Marty

Three cheers for Marty Moore!

Marty is a big fan of bluegrass music in general, of Last Road Bluegrass band in specific, and just an all-around nice guy. I met him last year when our band played at Rholetter's Apple Valley bluegrass festival in Westminster, and was struck with what an enthusiastic, outgoing guy he was. Marty just LOVES bluegrass music.

Well, there's more. Marty is also an esophogeal cancer survivor who has lately been undergoing another round of chemo. Marty had been kicking around the idea of having a bluegrass benefit concert, with the proceeds going toward the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life. After some encouragement, Marty organized it, promoted it, and...

Last night, Marty's benefit concert became a reality, and it was a big success. It was held at Gettys Middle School in Easley, and featured two local bands (Wooden Nickel and Last Road), as well as national touring bluegrass act Kenny & Amanda Smith. There were a few hundred people in attendance, and everyone had a good time. It was great to see Marty so excited, so enthusiastic about the fundraiser.

Marty is a wonderful example of an upbeat Christ follower who is looking to the Lord for his strength, as he battles this terrible disease. At my own church, I know of at least two people who are in various stages of battling cancer. Sue is a wonderful, energetic Christian missionary whose cancer has been in remission for a number of years now. Shari is another great example of a believer whose walk has been intensified since her diagnosis a year or two ago. She shared in our Life Group meeting last week that she considers her cancer diagnosis to have been a blessing in that it has brought her so much closer to her Lord.

It's been said that nothing focuses the mind like the diagnosis of cancer. Finding out you may only have a few years or months to live makes us ask some important questions, questions that we might otherwise ignore or put off until later.

For a non-believer, these questions might be: Is there really a God? Was Jesus just a man, or were his claims true? If Christianity is true, where do I stand? How can I have a relationship with God? Where will I go when I die?

For a Christian believer, the questions might be: What is God's unique purpose for my life? In the time I have left, what do I want to get done? What does God want me to get done? What do I want people to remember me for? Am I living the way God wants me to be living?

One of the two coolest questions I've ever heard asked is this: "If you were diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer, and had only a few weeks or months to live, what would you do differently in your daily life?"

Your answer to that question reveals your true values. It forces you to look at the "big picture" of your life, and decide what is truly important.

The other coolest question relates to your answers from the first question: "Why not start doing these things today?"

Is there something in your life that you know you need to give up? Or something you've always wanted to do, but never got started? A natural talent or skill you've neglected? A person you've never reconciled with?

Well, why not live like there's not much time left, and do these things now?

That's the way Marty's living, and it's an awesome thing to see.

SPBGMA

SPBGMA 2008 is officially over, and it was awesome!

SPBGMA (pronounced "spigma") stands for the Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music in America. Every year, SPBGMA puts on a convention at the Nashville Sheraton, and it has become THE destination for bluegrass pickers across the country.

Here are some of the highlights of my SPBGMA experience:

• Jamming - This is what we all come for...hours and hours of great bluegrass jamming, with old friends and new ones as well. People I jammed with this year: Dave Snyder, Benji Merritt, James Howard, Perry Woodie, Sim Daley, Missy Daley, Josh Hicks, Jim Clark, Jim Wingate, Justin Nunez (21-tr old guitar player from south Mississippi), Morgan Knowland, and other folks whose names I don't recall. Check out this video clip of one of our jams...
  
• Hatch Show Print - On Saturday, we stopped by a nondescript storefront on Music Row in downtown Nashvegas to visit one of the coolest businesses around, Hatch Show Print. Since the late 1800's, they have been printing showbills and posters for the top musical acts in the country. They still use the original printing methods and typesetting like in the olden days... Check out these examples of their cool artwork.
  
• Daley mandolin workshop - On Friday afternoon, we were invited by Sim Daley to visit his workshop where he builds Daley mandolins and guitars. Daley mandolins are the hottest mandolins going right now, and are played by Adam Steffey, Dan Tyminski, and a lot of other big name mando monsters.
  
• Gruhns Guitars - Saturday afternoon, we also stopped by Gruhn's Guitars, one of the biggest dealers of vintage acoustic instruments in the country. This place was incredible. Dozens of old Martin guitars, mandolins of all types, banjos, dobros, fiddles... No cheesy Chinese imports here - if its the good stuff, they have it.
  
• Western wear - We stopped in a western wear store just for kicks. Result: I confirmed that I look hilarious in a big black Stetson!
  
• Gibson Showcase - Like last year, we paid a visit to the Gibson Showcase, which is THE coolest store I've ever been in. The outside of the store looks like a huge F5 mandolin headstock, and the inside contains the entire line of Gibson bluegrass instruments. Just be sure to bring a BIG checkbook along...their top-of-the-line mandolin (distressed Master Model) had a price tag of $25,500!

Despite the huge blister I got from playing bass so loud for so long, it was a great weekend. Thanks, Cathy, for the great birthday present!

Once again, God is good.

News

When I was in third grade, everyone knew the Good News Bad News joke. It went something like this:

Dusty, the Crop Duster was sitting on the bench outside the General Store when a friend came by and sat next to him. "You're looking kind of banged up, Dusty, what happened?" "Well," answered Dusty rather slowly, "I was doing the field east of town when my engine gave out." "That's bad!" "Thankfully I had my parachute on and jumped out." "That's good!" "But my parachute didn't open." "That's bad!" "There was a large haystack right below me." "That's good!" "There was a pitchfork in the middle of the haystack." "That's bad!" "I missed the pitchfork." "That's good!" "No, that's bad - I missed the haystack!"

Here's a brief life update in "good news / bad news" format:

• Good news - Our Crossroads Life Group is starting up again, after the winter break. It will be good to see our "empty nest" friends again, and share life together. Leader Steve Prout does an awesome job...
  
  
• Bad news - Today marks the 11th day of my cold (sinus infection). Yesterday, I went to the doc and got a Z-Pack, which I started on last night. But instead of feeling better, I felt worse today than ever. Must have blown my nose well over 100 times today (TMI?). Anyhow, I want so badly to feel normal again...
  
  
• Good news - This weekend, I'm going to SPBGMA (pronounced "spigma"). SPBGMA is a massive bluegrass event at the Nashville Hilton, and is one of the two biggest yearly events for pickers and grinners. Picture a huge hotel where the lobby, hallways, and rooms are packed with people jamming round the clock. There's also an auditorium where all the "big name" national bands are playing (all day), and a room with all the top-name luthiers and instrument builders. I went last year, and it was a blast. I just hope I am well by then...I'm praying for healing!!!
  
  
• Bad news - Lots of car problems lately. New muffler for Zach's Accord, new front brakes for my truck, new thermostat for Cathy's CRV... But, it beats car payments! (Oh yeah, I still have one...bummer).
  

• Good news - My bluegrass band, Last Road, may have found a replacement banjo player. We've been auditioning guys for the last month or so, and we're ready to get someone on board before we start up with spring gigs. Sounds like an easy task, but it is tough to find someone who is compatible musically, spiritually, and personality-wise...

President

Today was bizarre.

Today I stood fifty feet from President Bush, and today I met the "Nature Boy" Ric Flair.

I guess I'd better explain this one...

My bluegrass band, Last Road, was invited to play a barbecue lunch fundraiser for Lindsey Graham in Columbia, where President Bush was in attendance. The event was held at the Millwood Plantation, the site of Civil War General Wade Hampton's home, which was burned by Sherman. There were probably a few hundred in attendance, including all the movers and shakers in the South Carolina Republican party. Among those I recognized from SC state offices were Governor Mark Sanford, Senators Lindsey Graham (of course!) and Jim DeMint, and Congressmen Bob Inglis and Gresham Barrett.

Our band played from maybe 9:30 until a little before 11:00, followed by our guitar player Benji Merritt singing the national anthem. A few more announcements were made, then Lindsey Graham said a few words, and then we played a bit more. At one point we heard helicopters, and someone said that was the President landing on the grounds. A few minutes later, President Bush was introduced and greeted the crowd. I was probably not 50 or 60 feet away while he spoke for 20 or 30 minutes. It was probably the only time in my life when I'll be in the same room with the President of the United States!

Interestingly, ex-pro wrestler Ric Flair is apparently a big contributor to the Graham campaign, and he was there with his wife. My boys grew up watching wrestling on TV, so I was somewhat familiar with "the Nature Boy". We walked over to his table and briefly said hello. It was funny because you could see all the young guys in attendance pointing to Ric Flair and going "whoooooo!". You wrestling types will know what I'm referring to!

Anyhow, it was a great event, a great opportunity for our band to play for an appreciative audience, and a one-in-a-lifetime opportunity to hear the President speak live and in person. Sometime this weekend, I'll tell a little bit about what George W had to say in his speech...it was very interesting.

Certainly a day I won't soon forget!

Beater

Well, its been a busy few days since I've posted. Here are some highlights...

This weekend, I bought yet another mandolin. Actually, I have a mandolin that a guy at work gave me, free. It is my "beater", the one that doesn't even have a case, and sits by my chair in the living room. Basically, I can grab it and play it anytime, mostly during commercials. Well, anyhow, the top on this beater mandolin has started sinking, and I can't raise the action high enough to stop the strings from buzzing.

So, I ordered (and received, this weekend) a new beater mandolin: Rogue A-style, $49 from MusiciansFriend.com - that's it in the photo. Yes, that's right, $49 new! I have no idea how anyone can make and sell and archtop instrument with binding for $49. Heck, the tuning machines are probably worth $15, and a fret job runs $50 these days! I guess it's made in Chinese sweat shops... The tone is nothing to write home about, but the intonation ain't bad and it seems to stay in tune, so it fits the bill for my next "beater". Nice sunburst, too.

Also this weekend, I went to the Clemson vs. Virginia Tech game Saturday night. I think it was the first college game I'd been to since actually attending Tech in 1988! It was fun, especially since the tickets were free. And who won, you ask? Hokies, of course, 40-24.

I learned a couple things at that game. 1) There are a LOT of rich people giving to IPTAY, and 2) There are a lot of rich people who are really upset that Clemson has a not-so-outstanding football program. Look for Bowden to get the boot soon.

Sunday night, Last Road played at a little Baptist church in Bowersville, GA. Great people, and they were truly appreciative that we came and played. They treated us to a nice dinner afterward, too.

Anyhoo, that's the news. A plus tard.