NaTe

It seems crazy I know…but I’ve pretty much been working two full-time jobs this summer…and it’s been great really but something had to give…so I chose the blog.

I’ve got really awesome stuff going on and coming up, and I’m looking forward to updating you on it soon! God’s been teaching me awesome things, and I’m being stretched and challenged musically in awesome ways as well!

All that to say, don’t worry…the download is coming I’m excited to share!

NaTe

For those of you that are musicians, and perhaps worship leaders you probably already know, and if this is a new one for you, take it to heart… You plan and play differently whether or not a drummer is involved.  There are alot of amazing songs that rely on a strong drumm beat to anchor the song, these are not ones to try with just a guitar, save them for when you have a full band to use.  Other songs don’t rely so heavily on the drums, and those are good to use when leading with just an Ac. guitar.

The set list for Sunday was as follows…

• Happy Day- Tim Hughes
• Majestic- Lincoln Brewster
• Everlasting God- Brenton Brown
• Mighty to Save- Hillsong

*cringe* without a drummer, we limped through and survived, but it was far from excellent.  Especially on songs like Happy Day and Majestic where 90% of the song is drums and bass (doesn’t really translate the same with bass and electric guitar) I got caught with my pants down (so to speak) and it won’t happen again …  Moral of the story guys is when planning music for a church plant, have a contingency plan when things fall through last minute on major issues.  What’s gonna happen when the drummer can’t make it, or if the dude running ProPresenter had a wreck on the way to church?  Is everything going to fall apart.  I’m so  glad that as a church thefollowing has determined that excellence will be a core value.  Meaning that we will always pour effort into making things are teh best we can possibly make them utilizing the reosurces we have.  Many churches I have served at in the past did not value such things.  What that means for me though is I’ve got to start formulating a contingency plan.  What is that plan going to look like? Not really sure.  But definitely beginning the formulation process now.

Mark Ayers, Lead Pastor of Reveal Church did a great job teaching about authenticity as he kicked off their new series 4Reel.  I have to be honest, getting involved in anything ministry related is just juicing me up to be ready to launch thefollowing, words cannot describe how much.  Reveal is going to do a great job reaching those far from God and bringing them into the kingdom.  I’m happy to be able to help them out in theri early stages, and I look forward to thefollowing continuing to partner with them in the future so we can truly make South Hall/North Gwinett County a VERY hard place to get to hell from.

On a side note, I miss being taught by my pastor.  I am axious for that day, granted I am being continually taught and coached through life  through our realtionship, but I look forward to having him speak the word of God into my life, and the lives of those in our surrounding community on a weekly basis.  He’s wicked creative, and just full of wisdom and insight into the scriptures.  You do not want to miss out on what is God is going to do in this community through thefollowing, under the leadership of this guy.  Trust me.  It’s going to be amazing.

Super stoked about a new CD you absolutely need to buy if you’re a worship leader, its called Happy Day- Live.

It’s the lateste offering from Tim Hughes, got some killer new songs, and some calssics as well.  Really been digesting a song called Give Us Your Courage.

“I’m not backing down, I will stand my ground, lifting high the name of Jesus…”

That’s just the opening line…Such huge committment, boldness, and determination.  But comes back to the reality that we need the power and courage that comes only from God to truly accomplish such a claim.  I digg it, you should too.

Lastly, uber stoked about the Todd Fields CD release party on Friday.  New cd I’ve been waiting on for forever it seems like.  For those that don’t know, if I could pick one worship leader I could say I resonate with the most it’s Todd.  Musical style is right where I’m at home, I love his writting, and just his authentic prescence when leading.  He’s mentored some amazing worship leaders throughout his ministry, several of whom are redefining the worship scene as of recently.  (Steve Fee, Kristian Stanfill just to name two)  I aspire to be able to do the same throughout my “career” as a worship leader, to raise up a new generation of leaders behind me, that will be empowerd to live out the calling of God on their life in such a way that it impacts the Kingdom in massive ways.  That’s my desire and my goal.

Man I’ve rambled alot, but been thinking alot this weekend.  GOt alot on my mind, this is the short version.  Ha ha!

Peace.

NaTe

I got to use all of my new gear, for the first time outside of the house which is a very important thing.  You always think you have things set up well when you play by yourself, but somehow the dynamics of playing with an actual band tends to sound totally different.  I’m happy to say I was very pleased.  The new Tele is as amazing as ever, and my Fulltone Fulldrive is incredible.  I finally broke down and picked up a external tap switch for my Gigadelay, and it was amazing to have it as well. I’m finally tapping in to all the great resources of the DD-20, and I love it.  Most people say you need to have both the DD-20 for good digital delay, and the Line 6 DL-4 for good analog and modeled delay.  I dunno, for me the DD-20 does everything I need, and I don’t have to worry about the huge volume loss when you activate the delay on the DL-4 I used to have to fight with.

Bottom line, I really like my new rig.  Granted I still have my eyes on a few pieces to add/replace, but what guitarist doesn’t right.  Still not incredibly happy with the Boss Compressor/Sustainer…heard Keely’s are the mac daddy, also heard good things about the Barber TonePress, dunno…affraid to spend too much money and be disappointed, or blinded by the ” I spent so much on a boutique pedal therefore it sounds amazing, it has to because it cost so much,” mentality.  Also keeping an eye out for a good reverb pedal, and looking to add the Fulltone OCD to my rig…still debating.  Last but not least looking to downgrade *gasp* amplifiers.  By down grade I mean upgrade by the way.  The downgrade comes in power output, not in quality.

40 watts of Hot Rod Deluxe Fender tube power is amazing but i never get it over 2 on the volume knob at the loudest gigs.  And everyone knows the more saturation you can get, the better your tone sounds…looking to step down to something like a Fender Blues Jr., or an AC15…any thoughts?

Last but not least got to lead worship, this past weekend for a bud of mine planting a church in the area.  It’s great not only because I need the practice desperately, but because I get to use the talents and abilities God has blessed me with, to be a blessing to other people, and those who are around me much know how much I advocate and support that.

Oh BTW… came across this tonight…those who know I have a serious obsession with all things Keith Urban, here’s the sneak peak of the Music Video for the new single “Kiss a Girl”… Enjoy!

The style is much more relaxed than the previous albums KU has released but it’s anything but a bore. Writing is still classic Urban style…but it seems as though he’s found real peace in his life with his wife, new daughter, and possibly God!?!

I’m blogging from my iPhone at the moment so I’m not gonna go digging into lyrics yet… It’s difficult to type…

Guitar wise I’m in love. The diversity from previous albums is almost shocking as you find yourself asking is this really Keith Urban? Less rocking guitars and more ambient textures… Nota whole lot of gain… And really warm, creamy tone that is sweet to the ears. Plan on diving in more at a later date but this project will be one of the most influential for the year on me as a musician… I love everything it represents….

If you don’t have it… Get it!!

So for the week upcoming here are some killer songs I’m jamming to and you should be too…

• I Want To Kiss a Girl- Keith Urban * New album out Tuesday *
• Beautiful News- Matt Redman
• Our God Saves- Paul Baloche
• Big Machine- Goo Goo Dolls
• All For You- Sister Hazel
• She’s Country- Jason Aldean
• Beyond Belief- Petra (oh yeah…go old school on ya)
• Children of God- Steven Curtis Chapman (this is actually a newer cut…its pretty rocking for SCC)
• This is Our God- Hillsong
• Promises- New Life Worship feat. Desperation Band
• Breaking- Anberlin
• I’m Not Who I Was- Brandon Heath
• Clinging to the Cross- Tim Hughes (feat. Brooke Fraser)
• Stand In Awe- Casey Darnell
• Narcotic- Dead Poetic

It seems like no matter what I try, I’m still left scratching my head going man…what’s goin on?  Yeah, that’s where I’ve been lately.  No great catastophic event has brought me to this point, just this nagging feeling something is missing, for like 2 months now.  Ha ha, I’m reminded of the John Mayer song…

“Friends…Check, Money…Check, Well Slept…Check, Opposite Sex…Check, Guitar…Check, Microphone…Check, Messages waiting on me when I come home…Check…”

Ha ha…anyways, Just been one of those wierd periods, I think we all experience at some point in time or another.  In my experience it has been those times that God is preparing us to go to a new level in our relationship with Him.  So I’m kind of curious to find out what that new level is.

On another note, my pedal board as evolved once again…and it’s funny…i’ve spent years bouncing around different pedals, different orders in the signal chain, etc., etc., and it turns out…I’m pretty much back to where I started when i first purchased pedals for my pedal board.  In fact 6 of the 9 pedals I currently have on my board are pedals I purchsed back in college when i finally broke out of Multi-FX world, and into individual pedals.  Granted I use them a little bit differently than I did then, but not by much…apparently I was onto the right track and didn’t even know it!  That’s always encouraging. ..and depressing… when I think about all the extra money I spent on things I no longer use.For those interested… my signal chain is as follows…

Guitar>Ernie Ball Volume Pedal>Boss TU-2 in Bypass from Vooume Peadl>Boss CS-3 Compression/Sustainer (Always On)>Boss BD-2 Blues Driver>Fulltone Fulldrive 2>Boss DS-2 Turbo Distortion (on Turbo setting “I” which essentially performs as a DS-1)>Danelectro Tuna Melt Tremolo>Boss DD-20 Giga Delay>Boss DD-3 Digital Delay>Fender Hot Rod Deluxe Reissue (clean channel)

Unlike some I do not depend on the overdrive channel from my amp for my tone…main reason is that I don’t have to lug my amp around everywhere to make sure I have the tone I want.  More guitar players do this than most realize.  Its easier to travel without an amp..let’s just be honest.  Include in the writer to have a decent tube amp available to plug into, and as long as it has a good clean channel you’re set.  Additionally, depending on the venue, if amp isolation is not an option, I will us a Line 6 POD, to emulate my amp and run direct into the house mix, I’ve had some suprisingly very good results from this.

(Side note: I’ve heard great things about the new POD X3 Live Pedal Board, Curious to try it out, seeing as several of the normal players at my church, NorthPoint Community Church, have made the switch with good results)

Thank God for Youtube!

Ok, so as promised following are the songs I’m currently digesting. Please keep in mind that I have a very eclectic taste in music.

In absolutely no order here are songs I’m jamming to lately…

• Kanye West- Heartless
• Matt Wertz- Everything’s Right
• Dierks Bently- Feel that Fire
• Coldplay- Lost
• Keith Urban- Sweet Thing
• John Mayer- Belief
• Lincoln Brewster- Today is the Day
• Darius Rucker- Forever Road
• Al Gordon- Because of Your Love
• CompassionART (Matt Redman)- King of Wonders
• O.A.R.- Shattered (Turn the Car Around)
• David Archuletta- Crush *ha ha…what? It’s a catchy tune! :-/ )
• Anberlin- Readyfuels (I know its an old one…but its a good one)
• Snow Patrol- Crack the Shutters
• Jimmy Eat World- Let It Happen

Ok so there you go…15 songs that have been dear to my heart this week. Granted if you know me my listening is far from limited to these 15 songs this week, but if I got into the “Deep Cuts” you would be reading forever. So there you go, for all that want to know what I’m resonating with these days, now you have an idea.

So the next logical question would be…any recommendations? Always looking for new stuff, so pass it my way!