What's Next?

Over the past 13 years I have made a "living" doing music at some level. I would definitely consider myself blessed on many levels. For over 7 years I didn't know that 11:00 came around twice a day. Breakfast food was a midnight snack.

I came out of college to tour full-time. By full-time, I mean I had 4 weekends off during an entire year. Crazy I know. I didn't know any better at the time. After a few years of that kind of traveling, I started to fry. When I moved to the Nashville area, I wanted to "start over". The old had gone and the new life had come. I began a journey that might have actually began before I knew it did. After about a year or so in Nashvegas, and a bad case of "boy-band", I found myself with a band called Among Thorns. We wrote and recorded music that many young people sing in churches all over the world. During my time with the band, I knew that I needed to be connected to a larger body of people (the church).

Among Thorns stopped touring together last August. All of the guys are contuning with some form a music. Matt Gilder, Brandon Eller, and Gary Ishee are out with Jason Morant, David Childress is touring with Rebecca St. James, and I have been working part time at The People's Church in Franklin.

With the support and encouragement of my mentor, I have been able to lead worship and music at TPC Franklin for 5 years, either with the student ministry or "big" church on Sundays. I have also been helping TPC Spring Hill (the first satellite church of TPC Franklin). Thank you for believing in me when no-one else seemed to my friend.

Many of you that will be reading this know about Randy Elrod moving on to the next phase of his life. That in itself is one of the most inspiring things I have seen in a while. One that would dare leave the familiar and secure to follow dreams.

SHLOG and I were talking about what we want to do when we grow up. He posted about what he's not going to do. I am finding that I am not alone on this journey of "what's next".

I will always write, create, and perform music and art, no matter what I am doing for a "living". I am still actually open to go do some events here and there. I'll be in CA, OH, and TN over the next few months leading worship music, and or speaking.

Maybe California is the place to be....Italy....Cincinnati....Franklin?

I don't know what's next. Anyone got any thoughts? I have some thoughts and plans, but I would love some input just for gits and shiggles.

Jason Morant's Open Release TODAY!

This is a great record. Don't be waiting to hear the next catchy worship song on this record though. This will help take you to a deeper reflective place. JMo does a great job of penning some new ways to same the same story. It's refreshing.

About 4 years ago I would have never thought that the young cajun kid from New Orleans that co-wrote on my first Among Thorns record would grow into the artist, songwriter, and worshiper that he has. Jason and I have toured lots of gigs together over the past few years as well. He will probably never stop amazing me.

Knowing Jason, I can hear some of his influences on several tracks. The likes of Rufus Wainwright, Aqualung, and Chad Jarnagin can be heard through out the record. Alright, maybe not the last guy.

J, thanks for continuing to bring us all great art.

"Open" is in stores TODAY MAY 30!!!





Listen HERE

DOWNHERE: New Record

My boys from DOWNHERE have a new record that released yesterday. Wide-Eyed and Mystified.

They have a new label and a new zest. You will likey.

NEW MUSIC: Leeland

Mark these words my friends... Leeland is about to shake the sub-par musical acts in Christian music to the core.

A couple of years ago while I was on the road, my bass player said "listen to my little cousin...he is unbelievable". I was like, uh okay whatever. Uh, now I am saying "listen to Leeland, they are unbelievable".

Named from the band's 17 year old lead singer, Leeland is about to move you.

My new brother-in-law filmed their new video. Stay tuned for more on that.

Hear some goodness.

Pictures And Weddings

Tis the seasons for weddings. A frikin' ton of them. I have missed 3 already, and been to 3. There are 5 more to come over the next month and a half.

I have had my picture taken many many times over the last 10 years of performing, just like any other rockstar, umm, I mean *blogstar. BUT, after 2 weekends of weddings, I'm spent. It's not like taking pictures on the road with random people, who for some reason want their picture taken with you. I enjoy making strange faces in photos, but in wedding shots I "try" to.................not to enjoy myself.

I am beginning to believe that having your picture taken actually takes some of your soul. If I sound dramatic, well like I said, I have been around a bunch of weddings lately. It starts to rub off on you.

What does Jessica Simpson, Tom Cruise, Britney, and Shaun Groves do to carry on with all the paparazzi?

Family Force 5

Family Force 5 is a new kind of rock. These guys from the ATL (GA) are full of hooks, groove, and rock. I haven't had this much fun in a while. Don't let the name turn you off.


I don't think FF5 take themselves too serious, which is refreshing.


If you are looking for something snappy and sick of that lovers lament crap, peep these guys out.


Listen to them HERE.





*Disclaimer. If you don't like FF5...you might be old.

My Playlist

Mae
Aqualung
Hillsong United
The All-American Rejects (Have you seen the video to "Move Along"? It's frikin' GREAT!)
Daniel Powter (The "Bad Day" song guy)
Jason Morant (New record is SOOOO good....get it next month)
Paramore
Sigur Ros
Thrice
Leeland (Amazing new band that you WILL hear from soon)

Global Night Commute Franklin RECAP

Well, it was a long, crazy, windy, inspiring night SAT night- SUN morning APRIL 29th / 30th.

We had 2700 people turn out to support the cause of Invisible Children!!!! One of the coolest things I noticed about the event was that there were all kinds of people involved. From modern day tree huggin hippies to the polo wearing conservative from the W.C., and everything in between. I talked with people from Alabama, Kentucky, and Oklahoma, as well as Justin from South Carolina who raised $3000 for the cause by running in the Country Music Marathon SAT morning. What a GUY! Me and the guys from Invisible Children woke him up after 3am to interview him on camera. Man we were jerks. ;)

The 2500+ people in attendance wrote letters to Senator Frist, and Pres. Bush, and made some artwork as well.

We should have some pics from the event up soon.

Thanks for everyone's support and prayer for the weekend. The NO RAIN prayers, and dances worked.