Do you twitter?

So I just got a twitter account. Not sure if I'll keep it up - but I have two whole followers at this point - Cindy Morgan and Natalie Grant.

Check me out - and if you want - follow me!

A major confession, Vol. 2…

Since my last blog entry about how I loathe sports was such a big hit, I decided that it was indeed time for another major confession in my life.

Most of my closest friends in life already know this about me (much like the sports issue), but I figured that it was time that even my acquaintances got acquainted (get it?) with this aspect of my life. You never know when we're going to need this information or when we will be together again - so this tidbit about my life may come into play later down the road.

Are you ready for it? You know you want to keep reading...

I. HATE. THE. BEACH.



I know. I can hear you all gasping in disbelief all the way around the world (yes, I have MySpace friends all the way around the world. What up, Adam?) I know it is hard to believe that I would hate something that so many people love and enjoy. Most people I know love the beach and love to spend their vacation around some beach or coastal area. That's great. Have at it.

Here are some reasons that I'm none to fond of the beach...

1. I can't walk on the beach. For those of you with solid ankles and good muscles in you feet - this isn't an issue. For someone like me who has trouble standing on solid ground, much less walking across uneven ground, it's pretty much torture.

2. It's too hot. Yes, I know what you're saying - "it's not that hot, and if you do get hot, you can just do a hop, skip, and jump over to the water." Well - first, I can't walk on the beach, so that kind of defeats the purpose. Second, for someone like me who thinks camping is staying at the Holiday Inn, being in the sun is too hot whether it's 70 degrees or 107 degrees. Third, I can't stand in the water. Which bring me to my third reason for hating the beach...

3. I can't just stand in the ocean and watch the waves. Now you think I'm being unreasonable. Perhaps - but this brings me back to my first point. With someone who has no balance on solid ground, is it that much of a stretch to understand that the waves and the water at my feet going in opposite directions makes me dizzy? I didn't think so. If I want to stand in the ocean, I have to turn around and face the beach, which we all know isn't a pleasant experience most of the time. Which brings me to point four...

4. Everybody thinks they look good at the beach, when in reality, only .01% of the people at the beach actually look good. Don't bother arguing this point. You know I'm right. And don't think you're a part of that .01% either. You're not.

5. Sand gets everywhere. Again, another point you can't argue. When I go the beach it feels like I'm finding sand in places I never even knew existed - plus I'm finding it for days. Who likes that?


So come one - who else out there hates the beach? I know I'm not the only one. You all hate it too, I just helped you realize it.

That's all for now, kiddos. Have fun.

P.S. I actually went to a hockey game with some friends a couple weeks back and actually enjoyed myself. I may have to make an addendum to my post about hating sports.

Empty Promises?

I know. You've all read it more than one time on this blog. You know what it is - the "promise" to blog more. I think I make that promise every time I blog. The sad reality is is that they are just empty promises. I mean, I want to blog more, I just don't. It's not so much of a laziness issue here, it's just that I don't really have anything to talk about. I know - you're thinking - "WHAT!?!?!?! This guy works in Southern Gospel music full-time, sings in a Southern Gospel group, and he doesn't have anything to talk about?" Pretty much.

Perhaps that's the problem? For someone like me, who lives, eats, and drinks Southern Gospel music - when it comes time to sit down and talk about it some more - I'm just not sure I want to. "OK," you say, "why not talk about something else."

Well - I just don't want to do that either. This time of the year is always increasingly stressful - with GMA Week and the SGN Music Awards Celebration at the end of April. Also - I give of my time and am a judge for the Tennessee State Fine Arts Festival. This year - I get to do ALL three in the matter of a weeks time.

Do you see why I'm not in the mood to blog?

But you, the people, keep asking for it, so here it goes.

You know what - now that I think about it - I've already written enough today to constitute an official blog entry. So there you have it. A blog entry about not writing a blog. Sounds good to me.

NQC 2008 Schedule

Well, the NQC board has posted their first list of performers for the 2008 National Quartet Convention.

There's not a whole lot to talk about here in regards to the usual suspects. Brian Free & Assurance moved up to three nights - finally. However, after back to back #1s and being one of the hottest tickets out there today - the NQC still feels the need to only put Karen Peck & New River at two nights. Come on guys - I know the group is owned by a woman - but it is almost 2008. As much as I love the Pfeifers - I'm still confused by the need to put them on for three nights.

Obviously by now most people have heard of the fact that Ernie Haase & Signature Sound and the Gaither Vocal Band have been added back. It's about time. Also making their way back (which should have been added in the press release, IMHO) are the Isaacs - which are the only other artist besides Mark Lowry in the same league as the GVB and EHSSQ.

Also new to the list are two soloists - Janet Paschal and Mark Bishop (two that should have been included last year). Also new this year are Tribute, Soul'd Out Quartet, and the amazingly talented Everyday Driven.

Some obvious missing names are Mike & Kelly Bowling and CrossWay. Also - with the reception they got last year and the buzz they continue to build - there are three big names missing as well - Imperials, King's Heralds, and the Collingsworth Family. Also - as hugely popular as they are - why is Young Harmony not on the list? How come the Galloways are still missing?

Overall there are some really positive changes here, but also some obvious omissions still. The NQC board has a hard time making a schedule that they think will be the best for NQC - and for that I commend them. Hopefully some of the missing names I mentioned here will be added eventually.

A Compassionate Thanksgiving

I'm sure by now that many of you have been hearing about a child advocacy program called Compassion International. In fact, you can see ads for the organization on this very website, as well as groups like Legacy Five, the Hoppers, Hope's Call, Crystal River and CCM acts like Rebecca St. James, Bebo Norman, and Caedmon's Call also endorsing the program.

Our group, Sunday Edition, became a Compassion International artist last summer. We were unsure exactly how to approach the ministry in our own lives, let alone on the stage. Let's admit it - Southern Gospel music has never been known to sing about overseas missions work, so our catalog wasn't exactly full songs telling people to impact their world outside of the normal church walls. Amy & I had the honor of traveling to Mexico with Compassion last month. Needless to say, it was a life changing experience.

We had actually been booked for a couple of other trips (Nicaragua, Dominican Republic), but those trips ended up not working out, so we got to travel to Mexico with the organization. The great thing about our trip was that it was a very small group. In addition to us, the trip included Journey Records' Zane King, the National Quartet Convention's Clarke Beasley, Tim Lovelace, The Bates Family's Tony Bates, CCM worship artist Vicky Beeching and her friend, a photographer, and our trip guide. All of us grew closer as a group, both also through the time spent together and the emotional bond we now have due to what we experienced together on this trip.

We had the opportunity to visit a couple of programs (or school-like ministries based out of the local church) as well as several home visits of children in the programs. It was a striking reality check of just how fortunate we are here in the United States - just how much we have - and how little they have. My heart broke for the families as I said my own private prayers each night as we went back to our nice hotel rooms and ate our delicious meals just hours after visiting poverty stricken areas in Mexico City (one of the world's largest cities - 24 million to be exact).

Thinking about all that I have this Thanksgiving, I am thankful that God destined to make me one of the "privileged" - even though at times I don't feel like it. I am so honored that God chose to let me lead this life of luxury - so that I can in turn bless families halfway across the world. Our company, Southern Spin Entertainment, sponsors a child, Aldo, from East Indonesia, and I am also seeking out the right child that God would have me sponsor from this organization all on my own.

I am by no means suggesting that you should sponsor a child through Compassion, but if you have any questions - just click on the link at the top of the SGN mainpage and find out more info. I know that you won't be disappointed in the organization, nor in the life that you will get to interact with for the rest of your own life.

This Thanksgiving I am thankful for little Aldo. I am thankful for Compassion International, and believe it or not - I'm even thankful for each and every one of you.

A confession…

So I have a confession. I don't want you to think less of me after I say it. I don't want you to think - "OMG!!!! WHAT!?!!?! And I thought I KNEW him!!!!". Please don't think less of me. Here it goes.

I. Hate. Sports.

There. I said it. Man, does that feel good. I admit it. I hate sports. I hate everything about them. The competitive spirit associated with them. The tempers that flare up over bad words spoken about "your" team (even though you've never actually played for them or even attended their school or are from their city/state). I hate all the smack talk associated with them between buddies.

What's even worse - football is my least favorite sport - and college football is my least favorite of its ilk. Why specifically college football you ask? Mainly because I lose all of my male friends when it's football season. They start speaking this language I don't understand and have conversations that I can't relate to devoted entirely to college football and their fantasy football leagues.

I don't fault my friends for this. They like football, and that's fine. They probably feel the same way about me when the subject of my favorite music or GMA Week or Oscar season hits. I understand that those are things that most of them don't relate to. And you know what - they probably hate it when those subjects or "seasons" are brought up around me.

I wasn't raised in a sports family. You know the kind where EVERYONE in the family does SOMETHING related to sports. I mean, sure, I played t-ball and booster basketball in elementary school - but that's where it ended. I was good at it back then, and I'm not good at it now.

There was a time when I used to try and get into sports to fit in with my male friends. I just couldn't fake it anymore though. Even if I was physically able to play sports like I was when I was a kid (and no it's not cause I am fat), I still don't think I would play them. Why? I just don't like them. I've never been good at them, so that may have been a reason why I've never had an inclination to get into watching them either. I'm not very competitive in the first place, and I think that is a big part of being a sports fan.

My friend mentioned to me the other day about how he appreciates the fact that I am who I am and I make no bones about the fact that I want nothing to do with sports or the talk of sports. I take that as a huge compliment, but at the same time wish I had some connection there with sports lovers. I hate the fact that I lose all of my male friendships when football season hits.

However, this is a topic I will not hide from anymore. I hate sports. Call me a sissy or nerd all you want - but I'd rather sit in a cold movie theater and watch the latest critical smash then go to a cold football game and not care what's going on until the half-time show hits and the bands take the field.

Ah well, there's always other male/macho things I'm into - like cars. Oh, wait...

The Anatomy of a Bad Album (or Why I Dislike the New Casting Crowns Album)

So my friend Leah & I were discussing the new Casting Crowns album. She was questioning my rating of the album (you can read the review here). I began to explain what the album review didn't - a lack of creative, original music - the band is resting on their laurels, etc. The conversation then turned to the song "East to West" - which I think is possibly one of the worst songs ever to come out of the band.

It's not like "East to West" is the only problem here. The whole album is chock full of songs like "East to West" - lacking any originality musically, and even worse in the lyrics department.

Some will take my major issue with the album as that I don't care for that kind of music. That is far from the truth (Mr. Chris Sligh accused me of this not too long ago when I gave Half Past Forever a poor review). I love pop/rock. It's the most steady portion of my musical diet. However, I want it to be good pop/rock - and I want to see the artist taking chances and trying new things with each subsequent release. Unfortunately, Casting Crowns hasn't done that yet. They should take their cue from artists like MercyMe, Jars of Clay, David Crowder Band, Relient K, Switchfoot, and others who have consistently built albums that were increasingly better than their last (some may have a misstep here or there). Heck, I'd even be happy if they went the route of Caedmon's Call or Newsboys and be hit and miss with their releases. At least I'd know they were putting some definite thought and taking chances every now and then.

I say all of this to say that artists don't need to rest on their laurels. Sure, Casting Crowns is going to sell out the wazoo with this album - but that doesn't make it a great album. I expect more from a band that had the potential to be Christian music's next great band. Unfortunately, they just aren't living up to any potential they may have shown.

NQC - Days Four & Five

First - let me apologize for my lack of updates yesterday. It was a late night and an early morning, and I just wasn't in the mood to sit at the computer and type out a blog entry.

Thursday was another fantastic day. We started off with the HeavenSound.com showcase and heard some phenomenal music that day. (Sorry for no group name - that was two days ago - I do remember the Apostolic Boys tearing it up!). After that, we had the second day of our Southern Spin Entertainment Showcase with great performances from Dave Williford Band, Mercy Rain, Hope's Journey, Bev McCann, The Pathfinders, The Cerces, The Glovers, Vertical Praise, the King's Heralds, The Quicks, and the Anchormen. Two of the standout performances came from The Dills and the new line up of Three Bridges. A lot of people thought Three Bridges would fade into obscurity - but they didn't miss a beat with this new lead singer.

(For those wondering - I decided to skip out of the bloggers roundtable on Thursday. We had our second day of our showcase scheduled - and I just wanted to be there to support my artists. I don't regret it one bit!)

After the Showcase, the Imperials helped us tear down (Thanks guys!) and he headed back for another full evening in the exhibit hall. I caught some of the Regional Artist Showcase and saw some great performances - most notably from Tara Jackson and Southern Joy (their kid singer is amazing!). I sat over at the Allens' booth and caught the Singing News Fan Awards this year (much improved over years past - script was very good and the multimedia was great!). Then Kimberly Allen (of The Allens), Steve Allen (our engineer), mom, Amy, and myself all ate dinner before getting to work! We went to the midnight breakfast with Kimberly and Steve and Bev McCann and her family before heading off to our hotel and going to bed.

Yesterday started with the Diamond Awards. Sunday Edition both presented and performed. We did the song that Amy & I cowrote with Rebecca Peck - "Amazing". I just love Karen Peck & Johnathan Bond as hosts. They were a hoot. Congrats goes to the Hoppers on all their wins - and SoGospelNews.com won their first Favorite Industry Website Award! Thanks for all your votes!

We went and got some lunch after that but I didn't get to finish mine, because I was running around trying to gather up some Southern Spin artists for TV interviews I had accidently double booked while the Prophets Meet & Greet was going on AND Sunday Edition was supposed to be doing radio liners as well! It worked out well - and I did get to check out the tail end of the Prophets Meet & Greet before taking them up to their Gospel Greats interview. More busy work through the night occurred before we headed off another round of the midnight breakfast. It was the same group as last night except we added Tara & Kyle Jackson and Allison Lynn to the mix as well. I think we stayed there until the place closed and just had a wonderful time of laughter and listening to Steve's quips.

Well - we only have one more night. Part of me is disappointed that it's already Saturday and so many of the groups that I wanted to see I only go to see briefly. However, it's also an exhausting week - and I'm glad it's over in that aspect!

Update

We had a very very late night last night - so I won't be updating until later this afternoon.

Be sure and check out the Diamond Awards today in the Mary Room of the Executive Inn West. Starts at 1:00 pm! See everyone there!

NQC - Day Three

Boy, today was an exhausting day. We started our day off early by heading to the Canterbury Room of the Executive Inn (East) to set up the sound system for the HeavenSound.com and Southern Spin Entertainment Showcases. We didn't get to do too much checking on the monitors before the showcase started, so there were some major monitor issues, even though the sound in the audience sounded great. We heard some great performances from Amazed, The Imperials, Evident Call, Ministers Quartet and more.

After a brief break, we kicked off the Southern Spin Entertainment Showcase with the Next Chapter Quartet. Other featured performers were Amazed, New Day, Wendy Word + forgiven, Evident Call, The Imperials, Heartland Harmony, Sharron Kay King, The Gardners, HisSong, Eighth Day, and Tara Jackson. Very special thanks to folks like Wayne Haun, Kyle Jackson (Jackson Management Agency), Theresa Smith Dillard (TS Promotions), Allison Lynn (http://allisonlynn.blogspot.com), Chuck Peters (SGShowPrep), the guys from The Mansion, and more for coming out and showing their support for the artists on the showcase.

After a yummy dinner with Tara & Kyle Jackson, Jonathan White, and Allison Lynn at the Buckhead Restaurant, we all headed back to the exhibition hall. I didn't catch many performances, though the Florida Boys continue to have a stellar week. Also, the Dove Brothers nailed another performance, the Booth Brothers sounded as fantastic as ever, and Gold City hit a homerun on "I'm Rich."

I got to spend some quality time with The Freemans tonight. They are such good people. There is some exciting news coming down the pike about Misty. Congrats!

Not much else to talk about. If you're in town - be sure and catch tomorrow's HeavenSound.com and Southern Spin Entertainment Showcases. SSE will host Three Bridges, King's Heralds, Dave Williford Band, The Dills, The Quicks, Driven, The Glovers, The Cerces, Bev McCann, The Pathfinders, Mercy Rain, and more. You won't want to miss it in the Canterbury Room of the Executive Inn (East).

Another quick product plug - TK & McRae's new one, When He Said Live, is fantastic. Be sure and get your copy!

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