Week 12...

So, I fell in love with this girl, right? She is funny and smart. She is beautiful and kind. She has her stuff together. Honestly, she is very much out of my league. She went to private school, you know. The world was her oyster but she decided she wanted this clam of a man. Namely, me. I don't deserve her, I'll admit it. Did I mention that she has a father? Oh, man.

Three months after Rachael and I started dating, she went on a mission trip with YWAM. She was gone for five months. I was miserable. But through that time apart, I realized how much she meant to me. I knew if we could date for three months then be apart for five and still be into it... It must be something special. We sent letters and emails. We would talk on the phone when we could. And guess who payed her phone bill. Have I mentioned her father yet?

Mr. Brown and Rachael circa 1986

Needless to say, Mr. Brown was not so enthused at the idea of his little princess falling for a man who had been married and divorced. A man with two kids and a decade more of life experience. The situation was definitely not the norm. But there was something about this girl that I couldn't get over. 

He called me one afternoon, (surely after receiving his phone bill.) He wanted to meet me for a chat. We arranged a time and place. I had a feeling that we might hit it off. Rachael had mentioned that he was a musician. I went into it like a job interview. A job that I wanted - no, needed, very badly. I made sure I had good posture and dressed well. We sat down at a table in the food court at Southpark Mall. He sat back in his chair, crossed his legs with his hands on his knees and listened to my story. Every now and then, he would come back to the table to write a note on his legal pad. I thought, "oh, he's just taking notes so he can remember things." I felt like it was going pretty well. Nearing the end of the conversation, he dropped the bomb on me. He told me that he no longer wanted me to see his daughter. It took the wind right out of my sails. I remember feeling embarrassed. I could feel the blood run to my cheeks.

Just at this moment, over Mr. Brown's left shoulder, I saw a familiar face. My bassist, Jason, from One Amazin' Kid was standing there, making a ridiculous face. He thought I was in a business meeting and was trying to mess with me. Jason is one of the most hilarious people I know, but I didn't seem to have any problem keeping a straight face and focusing on the situation at a hand. He then realized, by the look on my face, that he shouldn't be messing around. The atmosphere was heavy. It was funny to talk about later, but not in the moment. 

I surprisingly mustered up enough courage to rebut his statement. See, I knew something that he didn't. I knew that Rachael was in love with me. I knew the chemistry and connection that bound us together, even before we started dating. I knew that this woman would change my life; and I, hers. I knew. So, I said, "I mean you no disrespect at all, but that is a decision that Rachael will have to make."  

An engagement, a wedding, a boy, a house, twin girls and seven years have passed since then. I have learned and grown quite a bit. A good chunk of that is because of my father-in-law, Gary Brown. He is a great and generous man. He is a wonderful teacher. He recently sent me a text message in which he called me, "son." I don't know if he knows how much that meant to me. If he reads this, he will. Oh, the old days aren't completely forgotten. The family still likes to joke about Scary Gary and the alleged "bullet with my name on it." I wonder whatever happened to it?

I've been talking to my brother-in-law, Tyler, (singer/songwriter in his own right,) about doing a piece for 52. I thought it would be a perfect opportunity to surprise Mr. Brown with a song. We decided to do something from the Beatles, since they are one of Mr. Brown's favorite bands. Everything came together nicely. But we realized it needed a bassline. Even though we wanted to surprise Mr. Brown with the song, we thought it would be even better if he played on it. He came the next day, ready to record. It was perfect. I even managed to get his little princess to record some background vocals. So, here it is...

Enjoy, 

Christopher

     Recorded, March 15-19, 2012. Lead guitar, claps and background vocals by Tyler Brown. Background vocals by Rachael Brown Kincaid. Bass guitar by Gary Brown. I played guitar, claps, tambourine and those sweet Hammond licks. I had a blast doing this one. Thank you guys for giving your time and talents. I hope the hot tea and spaghetti was payment enough. 
     Update - At this time, I have yet to hear anything from Sir Paul McCartney. If you talk to him any time soon, let me know what he thinks about the song. 

     "I'm Looking Through You" written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney.

Week 10...

When I look back at my musical history, there is a certain point where I start to cringe. It's the place where I begin to say, "what was I thinking!?" I don't like to actually listen back to my early recordings. They are far too painful. I usually can't make it through an entire song.

Circa September 1997

I do, on the other hand, fondly remember those days. I remember buying my first guitar. All of the guys I had been playing with and learning from, played Fender Strats. And, of course, that's what I wanted and set out to purchase. I drove over to the old McFayden Music store on Independence Blvd. My salesman was a guy named Van Sachs. Little did I know, he is a well known guitar player here in Charlotte. He was very accommodating. He asked what I was interested in and I confusedly said, "a Telecaster, sir." Stratocaster... Telecaster... They sound the same, right? Well, they are not the same at all, nor do they sound the same. 

He would pick up a guitar and play it. Then he would hand it to me. I remember feeling so embarrassed to play in front of him. I had just started playing and only knew a few chords (not by name, but by finger position.) Alas, I fell head over heels for one. It was a slightly used, cream yellow, American Telecaster with a rosewood fretboard. I told Van I would have to think about the purchase and get back to him soon. Soon turned out to be the next day. I had to have her. She needed me and I needed her. I talked him down a little on the price and walked out the door with such excitement. 

I was stoked to show my friends my new obsession. When I did, I realized that I had bought a Telecaster, not a Stratocaster. What a huge mix up. I am pretty sure I felt stupid for about half of a second. Then, I started making music. Good times.

This week's song is from that era. I wrote "A Remembrance" in a time where everything was golden. I didn't know pain. I'd never met loneliness. I had only dreamt of love. It touches on the enduring question of, "can we go home again?" Looking back, it almost seems prophetic. With the trials I have endured in my life, I can reminisce and laugh at my former self. But maybe my former self knew what awaited me in the future. 

Enjoy, 

Christopher

     Recorded March 5-6. I hadn't played this song in a decade or so. My ring finger on my picking hand cramped up on me something fierce. 

A Remembrance

This house seems small. The trees are shorter than I recall. I've still got the sap on my hands from back in the day. I will return to you. I will return to you. Chase like the wind. Without a fear inside my head, but that of death. And I am still a little scared, I admit. I will return to you. I will return. I'm so thankful for all that I've endured. And to my flesh and blood for all that I've become. If I could go back again, would I change all that's been? If I could go home tonight, would I make it all right? No, I would stay. I'd keep it all the same. I would stay. 

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 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.

Week 4

This week, I went with one of my old favorites; Sulk by Radiohead. It's from their second release, The Bends. This record was my first exposure to the band. After one listen, I was hooked. Thom Yorke's vocal range was right down my alley. The dynamics of their sound spoke loudly to me. From a spacious wall of sound one moment, to soft and quiet; sometimes, all in the same song. The first time I popped this record into my cd player, I was but a rookie guitarist. It broadened my horizons, drastically. It challenged me to scrutinize my song compositions and melodies. It made me take a step back to look at the broader musical picture. To this day, it is one of my favorite records. 

Back in the day, when I played acoustic sets for One Amazin' Kid, this was one of my go-to cover songs. I often played solo, so I filled in the guitar lead with vocals. Kind of different, maybe. I don't know. I will let you be the judge. Let me know what you think.  

Enjoy, 

Christopher

     Recorded late in the evening on January 23, 2012. I still had the remainder of a gruesome cold. You can hear it in my voice. I apologize for that.

      "Sulk," written by Greenwood, Greenwood, OBrien, Selway, Yorke.