If you've ever played a gig with me, or even talked music with me for very long, you know that I'm a huge gearhead.  I love researching, playing with, and talking about the tools that I use to create my music.  I've gone through a pretty massive gear purge in the past six months or so, which has given me an even greater focus on making sure I have the right stuff to accomplish what I need to and no more.  I get quite a few questions about the stuff I use, and have drawn an unimagineable amount of inspiration from other people's setups and approaches, so I thought I'd start a new series here on the blog talking about the stuff I'm using, and hopefully get some good discussion going in the comments as well.

Even though guitar is my "last" instrument, it's something that I've been spending a lot of time with lately.  I play guitar at church on an almost weekly basis, and have spent a good portion of the last year working on my rig.  I also had it all set up last week in preparation for Good Friday & Easter services, so it was a logical place to start.

Guitars - Ok, so let's start with the guitars themselves.  My acoustic is an Ibanez Artwood series with a solid cedar top.  It's easy to play and sounds great acoustically, but one of the biggest selling points for me is the Fishman electronics installed.  The preamp has a built in tuner and an XLR output, which makes it a simple and great sounding all-in-one solution when I need an acoustic.  I don't play a ton of acoustic, so that simplicity is fantastic.  It's strung with Martin extra light strings.

My electric is a Fender Classic Series '72 Thinline Telecaster.  I love the semi-hollow design & the neck just feels incredible.  I've always preferred humbuckers to single coils, and this guitar has proved to be very versatile in worship settings, which is almost exclusively where I use it.  It's just a great guitar, and one that I expect I'll be playing for a very long time.  I'm using Ernie Ball Super Slinky strings on the electric (can you tell I like light strings?)

Amp & Pedalboard - Because I play primarily at church, volume is always a concern.  I like the sound of a good tube amp as much as anybody, but we have found that small solid state combos work better in our environment.  To that end, I'm using a Vox Pathfinder 15r as my amp, and it really sounds great.  Great tone, and easy to achieve at "sanctuary" levels.  I keep a little bit of reverb on all the time, and will occaisionally use a footswitch to toggle the built in tremelo.  I find that the boost function the amp provides is too aggressive for my needs, so I run the amp clean and get all of my overdrive from the pedalboard.  Speaking of which...

My pedalboard is pretty simple by most standards, but it gives me everything & need and keeps my focus on leading worship.  I love the sound of my guitar straight through the amp, so I primarily use pedals to add subtle colors to that basic sound.  Both my guitar and bass rigs use Pedaltrain Nano pedalboards and Korg Pitchblack tuners.  In addition to being a fantastic tuner, the Pitchblack also functionals as a 200ma, daisy chain style power supply, which is more than enough for the few pedals I use.  Keeps things very simple and clean - just plug an adapter into the Korg & the whole board powers up.  From the tuner, I head into a stock MXR DynaComp.  I'm using a pretty subtle setting - primarily I just use it to boost & even out my lead lines a little bit, and occaisionally to drive my overdrive pedal a little harder.  For my overdrive, I'm using a Blackstone Appliances Mosfet overdrive.  What a killer pedal!  I mostly use the "brown" channel for rhythm, and kick in the "red" channel for lead.  To get two great overdrive sounds in such a small footprint meets my needs perfectly.  On top of that, it's specifically designed to be run into a clean amp, which is exactly what I need.  The last piece of the puzzle on the pedalboard is the TC Electronic Flashback Delay.  It's a very versatile delay (I primarily use the analog & modulated settings) with a very unique audio tapping feature.  You just hold down the switch and then tap the tempo in by strumming your guitar.  It's very precise and let's me set eighth and sixteenth note delays quickly and easily - much easier than tapping a physical switch, in my mind.

Well, I think that covers it... I'll be talking about bass, drum & keyboard gear in the future, but that should be the extent of the guitar rig.  I'd love to hear what you're using in the comments, and feel free to ask any questions, as well!

(download)

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A few months ago, I posted about some big changes I was planning/hoping to make in my life.  I suppose it should be no surprise that things have not quite gone to plan (after all, how often do things really go to plan?), and I'll admit that since that post went up, a fair amount of my time has been necessarily occupied by a little ol' life event that's coming up in a couple of months.  Nonetheless, these things have still been constantly on my mind, and especially as we move through the season of Lent, I've been finding some renewed interest and revelation.  All that said, I think it's time for a bit of an update (remember that this is as much for me as it is for whoever might be reading!)

Back in September, I identified 3 areas I was going to work on... one of those has more or less been eliminated.  I'll admit it.  I couldn't give up the phone.  I was able to significantly reduce my monthly bill, so that's a good thing, but when it comes down to it, the connectivity is just really important to me, especially when I'm traveling (which is quite a bit, these days).  Add to that the fact that I couldn't really find cheap, reliable prepaid service that saved me much money, and here I am, still carrying my Droid.  Honestly, I'm ok with it.

The other areas I identified have been more fruitful.  While I haven't quite been keeping up with 10 chapters a day in Professor Horner's system, and I'm occaisionally taking breaks to do some more focused study/meditation, I am in the Word on a far more regular basis than I was, and that's the point.  Again, the idea with all of this isn't too be legalistic, but rather to make some positive changes that weave their way into "life as usual".  I feel good about that, and I'm definitely seeing the effects on my life.

...And finally, the great stuff reduction, the true reason that I sat down to write this post.  If you've read that post from back in September, you remember my talking about the 100 things challenge.  I've been working on it, sometimes more diligently than other times.  The truth is, it's really hard (again, isn't that kind of the point?), but I'm making progress.  The biggest area that I've made some real headway on is my gear.  It's been a slow process of consolidating, selling, pitching, and even occasionally purchasing, but I am getting awfully close to really only having what I need.  Progress.  I'm still a long way from 100, and I don't really know how long it will take me to get there, but I am going to keep going.  I'm pretty determined on this one.

Update complete.

Ok, I haven't done a music post like this in quite a while, but it's definitely time.  There is so much amazing new stuff out there right now and you just need to get it!  Here's what's been on repeat for me lately:

John Mark McMillan - Economy

Gungor - Ghosts Upon The Earth

All Sons & Daughters - Prone To Wander

Smalltown Poets - Smalltown Poets Christmas

As I mentioned in my last post, I'm beginning the process of reducing my stuff.  It feels good.  As part of that process, I have quite a few things listed for sale on eBay and the Columbus craigslist page.  Just in case any of my local music savvy friends are interested, here's what's currently listed:

Chumby One

Tenor Practice Pad

Behringer B-5 Condenser Mic (sold!)

Jasmine Acoustic-Electric Guitar (sold!)

Samson Headphone Amp (sold!)

Kala Acoustic-Electric Baritone Ukulele (sold!)

ART USB Preamp (sold!)

Behringer Mixer (sold!)

Line6 Pocket Pod Express (sold!)

Audio-Technica Pro42 Condenser Mic (sold!)

DW Practice Pad Kit (sold!)

ProLine Two Tier Keyboard Stand (sold!)

Soprano Ukulele Gig Bag (sold!)

Les Paul Tuners (sold!)

Danelectro FAB Overdrive Pedal (sold!)

Shure SM86 Microphone (Broken) (sold!)

Ok, so it's been 9 months.  I said I'd only be updating this blog "occaisionally", but I'll admit that this seems a little ridiculous even by that definition.  Even so, I suddenly feel compelled to write here again.  You see, some big things are going on, and I feel like creating some kind of record is a good idea.  I also feel like putting things on the internet where everyone can see them creates at least some level of accountability, and that can't be a bad thing either.  This might get a little long, but here it goes...

God has been moving powerfully in my life recently.  Period.  He's been challenging me in a big way through sermons and books and people and conversations and in so many other ways to look at the way I'm living my life and make some changes.  Not that the way I'm living now is bad.  Or unusual.  Or even particularly interesting.  That's not the issue.  Rather, I have been reminded again and again over the past few weeks that as a Christian, I'm supposed to be living quite differently than the rest of the world.  Not in a crazy, "I drank the Kool-Aid" kind of way, but in a practical, "My focus is on Christ and so other things don't matter as much" kind of way.  I'm slowly coming to an understanding of how blessed I am, and how often I completely take that for granted.  Now to be completely honest, my lifestyle is already fairly simple and plain by many standards, but I'm also increasingly aware of just how often we overlook the fact that most of us here in America are simply blessed beyond measure.  The more I read and study the Bible and other wise teachings about it, the more I'm realizing that I'm not satisfied with the typical American lifestyle.  Truthfully, that's leading to a lot of changes and shifts in thinking, but there are three big things that I'm really feeling called to right now:

1. I am going to be (starting this week!) embarking on my own verison of David Bruno's "100 Thing Challenge".  This is something I've actually been thinking about for a while, but last week I felt the final push to actually do it.  The basic idea is to limit yourself to 100 personal posessions.  Being legalistic about it is not the point, and there will be some exceptions, but suffice it to say that I'm going to start getting rid of a lot of stuff.  More on all of that later.

2. I've once again started using Professor Horner's Bible Reading System.  I used this system for about 6 months last year and then fell away from it.  Obviously I've still been in the Word since then, but never to the degree and depth that I was when I was using Horner's plan.  So I'm back to it.  10 chapters a day.  No matter what.  Specific post about all of this coming quite soon.

3. No more smart phone.  Well, not yet, but soon.  Beyond the crazy financial cost every month and the fact that I'm tired of being stuck in a contract, I've been thinking a lot lately about the social effects (both positive and negative) of being connected constantly.  So it's time for an experiment - when my current Verizon contract ends in December, I'm getting the dumbest, cheapest pre-paid phone I can find.  Not sure how long that will actually last, but we're going to find out!

Ok, so that's a lot of writing.  Enough for today, I think.  As I said, this is as much about keeping a record for myself as anything, but if anybody's actually reading and has any comments, I would love for you to join the conversation below!  Much more to come...

Just a few quick thoughts about a story that came across the AP wire this morning and caught my eye.  Basically, Iran has arrested 70 Christians since Christmas, just for being Christians.  Christianity is "officially" legal in Iran, and the government there has actually made it a point to tout their religious tolerance over the years, but they largely restrict those activities to mainstream, state sanctioned churches.  These Christians that have been arrested weren't worshipping in those churches, but rather are part of a growing house church movement in Iran.  They are practicing their faith in a way that feels real and genuine to them, rather than allowing their love of Jesus to be restricted by the government.  (To be clear, I'm definitely not saying that Iranian Christians worshipping in state sanctioned churches aren't living their faith, this is just the example I was presented with today)

This story is yet another reminder to me of the religious freedoms we have here in America that we so often take for granted.  I've talked to a lot of Christians who feel that the American church is being persecuted, and while I honestly don't know if I agree with that statement or not, it certainly pales in comparison to what is happening in many other parts of the world.  We as Americans are so blessed to have a constitutional right to practice the religion of our choice (or no relgion at all) in a manner that feels appropriate to us.  I don't know about anyone else, but knowing that there are Christians being persecuted in other countries for living out their faith in a real, tangible way really leads me to take pause and think about the opportunites I have to practice my faith and how often I choose to ignore them.  More about that coming soon.  Keep these Iranian believers in your thoughts and prayers, as well as the others that are continuing on in the practice of their faith despite the government threats.

Ok, only one more "best of 2010" post and then I promised I'll get to something more... um... current.  I'll admit right up front that I do this one as much for myself as anything else - I think it's fascinating to see what we played a lot in the last year and how the list shifted from last year.  Without further ado, these are the 22 songs that we played at least 5 times at CenterPoint in 2010:

Center (Charlie Hall) - 10
*Counting On God (Jared Anderson) - 9
Mighty To Save (Ben Fields, Reuben Morgan) - 8
My Savior My God (Aaron Shust) - 8
Oh The Glory Of It All (David Crowder) - 8
*You Are Able (Christy Nockels) - 8
Blessed Be Your Name (Matt Redman) - 7
Not To Us (Chris Tomlin) - 7
*Reckless Love (Eric Frisch, Mark Homkes, Tina Baker) - 7
*Song Of Hope (Heaven Come Down) (Robbie Seay Band) - 7
Came To My Rescue (Joel Houston) - 6
*Everyday (Joel Houston) - 6
Give Me Jesus (Jeremy Camp) - 6
*Here I Am To Worship (Tim Hughes) - 6
*How He Loves (John Mark McMillan) - 6
Marvelous Light (Charlie Hall) - 6
Amazed (Jared Anderson) - 5
Everlasting God (Brenton Brown) - 5
From The Inside Out (Joel Houston) - 5
*Holy Is The Lord (Chris Tomlin) - 5
Unashamed Love (Lamon Heibert) - 5
*You Gave Your Life Away (Paul Baloche) - 5

The 9 songs marked with a * did not appear on last year's list.  8 songs from last year's list do not appear this year, although as always, most were just below the cut off.  We also had several newer songs that received 4 plays this year, so there will definitely be some new things high on this list next year.

We also started a brand new service for college-aged students this fall.  There have been less than a dozen NAILS services so far, but some strong favorites have already started to emerge.  There were 6 songs that we played 3 or more times in 2010:

Your Love Never Fails (Chris McClarney) - 5
Hallelujah (Your Love Is Amazing) (Brenton Brown, Brian Doerksen) - 4
How He Loves (John Mark McMillan) - 4
Song Of Hope (Heaven Come Down) (Robbie Seay Band) - 3
Give Me Jesus (Jeremy Camp) - 3
Our God (Chris Tomlin) - 3

Interesting stuff... looking forward to see what God has for us musically in 2011!

I can hardly believe that 2011 has arrived.  It seems that it was just a few days ago that I was ringing in 2010 quietly at home, and yet another year has gone by already.  It's been a whirlwind year for me, but here we are just the same.  Of course, this is also the time of year when hundreds of "year's best" and "year's worst" lists appear on the internet.  Just in case you're looking for one more to read, here are my top ten albums of 2010:

10. Antifogmatic - Punch Brothers - The first release from Chris Thile & Company a couple of years ago was good, but focused largely on a multimovement piece that pretty much turned it into the Chris Thile show (not that that's a bad thing - he's a fantastic musician).  This record makes excellent use of the entire band's talents in a way that the first record didn't.  Really great music from a sickeningly talented band.

9. Paper Tongues - Paper Tongues - This one surprised me a little bit.  After hearing the lead single, "Trinity" on the radio, I decided to check out the whole record.  Inititally it didn't do a whole lot for me, but over the course of the year it's really grown on me.  It's funky and different and I like it.  "Trinity" is still the standout track for me, but this is a solid record.

8. Yahweh - Hillsong Chapel - I was very excited when I heard that Hillsong was preparing to release a collection of favorites recorded in a more intimate style, and this one definitely does not disappoint.  Recorded acoustically in front of about 300 people (very different than the average Hillsong record), this album has fresh new versions of a bunch of my favorites, and came with some video and printable charts of the songs.  A great record and a great resource for the worship director in me!

7. The Band Perry - The Band Perry - I remember the first time I heard "If I Die Young" on the radio.  It was about 8 AM the morning of July 27.  This song hit me that hard.  The song was so lyrically rich, and Kimberly Perry's voice is so unique and beautiful.  I immediately downloaded thier EP, which was fantastic.  Unfortunately, the full album didn't quite live up to my internal hype (the 5 EP tracks are easily the best songs on the record).  Still, a great new band that recorded one of the best songs I've ever heard and I can't wait to hear more from!

6. Sigh No More - Mumford & Sons - This band wasn't on my radar at all, although apparently the rest of the world was already in love.  Once I heard about them, though, I totally understood what the hype was about.  Very unique and interesting music and lyrics.  The title track and "White Blank Page" are truly incredible tunes and this record has gotten some serious play in my car this fall.

5. Rain's A Comin' - Children 18:3 - Children 18:3 is just a great band all around.  Usually when I hear that a band has "matured" for their second record, I know I won't like the album.  Usually, "maturity" means a more generic, overproduced sound.  Not so for Children 18:3.  This is a truly excellent album that really feels like the obvious next step from their debut.  I love it.

4. Feedback - Derek Webb - Derek had my top record last year (It's called "Stockholm Syndrome" and if you still haven't heard it... wll, what are you waiting for?)  I love the voice that he's adding to the current American Christian landscape, and this instrumental record based on the Lord's Prayer just continues that.  It's different than anything I've ever heard, and that's completely ok.  Simply great music with a great (unspoken) message.

3. The Medicine - John Mark McMillan - This album has repeatedly kicked my butt this year.  John Mark's lyrics are raw and honest, and they often take me to a place spiritually that I (regretfully) don't go often.  There are so many incredible tracks on this record... "Carbon Ribs", "Death In His Grave", "Philadelphia", "Ten Thousand", "Carolina Tide", "My Only", and of course "How He Loves", plus the guitar sounds on this disc are to die for.  Basically, you just need to get it.

2. The Shelter - Jars Of Clay - Jars have been my favorite band for years, and this record continues in the innovative spirit of their last few.  This album is a collaborative effort with lots of other artists, and the resulting recordings are just incredible.  Uplifiting and thought provoking lyrics with the usual exceptional arrangements from JOC.  This record sums up a lot of my own feelings about community and the church and how we should respond to people right now.

1. Beautiful Things - Gungor - The first time I heard this record I knew it was going to top this list for 2010.  Brilliant songs and a quirky variety of styles that somehow works perfectly.  There have been so many times in the last few months when I've put this one on just to have something to listen to, and have ended up right at the throne instead.  Just an incredible album of worshipful music, and the hands down best record of the year.

As always, let me know what I'm missing out on - last year I got introduced to several incredible albums and artists as a result of not having them on this list!

Well, here we are.  After a few months of inactivity, I have once again resurrected my blog.  The name is the same, but I once again find myself on a different blogging platform with a different idea.  I suppose a little bit of explanation may be in order...

I've always had a bit of a love/hate relationship with blogging.  I've been doing it off and on since 2003, but I've always found myself going through phases - sometimes I would write a lot, sometimes nothing.  Sometimes I would be very focused on a specific type or types of content, sometimes not.  Ultimately, though, I've realized that I was often doing it for other people - focusing more on what the people reading it would want to see than that I wanted to write.  In retrospect, that was a really bad idea.  I also tied the blog in with my web site (which is also new - you should check it out!), which made the whole thing way more stale and "professional" than I had ever intended it to be.  In retrospect, that was also a really bad idea.  This time it will be different.  As I start this next phase, I'm honestly not sure what I'll be writing, or how often, I just know that I'm ready to write something again.  I've chosen Posterous this time around because of the simplicity and flexibility it's platform offers, and I think it will lend itself to posting a variety of stuff.  Hopefully, the content I'm publishing here will be interesting to you, and if it is, I hope you'll comment or email me and make this a conversation.  I think that would be sweet.

I'm also planning on integrating some of the posts from the previous versions of this blog (sort of the "best of the best", if you will) in the coming weeks and months, so don't be surprised if some old stuff starts to reappear.  Thanks for hanging with me and I hope you enjoy this newest chapter of the ride.  I know I will!