3 Chords & A Bunch Of Friends

Thanks to all of you who made the trip over to Shenanigans to support 3 Chords on Tuesday night. We're not really sure where the whole contest thing stands, I suppose we'll learn something from Randy who runs the thing at some point.

The most important thing is that we had a great time because so many of our friends came out and joined us. Thanks!

We're hoping to have some pictures, audio and video ready to share on the blog soon. In the meantime, here are some comments we heard about the evening.

A regular Shenanigans patron to Jim as we were leaving: "You guys are leaving this place better than you found it."

Another regular as we finished our set: "Thank you! You guys made me smile. I needed to smile today."

A woman in the doorway, repeated often, we think to Jesse... though maybe directed towards Dan or Jim: "Hey Curly! Hey Curly!"

A woman up on the bar level, hanging over the rail as we finished the Jimi Hendrix tune 'Fire': "You guys are @#$%^& awesome!"

One of the Christ's Church elders in attendance: "Maybe we should move our elders meetings over here."

A Christ's Church member who would like to remain anonymous: "All the (Christ's Church) drinkers are here."

Again, thanks to you all for coming out and sharing the evening with us. We look forward to seeing you again next time!

Technorati Tags: 3 Chords & A Cloud Of Dust, Rock-N-Roll, Missional

The Good Old Days Of Radio

Greetings from halfway to Florida, and a little retreat.

As I logged in 700 miles today, I decided to spend the day listening to old time radio programs on an XM station appropriately called 'Old Time Radio'. I listened to several episodes of Gunsmoke - starring the voice of William Conrad, as Marshal Matt Dillion (the role played by James Arness on television). I also listened to episodes of the Green Hornet, Ozzie and Harriet, and my favorite of the day was the Burns & Allen show, as in George Burns and Gracie Allen.

Here's what I came away with - it took real talent to make radio programs three dimensional for the listener. There were times when scenes changed, and the music or the voice inflection of the characters was all that was there to transport the listener to the new scene. Very cool for me to think about as a writer-wannabe.

The programs I listened to all had a date associated with them - they were from the 1940's through 1950's. During a Gunsmoke episode 'Doc' was tending a man who was dying of his injuries, and Miss Kitty began to quote Psalm 23. Scandalous!!! The bar girl knew her Bible. And you know I was loving every second of that.

I said that I liked the Burns & Allen shows the best. They had a guy named Bill who was a 'traveling salesman' type character, who would show up during the script at appropriate times and the products he was selling were the actual commercials that supported the show. Sometimes George Burns would interact with 'Bill', and the commercial parts were among the funniest spots in the show. Many of the products and advertisements are also long gone. One commercial urged that you could send a dime and a Swan Soap label to: Gracie Allen, Box 7, New York, and you would receive a box of orchid bulbs. Note the address. That is verbatim. Wow! (I found this old Swan Soap label, if you want to try to mail off for the bulbs.)

All this to say, we miss a lot these days, I think, of writing and creativity. Another 600 miles to go tomorrow. I think I'll dial in a few more radio shows.

Technorati Tags: Burns & Allen, Gunsmoke, Ozzie & Harriet, Swan Soap

He Is Risen!

Yea, of course Jesus is risen. But I'm talking about Sinbad! The web public encyclopedia Wikipedia briefly proclaimed that the 50 year old actor/comedian had died of a heart attack. That was news to his children and his managers who began to be flooded with phone calls and emails of condolences. Oops! Sinbad is laughing about it today. Here's the story.

Be ye aware of Wikipedia. Sometimes you get some great info. Sometimes... you die.

Technorati Tags: Sinbad, Wikipedia, Entertainment, Oops

Friday Night Fun

Interactive Sermon Exclusive!

Friday night March 16th, Mike Knight, Darin Shaw and Dave Sumner (pictured above during their 2005 tour of Namibia) will be playing the Open Mic event at JBeaners Coffee Shop on 101-A. The schedule for the evening begins at 6pm, with Mike slotted in at 8:15, Dave at 8:30 and Darin at 8:45. Make plans now to join a group of folks Friday evening to hear some original music and have some fun together.

About the evening, the three musicians had this to say:

Mike - "Dave Sumner is pretty big in these parts."

Darin - "Everybody needs to come. Mike said he will be playing 'Mexican Senorita'!"

Dave - "What is a JBeaner?"

Lost Classic

News this morning that New Hampshire resident and lead vocalist of the bands Boston and Beatlejuice was found dead in his home yesterday afternoon at 55. Brad Delp will be missed in my musical world.

Technorati Tags: Brad Delp, Boston, Beatlejuice

Amazing Grace Friday!

Join me for the show!

It's on! Regal Cinema (Hoyts) in Manchester, 1279 South Willow Street, at 8pm Friday night.

A few of us are planning to meet to see the movie Amazing Grace and then, as many as desire may head out for a cup of coffee to talk about the film and to enjoy each other's company.

So, you up for a movie?