Week 9...

Back in '05, Hem, an indie-folk rock band from New York City, was in heavy rotation at my house. I couldn't get enough of Sally Ellyson's voice. It is so hauntingly beautiful. Their music takes you to a place in time far from the jarring clamor of today. It's pristine and pure and never disappoints. 

Circa February 2006

At the time, my wife and I were dating. I was pulling out all the stops to try win her heart. I'd seen that Hem was playing a club called the Vinyl, in Atlanta. I thought it would be a fun day trip for the two of us. I purchased tickets online and we planned to go. As the show was approaching, I received a call from a friend of mine who booked shows for a local club. She said that she'd booked Hem, but couldn't think of any good local openers. She said, "I know it's not your type of music, but can you think of anyone who could fill the bill." I laughed and told her about my adoration for Hem. I offered for my band, One Amazin' Kid to open. She took it. 

So my sweetheart and I moseyed on down to Atlanta. We had a blast. We were at that point in the relationship where you can just ride and talk the entire time, with no music at all. I think they call that love, right? We went to the show and listened to their set. It was super solid. Afterward, we got to meet the band. I told Sally that we would see them just a few days later in Charlotte. She was beautiful, graceful and sweet. 

The show in Charlotte came around. After my band played, Sally stopped us to talk. She said, "You know, at first I was like, 'oh great, a #@$%ing rock band.' But then I heard you sing. It was great!" I was truly honored and humbled that those words would come from a voice that I admired so much. 

The song I chose for week 9 is called, "Oh No." It's from Hem's album, "No Word From Tom." I hope you enjoy it. 

Christopher

     Recorded on February 27, 2012. I think it's pretty cool that 52 is now what's considered a full length record. A FREE full length record, y'all. Tell some friends about it, won't ya?

     "Oh No," written by Dan Messé and Gary Maurer.

Week 8...

I have a big family. I usually have a little one tugging on my hand or my wife close by. Time away from them is few and far between. You'll hear no complaints from me about that. When I am away, I'm usually too busy with the details of my trip to be homesick. Late last year, I was asked to play a conference at a YMCA camp in King, NC. I was scheduled to play a morning and an evening session. The time in between was the first time in a long while that I had absolutely nothing to do. I got to be quiet and reflect on the many blessings in my life. I walked out into a grassy field set beneath a mountain and just breathed in and out for a bit. Just breathed. I soaked in the scenery and picked up my guitar. 15 minutes later, this song had appeared.

A lot of my songs happen this way. It starts with a melody, then a word or two, and then it's finished. I don't set out to write anything specific. The pieces just come. They are like puzzles that I don't make. I just get to put them together. It is in those moments that I know God is there, speaking to me, loving on me, leading me through. It is a heavenly experience. It fills me up!

This week's offering is a love song. Not in the traditional sense, where one pours himself out to express his desires. It is not about the things I've done to win my dearest one's devotion. It is not about anything that my feeble emotions have to offer.  

This is a song about a love that has overcome my heart. It continues to do so on a daily - no, an hourly basis. I see it when I look at my beautiful wife and children. I feel it when I look at the sunset and the stars. I hear it in the loudest melodies and in the quiet of the night. The love I am talking about is God's love. Now, I'm not trying to get all religious. But when you're in love, you have to talk about it, right? If I've stepped on any toes, feel free to pretend that this post never happened. This song will just be about an earthly love that has won over this hopeless romantic.

I don't think I am special; not in the least. But when I think about how big God is... And all the works of His creation... And the intricacies around and within me... The way He tells me that I'm not just worthless flesh and blood that moves from dust to dust... And the way that He loves me... And the things He's done to free my soul from the bonds of this earth... And that the Creator of all specifically made and fancies me!? Goodness!

Enjoy,

Christopher

     Recorded from 10:30 pm-2 am, February 20-21, 2012. I really should stop procrastinating. That way I could get to sleep earlier. My buddy Chris Lee (Twitter or Tumblr) made a video for Ridge Church's Easter service. Take a look!


Lyrics

Your Ocean

Did you know you are my favorite thing in the world? Did you know that I cannot control my love for you? It's about to overflow like a river drenched by the waters, oh, flowing from your fountain. Caught in the current, causing landslides, coming down your mountain. I reach out for help but all that I can feel is the movement in your motion. You've swept me off my feet and I'm washed away, into your ocean of love. Did you know there's not a single thing that I need? Did you know my heart is filled with love and it's oh so pleased in you. It's about to overflow like a river drenched by the waters, oh, flowing from your fountain. Caught in the current, causing landslides, moving down your mountain. I call out for help but all that I can hear is the song of your devotion. You sang my heart afloat and I sail away, into your ocean of love.

Week 7...

I hate Valentine's day. There, I said it. I don't like being forced to do something like show my love. I try really hard to do that all of the time. This makes me a bad husband come February 14. 

So here is my PUBLIC APOLOGY for being too proud to celebrate V-day (I'm sorry, Rach,) and my PUBLIC PROFESSION OF ADORATION of my... (deep breath) VALENTINE! 

I love my wife more than life itself. She is the best thing that has ever happened to me. She put me back together. She picked up my pieces and made me into something. She is beautiful from head to toe; inside and out. She is the best mom around. She's the best friend I've ever had. I like her so much, I painted our bedroom hot magenta or pink or whatnot. She is the reason I continue to take in breath here on earth. I could not go on without her. She is my love song, my dove, my dearest one, my beloved. I will shout it from the mountain tops and deep within the valleys. I love her so much, even though we are married, I still propose to her in public places on a regular basis. She makes me laugh and cry in the best way. She is the greatest part of me, by far. 

Alas, she is upstairs asleep. She went to bed sad. I am kicking myself in the rear for that. But, this is her Valentine's day present. It's a song I wrote for her a little while back. Well, I actually wrote it for my kids, but it's all about her. It's called Lucky Man. 

Enjoy, 

Christopher

     Recorded Late in the evening on February 13, 2012, until my voice died. I finished tracking them on Valentine's day. Isn't that convenient!? 

Lyrics

Have I ever told you the story

About the girl who took control of my heart

From the moment our eyes connected

I knew we would never be apart

I love the way that she dances

I love the way she smiles and sings her songs

And oh the way she romances me

I cannot help it but to sing along

Oh I could go on and on 

About the the way she makes me feel

She is my sweet little baby girl

And she alone only rules my world 

Day and night she is my sweetest friend

All is right when she hold my hand

I'm a lucky man

Have I ever told you the story

About the woman who became my wife

What if I told you that you know her

What if I told you that she gave you life

On and on she gives her best 

And floods our hearts with so much love

She is my sweet little baby girl

And she alone only rules my world 

Day and night she is my sweetest friend

All is right when she hold my hand

I'm a lucky man

On and on this love, it grows

Overtaking everything we know

She is my sweet little honey child

She makes me smile and she blows my mind

I can't believe what I have come to see

Your momma's love has made a man of me

She is my sweet little baby girl

And she alone only rules my world 

Day and night she is my sweetest friend

All is right when she hold my hand

I'm a lucky man

Week 6...

This week, I recorded a song that gives you a sneak peek into our everyday life. I am the Music Programming Director at Ridge Church, here in Charlotte. Basically, I get paid to do what I love... Make music. I might have a meeting or two during the week, but most of my time is spent at home. 

My job allows me to be Mr. Mom. I love it. I have five kids ranging from eleven years to ten months. They are all unique. They are all beautiful. I promise, I'm not biased at all. They are all honestly gorgeous. They bring me so much joy. There is nothing better than watching my two older boys interact with their little brother and twin sisters. It gives me a glimpse of the fathers they will become. My two year old, Ames Emmanuel, is normally the center of attention. He loves music, Yo Gabba Gabba and tackling. He already has amazing comedic timing. Anytime I am playing guitar, he lets out an "OHH," then sprints to find his "toowar," (which is a foam pirate's scimitar sword.) He strums, sings and dances. Sometimes he fingerpicks and plays it behind his head. When the song is over, he places said guitar on one of my guitar stands. It is priceless.

Needless to say, there is always a melody floating around our house. If it is not blasting through speakers, it's being sung. I sing while cooking, bathing, changing diapers, getting the mail, brushing my teeth... The list goes on. Ames and I like to sing together; Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, the ABC song, anything from DJ Lancerock. So, yeah, I thought I would record our version of You Are My Sunshine for the whole world to hear.  

Enjoy, 

Christopher




     Recorded between 10:30pm and 2am on February 6-7, 2012. Why did I stay up so late? 
     "You Are My Sunshine," written by Oliver Hood.