Jesus Boy Diaries, Episode I

Lately, I've been thinking a lot about my youth.

Maybe it's because almost half-way through 30 and realizing that with each passing year, my potential for cool steps farther and farther away.

Maybe it's because I have a son who is almost 7-years old and that scares the living daylights out of me.

Maybe youth culture is finally getting to me...making me wonder what the world is coming to.

Regardless, I've been thinking about my teenage years quite a bit.

And I hate how this is going to sound...but it's the truth, and it's the recurring theme of all my jogs down memory lane as of late.
I WAS A REALLY DEVOUT KID.

Seriously...from a very young age, I took my faith in Christ and the call to follow Him very seriously. I'm not sure why. I didn't have any more training/encouragement/prayer support than other Christian teenager. In fact, the only characteristic that might have help me in this regard might be the fact that I was a legalist. But that's not really the point...

As I've thought about my faith, I've been fondly remembering the role that music played in my walk with God. And that means...

I love Christian music.

So, I thought it might be fun to occasionally post pictures, thoughts, links about bands and/or CDs that I think made a huge impact on my faith. (I've been listening back to some of these records lately...many of them are horrible records, but they did something for me way back when.)

So, I'm calling this the Jesus Boy Diaries. Yipee!

THE PRAYER CHAIN

I found the Prayer Chain when I worked at KSWP 91.1 FM in Lufkin. Their "Whirlpool EP" was the coolest thing I had ever heard. I played their stuff on the Saturday night Christian rock show (PowerSupply!) and bought every record I could get my hands on.

I even got the chance to see them live. First at "AtlantaFest" on a youth group trip and then twice in one year when I was a senior in high school. (They played Woodlands FUMC twice in the same year!)

I could recount a bunch of background info, but the wiki page for this band is really pretty great.

There were a few things about the Prayer Chain that made them so important in my life.

They said important things.
Although each record developed and grew into new areas of songwriting, this band always said things about faith and God and being broken and healing that were true. Granted, some of their lyrics stretched in my view of God, but looking back, I'm so grateful for that.

They said them in a new way.
Up until the Prayer Chain, I had never really considered Christian music to be very artistic. I liked it...but words like "poetry" and "subtlety" never factored into my CCM experience. I liked that this band said their important things in a beautiful way - forcing me at times to dig deep into the lyrics, to think hard about what they were saying and, even as a kid, seeing if what they said measured up to scripture.

They stood on their own.
This was also one of the first Christian bands that I could pass to my "secular" friends without being ashamed. Their music was fanastic...in my opinion, more creative than almost any band at that time (Christian or otherwise...)

I miss the Prayer Chain. I miss knowing that they are out there - struggling with big questions and putting those questions (and answers) to music. But I'll always remain grateful for what those four guys taught me about faith and music.
__________
Some interesting convergences:

1. Tim Taber went on to do some pretty cool things in worship, which eventually filtered down to me. His work with Rita Springer and a great record called "Dry Bones Dance" ended up being some of my favorite worship projects. Tim is still involved in music as a promoter and artist rep for a few bands, including The Myriad.

2. Andrew Prickett, who remains my all time 2nd favorite electric guitar player in the world, is a well-respected producer/guitarist. An dig this...a long time ago, I started following Daley Hake, guitar player/photgrapher/friend of Carlos. About six months ago, I find out that Daley is pals with Andrew and they work together quite a bit.

3. Eric Campuzano and Wayne Everett went on to form a band called CUSH. Daley Hake's little brother sometimes sits in on drums for them.

4. And lastly...Jason Isham, acoustic guitar player here at Bethel, is from California. His brother was in a band years ago that opened for the Prayer Chain occasionally. Jason went to church with folks who were connected to Taber's worship projects.

SMALL WORLD!
So, anybody else ever dig The Prayer Chain? Please let me know!

MUSIC TUESDAY

When I was 13-years old, an English teacher of mine made copies of a few Larry Norman records. For the next two years, I was captivated and confused by the man and his music. I am not alone...lots of folks have followed Larry's wild and weird career throughout the years. And next week, the public will get an inside peek into the life Larry led.




I'm very interested in this. Any other Larry Norman fans out there?

link: larrynorman.net

Steven Speaks...

The folks who manage the ministry of Steven Curtis Chapman have been very firm over the past few months. Short of the "big interviews" (Larry King Live, Good Morning America,) neither the Chapman family nor Steven himself have spoken to the public since the passing of their daughter.

However, Steven just released a new video post to his fans and friends across the world and I thought I'd share it here...



I'm amazed at the physical toll this has taken on Steven. He looks like a completely different man. I still hurt for this family and I encourage you to keep praying for them. As for Steven's return to touring, his staff is still preventing all interviews, meet-and-greets, etc. in order to respect the family's need for privacy.

LarkNews Is Awesome...

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Third Day and Superchick have become involved in what appears to be the first Christian band feud.
It began when CCM magazine ran comments by Third Day frontman Mac Powell who said he "expected more" from Superchick’s latest release.

"I’m just saying that as a band we’re praying that they will reach their full musical potential in Christ," Powell was quoted as saying. "Don’t get me wrong, their music is great. But we wonder if it could be just a little bit better."

Superchick responded on their website by stating that they "forgave Mac and the band in advance of any apology" and that they were "believing God that Third Day will once again experience original creative inspiration so they don’t have to keep recording the latest hit worship songs with a hard rock sheen."

Third Day quickly responded on their own website, saying that "no doubt Superchick knows we have a new album of completely new, rocking material." But taking the words "no doubt" as a sly reference to Superchick’s secular sound-alike, No Doubt,

Superchick followed up with a backhanded compliment by saying that Third Day "continues to pioneer that born-again Pearl Jam sound. Good for them."

Some question whether the feud is real or a publicity stunt meant to gin up sales for their new albums, both released this summer. Others fear Christian bands may follow the trend and start full-blown feuds.

"Can you imagine Michael W. Smith having it out with BarlowGirl?" says one producer. "This could get real un-pretty."

For now at least one of the bands seems ready to put the squabble behind them.

"Listen, we love those guys. Superchick rocks. No harm, no foul," said Powell recently to the website GomerNews.
Superchick has yet to respond.

Source: LarkNews

Wanna' Make A Memory?

David Crowder Band's much anticipated live CD/DVD "drops" on Tuesday, August 19th...but...

The live DVD portion is being showcased on 100 theaters across the country on Monday night, August 18th.

And one of those theaters is the Carmike 14 in Tyler, Texas.

I'm not above a road trip.

Sure, it's a late night, but come on.

It'll be better than Batman.

Who's in?

...check it

CHRISTIAN RADIO...

While driving to work today, I was listening to our local Christian radio station.

Imagine my delight when I heard Paul Baloche's "Our God Saves" coming through the speakers! But this "Our God Saves" was different. It wasn't the "Our God Saves" I've heard and passed to my praise team and used in worship.

That's right...it was a radio mix.

Can we all just take a moment and discuss the "radio mix?"

I don't understand it. I don't understand it ever. If Michael W. Smith writes a song that's seven minutes long, then it's because he wanted it to be seven minutes long. And if Paul Baloche releases his title track as a live offering, why in the heck does it need to be shortened, chopped up and filled w/ a string section and loops?

Do we believe that listeners MUST have their radio tracks under 3.5 minutes? And even if, do we think Christian radio listeners want their CCM/pop jams chopped as well?

"Our God Saves" is fantastic. Stop messing with our songs, radio.