March 21, 2007
Hey everybody! What a whirlwind weekend we had! We headed for Austin/San Antonio on Friday evening, hoping to get a little practice time for the new CD in during our drive down. The traffic was a little heavier than we anticipated as it was also the weekend for the Austin music festival "South X Southwest". I told everyone we should say we went just for that music festival and people would think we were cool. OK Maybe not even then. lol After much driving around and lively debate while searching for our Best Western, which the internet neglected to tell us was located next to the Airport, we were finally all tucked in and ready for our next adventure. It must be noted that during the debate on mapquest directions, I, Kelley was busy polishing my halo, and therefore couldn't participate. No, really.
Anyway, we were blessed to attend the 9th annual South Texas Gospel Music Association banquet and convention on Saturday. We made a lot of new friends, heard some awesome music and testimonies, ate too much, and generally had a great time. We happened to be second on the program to sing, (out of 31 groups) and that turned out to be an awesome slot! They arrange the program according to how quickly you return your information to them. I am using airmail from now on!! We were able to sing early and then sit back, relax and take off my high heels!! ( I am thoroughly convinced high heels are of the devil, lol) Seriously, the music and fellowship were wonderful, and we were made to feel welcome immediately. (Thanks, Norma!)
The next morning we were honored to minister at Beacon Ridge Baptist in Austin. When you walk into alot of churches you begin to be able to discern the real love that people have for one another. This congregation was full of love! Pastor Nelson and his sweet wife were so much fun. And who could forget Deacon! (Deacon is a chihuahua mix, mascot of the church who resides in the church office during services!) They also treated us to a great luncheon after morning services. I left with a full heart, new friends and an awesome enchilada recipe on the back of my bulletin! Can't wait to go back!! The drive home was met with the same traffic getting there, and yes, we did practice a little. Jim describes it as his own personal "mini" concerts. The next time you see Bob, ask him why he practices in traffic with his cell phone pressed firmly to his ear!!!! haha
Winnsboro: If you like to be treated well and love BBQ, we suggest you get on Pastor Jim Edward's good side so he'll invite you to Winnsboro to sing at Hespibah Community Assembly of God! We met up with the Pastor, his Dad, and two of his faithful flock, Mark and Pam, at the BBQ house and had dinner before we set up for the concert. What fun!! We ate way too much then tried to sing our little hearts out! Jim found a kindred spirit, (you know who you are, Mark), Pam found long lost relatives, (The Barkers of East Texas), Bob found out how to lose all his air on the last note sung, and I found out I LOVE Bodacious BBQ. We can't wait to be invited back!
Nashville: How can something be so hard, rewarding, humbling, uplifting, discouraging, encouraging, exciting, and tiring all at the same time? That's how we felt about our time in the Daywind Studio's last week in Goodlettsville, Tennessee. Our first adventure was when our hotel lost our reservations. Yikes! But Lisa from Daywind was incredible and found us alternate rooms until we could move elsewhere. When you are cooped up in a truck with each other for 10 hours straight, I don't care how much you love each other, you want to know you're headed for a nice comfy bed! lol On Saturday morning we headed to our photo shoot. I suggested a beautiful old stained glassed window church or something, but nobody ever listens to me. So we are dreading this photo shoot like a root canal and somehow in the middle of it, it turns out to be a hoot! Our photographer Kimberly was incredible and had just returned from her honeymoon, island hopping in Hawaii. (bless her heart) Lisa from Daywind was there and we just laughed and giggled and cut up, until the boys put a stop to it. Actually we got the last laugh because I have in my possession pictures of Bob and Jim getting their "make-up" done for the photos. (These pictures are in a safe place and can be used against the boys should the need arise.) On Saturday night we drove to Murfreesboro to hear the Sunday Edition in concert. Wow! They were awesome and very nice people. Sunday Edition is Deon Unthank, Amy Unthank and Chris Unthank. On Sunday we spent the day in Clarksville visiting our nephew Josh Matthews and his wife Jennifer for a great day of food and fellowship. Josh is a Sergeant in the 101st Airborn Division and will soon be returning to Iraq for his third deployment. Then it was finally the day of truth, First day of recording! We were so impressed by the studio and the great lounge. The people were wonderful and anybody that sets out M&M's for me has already won me over. It was three days of hearing these sweet words from Jessica our Producer, "pitchy, flat, sharp, perfect, stack that, awesome, isn't this song great, this is not my favorite, Gaw Kelley, (or Bob or Pam, just insert name), You're flat but I love you anyway!" We must admit at one point that the phrase "Your Momma's pitchy" was yelled back to the producer. I'm not naming names, but I'm much better now thank you. LOL Seriously we had so much fun and Jessica was able to get us out of our comfort zones and really show us what God can unleash if we'll just let Him!
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March 13, 2007
We know that God truly does inhabit the praises of His people, and that proved once again to be so true as we were privileged to worship with our friends at Mt Zion Baptist Church recently. It was a night of so much more than music - God was ever present and we were honored to be a part.
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March 5, 2007
Just when I think God could not possibly bless New Day more - He shows me that his arsenal of blessings has not even been tapped yet! We just returned from Nashville where we spent 2 days laying the foundation for our new project which will be released in early Summer. To say we had a great time would be the understatement of the century! We had the honor of watching some of the greatest musicians in the industry at work - and to think God put them on our little project is more than humbling. So many stories to tell - so much proof that this is, as Jim calls it, a God thing - but we'll wait until the project release and share those stories. Jessica Harrison, our producer & friend, has proven to be one of the greatest blessings we've experienced so far! Every now and then someone crosses your path and you know without a doubt they were sent by God - that's Jessica!! We'll be practicing nonstop for the next six weeks in preparation for recording the vocals on this project - our schedule is also filling up! As the old song says - find out what God is doing and get right in the middle! We're smack dab in the middle and loving it!!!
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