We're excited to let you know that next week Jess and I will be a part of USA Radio Network's Daybreak USA program on Monday, August 1. The USA Radio Network services content to over 1100 radio stations across the country, so we are grateful for the opportunity to tell the story of the South Sudanese on such a large platform. And when they say "Daybreak," they're not kidding! Our interview will be at 6:35 AM Central time. So if you're an early riser and want to catch us on the radio tune, in to one of the radio stations that broadcasts the show or just listen live online.
Don't you enjoy being around grateful people? Grateful people tend to be magnetic! That's one of the things we love about Aid Sudan's Executive Director, Peter Swann. He asked for an opportunity to thank our church body at Tallowood for supporting the Music for the Radio CD Release Concert, and we gladly obliged.
We're back from a fun week in Colorado Springs! When we found out that we'd be leading worship at Focus on the Family's Staff Chapel on July 8 we decided to book our flights a bit early and enjoy a few days of family vacation. After trips to Whit's End, Garden of the Gods, and the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo we returned to Focus on Friday morning for chapel.
When Focus first approached us about leading worship they offered two dates, one in September and July 8. If you've been watching the news recently no doubt you realize the reason. On July 9, the Republic of South Sudan became the world's newest nation. With violence and aggression intensifying in the days leading up to South Sudanese independence, we knew that God had opened this door for us, allowing us to do our small part in...
This week we're headed to Colorado! We've been invited to lead worship at Focus on the Family's Staff Chapel on Friday, July 8. We've been looking forward to this for couple reasons. First, seven years ago - almost to the day - we got engaged in Colorado Springs while Jess was attending the Focus on the Family institute for the summer. It will be fun to relive that time in our relationship.
Second, and more importantly, we'll be leading worship one day before the official independence day of South Sudan. The approach of independence for the South has brought increased conflict and violence, much of it initiated by the North. We encourage you to read more about what's going on at some of the links below:
Bashir orders Sudan army to sustain South Kordofan offensive
Last week we had a chance to go to Nashville where we taped a 30-minute show called 1 Music Village that airs on JC TV, part of the Trinity Broadcasting Network family. It was something completely new for us, but a lot of fun nonetheless. We recruited a great band of old and new friends: Leslyn Ichter on background vocals, Clint Milburn, an old bandmate from BDA on electric guitar, Scott Williamson, our friend and producer on drums, and Seth Marcum, a fantastic bass player.
We began the day at Soundcheck Nashville for rehearsal, where we tried valiantly to make it through each song without goofing off. Paul Wilmuth made an appearance, and he met a new friend, Leslie Itcher, who is an artist of similarly unique talent.
After a great breakfast at Jack's Barbecue we headed up to the TBN...
We were honored to have the opportunity to appear on FoxNews.com where we were interviewed by Religion Correspondent Lauren Green about our new project and the people of southern Sudan. Take a look!
It's always nice to hear an encouraging word.
As a musician it's particularly nice, especially when you take what's in your heart, put it in a song, and tentatively stretch it out for everyone to hear about have an opinion about.
I've had bad reviews before - and good, as well - with previous musical projects, and those are always difficult to take. Personally, I think it's God reminding you that He wants you to be humble more than He wants you to be critically acclaimed. But good reviews always make your soul fly a bit higher, and in another way can be a kind of affirmation that you're on the right track.
Enter CCM Magazine.
It was just a few lines, but sometimes that's all it takes to say something encouraging. Take a look for yourself. You can find our review on page 36, as well as...