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You Can't Stop This Train!

John Mayer - January 26 @ the BankUnited Center at UM.

I got my tickets (Thanks Michelle). Inside the 1st 20 rows!

No Sheryl Crow, so JM will play a solid 2 hours without interruption! That's what I'm talking about!

"We are the World"... Metal Style!

Does anyone remember this? My buddy Bill sent me this (I mention his name, so that if anyone gets mad they knew where to direct their anger).

Highlights for me: Rare appearance my Adrian Smith and Dave Murray from Iron Maiden. Geoff Tate from Queensryche. George Lynch from Dokken. Ronnie James Dio belting out some vocals. And don't forget, The Nuge. I'd like to go on record and say that I loved this song and thought is was way better than We are the World (Although I think Bob Dylan and Bruce Springsteen were awesome).

check it out...

Spotlight...The Soundtrack

Music has been a huge part of my life since I was 12 and I saw Motley Crue's "Looks that Kill" video on this new station called MTV (Believe it or not, they played music videos back then). Well, after being in 2 successful bands and having been a musician for half of my life, songs continue to inspire and influence me greatly.

With every series I teach, I feel that there are certain songs that either resonate with me or open a creative door for me in the preparation process. Our latest series through Colossians called "Spotlight" is no exception. So I decided to create an imix on itunes of some of the songs that have moved me during this season of my teaching and my life. (One favor I ask: Please spare me the "You're a Pastor and you listen to secular music!?" emails. Here's a secret: most Pastors and Christians do. Some just hide it.) Check it out here if you're interested...

John Mayer comes to Town

I just got home from the John Mayer/ Sheryl Crow concert. JM was out of control! Sheryl Crow was... actually, I have no idea. I left once John Mayer was done. The seats were amazing. We were about 20 rows back. One of the deacons in our church is in the JM fan club (This should tell you a bit about our church) and she hooked it up and was able to buy tickets a week before everyone else could.

I saw John Mayer a couple of years ago and he was amazing, but this time he's shown how much he's grown as an artist and as a guitar player. His band was outstanding! The set rocked! It was cool to see my buddies Chris and Jeff at the show. My only regret was that John didn't play 3X5 (Which I had read he was playing on this tour). Oh well.

Here was John's set list:

Belief
Why Georgia
"Wrapped Around your finger" jam
Vultures
Gravity
Bigger than my Body
I don't trust myself with Loving You
Daughters
Waiting on the world to Change
No Such Thing
Dreaming with a broken heart
In Repair

Burning the Midnight Oil with Continuum...

I waited until midnight to be able to download John Mayer's new album "Continuum." Let's just say that JM didn't disappoint, because it's really good.

I've only listened to it twice. So like a new pair of shoes, new records take a little while to break in before you learn to love them. But Continuum has some immediate spring in its' step!

So far here are my favorites:

Waiting on the World to Change - I've had the song for a couple of months now and I've already learned the song on guitar, so it has a bit of an unfair advantage. But it's a great song (And the solo is fun to play)!

Gravity - This song was on the John Mayer Trio album, but hearing the studio version was really good.

Vultures - While also on the JM Trio album, I would guess this would be his next single if he wants to go for an upbeat second single. Good song and great falsetto.

Stop this train - Great song with a great message.

Dreaming with a broken heart - John always has one song that is gut wrenching. This is it. On Room for Squares, it was St. Patrick's Day. On Heavier Things, it was Wheel (which has an affect on me that no other song in my life has ever had. I have cried EVERY TIME I've heard this song since the day I bought it. I don't know why, and I know it sounds weird, but this song does something to me that breaks me every time I hear it. So even though I love the song, I don't listen to it anymore). Dreaming with a broken heart has a haunting piano-led melody and lyrics that anyone who has ever been in love understands.

The record is somewhat mellow. It has a heavy blues feel. It's a far cry from his first release. But it's a good listen for me right now.

I'm thinking about huge stuff in my life. Our church is turning 6 on Sunday. Carey and I are starting a family. We find out the gender of our baby on Tuesday morning. So I have a feeling that every time I hear this album, I'm going to think about this time in my life. And I'm happy about that, because life is good...

I'm for sale on E-Bay

Well, not me, but my old band Amboog-a-lard's demo sold for $31 on e-bay. People it's a cassette! The reason it sold for that much is because one of our band members went on to join Marilyn Manson and sell millions of records. But I will think that I added something to the sale. :)

The Drought is Over! There's New John Mayer Music!

I'll tell you this, this day couldn't come soon enough. John Mayer has announced the release date of his new Album "Continuum." It comes out 9.12.06. He'll be in West Palm Beach Amphitheater on October 11th!

But John is streaming the first single from the album on his website. The song is called, "Waiting on the world to Change." It's great! I've listened to it about 20 times by now. It's on an infinite loop. Best line of the song: "One day our generation is going to rule the population..."

I love this guy's music, his unique outlook on life, and the fact that he's a Mac user. I say these things in the most heterosexual way possible, but I'm glad John's back!

Indescribable Tour Described!

The tour is called, 'Indescribable', but I'm going to describe it right now.  I went to see Chris Tomlin, Matt Redman, and Louie Giglio on Saturday.  While I'm normally not out late on Saturday nights (I have this thing on Sunday mornings), I made an exception.  The show was great!  Tomlin played a couple of songs to get things going.  Then Matt played 6 or 7 songs.  Then Louie gave a message that was very good (a little too long, but good).  Then Tomlin came back out and played for about another hour.  All in all, I had a great time.  Carey and I were able to hang out with our friends, Carl and Janie, which is always a treat. 

The crowd was really into it.  It was a perfect night.  Mid 70's with a nice breeze.  The Sound Advice Amphitheater was a great venue.  I really enjoyed it.  If the tour comes to your town, you won't be disappointed!