Take 10 with Shane Barnard of Shane & Shane

One of my favorite duos, Shane & Shane, released their seventh career studio project Everything Is Different (Inpop) on November 3.  Chock full of the acoustic strings, lyrics drenched with Scripture, and the melodic vocal blends that Shane Barnard and Shane Everett are praised, Everything Is Different is the first album the duo released since signing on as worship pastors at their home church in Red Oak, TX.

A couple of weeks ago, I had the opportunity to look back with Shane Barnard on his career, talk about the new album, and share a few laughs along the way.  I invited you to Take 10 (and a couple more minutes) with Shane of Shane & Shane.  To learn more about the band, head over to the S & S hub at shaneandshane.com.

And, yes, you can hear my dogs barking in the background towards the end of the interview.  They’re big Shane & Shane fans and couldn’t contain their glee!

(Note: To listen to the interview, simply click the “play” button [triange button] and turn up your computer speakers.)

*Dear FTC, I wanted to let you know that, yes, this album was provided to me for free by Inpop.  Love, Amy*

Music Review:: Beauty Will Rise – Steven Curtis Chapman

Life hits full force with a series of circumstances that break our hearts and the hearts of those we love.  After a great time of joy, all of a sudden things turn…unexpectedly.  The news hits as we relive that phone call, that moment, that news that changed our lives forever.

Steven Curtis Chapman’s new album, Beauty Will Rise, was written for such a time as this.  Being hailed as Chapman’s “most personal album to date,” Beauty Will Rise releases a year and a half after the world learned of the tragic death of Chapman’s young daughter, Maria.  The songs are contemporary versions of biblical psalms full of poetic lamentation, proclamation, grief, and thoughtful memories—all overlaid with persistent hope for the future and praise for God.

All twelve tracks on Beauty Will Rise are excellently crafted—some are gentle like the album’s first single “Heaven Is The Face” while the title track, “Beauty Will Rise” goes for a bolder, faster melody.  Each song is fused with raw emotion that grips the heart.  Each time I listen to the album, I have a new favorite song, lyric, or melody.  It’s that kind of album.

Beauty Will Rise is profound-no matter what your place of suffering–because it shows that hope for healing rests in God alone.  Steven Curtis Chapman lets us walk through his pain as we try to make sense of our own.  In fact, if I may be so transparent, I have yet to listen to this album without dissolving into tears—for loved ones I miss, for words that ring so true in the difficulties in my life, and for the ever-persistent notion that life can hurt but God is still good.

Amy’s Rating: 5 out of 5

**I almost forgot to inform y’all that I was graciously provided a copy of this very album to review courtesy of Sparrow Records.  Thanks to the FTC for making me do this on every single blog post!**

Pretty Pets in Costumes with a Pumpkin, Take 2

After deciding to adorn my pumpkin with a bow, I decided to adorn my pets with their Halloween costumes.  Yes, I put my dogs in Halloween costumes–not only at Halloween, but also sometimes just for fun.  And, of course, I took pictures.  Maddy the Shih Tzu (white/gray)  loves dressing up while Cassie the Peekapoo (tan)  detests it and neither dog is fond of wearing hats.  Despite all the tomfoolery, I was able to get both dogs and the pumpkin in some pictures!

It only took 20 minutes to get this shot…sheesh! Maddy looks like she’s turning into a vamp puppy.

Cassie gives up the fight and sits nicely for her picture.

Then Maddy intruded into Cassie’s portrait.

A quick shot of Maddy before she ripped off her hat and started chewing on it. Yes, she needs a haircut!

My Pretty Pumpkin

We’ve had the pumpkin for over a few weeks now sitting on the floor in a plastic bag.  Since I’m back from my whirlwind Florida trip and sick as a dog, I decided it was finally time to decorate that bad boy. Using a Sharpie marker, metallic star stickers, and glittery fairy stickers, I made this::

Then Maddy the Shih Tzu came to investigate::

Not wanting to be left out, Cassie the Peekapoo came over, too, which caused Maddy to start break dancing.  Then both dogs ran over to start playing–no doubt high on Sharpie marker fumes.

Return of Weird Wednesday

Wednesdays are tough, you know?  It’s plopped smack dab in the middle of the week–two days down and two more to go.  I know lately I haven’t been posting weird things on Wednesdays to get you kids motivated, but I will try my best.  Every Wednesday can’t be weird, but I can always try.

The two videos of weirdness come from the lovely Jenny B. Jones, who writes young adult fiction, you should visit her website because she’s pretty funny.  Anyway, thanks to Jenny, we have some fodder to liven up our Wednesday.

The first video features two guys named Rhett and Link (website) who sing their order to a very astute Taco Bell employee.  Ha, I appreciate the $42 + change bill.

The next video is an office’s musical rendition of Backstreet Boys’ “I Want It That Way.”  Man, do all offices have cute nerdy guys like that? 

Take 5 with MIKESCHAIR

If there was ever a band that met by God’s providence, it would be MIKESCHAIR.  To be fair, Mike Grayson (lead vocals, guitar), Sam Tinnesz (lead guitar, vocals), Jesse Hale (violin, keyboards, utility, vocals), and Jon Haire (bass) were all living in the same dorm at Belmont University.  While others in the highly music student population were awash in a sea of music dreams, the quartet began writing songs, playing shows, and finding success.  After singing to Curb Records, MIKESCHAIR released their self-titled debut album in July.  Currently, the band is on The Altered Minds Tour with Lecrae and After Edmund (for a full tour schedule, click here).

Because it was his chair that inspired the band’s name, Mike Grayson kindly answered the questions for Backseat Writer’s latest Take 5. I want to see pictures of your diva chair, Mike!

Tell me about MIKESCHAIR, like the chair itself.  I hear it¹s become a diva since it inspired the band name. True or false?

HAHAHA!!  I tell you what, ever since the band was named after the chair, “Mike’s Chair” won’t let anyone sit on it because it thinks that it is so much more than a chair now.  The chair refuses to leave my room out of fear of being mobbed by fans.  If that’s not diva then, I don’t know what is.

The band has a great “how we met” story.  You’re all talented musicians rooming in the same freshmen dorm at Belmont and… (finish the story).

The whole thing started with a song.  One of the guys in the band and I sat down and started writing a song.  In the middle of the process Jesse (our violin/keyboard player) walked across the hall into the dorm room and said that he played violin and wondered if he could come and play with us.  We agreed and thankfully so because Jesse is an amazing violin player.

The three of us then decided that we wanted to record this song but we didn’t have all the necessary instrumentation to complete the song but decided to start recording anyway.  A couple days later we were talking about how we really needed electric guitar on the song. To our surprise Sam (our lead guitarist) happened to be walking by the dorm room and mentioned that he played electric guitar.  We added Sam to the song and then rounded out the group by adding Jon to come play bass.

During this whole process all of the guys except for me lived on the first floor of the dorm.  Because of this I spent all my time with the rest of the guys down on their floor–to the point that I was constantly sitting and even sleeping on their floors.  One day I came back from class and the guys went out and got me a chair so that I could have something that was mine down on their floor.  I wrote “MIKE” really big on the chair and from that point on whenever we wrote and or played music the chair was always involved.  The name MIKESCHAIR is simply a reminder of those times and how faithful God is to bring us from a dorm at Belmont University to the platform we have today.

Your first single, “Can’t Take Away” is so catchy with singability through the roof.  What inspired the writing of this song?

“Can’t Take Away” was actually the very last song to go on the record. In fact, the record was finished when we wrote this song, but we knew right away that it had to go on the record.  This song was written right when gas had reached over $4 a gallon, a hurricane had just hit down south, election season was well under way, and the news was about nothing but the bad economy.  We sat down to write, and practically all we could feel was defeat.

As we were talking it was almost as if rebellion set in, and we decided that even though the world around us is in turmoil God is still exactly where He has always been—on His Throne!  No matter what is going on in our lives, no matter how bad it gets, no one and nothing can take away our God.  This song is our reminder that it doesn’t matter who is in office or what the economy is doing or what troubles come our way, our hope and our trust lies in the hands of a God who is unchanging.

My favorite song on the album is “Silhouette” or “Outside of Me.” I can’t decided which I like more.  Which song do you think should be my favorite?

First off,I am so impressed by your favorites!!  Most people always choose the radio singles as favorites and you have chosen two of the more artistic songs on the record which I LOVE.  It’s always hard to pick a favorite for us because it’ like saying you like one child more than the other, but in this situation I would have to say that I think “Silhouette” should be your favorite. “Silhouette” is one of the songs on the album that we all love from a lyrical and musical standpoint.  This song will never be a radio single but the imagery the songs paints is something that we all love.

Does your band have any unique quirks that you’d like to make public? (Like maybe you¹re all obsessed with Planet Earth or have a fascination with Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles—let’s hear it!)

When it comes down to it MIKESCHAIR is nothing but quirks – hahahah. Just to name a few:

1.  Jon and Jesse can’t stand people touching their necks

2. Sam hates all fruits

3. I snore like a beast

4. And we used to watch That Thing You Do every time we were in the van!!

5.  We mostly communicate in different accents when in the van.

To connect with MIKESCHAIR, go to myspace.com/mikeschair and hit up the band on all your favorite social networks!

News:: PHIL WICKHAM’s third studio album, HEAVEN and EARTH set to land NOV. 17

Nashville, TN…Since the release of his critically acclaimed sophomore album Cannons, distinguished singer/songwriter Phil Wickham finds his voice on his third studio album Heaven and Earth set to land on November 17.

Even with the critical acclaim he’s garnered, for the first time in his career, Wickham feels that he has a story to tell: he wants to remind the Church for what and who we are created for.

Produced by Pete Kipley (MercyMe, The Afters, Kutless) Heaven and Earth is not only an encouraging album from a lyrical standpoint, but a delight to listen to with guitar parts that feel like they are literally plucking strings connected to your chest and lonesome yet lush string arrangements, recorded at famed Abbey Road Studios.

Writing much of the record while in the studio certainly paid off for Wickham, as a story began to unfold in the songs, and for the first time Wickham found himself writing specific songs to connect the dots and join the threads that were beginning to weave themselves in and out across the tapestry that was becoming Heaven and Earth.

The first single “Safe” featuring MercyMe frontman Bart Millard, has received great support at radio debuting at No. 28 on Billboard AC Monitored and No. 27 on AC Indicator this week. The single is being played in major markets across the country including Indianapolis, Houston, St. Louis, Los Angeles, Las Vegas and more!

The lyrics of “Safe” serve to encourage, strengthen and remind listeners that they are not alone as they say, “You will be safe in His arms, You will be safe in His arms, the hands that hold the world are holding Your heart, this is the promise He made He will be with You always, when everything is falling apart you will be safe in His arms.”

“If we are Christians, we know God is great and we know what Jesus did on the cross,” says Wickham. “We know all the stories, but to be reminded of and to be compelled to move by those stories, I feel, is in a way a large part of what my goal in music is – to remind the Church of the reality of the Gospel, the importance of the cross, of the excitement and hope that we have in Heaven.”

–Courtesy of The Media Collective

To Save A Life–the Movie & the Sonic Kitty

On Thursday evening, I attended a pre-screening of TO SAVE A LIFE, a film that delves into the lives of teenagers in crisis (suicide, pregnancy, divorce, cutting, bullying).  For now, all I will say about the film (which releases in January 2010) is:: it’s pretty good, has the potential to get teens (and adults) talking about crucial issues, and I love the kid who pours bacon bits on his ice cream cone while on a date.  Plus, the promo items, which include recycled pens made from wood and slap bracelets were top-notch.

Also, exciting was the opportunity to meet my pal, Lori Lenz, who I’ve been working with for quite a while, but never met face-to-face, until tonight.  I made her a scarf and she wore it all night!  Lori is ABSOLUTELY adorable, and if you get a chance to catch her at one of the TO SAVE A LIFE pre-screenings, you should give her a big hug from me!  And tell her that you love her scarf.

Lori and me! Look she's wearing the scarf I made!

Before we headed to Philly, Sarah and I made a pit stop in Levittown.  She had to do a work thing and dropped me off at the Super Wal-Mart.  After people-watching for an hour in the store, I decided to go outside to savor the beautiful fall weather.  I walked and walked and walked until I ended up at a Sonic clear across the parking lot.  As I sat down to read, I noticed a young tabby several yards away.  We eyeballed each other, and deeming me safe, the cat crept closer and closer until it was only two feet away. I beckoned the feline closer, but it maintained its distance.  Finally, I stood up, and it ran away to hang out in Parking Spot #1.

Philly Phever has even taken over Chik-Fil-A

So I asked two Sonic employees about the cat and they told me that it was there unofficial mascot.  Apparently, they called the humane society and other rescue organizations, but no one would come to take away the cats.  Cats?  You mean there’s more than one?  Yup, a whole family of felines lives in the weeds.

An old ship along the water front.

Over at Parking Spot #1, Miley the Cat (I named it Miley because “Party in the USA” was playing) was looking hopefully at a new family of diners. The poor thing probably survived on scraps thrown her way.  I considered ordering her a hot dog, but decided against it.  I knew I couldn’t take her with me, so I called my mom and asked her to pray for Miley the Cat.  My mom, who knows my love for animals, asked God to care for this sweet cat—that it might know the love of a family.

Be a hero & save Miley's life!

I don’t know what else to do, but tell you about Miley, show you his/her picture, and let you know where to go to claim a beautiful kitty that needs a home.  Miley the Cat is located at the Sonic along Route 13 in Levittown, PA at the Levittown Town Center Shopping Center.  If you can’t make Miley yours, please let someone know about  her/him because you can save a life.

Bible Review:: The Transformation Study Bible (NLT)

Writing a Bible review is a funny thing.  On one hand, I want to say, “Good job, God!  You did a smashing job on the New Testament!”  Being the best-selling book of all time, God knows His inspired Word is good stuff.  On the other hand, I have to consider how each Bible has been adapted through translation, notation, and explanation to aid in one’s study of the good book.  All these things come to mind as I introduce The Transformation Study Bible from David C. Cook Publishers.

The Transformation Study Bible’s general editor is renowned Bible teacher Dr. Warren W. Wiersbe, a former pastor at Chicago’s Moody Church.  A lifetime of study has gone into the commentaries, cross references, study notes, and concordance contained in this book.   Additionally, Wiersbe adds a touch of his “Be” series and “Catalyst” notes that encourage readers to apply Scripture to real-life situations.

Presented in the easy-to-read New Living Translation (NLT), The Transformation Study Bible is a good resource for Christians who want to dig deeper into their study and understanding of Scripture.  Before each book of the Bible is a in-depth overview explaining the history, setting, and intended audience.  The Scripture itself is jam-packed with verse-by-verse commentary, textual footnotes, and cross references as well as the aforementioned “Catalyst” notes.

This isn’t a Bible I would carry to church, but it definitely enhances personal study of the word—in community or individual settings.  While some of the footnotes may seem a little elementary to seasoned Christians, The Transformation Study Bible’s expansive commentary has something for everyone, including learned scholars.

*I received a copy The Transformation Study Bible from David C. Cook Publishers for review.  And I’m keeping it!*

Photo Essay:: Cape Cod, Part 1

In September, I went on a lovely trip to Cape Cod, Massachusetts.  But due to an insanely busy schedule, I haven’t been able to post my photos.  However, I decided to give you a sneak peek of what’s going to come…

I went on a Dolphin Fleet Whale Watch and finally got to see humpback whales!  I have wanted to see a humpback in the wild since I adopted a humpback whale in second grade.  Dreams do come true (and not just at Disney World). Yes, there are more whale pics to come!  I will dedicate a whole photo essay to humpback whales!

Little sparrow hanging out in Provincetown, MA.

Provincetown, MA

This is one of those pics that looks incredible when it’s bigger.  Currently, it’s my desktop monitor’s wallpaper.  I love how the gull is skipping over the water.

Plimoth Plantation

This is the Mayflower II, a reproduction of the original.

Pilgrim Fountain, Plymouth MA

This is another pic that looks amazing at its full size because you can actually see the moon!