Wow - now that was so exciting!!
I am so happy to report that everything went very well on yesterday. The background vocals and the band were fantastic!! I made two mistakes during the performance - but I don't think anyone caught the first one and I think my MD may be the only person that caught the second one.
Speaking of my MD - he threw me a curve ball yesterday. He switched from keyboard to organ in the middle of the set. But it was a good move once I thought about it. It's just that we've never rehearsed the songs with the organ so it felt different for a few measures. But once we all got into it - it was great!
It was a real blessing to see so many of my fans and supporters come to the event to cheer me on. It was a blast! I even got to sell a few CDs.
I guess we did well. We got invited to do a few more engagements. We even got the CD added to another radio station. I have an interview there on Wednesday. I am so blessed!!
The vocalists were given the week off from rehearsals. Sharon and I will review the video from Sunday's performance later this week. I'll review it with the vocals on next week. The band will return to rehearsals next month. Then we will start getting ready for the next engagement.
Okay - how about something personal...
Did I ever mention that I am a huge Smallville fan? Also, I have the entire Star Wars collection. I love all 6 movies. I am a Harrison Ford fan. I love all three Indiana Jones movies. My favorite movie is Love & Basketball. I am also a Sanaa Lathan fan. I can talk about movies all day.
I finished Purpose Driven Life. It really is a life changing experience. I highly recommend it to anyone who hasn't read it.
Take care!
Monday, February 20, 2006
Saturday, February 18, 2006
Well the truth comes out tomorrow!
I am so excited! Tomorrow will be my first opportunity to perform with my new background vocalists. It's been an interesting development. There were some singers that said that they wanted to sing with me at the beginning. However, as I started auditioning other singers and scheduled the rehearsals, they suddenly vanished. I think that, ultimately, God had a hand in it. I'm constantly seeking for God's direction and purposes in this process. When people disappear on me, I tend to think it is God's way of ordering my steps.
For instance, there was a guy who was totally involved in my project at the beginning. He was a tremendous help and resource for industry information. However, the further along I get in the promoting of this project, the less visible he becomes. I was a bit concerned about it at first but now I see the Lord teaching me how to do it without this guy's guiding hand. I still call him occasionally when I need specific information but I no longer look to this guy for guidance. I am learning to trust God's guidance.
Can I just stop for a moment and say that I have the greatest WIFE in the world. She is absolutely gorgeous. She has been so incredibly supportive throughout this process. Sharon is amazing. I feel so blessed to have the opportunity to love a woman like her. My rib, my woman, my lover, my friend, my babe.
Okay - just had to get it out!
I have been released from therapy! Hallelujah!! The recovery has been very fast. I'm just working on regaining the full strength of my calf muscle. The doctor told me not to get into the jumping sports like basketball and volleyball for another 6-9 months. I guess that means I can play football now. Yippee!!
Cain and Rocky are doing quite well. Cain seems to be getting over his bugs pretty quickly. He's not scratching much these days. He and Rocky are two peas in a pod. You should see them playing with each other. Cain is growing so fast!! I'm not sure if he's going to be as small as we thought - his front paws are growing pretty wide and big. I'm glad we kept him. Maybe one day I'll upgrade to putting photos in my blog so you can see them.
So, we are about to develop a comprehensive marketing strategy. I believe that I understand how to do it now - after asking lots of questions. We are planning to hit SC and VA pretty hard over the next few weeks. We need to get Columbia, SC and the surrounding areas spinning the CD. We also need to get Richmond, VA spinning the CD. I believe that the Lord is giving us the hookup with radio contacts. I'll say it again - Favor is an awesome thing!!
Thank you to all of the wonderful fans and supporters that have been so encouraging. Those that have purchased the CD - thank you!! Keep telling people about it.
One last thing - I was talking to one of my piano students during his lesson and he began telling me about this void he was realizing in his life. As we talked, I began telling him about the Lord. The following week he came back - convicted about our earlier talk and realizing that he needed a relationship with the Lord. This afforded me the incredible opportunity to minister the plan of salvation to him and lead him to Christ. My student got saved right in my family room. It was awesome watching the spirit of the Lord come over him and bring this hip-hop rapper to tears. It was humbling for me to know that the Lord would use me to lead someone into his kingdom.
People are still coming to Jesus. Let us keep leading them to Him. He is still the light of the world. He is still the only hope for the world. God still loves the world. So, followers of Christ, we are still the light of the world and the salt of the earth. Everyone isn't going to be lost. Some will heed the call. Let's make sure they don't have to go to someone else to find out how to come to Jesus. Let's be prepared to bring those that are in our circle of influence to Jesus. Since we may be the only bibles they read, let's ensure that we are projecting the correct message. Let's be salt and light. As long as we live in this world, this world will need us.
I am so excited! Tomorrow will be my first opportunity to perform with my new background vocalists. It's been an interesting development. There were some singers that said that they wanted to sing with me at the beginning. However, as I started auditioning other singers and scheduled the rehearsals, they suddenly vanished. I think that, ultimately, God had a hand in it. I'm constantly seeking for God's direction and purposes in this process. When people disappear on me, I tend to think it is God's way of ordering my steps.
For instance, there was a guy who was totally involved in my project at the beginning. He was a tremendous help and resource for industry information. However, the further along I get in the promoting of this project, the less visible he becomes. I was a bit concerned about it at first but now I see the Lord teaching me how to do it without this guy's guiding hand. I still call him occasionally when I need specific information but I no longer look to this guy for guidance. I am learning to trust God's guidance.
Can I just stop for a moment and say that I have the greatest WIFE in the world. She is absolutely gorgeous. She has been so incredibly supportive throughout this process. Sharon is amazing. I feel so blessed to have the opportunity to love a woman like her. My rib, my woman, my lover, my friend, my babe.
Okay - just had to get it out!
I have been released from therapy! Hallelujah!! The recovery has been very fast. I'm just working on regaining the full strength of my calf muscle. The doctor told me not to get into the jumping sports like basketball and volleyball for another 6-9 months. I guess that means I can play football now. Yippee!!
Cain and Rocky are doing quite well. Cain seems to be getting over his bugs pretty quickly. He's not scratching much these days. He and Rocky are two peas in a pod. You should see them playing with each other. Cain is growing so fast!! I'm not sure if he's going to be as small as we thought - his front paws are growing pretty wide and big. I'm glad we kept him. Maybe one day I'll upgrade to putting photos in my blog so you can see them.
So, we are about to develop a comprehensive marketing strategy. I believe that I understand how to do it now - after asking lots of questions. We are planning to hit SC and VA pretty hard over the next few weeks. We need to get Columbia, SC and the surrounding areas spinning the CD. We also need to get Richmond, VA spinning the CD. I believe that the Lord is giving us the hookup with radio contacts. I'll say it again - Favor is an awesome thing!!
Thank you to all of the wonderful fans and supporters that have been so encouraging. Those that have purchased the CD - thank you!! Keep telling people about it.
One last thing - I was talking to one of my piano students during his lesson and he began telling me about this void he was realizing in his life. As we talked, I began telling him about the Lord. The following week he came back - convicted about our earlier talk and realizing that he needed a relationship with the Lord. This afforded me the incredible opportunity to minister the plan of salvation to him and lead him to Christ. My student got saved right in my family room. It was awesome watching the spirit of the Lord come over him and bring this hip-hop rapper to tears. It was humbling for me to know that the Lord would use me to lead someone into his kingdom.
People are still coming to Jesus. Let us keep leading them to Him. He is still the light of the world. He is still the only hope for the world. God still loves the world. So, followers of Christ, we are still the light of the world and the salt of the earth. Everyone isn't going to be lost. Some will heed the call. Let's make sure they don't have to go to someone else to find out how to come to Jesus. Let's be prepared to bring those that are in our circle of influence to Jesus. Since we may be the only bibles they read, let's ensure that we are projecting the correct message. Let's be salt and light. As long as we live in this world, this world will need us.
Saturday, February 11, 2006
I don't think that "busy" is a big enough word to describe how things are with me right now...
I'll try to pick up from where I left off in my last post. On last Monday we discovered that "Cain", the new addition to our family, has Scabies (mange). So, with him and "Rocky" playing together as much as they have, of course we had to have both pets treated. Now this created an interesting dilema. I was wondering if I should invest the money in Cain's treatments or just have him put to sleep. We had a dog several years ago who contracted a serious case of scabies. We had to put her to sleep because we couldn't afford the treatments. Knowing how bad it could get, we didn't want to see Cain go through the suffering - especially at only 7 weeks old.
As I was outside walking with Cain one day, I began to think about the love of God in my life. I started meditating on how infested I was with sin and degradation - and still God cared enough about me to extend grace my way and deliver me. Although I was young and unattached to him, he still gave the life of His son, Jesus, to redeem me. I had the power to demonstrate that same kind of love toward this puppy. Although I had no history with Cain and was only now developing an attachment, this puppy needed deliverance from what was ailing him and I held the cure. When I saw it from that perspective it was a no-brainer.
So, Cain is getting better. However, we are crate-training him. This means there are 4AM barking and howling fits - which have apparently given Rocky a nervous stomach and a case of diarrhea - which has caused us to have several nights of broken sleep, awakened by the barking of Cain and the stench of Rocky. Wow! Right?
Now to the good news! We got a call from Leroy Harper at WXTC in Charleston, SC. Apparently, the radio interview created a huge buzz. We were invited to come down in April for the Chef's Founder's Day Celebration at his church. We are now working to put together a SC/NC tour around the same date - that way we can minister at 3-4 churches on that trip. If you know of any churches that might be interested in having us stop by and minister, please have them get in touch with me at hayahsounds@cox.net.
It has come to my attention that "I'm Saved" has reached Number 5 on WXEZ's R&R Playlist. That is AMAZING!! If you want to see the playlist, click on the R&R Playlist, look to the right of the Gospel Top 10 List and put in WXEZ where you see "Gospel Playlists - Search by Station Calls."
CDs are selling again. All of the stores carrying CDs in Virginia have reordered. Hallelujah!!
Sharon and I attended a Marriage Enrichment Symposium at Calvary Revival Church today. It was awesome. Aside from the incredible teaching given by Bishop McBath and Pastor Janeen McBath, we were very blessed to hear Pastor Kim Brown of Mount Lebanon Missionary Baptist Church for the first time. He was FANTASTIC! I look forward to ministering at Mount Lebanon for their Issachar Conference. It was also great to see so many friends who were celebrating what the Lord is doing for us with this CD project. It was an humbling experience.
Rehearsals are going well with the BGVs (background vocalists) and band. I am excited about our first engagement together at the Anniversary of the Tidewater Chapter of the GMWA on February 19th. It's going to be a lot of fun!
I have only one more appointment with the therapist. They are very pleased with my progress. I have my mobility back. The only thing that I know that I can't do yet is rise to my toes on the injured foot alone. I can rise with the assistance of the other foot. So, I'm working on strengthening my calf muscle and I should be fine. So, PRAISE GOD, the 6 month recovery time should only be 2-3 months, with 1 month already over. YEAH!!
Thanks for listening. I'll try to make sure I post again by mid week.
Be blessed!
I'll try to pick up from where I left off in my last post. On last Monday we discovered that "Cain", the new addition to our family, has Scabies (mange). So, with him and "Rocky" playing together as much as they have, of course we had to have both pets treated. Now this created an interesting dilema. I was wondering if I should invest the money in Cain's treatments or just have him put to sleep. We had a dog several years ago who contracted a serious case of scabies. We had to put her to sleep because we couldn't afford the treatments. Knowing how bad it could get, we didn't want to see Cain go through the suffering - especially at only 7 weeks old.
As I was outside walking with Cain one day, I began to think about the love of God in my life. I started meditating on how infested I was with sin and degradation - and still God cared enough about me to extend grace my way and deliver me. Although I was young and unattached to him, he still gave the life of His son, Jesus, to redeem me. I had the power to demonstrate that same kind of love toward this puppy. Although I had no history with Cain and was only now developing an attachment, this puppy needed deliverance from what was ailing him and I held the cure. When I saw it from that perspective it was a no-brainer.
So, Cain is getting better. However, we are crate-training him. This means there are 4AM barking and howling fits - which have apparently given Rocky a nervous stomach and a case of diarrhea - which has caused us to have several nights of broken sleep, awakened by the barking of Cain and the stench of Rocky. Wow! Right?
Now to the good news! We got a call from Leroy Harper at WXTC in Charleston, SC. Apparently, the radio interview created a huge buzz. We were invited to come down in April for the Chef's Founder's Day Celebration at his church. We are now working to put together a SC/NC tour around the same date - that way we can minister at 3-4 churches on that trip. If you know of any churches that might be interested in having us stop by and minister, please have them get in touch with me at hayahsounds@cox.net.
It has come to my attention that "I'm Saved" has reached Number 5 on WXEZ's R&R Playlist. That is AMAZING!! If you want to see the playlist, click on the R&R Playlist, look to the right of the Gospel Top 10 List and put in WXEZ where you see "Gospel Playlists - Search by Station Calls."
CDs are selling again. All of the stores carrying CDs in Virginia have reordered. Hallelujah!!
Sharon and I attended a Marriage Enrichment Symposium at Calvary Revival Church today. It was awesome. Aside from the incredible teaching given by Bishop McBath and Pastor Janeen McBath, we were very blessed to hear Pastor Kim Brown of Mount Lebanon Missionary Baptist Church for the first time. He was FANTASTIC! I look forward to ministering at Mount Lebanon for their Issachar Conference. It was also great to see so many friends who were celebrating what the Lord is doing for us with this CD project. It was an humbling experience.
Rehearsals are going well with the BGVs (background vocalists) and band. I am excited about our first engagement together at the Anniversary of the Tidewater Chapter of the GMWA on February 19th. It's going to be a lot of fun!
I have only one more appointment with the therapist. They are very pleased with my progress. I have my mobility back. The only thing that I know that I can't do yet is rise to my toes on the injured foot alone. I can rise with the assistance of the other foot. So, I'm working on strengthening my calf muscle and I should be fine. So, PRAISE GOD, the 6 month recovery time should only be 2-3 months, with 1 month already over. YEAH!!
Thanks for listening. I'll try to make sure I post again by mid week.
Be blessed!
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