Velvet Elvis and Other Reads...

One of the best books that I have read over the past few months has to be The Velvet Elvis by Rob Bell. If you haven't read this book, you might need to.

Others that I am reading right now include...

The Irresistible Revolution- Claiborne

The Organic Church- Cole

*Blogstar's Playlist

Here are the bands / artists that are on my playlist right now...

MuteMath

Jason Morant

Imogen Heap

The Fray

Sigur Ros

Fort Minor

Mat Kearney

Paramore

Aaron Shust

Aqualung

P.O.D.

Mae

Luna Halo

Fiona Apple

Mandisa And American Idol

Mandisa Hundley is an amazing person. Not only is she one amazing vocalist, she has the spirit and presence to match. I have had the honor to share in studio work with her on some random recordings here around town. I hope that she goes far!!!!

I plan on watching my first episode of this season sometime soon b/c of her.

Go HERE to read and see more.

Big ups to Nashvegas Mandisa!

Some More New Blogs...

Here are a few more new Blogs out there....(at least they are new to *Blogstar).

Nateblog is one of my homies at TPC Franklin, and a kickin' musican, designer, and artist.

Perspective is one part of team Gaddis....once a part of TPC Franklin...now in warm sunny FL.

ysmarko, is a part of Youth Specialties. A great guy with some good insight.

YouAreSoLastYear is one of the best blogs I've seen in a while. Blog On! I mean Rock On!

Mega Fun?

Yes....this is real. See HERE.

re:create 06: PART 1

The Art Of Gaddis "a side of chad"


About 50 Arts / Music people in the same room ALL with headaches from information overload= re:create.

For real, re:create is one of the most constructive, refreshing, and yes, creative conferences that I have ever been a part of.

Thanks to re:create 05 & Hugh Hewitt, I began *Blogstar almost a year ago. Many great things usually come from the time I spend at this specific conference. Re:create is the brain child of my mentor, Creative Arts Pastor, and friend Randy Elrod. This year was just what the DR ordered.

4 new blog friends were a part of the conference...Carlos, John, Rich, and Brian. They are amazing guys that I am happy to know are in the Kingdom work with me.

DAY 1 & 2
Monday Afternoon
Barbara Nicolosi was our first speaker. I have followed her work for several months, and she is more wonderful in person than I thought she could be. For more insight go HERE.

Monday Evening
After a country dining experience at Miller's Grocery in MiddleOfNoWhere, TN, we were joined by 4 talented writers. My friends Paul Baloche, and Glenn Packiam , as well as Chad Cates, and Aaron Shust lead out a Nashville type "in the round" writers set.

Tuesday Morning & Afternoon
One of my favorite Brits Stuart Townends lead out in a few tunes, as well as brought some encouraging words. We also had some guys from CA that worked on Narnia that I will talk about later.

Ted, Chad, & Tim

Chad & Rich

Carlos & Chad

Highlights From re:create Coming Soon....

Stay Tuned.

U2 Grabs 5 Grammy's

I am usually frustrated at how real music sometimes doesn't get the love it deserves at the Grammy's, but this year....and once again, U2 felt the love w/ 5 awards.

"If you think this is going to go to our head, its too late," Bono said after the group captured their 19th Grammy.

Big ups to one of the best bands on the planet.

Was SuperBowl XL Fixed?

First off, I didn't really care about either team in last night's SuperBowl, so I am not that biased. At the party that I was present at last night, we basically lost count of the crazy calls of the officials. Around 15-20 crappy calls into it, we just kinda' stopped counting I think.

I have never seen a single game that seemed to favor one team over the other than I witnessed last night. WOW!

Now I realize that *Blogstar has more of an artsy viewership, but what do you think that the game last night was fixed (if you even watched)? Since most of the readers are NOT from the US, do you all even care about American football anyways?

What's New

Comic Jim Gaffigan is new to me. This guy had me laughing out loud for at least 15 minutes. note: Some of you might find some of his act a little edgy (religious issues).

Brock Gill has a blog that you should check out!

The 20 somethings community (IKON) that I am a part of here in Franklin has a new site up. You know, the one that Shaun Groves speaks at!?!?? Go HERE to peep it out.

P.O.D.' s new CD is out and is really good.

Donald Miller's new book "To Own A Dragon" releases FEB 5th.

There might be something that I over looked....

Oh the new cover of RollingStone? Naaah. I covered that one a few days ago. j/k

Peace