Fallen Angel, the premiere

Really looking forward to seeing this film. I've known about it for awhile, but just found out it's premiering at a theater about 3 blocks from my apartment, April 20. Got my tickets right away!

I was a fan of contemporary Christian music as soon as I heard it. It was in the 70's, and unless you count the music I heard at church that was made mostly by adults and aimed mostly at teens, the first CCM music I remember hearing was by Andrew Culverwell (or just "Andrew"). My mom brought his album (on cassette) home from a convention of GA's (Girls in Action, a Southern Baptist missions education program/club that I'm pretty sure has changed its name for obvious reasons). Songs with a beat, with guitars, and clever lyrics that had a serious biblical message but peppered with a sense of humor ("There'll be bread in the city tomorrow, in the city tomorrow there'll be bread. If you say you don't believe and...[something]...you can't conceive, in the city, tomorrow you'll be dead"). Can't remember it all, but I liked it.

After discovering more CCM artists such as Sweet Comfort Band, Degarmo & Key, Amy (of course) Grant, the Imperials (having evolved from Southern Gospel to what came to include an Earth Wind & Fire imitation) and even a Swedish (?) hard rock group called Jerusalem, I worked backward in music "history" to find Larry Norman. He's considered by most to be the father or grandfather of popular Christian rock. Very strange (and therefore cool) stuff; very creative, and most of it not churchy at all. However, the church crowd would hear his post-rapture lament "I Wish We'd All Been Ready," when it became a youth choir favorite and was heard (if I'm not mistaken) in the film "A Thief in the Night," a forerunner (so to speak) of the much-later "Left Behind" series.

Turns out, the more I've read by him and about him over the years, Larry had some serious issues, and was not the most mentally stable individual you could meet (possibly due in part to an in-flight head injury, but he was already pretty weird). For awhile he accused Bill Gaither (though not by name) of stealing his material. Come to think of it, not the most unlikely thing he said...but the fact that he even talked about it, much less posted it, was unusual in the music biz, especially the Christian music biz.

My interest in the music offered by the CCM industry (which is what it became) has waned over the years, to the point where I seldom listen to CCM radio. I feel like I know what they're going to say already, and it's mostly aimed at teens anyway, and I'm one of those people who are less than impressed with the lyrical depth of it all, and maybe I'm too close to it in some ways to get excited about...so for the most part it doesn't speak to me much. My own music has followed the same trend away from overt religiosity. I'm more impacted by the truths that hit me when I'm not looking, and from unlikely places. And I think it's more of a challenge to write that kind of song, as well, while at the same time I can do that kind of song anywhere without feeling like I'm pushing something on someone who, rather than responding, is more likely to be turned away by the effort. Parables rather than sermons are my favorite model for songwriting. Everyone knows the stories are more interesting and more memorable.

Anyhoo, I look forward to a fascinating and possibly disturbing time seeing this film--like a NASCAR crash--especially given the things it promises in its trailer to cover. However, I think it's a healthy thing that the truth is known about Christians as famous as Norman was (to his fans), and as much as he influenced the whole genre of CCM (intentionally or not). The church tends to put famous Christians in an impossible position: we revere them as saints and apostles, yet hold them to standards we ourselves don't really believe possible (or necessary, for that matter, thanks to grace) for anyone to maintain. The result is that any hint of the failure that is inevitable in a human life is bound to be a stumbling block. We set a trap, and condemn our catch. Silly, when all along, we've been told there's only one perfect Man, and He's our only legitimate example for life.

Larry Norman was many things. Musical genius. Prophet. Great entertainer. Sinner. But fallen angel? Nope (that would technically make him a demon, beyond redemption). Just another fallen man. Those are everywhere (such as behind my keyboard right now). But not all permanently down, thank God. Thank God, for sure!

Music to warm the soul

Here's one worth dropping five whole dollars for: seeing Heather Morgan and band at Douglas Corner, a cool venue at 2106 8th Avenue South, Thursday, Feb. 18 at 8:30 pm NST (Nashville Standard Time).

Heather's talent only becomes more evident as time progresses. The folks in charge of the Country Throwdown Tour apparently agree with what I've been telling y'all for years, since they've added her to the tour. She'll be appearing at venues around the nation May-June along with Jamey Johnson, Little Big Town, Montgomery Gentry and more. It'll be a mix of big-stage shows and, just like you find at co-sponsoring venue the Bluebird Cafe, writers in the round. She's excited about it, obviously, and I think she'll have lot of new friends and fans by the end of the summer.

* * *
CLICK HERE TO SEE PICTURES FROM THE GIG.

...AND HERE TO SEE A COUPLE OF VIDEOS. --MKH, Feb. 20

Beauty tips from Mom

Sometimes I worry about my mom. She says Sarah Palin would be really pretty if only she'd get herself some contacts and get rid of those glasses. (I'm serious, and so is she).

Online ads make strange bedfellows

You know, this practice of topically relevant advertising on websites, where the ad is placed on pages that have content related to the product or service, is quite ingenious. A good thing for advertisers, who can get their messages to their target audiences, and good for web surfers, since the unvoidable ads are, if not less annoying, then at least sometimes actually useful.

But even a system like this, with all those computer geeks and marketing minds working together, can go astray from time to time. Hence this ad for a devotional book for couples, on a message board for singles:
(Click to view at full-size)

Hey, it could've been worse. Much worse. In fact, maybe this one IS on purpose; it's a reminder to all of us still looking for that special someone who can love us for (what's left of) a lifetime (and vice-versa), that the grass isn't necessarily greener on the other side, and that marriage isn't all roses and champagne--that it takes effort as well, because life is a struggle whether solo or in tandem.

Still pretty funny. Especially since Anita is a friend of mine. A professional comic, in fact. Joke's on her! Or us. Or not.

You never even called me by my name

I've been a casual witness to quite a few hopeful openings and almost as many "wonder what happened to?" closings of businesses offering food, music and (usually) drink. Usually from the sidelines, where I notice a new name in the music listings or see the promotional efforts in the local media.

I also have a touch of experience in marketing, especially from the presentation side of things; logos, concepts, copywriting, etc.

So I feel like (or like to think) I have a certain sense of whether a place is doing a good job of establishing a foothold in the hearts and minds of the public, and more importantly, the budget of its target audience (assuming it has one in mind).

I worked at a cafe just off Music Row called Edgehill Studios Cafe for a couple of years, getting the word out about the place and its events through music listings, printed calendars, flyers, radio spots and the ever-changing PowerPoint presentation running on the flatscreen TV behind the counter.

It was an ongoing effort (and often a losing battle) to get people to say the name, the whole name, and nothing but the name of the cafe. Especially one of the original owners (a big-idea guy). Sure, as long as we all knew what we were talking about, fine, but effective branding is essential, as any marketing novice or Disney employee will tell you, so name consistency kind of, uh, matters.

One day we heard from someone who had tried to find us by calling information and they were told we weren't listed. Then I noticed we were listed in the phone book as Edge Hill (2 words) Studios Cafe. Which explains the EH logo (which, I was told, was given about a day's worth of design consideration--not enough, people). I couldn't help but think that if I'd only been there at the beginning, I could've prevented some confusion. My strong recommendation would have been to drop the "studios" altogether; even though it supported the cool concept of a multifaceted creative space...it also no doubt confused people, given our aforementioned location off Music Row (where there are a remarkable number of recording "studios"). And we got one inquiry from someone looking for living space (another kind of "studio"). Or maybe they would've ignored me altogether, I don't know.

The place is still going strong (or at least going; I haven't seen the books). No doubt due to sensible and hardworking management (who are welcome to hire my talents again, by the way). It helps that its main product offering is a legal and addictive substance (caffeine). And it has a great location, and it's a cool space. And I like to think I helped, too.

[UPDATE: New owners took over and wisely dropped the "Studios" part of the name. The place is still open as of January 2014].

Another great little venue with identity problems, this one no longer with us, was located in the building occupied by what had been Sole Mio, and now houses the downtown Copper Kettle. The well-meaning and much-appreciated folks who wanted to make it a songwriters' mecca started with a down-home approach to the menu and called it Ga' Dang. Surprisingly, Ga' Dang did NOT serve Vietnamese cuisine. If you say the name with a strong Southern accent and draw the first part out, you may get it. Yeah.

Then, thankfully, the name was dropped and replaced with Lyrix. Big improvement, but I couldn't help thinking "80's karaoke bar." Didn't keep me from playing there, or enjoying it. Actually, the name was the only negative thing about it, other than the fact that they appealed to songwriters who are not known for big tips (or big orders).

Here's one that is, for me, very close to good: Pick's. Decent logo, but why the apostrophe? Does it belong to someone named Pick? If they'd left it off, it would have that image of guitar picks lying around after the songwriters impress everyone with their craft...as well as implying that this place is full of things you would choose ("pick"), and it also could be taken as a sports context (as in "first round draft."). My hunch is they thought the apostrophe was necessary to make it plural. Sigh.

I remember one place in Chattanooga called "The Place." 'Nuff said.

On the other hand, some establishments broadcast the wisdom and good taste of their owners with every mention. They don't have to be terribly self-explanatory or "cool" or stylish or French (please no). The best names are reasonably simple to say and spell, memorable, and meaningful. They at least have something about them that the target audience would be able to relate to in some way. The "Tin Roof"; even if you don't know why that's relevant, you picture it in your head immediately, and it implies a rustic (but hopefully not rusty) charm. The "Wildhorse Saloon" tells you what it is and beckons you to stride on in, cowboy hat optional (unless you're a tourist, in which case it's mandatory). "Mercy Lounge" is a little offbeat, with a spiritual/intellectual air, but "mercy!" is also a Jerry Lee Lewis exclamation, so you get that, too.

Maybe I'm just oversensitive to this issue given my own name issues. But in case you start your own business, especially in Nashville, please get some opinions (preferably including mine--as you may guess, it will not be difficult) before you order that metal illuminated sign.

Good news, bad news

Good news: I have President's Day off (Monday, February 15) because the print center I work for closes when our client (Metropolitan Government of Nashville & Davidson County) takes a day off.

Bad news: my choices are to work in another location, take an unpaid day, or burn a vacation day on a Monday when I have little hope of having anything to do that is interesting or necessary.

Good news: maybe I'll get a sweet Valentines Day gig the night before and need to sleep late or travel home.

Bad news: given my current relational status and history, it's statistically unlikely that a Valentines Day gig wouldn't be extremely depressing. Refer to the post-breakup scenes in "The Wedding Singer" for clarification.

Good news: if I did get the above gig, I'd have the whole day to recuperate from the aforementioned aftereffects.

Bad news: I'm being incredibly self-involved by worrying about this at all, much less blogging it.

Good news: I have a job, I have vacation time, I have a day off, I'm single and not completely out of hope (relationally or otherwise), I'm sure that nearly any gig would be in itself the best therapy available (especially paid...so call me) and I have a blog to work out all this stuff and hopefully enrich someone else's experience as well.

Good news wins!

The Three-Hour Tour

Gearing up for a series of shows in early February; it occurs to me that that would be a really good time to be healthy and for the weather to be good. Feel free to join me in prayer to that end! And my car; let's keep those wheels moving!

For details on each show, click the flyer. Feel free to distribute any way you can. And it'd be real nice if you could drop by one or more of the shows, too. Or send a friend.

Thursday, February 4, 6-9 pm
2nd Avenue Cafe
204 Cumberland Street East
Cowan, Tennessee 37318
With Charlsey Etheridge








Friday, February 5, 6-9 pm
The Mudpie
12 Frazier Avenue
Chattanooga, Tennessee 37405
With Charlsey Etheridge








Saturday, February 6, 6-9 pm
The Celtic Cup
106 North Anderson St.
Tullahoma, Tennessee 37388
With Joni Bishop

Learn from the best: Steve Seskin & co.

Just got the word that the Steve Seskin Songcrafting Seminar is coming up, Jan. 22 - 24 here in Nashville. This town is host to a lot of seminars, workshops and meetings dedicated to improving your songwriting skills, and numerous individuals with various degrees of industry cred offering to help you for a fee. The Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) would be in the top of my recommended list...and I wouldn't mention the bottom, even if I had anyone in mind. This is not an NSAI event, but it offers the same quality of instruction from some top writers in the field. It's not cheap, but if you want to improve your ability to communicate through words & music, or just hang out with the experts, it's a good value.

You can see what Steve and his talented friends will be offering for this weekend of instruction and inspiration by clicking here. This page includes a link to course descriptions.

Additional pro writers participating in the weekend include Allen Shamblin ("I Can't Make You Love Me," "He Walked On Water") and Gretchen Peters ("Independence Day").

If (like me) you already know everything there is to know about songwriting (HA! as if), and you just want to see a great concert, Steve will be performing at my former workplace-away-from-work, Edgehill Studios Cafe, on Friday Jan. 22. Admission for non-conference folks is $10. See photos from a previous event here.

For more info contact Claudia Young.

This blog post was MY idea

Here’s something you’re not likely to hear at your next party: “I’m an advertising professional and the new ad campaign for Windows 7 was my idea. You know, the commercials where a pc user brags about how he thought of a fairly obvious computer function, and e-mailed Microsoft about it, and voila! It showed up in Windows 7? Brilliant, don’tcha think?”

The reason you won’t hear this (other than the statistical unlikelihood of those particular ad execs showing up at your party) is that pretty soon people will realize how faulty this premise is, and it will not be something its creators will brag about, or even admit to once the checks are cashed. (Of course, the MONEY may be something they're willing to open up about).

The main problem is that this approach assumes that either:

1) ...the folks at Microsoft are too dense to have come up with these ideas themselves, and rely on the suggestions of customers to improve the product…with no compensation or real recognition for them, by the way,

OR

2) ...pc users are so egotistical, deluded, and/or stupid they assume that when a new product feature shows up in a product made by a huge corporation, it’s because they sent an e-mail to suggest it, and NOT because of the expensive ongoing process of research and development that any competitive company conducts.

Yep, this is a great campaign…if you work for Mac. Or if you have Al Gore as a celebrity spokesperson.

Really puzzling that this made it through the meeting(s). OK, OK, I know, the message is supposed to be "our customers are smart" and "we listen to our customers' suggestions." But at version 7, this begs the questions "Did you think we were idiots up until now?" and "What have you guys BEEN doing with our suggestions all this time?"

I think when it comes to consumer technology, customers expect a company to be led by geniuses who are in touch with their needs, so that new & brilliant features are implemented even before the customer knows it's possible, much less desirable. This is how Mac is perceived...and I'm saying this as someone who actually prefers pc's for the most part. This campaign will not help overcome the "cool" factor of the Mac.

Making your customers and your client look like idiots, and thereby supporting the smug, superior assertions of the competition in THEIR advertising…well, let’s just say this is an unconventional approach to getting more business for your agency. Just make sure your receptionist has some busywork to do to kill time when the phones go silent.

Makin' music at the Mudpie

Come by, have a bite and enjoy!

I’ll be sharing the stage with Charlsey Etheridge (bluesy acoustic pop, a la Sheryl Crow) and Brandon Maddox (clean-cut country, with a tip of the hat to George Strait). Like me, they're "ex-pats"--former Chatt-areans now living in Nashville. Come witness the homecoming!

BTW, the Mudpie is surrounded by shops full of those items women describe as "so cute" and men "thatsnicehowmuchisit."

Saturday, December 26, 2009
11:30 am - 1:30 pm*
(or later, depending on YOU, the audience)

Mudpie Restaurant
12 Frazier Ave., Chattanooga, TN 37405
Phone: 423-267-9043
FREE admission (but bring a couple bucks for tips; we're not poor, but we're not proud, either)

For the ladies: a Breath of Heaven

Here's one for the ladies...or for the guys who see no irony in Frasier Crane's affinity for bath salts and aromatherapy. Contact my friend Diane to purchase. (Click the pic for details).

Give love, give time, GIVE5

I'll be playing this very cool event on Sunday Dec. 13. My half-hour (give or take) set starts at 6pm at Market St. Tavern. GIVE5 is a 4-venue, nearly-all-day fundraiser. Proceeds will help support a couple of families who are in transition out of homelessness. A mere $5 gets you in any or all venues you choose to go to, for the duration of the event (1pm to around 9pm).

I'll be following an electronic music outfit called Digital Butter. Can you say "palate cleanser"? Vive le diversité!

Here's the website; check out the video that describes the purpose and history of GIVE5.

Here's the list of venues:
Market Street Tavern
850 Market Street, Chattanooga, TN 37402
423-634-0260

Tremont Tavern
1203 Hixson Pike, Chattanooga, TN 37405
423-266-1996

Bessie Smith Performance Hall
at the Chattanooga African American Museum
200 E Martin Luther King Blvd., Chattanooga, TN 37403
423-266-8658

J.J.'s Bohemia
231 East M L King Boulevard, Chattanooga, TN 37403
423-266-1400

"As We Forgive" on DVD

See this post for reasons why you should see this film. Trust me.

Catch me at the Celtic Cup

Come by, grab a cup of something warm, and sing along as the holiday mood strikes you! Assuming you recognize the songs. I’ll have Kathy Von along; she’s a very talented singer/songwriter with a mesmerizing voice. Happens to be from South Africa originally, so I was very glad to meet her when we ended up in a writers round a few weeks ago at the Commodore Grille. (Did I mention I've been to South Africa?).

AND we’ll have Dave Mohr on guitar as well. A veritable party unto ourselves! But you’re welcome, too.

Friday, Dec. 4
6:00 pm to closing at The Celtic Cup Coffee House
106 North Anderson Street, Tullahoma, Tennessee 37388
931-563-7733

You can be an "angel" too

This promises to be a great night of music for a great cause.

November is National Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month, and the $5 you donate at the door goes to PANCAN. As if it weren't already worth braving the chill and the sketchy parking choices, with these folks on the bill:

Angaleena Presley
Brent Anderson
The Honky Tonk Angels
and Heather Morgan (pictured here in a rare pensive moment).

Everyone is encouraged to wear purple. No matter how badly it clashes with everything else you own. Make it work. If you were a big fan of the Donny & Marie TV show and were the type to accessorize based on your adulation of the one who leaned toward being "a little bit rock 'n' roll," then you may just be able to find appropriate attire in your sock drawer. If not, then I apologize for this extremely obscure series of references. (For the record, I was in it for those close shots of Marie's angelic beauty; I don't think I'm quite over her, but I'm working on it).

Friday, Nov. 6, starting at or around 9pm
The 5 Spot
1006 Forrest Ave., Nashville, Tennessee 37206

Bring your bouzouki, we'll jam

As you can (possibly) see*, I'll be performing Thursday, October 15, at the 2nd Ave. Cafe, a restaurant in the historic railroad town of Cowan, TN, at the foot of Monteagle. I understand Chef John applies his considerable talents to a variety of dishes featuring (but not limited to) Greek cuisine. No cover, but bring an appetite! I won't be setting anything on fire (I prefer to leave that to the professionals), but yelling "opah!" at appropriate moments will be allowed.

The music starts around 7 pm and ends around 9 pm. I'll be offering an eclectic blend of acoustic folk/pop originals...and songs you already like. If you are handy with a conga, or can add some lead guitar, lemme know; I could use the company! The address is 204 Cumberland Street East, in case you like to use that nifty GPS. See www.visitcowan.com and/or call (931) 962-8599 for info.

Caution: Jokes based on or ending with the phrase "it's all Greek to me" may result in the perpetrator(s) being ejected from the premises.

*(Click here for a larger, print-ready file. I realize this picture makes me seem like I take myself very seriously. Too seriously. Gotta get that smiling shot made.)

Can you say no to this face?

I ran across this picture today and it was too cute not to share. Make sure and check out the slogan on her T-shirt.

And if this motivates you to put feet to your prayers for a cure for cancer, here's an event where you can do that literally: the 2009 Making Strides Against Breast Cancer event. In Nashville it will happen at LP Field at the stadium (at this point, most Nashvillians are glad to associate that place with something other than the Titans).

Sweetwater Rose

This oughta be good. Music, food...and a chance to stare at four beautiful women for an hour, and know they'll not only not be offended, they'll be grateful for the attention! I just don't understand the bias against female musicians I keep hearing about in Nashville. Just don't get it.

Check out Sweetwater Rose.


P.S.: This is how they looked in action on Wednesday. And sounded just as good, as hard as that may be to believe.

Soundtrack for a love story

I got one the best e-mails EVER not long ago. The kind that reminds me why I write songs and why I should keep at it. The author gave me permission to share it, and I hope anyone reading this will apply the same "lesson" to their own passionate pursuits and labors of love. Sometimes you get a royalty check, and sometimes you get something really valuable (not that there's anything wrong with a check!).

To give some background: I was in picturesque Ashland, Oregon for two years (1990-92) as a volunteer under a missions program called US-2, loosely modeled after the Peace Corps. I was there to help local Southern Baptist churches to serve two "constituencies": the students & faculty at Southern Oregon State College (now S.O.U.), and the tourists & workers in local leisure-oriented activities such as the Oregon Shakespeare Festival and rafting on the Rogue River.

Since there was already a very active (non-Southern) Baptist student ministry on campus, I often offered my services in cooperation with them, and generally enjoyed their company. Toward the end of my time in Oregon, this group (called IMPACT) indulged me by allowing me to do a mini-concert at one of their meetings.

I had been doing what I could to get my songs on tape (cassettes...remember them?) and get them out to what I hoped was a clamoring public (or would be eventually). I had cobbled together some recordings into a custom cassette called "Songs About Us" (also creating the artwork, done in black & white for that abstract look...and to make it cheap to reproduce), made about 100 copies and offered them for sale.


Fast-forward to the present (whoo...dizzy...OK...). I got an e-mail asking if I was the Mark Hall who had put out the above-mentioned cassette. I had to admit to it, and made clear it was too late for a refund. Then the woman proceeded to bless me with this:

Well this story will involve us traveling back in our time machines… to a time of mullet hair cuts and poufy spiral perms…

I had been attending SOSC and had a roommate that was a Christian. During that time I was really searching to know the truth about God and to find out what it meant to have a personal relationship with Him. My friend, Cathy, invited me to a worship night there at the college. I remember learning to get to know God in a new way while attending there. I remember listening to some Rich Mullins songs for the first time, “Awesome God” and “Mighty Warrior” – really worshiping through song - was all new and exciting to me.

During this time frame, I had also attended an Athletes in Action basketball game, with my boyfriend, that our SOSC basketball players were playing against…During half time (while the SOSC players were trying to come up with a strategy that might work) the Athletes in Action took turns sharing their testimonies with the crowd. That was the day that I had answered the aching call that He had put on my heart and had been cultivating at those worship times at the college… that was the moment I made a commitment to follow Jesus as my Lord and Savior.

Some time passed and my boyfriend, who was already a Christian, had proposed to me and we had decided to put Christ first in our marriage …and we were both navigating in uncharted waters on how to do that… we had started attending a local church together… Sunday school classes… etc.. (First Baptist Church in Ashland).

… At one of those worship nights at the college you were there, probably at more than a few (my memory is a bit swiss cheesy at this point)… I remember hearing you play some of your songs from your cassette. I remember being especially moved by “In His Love” that you played. I remember longing to follow the Lord in our marriage the way the song described. I remember using what money I had to purchase your cassette, with great joy in my heart.

We wanted to have you sing it at our wedding but we couldn’t work it out (I think you had left at that point… Sept’92)… so we did the next best thing and we had played your tape at our wedding as we gazed into each other’s eyes. That song was somewhat part of the vows that we shared with each other in our hearts that day. Over the years, as we have listened to that song (I made a copy onto another cassette so we didn’t wear out the original)… it has brought us to that moment at our wedding when our hearts were fresh and newly focused on Jesus… God has used it as an encouragement, strengthener and guide. We have definitely had hard times (Chris is in the Army and has been deployed three times, I have had some close calls with my health.. to include cancer/chemo etc…) through out it all we have held on to the One who is faithful to us all and we have grown in His love.

As I look back and remember that our parents gave us the best of what they knew, they really couldn’t tell us the advice that we needed to hear as we started out on our journey of our lives together. I can see now, as I look back, that the Lord used you, and that song, to minister to us, it was our loving Father giving us all the advice we would need on our wedding day. That was the first time I ever heard, really heard, about how He really will grow Chris and my love into a love like no other, how He will provide us the dreams and their fulfillment, how we can face whatever trials lie ahead while clinging to Him, how I could know the blessings of His presence through the power of His Word, about His forever Love that can be forever trusted.

I have looked a number of times for you over the internet, always longing to tell you these words…

Thank you Mark for being such a faithful servant to our Lord. God truly used you in a mighty way in our lives. Thank you for putting to music the song of our hearts.

Chris and I are celebrating 17 years of marriage this September. We are still joy-filled newlyweds because we have His love.

Thank you.
In Jesus love,

Donna

To conclude this Casey Kasem-meets-Delilah moment...the name of the song is "In His Love." It was originally inspired by the then-impending nuptials of my college friends, Jeff & Alice (also still together). You can read the lyrics and listen to the song by clicking the links below...but please forgive the less-than-stellar recording and engineering skills involved in the recording. Apparently it was good enough for Chris & Donna to provide the soundtrack for what must have been a very romantic staring contest at their wedding, so that's something!

The funny part of this (to me) is that I've never been married, and yet these two learned about marriage from my song. Just goes to show how God can do astonishing things with our "loaves and fishes" (in my case, some keen observations and sappy idealism combined with solid scriptural principles and maybe a bit of James Dobson) on those rare occasions when we allow Him permission (and sometimes even when we don't).

By the way, I fully realize the very likely possibility that my motives for sharing this are completely self-serving. But I figure it's worth the risk; 1 Corinthians 1:26-31 says it better than I could (for reasons I hope I don't have to explain, though I'll be glad to if necessary!).

Happy anniversary, y'all!

In His Love lyrics

In His Love mp3

(Right-click each link and "Save target as..." to download each file directly)

Their casa was our casa

It was the best of times, it was...well, the best!

Had a great a trip to my college town of Knoxville this past weekend. But as much as I enjoyed the usual reminiscing and rekindling of friendships (Facebook can't replace a beaming smile and a handshake from an old friend--or fist-bump when that friend has swine flu), it was more about right now than remember when.

My first stop on Friday evening (not counting a couple of errands on the way out of town and a quick visit to at Wendy's off the highway) was the home of Bryan and Wanda Smith, hosts of Pine Ridge House Concerts. They open their home on a regular basis to high-caliber musicians and the folks who love to hear what they do, and their living room becomes a performance hall. Chris West and Keith Garrett of the country/bluegrass group Blue Moon Rising were the featured guests. I hope to return to Pine Ridge again, preferably as a performer as well as a music lover.

Afterward, on the 30-minute drive to my motel, my "check engine" light came on. Since I had checked to make sure the engine was there before I left, and had hard evidence it still was, and since the car wasn't exhibiting symptoms of sickness--and mainly since I doubted I could find a mechanic at midnight on a Friday--I could only keep driving and give up my plan to sleep late the next day so I could have someone check it.

Next morning I found a Firestone around the corner that was willing to take my money to turn off the light. In the process they told me I needed new oxygen sensors, and a few new light bulbs, and new wiper blades. Wiper blades? That computer diagnostic gizmo must be SMART. I made the assumption that 1) I should probably get the oxygen sensors in case they were actually needed; 2) I should probably go ahead and spend too much on lamps and bulbs to reduce the chance of getting pulled over (those really can be tough to get at, according to the other mechanics that charge me less to replace them); 3) I should draw the line at their offer to replace my wiper blades for over $30...gotta be tough or they'll run all over you; 4) they probably wished they had more customers like me. I chose to consider it a blessing (and close enough to a sign for a Baptist) that the Firestone was so close to the motel. Convenience can take on divine significance when you're on the road.

Then it was off to the campus of the University of Tennessee (my ties to UTK go way back) for the original reason I decided to make the trip. The Baptist Collegiate Ministries (formerly known as Baptist Student Union, before these young upstarts messed with tradition and renamed it) has expanded and renovated the historic house where the organization formerly known as BSU has been housed since the early 60's. So they were showing off the results of the work of thousands of volunteers, and the prayers of even more. Bob Hall (no relation) has been director since before I attended, and was there despite his flu, bumping fists in lieu of handshakes and no doubt thrilled to cut the ribbon on the "new old" structure. A mix of long-haired, gray-haired and no-haired students and alumni gathered in the new worship center upstairs for the program followed by tours of the building ("that's where I lived"..."that's where I stayed up typing my papers"..."that's where I was 'trapped' in my room while I overheard Jeff break up with Melissa, because our rooms had those open-slat doors that were designed to offer only partial privacy; awkward times").

Then it was on to what had by now become the Main Event for me. Got to Doug's house and relaxed a little. When our featured musician Pat Terry got there--and after the downpour allowed him to get out of his car--we started setting up in the basement for the concert (too wet outdoors--fine with me!). We couldn't get rid of a electrical buzz in my amp so we used Doug's sound system instead (oh, well, I needed that lugging exercise anyway).

Folks eventually trickled in and we all shared a potluck dinner; just sitting with someone with Pat's musical experience and sharing stories and commentary would've made the trip worth it for me. It went too fast.

Downstairs, flanked by walls full of books that gave an intellectual air to the proceedings, I opened the concert with my usual mix of mostly-lighthearted banter between imperfectly-presented songs; the folks squeezed into various chairs around the room were very receptive to both.

Then Pat Terry came up and proceeded to captivate the audience on a whole new level, alternately making us laugh and think (sometimes even simultaneously) with songs like "Jump On It" (Granny's on the front porch/Spittin' in a cup"), "The Gift of Mercy," and one of my favorites from his new CD, "If Jesus Was Like Me." He shared stories about meeting country luminaries such as Travis Tritt and Alan Jackson, having them say "I think you sang at my church once," and then eventually seeing them record his songs. Jackson had actually sung one of Pat's songs at his own wedding; that song was included in a CD insert in Denise Jackson's book about marriage. Wow.

And having been made acutely aware of how many fans of his old stuff there were in the room, he obliged by pulling out some gems from the 70's & 80's and delighted us all. "Common Bond," "Yard Sale," and "In My Dream" were among the songs that introduced me to Pat's talents in college, and I was privileged to play them on WUTK. Such a cool experience to see the "artist" side of hime shine on these songs.

After the concert, I shared in a short jam session with some guitar buddies, then had a late night sandwich and living room chat with my hosts. I finally went to bed, no doubt to the relief of Doug's patient and gracious wife Kelly.

On the way home, I attended church with my college roommate Dan, and had lunch with him along with his wife Kimberly, also a college friend (they say I introduced them, but I don't remember), and their two boys (who apparently share my taste in restaurants; good for them).

After an escort to the highway by the family (thanks, Dan...I didn't really need for you to go ALL the way to I-40; hope you were going anyway!), it was "on the road again." I made it to within 30 minutes of home before I made my first gas stop of the trip. That's why I didn't qualify for the Cash for Clunkers program; I was too responsible in my car choice to begin with. That's how I'm spinning it, anyway.

Can't wait to go back! What'cha doin' next week, Doug?