Concerts

Hey well looky there I'm blogging again.  I have had the honor of being involved with bringing concerts to the old FFC for the past 2 plus years, even more if you count bringing Apologetix in a few years back.  I've become the point man,lead person, liasion, whatever you want to say for FFC and our promoter Jason Rockhill of Rockhill Productions.  It all started with a phone call while I was at the radio station one Saturday, Jason called asking if I could promote a show of his on the air which I did and then we became friends on myspace, who all still has a myspace?  Anyway a few conversations happened then he asked if I'd be interested in hosting a show at Farmland and I jumped on it.  Checked with the proper people and we were good to go. 

Our first show was on June 24, 2010 with a band from Pennsylvania called The Letter Black.  They are on the Tooth and Nail label which if you know christian rock music you know that they are the leaders in that industry.  Had about 150 people at the show which we held in the gym and it was an awesome experience.  The band was rockin' the crowd was into it and the bug had bit me.  A few months later Jason came to me with the idea of bring Decyfer Down in but this time having the show in the sanctuary.  We got that going and had a show in the gym a month or two before the show to help raise a little money for that show with some local bands which indcluded a band from New Castle which I'll post a blog entirely to them later, called Protest For Pluto.  That show was fun as well.

On Sunday October 10, 2010 we had our first big show in the sanctuary with Decyfer Down, Protest For Pluto, From Ashes and Creating Constellations.  Had over 300 kids at that one and it was a huge sucess.  With each show we did we learned more and more like during TLB show we learned that we needed to sell drinks as people were leaving to go to the VP to get a soda.  The DD show we learned that moving all the chairs in the sanctuary was a pain to put them all back.  Just little things like that.  2010 ended with a band called Philmont playing the gym. 

2011 came and more shows with national acts Sent By Ravens, Write This Down and Icon For Hire headling a show in April which was a good one.  Later in the year July to be exact we got to bring in one of my favorite bands Disciple in.  This would be the first of three shows so far for them at FFC.  We had a few smaller shows in the gym in 2011.  2012 hit and we had the biggest show so far in early April with Fireflight coming in.  Had around 400 people for that one and it was a blast.  We also had Write This Down in again as well as Disciple and Ashes Remain.  Ashes only had about 40 people at it but man what a show.  Amazing musicians and incredible men of God. We ended 2012 with the first ever Farmland Fest headlined by The Wedding and Children 18:3 and 8 of the best bands from Indiana.  Doing these shows I have been able to meet alot of great people in the bands both well known and not well known.  We have seen Ashes 4 times now and each time since the show at FFC Josh the singer remembers us and we have a good conversation.

During the 2nd Write This Down show got to meet another great band from Indiana called Silver From The Flames which again I'll do a post on them later as well.  We are gearing up for a first at FFC when we, with the help of Rockhill Productions bring in both Disciple and Fireflight together on Feb. 5th and I can't wait.  Big thanks to Jason for inclulding us in on this ministry and to the church for allowing us to have these shows and to everyone who has ever helped out in any way. 

Password

Haven't blogged for a bit because quite honestly I forgot my password to log-in. Yeah I know write it down somewhere and that won't happen. Yes but what about when I have to change it? Oh I should write that down too? OK got it, now we're set, I think.

Why don't I ever post anymore?

I don't really know except for laziness I guess. Blogging just hasn't been as exciting as I'd hope here lately but who knows it could all change again. We'll see.

Another one off the list

Well Monday night I was able to finally after 5 or 6 years go and see Hillsong United in concert. They are one of the bands that I have not seen that I wanted to see more than any other and since they hail from Austrailia they only tour here once or twice a year and its normally for a few weeks. This year they came earlier in the year and hit major markets, then came back a few weeks ago for "smaller" markets and a few festivals, then they will be back later in the year for a few more smaller market cities, like Columbus Ohio and yes the thought has crossed my mind to go see them there as well but more than likely not. It was well worth the wait. Took Taylor, Cody, Matty T and Haley with me and we all had a good time and really enjoyed the show. I'll blog later more details on the show.

This was the 6th concert I've been to already this year, WinterJam at Ft. Wayne in January, Lincoln Brewster in Greenfield and Philmont at FFC in Feb., none in March, in April I saw Sent By Ravens/Write This Down/ and Icon for Hire at FFC and Lincoln Brewster again in Ft. Wayne and then United in Indy. Next month is Disciple at FFC and August might be another show at FFC then from there who knows, Illumination is in September in Greenville, OH, hoping that JOY FM needs me to help at that one since we play just about all the bands on Solid Rock Friday Nights. Now at the top of my list of bands to see is probably Demon Hunter or Anberlin. Who knows who else I'll see this year.

Do you have an app for that?

Saw a commercial the other day where there is an app for you phone where you can start you car, really. Do we need that? What if you hit it by accident at work or something and your car runs out of gas, that would be funny as long as it wasn't you. It made me think whats next, will there be an app to flush your toliet, now that would be cool but seriously. It could be fun to play tricks on people who come over and have to go to your bathroom though. Is there an app to turn up people's intelligence? I know on the TV there is a brightness level but that doesn't seem to help some shows though. What about one to load and unload your washer and drier, dishwasher, cook supper, I could go on and on. Maybe I oughta pitch these to the phone companies. Anything I left out?

Is this thing still on?

I thought when we got the internet back here at the house I'd be blogging and such but that hasn't been the case. Oh I've thought about it and had some things I'd like to blog about but alas laziness has taken over and I never did. Hopefully that will change and blogging will become fun and a normal routine again. I do know that I really like my job in Muncie and actually look forward to it, with the exception of the getting up early part. Been there about 8 months and enjoy it, it is alot of fun. Still enjoying the radio stuff too and the concerts at The Branches that have happened. I'll save all that for another blog sometime.

We're back.................

The internet got hooked back up today so its good to be back online, who knows maybe I'll start blogging again. Lots of things have happened since I last blog so I'll try and catch up soon.

Waiting is over

Well the waiting is finally over, on Monday I start a new job at Muncie Transit Supply where I will be getting orders ready for Greyhound bus company. MTS is a supplier of bus parts and it is a warehouse seeting with about 10 people pulling orders so that is cool. I like the fact that there aren't hundreds of people working there where you have 50 or 60 people's names to try and remember so that is a plus. I actually had an interview there last year but didn't get the job and for whatever reason stopped in there last week and they said to call back this week, which I wasn't able to do because they called me for an interview last Friday. Did the interview on Monday and they called Wednesday and offered me the job. I feel good about this situation and am thankful that God is good and He has a plan. Ready to get rolling with this now.

Only bad part of this is that in a couple of weeks I was to fill in at JOY FM for the Workday Wrap-Up and that was gonna be fun but I think permenant employment ranks a little higher right now. I still have Saturdays and SRF so that is all good on the radio front. Youth has been fun the past few weeks and now we are at a time where we'll meet regularly this Sunday, next Sunday is Father's Day so we won't have a lesson just hang out time then a lesson the following week, then no youth for July 4th then the next Sunday is the week that the 6th graders now move up and the 8th graders go to high school youth. Finally on July 18th we will settle down and start a 14 week series on sharing your faith called "Bringing it up without throwing up." Catchey title huh? That should be fun and hopefully it will speak to some of them and get them to share their faith easier.

Waiting

Am I the only one who ever gets impatient, I'm not, cool you all know what I'm talking about then. For the last year and a half I've been unemployed for most of it, the first lay off was as 2009 was just getting started, I didn't see it coming at all but I was OK with it, I knew and still do know that God has something better for me, something that is "right up my alley" but I'm waiting to see what that is. After spending 7 months unemployed I got hired at a warehouse driving a forklift. It was fun and met some pretty cool people but alas in December the work that we were doing was done for a few months so once again I got laid off. Once again no problem, God is in control and He knows what He's doing and where I'm supposed to be. So once again back to waiting to see where that and what that is.

A month or so ago I was offered a job in Winchester which to be honest with you never set well with me. Now I didn't mind that the drive to work would be less than half of what its been for the last 15 years but I just never felt right about the whole thing. Went to orientation and still wasn't feeling at peace with it, on the way over I prayed that if this is where I was supposed to be that I'd know, that feeling never came so after lunch I told them that it wasn't for me. I felt free after that and within a week or so I was reaffirmed that I'd done the right thing by some events that happened. I still know that somewhere out there in this big old world God has a plan for me and the perfect situation, I will wait on that. Waiting, Tom Petty said it was the hardest part and I think he's right. I know that its not MY timing but GOD'S timing that is perfect and in His timing I'll be where I'm supposed to be so for now I'll just wait and know that He is in control. It gets frustrating and nerve racking sometimes and during those times the enemy likes to sneak in and try and ruin everything by making me worry and regret and well you get the picture. I won't let him steal this season of waiting, maybe its a good season to grow stronger in God's word or just grow in Him while I wait. So I'll wait, watch and listen.

Longer time between posts huh?

Yes I know its been awhile between posts, seems that the blogging newness has worn off a bit and who knows when it will kick back in again. Anyway its been almost a month and alot of things have happened like the kids spring band concert, which was Tyson's first and maybe last one. He doesn't seem to enjoy band like Taylor does so he will probably be done after school ends which is right around the corner. Where has this year gone? Got to go hang out with the Sorensons, Pinkertons, Canadys, Harris', and a few others down at Brookville Road Com. Chruch at the begining of the month to watch and support PK as he was speaking there. It was alot of fun to hang out with them again and just chill. BRCC is a nice place and nice people there as well. I'm still excited to hear what all goes on out in So. Cal. in the coming months. Speaking of PK and Pink, I hope to be able to have them with me on SRF on June 4th for one last go around before they head out, I'll let you know.

Radio has been fun, there have been a few Saturdays where I don't feel like I "have it" and there have been other ones where its like I'm totally on that day. Still have a blast over there and would like to at some point move foward in the radio business, I really think scratch that I know that I would really love that. Worship has been good the past few times I've played. Getting back into the groove with Ryan again, seems like it was just a month or so ago when he asked me to join the worship team. Got some new faces with us now, I think Devin, for those of you who don't know is the other guitarist on the weeks I'm up there, is going to be a great addition to the team. I'm fine with letting him cut loose while I hold down the rhythm which maybe then I'll cut loose a little more.

Youth has been good, we are doing the final video message this week, I took a couple weeks off of it, on Mothers Day we only had 3 jr. high students so we played games the whole time and then we decided to do that in high school as well so they would both be on the same page. I think the students liked just hanging for a week and seemed to really enjoy the games. Last week I gave my first official prepared message which was fun. It was based around Eph. 4:29 and our speech and how we speak to others. I hope each week that whatever the message is that the student or students who need to hear it listen and learn. I'm gearing up to get a little schedule done on upcoming messages which will include topics from the bible, things that kids are going through and the occasional song message.

Been passing around some sickness here at the house, I've just gotten over a cold and then Tammy and now Tyson have had some stomach virus. He is the only person I know who can throw up then start talking again without missing a beat. Ready for all of that junk to be gone and we get back to good health. Got to hang out with his class last Friday night at the 6th grad party and had fun til I found out that the virus that him and Tammy have has been going around the school, oops. So there you have in a nutshell whats been going down in my little world and hopefully the next post won't be in a month it will be sooner.

Monday morning thoughts

Here it is a nice Monday morning after 2 good weekends and its time to put down in words a few thoughts and such. Last weekend of course was the final message from PK and we got to celebrate the Sorenson's and Pinkerton's with a little gathering after service but also during service. I was honored to be able to pray for them and their new adventures that they are embarking on. I am excited to hear of all the blessings and miricles that are going to be happening out in Escondido in the coming months. That was a tough one for me to get through but with a little help from above we got through it. I have been incredibly blessed to be able to work with and minister with these two families for the past few years. There is still time for a little radio fun before they head out. We ended the service with a fitting song as a tribute to these families, "Jesus Freak". Judging from the response of the people during that song and all the feedback I've gotten since that song went over very well.

Last night was my first night of leading the youth group during the message time and it went pretty good, I've still got a ways to go but I got more comfortable as the night went on. Last night we started a video series called Am I Happy, got 3 more weeks of videos and discussions then it will be time to start coming up with a few topics to discuss and give a little message on. I am both excited and nervous at the same time but I think good things are in store.

It's Opening Day

Today is the official Opening Day for Major League Baseball, I don't consider last nights game as an Opening Day game it's just a made for TV kind of thing. Now if I were still in school I would skip today to stay home and watch baseball all day. Looked at the guide on the tube today and see that there is supposed to be 4 games on as well as a big NCAA basketball game I've been hearing about lately, but there is a possible glitch. On the guide the first two games of the day in Cincinnati and Chicago have a black circle on them so I'm wondering if they will be blacked out here which would mean that the 4 pm game with the Braves would be the first one I could watch, I hope thats not the case but oh well.

We put our big surprise off yesterday at church and will work a little more on it this week and bust it out next Sunday so be sure to be there. Next Sunday will be a emotional rollercoaster as we celebrate PK and the Pinkertons last Sunday with us. I've said it before that this is bittersweet because I'm selfish and want them to stick around but I know God's call trumps mine everytime and there are big things in store for So Cal later this year. Don't forget that this Friday from 8 to 11 you can check us out on Solid Rock Friday Night on Joy FM which will be a blast and I get bonus time this week on Joy FM for their sharathon. I will be on Wed, Thu and Fri from 10 to 12 helping out and I'll be handling the phones Wed & Thu from 8-10 so give me a call and help out the station.

Worship yesterday was amazing and I was floored at how many people were there, that was cool. Thanks to Kyle P. for letting me borrow his footpedals for yesterday. The power chord to my pedal decided to finally give out Thursday at practice so I got a new one ordered and it should be here in a day or two and we'll be back to normal but big thanks to KP for the help.

The Difference

Last night at youth I had the opportunity to lead the message for the first time ever in my life. To say that I was a little nervous was an understatement, but I made it through alright and no one got hurt so that was good. A few months back I bought a cd by a band named Philmont, and on it was a song titled "The Difference." I always thought that this would make a good little message and a few weeks ago I had a tugging on my heart that "hey you need to talk about this to the youth" so I finally got the courage to ask Pink if it was ok to lead youth some week and he agreed and the rest is history. The song and my message was about how when we give our lives to Christ there has to be and should be a difference in them, meaning if you used to go out and party on the weekends before you gave your life to Christ then after you shouldn't still live like that. One of the lines in the song says "I've tried so hard to mix the old life with the new, but there's no in between if I'm gonna follow You."

I was nervous during Jr. High youth mainly because I've never done this and I only knew a handful of the students. When High School youth was starting and there were about 3 times as many students I was thinking I'm really gonna be nervous with that many people in there but actually the opposite happened and I was more relaxed for that, maybe because I had the first time speaking out of the way or maybe because I know almost all of those students. Either way it was enjoyable and maybe I'll get to do it again.

One thing I'll leave you with and it was something I told the students to think about is a quote from Brennan Manning, author of Ragamuffin Gospel which states "The single greatest cause of atheism in the world today is Christians, who acknowledge Jesus with their lips, then walk out the door and deny Him by their lifestyle. That is what an unbelieving world simply finds unbelievable." Pink was able to share some of this firsthand after I was finished of his experiences with a relative who would agree with that quote 100% and I firmly believe that when PK and Pink get The Branches of Escondido up and running, Pink's cousin will come to know Christ as his personnal saviour through the work that God is going to do through those 2 and all those who are joining them.

Recap of the past few weeks.

A few things have happened since my last post and I'd like to tell you about them now. First off if you listened to Solid Rock Friday Night this week with my two special guests, PK and Pink, thank you and I hope you were entertained. If you didn't happen to listen all I can say is that you missed out. It was an absolute blast and alot of fun hanging out and talkin and rockin with those two. I'm gonna miss when they head out to California but there are still a couple of Friday nights that we can all get together and have some fun on the radio like say Friday April 9th. Go ahead and mark it on your calendars because its gonna be fun. It was mentioned that we need to syndicate that show and I think that is a great idea. We were on for 3 hours of course and had 32 total requests. that is like an all time record. The amazing thing is that the last 31 songs of the night, which included the last 20 minutes of the first hour and all of hours two and three were requests. And it is always fun to come up with nicknames for our new friends (those requesting) and to have a little banter with them. Next time I think we will take that banter on the air live every once in a while, that could be fun.

The last couple of Sundays on the worship team have been fun, exciting, good and nerve wracking. Last Sunday when we sent the Blacks and Marggy off was really cool when I was talking to Aaron he thanked me for the song I wrote, we did it that day per his request, and I was floored that it meant alot to him, mission accomplished. Yesterday it was fun to play the old bass again and had to switch to guitar for Hosanna and that is where the fun started. For whatever reason I started getting the nervous shakes right before that song, don't know why we've done it quite a few times and I know what to play but yesterday I couldn't stop shaking. We made it through it though and I don't think it sounded bad at all.

Tammy went and hung out with me at youth last night, the kids are down in Tennessee for the week and we have some freedom for a bit. Had fun of course watching some of the kids jump over the cushion chairs up in the 3:7. Next week will be another first, I will be giving the lesson for both the jr. high and high school, I've never ever done that so it could be interesting.

Open Hands Acoustic Performance

This is a song I heard on Air1 one day and liked it. It is from a newer artist named Matt Papa. I'm thinking we should do this some Sunday.

The longest blog ever…

Everyone who goes to church, is a member of a church or a leader in a church should read this and live it. The longest blog ever…

Need more shows like this 'round here.

Last Sunday in Greenville Ohio the Nothing and Everything Tour with Red, Decyfer Down, The Wedding and Me In Motion came rolling into town and the youth group made a little road trip. It was a fun evening and I was blessed to be able to welcome the crowd and give a few announcements before the show started. It is a pretty cool feeling when you say something and the crowd reacts loudly, I dug that. Wasn't too nervous but I did forget to mention a thing or two and I know I'd like to do it again sometime. Funny thing one of the leaders who went, Jennifer Wise, is such a rock and roll rebel, she went out and took a nap during the show. Who does that? Good times and here are a few pictures that Taylor took for you to enjoy although for whatever reason she didn't get a picture of me doing my thing on stage. Thanks to JOY FM, Marty McCabe, and the tour manager for Red for the chance to live out a dream.

What a nice looking group of people waiting to get in, notice the one without a coat? They only stood out there for about an hour. 4 cars with 15 kids and 5 leaders equals a good night.

Seth Mosley from Me In Motion using my mic. These guys got the evening started off.

The Wedding rocking it up. These guys played a short set, the lead singer was battling illness but still gave it all for the show.

Decyfer Down lead singer TJ Harris. This was the second time I've seen them and they're a good band. Played alot of songs I like and even did one I didn't think they would do. I feel bad for them though as Taylor and Rylan were both yelling "We love you Caleb" to the guitar player. Bad thing is his name is Brandon and Caleb was the old lead singer whose not in the band anymore. Hope it didn't upset the band any.

Micheal Barnes lead singer of Red belting it out. This was also the second time I've seen Red and they put on a good show and I'll be seeing them again sometime.

Anthony Armstrong from Red making the guitar faces. I spent some time at the side of the stage before I went on to welcome everyone and was checking out his guitars and set up, maybe someday I'll have that kind of set up with 7 or 8 guitars and a nice amp rig.

Red doing a song called "Pieces" off of thier first cd. Was really surprised that they did this one, I've always liked it and thought we could do it some Sunday.

Great show and we need more of them like this in the area, I know of quite a few people who would go to them. Makes me ready for this Friday night and 3 hours of SRF.

And that my friends was an incredible night

Went out to the high school tonight for senior night and a little basketball between MC and Cowan and let me tell you it was an amazing, incredible, insert your best adjective here night. It was a night that a few years ago didn't seem like it was going to happen but tonight it did. I'm talking about a senior on the team named Shane Hines. Now I don't know him personally but I know who he is. A few years back he was in a serious accident just outside of town. I remember hearing that the doctors didn't know if he'd ever walk again, well he has. At homecoming a few weeks ago he walked out to the court without his cane that he uses, much to the delight of those in attendance. He has been a member of the varsity b-ball team the past few years even though he hasn't played but that all changed tonight. I remember MC coach Jeremy Duncan saying in an article last year that he was going to put Shane in the line up on senior night this year and it would bring down the roof, it did and then some.

Normally on senior night you start all the seniors on your team and let them play for a bit. Shane has never started let alone played in a varsity game until tonight where he started and by a very nice and sportsman gesture Cowan got the tip then proceeded to throw the ball to Shane and he dribbled down the court, even went behind his back at one point, then went to the basket and hit a lay up for the first points of the game. Cowan then went down and hit an uncontested layup and then MC called timeout to take Shane out. I have never heard that gym any louder than tonight, it was louder than last years sectional championship game. Shane recieved a couple of standing ovations from the whole crowd, it was an awesome sight. Big props to Cowan's team and fans for taking part and appriciating this situation, they are a class act.

If you missed it you can either go to WTHR channel 13's website or WRTV channel 6's website as they were both out there doing a feature on Shane or WANE TV 15 out of Ft. Wayne, they were also out there. And of course the Star Press was there and has pictues up on thier site. It was a very emotional and triumphant night at the old alma mater. Great job Shane and all those who were involved.

Madhouse Preview

Here is the video from the post before.

Madhouse Preview #2

A new show that Tammy and I started watching after one of her boss's told her about it. Brings back some memories of the old racing days. They follow basically 5 drivers, Junior Miller (the legend) Burt Myers (the talented one) his brother Jason Myers (nice guy), Tim Brown (the pompous jerk), and Mark Fleming (the racer thats broke). It is very entertaining especially since I've seen first hand how racing is. Although I don't know these fellows, the series I used to work for and when I worked at Winchester I've seen guys like each one of these guys. It is on every Sunday night at 11 pm on the History channel. Watching this makes me want to go back to my racing roots.

The race track they race at is Bowman Gray Stadium in Winston Salem, NC. It is a flat 1/4 mile track that is very narrow. The best way to pass is to move the car in front of you out of the way, which leads to retaliation which leads to more paybacks and so on. Just imagine racing around the track at the high school, that is what it would be like. I wouldn't mind visiting this track sometime just for the fun of it.