The Season's First Gig

I returned last night safely from the performance in Columbia, SC. The audience included representatives from the six synods of the ELCA that compose Region 9 (that's a lot of Lutheran mumbo-jumbo for that most people would refer to as "the South"). It was a little different than the usual performance because everyone was already on board with fight against hunger and poverty. So in my opinion it was a solo that was a method of telling other leaders what it is Nick and I are doing.

I think everyone was pleased with the performance and the purpose behind The Normies. the room was a little cold, so I was having a little difficulty getting my fingers to move when I needed them to. I apologized for my mistakes, and the people were forgiving. I've been told before I need to stop apologizing for my mistakes and just continue like nothing happened; I know that's the best way to go about it, so I'll work on that for the future.

Okay, this is probably the most revealing we've been of any of the songs on our list, but here is what was performed last night:

• Lost and Found - Have Love
• John Denver - Country Roads
• Ben Harper - My Own Two Hands
• Matchbox 20 - If You're Gone
• Weird Al - You Don't Love Me Anymore
• Old Crow Medicine Show - Down Home Girl
• hymn - Just A Closer Walk With Thee
• Kris Kristofferson - Lovin' Her Was Easier
• Van Morrison - Brown Eyed Girl
• U2 - Stuck in a Moment
• U2 - Mothers of the Disappeared
• U2 - Grace
• The Beatles - In My Life

I think this was a good beginning of the season for at least me, if not for Nick and I both, because any performance makes the next one that much easier.

I feel I need to also say that the conference itself was a wonderful one. A lot of ideas and methods were shared, and I feel at least the NC Synod committee has left with a better focus on what our next steps should be.

~ Make a Joyful Noise to the Lord

The List is Narrowed Down Even More

As you've likely noticed, we aren't really giving the details of exactly which songs we are working on. Granted, we'll mention one here or there, but a complete list hasn't been posted. I'm not sure why, either - Nick and I (this is Kris, by the way) never really discussed keeping it secret, but I think we both came to enjoy this "knowledge is power" situation. :)

I was in Hickory last week for a conference hosted by the Youth and Family Institute, and while there I stayed with Nick, his wife, and their dog, Jersey. Nick and I started out looking at the list of 56 potential songs. I don't have the list with me, but I waiger that we narrowed it down to 30 or fewer. (hints: Kris Kristofferson's Lovin' Her Was Easier will still be performed, but we did have to cut Wedding Song by Peter, Paul, and Mary)

This coming Friday I will have the solo performance at Southern Seminary. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it will go well, and it honestly should; I doubt this crowd will be cut throat.

Yesterday, I met with a few individuals at Belmont Abbey College that are in charge of organizing the party at the end of their Hunger Week. It's during this performance that Nick and I will next perform together. (They mentioned that they check out this blog - B.A.C. SHOUT OUT!!!)

That performance is on a Thursday. The following Sunday Nick and I will perform in Conover for a congregation there. Our plan is to just do those and not touch anything during December, but hopefully we'll pick it back up again in January.

I also got word last week that a small article about us will be in the January edition of The Lutheran, which will be mailed in early to mid-December. I don't know if it will mention specifically The Normies, but it will discuss my Ironman endeavors and how Nick has helped and is helping me to fundraise for the hunger appeal through music. I'll certainly post a link to the article once it goes online.

~Make a Joyful Noise to the Lord.