It Never Gets Old

I had so much fun playing guitar this weekend. It helps when there's a great band around you. Several guys I have gotten to know the last couple years helped to rock out. Yes, it was in church. It's ok to rock out in church. God has given us talents, and we can't go burying them in the ground. Anyways, Rex Schnelle was on electric guitar and mandolin. It was just beautiful. What I would give to have half his talent. Then Brent Cundall was on bass, rockin' it like only he can. My bud Matt Manes was on drums, and that's always a pleasure. David Hampton was kickin' it on the piano. Finally, there was Moose Smith on the B3 organ. It just felt good this morning, making music together.

The whole morning's set was great, but in particular the offertory. It was "As A Child" by Cindy Morgan. I had to go home and buy it immediately. I just put it on repeat and keep letting it reawaken the child within.

There is no better way to start off the week. I even learned to dropped the third and play an F2 instead of F. That pesky little third.

My Wish List

These things are a bit out of budget, but here are some wish-list items.

Gibson Les Paul

Marshall Amp Head (preferably a JTM 45)

Dr. Z Amp Head (Prescription Jr. Strength)

Peavey Classic 30

and a ton of pedals.

I need some money before I get any of these. I'd also need to do a lot of research too.

BP and KU

First of all, I am all excited about the Keith Urban concert happening here in Nashville on Saturday night. It's also my friend Billy's birthday. What a great night it will be (even though Billy will be 800 miles away in Waco). Urban is supposed to make some big announcement at the show as well. Check his website for more info.

I got his album from when he was in the ranch. If ever one doubted how country KU could be, check out the twangin' licks on these tracks. The fun-lovin' Urban sound is there intertwined with the country telecaster licks that make up this album. While it won't get as many spins as Golden Road, Be Here, Love Pain and the Whole Crazy Thing, or Defying Gravity, I enjoy it more than Keith Urban. But that's just my opinion.

Brad Paisley's Part II was another album I got recently. There's no question Paisley is a country picker. This album contains the hit "I'm Gonna Miss Her" which is a big reason I got the album. I'm old fashioned and will still buy an entire album based on a single or two. Part II is made up mostly of slower love and pain songs. It's better for when one is in a melancholy mood, while American Saturday Night is better for an upbeat mood. However, Part II is still a big part of my music collection.

Two singles that I've gotten recently are Joe Walsh's "Rocky Mountain Way" and Death Cab for Cutie's "Little Bribes." Both are bluesy tunes that just feel good. I've been in a bluesy mood lately, and these tunes did the trick. I also went back and pulled out ZZ Top's "LaGrange" and have been giving it some spins as well.

Early Thoughts on Old Music

My dad and I have a tradition for my birthday - he always gets me a CD or two of music with which he grew up. This year I got Billy Joel's Piano Man and Hall & Oats' The Best of.

Joel just rocks and rolls. This is instantly a favorite of mine.

I had Hall & Oats playing in the car while a friend was riding with me up to the lake, and he made the comment that this music should be played on a date. I agree. It's some great date music.

I also have a couple groovin' singles (Joe Walsh's "Rocky Mountain Way" and Death Cab for Cutie's "Little Bribes") and two other older albums (Brad Paisley's Part II and Keith Urban's In the Ranch) that I need more time to soak up.

Happy listening!

Check the Other

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I Swear This Has Something to Do with Music

...I'm just not sure how it has something to do with music. Maybe through the notion of writing what you feel. Here's the skinny:

The line from "Let That Be Enough" by Switchfoot is pretty close to accurate: "It's my birthday tomorrow, no one here would know." While my birthday is actually today, it's close enough. I don't make a big deal about birthdays in general, but especially mine. It's just another day, IMO. That being said, it still is my birthday, and that makes today a great day.

On a less-happy note, I'm a little frustrated right now. My parents and I have differing views on what direction I should take come my college graduation in 8 days. They want me to get a full time job with benefits and health care and all that. While that's great and I'd love to have all that, I don't think I want that JUST NOW.

Ideally, I'd love to sell my Pathfinder, buy a motorcycle, head down to Orlando and work at Disney or something for a few months. Then, I'd come home for Christmas, and start working full time at the place I am currently interning. Granted, that is the ideal. But it is highly possible and very feasible that this could work.

The icing on the cake (no pun intended...well, maybe just a little) is that my dad got upset when it was mentioned that someone was complaining that they didn't get to see their friends all summer. I replied with, "I'm working three jobs," to which my dad quickly responded, "I'm working three jobs, too!" However, I'm getting paid for only one of my jobs. Also, I am not trying to support a family; I am a college student and part of that JOB is to have fun and hang out with friends WHILE learning. Let me just say there's more emphasis on the learning part than the other two.

I'm done venting on my birthday. I'm glad to have that over with. On to a happy day!