Breakfast with Matt...

It's not everyday I can work a breakfast meeting into my schedule. And, looking at my planner this week, it was going to be even more difficult. But, I enjoy meeting new people. Besides, the work will still be waiting for me when I'm done. Anyhow, this morning I had the opportunity to have breakfast with Matt Maher. Now, you may not recognize his name, but you probably love some of his music. In fact, you've probably sang a song of his a time or two before. Like "Your Grace Is Enough" a song, actually recorded by Chris Tomlin, that has become a favorite among worship leaders across the country and all over the world. Matt also co-wrote another song you love, "On the Third Day" by Michael Olson.
So, over pancakes and eggs we talked about his life, his past and where God is taking him. We discussed "Lost" (of course) plus some other great music we both enjoy and his new CD coming out this spring called "Empty & Beautiful." The more we talked, the more I wanted to know. Matt's story is quite amazing! It continues to blow me away how God has each of our lives delicately balanced. If we'll just trust Him, oh the things He'll do through us. Matt was born in Canada and after his parents divorced, he moved to the States. It was here that his cousin took him to church and began the journey that would lead Matt to where he is today. After giving his heart to Christ, Matt began to chase after the desires that God placed within him. From leading worship to recording independent CDs, Matt patiently waited on the Lord to direct him. I found myself more and more excited about the future God has for Matt and how he is already being used to impact lives through his incredible music. I can't wait to introduce him to you through his version of "Your Grace Is Enough" which will be on the radio soon. I the meantime, if you would like to know more about Matt, please check out his myspace page; http://www.myspace.com/mattmahermusic
You can also check out his music while you're there! You'll be glad you did. And, as always, please feel free to let me know what you think. Enjoy!

Tenth Avenue North...

I can't wait for you to hear a great new song from a great new group! The song is called "Love Is Here" and it's by newcomers Tenth Avenue North. There is a lot of buzz surrounding this new group and sure the typical things that get said are true. For instance, they have a fresh sound, great dynamics, incredible vocals and phenomenal song writing. But, it doesn't appear to stop there. A great deal of buzz surrounding this group has to do with the type of people it's made up of. Mike, Jeff, Jason and Scott. Not unlike many other Christian bands, these guys love the Lord. But, there's something more than meets the eye with these guys. They really know their Bible and it's translated loud and clear through their encouraging and uplifting music. I know you are gonna fall in love with these guys as you get to know them. Be listening for their first radio single - "Love Is Here" You will start hearing it this week and it's from their debut CD "Over And Underneath" coming out in May. This will be one of those songs that has the ability to hold your memories of today, tomorrow. I look forward to hearing your thoughts about this song as you begin to hear it! If you want to hear right now, please click here; http://www.myspace.com/tenthavenuenorth

Other great songs you'll want to be listening for are the new ones from DecembeRadio "Find You Waiting" and 33Miles "Thank You"

Cinderella

My wife, daughter, son and I all sat down and watched the movie Hook a couple of nights ago. My wife and I had screened it a couple of nights earlier just to make sure it was appropriate for our kids. And, outside of a few moments in need of fast forwarding, it was a good movie. It was fun to watch my kids reaction through out the film. My son has been a huge Peter Pan fan for the better part of a year and my daughter loves Tinkerbell. It brought a smile to my face watching the way my daughter could barely contain her excitement when Tinkerbell made her first appearance. And, the way my son got so animated during the battle between Peter Pan and Captain Hook. But, the movie was more that just entertaining. I couldn't help but feel warned by the life lessons taught throughout the dialog of this movie. Cherish the time we have with our kids. It's really only for a few brief years that we have them as kids. I took note when Moria said to Peter "The kids are growing up, and you're missing it." I don't want to miss it. Once these years are gone, they can't be regained. That's one of the reasons I'm always looking for memory building activities for the family. In fact, I'm really looking forward to a very special evening planned with my daughter. In a couple of weeks we'll be attending a Cinderella ball together. It should prove to be an evening that lives on within our memories for a lifetime. She is so excited about it, she talks about it all the time. In fact, just yesterday we were discussing what we are going to wear to the ball and, out of the blue, she said, "I hope they play 'Cinderella' at the ball. " She was referring to Steven Curtis Chapman's new song from his CD "This Moment." She loves the song and would love to dance with daddy, at the ball, during that song. As I watched her face become so full of life while sharing her idea with me, I got a little sad at how fast she is growing. Sure, I'm excited about her becoming the woman God created her to be, but secretly wish it would move just a little slower. We just have to make the most of these moments. That's why I know you're going to love "Cinderella" by Steven Curtis Chapman! It is sure to become one of your favorites in record time. It really is a beautiful song carrying a gentle reminder to take breaks from our busy lives and spend time with our most precious gifts while they are still "here in our ams!" If you haven't heard it yet, you will. Keep listening to Family Friendly Radio! If you want to hear it right now, click here; http://www.myspace.com/stevencurtischapman


Steven Curtis Chapman
Album: "This Moment"
New Single: "Cinderella"
Website: http://www.stevencurtischapman.com/

The Broken Garage Door

Sometimes it seems as though things are not always as they seem. Let me explain. About a month ago, while backing out of my driveway, I closed my garage door as normal. The door came down about half way and just stopped. Didn't go back up, no blinking light to indicate something was wrong, it just stopped. I got out of my car and doubled checked the track . After finding no obstruction, I hit the button again and the door came back up and stopped as normal. So, very cautiously, I hit the button again. Big mistake. This time, instead of stopping at the same point it had before, the opener tried to close the door all the way. I'm still not sure what kept it from closing, but the opener completely mangled the panels of my door making it impossible to close. After taking a deep breath and then fully assessing the situation, an unsettling realization set in - this problem was bigger than me. After praying a moment, I called a friend over and we spent several hours working just to get the door closed. My friend, Tim, is actually a pretty smart guy! Still, there was no question, this door had to be replaced. To complicate things, it was December and Christmas was coming. This timing couldn't have been worse. I found myself starting to stress about where the money was going to come from. Not to mention the fact that the thought of having to replace a garage door never crossed my mind. I knew God would take care of it, but, this was going to be, at the very least, inconvenient. Even still, I was worried about it. That was until a couple of days later when my 4 year old son, Stevie, says, "I wish the garage door was broken again." At first I was taken back by this. Why in the world would he want the door broken? Then it dawned on me. When Tim and I were working on the door that night, I enlisted Steve's help. He got to hang out with the "guys" and spend some quality time with dad. It made him feel so special. He loved it. You know, it's kinda funny actually. I'm always looking for ways to spend quality, memory building, time as an investment in my kid's lives. One reason, is that I know our time together is going to be like a vapor and gone long before I'm ready. And, here in the midst of what I perceive to be an awful situation, is one of those very wonderful moments. I guess it just depends from what perspective you're looking. I now find myself thanking God for helping me, without me even knowing it, turn a potentially very stressful situation into a wonderful and lasting memory for my son and I. I'm so grateful that He used my 4 year old son to teach me a lot through this experience. Next time I can only hope I remember to, at least, take a peek from different perspective before I allow myself to become stressed out. God is truly awesome! And, yeah, I'm actually thanking God for the broken garage door.

New Year, New Music!

Wow, it's 2008! I can remember as a child thinking about the year 2000 and how it felt like forever away. Now, I find myself 8 years on the other side and life continues to move faster and faster. One "Resolution" I have for this year is to slow down a little and try to spend more quality time with my wife and kids, do more meaningful things for the Kingdom and enjoy each fleeting moment just a little more. When I think about 2007, there are so many highlights that come to mind.

One very fun highlight was an evening I spent with Steve Fee. We were supposed to have dinner together, but the plans fell through when he got tickets to a Cubs/Reds game at Wrigley Field. It turns out that Steve is friends with Tom Hume, pitching coach for the reds, and got incredible seats to the game. Hoping I wouldn't be too disappointed about having to cancel our dinner (and not knowing I'm a HUGE Cubs fan) he asked if I would be interested in attending the game. "Are you kidding?" To top it off, it was at the end of the season and the Cubs were in a race for the playoffs! What a great game! I watched Soriano throw out a runner at the plate in the 7th inning and the Cubs eventually won the game! To be a part of that celebration as they blasted "Go Cubs Go" throughout the stadium was unbelievable! As I was driving home that night, I found myself thinking back over the incredible evening. Yes, the game was pretty awesome, but, getting to know Steve was the highlight of the evening. And, almost getting lost in the excitement was the fact that Steve is in a band called Fee. Fee is signed to INO Records, the same record company that brought you great songs from groups like MercyMe, 33Miles, Phillips, Craig & Dean and so many others. Fee has a new CD, which Steve gave me a copy of that night, called "We Shine" and it is very, very good. I listened to it all the way home from the Cubs' game and have been listening to it ever since. I love it! You've also been hearing "Glorious One" during our Sunday Morning Praise and now you'll start hearing their new single "All Because Of Jesus", a song that Steve Fee wrote and Casting Crowns also recorded for their newest CD; "The Alter and the Door" I can't wait for you to hear this song, because I know you're going to love it!

Other great new songs you'll be hearing over the next month or so are "Captivated" by Shawn McDonald, Sanctus Real's "We Need Each Other", Brit Nicole "Set the World on Fire" and the incredible "Cinderella" from Steven Curtis Chapman.

As always, your opinion is extremely important to me! If you want to help shape the sound of your favorite Family Friendly Radio Station, please join our Music Advisory Panel and let me know what you think about, not only these songs as you hear them, but about any song we're playing! Thanks and, again, Happy New Year!

New Christmas Music...

I turned around the other day and it was December! Where did 2007 go? We decorated the house last week and the whole time I kept thinking "Didn't I just put these decorations away?" Did I mention that I love this time of year? I do. It hasn't always been this way, but ever since my children have been around, this has really become my favorite time of year. Watching them fill with such excitement even before we pull out the first box of decorations. And, it always lasts well beyond the much anticipated Christmas morning. They love this time of year! And one thing they love more than anything else, about this time of year, is the Christmas music. I guess they are a lot like their dad! We are really blessed this year with some great new Christmas music. In fact, if you're looking to add a little or a lot to your Christmas music collection or if you have a music lover on your Christmas list - then there is great news for you! Here are a few of the new Christmas CDS I find myself really falling in love with!

1. MICHAEL W. SMITH - "It's A Wonderful Christmas" - Recorded in London at Abby Road Studios with a 65-piece orchestra and 4 Choirs, this CD is really, really good. If there were an official "Movie" soundtrack for the Christmas Season - this would be it!
Songs from this CD you're hearing on Family Friendly Radio: "Christmas Angels" & "Christmas Day" - duet with Mandisa



2. RELIENT K - "Let It Snow Baby...Let It Reindeer" - My roots cause me to lean a little more to the rock side, which is one reason I'm really loving this new one from Relient K. Plus, your kids are sure to love it, too.
Songs from this CD you're hearing on Family Friendly Radio: "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" & "Merry Christmas, Here's To Many More"

3. BEBO NORMAN - "Christmas...From the Realms Of Glory" - The first time I ever saw Bebo live was at a Third Day concert many years ago. From the moment he started the song "Great Light Of the World" I became a Bebo fan! I was blown away that day and continue to be blessed by his music. If you, too, are a Bebo fan, then you are going to love this CD.
Songs you're hearing on Family Friendly Radio: "Christmastime Is Here","What Child Is This?" & "O Come Emmanuel"

4. JARS OF CLAY - "Christmas Songs" - Jars of Clay, for a long time now, have owned my favorite versions of two Christmas songs. "Little Drummer Boy" & "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen." That coupled with my love for their last studio CD "Good Monsters" I found myself excited to hear their new Christmas CD. And, I was not disappointed. From start to finish this CD is great.
Songs you're hearing on Family Friendly Radio: "Wonderful Christmastime"& "Love Came Down At Christmas"

5. BETHLEHEM SKYLINE - Featuring Various Artists (Downhere, Jason Grey, Jaime Jamgochian and others) - Ok, it's no secret that I love Downhere! In fact, their latest studio CD "Wide Eyed & Mystified" is my favorite CD of 2007! So when I saw they had a couple of Christmas songs on a compilation CD, I just had to have it! Yes, the Downhere songs are great, but the rest of the CD lives up to those songs, too. In fact, this CD is so good, that it gave us an opportunity to introduce you to Circleslide and Daniel Kirkley through a couple of their Christmas songs found on this CD. And, even though the CD is incredible from start to finish, the Downhere song "How Many Kings" litterally knocked me over. Like the others on this list, this CD is great!
Songs you're hearing on Family Friendly Radio: "How Many Kings " - Downhere, "Joy To the World" - Circleslide, "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" - Daniel Kirkley, "O Come O Come Emmanuel" - Jaime Jamgocian, "Glory To God In The Highest" - Downhere & "O Come All Ye Faithful" - Downhere and friends.

Merry Christmas...