Liberty just finished recording vocals for a new album. Well, it's kind of new. New in the sense that we're creating fresh arrangements for familiar songs. This recording has 10 cover songs, 1 re-written song (by Royce), and 1 new song (by Doran). The track list includes (in no certain order):
Temporary Home
Still Feelin' Fine
Light at the End of the Darkness
Ride That Glory Train
I'd Like to Say It Again
Bus Driver
The Eastern Gate
I Can See the Hand
I'll Tell It Wherever I Go
The Lighthouse
I'll Tell It Wherever I Go
Baritone Whine
The name of the project is "Say It Again" and should be ready sometime in January. I think it's going to be a fun recording.
Saturday, December 08, 2007
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Hamill
One of my all-time heroes in Southern Gospel has passed away. Jim Hamill captured my imagination and instilled a love for the genre with his exciting emcee work for the Kingsmen. I recently posted a comment on a thread about Hamill not too long ago:
Big Jim is the golden standard by which all emcees should be measured. My first Southern Gospel concert (as a 4-year-old) featured the Kingsmen in Kokomo, IN. I can still vividly remember how Hamill interacted with the crowd and made fun of Little Ernie. It captivated me, even as a hyper kid. I was privileged to see Jim and the mighty Kingsmen many times after that and he never failed to bring the house down with his superb emceeing. There was an element of anticipation, of wondering, “where’s he going next?” at every Kingsmen concert.
My favorite group has and will always be the Cathedrals, but I have yet to see a SG group who could come close to entertaining a crowd like the Hamill-era Kingsmen.
He had some of the best one-liners in the business. One of my favorite quotes from Hamill came from the "Live in Mississippi" album. He said: "Everybody is talking about holes in the ozone layer these days. I'll tell you what, when God calls me home, I'll knock a hole in the ozone layer big enough you can drive a bus through!"
Jim, I'll be right behind you.
Big Jim is the golden standard by which all emcees should be measured. My first Southern Gospel concert (as a 4-year-old) featured the Kingsmen in Kokomo, IN. I can still vividly remember how Hamill interacted with the crowd and made fun of Little Ernie. It captivated me, even as a hyper kid. I was privileged to see Jim and the mighty Kingsmen many times after that and he never failed to bring the house down with his superb emceeing. There was an element of anticipation, of wondering, “where’s he going next?” at every Kingsmen concert.
My favorite group has and will always be the Cathedrals, but I have yet to see a SG group who could come close to entertaining a crowd like the Hamill-era Kingsmen.
He had some of the best one-liners in the business. One of my favorite quotes from Hamill came from the "Live in Mississippi" album. He said: "Everybody is talking about holes in the ozone layer these days. I'll tell you what, when God calls me home, I'll knock a hole in the ozone layer big enough you can drive a bus through!"
Jim, I'll be right behind you.
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
CNN/YouTube Republican debate
I really enjoyed the Republican debate this evening. For those of you who missed it, I have the entire transcipt below.
Part 1
Part 2
It's worth reading. One of the most entertaining and insightful segments came in response to the following question:
Joseph: I am Joseph. I am from Dallas, Texas, and how you answer this question will tell us everything we need to know about you. Do you believe every word of this book (holding up the Bible)? Specifically, this book that I am holding in my hand, do you believe this book?
Cooper: I think we've got a question.
Mayor Giuliani?
Huckabee: Do I need to help you out, Mayor, on this one?
(Laughter)
(Applause)
Giuliani: Wait a second, you're the minister. You're going to help me out on this one.
Huckabee: I'm trying to help you out.
Giuliani: OK. The reality is, I believe it, but I don't believe it's necessarily literally true in every single respect. I think there are parts of the Bible that are interpretive. I think there are parts of the Bible that are allegorical. I think there are parts of the Bible that are meant to be interpreted in a modern context.
So, yes, I believe it. I think it's the great book ever written. I read it frequently. I read it very frequently when I've gone through the bigger crises in my life, and I find great wisdom in it, and it does define to a very large extent my faith. But I don't believe every single thing in the literal sense of Jonah being in the belly of the whale, or, you know, there are some things in it that I think were put there as allegorical.
Cooper: Governor Romney?
Romney: I believe the Bible is the word of God, absolutely. And I try...
(Applause)
... I try to live by it as well as I can, but I miss in a lot of ways. But it's a guide for my life and for hundreds of millions, billions of people around the world. I believe in the Bible.
Cooper: Does that mean you believe every word?
Romney: You know -- yes, I believe it's the word of God, the Bible is the word of God.
The Bible is the word of God. I mean, I might interpret the word differently than you interpret the word, but I read the Bible and I believe the Bible is the word of God. I don't disagree with the Bible. I try to live by it.
Cooper: Governor Huckabee?
Huckabee: Sure. I believe the Bible is exactly what it is. It's the word of revelation to us from God himself.
(Applause)
And the fact is that when people ask do we believe all of it, you either believe it or you don't believe it. But in the greater sense, I think what the question tried to make us feel like was that, well, if you believe the part that says "Go and pluck out your eye," well, none of us believe that we ought to go pluck out our eye. That obviously is allegorical.
But the Bible has some messages that nobody really can confuse and really not left up to interpretation. "Love your neighbor as yourself."
And as much as you've done it to the least of these brethren, you've done it unto me. Until we get those simple, real easy things right, I'm not sure we ought to spend a whole lot of time fighting over the other parts that are a little bit complicated.
And as the only person here on the stage with a theology degree, there are parts of it I don't fully comprehend and understand, because the Bible is a revelation of an infinite god, and no finite person is ever going to fully understand it. If they do, their god is too small.
I've never heard so much stammering as when Romney was pressed on whether he believed all of the Bible was true. I laughed out loud.
Part 1
Part 2
It's worth reading. One of the most entertaining and insightful segments came in response to the following question:
Joseph: I am Joseph. I am from Dallas, Texas, and how you answer this question will tell us everything we need to know about you. Do you believe every word of this book (holding up the Bible)? Specifically, this book that I am holding in my hand, do you believe this book?
Cooper: I think we've got a question.
Mayor Giuliani?
Huckabee: Do I need to help you out, Mayor, on this one?
(Laughter)
(Applause)
Giuliani: Wait a second, you're the minister. You're going to help me out on this one.
Huckabee: I'm trying to help you out.
Giuliani: OK. The reality is, I believe it, but I don't believe it's necessarily literally true in every single respect. I think there are parts of the Bible that are interpretive. I think there are parts of the Bible that are allegorical. I think there are parts of the Bible that are meant to be interpreted in a modern context.
So, yes, I believe it. I think it's the great book ever written. I read it frequently. I read it very frequently when I've gone through the bigger crises in my life, and I find great wisdom in it, and it does define to a very large extent my faith. But I don't believe every single thing in the literal sense of Jonah being in the belly of the whale, or, you know, there are some things in it that I think were put there as allegorical.
Cooper: Governor Romney?
Romney: I believe the Bible is the word of God, absolutely. And I try...
(Applause)
... I try to live by it as well as I can, but I miss in a lot of ways. But it's a guide for my life and for hundreds of millions, billions of people around the world. I believe in the Bible.
Cooper: Does that mean you believe every word?
Romney: You know -- yes, I believe it's the word of God, the Bible is the word of God.
The Bible is the word of God. I mean, I might interpret the word differently than you interpret the word, but I read the Bible and I believe the Bible is the word of God. I don't disagree with the Bible. I try to live by it.
Cooper: Governor Huckabee?
Huckabee: Sure. I believe the Bible is exactly what it is. It's the word of revelation to us from God himself.
(Applause)
And the fact is that when people ask do we believe all of it, you either believe it or you don't believe it. But in the greater sense, I think what the question tried to make us feel like was that, well, if you believe the part that says "Go and pluck out your eye," well, none of us believe that we ought to go pluck out our eye. That obviously is allegorical.
But the Bible has some messages that nobody really can confuse and really not left up to interpretation. "Love your neighbor as yourself."
And as much as you've done it to the least of these brethren, you've done it unto me. Until we get those simple, real easy things right, I'm not sure we ought to spend a whole lot of time fighting over the other parts that are a little bit complicated.
And as the only person here on the stage with a theology degree, there are parts of it I don't fully comprehend and understand, because the Bible is a revelation of an infinite god, and no finite person is ever going to fully understand it. If they do, their god is too small.
I've never heard so much stammering as when Romney was pressed on whether he believed all of the Bible was true. I laughed out loud.
Friday, November 23, 2007
Glenn
OK, admittedly I've done a lousy job of posting recently, except for the two videos featuring Jon Plank and Allegiance. So let me keep up my lazy efforts by offering this from my favorite radio talk-show host, Glenn Beck:
If there's one thing I've learned from politicians it's that when you're out of good things to say about yourself, just start bashing your opponents. So now that my book has been released (and I'm out of things to say about it), it's time to take down my competitors. As I write this, An Inconvenient Book sits at #6 on the Amazon bestseller list. Here's a look at the drivel ahead of us:
#1 - You: Staying Young: The Owner's Manual For Extending Your Warranty (You) by Michael F. Roizen, Mehmet C. Oz There are a few big problems with this book. First, this book has two colons and three versions of the word "you" in the title alone. It sounds like it was written by a fourth grader. Second, isn't Mehmet Oz the doctor on Oprah who inexplicably shows up to her TV studio wearing hospital scrubs, like he's about to perform an emergency appendectomy? You want advice from that guy? Here's my pledge to you: no more than one colon, and no surgical scrubs. Ever.
#2 - The Pillars of the Earth (Deluxe Edition) (Oprah's Book Club) by Ken Follett It's 973 pages. 973. Did you hear me? NINE HUNDRED AND SEVENTY THREE!
#3 - Deceptively Delicious: Simple Secrets to Get Your Kids Eating Good Food by Jessica Seinfeld Here's a "simple secret" to get your kids to eat vegetables: make them. I just saved you $14.97.
#4 - The Birds in My Life by The Supreme Master Ching Hai I can actually relate to this one because I have a bird in my life too; it's called a turkey. And it's delicious. But beyond that, I cannot fathom how an out of stock book about birds is beating me. I'm solving global warming, poverty and illegal immigration, yet people still care more about Polly wanting a freakin' cracker?? Is it because the author is a "Supreme Master" and I'm not? Because if that's all it takes then I'm enrolling in Supreme Mastering class Monday morning and I'll stamp "Supremer Master Glenn Beck" right on the cover of the paperback.
#5 - The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follet Where have I heard about this book before? Oh yea, it's already on the list! Hey Follet—do you really need to hog two spots? And Oprah--if you want your fans to still have enough time to watch your show, send them my way instead. I've got 100% more solutions than Follet in just 1/3 of the pages. In summary, if you buy all of the books in front of mine then you'd learn how to make you a better you, how to communicate with birds, and how to secretly feed your kids vegetables—but what good is any of that if Islamic extremists kill us all because my book is stuck at #6??
Please, I don't want to sound overdramatic, but (and you need your best "Hereos" voiceover impression here): Buy my book; save the world. Sincerely, (And not at all bitter or jealous) Glenn Beck
If there's one thing I've learned from politicians it's that when you're out of good things to say about yourself, just start bashing your opponents. So now that my book has been released (and I'm out of things to say about it), it's time to take down my competitors. As I write this, An Inconvenient Book sits at #6 on the Amazon bestseller list. Here's a look at the drivel ahead of us:
#1 - You: Staying Young: The Owner's Manual For Extending Your Warranty (You) by Michael F. Roizen, Mehmet C. Oz There are a few big problems with this book. First, this book has two colons and three versions of the word "you" in the title alone. It sounds like it was written by a fourth grader. Second, isn't Mehmet Oz the doctor on Oprah who inexplicably shows up to her TV studio wearing hospital scrubs, like he's about to perform an emergency appendectomy? You want advice from that guy? Here's my pledge to you: no more than one colon, and no surgical scrubs. Ever.
#2 - The Pillars of the Earth (Deluxe Edition) (Oprah's Book Club) by Ken Follett It's 973 pages. 973. Did you hear me? NINE HUNDRED AND SEVENTY THREE!
#3 - Deceptively Delicious: Simple Secrets to Get Your Kids Eating Good Food by Jessica Seinfeld Here's a "simple secret" to get your kids to eat vegetables: make them. I just saved you $14.97.
#4 - The Birds in My Life by The Supreme Master Ching Hai I can actually relate to this one because I have a bird in my life too; it's called a turkey. And it's delicious. But beyond that, I cannot fathom how an out of stock book about birds is beating me. I'm solving global warming, poverty and illegal immigration, yet people still care more about Polly wanting a freakin' cracker?? Is it because the author is a "Supreme Master" and I'm not? Because if that's all it takes then I'm enrolling in Supreme Mastering class Monday morning and I'll stamp "Supremer Master Glenn Beck" right on the cover of the paperback.
#5 - The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follet Where have I heard about this book before? Oh yea, it's already on the list! Hey Follet—do you really need to hog two spots? And Oprah--if you want your fans to still have enough time to watch your show, send them my way instead. I've got 100% more solutions than Follet in just 1/3 of the pages. In summary, if you buy all of the books in front of mine then you'd learn how to make you a better you, how to communicate with birds, and how to secretly feed your kids vegetables—but what good is any of that if Islamic extremists kill us all because my book is stuck at #6??
Please, I don't want to sound overdramatic, but (and you need your best "Hereos" voiceover impression here): Buy my book; save the world. Sincerely, (And not at all bitter or jealous) Glenn Beck
Thursday, November 22, 2007
Allegiance takes the stage
This was an awkward moment back in the day. We were huge as you can detect from the wild crowd reaction.
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Growing
A great quote that was pointed out by a good friend:
"Legalism smothers spiritual vitality. It stultifies spiritual growth. It robs life of spontaneity. It produces neurotic personality. It engenders spiritual pride. It leads to despair and defeatism.
Libertarianism chokes off the stream of spiritual power. It corrodes spiritual development. It walks a thin path bordering on spiritual collapse. It points to a freedom that may end in bondage.
Classic biblical principles of relaxed self-discipline and humble dependence on God provides an atmosphere where vital spiritual growth occurs."
Metz, Donald S. (1994). Some Crucial Issues in the Church of the Nazarene. Wesleyan Heritage Press.
"Legalism smothers spiritual vitality. It stultifies spiritual growth. It robs life of spontaneity. It produces neurotic personality. It engenders spiritual pride. It leads to despair and defeatism.
Libertarianism chokes off the stream of spiritual power. It corrodes spiritual development. It walks a thin path bordering on spiritual collapse. It points to a freedom that may end in bondage.
Classic biblical principles of relaxed self-discipline and humble dependence on God provides an atmosphere where vital spiritual growth occurs."
Metz, Donald S. (1994). Some Crucial Issues in the Church of the Nazarene. Wesleyan Heritage Press.
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Blast from the Past
Check out some of these old pictures from back in the day. This is for those of you who aren't members of facebook.
Monday, November 19, 2007
Where's Waldo?
By the way, where is Doran? He has exactly 6 posts since he entered the blogosphere, 5 of which allude to me in some way. He's obsessed. I really was hoping his creativity would find an outlet, but apparently that will be stifled. Such is life.
Boise, Broncos, and Birthdays
I had a great afternoon hanging out with Trey. I picked him up from school and we took off for the celestial city (also known in Idaho as Boise). Our first stop was at Taco Bell Arena on the Boise State campus. I had to pick up tickets for tomorrow night's Mannheim Steamroller concert. Oh yeah! I will be there. Anyway, we were close to the BSU football stadium and since Trey had never seen the field we decided to see if we could peek through a gate or something. Well, it was locked up pretty tight and we were getting ready to walk back over to our car, when I noticed that a light was on in the BSU Hall of Fame building. I went to the door and the man working in the office motioned me in. I asked if there was anyway we could get close to the field. He looked out the window and said that if the team wasn't out there practicing we could go out on the field. So, out on the field we went. Trey took off running in the end zone. He was in awe! He said, "man, this is so cool. I almost feel like Ian Johnson". I took a few pics and walked around on the blue turf myself. It was pretty incredible. After we had been out there for a few minutes the team started trickling out on the field. Trey kept looking for Ian, but we didn't see him. On our way out the door, the guy who was kind enough to let us on the field, stopped Trey and gave him a set of 2008 BSU Bronco football cards. He's been on cloud nine ever since. Enjoy the pictures:
Our real reason for traveling to Boise was shopping for my beautiful wife who celebrates her birthday. I'd tell you her age, but I'd probably die. So...
We bought her gifts and chowed down at Arbys. It was a great night. There's nothing I'd rather do than spend time with my family. To be honest, out of everything I do on a daily basis (my ministry, my work, whatever) it's my time spent with Lori, Trey, and Kassady that is most valuable to me. I'm blessed.
Our real reason for traveling to Boise was shopping for my beautiful wife who celebrates her birthday. I'd tell you her age, but I'd probably die. So...
We bought her gifts and chowed down at Arbys. It was a great night. There's nothing I'd rather do than spend time with my family. To be honest, out of everything I do on a daily basis (my ministry, my work, whatever) it's my time spent with Lori, Trey, and Kassady that is most valuable to me. I'm blessed.
The Booth's booth
We're such good friends with the Booth Brothers that they wanted Dan and I to pose with them at NQC. Check it out. You'll have to scroll to picture #5.
Hat tip to Jonathan Walden (former famous lead singer with Singing Friends).
Hat tip to Jonathan Walden (former famous lead singer with Singing Friends).
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Shamefaced
I'm sorry. I forgot to add the link for Facebook. You'll have to sign up and then do a search for my name.
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Baptists
OK, this is funny. I'm not Baptist, so I probably shouldn't share this. But, I do have so many good friends that are that I just have to. I stole this from Perry Noble:
Top 12 Things to Never Say to a Baptist
#12 - Lottie who?
#11 - What is a covered dish and why must everyone who gets sick in our church have to have some sort of casserole?
#10 - I love it when my wife has her own opinion!
#9 - For God so loved the world that He did not send a COMMITTEE!
#8 - “We're either going to Disney or Vegas for vacation this year…”
#7 - SHE did an incredible job with the message today.
#6 - Why do you keep calling me “brother?”
#5 - “Got a light?” Unless, of course, you are a deacon…then this is a perfectly valid question.
#4 - Can we please sing the third verse!!!
#3 - Hold my beer.
#2 - May I have this dance?
#1 - Ante up!
Top 12 Things to Never Say to a Baptist
#12 - Lottie who?
#11 - What is a covered dish and why must everyone who gets sick in our church have to have some sort of casserole?
#10 - I love it when my wife has her own opinion!
#9 - For God so loved the world that He did not send a COMMITTEE!
#8 - “We're either going to Disney or Vegas for vacation this year…”
#7 - SHE did an incredible job with the message today.
#6 - Why do you keep calling me “brother?”
#5 - “Got a light?” Unless, of course, you are a deacon…then this is a perfectly valid question.
#4 - Can we please sing the third verse!!!
#3 - Hold my beer.
#2 - May I have this dance?
#1 - Ante up!
Monday, November 12, 2007
Brioooooan
While probably everyone has already been introduced to the wonderful comedy of Brian Regan, this is one clip that I can watch over and over. This past April at the Fresno Fan Fest I asked Jeff Allen (comedian who often appears on Gaither videos) who his favorite comedian was. He immediately replied, "Brian Regan. In fact, the majority of the comedians I work with will tell you the same thing. He's THE best comedian going right now, and has been for years." Pretty high praise. Once you watch this clip, you'll know what I'm talking about.
Dining with Dan
Watching Dan eat can only be compared to witnessing a contest between Takeru Kobayashi and Joey Chestnut (watch video below).
Royce can't help but watch Dan eat.At work
If our A/C goes out, you can be assured that it's happening in 90 degree (or above) temperatures. Sure enough, on our Arizona tour it went out. Fortunately, we have the secret weapon that can conquer (is it just me or is that a hard word to spell?) all mechanical woes: (drumroll) Dan Gilbert. Yep, Dan came to the rescue again.
Welcome to Do-Dos World
This is a common sight on the bus: Doran sleeping. Dan told me that they didn't ever see Doran the first 3 months he was with Liberty. He would head for the bunk, climb in, and not come out for the rest of the trip. It's not quite that bad, now. He occasionally will emerge to get a movie, pretzels, or the Perry's new CD to take back to his cubbyhole. Every once in a great while, he'll nap in the front lounge. Poor little guy needs his rest!
Our hosts in Benson, AZ had a seat prepared for Doran when we walked in for our meal.
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