. (Jonathan plays acoustic guitar a bunch during summers at Lifepoint.) He said he was at a warehouse studio near downtown having fun being in a Mute Math music video as an extra and they needed more people! Holy crap, how cool is that! They are filming the video “Control” and for those of you who remember, Jeff Kapusta and Brad have liked using this song in some of the videos they have created for LP. It was so much fun… all I can say is white jumpsuits, white beanies, and aerial shots of crowdsurfing. Can’t wait to see the finished product. I have no idea what it’s gonna look like, but definitely cool it should be. Oh, and all the guys in the band were super nice and down to earth. Good music and good times. Can’t wait to hear the new album out too…

Here’s a shot of me and Jonathan. Click on the pic to view more on my Flickr page.

I definitely have my faves…if there’s a couple things I crave it’s cheesecake, a philly cheesesteak from Jersey Mike’s, and Zaxby’s fries with honey mustard sauce… I know, I know not the best way to start your New Year off by talking about mouthwatering tasty food, huh? Sorry about that…

So although I was very consistent from about May to September 2007, and I did lose about 25 pounds (kudos to me)- I definitely want to slim down much more. The American Apparel store here is just so darn great and I wanna wear some of that! (I know some of you are very jealous that we have that AND a Mac store here! Ha ha!) It’s time to get back on track and get even healthier in ‘08. T-minus 50 more lbs this year, baby!

Sunday was our “Last Supper” if you will. Chad and I have been talking for the past few weeks (since Thanksgiving!) about starting a real meal plan and consistent exercising. We will be starting what is sort of based on the LA Weightloss plan. Basically low fat, and super portion control, along with journaling what we eat everyday. I’m excited and scared all at the same time! It’s gonna be hard, but the benefits will be out of this world! Here’s a few:

1. increased energy and health
2. increased intimacy with spouse
3. increased positivity (body image)
4. increased stewardship and better example of the body God’s given us

I do know that I want MORE in life. And I don’t think desiring more is a bad thing.

Here’s a list of more things I desire and want to do in 2008:

• more intimacy with God everyday
• more focus on my spouse’s needs instead of my own
• more energy and health for the heart and body
• more songwriting
• more discipline in singing and playing guitar
• more opportunities to sing/perform
• more attending good shows with great music
• more increasing the quality of life (and The Life) for others

But all at the same time, “He must become greater; I must become less.” -John 3:30

What do you want more of in 2008?

So Chad has been playing at Lifechurch.tv Hendersonville quite a bit. He played all 4 regular services as well as 2 Christmas Eve services this weekend! Whew, it was a long one, but such a cool ending to the “He Will Be Called…” message series! It was awesome though, some pretty rocky versions of Christmas carols (and I mean ‘rock’ in a good way). He shared the stage with another electric guitarist Cian (pronounced Shawn). It’s been cool gettin’ to know some of these folks, super talented musicians, and Pastor Craig Groeschel’s messages have been solid. It was also incredible to see about 15 people make decisions to follow Christ this weekend, and over the past weeks collecting & distributing about 2,000 LifePacks to single moms and kids all over the community- packs that contained toys, clothes and cool spa type stuff for mom! Everyone has been so generous in their giving, and over 4,000 moms were blessed this Christmas. That’s about 20,000 LifePacks for moms and families given from ALL 12 of the LifeChurch campuses around the country!

Here is the set list from the weekend:

Christ Is Come - by Big Daddy Weave

God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman - Lifechurch.tv version

O Holy Night - by MercyMe

O Come, O Come Emmanuel - Lifechurch.tv version

I’m pretty proud to say that I filmed these vids on my 3-year-old Sony Cybershot 5.0 digital camera with the video feature! I’ve got a version or 2 posted on Youtube from Monday’s Christmas Eve services that for some reason look and sound a little fuzzy. But the Sunday version look and sound pretty dang good for a little camera. You can go to Youtube or watch below. And although you see a short dark-haired girl singing, alas it is not me but Lindsey Voltz who’s vocals rock, and Brandon Frazier the worship leader is pretty cool too. Oh yeah, and there’s some involvement with big metal trash cans on O Come O Come Emmanuel!

O Holy Night

O Come, O Come Emmanuel