So tonight Derek Webb did an event in Nashville. I decided to go because I have always liked Derek, but never really seen him in concert and was hoping tonight was a concert. When I got to The Rutledge the line was long and it was a couple of hours before the event. I met two nice guys from Atlanta in line and once in we grabbed a table together. When walking in there was a huge screen set up and no sound equipment so I was a little bummed.

Derek came on stage and brought out the president of INO Jeff Moseley to talk about the controversy surrounding Derek’s new album. After Jeff left the stage Derek introduced the making of video ‘Paradise is a parking lot’ which is an hour long film. It was a very amusing and interesting look at the behind the scenes making of  ’Stockholm Syndrome’.

About half way through the movie I noticed a stir right outside and decided to check on twitter. As soon as I logged on to @ssyndrome I saw the tweet

FOLLOW THE BARCODE TO THE HEART. YOU WILL BE HANDSOMELY REWARDED.

then also saw:

THE BARTENDER CAN SEE IT. MAKE THE CALL.

My mind was going crazy trying to find the barcode. I knew where (or who) the heart was but just needed the bar code. I finally saw an out of place poster for French Bulldogs and the telephone number at the bottom looked like a bar code. I examined the item closer and saw it was a 888 number. I quickly placed the call only to hear the following:

I went to the girl at the bar and she handed me the wrist band.

After the show I waited out front with 16 other people and everyone was looking for our next clue (barcode we thought). We all saw the white van pull up about the same time with  the ‘White Noise’ signs. So we all got in the van and headed to an unknown location. Needless to say there was a ton of tweeting going on and pictures and speculation as to where we were going and what we would be doing!

We headed to east Nashville. We pulled into an alley and said our gate was to the left.

When we walk through the gate Derek is waiting to meet us.

So we head into his studio to listen to the new album.

After listening to the new album Derek answered questions and took pictures. Then we load back on the the White Noise bus to head back to The Rutledge to go our separate ways. We also got the new album (Yah!) and also we will be getting a special package in the mail with more goodies from the album.

All in all it was a great night!

Here are some photos taken from the event. More to come. Be sure and visit my Flickr page for all the photos (coming very soon)

Technorati Tags: Derek Webb, Stockholm Syndrome, Nashville, The Rutledge, INO Records

Creativity is a mental and social process involving the generation of new ideas or concepts, or new associations of the creative mind between existing ideas or concepts. Creativity is fueled by the process of either conscious or unconscious insight. An alternative conception of creativeness is that it is simply the act of making something new.

A Page From My Journal

Recently I realized that I have not been nurturing my creative side. A few years ago ideas flew from my head all the time. I dreamed about photos, web sites and designs. Somehow I have lost part of that in the day to day ‘job’ creativity has taken over.  I don’t dream photos, web sites or deigns…I work on them. I am increasingly becoming more convicted that part of my soul is missing and it needs to be born again.

Tonight I went to borders to read a few books and magazines on the creative process to hopefully spark something. Mostly I just read and took notes (yes that is how bad it is). One article had an idea that I am going to try. I wanted to share it here:

• Always carry a journal. Have one in reach at all times.
• Scribble often
• Carry a camera when you are out
• Snap pictures of anything that catches your eye
• Print out your favorites and display them by your desk
• Let the photos/ sketches inspire you

These simple steps seem easy enough. I usually have a camera and journal on me anyway. I just need to let myself snap and draw more and display those openly.

One magazine had a great website resource http://creativeeveryday.com/ Each month has a theme to explore and tips to help you explore that months theme. July’s theme is ‘Self’.

Creating an environment for creativity has got to be a purposeful journey. How do you make space for your creative self? What fuels you?

Technorati Tags: Creativity, Self, Art, Photography, Journal

Here are mine….who are you listening to this summer?

William Fitzsimmons :

I just started listening to William Fitzsimmons. I heard a song on a Paste sampler and fell in love. His style is sort of dreamy folk. I quickly bought all his albums and have had them on a steady dose of repeat. ‘The Sparrow And The Crow’ is Fitzsimmons latest album is an amazing ear treat from beginning to end.

http://www.williamfitzsimmons.com/

Molly Jenson

I first read an article about Molly Jenson at Relevant Magazine. I was curious so I checked out some sound clips and was surprised to hear a duet with Jon Foreman.  I bought the album and surprised at how great her album was. It is a fun driving with the windows down album.

As I started doing research I found that she used to be a worship leader in Southern California, but as she started writing she found her songs to be less worship and more relationship/story songs.

Be sure and check out this great album. Also check out her site for a link to her oh so fun blog and artwork.

http://www.mollyjenson.com/

Bon Iver

Much like William Fitzsimmons, I fell in Love with Bon Iver upon first listen. ‘For Emma, Forever Ago’ is the most amazing album that I can listen to over and over.

His lyrics are amazing stories of life and love. One of my favorites is from ‘Skinny Love’

And I told you to be patient
And I told you to be fine
And I told you to be balanced
And I told you to be kind

And now all your love is wasted
And who the hell was I?
I’m breaking at the bridges
And at the end of all your lines

Who will love you?
Who will fight?
Who will fall far behind?
Ooh, ooh

http://www.boniver.org/

St. Vincent

I first heard St. Vincent a little over a year ago and have listened to her on constant repeat ever since. Her first album was amazing and her second album ‘actor’ was even more amazing. She has fun music that is catchy and delicious.

http://www.ilovestvincent.com/

Other people to check out: A Camp, Samantha Crain, Crash Kings & Alela Diane

Technorati Tags: William Fitzsimmons, Molly Jenson, Bon Iver, St. Vincent, A Camp, Samantha Crain, Crash Kings & Alela Diane

Last week there was a benefit show at Rocketown called Raise Up. The show went to benefit Ruthie Sayles. It was a crazy line up of: Mindy Smith, Sixpence None The Richer, Erin McCarley, Kate York, Landon Pigg, Griffin House, Brooke Waggoner & a few special guests.

It was a great night of music. Here are a few images from the show. To see all of them please visit Flickr.

Technorati Tags: Raise Up, Rocketown, Nashville, Mindy Smith, Sixpence None The Richer, Leigh Nash, Erin McCarley, Kate York, Landon Pigg, Griffin House, Brooke Waggoner

Tuesday night the 2nd of June the band Emery held their album release party at Rocketown to benefit Invisible Children.

Emery, The Almost, Aaron Sprinkle, The Becoming and Kiros rocket the stage. I had heard of a few of the bands, but only knew must by The Almost. It was a great show that brought a great message to a house full of teens and adults. Normally I would never go to this kind of show, but since I work at Rocketown I am expanding my musical show tastes..I loved the high energy and just pure rawness of the night.

Here are a few photos from the show. To see all of them go to Rocketown’s web site at http://www.rocketown.com

Technorati Tags: Invisible Children, Rocketown, Nashville, Emery, The Almost, The Becoming, Aaron Sprinkle, Kiros

Technorati Tags: Nashville, Downtown, Photos, Summer, Tourism

Here are a few of my favorite photos. All these photos were shot on the Nikon D90 with my new Tamron lens the ‘ AF18-270mm F/3.5-6.3 Di II VC (Vibration Compensation) LD Aspherical (IF) Macro’. Lots of fancy words to say a lens with a huge range. I am still testing this lens out before writing a full review. I can say there are things I love about the lens and things that need improvement. Photos were edited using Aperture from Apple and Adobe Photoshop.

Technorati Tags: Christ Cathedral, Nashville, Nikon D90, Tamron 18-270 VC, Photography, Aperture, Apple, Photoshop

First I must apologize for not updating as much. That is changing. I have a new series coming up and lots of new photos.

Here are a few pictures from a contest we ran on cindymorganmusic.com for a private house concert. These photos are the first previews coming from that show. The video and photos will soon be up on cindymorganmusic.com

Technorati Tags: Cindy Morgan, Alabama, Christian, Music

• Interesting use of a loom – to open the show.
• Okay so this is the 1600’s? Is that the Black Rock?
• What is being proven wrong?
• Is one of these guys Jacob?
• Ahh…. that is Jacob. He is the one bringing people to the island
• There is some kind of Anubis….but not quite. Too many teeth. Like the head of a crocodile. Maybe it is Taweretor or Sobek. If it is not some form of Anubis then I am voting for Taweret. She was the ancient Egyptian goddess of maternity and childbirth, protector of women and children. I think she got pissed along the way and that is why women can’t have babies.
• Another model plane…they keep making appearances.
• This must be Kate….Patsy Cline in the background
• I had that New Kids Lunch box!
• Jacob buying Kate a New Kids On The Block lunch box!
• Could the radiation be the reason why women can no long have babies on the island?
• I want Stewart ….gone…gone…gone…gone….
• Was Richard on the Black Rock? It would make sense.
• Jacob made Richard that way…how?
• John is now talking about exterminating people….of course that could be a good thing?
• A candidate?
• AHHH….show me what is in the box
• Ahh….sawyer was a cute kid
• So did Jacob chose everyone this early? They must be candidates…but candidates for what.
• Jacob seems to come to these kids at very opportune times that shape them.
• Another promise broken by one of the kids of the survivors.
• Why yes I do like Juliette ….a whole lot
• That sure is a change for Jack to “not give up on Locke”
• First adult visit by Jacob to Sayid. This is how he got him back.
• Okay so Ben did not make the tunnel.
• Ellie is the leader…that is an interesting twist.
• Juliette watches the sub go again. I really hope she gets to get off the island.
• Vincent went back in time….
• Rose and Bernard!!!!  I have missed you.
• What is up with Juliette? Is she pregnant? I have an uneasy feeling about this.
• How do Jacob and Elana (sp?) know each other?
• Who in the hell are these people? Could they all be from the Black Rock?
• “Everything that rises must converge” – now that is an interesting reference…
• So Jacob was the one healed John from the fall
• John is now turning into Ben…he is twisting the truth.
• Oh…Charilie…
• Sun and Jin making promises they can’t keep…where is Jacob. He has got to be around.
• There he is….I knew he had to be close. He said their love was special. That means something.
• Jacob lives in the statue…interesting.
• Jack’s defining moment. Jacob can’t be far behind.
• So is Jacob witnessing all these moments or somehow causing them?
• Jack is doing all this so he can forget Kate?
• What is up with Juliette? I don’t know and it is driving me crazy…
• So is all this going to come down to some emotional response that people don’t want to remember the people they love because they were hot….that will be disappointing
• All these people need to watch “Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless mind”
• Jacob gave Hurley the guitar and told him about the flight. Guess he had to be very direct with him.
• Is it horrible I would not be sad if Jack died?
• I will however miss Juliette.
• They better find out a way to bring her back next season…..ggrrrrr
• What did Richard say?? I need to know what lies in the shadow…“He who will protect/save us all.” is what Richard said in Latin.
  
• How are there two Lockes? That was one twist I did not see coming!
• So the second John is the guy at the first part of the show. Now we will take all next season to figure out who that is

My predictions for next season:

• We go way back in history to the Black Rock
• We find out who exactly was on the Black Rock
• Jacob is not dead. How could fire kill someone who has been alive so long?
• The bomb worked and everyone is back in the same time.
• Juliette is alive and we will see her with her Sister and Niece
• We find out who the ‘adam’ and ‘eve’ were from first season and how they relate to Jacob.
• We find out the bomb is what blew up the ‘Anubis’/Taweret like statue
• Jacob came here from some sort of ancient Egyptian tribe. An off shoot of people who worship Anubis/Taweret and were banned from Egypt.
• The end of the whole show we see flight 815 land in LA and everyone goes on living their life as if nothing ever happened

So what are your thoughts and predictions for next season?

Technorati Tags: Lost, The Incident, ABC, Season Finale, Time Travel, Taweret, What Lies In The Shadow Of The Statue, Protector

• I have been wondering where the ‘others’ were.
• Richard watched them all die? WTF?
• Something about this reminds me of ‘Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind’
• So exactly when did Eloise lose her soul? She seems to have one here.
• This Dharma guy annoys me to no end. Stewart…
• OMG….he hit Juliette..
• Run Hugo….run The Dharma is getting ugly
• What does John have in mind
• John told Richard where to find himself.
• Is Ben really going to follow Locke.
• Stewart is going to bring the mass genocide of the Dharma people.
• Way to go Sayid…I have been wondering where he was
• Kate is the only one has common sense.
• I am glad Miles gets to see his past for what it was.
• What is John doing….
• What will happen if Ben does not do what ghost Alex said? I have a feeling we will find out
• Kate is the third wheel…
• Good Ole’ Jughead
• How is Locke going to kill Jacob? And why?

Technorati Tags: Follow The Leader, Lost, ABC, Dharma

• I love seeing Penny alive!
• Does Penny know who Daniel is except for in reference from Desmond
• Daniel’s mom was wrong. So does that mean they were not supposed to come back in time or to the island in general?
• Little Daniel “I can make time” — foreshadowing
• I love Daniel — I have missed him on this show.
• I love seeing the first of the season come to life in context.
• Is this where the Comic-con video of Dr. Chang comes in?
• I am surprised mommy dearest did not know about the grant from Charles
• How can Ellie get them back to where they belong?
• And when he says belong….where does he mean? He is being vague
• Ok so Ben was telling the truth about Charles putting the plane at the bottom of the ocean.
• Juliet is awesome….she does not want Sawyer anywhere near her
• Little Charlotte….
• I love this episode…everything is coming into view
• Daniel has serious mommy issues
• This Dharma guy is getting on my last nerve…going around pointing a gun at everyone
• Okay so at the end of this show will anyone know anyone? I am going to be upset if none of the people who crashed know each other.
• I love the Desmond and Penny story….it is my favorite of the show
• I was so right and Daniel being Eloise and Charles son!
• Of course She knows Daniel will be killed
• She knew she was going to murder her son…what a nice lady

Wow this was an intense episode. A few surprises, but mostly seeing things come into place that I have suspected.

Anyone else have thoughts?

Technorati Tags: Lost, The Variable, ABC, Daniel Faraday

Video #1

Video #2 –

Video # 3 — This is a song Amy wrote with Cindy Morgan. If you have not heard Cindy or have not heard her in a while — check out her latest album Beautiful Bird. I happen to work for Cindy and I know that if you like Amy, you will like Cindy. So here is the song that they wrote together and in a few weeks on Cindy’s site there will be video from the song Cindy sang right before this song.

Technorati Tags: Amy Grant, Vince Gill, Tin Pan South, 2009, Nashville

• First thought before even watching — Star Wars reference with ‘Hoth’. I will be interested to see how that takes form.
• 3:16 on oven….interesting
• Little Miles…too cute
• Even back them he could talk to the dead
• “He had an accident” — don’t pull the wool over Miles eyes
• I kind like Miles with all the piercings. He looks good…
• Could Dr. Chang be Miles dad? Everyone on this island has a strange connection
• LOL….prevent global warming. Awesome Hurley…
• “Here we go”….I think Juliette just threw down the gauntlet…I believe everything will change from here on out
• Naomi….
• So what is Hurley so busy scribbling? It has got to be important down the road…
• Yes….he is his dad! I had this feeling
• So Ben was the one who dug the graves. The proof was going to Charles.
• 1.6 millions dollars…explain the amount he asked Ben for.
• So Miles is on the island two times right now? As a 3 month old and as an adult?
• There are the numbers again….
• Building the hatch…Hurley looked like he was thinking about doing something.
• “What lies in the shadow of the statue?” – there it is again….
• Could the hatch be what is in the shadow? I thought it might be the temple…but it could be the hatch?
• So these people in the van….Ben’s people?
• Yes Hurley is writing about Star Wars. Send George Lucas the script to Empire…awesome!!
• Yup Juliette was right “Here we go”…that was the turning point. I think this might be the countdown to getting everyone together.
• Life lessons from Star Wars….i sooooo love it!
• Ewoks do not suck!
• Daniel!!! I have missed him. I believe Daniel will find a way to get them back in the future with everyone….i at least hope so.

Technorati Tags: Some Like It Hoth, Lost, ABC, Dharma

Tag:
Explore how the arts and faith live together and how you can bring healing to a hurting world through your own creation.

Description:
A collection of essays, thoughts, and prayers from award-winning artist Makoto Fujimura, Refractions brings people of all backgrounds together in conversation and meditation on culture, art, and humanity.

Review:
The first thing that grabbed my attention was that cover and the tag line. My all time favorite book (Walking On Water by Madeline L’Engle) is also a book about the arts and faith. I was drawn in. This book is laid out in a series of essays and art thrown in for impact and illustration.

“The Creator God has given us creativity and the arts so that we may “name” experiences, just as God commissioned Adam to name the animals in the Garden” (page 39).

This quote kind of brings the books central message into focus and helps guide the path through this book. This book is not one you just read or go through, but it is one that breathes and walks with you through your own journey of discovering your God given creative talent.

If you are on a journey and looking for a well to draw from then read this book to help you understand what faith and art look like interwoven in life.

Buy this book at amazon.com

Technorati Tags: Refractions, Faith, Art, Culture, Makoto Fujimura

• Who is this guy talking to Richard and Ben?
• Oh…Charles ….WOW….did not even look like him…
• I love Ben’s face when he sees John
• Okay back to the future.
• Ben came back for judgment and is already lying and causing trouble for John
• Ben with more hair…he does not look good.
• For some reason I thought Ben and Ethan were closer in age
• Ben taking Alex is so wrong.
• I better see Ben getting some judgment in this episode……
• That is one big elephant…
• So did not see Ben killing Caesar…lets see if he stays dead
• I love John’s humor
• The human side of Ben in saving Alex is interesting
• I wonder where Penny is since she would have been born when Charles was on the island
• Sun is waiting for John…good thing he is not dead
• Sun looks like she has gained some weight…which she needed too
• So did the Dharma people make the smoke monster since it could be accessed from their housing or was it made after Ben and ‘The others’ took over?
• Charles broke the rules….had a daughter with an outsider. So that rules out Ellie being Pennys mom
• Does Ben really not know where the smoke monster is?
• I am about to be pissed if I see him kill Penny
• John, Ben and Sun are walking around the island…where is Richard and ‘the others’?
• What point is John making with all this?
• Tell Desmond he is sorry….Penny better be alive….this is going to ruin this show for me
• OMG….I LOVE DESMOND….I am so happy he kicked Ben’s ass. Thank God for little Charlie being there. I hope this means we see more of Penny on down the road.
• “What lies in the shadow of the statue” — is that the 4 toed dude?
• If that is the 4 toed dude then who are these people?\
• Egyptian?….Is that Anubis …God of the dead?
• Alex? Is this the same way we can see Christian?
• Swearing to follow John…interesting
• So how long till Ben goes back on his word and tries to kill John?

This was a great episode. I want to research more on this Egyptian and see if I can find some translations. That is awesome!

Technorati Tags: Lost, Smoke Monster, Ben, Dead is Dead

Last night Amy Grant, Wayne Kirkpatrick, Phil Madera, Gordon Kennedy, Vince Gill and Cindy Morgan played 3rd & Lindsley in Nashville. It was a PACKED show. I am talking sardines in a can packed. Really with so many great musicians on stage you have got to expect it — even still I was surprised. People were being turned away all show because the venue was too full.

Amy sang 4 (I think 4) new songs — three of which I heard her sing last month. I have some video, but I need to edit it and upload it so it will come later — so be sure and come back in a few days for video.

In the meantime here are some pictures…

There are lots more photos on my flickr page.

Updated:

The video quality is horrible on these…but here is the start.

Technorati Tags: Amy Grant, Wayne Kirkpatrick, Phil Madera, Gordon Kennedy, Vince Gill, Cindy Morgan, 3rd & Lindsley, Nashville, Tin Pan South

Thursday night singer/songwriter Cindy Morgan played The Rutledge here in Nashville, TN. It was part of Tin Pan South, the annual songwriter showcase. She played with Ben Glover, Erik Bledsoe, and Francesca Battistelli.

It was a fun night of music and laughs. My favorite song of the night was one Ben Glover did called “Jesse James”. It was recently recorded by Clay Walker and that song is just awesome!

Friday night Cindy also was in another showcase, but that is my next blog post.

ps. I will post video soon of the show

Here are some pictures from Thursday nights showcase.

Technorati Tags: Cindy Morgan, Tin Pan South, Nashville, Ben Glover, Erik Bledsoe, Francesca Battistelli