Busy Times...

This past weekend, this was my respite
 near the top of the mountain.

I have been really, really busy as of late. Ridge Church, Concerts, weddings, CharlotteOne, a men's retreat... Oh yeah, and I have five kids and a deserving wife to love on. The rest of 2012 is going to be even busier. I feel like this year has been a steady mountain climb. This final ascent to the summit looks to be the steepest part of this journey. Winter is upon us. The holidays are filled with extracurricular events and family time. That means I will have less and less time to put towards 52. I am already behind a few weeks, but please know, I am working. I am going to conquer this challenge. 

All that being said, please partner with me. Spread the word about 52. Facebook, Twitter and Instagram it to everyone you know. It's all free! It all sounds somewhat decent, (I hope.) Thank you for all the support that you've already given. It means the world to me. 

Alright... Let's finish strong!

Christopher

Week 40...

This is another Ridge Church opener! We used "The Waiting" to crank up our latest series called "The Waiting Room." I changed the feel of the song a bit. It definitely drives a little more than the original Tom Petty version. My partner in crime, Adam Locklear did an amazing job singing the song last Sunday. Anderson Hall played the drums that morning. Anderson, or as I sometimes call him, Arsenio and I sparked up a conversation about possibly recording it for 52. He said he just recently acquired some recording equipment and that he'd love to try to track it at his place. I said, "that sounds great!" All the while I was thinking about how much of a nightmare it would be to try to make this newbie's drum tracks sound decent. To my surprise, he killed it. I was so impressed. 

In other news, this song reminds me quite a bit of my relationship with my wife. "The waiting is the hardest part." Waiting and patience have been an ongoing theme in my life and in our relationship. We've had some hard rows to hoe, but we've always focused on the important things. We set our goals high and kept working toward them, even through trials and stresses. We are just now beginning to see and experience the fruits of our cooperative labor. I am so proud of this woman. She's a fighter and a go-getter! Sometimes, I can't believe she picked me to go with her on this crazy journey called life. She saw something in me that I couldn't even see myself. Slowly, but surely that man is coming out from within. Talk about patience?! She's got it. Sorry... I'll stop rambling.

Enjoy, 

Christopher

     Recorded October 16-20, 2012. Anderson Hall played the drums. While I was recording guitars for this, my almost three year old, Ames Emmanuel opened my office door and said "please turn that down, Daddy." It was absolutely priceless and had to stay on the recording. Listen for him at the end of the song. Oh, I immediately followed his request by saying, "EXCUSE ME? This is my house, young man..." Then, I went off into a long Bill Cosby inspired mumbling session. 

     "The Waiting" written by Tom Petty. From the album Hard Promises.

Week 38 (Reason in retroactivity...)

When I was in high school, a friend of mine named Ryan would take me home from school almost every day. We would fly down the road listening to our music as loud as possible. That's when it happened. Ryan, without even knowing, caused an addiction. Yes, I'll admit it. I was addicted to the Pixies. 

They were quirky. They made little sense. They were loud and abrasive. But something in the music spoke to me. They were also the gateway to other addictions, such as the Breeders, Belly, Tanya Donelly, Throwing Muses and Juliana Hatfield. 

Ryan and I got to see the Pixies open up for U2 on their Zoo TV Tour. It was a joyful time in my life. Every time I listen to the beginning riff of the Pixies song, "Velouria," I am back in that Maxima, speeding down Sharon View with the music blaring. Those were some good, good times.  

Enjoy, 

Christopher

     Recorded in bits and pieces September 22-October 17, 2012. In 2004, I was recording some demos Hopesfall at my studio. Their producer came to sit in on the sessions. His name is Steve Haigler. Steve was the audio engineer on the Pixies' records Bossanova, Doolittle and Trompe Le Monde. Needless to say, I was stoked to hang out with and learn from him and incredibly intimidated to work in front of him. Goodness. Sorry this took so long. I had discussed having a guest guitarist, but the schedules never worked out. In the end, I had to do it myself, (and it isn't nearly as good as he could have done.)
     "Velouria" written by Black Francis. Or is it Frank Black? I'm so confused. From the album, Bossanova.