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March 2008

Hi Everyone, There are definite signs of spring in the great state of Tennessee--although we're expecting freezing temperatures this weekend. We have had a sho nuff winter this year but have been passed over (again) by mother nature's snow machine. This means we've had all of the pain and none of the pleasure. The schools have closed with little more than a patch of ice present somewhere in our county--it is truly pitiful to see children trying to sled over 1/8th of an inch of snow with the grass poking through. So--enough already. We do spring very well in Tennessee so bring it on! Many thanks to those of you that made a lot of joyful noise over the GRAMMY win--we were just thrilled over the whole thing. I had a great time at the show with my nearly 16 year old son Henry--who kept referring to the pre-telecast as the "little GRAMMYS". We went to In N Out burger (the closest thing to a Holy Grail for Henry in the state of California); we went to the mall for sports paraphernalia (UCLA); we took pictures of stars with our cell phones; we got lost--repeatedly. He was the perfect traveling companion--happy to be there. I have some news to pass on: I'm currently working out a record deal with Koch records--arguably the largest and certainly one of the longest running independent labels. It's a two record deal for starters; the 1st record which we hope to start right away will be old gospel songs. Kenny and I heard a wonderful show on NPR's Fresh Air featuring old black gospel recordings that have been collected and archived by a man named Robert Darden. I have been including more and more of this type of music in my show and Kenny suggested we make a record. This will be different from the hymn record--more blues based with spare instrumentation. I may do some choral stuff--we'll probably run a bunch of things up the flag pool and see what gets the salute. The following record will be originals--more typical of my usual fare. Koch is also re-distributing Before The Daylight to hopefully reach a wider audience. All of this comes as quite a surprise to me--certainly it's no secret that the music business is in bad shape and deals of any nature are hard to come by. I am excited--really, really excited and happily rising at dawn to write songs and cull through old recordings looking for material. I want to get on the mail--I've got a stack of requests, I know, and I'll get to the tabs as soon as I can. I would like to close by answering many inquiries I've had about my father; my father died several years ago and my stepfather is nearly 91 and living quietly in California. He does not play the guitar. I hope this helps. Many blessings to all. Ashley Melissa--I'll make a tab for Come Ye Sinners in the next couple of weeks. I'll write it in E because I play it in that voicing but I play it on a guitar that is tuned a whole step down--so the key on the record is actually D. Bryan Steelman--my youngest daughter asked me the other day when I was going to make a Christmas record. I actually have all the material for one but other things end up taking precedence. It's on my radar though and I will make one eventually. Thanks for asking! Gary Standefer--this is probably way too late but I'll send a couple of things anyway for future training events. Youth leaders are playing a HUGE roll in the lives of my children at the moment--thank you for investing in them! James and Lynn Robertson--always great to see you guys at JH--thanks for all you do for me when I'm there. Dawn McKinney--Here's what I know--Christ. Here's what changed me--love. I believe that God will bring the people He wants to your church and you'll have the opportunity to love them--maybe by helping them or feeding them or listening to them. Maybe all of that. To me the body of Christ is broken people offering themselves to one another. I hope your little church overflows with new life--sounds like that's already happening. John McCartin--thanks for keeping connected with me--I would be grateful if you pass on anything you know. Manfred Edlmann--I hope you are having a wonderful time discovering the beauty of worship--the primary function of the body of Christ!! Eileen Manning--I sent a tab in for I Need Jesus--hope you found it. Tanya--I'll get a tab together for Power Of Love. I think Kenny's guitar part makes that song--unfortunately the tab will just have the chords--hope it helps anyway. Ron Giesecke--your gig is probably long done by now but hopefully this info will help you work out Your Saving Grace for the next one--it's in standard in the key of E. Bob McMillan--so great to see you in Wrigleyville--it was a PCC reunion! Thanks for making the trip--hope our paths cross again soon. Brooks Knott--that's me. I used to play in a folk due @ Chelsea Potter w/ my buddy Pam Tillis. It was torn down many years ago--a sad loss for the Cumberland strip. Where did you wind up? Ted and Wayne in Chicagoland--thanks for coming to the events there--I had a great weekend. Bill Jacobsen--The concert @ Parkview was one of the highlights of my fall--thanks so much for putting it together--it was a great fit. Thanks also for your ongoing encouragement, the Ray Davies records (!) and your prayers for my prodigal. All the best to you and Susan. Kevin Lewis--I love imagining you and your daughter singing along to the songs on Lesson Of Love. My kids don't like me to sing too loud to records or the radio either! Kevin and Dawna Jackson--loved the show in Las Vegas--loved having folks there that were at the last Rich Mullins shows. Clint Gilbert--thanks for the suggestion--I'll have a listen. Tara Thelen--I'll have a look. Thanks for thinking of me. Tracey Jackson--I wrote to your mom and am praying for your dad--thanks for tracking me down. I still remember you as a little girl--such an angel with your long curls and smiling face! Wild Bill Campedelli--Lesson Of Love is out of print and does not belong to me (It is owned by Provident Records) so I can't remanufacture it. I have found it at Amazon and on Ebay before--sorry I can't help you. Ken Martin--I'm not familiar by name with the person you mentioned. I play often in Bloomington because of my relationship with the Jesus House--I may have met her there. I hope you have dealt with the situation with the utmost kindness and tenderness--remembering "the least of these". Melissa--Faith Like A Little Child is going to be tricky to tab--I play it on a baritone guitar so the strings are different notes than standard tuning. I'll see what I can do but maybe you better pick another song for your event because I've got three tabs to work on before I get to this one. Tom--Rose is going to put the lyrics up at the site--give her a little time to put it together. So glad you like the record. Lisa Wiggs--read my above post. All the best to you. Allie Gammon--there are no coincidences!! Thanks so much for coming out to 3rd and Lindsley. Hope to see you in San Diego--you'll love Maranatha--it's a fantastic church. Fred Morgan--we have a special guest lined up for the next record (see above post) that I think you'll be especially excited about. All is good here--hope you're doing well too. Carolina Marrelli--Thanks girl--you know how to make somebody's day! posted: 03.06.2008 | 09:29:49 | post number: 17

more mail

Rose is so on top of sending me the mail--I'm making an attempt at being more timely. Michelle--lovely youtube video--thanks for the heads up. Laura Shofestall--great note--thanks Mary Binkley--nice to hear from you. I did do a benefit for Susan Weatherly in Atlanta. Hope you and David are enjoying St. Augustine--what a lovely place! John Van Eyk--Great idea. That is something that would have to be put together by Rich's foundation. I have no idea if they are planning something for this fall but it's entirely possible. Mike Harris--Good to hear from you. Tell your friend to send the demo to my P.O. Box: 50181, Nashville, TN 37204 Akirah Terry--I loved that Larry Norman song--as a matter of fact--I loved that whole record, it was a staple on my stereo when I was in college. I used to do The Outlaw and Why Should The Devil Have All The Good Music but that's been awhile. Janet Master--so glad to hear that your friend Mary might want to come visit CPC--you are a sweet friend to encourage her and be available. I do go to Park City periodically--I'll look up your friends at the PCA church. I have a good bit of Scottish blood in me so a good brogue sends me! See you at church. posted: 07.31.2007 | 04:37:28 | post number: 16

Summer 2007

Hi Everyone, It is raining, at last, in the parched Nashville basin. I think it's just a tease but at this point, any rain is welcome. I think I feel the same way about our culture... We have had a crazy summer. I registered my kids for everything that was offered to us in an effort to keep them off the couch, forgetting that I would be doing the driving. Now, I would be happy for them to be on the couch--in fact, I'd like to join them. I am looking forward to a full schedule in the fall--dates forthcoming on the calendar. Meanwhile I've been focused on songwriting since the first of the year and have nearly written a new record. I'd like to make a Christmas record as well--time is, as always, the issue. Thanks for all your kind words about "Before The Daylight"--I am enjoying playing the songs from that disc and rocking my way into my fifties--even though that phrase sounds like a complete oxymoron. I hope to see some of you out there in the next few months--have really enjoyed meeting some of you. Alan and Anne Kerley--great getting to know you a bit at Laity Lodge. On to the mail. Bill Jacobsen--looking forward to November 9th--hope David is doing well and moving forward with his life. Karen Harrison--I have a soft spot for fans that have been with me as long as you. I do play out in Nashville periodically. Check the web site and the paper. Mark Zanoni--thanks for taking the time to write and thanks to Greg Martin for playing us on his show! Tony Favichia--what a fantastic name you have! I played Westbury Music Fair years ago with REO Speedwagon if you can believe that. I haven't been to New York state much although I played a few dates there with Jars Of Clay awhile back. I never know where I'll wind up though so maybe this year! TT--as a matter of fact, I'm doing a show with Glenn Kaiser at the Jesus Coffee House in Bloomington, Ill on November 10th. MOS--got your lovely letter and I'll ask Kenny aobut instruction stuff--I don't have any music books, just simple guitar tabs on this site. I'll answer on this journal when I ask him. Jim and Nancy Wright, David and Bobbie Corden, Taylor Hamilton--I had a wonderful time at Richard's house in Knoxville--what a perfect setting for a concert. Thanks for taking the time to write me and Taylor, yes I did go to school with Ward and if memory serves me (which mostly it doesn't) I think I may have had a crush on him for awhile. Tell him hello. Mike Cleveland--I have no idea if we're related. I've had offers to buy (of course) those books that trace your family lines but I've never gotten one Mark Cline--thank you for such a great letter. I hope Faith Like A Little Child went well for Mother's Day--I wrote that for my youngest daughter, Lily and have always loved it. Pam Dickinson--you can get Lesson Of Love on iTunes. I've also found the cd on Amazon and EBay. John Shupe--I can get you a photo autographed by the band but it may take awhile--Michael's on the road with Vince Gill. Send me an address. Bob Watson--thanks for the Dave Barry joke--love Dave Barry! Charlie Bailey--I don't play in the northwest much but occasionally I have a date out there--I'd love to come more often--so beautiful. I hope you all have a great and restful end of summer--I'm looking forward to a week up in the Smoky Mountains--the place my soul loves best. posted: 07.20.2007 | 04:50:22 | post number: 15