My brother and I had a pretty weird experience at a gig Friday night. I must have told the story 8 or 9 times already since then, but this is the first time that I have had a moment to get to my computer to tell you all about the fine time that we had in San Jose.

Imagine the typical pub. Picture the seats and bar empty (maybe typical, maybe not, depending on your communities drinking habits). Now, place Josiah and me hanging out at a couple of tables by the stage with 3 other artists who are staring at a clock. The clock read 5:00 at arrival. It read 6:00 when the gig was supposed to have started. It read 7:00 when the promoter guy said, “It’s going to start any minute”. And it read 8:30 when the musicians decided to go home. JK. It read 8:30 when the musician looked around and realized that something weird was going.

After hours of waiting we started exchanging the stories of what had brought each of us out to San Jose for such an obscure show. The common denominator in each story was some farfetched things that we had all been told by the show’s promoter. The promoter was—allegedly—the owner of a record label seeking new talent, working with the pop sensation, Colby Caillat, and he was sad because he was going to bring Dashboard Confessional out for this show for $55,000 but at the last minute they changed their fee to $70,000—the apparent reason why we were there instead. Hmm… skeptical much?

We were all convinced that this guy was questionable at best but one of the artists decided that getting paid might be in question too. After kicking the problem around with the rest of us, he took it upon himself to inquire. The promoter, hearing that the night’s entertainment was uneasy, quickly fired back a solution. The call had already been made. A local, who routinely draws 150 people minimum, had been added to the night’s bill. He was going to save the day. So we all eagerly waited. Not really though, because we all knew that truth wasn’t blowing in from that direction.

The clock read 9:30 and the show began. Mr. 150 hadn’t shown up yet. But the show went on for the handful of people that were there. When the last band played, it all started to make sense.

The band got three songs in and the DJ made an announcement that the band was going to play one more song and then there would be an announcement—redundant? The next song ended and the promoter guy got on stage, grabbed a mic, and told everyone to grab their raffle tickets. “The ticket ending in 392 can come up and claim their prize.” Since nobody responded, several people shouted out requests for a re-draw. With a little more emphasis this time he repeated, “The ticket ending in 392 can come up and claim their prize.” Again, there was no winner and we wanted a re-draw but no redraw was done. A few awkward moments passed and finally a woman walked on stage to claim the prize. “There is no prize actually,” the promoter said as the woman joined him on the stage. We are all about to jump the guy at this point but he gets down on his knee. He looks up at the woman and says, “I’m the prize if you’ll marry me.” Crying and hugging, everyone else clapping and cheering, a yes was implied and the band began to play a pretty love song.

Yes(!), it clicked didn’t it? All the mularchy that we heard was to make this proposal happen. Apparently the headlining band was a favorite of the woman’s (I think Dashboard might have been her first pick but that didn’t work out). You couldn’t help but give the guy props for his efforts. The moment was pretty great for all of us. Since it all made sense, we had the wonderful feeling that comes with a burst of mental clarity. We got to see a mushy, gushy, lovy, happy moment and those always feel good. And we got a good laugh because it was one of the most bizarre experiences for all of us.

Good times right? The clock said 12:45 and we headed home, got lost a couple of times, and tried every exit between San Jose and Rocklin for an open restaurant. We found none and the 2 ½ hour drive ended up taking 4 ½ . Awesome! So, how was your thanksgiving weekend?

“The best ideas that I have ever had were somebody else’s.  Timeless, transcendent truth is not something that I am going to come up with on my own.”   -Jon Foreman (Switchfoot)

Me: “Yeah, no problem, calll me back.”

I waited about 10 minutes, and the phone made its noise.

Moi: “Hey man, I am coming. Just text me the address and I will be there.”

Me: “Oh no Prob bro. That’s so awesome that you can swing it. I won’t get to be there tonight, but everyone at Origin is going to love your music. Thanks so much for coming with such sort notice. It’s amazing.”

Moi: “Oh it’s totally no problem. I am just happy that you thought to give me a call. Thank you.”

This conversation was the result of a phone call that I made yesterday to try and see if Moi would make an unscheduled stop at Origin (the brand new church plant that I lead worship at, that still meats in a living room). This guy blew my mind! He is a super talented artist, up-and-coming, with one of the best vocals I have ever heard. He was in my area last night and, without reservation (in more than one sense), he made room in his schedule to swing by and share his ministry and a few songs. He didn’t even require a fee, which is great because we didn’t have any way of paying one.

This is a rare thing to find in an artist of Moi’s caliber. I feel like I have a tiny platform to say this from, having worked with booking musicians for years and I have small connections with a handful of nationally-knowns that I have made similar requests of in the past, without positive result. Having less of a connection with Moi than any of the others, he was more eager, flexible and approachable than any.

What a lungful of sweet, fresh, O2 goodness! Seriously, part of my blogging interest revolves around the realization that good artists are not consumed with thinking that they are God’s gift to humanity. The tools made available to us through the Internet, are great means of portraying the vulnerability and transparency that make artist real people. Now, Joe and Jane Awesome can stay up in the made up celestials and try to pretend that they are that gift that I mentioned, or they can be—the over used word of the decade—real.

Please check out Moi. I think this guy is as genuine as they come. He is well worth your support and you will definitely be hearing more about him in the coming years. He is legit folks. So, go! Click here on Moi and go listen to his stuff and let me know what you think of those pipes of his. Cheers!

I found this piece of paper and I was struck with a thought. As I look around, it seems like our culture is obsessed with talking about love. Our songs, bumper stickers, and slogans are all full of it—love that is. Social justice is not merely a biblical mandate; it’s become avant-garde. Most of the churches that I see other young people filling have at their center some program to do things for those in need, in the name of love, and that is what should be. But, it is interesting that the popular notion of love is so incredibly general.

In my attempts to live out the Word, I often will write out a verse that I want to integrate into who I am. The picture is an example of this. I leave that paper in places that I will be certain to come into contact with throughout the day (dash board, wallet, man-bag pocket, bathroom mirror etc.). This particular piece of paper I found under my driver seat today, so it doesn’t always work that well, but I try.

This verse is interesting because I don’t automatically think of the attributes in it when I say the phrase I love you. It equates love with patience and kindness, not being jealous, boastful, proud or rude, not demanding, or being irritable, rejoicing about truth over injustice, not giving up on someone, being faithful and hopeful. That’s different than the way I use it.

Now, I support the popular social justice efforts 197% because it is overdue, and it is about time that the church got off their fat pew and did something. My thought is simply that I need to remind myself that love is more than just doing good things and since you are a lot like me you might need a similar reminder. It’s more than kindness. Look at how many elements in the verse are exclusively matters of the heart.

When I say I love you at bedtime and goodbyes and all other times, I don’t necessarily intend to promise the things in this verse; however, I probably should be— trusting that, by God’s grace, he can help me to make it so.

Like most of pop anything, there is a depth that is missing in our culture when love is spoken of. It’s good to know that the Bible gives us some bearing on its most important theme. Am I the only one who uses the words I love you without considering the depth of these words? Hit me with your thoughts.

I am not known for being a great driver. If you have passenged with me, you probably have experienced fear. So, I am not that concerned when I see a little bit of crazy driving from others.

However, last night was an exception. My wife and kids and I were coming home from my parent’s house and a car pulled out of the local bar in front of us. As this little black Honda proceeded around the next corner it did so with much difficulty. From the white line to the yellow back to the white and beyond, the car hit the dirt on the shoulder and then proceeded to correct and maintain, but with much difficulty. It didn’t take scientific rocket building mind to figure out what was going on—perhaps a high BAC was to blame.

As we followed the next few miles (with cautious distance) the driving didn’t improve and my wife was preparing the digits for an emergency call, once our phone reached cell service (my parents live in the woods). We followed the speeding up and slowing down swervyness for about 15 minutes and then phoned in the tip to the local authorities (I don’t know about other states but this is highly encouraged in California). My wife hung up with dispatch after being assured that a police unit would be sent.

We followed for another 10 minutes and sure enough, at the first intersection that we came to there was an officer, lights off and waiting. The next morning I got a voice mail from the officer that made the stop. He thanked us for the call and informed us that the individual was indeed intoxicated.

Like I said, I am not one to freak out over a little swerving here and there, since I am as guilty as any, but when it’s so obvious that someone is about to be killed by someone who most definitely shouldn’t be on the road, that’s a little different. It seems unquestionable that we did the right thing. Would you make the call? Does your state encourage the 911 call for suspected substance abuse?

For the last few weeks I have been absolutely fascinated by Katie Perry, the recent pop sensation. You all know her from the intentionally shocking I Kissed A Girl but I just recently learned that I know her from a Christian concert that I saw in Auburn, CA five years ago. At the time, she was going by the name Katie Hudson which she later dropt in favor of Perry, her mother’s maiden name, so that she wouldn’t be confused with the actress.

So crazy! She went from singing about a love for God to singing for the sake of scandalous sensation—in a very catchy way no less. What is really fascinating is that she has Jesus tattooed on her left wrist. Every time she plays guitar and sings she sees it and is reminded about her former faith. Like Jessica and Ashley Simpson her Dad is a pastor too. Unlike the Simpsons, Perry’s dad isn’t managing her career in delighted approval. That must be interesting at Thanksgiving and Christmas.

It really makes you wonder what is going on in the minds of Christian artists. In our current Industry of Christian music, Perry’s former industry, it is very easy to let “Christian lyrics” be a substitute for Christian faith and living. Words that are sung seem to be fused with the image that we have of those that sing them whether or not such a relationship is real. I am sure those that followed Perry’s Christian artistry were convinced of the same.

I think it is a healthy reminder to us that a person’s life should be evaluated apart from the assumptions that come with the industry that they are in—that is reversible by the way (seemingly “unchristian” lyrics can be sung by very Godly people). Any thoughts? Any thoughts about the assumptions we make? Any thoughts about Perry or Christian music? Let me know what you think.

Yes! I am home and the CD is rolling! I got back from Des Moines on Saturday afternoon having wrapped up an incredible week of recording goodness and I am just now starting to recover from the trip.

Like I was saying in my posts from the studio, the recording was going great all week. Pretty cool stuff was getting tracked but I still didn’t have my voice back. I was still Bronchitis riddled; in fact, I was getting worse. Determining that a good vocal take for four songs was out of the question, we had made arrangements to do it in California. It was going to be a little more difficult, but doable.

Friday rolled in and as I was listening over what we had done, I decided to cut one of the songs that we had done in favor of one that I thought would be a better fit for the artistic vibe of the project (Oh the snobbery!).

Woody gave a good sigh and with this one day remaining, we quickly tracked guitars. We had to get at least a rough vocal, so I stepped up to the mic and gave what I could. Despite my illness, it sounded decent. From there, we decided that we just might be able to make some final vocals happen.

I consumed a small mountain of cough drops and Earl Grey in that session but we came up with some pretty good takes. We recorded well into the evening and got all the final vocals that we needed. It was amazing and undeniable that the Lord was working stuff out.

That night, with a hefty amount of lingering Caffeine from all of the Tea, sleep was simply out of the question. My flight departed at 5:00AM the next morning. As 3:00AM rolled in, I was as wide eyed as I was when I laid down, so I left for the airport. Unfortunately, it took way longer to return the car than I had anticipated and I arrived at NWA check-in at 4:45. I was glared at, the pilot was telephoned, and the less-than-friendly lady told me that the plane would not wait but if I ran I might make it. I ran. Sure enough, security decided that the x-raying of my bag was insufficient and that a more thorough search was in order. Since nothing illegal was discovered, I thanked security for their thoroughness and kept running. As the gangway door was closing I ran up. They let me on. Everyone was extremely happy with me. Just kidding. They were the opposite.

So it’s 5:01 AM, I haven’t slept, people want me dead, but I am heading home to see my family, so life is all good. I got home Saturday afternoon and my kids were bigger and my wife was more beautiful than when I left.

What a week! What a great end to a great week. So the EP process has begun. Over the next few weeks, Woody and I will be exchanging tracks back and forth from my computer to his (I love modern technology). Hopefully we will get everything done before January 1, but now I am uncertain. There is quite a bit still to do and I am super picky. We will still shoot for January but—here’s a brilliant statement—it won’t be done until it’s done. Thanks for checking in. I totally appreciate your interest in my music and I hope and pray that it can be a blessing to you when it is finally in your iPods and stereos. Cheers!

Have you read? Are you going to be there next week? A lot of excitment floating around about this.

There is no doubt about it, the time between now and January, 1 is going to be a millennia if it’s a minute. I can’t wait to be holding the final CD because it’s already coming together so well. The recording that we did today is every bit what I imagined it to be, maybe a little more. We have one song almost completely finished and I think you may end up liking it. We’ll see.

We have packed up for the day so I am killing the evening out at a mall in Des Moines. Who would have thought that there would be a ridiculously nice mall here? It’s pretty stinkn classy (though I have been told that the mall in Nashville blows it away). And, yup, Santa is already here too—What’s with that? What about Thanksgiving? They better break out the Easter Décor on New Years Eve or they just might be too late.

Well Friends that’s it from me tonight. I hope you are all enjoying your evenings wherever you are. Hopefully you get a chance to swing out to your local mall. I hear that this year Santa will be giving out Turkeys instead of Candy Canes. So have fun with that. Good Night!

Hard at work. Woody and Brian (at least they appear to be).