we've been in the studio for the past 3 weeks ever since we got back from nashville... we're working on the new ep.. release date is set for sept. 22nd... that's actually the day we open for starfield in seattle! so we're planning to release our cd that night. this cd is a lot different.. hope people like it.. i like the songs though.. each one has its own little story of how it came to be on the cd... heh..

took a break from the studio to come down here to oregon for a few days for a couple shows from now till saturday... had a show earlier tonight.. a full day off tomorrow.. to sleep in... play golf.. hang out and just rest.. finally... =)

arrival

took a red-eye flight from seattle last night. made it to nashville 745am local time here. got our car rental.. drove to a starbucks... then got lost trying to find a chik-fil-a.. then went to visit a friend who works at a different record label in franklin, tn..they've some good artists coming out in the fall..then.. found a different chik-fil-a... then came to our friends house and relaxed.

we are resting today. day one of writing starts tomorrow with Allen Salmon (starfield, this beautiful republic, seabird, etc).. should be funn... will take lots of video footage and make some video blogs in the next couple days

writing

got back home to seattle today. long flight from boston with like 2 delays. what a drain.

but andy, our producer, picked me up and we wasted no time. got some chipotle and went to the studio to work on some of the songs for the new cd. i think the songs are turning out really good. we actually finished one in terms of structure and melody today. i think it's called "over my head"... but seeing as how the fray already has a song called "over my head".. we might have to change the title.. haha.. we'll see. actually.. i think starfield has a song with the same title as well.

we leave for nashville monday night. im excited.

NashVegas

got my flight. we leave the night of June 1st. so excited. so lucky to be set up with some amazing writers and producers. allen salmon (produced Starfields cd), steve wilson (jonezetta, above the golden state), jonathan howard (played in the band dizmas), nick departee (plays in Kutless), mark hammond (producer for Disney), chad chates (writer... has written 5 #1 hits)..

oh Lord... pour some creativity onto me... soon... please. haha

big things happening

im so sorry i havent been updating.. i guess i just feel like no one read this.. ahaha.

but i guess that shouldn't matter right? haha.

well.. got some good stuff coming up for us. we're going back into the studio to record another cd. should be out by August when we go back out on another US tour.

also.. we'll be going to Nashville in the early part of June to do some writing some amazing producers and writers. it's an amazing opportunity brought to us by sparrow records and we're excited to see what we can cook up with these guys.

will update soon!

apologies

well, it's safe to say that i definitely did not keep my promise in updating a lot on tour. so sorry.

but the tour is coming to an end. i should be home by saturday night. can't wait to go back to my home church.

tour was incredible. we met so many great people and saw God work in our lives and bless us more than we could have ever asked for.

there's a very good chance that we'll be opening for Starfield in concert in Seattle in late september. will keep you guys posted as things get confirmed soon, hopefully.

go to my facebook to see the most recent video blog i did for the band. "midwest" episode.

i started making video blogs on this tour and it was my first time ever doing it... and i've definitely been putting my macbook and iMovie to good use. it's become a really fun hobby for me. other than songwriting, this seems to be another good creative outlet.

until next time.

Texas BBQ

Before the tour started, once we confirmed we would be playing in Texas during the tour I got really excited.

Was it because we would be playing an important showcase? No.

Was it because I've never been to Texas and was looking forward to seeing it? No.

Was it the fact that we would be in the sun rather than the rain? No.

Was it because I would be on a hunt to find the best BBQ ever? Yes!

We've been in Texas since Tuesday night now. Lucky enough to have been put up in nice hotels since; which means clean showers and comfortable beds to sleep on (for the most part). So much for "roughin it." But coming to Texas I knew I would be on a adventure to eat as much BBQ as I could and determine where the best BBQ place was.

First stop: Rudy's (picture below) was a place I had heard about from a friend months before the tour even started, so I was definitely excited. The hype was met with a lot of smiles. The place definitely had me doubting as when our GPS finally got us there we saw that the restaurant was connected to a gas station. But once we saw the sign that said "The Worst Bar-B-Que In Texas" we knew it was going to be amazing. I had the extra moist brisket and it was probably the best brisket I've ever tasted.

Second Stop: Salt-Lick. This place had the best baby back ribs. Nothing compares. And they had good bread that was really soft as well (was good for making sandwiches with the brisket). The brisket was pretty awesome as well.

Third Stop: Vans BBQ. My last stop for BBQ was on our way down south near the border of Mexico today and was near a rest area. It was a hole in the wall but the brisket sandwich was pretty great as it comes in a close 3rd. A VERY close 3rd, I might add.

The Winner: Salt-Lick. Overall, the best BBQ this mouth has ever tasted. I'm satisfied. But I've had enough of Texas. I can't wait to move on to another state tomorrow night. All night drive to Arkansas for a show Monday night.