Thanks for the Memories, Porter...

Grand Ole Opry institution and country music legend Porter Wagoner passed away Sunday evening, succombing to lung cancer. Porter will be missed, as his music and heart have touched millions, but all we know is that heaven's choir just got a little bit sweeter. Thanks for the memories, Porter.

Now I Can Rest Easy

Now we can all take a load off. Chuck Norris, yes, the Texas Ranger himself, has finally weighed in with his pick for the presidential race. Whew! That's a load off...

Weird Headline of the Day

Simply bizarre...

India Official Dies After Monkey Attack

Am I Getting Sappy?

Okay, so I might be getting sappy but this is just a powerful video. To me, it speaks to the pain of the human experience and especially much of that pain that we bring on ourselves as we struggle to navigate the waters of life. I don't know, it's just, well, powerful. Decide for yourself.

A Coming Advent

Ah, fall is in the air. Sure, it's not making those of us in southwest Florida scurry for our hoodies just yet but there's that subtle change in the air, that slight change in the way the light hits the leaves in the late afternoon. It's a wonderful time of year and a time of year that is slowly becoming more and more important for me. Our friends Ryan and Holly are huge fans of the fall season as well. Their lives have come to be measured by it, allowing for fall to serve as a time for a sort of inner reckoning and reevaluation as to the past and the future. I'm starting to see things in this light as well.

And this fall just seems, well, significant. Can I explain it? Not really. But I just feel as though something is in the air. It's sort of like that admiral guy in Mary Poppins warning Mr. Banks that the wind is shifting, I feel as though my life is finally beginnig to shift as well. Where that may lead, who knows? I may end up having a tea party on the ceiling. Either way, I feel confident that the anticipation is for something good, for something positive.

Hopefully Back

I apologize, not that you've been concerned, for the lack of posting lately. My new gig as music editor at Infuze has taken a wee bit of time to get adjusted to, most notably finding an email client that actually works all the way around. Thus, I've found myself near the situation you see in the picture to the right. But, I think I've finally conquered things with a bit of All-American know-how and desperate prayer. Things seem, just tonight, to be running smoothly. So, hopefully, I'm back.

They Really Shouldn't Have...

This is just wrong!

Sweat-Flavored Soda on the Way

Review: Under the Influence of Buck - The Derailers

The Derailers were a new name to me but the name of Buck Owens wasn't. The country legend had taken this group under his wing, appreciating their appreciation of his music and their heart for performing. It's this relationship that pours through this album, offering up covers of the late Owens' music that speak of love and care. This is good stuff. Here's the Infuze review:

Under the Influence of Buck - The Derailers

Interview: Soular

I had the opportunity a month or so ago to sit down with Marsh from Alberquerque-based Brit rock outfit, Soular, and talk about music and art. You'll find the Stereo Subversion interview here:
Interview - Soular

Promoted

Most of you know that I've been writing reviews for some time now for Infuze Magazine and have been garnering some good experience their along with watching my CD and movie collection grow as well. Well, now the experience is about to amp up that much more with a little promotion I've received. My good buddy Matt Conner is stepping down from his responsibilities as music editor there to pursue his own site, Stereo Subversion, which I'm fortunate enough to be involved in as well, and has handed the reins over to me. It's going to be tons of work, lots more free stuff, and great experience. If you haven't yet checked us out, go ahead. You know you want to! Do it for me...

I've Missed This Guy

Just last week one of my oldest friends called me up to let me know that he and his family would be in Orlando for the week. So, this past Wednesday evening Erin and I bailed on work a hair early to make the trek across the state and visit my good buddy Walter, his lovely wife Paula, and their darling little girl Natalie. It was so good to catch up. We all reflected on how great it is to just have things pick up where we left off. Those are the best of friends. Now we're gonna have to make the trip to Massachusetts one day to visit them! Here's some pics:

This last pic was on the trip home...Good stuff..Kept it on his head sleeping for a while, too!

Review: Tension - Dizmas

I've become a wee bit hardened the past couple of years against much of what the contemporary Christian music community has put out. So much of it is derivative, unimaginative, and just ends up sounding like the band before them. So, here's what I can say about the new album from Dizmas: Its a good listen in that it does sound good, with solid production and able performances, but, well, it sounds like everybody else. Check out the Infuze review here:

Tension - Dizmas

Review: The Kid EP - Identity Relief

I tend to shy away from Christian indie artists because, at least in the experiences I've had, they tend to be less than listenable. Weak production and even lesser lyricism and musicianship tend to be the norm. It's not a good thing for the Christian community. Yet, as of late, I've found myself pleasantly surprised at the good to come out of that very same niche. One such artist is Identity Relief, based out of Birmingham and bringing an eclectic and encouraging voice to the musical community. Check out the Infuze review here:

The Kid EP - Identity Relief

Review: Determined - CO3

Country music has always had a decent standing within the Christian community until there is an attempt to make a "Christian country" album. At that point, things tend to get a little weird and the community as a whole has not really embraced many new artists to the genre. CO3 isn't going to break that mold. Talented fellas but just not enough wow factor to break through in my opinion. Here's the Infuze review:

Determined - CO3

Review: Goin' Home - A Tribute to Fats Domino

Most folks from my generation only know Fats Domino from the occasional snippet of his that gets played in a few films or from watching re-runs of Happy Days. Yet, Fats was one of the early innovators of rock 'n roll and lent a great voice to the town of New Orleans as well. This collection is a mixed bag but brings a nice sense of reminiscence along with monies that go to a good cause. Check out the Stereo Subversion review here:

Goin' Home: A Tribute to Fats Domino - Various Artists

A Conversation With Tyler

At the house:

Me: Tyler! Want to go to the store with me to buy some ice cream?
Tyler: Sure! Let me put my shoes on!

In the car on the way:

Me: So Tyler...We're going to go someplace special tomorrow.
Tyler: You mean today?
Me: No, tomorrow. We're gonna go someplace special tomorrow.
Tyler: Tomorrow is today.
Me: No. Listen. What's the sun doing right now? Going down?
Tyler: Yeah.
Me: Well, when the sun comes back up again it's tomorrow.
Tyler: And then we're going to the special place?
Me: Yes! After school.
Tyler: I want my Mommy...
Me: Mommy's going to go too, Tyler!
Tyler: What special place?
Me: It's a place called Orlando. We're going to visit one of Daddy's good friends.
Tyler: Tonight?
Me: No! Tomorrow...
Tyler: So we're going to Orlando now?
Me: No! We're going to get ice cream!!!!!!!!!!!

Dreams, Goals, and Reality

The past several weeks and I might even say, months, have found me pondering the ideas of dreams and goals and, yes, reality. It's funny how many dreams we have when we're growing up. I remember wanting to be a fireman (who didn't!), an astronaut, and more. There were so many dreams then and they all seem so far away now. What is it about time that steals away our propensity to dream? Is it that we find ourselves suddenly adults, with responsibilities and jobs and the like that causes us to lay our dreams aside to simply pay the piper? Or is it something more, perhaps even something more sinister that sneaks in to steal our hearts and drive us to monotony?

I'm not really sure of the answer but I have a sneaking suspicion that it's a hybrid of both. It's true that some of our dreams fall prey to others and that the golden age of adulthood often finds us more disillusioned than inspired. Yet, I also believe that we do wrestle against things that are unseen, and that this particular enemy is not thrilled with us pursuing our dreams. He'd rather us lie listless, unimaginative, and virtually dead. I also think that many times we're our own worse enemy, allowing negative thoughts and those ideas of "I'm too old" or "I'm past that stage of my life" to derail us from some things that we truly crave.

As I've pondered this, I've sat back and tried to recapture some of those dreams of my youth and to really ask myself what dreams I have now, if any. In places that I haven't found any, I'm trying to reignite my imagination, bringing dreams to bear. Yet, there are a few older dreams that still linger from the past and those I'm silently working to plot a course to fulfill. We are not our age. And, for those of us who call ourselves Christ-followers, we are not necessarily held to the confines of this world either. The sky is the limit where God is concerned. I'm just excited to see what the sky really looks like.

Look Out World...

...my wife's blogging now! After watching me keep up this incessant task, Erin has finally decided to try out the dynamic world of online journaling. Check her out here:



Erin Greenhalgh

The Shuffle Resurfaces...

Okay, for those regular readers...Alright, so I'm probably the most regular reader of this thing but, just in case there is one more of you out there, I know you're probably getting sick of this somewhat pointless exercise of tracking my itunes shuffle. Yet, this is my blog and not yours. So suck it up. I'm still in the process of uploading music and just recently surpassed 9118 songs. Holy crap! That's spooky! But, I digress. So, without further ado, here's the new shuffle:

1.) "Battling Kings" - VeggieTales, from the album, The Incredible Singing Christmas Tree

2.) "Something's Got a Hold on Me" - Etta James, from the album, Etta James: Her Best

3.) "O Holy Night" - Celene Dion, from the album, Now That's What I Call Christmas Vol. 2

4.) "There is Healing in His Hands" - Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir, from the album, Live...With Friends

5.) "You Thought Wrong" - Kelly Clarkson, from the album, Thankful

6.) "While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks" - Andrew Peterson, from the album, Behold the Lamb of God

7.) "The Christmas Spirit" - Johnny Cash, from the album, Christmas With Johnny Cash

8.) "Boy Tell the World" - Apologetix, from the album, Adam Up

9.) "Wonderful Christmastime" - Jars of Clay, from the album, Christmas Songs

10.) "Maranatha" - Lisa Gerrard & Patrick Cassidy, from the album, Immortal Memory

11.) "Will You Marry Me?" - Lauren Talley, from the album, Lauren Talley

12.) "Love Moves in Mysterious Ways" - Michael English, from the album, Hope

13.) "My Christmas" - Brett Williams and In Reach, from the album, Christmas on the Rock

14.) "If God Didn't Care" - Jake Hess, from the album, Jus' Jake

15.) "Summertime is Past and Gone" - Elvis Presley, Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash, from the album, The Complete Million Dollar Quartet Recordings

Weird how the Christmas stuff keeps popping up even though it's clearly the minority in there...

This is Great Stuff...

I really enjoy Dan Kimball's stuff. He's probably the guy that I most identify with within the emergent conversation, largely because he sees things from a fairly moderate perspective. His latest blogpost speaks of the new series that they're starting. This is gonna be good stuff. I'd just really like to be a fly on the wall. Check it out:

Don't Be a "Christian": Exchanging Religion for the Mission of God