Monday I’ll write with words again.
Today I’m creating music!

Huh?!?

I’m well known for my very eclectic music collection.
I’m also well known for not being able to keep a beat.

Trivia – I know exactly when I first knew I heard the “beat” in a song. It was August 7, 1998. You can read about it here.

October 2011

Last fall I debuted a “song” for our TreeHouse teens.

I blended a techno-house beat with the text of Philippians 2:4 using an audio version of the Bible.

Yesterday I wrote about my music shame. You can read about it here.

I didn’t mention it yesterday, but I had never actually heard and followed the beat in a song until August 7, 1998. I was thirty-five years old.

How can I be so certain? How do I know the exact date?

I was at a concert. I saved the ticket stub.

I was at a reggae show with some TreeHouse teens. “Tansoback” was the leader of the reggae group Christafari. 1

I am rhythmically challenged.

I am rhythm deprived, I know it, if you know me well, and you know it too.

Many of you have made fun of me to my face; probably as payback for some mischief I perpetuated.

What’s it look like to be rhythm deprived?

While everyone else rocks to the music, I’m hunting for the beat.
While everyone else is caught up in the groove, I’m wondering which way to move.

When I clap, I follow.
When I tap, I wonder; “How soon will I lose the beat?”
When I dance, I count and watch others.

I love listening to my old music.  I love breaking out a Bruce Springsteen concert or playing Rush’s La Villa Strangiato.

I also love learning about newer artists. 

Recently my son Josh’s girlfriend Taylor introduced me to metalcore bands I hadn’t heard.  Now I listen to Acacia Strain, Asking Alexandria, Dead By April, and Motionless in White.  I admit, they won’t make the daily list, but they will spin in my media player.

By the way, what music are you listening to that I should consider listening to too?

Deep Music

A couple years ago Lisa Stordahl finagled tickets for Christian Olsen, Dede Rogers and me to attend a great concert.  That night we heard some awesome music by Third Day, Robert Randolph and the Family Band, and Switchfoot.

One of my favorite moments of the concert had nothing to do with the music.  While walking through the crowd Jon Foreman, the lead singer for Switchfoot walked up to Christian Olsen.  Jon reached out and shook Christian’s hand.  They embraced.  A handshake.  It made my night.