Google Me

I google myself everyone in a while to see if any of the marketing efforts are actually taking effect. Well a cool thing happened this time around as I found I was featured on an indepedent internet radio podcast link letting people know about some independent Christian artists that you may not have heard of. Anyway, very cool to see my tunes hitting Boulder, Colorado. Talk to you soon.

Cleaning up the desk...

Well a funny tidbit about me. I am simultaneously organized and well, not. I am detail oriented, but not. At my last job as a consultant I kept a pristine office. I dealt with everything in a viciously organized manner, and although I was very busy, I was able to maintain control as it were.

Well for three years I have felt out of control. Picture an old movie which is a life-u-mentary. You see a guy starting a business and doing what it takes to get the thing off the ground, working out of a basement, a dirty rented space etc. But as he progresses things get nicer, more established more polished and more together. Well I am hoping I am beginning a phase of "growing" up in this position. Part of the issue has been the absolutely massive portfolio I oversee. I don't just push paper and request others to do the work: I paint, strategize, implement, hang stage lighting, plan, counsel, advise....

Alas what is my point. I have had everything mounting in my office from garbage - literally - from various sources - to stacks of paper to deal with, storage tyoe items etc. Well I think I am down to 2 stacks of paper. The goal: get to pristine and keep it there!! I will keep you posted.

Hmmm

Ever have something feel so wrong, only to find out it was right?
Ever feel you were nearing the end of something, only to find you were just starting out?
Ever write an amazing song, you could never sing?
Ever feel the pain, that irony brings?

Dreaming

Every once in a while I get a newsletter from Digidesign with their new stuff or offers. ProTools is the software and hardware that I recorded my last CD on and is industry standard for digital recording.

Anyway, I have never really keyed in how much a mini (home) version of the system would cost should I ever be able to start doing some recording and pre-production at home. Too much. Ah well, there is always dreaming...

Reflection

Man it has been one of the most trying times I have ever experienced. I know you are not supposed to question your own leadership in a public forum like a blog, but let's just call it analysis.

Being a good leader I have often heard is not simply about setting a vision, but mainly about taking people through to the realization of the vision. Drawing a sketch but then actually building the town.

So the past several weeks have been: a trip to Nashville, personal concerts, several church services, and a conference that took major effort and expense. Absolutely none of the aforementioned were wild and famous 'successes', and yet, they all created forward movement towards a vision that has been painted. I guess the hard part is that most of us are so worn out from achieving the events we haven't experienced the joy of accomplishment. Some of us have experienced the opposite. I think several lives were challenged and changed for the better through these experiences, comments like "this has been life changing" tipped me off!:). Nevertheless I now need to go to a more restful quiet place where I listen to the the feedback waves along the shore of the past few weeks and see if there are things to be changed - maybe some major things.

Concert Tonight - Conference Tomorrow

Well I am feeling widely human these past few weeks. The pressure has been high, the relationships have been strained, the stakes in my mind (undoubtedly overthought) are life altering, and I am just plain burning out.

I look to some of the folk I respect in life. I guess I dare not name them, the super stars of Christian teaching and discipleship, and the schedules they have kept for decades and I think - what is my problem? Why can't I handle the pace? The humourous part is that ministry/show time, if you will, is only now finally coming. Perhaps this is when it will all fade away, and I can just work at the stuff I am most passionate about. Sharing the stuff I am learning about God through the bible and worshiping through music. Well, I hope to see lots of people this weekend and do a heart dump, hopefully it will benefit them!!

Peace.

Site / Blog Hits / Still # 1

Well I have hit about 217 unique visitors a week to the site and the blog. Kind of cool. Pressures on though. I am trying to keep it consistent and updated as I try to grow towards ohh 1000 or more in the next while.

I have to admit I am surprised that I am still number 1 on the Indieheaven Radio Chart with the title track Noticing the Sky. I have to thank many of you I know for such a long run at number 1. I think at some point they are going to just take me off the chart and make me submit another song. I will let you know.

Anyway, I am very pleased to have you guys along for the journey. I hope to add some value and entertainment to your lives whenever it is possible.

For now, good night!!

Success?

How does one measure success? There are so many variables, quantitative and qualitative, that play into that question. Sometimes, though, I think it is just a matter of getting the things that you said you would done well. The last two weeks have been pressure cooker weeks for me. Trip to Nashville with the showcase, concert up here, and a leadership gathering last night at church. In some respects I think future success is predicated on the implementation of these things across various parts of my life and ministry. I don't feel like there is a specific thing I can point to except that in the midst of the busyness, planned activity is being achieved with effectiveness. I think in many respects I am still laying the groundwork for the next 10 years. Am I allowed to think that far ahead?

Keeping Busy

Well the week continues and I have had guilt for not blogging enough. This week has been incredibly fun. Concert on Friday night went very well. Man I forgot what it was like to be your own set-up dude. (rodie?) It has been a long time since I was in need of renting, but the venue we were at demanded it, alas we did. The concert was great, as was the band. Reallya privilege to be able to work with these guys.

Today we are back to 2 services at church and we have a very cool Leadership Gathering happening at the church which I have coordinated and will be "producing" this evening. Then a heavy week getting ready for the Fusion Conference, a worship conference we are hosting at our church. Tuesday night meeting, Wednesday and Thursday rehearsals, a Cliff Cline concert here at Valley View to kick off the conference Friday night and then the whole day conference followed by two services and then I lead and speak at the Church Coffee House Sunday night. I think this will be the busiest stretch this fall, but there is still time to book more!

Day in the Life

Concert day!! Pretty excited. We have had a couple of rehearsals to get back in the groove after a bit of a lay-off from the concert thing. Now we have at least 2 or three as a band in the next couple of months. I am hoping the new year brings more. The band sounds amazing.

Anyway today will be busy. This morning I pick up the sound system. Then we go to the concert venue to set-up the system and do sound checks. Then we go home get ready for the concert and get back for final sound checks and then the concert.

I am very excited about tonight. Although it is a small venue, the hosts are pumped about the concert, the Christian radio station Life 100.3 is part of the promotion and will be there. It's so fun.

Anyway, tonnes to do so I better get started. Have a little work to clean up as well. Maybe we will see you there.

Peace

Life 100.3 FM Radio Interview Tomorrow Morning

So September is a great month of gigs. This Friday I am in Bradford ON at our daughter church Bradford Alliance to be apart of their 10th anniversary celebrations, followed by a gig at my home church Valley View.

To kick it off I am being interview by Life 100.3 FM (listen online) to promote the Bradford concert tomorrow morning at 8 am-ish. Check it out online, or on the radio.

Back From Nashville

Well, Nashville was a great exeperience. Funny thing happened, I know, I know, I should know better, but Nashville was demystified. What does that mean you ask? Well, I did not go expecting to come home with a record deal. I didn't go expecting a mega gig. I just kind of thought Nashville was like the Magic Kingdom for musicians. The shops and restauarants and the feel man, the feel. I thought it would be energizing, mystifying. You guessed it, same as every other town. It was a great gig, met some amazing people, had a great time, and am more commited than ever to serving the "fans" that I can gather here. I am but a minstrel, and I want to sing a song and tell a story, so I shall keep doing it with a sparkle in my eye and a smile in my heart cause that was created in me.

Pic in the Nash for your pleasure: