I was looking left while turning right one balmy summer Monday night about a month ago. On my motorcycle, I hit the curb on a sharper right turn than I had expected. And at forty miles per hour, I got a free flying lesson off the on ramp of the freeway. Thrown forty feet into a ravine, I did a triple back flip with a twist, sticking the landing on my head. My friends gave me a “7” on the dismount! Until then I was riding careful, I had my little dog, “Shuggs” on the back.(She on the other hand was in a harness and unharmed) We were filming some road clips for a music/video promo for my biker humor book: Hogwash. This highlight was missed on camera, probably a God send in the way of circumstances I would never live down.
The bottom line is: that little moment of distraction cost me more than any video project I ever did with the possible exception of one. Just the “short bus” ride was more than the budget! Medical expenses as a precautionary check up came to 6K. All I had was some road rash on my left arm and an incredibly disfigured sense of professional pride. (no charge for that repair). But, being unconscious for I don’t know, a nano second, gave cause for further review of my condition. That, and Paramedics found me weeping over “Jezebel”, my Heritage Softail Harley Davidson in my bloodied condition. She took some 5K in damages herself.
I spent the next five hours in an ER, strapped to a back board and a neck brace (against my will of course). “the only pain I feel is coming from the jokes I’m hearing in the waiting room” I complained, speaking of my friends in Black Sheep Harley Davidson’s For Christ who arrived within minutes of hearing. It’s amazing that a single twitter post can fire a shot heard round the world these days.
But the aftermath of a mistake is slow in taking shape, and so too is finding a way to pray about it. We’ve all heard about “learning from our mistakes” but here I’m talking about “turning a mistake”. “God causes all the things to work for good when we are called to his good purpose” a scripture roughly says. Learning can be seen as simple notes on paper applied to memory. But maybe God is saying something more about mistakes. He is not surprised by future events. He can still draw a straight line with a crooked stick as, Anthony Campolo, a theologian friend of mine likes to say.
This little story is probably the least of my mistakes I could share. I know you have your own, beyond embarrassing “falls”. If you have any time in faith at all you know yourself in God’s eyes. You know, why you need Jesus in the first place. I follow Jesus because he brings beauty from ashes. I follow him not just for the education but for the transformation! Taking our bricks and turning em into three point shots!
I read somewhere that some of the best inventions known to man were accidently discovered in mishaps. I don’t know why “Corn Flakes” comes to mind first but someone forgot to clean out a mixing bowl and the residue created a new product all by itself. That’s the short version. Google it if yer really that interested. Some of the coolest chords I’ve discovered in music too have been my ineptness at playing a three chord ditty, my thumb falling on the wrong key in my own mind. You know that surprise right? Wow that has a cool sound to it. And suddenly you’ve started a whole new song from an accidental discovery!
That’s not only learning from a mistake but turning a mistake into a triumph!, (or in my case a new Harley Davidson). In the insurance coverage, Jezebel will be born again.
But my mistake came with a deductible I had to pay as well. And by that I was given the opportunity to make a tax deductible investment in promotion. To repaint the bike in a custom color layout of the Hogwash Book Cover with it’s “when pigs fly” artwork making it a “Gorilla Marketing” billboard to be seen everyday where ever I go. (And the redemption story that comes with it). Something I had prayed about before but given up on a year ago as too expensive. Now because of an accident it has to be done anyway. It shall always be to me a reminder of transformation as a direct result of a mistake.
If change must come let us be forward thinking in our circumstances, seeing “What was meant for our destruction, God has now purposed for our good” (another rough application, of Genesis 50: 19-20.) I can’t tell you how that works in your disasters but I am sure that redemption and restoration are possible and not just in the surface paint of our proclamations but born of a victorious heart instilled in us by the Savior of our attitudes as well.
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Duet With My Son
My first single in many years, comes as a surprise. I’d written a song by request from my manager, to be a duet for a father and son group. I did. And that band broke up in the studio, hopefully not over this song 8). Six months later my son Devin upon hearing a version, asked me rather timidly if he could sing it with me. “just for the family” he said cause he didn’t want to mess with my career?
I was honored he would ask and ashamed that I hadn’t thought of it. it took almost another year to get this recorded for ourselves and actually get Devin in the studio to sing it.
We are offering this single as a free download to the buyers of Dear God..Really? book on line. and to anyone coming to my concerts.
This song is mostly about the message of what fathers and sons mean to each other in the road we must travel and the motivation we must find. It’s interesting how our perspectives change when we have children of our own.
let me say that Devin is my youngest of two sons, he’s an actor, writer, singer. and this tune is not in a phrasing that he would sing normally. (he screams alot more). But he wanted to do it for what it says! I’m so proud! he learns and finds the truth to apply, and loves to apply it even when it doesn’t feel quite comfortable! Me Too! and that’s where we became brothers in Christ as well. I gotta go now… I’m gonna tear up.
I was honored he would ask and ashamed that I hadn’t thought of it. it took almost another year to get this recorded for ourselves and actually get Devin in the studio to sing it.
We are offering this single as a free download to the buyers of Dear God..Really? book on line. and to anyone coming to my concerts.
This song is mostly about the message of what fathers and sons mean to each other in the road we must travel and the motivation we must find. It’s interesting how our perspectives change when we have children of our own.
let me say that Devin is my youngest of two sons, he’s an actor, writer, singer. and this tune is not in a phrasing that he would sing normally. (he screams alot more). But he wanted to do it for what it says! I’m so proud! he learns and finds the truth to apply, and loves to apply it even when it doesn’t feel quite comfortable! Me Too! and that’s where we became brothers in Christ as well. I gotta go now… I’m gonna tear up.
Monday, May 31, 2010
Kevin Thomson, Bass Player of Sweet Comfort Band Dies
The One Who Knows, Is In Control
By Bryan Duncan
Kevin Thomson, Bass player and founder of the Sweet Comfort Band, died on May 30th 2010. “ Knowledge is power” he used to say “ the one who knows is in control”. I smile now because he never told the band where the gig was! “how much further is this gig?” we would ask and he’d always say “about four more miles”. It became one of the standard “Kevinisms” we would quote for years when we didn’t have a clue.
The one who knows is in control. Kevin followed Jesus Christ. His favorite SCB tune, of course, was the one with the longest bass solo in it! * “Get Ready” was a staple in the band’s set through six albums and eleven years. We closed the show with it even to the last concert. The song is a proclamation of the return of Christ and perhaps the mission statement of Sweet Comfort Band. Get Ready!
If our choice of food is any indication of whom we are, “Kev” was an all meat burrito with extra sauce and a big gulp. But mostly he was an evangelist above all. When I met him in 1972, he was doing a home bible study. I was a nominal student at Southern California College in Costa Mesa, and a clean cut run away from the east coast. He had an “afro” back then, and when coming to see me, stood out on the Christian campus like a hippie at the museum. The Jesus movement had caught fire in Southern California by then. I was singing solo at the circus tent they called Calvary Chapel. Monday night was a big bible study night there, maybe 3000 people, who could also hear the new Jesus music bands, Love Song, Children of the Day, Bill Sprouse, and Country Faith.
He’d heard me play a couple of songs one Monday night and came to see me about singing with his brother and himself. I now don’t remember our first gig as “Sweet Comfort”, probably cause he didn’t say. But what followed was an every weekend trip to small churches, prisons, and high school lunch time concerts. Kevin was the booking agent, manager, and driver of the Winnebago, also the head roadie! He lifted all the heavy stuff, prided himself on his strength. Usually set up the P.A. system by himself, that we blew up almost every month, and in the earliest days ran the sound from the stage. I always thought the bass was too loud!
It was his vision to present the Gospel in a new way and every concert contained an evangelistic message from the Bass player! Sweet Comfort Band brought a new Jazz rock influence to Jesus Music but Kevin Thomson was pure hard rock at heart. Listening to bands like Mountain and Moby Grape. It wasn’t that he hated ballads so much as he just had an aversion to Whole notes. (too much down time for the bass player). You’ll notice in the song “I Love You With My Life”, the biggest Sweet Comfort Band Ballad of our career, that the bass line bounces all the way through, much like Kevin in real time.
In concert, he would often deliver his favorite message. The story of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane, he would elaborate upon the size of the Roman soldiers and all their gear, who came to take Jesus, “but when Jesus said “I am” the soldiers fell backwards on their backs.” He would quote from scripture. “Jesus didn’t have to die for us” he would say “he could have just called out his name over and over and the troops would have gotten tired and gone home”.
You could see Kevin’s inner strength most when he spoke of Jesus. “Jesus wasn’t a wimp” he would say. “Nobody takes a beating like that and then carries a cross most of the way to his own crucifixion”. In Kevin’s eyes, Jesus is the all knowing third person of the trinity, God in the flesh. “The one who knows”, and has all the control over life and death. He believed it, he lived it. Who knows, perhaps Kevin fell on his back too at the voice of Jesus proclamation, “I am”. There was no doubt who Kevin was listening to for the rhythm of life.
In the end Kevin had his own cross to bear and yet some thought something might be wrong with him because he never went through the depression that comes with quadriplegia. But then maybe knowledge is power here too! Kevin knew that “the one who knows is in control” even to the end of his life he was steadfast in his trust of a savior who doesn’t explain our circumstances to us. “Sweet Comfort” was the description of Kevin Thomson’s hope in Jesus. There’s a new bass solo in the heavenly angel band.
Kevin Thomson Bass Solo SCB “Get Ready”
By Bryan Duncan
Kevin Thomson, Bass player and founder of the Sweet Comfort Band, died on May 30th 2010. “ Knowledge is power” he used to say “ the one who knows is in control”. I smile now because he never told the band where the gig was! “how much further is this gig?” we would ask and he’d always say “about four more miles”. It became one of the standard “Kevinisms” we would quote for years when we didn’t have a clue.
The one who knows is in control. Kevin followed Jesus Christ. His favorite SCB tune, of course, was the one with the longest bass solo in it! * “Get Ready” was a staple in the band’s set through six albums and eleven years. We closed the show with it even to the last concert. The song is a proclamation of the return of Christ and perhaps the mission statement of Sweet Comfort Band. Get Ready!
If our choice of food is any indication of whom we are, “Kev” was an all meat burrito with extra sauce and a big gulp. But mostly he was an evangelist above all. When I met him in 1972, he was doing a home bible study. I was a nominal student at Southern California College in Costa Mesa, and a clean cut run away from the east coast. He had an “afro” back then, and when coming to see me, stood out on the Christian campus like a hippie at the museum. The Jesus movement had caught fire in Southern California by then. I was singing solo at the circus tent they called Calvary Chapel. Monday night was a big bible study night there, maybe 3000 people, who could also hear the new Jesus music bands, Love Song, Children of the Day, Bill Sprouse, and Country Faith.
He’d heard me play a couple of songs one Monday night and came to see me about singing with his brother and himself. I now don’t remember our first gig as “Sweet Comfort”, probably cause he didn’t say. But what followed was an every weekend trip to small churches, prisons, and high school lunch time concerts. Kevin was the booking agent, manager, and driver of the Winnebago, also the head roadie! He lifted all the heavy stuff, prided himself on his strength. Usually set up the P.A. system by himself, that we blew up almost every month, and in the earliest days ran the sound from the stage. I always thought the bass was too loud!
It was his vision to present the Gospel in a new way and every concert contained an evangelistic message from the Bass player! Sweet Comfort Band brought a new Jazz rock influence to Jesus Music but Kevin Thomson was pure hard rock at heart. Listening to bands like Mountain and Moby Grape. It wasn’t that he hated ballads so much as he just had an aversion to Whole notes. (too much down time for the bass player). You’ll notice in the song “I Love You With My Life”, the biggest Sweet Comfort Band Ballad of our career, that the bass line bounces all the way through, much like Kevin in real time.
In concert, he would often deliver his favorite message. The story of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane, he would elaborate upon the size of the Roman soldiers and all their gear, who came to take Jesus, “but when Jesus said “I am” the soldiers fell backwards on their backs.” He would quote from scripture. “Jesus didn’t have to die for us” he would say “he could have just called out his name over and over and the troops would have gotten tired and gone home”.
You could see Kevin’s inner strength most when he spoke of Jesus. “Jesus wasn’t a wimp” he would say. “Nobody takes a beating like that and then carries a cross most of the way to his own crucifixion”. In Kevin’s eyes, Jesus is the all knowing third person of the trinity, God in the flesh. “The one who knows”, and has all the control over life and death. He believed it, he lived it. Who knows, perhaps Kevin fell on his back too at the voice of Jesus proclamation, “I am”. There was no doubt who Kevin was listening to for the rhythm of life.
In the end Kevin had his own cross to bear and yet some thought something might be wrong with him because he never went through the depression that comes with quadriplegia. But then maybe knowledge is power here too! Kevin knew that “the one who knows is in control” even to the end of his life he was steadfast in his trust of a savior who doesn’t explain our circumstances to us. “Sweet Comfort” was the description of Kevin Thomson’s hope in Jesus. There’s a new bass solo in the heavenly angel band.
Kevin Thomson Bass Solo SCB “Get Ready”
Monday, March 1, 2010
Dear God...About That Moment of Silence
My cousin’s nine year old daughter was struck by a distracted driver and killed. I’m assuming you were there when it happened. I’d ask you why you take little girls but you’ve ignored my question before. Maybe it would take too long to explain. But from here it feels like yer pickin flowers before they’ve had a chance to bloom. Forgive me for not understanding this. But she was a cherub. She lit up a room wherever she went. The world seems to be a darker place when you remove lights like her.
We both know you could have prevented it if you wanted to. But you didn’t. I know that there is an appointed time for all of us with eternity. I just wish you could have scheduled her appointment a little farther down the road. We could discuss the ramifications of free will that you’ve gifted everyone and how it impacts all of us. But that doesn’t bring any one back from the dead.
I’m nearly speechless here. I’m filled with a wild mixture of love and pain, resentment, sadness, and one giant question mark about your plans. Right away I feel responsible to speak for you about why you allow this kind of tragedy. But even an accurate answer would not change the aching of hearts broken. And seeing a nine year old lying in a coffin will never look right to me.
Personally I can see how you move most of us along as a direct result of the current pain we’re in. Nothing seems to change without the pain of loss. It’s the only way we overcome our fears of changing the way things are. I pray her sacrifice is not wasted. That what needs to change in our lives here will be brought to pass. And I pray that children lost will speak to us from their shortened lives that we are responsible to love those we love deeply with all the immediacy that this moment brings.
A friend of yours told me there’s a difference between endurance and perseverance. The first is a matter of toleration while the second is a real pursuit, a moving forward in the belief that “love” will always win, truth will overcome, and darkness will dissipate. I’m picking what’s behind door number two in this case.
Take care of Erica for us, give her some hugs and kisses too. Let us rest in the pleasure of knowing that she is in your arms, safe and secure from all alarm.
And give us the strength to live fearlessly because we knew her to be that way. Until we meet again Erica, we’re leaving a light on for you down here!
Thanks for letting me share… amen
We both know you could have prevented it if you wanted to. But you didn’t. I know that there is an appointed time for all of us with eternity. I just wish you could have scheduled her appointment a little farther down the road. We could discuss the ramifications of free will that you’ve gifted everyone and how it impacts all of us. But that doesn’t bring any one back from the dead.
I’m nearly speechless here. I’m filled with a wild mixture of love and pain, resentment, sadness, and one giant question mark about your plans. Right away I feel responsible to speak for you about why you allow this kind of tragedy. But even an accurate answer would not change the aching of hearts broken. And seeing a nine year old lying in a coffin will never look right to me.
Personally I can see how you move most of us along as a direct result of the current pain we’re in. Nothing seems to change without the pain of loss. It’s the only way we overcome our fears of changing the way things are. I pray her sacrifice is not wasted. That what needs to change in our lives here will be brought to pass. And I pray that children lost will speak to us from their shortened lives that we are responsible to love those we love deeply with all the immediacy that this moment brings.
A friend of yours told me there’s a difference between endurance and perseverance. The first is a matter of toleration while the second is a real pursuit, a moving forward in the belief that “love” will always win, truth will overcome, and darkness will dissipate. I’m picking what’s behind door number two in this case.
Take care of Erica for us, give her some hugs and kisses too. Let us rest in the pleasure of knowing that she is in your arms, safe and secure from all alarm.
And give us the strength to live fearlessly because we knew her to be that way. Until we meet again Erica, we’re leaving a light on for you down here!
Thanks for letting me share… amen
Friday, January 29, 2010
A Twitters Worth
Written by @bryan_duncan for Christian Musician Magazine.
Subscribe today at http://www.christianmusician.com/
I thought building a fan base on line was the new way to validate my career until I saw a 13 year old girl’s twitter page the other day. She had 20,000 followers! And she doesn’t sing or play an instrument. They tell me if you can amass 1000 followers you can make money! I wouldn’t know that for sure. I can only talk to maybe a hundred people a day even limiting myself to 140 characters. That’s also the number of “characters” that follow me should the truth be known. Granted that’s a larger audience than Ali Baba had with the 40 thieves. But eliminate the social media experts, real estate agents and positive affirmation gurus. Then see how many followers are junk twitters with pretty face twit pics attached to make you think yer talking to some hot young thing. You then discover yer true followers start to round off closer the numbers you might find at a Tupperware party.
I was disappointed to find that two of my followers were actually the same guy with two accounts! And now I’m feeling like Gideon has surrounded me with just 300 of his finest but they all have matching torches. Now if you sit for five minutes in front of the home page where your followers post their incomplete sentences @someoneelse, you get the feeling of watching the river run. There are no ripples when you throw a pebble into a babbling brook.
Twitter mania gives me this visual of a hail storm on a lake. It’s an awesome sight! But then no one is focusing on any one splash. I can still remember being told you weren’t serious about your career if you didn’t have a website! Now my website is just a junk drawer where I post my twitters for those who missed em on Facebook. And with the new tech I can now have my twitters broadcast to any number of web configurations. Have you ever been in a restaurant when suddenly the volume goes up because everyone in the place has decided to start talking at the same time? You can’t hear your own conversation at some point. It’s not long till you find yourself shouting “LETS GO SOMEWHERE QUIETER WHERE I CAN HEAR YOU.”
Now don’t get me wrong here. The new social media has it’s place. But it’s also the equivalent of the hotel lobby some of you might remember during Gospel Music Association’s week long convention. If you’ve been there you are aware of how many times someone was talking to you and looking over your shoulder to see who else might be worth handing their service card to. Once again we must be reminded of individual relationship and personal attention. Seeing real people and hearing them as well. It’s an age old human defect, where our one mouth outperforms our two ears.
The first time I listened to a twitter head was when I was looking for advice about how much time to devote to amassing a twitter following. Hop Hopkins of Oklahoma told me he spends maybe ten minutes a day taking an interest in one or two individuals. The one truth that I have seen floating through Twitterville is that everyone is looking for encouragement and motivation. It’s the new recovery group phone call when yer facing relapse. Coined phrases float across every page, words of wisdom and insight and in my case humor! I have real people sorted into group listings to keep up with followers who resonate with one or more passions: Ministry, motorcycles, rehab and recovery, readers and quote-rs, musicians, and business professionals.
I see social media as a perpetual convention mostly. It beats handing out flyers in the parking lot by a nose. So, yes, meet and greet but don’t forget the eye contact. Work does come from the effort but not before the synergy of resonating with passionate souls. And who knows maybe you’ll find some like minds who don’t fall into your marketing demographic! If there’s one thing that inspires me about “on line fishing” is that every once in a while I’ll have a conversation with someone in Indonesia or Scotland who’s feeling the exact same sense of futility in tryin to talk to too many people at once!
Here’s where I don’t want God’s job, hearing all the prayers and direct messaging the entire worlds population. But I do believe it’s a whole new way of being “in the world” just as long as you’re not “full of it!”
On Twitter I have only 140 characters before I’m through. Here I get at least 800 words! “OMG” It’s like 3200 tweets with no interjections!
But if you’d rather hear less of me, I’m at twitter.com/bryan_duncan where you can find me immediately if you feel my take is not that ”GR8”, or just to “LOL”. Here’s a new one “GFAC”..(Go Forth And Conquer)
Subscribe today at http://www.christianmusician.com/
I thought building a fan base on line was the new way to validate my career until I saw a 13 year old girl’s twitter page the other day. She had 20,000 followers! And she doesn’t sing or play an instrument. They tell me if you can amass 1000 followers you can make money! I wouldn’t know that for sure. I can only talk to maybe a hundred people a day even limiting myself to 140 characters. That’s also the number of “characters” that follow me should the truth be known. Granted that’s a larger audience than Ali Baba had with the 40 thieves. But eliminate the social media experts, real estate agents and positive affirmation gurus. Then see how many followers are junk twitters with pretty face twit pics attached to make you think yer talking to some hot young thing. You then discover yer true followers start to round off closer the numbers you might find at a Tupperware party.
I was disappointed to find that two of my followers were actually the same guy with two accounts! And now I’m feeling like Gideon has surrounded me with just 300 of his finest but they all have matching torches. Now if you sit for five minutes in front of the home page where your followers post their incomplete sentences @someoneelse, you get the feeling of watching the river run. There are no ripples when you throw a pebble into a babbling brook.
Twitter mania gives me this visual of a hail storm on a lake. It’s an awesome sight! But then no one is focusing on any one splash. I can still remember being told you weren’t serious about your career if you didn’t have a website! Now my website is just a junk drawer where I post my twitters for those who missed em on Facebook. And with the new tech I can now have my twitters broadcast to any number of web configurations. Have you ever been in a restaurant when suddenly the volume goes up because everyone in the place has decided to start talking at the same time? You can’t hear your own conversation at some point. It’s not long till you find yourself shouting “LETS GO SOMEWHERE QUIETER WHERE I CAN HEAR YOU.”
Now don’t get me wrong here. The new social media has it’s place. But it’s also the equivalent of the hotel lobby some of you might remember during Gospel Music Association’s week long convention. If you’ve been there you are aware of how many times someone was talking to you and looking over your shoulder to see who else might be worth handing their service card to. Once again we must be reminded of individual relationship and personal attention. Seeing real people and hearing them as well. It’s an age old human defect, where our one mouth outperforms our two ears.
The first time I listened to a twitter head was when I was looking for advice about how much time to devote to amassing a twitter following. Hop Hopkins of Oklahoma told me he spends maybe ten minutes a day taking an interest in one or two individuals. The one truth that I have seen floating through Twitterville is that everyone is looking for encouragement and motivation. It’s the new recovery group phone call when yer facing relapse. Coined phrases float across every page, words of wisdom and insight and in my case humor! I have real people sorted into group listings to keep up with followers who resonate with one or more passions: Ministry, motorcycles, rehab and recovery, readers and quote-rs, musicians, and business professionals.
I see social media as a perpetual convention mostly. It beats handing out flyers in the parking lot by a nose. So, yes, meet and greet but don’t forget the eye contact. Work does come from the effort but not before the synergy of resonating with passionate souls. And who knows maybe you’ll find some like minds who don’t fall into your marketing demographic! If there’s one thing that inspires me about “on line fishing” is that every once in a while I’ll have a conversation with someone in Indonesia or Scotland who’s feeling the exact same sense of futility in tryin to talk to too many people at once!
Here’s where I don’t want God’s job, hearing all the prayers and direct messaging the entire worlds population. But I do believe it’s a whole new way of being “in the world” just as long as you’re not “full of it!”
On Twitter I have only 140 characters before I’m through. Here I get at least 800 words! “OMG” It’s like 3200 tweets with no interjections!
But if you’d rather hear less of me, I’m at twitter.com/bryan_duncan where you can find me immediately if you feel my take is not that ”GR8”, or just to “LOL”. Here’s a new one “GFAC”..(Go Forth And Conquer)
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Horrified
I read the comment of someone traveling over 8 hours to see me sing at a church and I only did two songs! I know that some things are out of my control. But this continues to haunt me.
Every musician and artist goes through the highs and lows of popularity. But concerts as a way of outreach has been horribly discounted in recent years and with the decline of the music business in the way of hard sales of product due to downloading and theft has left me in a position of attaching myself to what ever draws the audience.
I have spent countless hours before God, in anticipation of a new vision with regards to what I’m doing. Touring holds no passion for me these days. The road life was so unproductive for me as to leave me nearly corrupted. The cost was enormous! And my losses in the way of community and family have left me with a floundering sense of true purpose.
I’m incredibly slow at processing my dilemma’s. I remain stuck in my own denial. my persception is untrustworthy mostly. I become paranoid about what I believe to be happening. Is it merely my own decline? or is there a decline everywhere, that music is not the force that it once was.
Is it just that older people (like myself) just don’t have time to attend concerts? Unless drinks are served in a comfortable and entertaining atmosphere no one makes the effort.
true that one man will travel 8 hours to hear me sing. but those ten minutes away find some distraction that prevents them from attending. and so I am relegated to participating in someone else’s agenda.
The information super highway has made it hard to get anyone’s attention for more than a few seconds and the demand for new material is almost oppressive. Headlines with little content continues to be the wave. Give me the readers digest version. I’ll check out “Whatever” for dummies and move on.
Clearly the world has drastically changed and I have not kept up. Typical old person feeling I’m sure. “the world went and got itself in a big damn hurry” says a convict getting out after a 20 year prison sentence. In the movie Shawshank Redemption.
“Either get busy livin or get busy dyin” they add in that story. I’m choosing life myself. but I’m also like the star character in this movie. Tunneling through 200 feet of stone wall with a small rock hammer!
Here’s prayin that we may find what God intends because all else is a waste of time. If it is darkest just before the dawn… then surely the dawn is at hand now more than ever!
Every musician and artist goes through the highs and lows of popularity. But concerts as a way of outreach has been horribly discounted in recent years and with the decline of the music business in the way of hard sales of product due to downloading and theft has left me in a position of attaching myself to what ever draws the audience.
I have spent countless hours before God, in anticipation of a new vision with regards to what I’m doing. Touring holds no passion for me these days. The road life was so unproductive for me as to leave me nearly corrupted. The cost was enormous! And my losses in the way of community and family have left me with a floundering sense of true purpose.
I’m incredibly slow at processing my dilemma’s. I remain stuck in my own denial. my persception is untrustworthy mostly. I become paranoid about what I believe to be happening. Is it merely my own decline? or is there a decline everywhere, that music is not the force that it once was.
Is it just that older people (like myself) just don’t have time to attend concerts? Unless drinks are served in a comfortable and entertaining atmosphere no one makes the effort.
true that one man will travel 8 hours to hear me sing. but those ten minutes away find some distraction that prevents them from attending. and so I am relegated to participating in someone else’s agenda.
The information super highway has made it hard to get anyone’s attention for more than a few seconds and the demand for new material is almost oppressive. Headlines with little content continues to be the wave. Give me the readers digest version. I’ll check out “Whatever” for dummies and move on.
Clearly the world has drastically changed and I have not kept up. Typical old person feeling I’m sure. “the world went and got itself in a big damn hurry” says a convict getting out after a 20 year prison sentence. In the movie Shawshank Redemption.
“Either get busy livin or get busy dyin” they add in that story. I’m choosing life myself. but I’m also like the star character in this movie. Tunneling through 200 feet of stone wall with a small rock hammer!
Here’s prayin that we may find what God intends because all else is a waste of time. If it is darkest just before the dawn… then surely the dawn is at hand now more than ever!
Monday, December 28, 2009
For Better or Worse
Lookin back on the last twelve months I can see almost nothing that was business as usual. I text my sons if I wanna talk to them! My “touch screen” phone sends me email and tells me where I am currently and how cold it is and shows me pictures of places I won’t be today and where the nearest Starbucks can be found. Of course I don’t go there these days cause I don’t have the budget to cover a cup of coffee.
I’m a newlywed at Fifty Six! Raising two teenage daughters! Well I’m throwing money at the problems anyway. I wrote two books and had one published. My first acknowledgement that music might not be a sustainable compensation. My fingerprints are on file at the police station too. A true sign that I’m still not above the law and spiritual insights don’t always translate to appropriate behavior.
It feels like I’m changing horses in the middle of a stream. It’s uncomfortable sometimes but then there is a real sense of adventure again that I didn’t see coming.
I’m not sure the new Social Media circus I’ve joined is not corrupting my writing skills. The punch line has to come before the joke can be told. It comes with a realization that nobody pays attention to anything for more than a few seconds. I signed up for FaceBook and Twitter, posting everyday in hopes of rebuilding visibility for my work.
I tend to judge my worth by number of comments on my sites. Still lookin for validation in the wrong places perhaps. I read more books this year than ever but missed my goals by half.
I bought a car that I don’t drive. Lost all my back memory on Computer to a theft. “old things are passed away because I didn’t back it up”. I’ve tripled the list of co laborers I know by first and last name.
I book most of my own shows and handle my own travel. I write and produce and look for true synergy. I started a non profit public charity for Radio Rehab. I’ve gone from “Singer/songwriter” to “content provider” in a single year.
The good news is, no body I know well died this year! (though a couple of friends tried). I’m still reasonably functional too, still walkin which became a problem several months back. I’m old enough to worry about not recovering from a health set back. I only got sick once. which is still once more than usual for me. But I watched my dad suffer a stroke and fight with Alzheimer’s at the same time. A not too subtle message of preparation for what comes before eternal life!
Amazing Grace continues to be my favorite song. I’m discouraged about my sphere of influence though it might be greater in a tighter arena. Most of the things I worried about this year didn’t happen. I still live in a spectacular home even though it is rented. And that is something to thank God for in this world of foreclosures.
I hope that I appreciate what others do for me, more than I have in the past. That success truly does have many fathers. “It’s a Wonderful Life” continues to remind me that friends are where the real wealth is. And the strength of family should not be discounted. And it all comes as a result of sacrificial giving first and placing the needs of others above our own is the only true way to survive.
I’m old enough to dream dreams that I might not realize but young enough to crave a vision for what I still might do that is a contribution to sanity in this life.
Disaster’s have a way of clearing a path for a new way of seeing the world. Hardship really is the pathway to peace. Thank God for a little more time: A new year with a new agenda is on the horizon. Seize the moment.
I’m a newlywed at Fifty Six! Raising two teenage daughters! Well I’m throwing money at the problems anyway. I wrote two books and had one published. My first acknowledgement that music might not be a sustainable compensation. My fingerprints are on file at the police station too. A true sign that I’m still not above the law and spiritual insights don’t always translate to appropriate behavior.
It feels like I’m changing horses in the middle of a stream. It’s uncomfortable sometimes but then there is a real sense of adventure again that I didn’t see coming.
I’m not sure the new Social Media circus I’ve joined is not corrupting my writing skills. The punch line has to come before the joke can be told. It comes with a realization that nobody pays attention to anything for more than a few seconds. I signed up for FaceBook and Twitter, posting everyday in hopes of rebuilding visibility for my work.
I tend to judge my worth by number of comments on my sites. Still lookin for validation in the wrong places perhaps. I read more books this year than ever but missed my goals by half.
I bought a car that I don’t drive. Lost all my back memory on Computer to a theft. “old things are passed away because I didn’t back it up”. I’ve tripled the list of co laborers I know by first and last name.
I book most of my own shows and handle my own travel. I write and produce and look for true synergy. I started a non profit public charity for Radio Rehab. I’ve gone from “Singer/songwriter” to “content provider” in a single year.
The good news is, no body I know well died this year! (though a couple of friends tried). I’m still reasonably functional too, still walkin which became a problem several months back. I’m old enough to worry about not recovering from a health set back. I only got sick once. which is still once more than usual for me. But I watched my dad suffer a stroke and fight with Alzheimer’s at the same time. A not too subtle message of preparation for what comes before eternal life!
Amazing Grace continues to be my favorite song. I’m discouraged about my sphere of influence though it might be greater in a tighter arena. Most of the things I worried about this year didn’t happen. I still live in a spectacular home even though it is rented. And that is something to thank God for in this world of foreclosures.
I hope that I appreciate what others do for me, more than I have in the past. That success truly does have many fathers. “It’s a Wonderful Life” continues to remind me that friends are where the real wealth is. And the strength of family should not be discounted. And it all comes as a result of sacrificial giving first and placing the needs of others above our own is the only true way to survive.
I’m old enough to dream dreams that I might not realize but young enough to crave a vision for what I still might do that is a contribution to sanity in this life.
Disaster’s have a way of clearing a path for a new way of seeing the world. Hardship really is the pathway to peace. Thank God for a little more time: A new year with a new agenda is on the horizon. Seize the moment.
Monday, December 21, 2009
What Am I Gonna Do Now?
I was reminded this weekend of a scene in Forrest Gump. Where leuitenant Dan is laying on the floor, his legs lost to the war. And he says “what am I gonna do now?”
I had a miraculous intervention this month in last minute gigs that made the difference in the outcome of Christmas for my family. I sang through the flu to make it happen. And God showed me the real celebration of Christmas. It’s the beginning of “Divine Intervention”.
“God often speaks to us directly through the circumstances we are in” I told the Jubalee crowd on sunday morning. “Sometimes God’s direction is seen as more of an inconvenience” at least in the way I react.
But in my ‘affirmities’ I felt a connection to all who are facing a different kind of Christmas this year. It seems everyone is facing a tighter budget and leaner times. But hardship has a way of sharpening our focus that I believe is unopposed by God himself. It is something of an unwanted opportunity for personal and spiritual growth.
And I opened my presentation with “what a wonderful world”! God has a plan. and we miss it because of the obstacles often. “I think to myself” has to come first in this song. It has to. I can see a wonderful world with a deeper thought process.
In the Serenity Prayer it adds, “accepting hardship as a pathway to peace” . Peace is easier sung about than posessed. Even on the advent of celebrating the birth of the Prince of Peace. I’d rather have it than sing about it for that matter.
And as I “Came home for Christmas ” this week I had that along with a wonderful gratitude for home and family and the satisfaction of making ends meet (with a little help from God’s friends and himself)
Merry Christmas to all I say… make the best of your circumstances and look for the gifts in the hardships. they are there… ‘wrapped beneath our tree’.
I had a miraculous intervention this month in last minute gigs that made the difference in the outcome of Christmas for my family. I sang through the flu to make it happen. And God showed me the real celebration of Christmas. It’s the beginning of “Divine Intervention”.
“God often speaks to us directly through the circumstances we are in” I told the Jubalee crowd on sunday morning. “Sometimes God’s direction is seen as more of an inconvenience” at least in the way I react.
But in my ‘affirmities’ I felt a connection to all who are facing a different kind of Christmas this year. It seems everyone is facing a tighter budget and leaner times. But hardship has a way of sharpening our focus that I believe is unopposed by God himself. It is something of an unwanted opportunity for personal and spiritual growth.
And I opened my presentation with “what a wonderful world”! God has a plan. and we miss it because of the obstacles often. “I think to myself” has to come first in this song. It has to. I can see a wonderful world with a deeper thought process.
In the Serenity Prayer it adds, “accepting hardship as a pathway to peace” . Peace is easier sung about than posessed. Even on the advent of celebrating the birth of the Prince of Peace. I’d rather have it than sing about it for that matter.
And as I “Came home for Christmas ” this week I had that along with a wonderful gratitude for home and family and the satisfaction of making ends meet (with a little help from God’s friends and himself)
Merry Christmas to all I say… make the best of your circumstances and look for the gifts in the hardships. they are there… ‘wrapped beneath our tree’.
Monday, December 14, 2009
Nobody Falls Into The Christmas Spirit
I planned to take my motorcycle to Prescott, Az. for a christmas “recovery” show at the Heights Church.
That was until I discovered it was snowing there. I try to avoid the airports these days because of the incredible hassle as well as the cost in travel. But upon climbing into my truck, I discovered my windsheild wipers were not funtional! (we don’t use em much in Cali).
So I rented a little Cobalt to drive out. It’s a kid car really. you gotta hand lock all the doors! it was still bigger than row 36 on Delta! And I got to leave when I was ready! The Scenery through the desert is always fantastic. There’s a silence out there that is almost “deafening”.
It’s hard not to hear God’s voice in the wilderness when there are no distractable noises. I needed a little quiet time too. Life this year has been screaming at all of us I think. Somehow I thought when you got older trials would ‘level off’.
You see old people sittin on the porch in a rocker and they look so peaceful. Turns out they are just plain numb from living!
Prescott was the perfect gig to go to. Christmas at Celebrate Recovery! Nobody’s all that happy to be there! And Christmas seems a little ironic. At one point I was singing “and I think to myself… what a wonderful world”… and realized that it really is a point of reference in our thought life that makes the difference in Merry Christmas and “Misery” Christmas.
“No body falls into the Christmas spirit” I told the 12 stepper’s. But I was really talkin to myself on this gig. I’ve had to choose to see “whatsoever is good” … and “think on these things”. Only then can God fill in the holes we all know are there!
I passed alot of “Arizona Christmas Trees” on the way to my next gig near the boarder of Mexico in California. And I was aware of one thing…I was mostly at peace about my life, when it came down to just me and God. I wasn’t worryin about what I needed to get done or where the next check might come from.
For me this weekend? I think my prayer closet was a “Cobalt”, by Chevy.
That was until I discovered it was snowing there. I try to avoid the airports these days because of the incredible hassle as well as the cost in travel. But upon climbing into my truck, I discovered my windsheild wipers were not funtional! (we don’t use em much in Cali).
So I rented a little Cobalt to drive out. It’s a kid car really. you gotta hand lock all the doors! it was still bigger than row 36 on Delta! And I got to leave when I was ready! The Scenery through the desert is always fantastic. There’s a silence out there that is almost “deafening”.
It’s hard not to hear God’s voice in the wilderness when there are no distractable noises. I needed a little quiet time too. Life this year has been screaming at all of us I think. Somehow I thought when you got older trials would ‘level off’.
You see old people sittin on the porch in a rocker and they look so peaceful. Turns out they are just plain numb from living!
Prescott was the perfect gig to go to. Christmas at Celebrate Recovery! Nobody’s all that happy to be there! And Christmas seems a little ironic. At one point I was singing “and I think to myself… what a wonderful world”… and realized that it really is a point of reference in our thought life that makes the difference in Merry Christmas and “Misery” Christmas.
“No body falls into the Christmas spirit” I told the 12 stepper’s. But I was really talkin to myself on this gig. I’ve had to choose to see “whatsoever is good” … and “think on these things”. Only then can God fill in the holes we all know are there!
I passed alot of “Arizona Christmas Trees” on the way to my next gig near the boarder of Mexico in California. And I was aware of one thing…I was mostly at peace about my life, when it came down to just me and God. I wasn’t worryin about what I needed to get done or where the next check might come from.
For me this weekend? I think my prayer closet was a “Cobalt”, by Chevy.
Monday, November 23, 2009
All Biscuits and Gravy
Don’t know when my life changed exactly but this weekend was a fine example of a reversal of fortune. All my gigs were in the morning. It used to be that Friday and Saturday night went into the early morning but they started at night at least.
Saturday I had a blessed little biker blessing event to sing at. Sponsored by my own Black Sheep chapter. It was a bike blessing and they served a Biscuits and Gravy breakfast. I was drinking the cravy from a bowl after my presentation. It was that good.
I got the idea to bring my bike hauler and use it for a little stage. It was a perfect set up for a parking lot concert. My friend Derek Hughes set up a tight little p.a. system to and I parked a sweet Harley in front of the stage for effect.
Bikers are a flighty lot and I expected em to be rolling out quickly but as I played my most uptempo material, and added three Christmas blues tunes they mostly hung around til the very end.
I sold more NehoSoul Christmas CD’s than HOGWASH books which was a surprise.
What can I say this gig was all gravy for this old biscuit. I left thinking about bringin my own stage set up all the time and just playin in parking lots. At least there’s no line at the door!.
Sunday Morning I played the tiniest little church in Montclair “Church In The Oaks”. Inside was the most intimate of church settings. Felt like a glorified attic! with carpet and vaulted ceiling. It was remarkably comfortable. So sound proof that they needed little in the way of P.A.
This was a “partnering with pastors” service. Done in a conversation with the local pastor. It went so well conversationally that I only played five songs.
There has been a flow in my “content” on stage as a direct result of personal hardship that I can only attribute it to Divine design. The message is built around Psalm 119:71 “the sufferings you sent, were good for me”… I had a new story example for every song this morning. I included my feelings about my son leaving a Christmas card for me last year. and when I sang: “I would like to say.. just before I leave you”…. from “I love you with my life”. there were tears all around.
The moment was so powerful that I had to end with this song and let that moment linger. The whole message was about seeing difficult people as the ‘God sends’ that they are. Because usually its the same people close to you that bring you joy if you persevere.
I was done by noon. Driving home I thought about the things I’ve tried to make happen vs the things God surprised me with. and I can see that He is plowing a different field with me. One I have continually overlooked in my search for something “bigger”.
Saturday I had a blessed little biker blessing event to sing at. Sponsored by my own Black Sheep chapter. It was a bike blessing and they served a Biscuits and Gravy breakfast. I was drinking the cravy from a bowl after my presentation. It was that good.
I got the idea to bring my bike hauler and use it for a little stage. It was a perfect set up for a parking lot concert. My friend Derek Hughes set up a tight little p.a. system to and I parked a sweet Harley in front of the stage for effect.
Bikers are a flighty lot and I expected em to be rolling out quickly but as I played my most uptempo material, and added three Christmas blues tunes they mostly hung around til the very end.
I sold more NehoSoul Christmas CD’s than HOGWASH books which was a surprise.
What can I say this gig was all gravy for this old biscuit. I left thinking about bringin my own stage set up all the time and just playin in parking lots. At least there’s no line at the door!.
Sunday Morning I played the tiniest little church in Montclair “Church In The Oaks”. Inside was the most intimate of church settings. Felt like a glorified attic! with carpet and vaulted ceiling. It was remarkably comfortable. So sound proof that they needed little in the way of P.A.
This was a “partnering with pastors” service. Done in a conversation with the local pastor. It went so well conversationally that I only played five songs.
There has been a flow in my “content” on stage as a direct result of personal hardship that I can only attribute it to Divine design. The message is built around Psalm 119:71 “the sufferings you sent, were good for me”… I had a new story example for every song this morning. I included my feelings about my son leaving a Christmas card for me last year. and when I sang: “I would like to say.. just before I leave you”…. from “I love you with my life”. there were tears all around.
The moment was so powerful that I had to end with this song and let that moment linger. The whole message was about seeing difficult people as the ‘God sends’ that they are. Because usually its the same people close to you that bring you joy if you persevere.
I was done by noon. Driving home I thought about the things I’ve tried to make happen vs the things God surprised me with. and I can see that He is plowing a different field with me. One I have continually overlooked in my search for something “bigger”.
Friday, November 20, 2009
The Christmas Card Story
It was a wonderful Christmas despite the noticeably fewer gifts all around last year. My sons were over on Christmas night. Devin particularly is entertaining all by himself but I was aware with a call before he came over that he was embarrassed about not having any money to purchase gifts. It was to the point he was reluctant to join us in the opening of presents.
We’d cleaned up all the discarded wrapping and were wrapping up the evening. Devin was the last to leave. We walked him out to his car and said our goodbyes. When my wife and I came back in, I noticed an envelope lying on the floor beside the tree. Thinking I’d missed some trash I was headed to the waste paper basket when I realized it had been unopened.
There was no name on it. Inside it simply read: TO: Dad, Thanks for being so awesome. you’re such a talented person and I’m proud to say I’m your son. Sorry I didn’t have any real presents this year, …I may pick you up stuff once I get covered! I love you and thanks for everything.
He went on to write personal letters to my wife and her daughters pointing out simple thoughts and feelings about each of them. But he didn’t want to be there when we opened it probably thinking it would be dismissed as a “nice” gesture.
I wasn’t prepared for the wave of emotion that swept over me in that moment. Suddenly everything about Christmas changed. I never thought I could have such strong feelings for my kids and the gift they are all by themselves. Especially when they suddenly shine through the heart like that. It was just pure sincerity that topped all the gifts I don’t remember now.
Just words! ? unpoetical, nothing clever or humorous even…. just heart felt! And I have never seen him the same since. This Christmas I think I’ll just share my heartfelt words too. You can’t put a price on what sticks in your heart.
We’d cleaned up all the discarded wrapping and were wrapping up the evening. Devin was the last to leave. We walked him out to his car and said our goodbyes. When my wife and I came back in, I noticed an envelope lying on the floor beside the tree. Thinking I’d missed some trash I was headed to the waste paper basket when I realized it had been unopened.
There was no name on it. Inside it simply read: TO: Dad, Thanks for being so awesome. you’re such a talented person and I’m proud to say I’m your son. Sorry I didn’t have any real presents this year, …I may pick you up stuff once I get covered! I love you and thanks for everything.
He went on to write personal letters to my wife and her daughters pointing out simple thoughts and feelings about each of them. But he didn’t want to be there when we opened it probably thinking it would be dismissed as a “nice” gesture.
I wasn’t prepared for the wave of emotion that swept over me in that moment. Suddenly everything about Christmas changed. I never thought I could have such strong feelings for my kids and the gift they are all by themselves. Especially when they suddenly shine through the heart like that. It was just pure sincerity that topped all the gifts I don’t remember now.
Just words! ? unpoetical, nothing clever or humorous even…. just heart felt! And I have never seen him the same since. This Christmas I think I’ll just share my heartfelt words too. You can’t put a price on what sticks in your heart.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Nifty Noodles - Stryping The House
Monday night looked more like a Saturday night at Disneyland. House of Blues was packed, standing room only for the 25th anniversary of Christian Metal Band "Stryper". I made the 40 minute trip down. Not because I needed a douse of way back then. I'd never seen a Stryper show in their heyday as it was also my own. I too played every week and musically we weren't likely to find ourselves on the same stage ever.
But in the last six years I've met each of the band members in other situations. Tim Gaines even playin with the NehoSoul Band. Oz Fox lives in So. Cal. and Michael Sweet shared the stage with me as a presenter at the Dove Awards a few years ago. Robert has given me an in-depth conversation about the "art of visual time keeping".
Last night there were no pot bellied, balding Rock Stars on stage though. It was like a new and improved version. They came off strong, energetic and delivered a blistering set of their highlight metal meyhem, including an accurate cover of "Take A Look Around" by Boston.
The twin guitar leads we're unbelievably precise. I knew that Oz Fox could play but Michael Sweet too had fantastic musical delivery. Together they were two hammers on a white hot blade. And I begin to realize that these guys we're revelling in what they were born to do. They were cooking with no cobwebs in the kitchen!
I sat there thinking "these guys are gonna do this for 16 weeks on the road..nearing their 50'S !!!??? I was proud to know em all. And to have been a contemporary in Christian Music too, twenty five years ago.
But in the last six years I've met each of the band members in other situations. Tim Gaines even playin with the NehoSoul Band. Oz Fox lives in So. Cal. and Michael Sweet shared the stage with me as a presenter at the Dove Awards a few years ago. Robert has given me an in-depth conversation about the "art of visual time keeping".
Last night there were no pot bellied, balding Rock Stars on stage though. It was like a new and improved version. They came off strong, energetic and delivered a blistering set of their highlight metal meyhem, including an accurate cover of "Take A Look Around" by Boston.
The twin guitar leads we're unbelievably precise. I knew that Oz Fox could play but Michael Sweet too had fantastic musical delivery. Together they were two hammers on a white hot blade. And I begin to realize that these guys we're revelling in what they were born to do. They were cooking with no cobwebs in the kitchen!
I sat there thinking "these guys are gonna do this for 16 weeks on the road..nearing their 50'S !!!??? I was proud to know em all. And to have been a contemporary in Christian Music too, twenty five years ago.
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Nifty Noodles - My "Community Services"
Two gigs this weekend and still home on sunday! I like it. I got to take my wife to the private Birthday party for a 50 year old fan of my music. Interesting too his name was Kieth Green!
it was a costume party and all the dead musicians were there! I felt a little uncomfortable coming dressed as “Myself”. it was also being held in a senior citizen’s facility!
Chris Henson put the party on and went out of his way to make this outrageous. And by nine oclock I was on a private date with my wife in Laguna Hills.
Saturday night came to early by five thirty it’s dark already this time of year. If one is going to the “Road House Biker Church” one must pull up on a motorcycle! at least that is my take.
I had to dawn full riding leather for this one. the ride home was in 53 degree weather! not cold for some of ya.. but real close to when I trade a bike in for a cage!.
Road House is an awesome little saloon feel meets little country church meets old fashioned tent revival. original wooden pews, swinging doors, and all fresh cut wood interior.. I think a saw dust floor what have taken me back to my early childhood.
It was great to get back to what I do best. after this week I might have forgotten that I actually do ‘community service” for free all the time! and I am more passionate about it now.
O.k. So ‘moving on’… bryan d
it was a costume party and all the dead musicians were there! I felt a little uncomfortable coming dressed as “Myself”. it was also being held in a senior citizen’s facility!
Chris Henson put the party on and went out of his way to make this outrageous. And by nine oclock I was on a private date with my wife in Laguna Hills.
Saturday night came to early by five thirty it’s dark already this time of year. If one is going to the “Road House Biker Church” one must pull up on a motorcycle! at least that is my take.
I had to dawn full riding leather for this one. the ride home was in 53 degree weather! not cold for some of ya.. but real close to when I trade a bike in for a cage!.
Road House is an awesome little saloon feel meets little country church meets old fashioned tent revival. original wooden pews, swinging doors, and all fresh cut wood interior.. I think a saw dust floor what have taken me back to my early childhood.
It was great to get back to what I do best. after this week I might have forgotten that I actually do ‘community service” for free all the time! and I am more passionate about it now.
O.k. So ‘moving on’… bryan d
Friday, November 6, 2009
Nifty Noodles - On The Front Row of My Own Redemption
I’m still not sure why I felt compelled to air my mistakes on line. I’ve spent 40 years in a career where you hide the ugly stuff about yourself. And in the public world you deny any wrong doing and defend your position of righteousness. (and we all hate that too).
My label did a great job of it back in the nineties. And I was unhappy that I couldn’t be the person we were projecting to the public. Even now after 17 years of working recovery, I thought to myself, this can’t be happening to me, look who I am.
It’s a sign that denial still floats around in my own head. I am not the savior of the world nor do I have that capacity. In court yesterday, I was just another old white guy who attacked a sweet innocent minor. That too is a label we’re all comfortable with because we’ve all heard of too many outrageous abuses of minors and elders alike.
I have watched the kids in my neighborhood growing up over the past three years. They are often unsupervised and out running a muck. I work out of my home so I get a front row seat. And even as I talk of unconditional love that God has for everyone I would find myself struggling with what I cannot change in my own neighborhood.
Drug use is very high in this upscale neighborhood. I’ve found drug paraphernalia in my planters and beer cans and just loads of litter and cigarette butts. And I would resent what I could not do about it. I came home to find my doghouse on fire one time and my vacuum cleaner melted next to it. I never did get the whole story about that. Then there’s the patio furniture with the legs burned off and the broken glass on the driveway and things gone missing from my garage. No one knows anything about it of course.
And I begin to suspect every kid in the neighborhood, I’m feeling old and stupid and under personal attack. And suddenly the loud music coming from the next kid car rollin down the street is a personal offense. Kids, with that beligerant smirk as they pass you, knowing you can’t pin anything on em.
I finally called the police on one occasion showing them the drug materials that end up in my yard on the corner of the street. They gave me a card with tips on how to get along with my neighbors! There’s no way to get a conviction without proof of who’s committing the offense. Mean time I’m tryin to have a nice life without the interruptions.
In remarrying five months ago I instantly inherited two teenage girls. And suddenly I felt responsible to protect them from the hordes of guys that hang around. And to a 56 year old man with almost no personal experience in parenting (as I was continually on the road when my kids were growing up) I saw “vagrants!”, “trouble makers” with no jobs and dressed funny for the times, and listening to music I don’t get. One kid I talked to this year on my porch, was in an accident the next night in which one of the girls he had in his car was killed.
Suddenly I’m overwhelmed with the enormity of possible scenarios. And I felt absolutely powerless with my little songwriting career and music kids wouldn’t listen to if you forced it on em.
I’ve had several attempted conversations with a number of kids on my better days. Even taking the kid I grabbed on a motorcycle ride once cause he was into bikes. Offering to grease the chain on his little scooter once. Inviting them over for dinner. I’ve tried to get my head around the struggle that it is to be an adolescent. But relationships with teenagers is a wild ‘careening off of the guardrails” experience that I’m not at all accustomed to.
I spent my life performing my little ritual on stage and talking about the deeper things. Each song resolving in three to five minutes. And I felt like I had some control in my world.
The argument with the boy in question started over trash in my yard, I’m not sure he was even responsible for most of it. But his language in addressing me was not to my liking especially when he called me an “old man”. That lack of respect (that might not have been earned in the first place) at that moment, triggered a response in me that I wasn’t even aware was possible. I was personally trying to fight off my own powerlessness. I grabbed him at the shoulders in anger and held him for a few seconds until realizing that I was out of bounds in my own response. I let go and walked away. apologizing to him and his parents an hour later. I reported the incident to the police immediately following, knowing that to lay hands on a minor is against the law.
When the police arrived they talked with me and then the parents, who decided to file charges. It was their impression that I choked him. I don’t’ think my neighbors were even aware of how tough the law would come down on me. I believe they were surprised at the outcome. I certainly was.
I drove home from the courthouse in disbelief and astonishment. They didn’t know the whole story but then maybe I don’t either. I failed to see the accumulation of little offenses that led up to the bigger one. I stood on my front sidewalk talking to the very kid I engaged two months ago within an hour of getting home. I was almost in tears. Because this kid is struggling for his life much like I am. He was afraid to talk to me my daughter told me. So I went outside and called him over because I believe in redemption. I hold no intentional animosity toward him or his family but I do hold myself responsible for my actions that are wrong.
I talked with my wife about the whole disaster of a day when she got home. And on my back porch I’m just a man who’s tryin to figure out how to live in my own neighborhood and be a light somehow to the power of God’s redemption in me. And I am broken because that light is often unplugged. And I’m heartbroken at my example to a new generation that doesn’t hear me or see me for that matter.
It is easy for me to discount my own life’s work because of one wrong thing because truly that must be the tip of the iceberg in the resentments I ignore. What follows is a feeling of ” I can’t measure up” to the man I’m supposed to be. And I am angry with that! It is what put me in rehab 19 years ago!
But in driving home, considering the circumstances I find myself in, I felt God saying, “I have a plan in all of this”… “for Good and not for evil”!
“trust me”. “Great things will come of this.” This is what life is always about “overcoming your failures” “moving past your mistakes” and “promptly admitting when you are wrong”. It’s easier to spend your time defending your position with the good things you’ve done to offset the darkness. But I am reminded that “my primary purpose in life is to serve as a monument to God’s grace” according to Oswald Chambers. I’d rather look like the Hero in the story. But Jesus is the hero. I’m the one he rescues! I keep forgetting that.
I’m embarrassed that I am posting all this, but this is my story and I can’t deny that. I worry about how it will effect my career as are others. But for some reason I want this to be a statement of truth about who I really am. And why I need a savior not just once in my lifetime so that I can talk about the goodness of God. No, this is everyday life, where I need to resolve my resentments and anger about the sinful world that this is, and find serenity for what I cannot change and still find the courage to change the things I can! (mostly my own disposition).
I’m sure this sounds like a ‘tempest in a teapot” in the light of all that goes on in the world. I’m looking forward to the 16 weeks I will spend in Anger Management. The insights will be a contribution to my well being. The Sheriffs Dept was very accommodating to me in letting me come in one day a week to serve my sentence. and I look forward to the opportunity to serve the community even from this position.
I can only imagine whom God might place in my path to share my story with. It’s not the big stage and the spot light but that isn’t where real life is. Pontification is always the easy part but no redemption will come of that. It only comes with reflection about who I truly am and what I am capable of doing in the wrong direction. I may be on the front row of my own redemption for change.
“don’t sin by letting anger control you”…. Ephesians 4:26
thanks for letting me share…. bryan duncan
My label did a great job of it back in the nineties. And I was unhappy that I couldn’t be the person we were projecting to the public. Even now after 17 years of working recovery, I thought to myself, this can’t be happening to me, look who I am.
It’s a sign that denial still floats around in my own head. I am not the savior of the world nor do I have that capacity. In court yesterday, I was just another old white guy who attacked a sweet innocent minor. That too is a label we’re all comfortable with because we’ve all heard of too many outrageous abuses of minors and elders alike.
I have watched the kids in my neighborhood growing up over the past three years. They are often unsupervised and out running a muck. I work out of my home so I get a front row seat. And even as I talk of unconditional love that God has for everyone I would find myself struggling with what I cannot change in my own neighborhood.
Drug use is very high in this upscale neighborhood. I’ve found drug paraphernalia in my planters and beer cans and just loads of litter and cigarette butts. And I would resent what I could not do about it. I came home to find my doghouse on fire one time and my vacuum cleaner melted next to it. I never did get the whole story about that. Then there’s the patio furniture with the legs burned off and the broken glass on the driveway and things gone missing from my garage. No one knows anything about it of course.
And I begin to suspect every kid in the neighborhood, I’m feeling old and stupid and under personal attack. And suddenly the loud music coming from the next kid car rollin down the street is a personal offense. Kids, with that beligerant smirk as they pass you, knowing you can’t pin anything on em.
I finally called the police on one occasion showing them the drug materials that end up in my yard on the corner of the street. They gave me a card with tips on how to get along with my neighbors! There’s no way to get a conviction without proof of who’s committing the offense. Mean time I’m tryin to have a nice life without the interruptions.
In remarrying five months ago I instantly inherited two teenage girls. And suddenly I felt responsible to protect them from the hordes of guys that hang around. And to a 56 year old man with almost no personal experience in parenting (as I was continually on the road when my kids were growing up) I saw “vagrants!”, “trouble makers” with no jobs and dressed funny for the times, and listening to music I don’t get. One kid I talked to this year on my porch, was in an accident the next night in which one of the girls he had in his car was killed.
Suddenly I’m overwhelmed with the enormity of possible scenarios. And I felt absolutely powerless with my little songwriting career and music kids wouldn’t listen to if you forced it on em.
I’ve had several attempted conversations with a number of kids on my better days. Even taking the kid I grabbed on a motorcycle ride once cause he was into bikes. Offering to grease the chain on his little scooter once. Inviting them over for dinner. I’ve tried to get my head around the struggle that it is to be an adolescent. But relationships with teenagers is a wild ‘careening off of the guardrails” experience that I’m not at all accustomed to.
I spent my life performing my little ritual on stage and talking about the deeper things. Each song resolving in three to five minutes. And I felt like I had some control in my world.
The argument with the boy in question started over trash in my yard, I’m not sure he was even responsible for most of it. But his language in addressing me was not to my liking especially when he called me an “old man”. That lack of respect (that might not have been earned in the first place) at that moment, triggered a response in me that I wasn’t even aware was possible. I was personally trying to fight off my own powerlessness. I grabbed him at the shoulders in anger and held him for a few seconds until realizing that I was out of bounds in my own response. I let go and walked away. apologizing to him and his parents an hour later. I reported the incident to the police immediately following, knowing that to lay hands on a minor is against the law.
When the police arrived they talked with me and then the parents, who decided to file charges. It was their impression that I choked him. I don’t’ think my neighbors were even aware of how tough the law would come down on me. I believe they were surprised at the outcome. I certainly was.
I drove home from the courthouse in disbelief and astonishment. They didn’t know the whole story but then maybe I don’t either. I failed to see the accumulation of little offenses that led up to the bigger one. I stood on my front sidewalk talking to the very kid I engaged two months ago within an hour of getting home. I was almost in tears. Because this kid is struggling for his life much like I am. He was afraid to talk to me my daughter told me. So I went outside and called him over because I believe in redemption. I hold no intentional animosity toward him or his family but I do hold myself responsible for my actions that are wrong.
I talked with my wife about the whole disaster of a day when she got home. And on my back porch I’m just a man who’s tryin to figure out how to live in my own neighborhood and be a light somehow to the power of God’s redemption in me. And I am broken because that light is often unplugged. And I’m heartbroken at my example to a new generation that doesn’t hear me or see me for that matter.
It is easy for me to discount my own life’s work because of one wrong thing because truly that must be the tip of the iceberg in the resentments I ignore. What follows is a feeling of ” I can’t measure up” to the man I’m supposed to be. And I am angry with that! It is what put me in rehab 19 years ago!
But in driving home, considering the circumstances I find myself in, I felt God saying, “I have a plan in all of this”… “for Good and not for evil”!
“trust me”. “Great things will come of this.” This is what life is always about “overcoming your failures” “moving past your mistakes” and “promptly admitting when you are wrong”. It’s easier to spend your time defending your position with the good things you’ve done to offset the darkness. But I am reminded that “my primary purpose in life is to serve as a monument to God’s grace” according to Oswald Chambers. I’d rather look like the Hero in the story. But Jesus is the hero. I’m the one he rescues! I keep forgetting that.
I’m embarrassed that I am posting all this, but this is my story and I can’t deny that. I worry about how it will effect my career as are others. But for some reason I want this to be a statement of truth about who I really am. And why I need a savior not just once in my lifetime so that I can talk about the goodness of God. No, this is everyday life, where I need to resolve my resentments and anger about the sinful world that this is, and find serenity for what I cannot change and still find the courage to change the things I can! (mostly my own disposition).
I’m sure this sounds like a ‘tempest in a teapot” in the light of all that goes on in the world. I’m looking forward to the 16 weeks I will spend in Anger Management. The insights will be a contribution to my well being. The Sheriffs Dept was very accommodating to me in letting me come in one day a week to serve my sentence. and I look forward to the opportunity to serve the community even from this position.
I can only imagine whom God might place in my path to share my story with. It’s not the big stage and the spot light but that isn’t where real life is. Pontification is always the easy part but no redemption will come of that. It only comes with reflection about who I truly am and what I am capable of doing in the wrong direction. I may be on the front row of my own redemption for change.
“don’t sin by letting anger control you”…. Ephesians 4:26
thanks for letting me share…. bryan duncan
Monday, November 2, 2009
Nifty Noodles - Candy Bash On A Flatbed
It was Halloween weekend and my head was missing. I forgot my cell phone battery charger, lost the keys to my bike, had to park it in the sanctuary overnight cause I couldn’t lock it up. Forgot to bring the phone number to hook up with the CMA crew who met me at the Grapevine to ride the final two hours up the 99 north.
Eight bikers showed up to ride in. I had a great time with them. Made the four hour trip a lot shorter. Thanks to George Esparza.
Played on a flatbed outdoors for a candy bash. Came on after a really good progressive metal band. Guitar player and drummer were spectacular. Guitarist did a Joe Satrianni piece that was impressive.
It was candy night of course and I was full of it! Humor went over well too.
Sunday came an hour late but everyone was at church on time for a change. I brought an hour of the service. Ken Rasmussen might have trusted me too much!
Great and humble folks at Valley Life, and that sanctuary was the perfect music hall.
I ran into two hundred HOG members at the grapevine coming home and discovered that several had already read the HOGWASH book cover to cover!
Jezebel was in a great mood ridin home in the pale moonlight.
Eight bikers showed up to ride in. I had a great time with them. Made the four hour trip a lot shorter. Thanks to George Esparza.
Played on a flatbed outdoors for a candy bash. Came on after a really good progressive metal band. Guitar player and drummer were spectacular. Guitarist did a Joe Satrianni piece that was impressive.
It was candy night of course and I was full of it! Humor went over well too.
Sunday came an hour late but everyone was at church on time for a change. I brought an hour of the service. Ken Rasmussen might have trusted me too much!
Great and humble folks at Valley Life, and that sanctuary was the perfect music hall.
I ran into two hundred HOG members at the grapevine coming home and discovered that several had already read the HOGWASH book cover to cover!
Jezebel was in a great mood ridin home in the pale moonlight.
Monday, October 26, 2009
Nifty Noodles - Whirlwind In The Desert
I can see why Jesus spent so much time in the desert. Pretty much free of distraction! Doesn’t mean that the wind doesn’t kick up though. I heard a guy talkin about “raining mud’ in Arizona. “there’s so much dust in the air sometimes that when it rains it turns the dust into little mud drops before it hits the ground!
The ride from Riverside to Surprise Arizona for a friday night bike/recovery event at Radiant Church took ten hours! It’s still not close to “winter” in Az. and the heat has a way of draining the fluids out of your body without being noticed.
Dehydration is recognized in a delirious fuzziness and fatigue when you get off the bike. I was there by six p.m. as I pulled into a parking lot filled with motorcycles and music.
I struggled to sing but the air was so dry I found myself backing off the high notes just to insure I could get to the end of the set. It was a giddy experience and I was supposed to be offering my recovery testimony, but somehow it didn’t feel “safe” to be that honest.
I focused on pointing out that having a relationship with God does not keep you from addiction. Part of the process of redemption is overcoming your fears and sometimes in facing life we run! It doesn’t mean that God isn’t actively guiding us. (of course I just said that better now than then)
Saturday morning came too soon with a concert and Hogwash Book signing at the Harley Dealership in Chandler. The whole thing was put on by Tom Anthony of Black Sheep HDFC. From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. I hung out talking to bikers and employees and old friends, including a resurrected Rich Davis and his wife, who manned the book table all afternoon.
I followed a biker band called HAWG WILD. They did great covers of classic biker approved tunes, including a killer version of “Mississippi Queen” . The singer was perfect for these cuts!
Following that was not a comfortable thought for me. Bringing unfamiliar tunes in a style that isn’t quite the norm for “call of the wild”. With the help of eucalyptus lozenges I was able to bring power vocals to “Papa Ain’t Gonna Quit” and “I love you so”. but the stage was set up facing the parking lot and everyone listening was behind me in on the patio in the shade!
I signed books around 3p.m. and we sold more books than music! Bikers are a shifty lot, and aren’t known to hang around long but this afternoon there was never less than a hundred people milling about even with several riding clubs coming and going throughout the day.
It was like singing at a drive thru frankly. I was continually distracted all day so much so that I later discovered that someone had handed me a “Gift card” worth 250. dollars for purchases at the local dealers. I didn’t check it till later thinking it was a business card and put it in a stack I’d recieved all day. Talk about looking a gift horse in the mouth. So really: thanks to whomever that was!
I bought some night riding glasses and a couple of things for Jezebel. I haven’t put so much as a refrigerator magnet on my bike in the last year. I spend most of my “Motorcycle money” keepin Jez running.
And thanks to the mechanic at Chandler Harley for stayin overtime to fix my friend James’ bike so we got ride home on sunday morning! We “sewed to the wind” so to speak and reaped the whirlwind on the way home. High winds had us changing lanes alot and stopping to tighten our chin straps.
The ride from Riverside to Surprise Arizona for a friday night bike/recovery event at Radiant Church took ten hours! It’s still not close to “winter” in Az. and the heat has a way of draining the fluids out of your body without being noticed.
Dehydration is recognized in a delirious fuzziness and fatigue when you get off the bike. I was there by six p.m. as I pulled into a parking lot filled with motorcycles and music.
I struggled to sing but the air was so dry I found myself backing off the high notes just to insure I could get to the end of the set. It was a giddy experience and I was supposed to be offering my recovery testimony, but somehow it didn’t feel “safe” to be that honest.
I focused on pointing out that having a relationship with God does not keep you from addiction. Part of the process of redemption is overcoming your fears and sometimes in facing life we run! It doesn’t mean that God isn’t actively guiding us. (of course I just said that better now than then)
Saturday morning came too soon with a concert and Hogwash Book signing at the Harley Dealership in Chandler. The whole thing was put on by Tom Anthony of Black Sheep HDFC. From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. I hung out talking to bikers and employees and old friends, including a resurrected Rich Davis and his wife, who manned the book table all afternoon.
I followed a biker band called HAWG WILD. They did great covers of classic biker approved tunes, including a killer version of “Mississippi Queen” . The singer was perfect for these cuts!
Following that was not a comfortable thought for me. Bringing unfamiliar tunes in a style that isn’t quite the norm for “call of the wild”. With the help of eucalyptus lozenges I was able to bring power vocals to “Papa Ain’t Gonna Quit” and “I love you so”. but the stage was set up facing the parking lot and everyone listening was behind me in on the patio in the shade!
I signed books around 3p.m. and we sold more books than music! Bikers are a shifty lot, and aren’t known to hang around long but this afternoon there was never less than a hundred people milling about even with several riding clubs coming and going throughout the day.
It was like singing at a drive thru frankly. I was continually distracted all day so much so that I later discovered that someone had handed me a “Gift card” worth 250. dollars for purchases at the local dealers. I didn’t check it till later thinking it was a business card and put it in a stack I’d recieved all day. Talk about looking a gift horse in the mouth. So really: thanks to whomever that was!
I bought some night riding glasses and a couple of things for Jezebel. I haven’t put so much as a refrigerator magnet on my bike in the last year. I spend most of my “Motorcycle money” keepin Jez running.
And thanks to the mechanic at Chandler Harley for stayin overtime to fix my friend James’ bike so we got ride home on sunday morning! We “sewed to the wind” so to speak and reaped the whirlwind on the way home. High winds had us changing lanes alot and stopping to tighten our chin straps.
Monday, October 19, 2009
Nifty Noodles - Singin In The Wildwood
Singin In The Wildwood…. East Moline, Ill.
I was a little confused this weekend. The hotel was in Iowa, the gig was in Illinois about ten minutes away. Wildwood Baptist Church is on the opposite bank of the Mississippi. I watched the sun come up on river sunday morning after seeing these great black and white photos in the lobby of Riverboats parked at this very landing over a hundred years ago.
For a moment just before sunrise it could have been 1867. “Someday I’ll be in a black and white photo in a lobby somewhere” I thought “probably a picture of me standing out front of a hotel waitin for a ride”
I didn’t think I made much of an impression at the sunday morning services after singing two songs. But at the concert that night I discovered that “Iowans are just really relaxed” even if they live in Illinois! You can see the real back bone of America here in the midwest. Great folks as soon as they start talkin. Polite and casually reserved in presenting themselves. Hence I was feeling like a bull in a china shop!
But when it got right down to it, I was reminded before going on to sing in the evening, something I read on twitter. “How you make someone feel might be remembered long after all you say and do is forgotten”. And I set out to make connections a little stronger by starting in the lobby shakin hands. I had a better sense of who I was singing too this weekend for that reason. And it felt like home even if there were cornfields next door. I shared a little more of my personal redemption than I usually do. I’m comfortable where I am in my own skin. I think it’s what makes me feel less like a stranger in new places too.
I saw parts of Iowa and southern Illinois I don’t recall making note of in the past. I look forward to a return visit.
I was a little confused this weekend. The hotel was in Iowa, the gig was in Illinois about ten minutes away. Wildwood Baptist Church is on the opposite bank of the Mississippi. I watched the sun come up on river sunday morning after seeing these great black and white photos in the lobby of Riverboats parked at this very landing over a hundred years ago.
For a moment just before sunrise it could have been 1867. “Someday I’ll be in a black and white photo in a lobby somewhere” I thought “probably a picture of me standing out front of a hotel waitin for a ride”
I didn’t think I made much of an impression at the sunday morning services after singing two songs. But at the concert that night I discovered that “Iowans are just really relaxed” even if they live in Illinois! You can see the real back bone of America here in the midwest. Great folks as soon as they start talkin. Polite and casually reserved in presenting themselves. Hence I was feeling like a bull in a china shop!
But when it got right down to it, I was reminded before going on to sing in the evening, something I read on twitter. “How you make someone feel might be remembered long after all you say and do is forgotten”. And I set out to make connections a little stronger by starting in the lobby shakin hands. I had a better sense of who I was singing too this weekend for that reason. And it felt like home even if there were cornfields next door. I shared a little more of my personal redemption than I usually do. I’m comfortable where I am in my own skin. I think it’s what makes me feel less like a stranger in new places too.
I saw parts of Iowa and southern Illinois I don’t recall making note of in the past. I look forward to a return visit.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Nifty Noodles - Father n Son Duet
My son Devin has been singin my songs along with me for most of his life. He sang "Short People" with me once on stage and I wrote a song with him in his early years on the guitar. But his music taste is far from my own and his approach vocally is quite different from mine.
I always saw myself as too "old school" for his interest but he surprised me two months ago in saying he goes back to my songs for "motivation" in his acting. "yer dad's songs cover all the emotions" he said someone told him. He's an entertainer for sure and passionate about lyrics and or scripts. He was playin me Jason Mraz tunes all the way down to the studio and singing every word.
He sang in the children's choir on "Christmas is Jesus" project some twenty years ago. But yesterday was a first in that he is featured in the opening verse! "the tape doesn't lie" I laughed with him as he heard is early pitch problems in the quick passes with the track. He didn't seem nervous at all but on the mic he struggled with the melodies and my particular phrasing.
So we let him sing along to my demo vocal track of the melody and he was spot on! it even sounded interesting to hear, in the first chorus, him in the foreground with his dad in the background singing unison. We kept it!
There were some moments where, as he sang the same notes with me, it sounded like the same voice in a remarkable doubling effect. You couldn't tell it was two people some 31 years apart in age.
The duet vocal parts in the song are not exact or perfectly streamlined but I kinda liked it being a little rough around the edges it feels right when you think of a father son relationship. On the harmonies in this song.. I'm just pushin everything hard and he's kinda floatin along! 8)... typical father son interaction.
His voice is softer and he doesn't hit notes with the kind of "aggression" his old man does. But it speaks to me of his comfort-ability with who he is. As I sang the "father's verse" and chorus there is a line that says "and I see as a father... the proudest father's son"... it took me three passes to sing it without choking up!
The song does not really reach the depth of emotions that I was feeling and that bothers me a lot. It might not be the song I would have written for my own experience with my sons! and I left with a heaviness about the regrets I have of being gone so much when my boys were young.
Devin was buoyant, if not almost indifferent after the five hours we put in. "I'm gonna make a hat and print on it" he smiled as I dropped him at his car.."today is a good day for humble pie!"
He won't need that hat when he hears the final production!
I always saw myself as too "old school" for his interest but he surprised me two months ago in saying he goes back to my songs for "motivation" in his acting. "yer dad's songs cover all the emotions" he said someone told him. He's an entertainer for sure and passionate about lyrics and or scripts. He was playin me Jason Mraz tunes all the way down to the studio and singing every word.
He sang in the children's choir on "Christmas is Jesus" project some twenty years ago. But yesterday was a first in that he is featured in the opening verse! "the tape doesn't lie" I laughed with him as he heard is early pitch problems in the quick passes with the track. He didn't seem nervous at all but on the mic he struggled with the melodies and my particular phrasing.
So we let him sing along to my demo vocal track of the melody and he was spot on! it even sounded interesting to hear, in the first chorus, him in the foreground with his dad in the background singing unison. We kept it!
There were some moments where, as he sang the same notes with me, it sounded like the same voice in a remarkable doubling effect. You couldn't tell it was two people some 31 years apart in age.
The duet vocal parts in the song are not exact or perfectly streamlined but I kinda liked it being a little rough around the edges it feels right when you think of a father son relationship. On the harmonies in this song.. I'm just pushin everything hard and he's kinda floatin along! 8)... typical father son interaction.
His voice is softer and he doesn't hit notes with the kind of "aggression" his old man does. But it speaks to me of his comfort-ability with who he is. As I sang the "father's verse" and chorus there is a line that says "and I see as a father... the proudest father's son"... it took me three passes to sing it without choking up!
The song does not really reach the depth of emotions that I was feeling and that bothers me a lot. It might not be the song I would have written for my own experience with my sons! and I left with a heaviness about the regrets I have of being gone so much when my boys were young.
Devin was buoyant, if not almost indifferent after the five hours we put in. "I'm gonna make a hat and print on it" he smiled as I dropped him at his car.."today is a good day for humble pie!"
He won't need that hat when he hears the final production!
Nifty Noodles - Son Wants To Sing
My youngest son, Devin Alan, asked me, rather timidly, if he might sing with me on a duet that I wrote for the Imperials last year. (they never recorded it). I was flattered out of my mind! My kid wants to sing with his old man? I would be honored! I'm embarrassed that I never once thought of recording this song myself.
But now with my own father's health precarious, I'd like to do this for him and my own "offspring". Devin is a singer/songwriter/actor which means he's also working at the bowling alley between casting calls. 8) (I know the 'starving artist' thing pretty well myself).
Today I booked Jasmine Sound studio in San Clemente, Ca.. And I will meet my 25 year old halfway! He's comin from downtown L.A. and me? I'm in the Desert. I'll take pics and we'll see if we have something we want to offer to the public... or maybe just for family and friends!
But now with my own father's health precarious, I'd like to do this for him and my own "offspring". Devin is a singer/songwriter/actor which means he's also working at the bowling alley between casting calls. 8) (I know the 'starving artist' thing pretty well myself).
Today I booked Jasmine Sound studio in San Clemente, Ca.. And I will meet my 25 year old halfway! He's comin from downtown L.A. and me? I'm in the Desert. I'll take pics and we'll see if we have something we want to offer to the public... or maybe just for family and friends!
Monday, October 12, 2009
Nifty Noodles - Icing on the Cake
Promoter/pastor/psychologist: Jesse Sena invited me back to Pueblo again but this time offered to fly my wife out for a little RnR. We took him up on it. My first “Fly Date” with my wife. She traveled better than I thought she would. Of course a three day trip requires an 80 lb. suitcase!
We got there a day early to find freezing temperatures and I was thinking maybe I should have packed a little heavier too. Still we strolled the Riverwalk and the antique side of town. Watched it snow a little, and spent time at a local spa. She was in heaven there.
Saturday, I stopped by the Outpost Harley Davidson Dealer. We tried to line up an official HOGWASH signing event but could not make that happen on short notice. So I dropped a book by the owners office and drooled on a few bikes. And I found some summer riding gloves “half off”. The place was packed mostly for the “heated suit” sale.
The icy cold weather might have been a deterrent for some. But the concert at the Performing Arts Center downtown came off in top flight fashion. Great concert venue and a very intimate setting. “I played em all the old stuff”. I threw in several new guitar driven tunes and finished with the latest from Still Dancin’. I talked alot too.. about the changes in my life and how amazing it is that God sometimes has to pull the rug out from under you to give you something better.
Concerts for me these days come with a great deal of personal insight. “I’m one of those who’ve been there and done that” I told someone back stage. There is an overall lack of a ‘need to impress’ now a days. Presentations feel more like an afterglow, talking about adjusting to new changes, and what God is like to me now. I see the audience more like a group of fellow survivors of hardships and misunderstandings of by gone days.
Gone is that hero worship, celebrity impression, and show off arrogance. The fact was Pueblo was a living room experience from top to bottom. The songs were the stories of my journey to date. And I met real people. I almost invited six of the singers with the opening band, on stage to sing with with me. (they were singing along anyway) the local talent was great!
Sunday morning I made a surprise visit to a local pentecostal flag waving church. The pastor, a transplant from Southern California, gave me most of the service after introducing me as part of his own testimony of salvation and discovery of music to live by. And the feeling was pretty much the same as the night before. Relaxed, insightful, surprising even to me. I offered an unassuming service to a local body of believers.
On the way to the airport in Colorado Springs we drove through the Garden of the Gods, a spectacular assortment of free standing other worldly rock formations. all the trees were tinseled with ice, giving it that almost Christmas feel.
The jokes on the way to the airport were non stop and the laughter never stopped. It was that healing kind of celebration that is so good for the soul. It never felt like work to me. How honored I am to still do what I have done for most of my life. Especially seeing the value from a higher perspective than ever before. I am truely grateful for the untold blessings of a life enriched with insight and perspective.
We got there a day early to find freezing temperatures and I was thinking maybe I should have packed a little heavier too. Still we strolled the Riverwalk and the antique side of town. Watched it snow a little, and spent time at a local spa. She was in heaven there.
Saturday, I stopped by the Outpost Harley Davidson Dealer. We tried to line up an official HOGWASH signing event but could not make that happen on short notice. So I dropped a book by the owners office and drooled on a few bikes. And I found some summer riding gloves “half off”. The place was packed mostly for the “heated suit” sale.
The icy cold weather might have been a deterrent for some. But the concert at the Performing Arts Center downtown came off in top flight fashion. Great concert venue and a very intimate setting. “I played em all the old stuff”. I threw in several new guitar driven tunes and finished with the latest from Still Dancin’. I talked alot too.. about the changes in my life and how amazing it is that God sometimes has to pull the rug out from under you to give you something better.
Concerts for me these days come with a great deal of personal insight. “I’m one of those who’ve been there and done that” I told someone back stage. There is an overall lack of a ‘need to impress’ now a days. Presentations feel more like an afterglow, talking about adjusting to new changes, and what God is like to me now. I see the audience more like a group of fellow survivors of hardships and misunderstandings of by gone days.
Gone is that hero worship, celebrity impression, and show off arrogance. The fact was Pueblo was a living room experience from top to bottom. The songs were the stories of my journey to date. And I met real people. I almost invited six of the singers with the opening band, on stage to sing with with me. (they were singing along anyway) the local talent was great!
Sunday morning I made a surprise visit to a local pentecostal flag waving church. The pastor, a transplant from Southern California, gave me most of the service after introducing me as part of his own testimony of salvation and discovery of music to live by. And the feeling was pretty much the same as the night before. Relaxed, insightful, surprising even to me. I offered an unassuming service to a local body of believers.
On the way to the airport in Colorado Springs we drove through the Garden of the Gods, a spectacular assortment of free standing other worldly rock formations. all the trees were tinseled with ice, giving it that almost Christmas feel.
The jokes on the way to the airport were non stop and the laughter never stopped. It was that healing kind of celebration that is so good for the soul. It never felt like work to me. How honored I am to still do what I have done for most of my life. Especially seeing the value from a higher perspective than ever before. I am truely grateful for the untold blessings of a life enriched with insight and perspective.
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Nifty Noodles - Dear God...Book Update
I received the first drafts of the book cover for “Dear God.. Really?”. They were drastically different in approach than what I had in my mind.
Developing a cover that represents the content well, might be harder than writing the book! Sheila Cowley and Brett Eddy are pulling the ideas together, trying to make it appeal to the more fickle public.
But these are not the prayers of a younger person. They are the often ill informed and frustrated one sided ranting of an exhausted believer, all too familiar with the limitations of religion when it comes to a true intimate relationship with a personal friend in God. And though they are funny in a sarcastic way, they are filled with disappointment, anger and resentment for what the ‘speaker’ cannot change in life.. mostly “other people”.
The titles would suggest it in little 250 word “devotionals”, “Dear God… I need you to Kill someone”, or “My forgiveness isn’t working” and “I’ll be right back”… but also there are the lighter moments when you realize yer actually having conversations with an all knowing friend… “I suggest we do away with Mondays”.. and “You Fish?”… or “Do You Believe In Atheists?”… and a personal honesty you have with someone you know is safe to talk to… “When can it be about me?”.
This book reminds me of one of my favorite reads of all time, by Elizabeth Brown, “Living Successfully With Screwed Up People”. Her cover looks like a “goofy” humor book but really she is dead serious!
Dear God.. really was turned down by virtually every Christian publishing entity, though it had the interest of Random House and a couple others. I suggested to Brett that we put an “endorsement” comment on the back from the editor of New Christian Voices..” uuuh… I think we’re gonna pass on this one”.
I get that sarcasm is not a popular way to go when speaking to a sincere Christian public… without the tone of voice it can easily be misunderstood. I don’t know why I feel like I have to paddle against the flow of tried and true formulas but I am encouraged by other Authors like Donald Miller, Paul Young, Anne Jackson and Mike Foster, who are demonstrating a cutting edge in Christian thought.
Any way we’re looking at a cover idea involving a disheveled older guy struggling to talk into a can with a string on it!
I will post the final look when we have it! … stay tuned.
Developing a cover that represents the content well, might be harder than writing the book! Sheila Cowley and Brett Eddy are pulling the ideas together, trying to make it appeal to the more fickle public.
But these are not the prayers of a younger person. They are the often ill informed and frustrated one sided ranting of an exhausted believer, all too familiar with the limitations of religion when it comes to a true intimate relationship with a personal friend in God. And though they are funny in a sarcastic way, they are filled with disappointment, anger and resentment for what the ‘speaker’ cannot change in life.. mostly “other people”.
The titles would suggest it in little 250 word “devotionals”, “Dear God… I need you to Kill someone”, or “My forgiveness isn’t working” and “I’ll be right back”… but also there are the lighter moments when you realize yer actually having conversations with an all knowing friend… “I suggest we do away with Mondays”.. and “You Fish?”… or “Do You Believe In Atheists?”… and a personal honesty you have with someone you know is safe to talk to… “When can it be about me?”.
This book reminds me of one of my favorite reads of all time, by Elizabeth Brown, “Living Successfully With Screwed Up People”. Her cover looks like a “goofy” humor book but really she is dead serious!
Dear God.. really was turned down by virtually every Christian publishing entity, though it had the interest of Random House and a couple others. I suggested to Brett that we put an “endorsement” comment on the back from the editor of New Christian Voices..” uuuh… I think we’re gonna pass on this one”.
I get that sarcasm is not a popular way to go when speaking to a sincere Christian public… without the tone of voice it can easily be misunderstood. I don’t know why I feel like I have to paddle against the flow of tried and true formulas but I am encouraged by other Authors like Donald Miller, Paul Young, Anne Jackson and Mike Foster, who are demonstrating a cutting edge in Christian thought.
Any way we’re looking at a cover idea involving a disheveled older guy struggling to talk into a can with a string on it!
I will post the final look when we have it! … stay tuned.
Monday, October 5, 2009
Nifty Noodles - So Santa Says To Jesus...
In a video clip during the service at Discovery Church in their “bank takeover” new building, Santa Claus is talkin to Jesus Christ.. “I’m alot like you” says Santa…”I give everybody gifts”… “I wouldn’t call that a miracle though, Jesus says ” I heal people and raise the dead”
Santa Claus “I can turn water into wine” … Jesus “no I don’t think you can”…
Santa Claus (looking rather sheepish) “No…but I want to”!
Welcome to “Discovery” church. first time a played here a decade ago… they were havin church in a theater, The Exorcist was playin next door!
Since then they’ve met in more locations than the early church in the days of persecution. “Discovery was really about finding the location” I said sunday. “I finally got a GPS just for this gig”.
Pastor JD Pearing was more relaxed than I’ve ever seen him. “I finally have a home base” he smiles. “everytime we have a grand opening for a new site we have Bryan Duncan” he tells the faithful. “He should probably be a member by now”.
“It’s a grand opening” he tells me “so try to do some happy songs”… “that narrows down my list by two thirds” I tell him… so I play the old standard happy singalong stuff mostly: Clap yo Hands, It gets Better, Still Dancin… and I close the service with Maybe I’m Amazed.
people coming early for the second service said I was singing that same song on the Christian Radio Station when they pulled up. Nice timing.
Two services sunday morning and I was driving the worlds smallest rental car back to Sacramento Airport to Go home. This is the way I like to roll frankly! Not alot of down time on the road anymore.
Santa Claus “I can turn water into wine” … Jesus “no I don’t think you can”…
Santa Claus (looking rather sheepish) “No…but I want to”!
Welcome to “Discovery” church. first time a played here a decade ago… they were havin church in a theater, The Exorcist was playin next door!
Since then they’ve met in more locations than the early church in the days of persecution. “Discovery was really about finding the location” I said sunday. “I finally got a GPS just for this gig”.
Pastor JD Pearing was more relaxed than I’ve ever seen him. “I finally have a home base” he smiles. “everytime we have a grand opening for a new site we have Bryan Duncan” he tells the faithful. “He should probably be a member by now”.
“It’s a grand opening” he tells me “so try to do some happy songs”… “that narrows down my list by two thirds” I tell him… so I play the old standard happy singalong stuff mostly: Clap yo Hands, It gets Better, Still Dancin… and I close the service with Maybe I’m Amazed.
people coming early for the second service said I was singing that same song on the Christian Radio Station when they pulled up. Nice timing.
Two services sunday morning and I was driving the worlds smallest rental car back to Sacramento Airport to Go home. This is the way I like to roll frankly! Not alot of down time on the road anymore.
Monday, September 28, 2009
Nifty Noodles - Synopsis in a Bandshell
Imagine if you will the location for the filming of MTV’s Spring Break at Daytona Beach. Erase that weekend and replace it with “Recovery Month” put on by Stewart Marchmam Act. Now you have a picture of the “follow thru”. They should be put back to back perhaps.
SMA has been around for thirty years. The NehoSoul Band was invited to do a concert on the beach yards from the finish line of the very first Daytona 500 race.
The Daytona Beach Band Shell looks to be a relic from a lost civilization, only transplanted to the current “mardi Gras” looking surroundings of Daytona Beach.
Saturday night there were some 3000 people there to celebrate recovery. O.k. there were alot of onlookers from the bar too! and the balconies of the 16 floor hotel towering over the band shell.
The heat even at 7 p.m. when we started playin, was stifling. I found myself pouring cold water over my head during the performance. which included a spontaneous combustion, on my part, of off the charts dancin around during one of the blistering grooves the Neho Soul Band always lays down.
Dancing, for a 56 year old with bad knees,(while wearing motorcycle boots) is near suicide in normal weather. But Daytona has the humidity factor of an African Jungle.
The day after came with the kind of punishment that an old man deserves for tryin to live up to his past.
I was clearly finished physically after the three hour motorcycle run that was part of the event. Some 200 motorcycles rolled under escort from ten Motorcycle cops, stopping traffic at every intersection. I could get used to that.
The scenery was surprising in variation, I wasn’t aware some of it existed in Florida. That canopy of trees and Black Water swamp was like a New Orleans movie setting.
What was familiar was the flat land and the sandy roadsides, tall pines towering over lush tropical vegetation, and that humidity drawn from frequent rain showers serving up a deceiving momentary relief.
The recovery ride finished at the Band Shell. Bikers lined the sidewalk with their motorcycles next to the beach to watch two bands, a dance team, and a motorcycle stunt show.
The whole event brought large numbers of curious bystanders and tourists. It was the kind of set up that I always hope for in presenting music. An event that captures the ears of the unsuspecting. When you can stop someone on the sidewalk because of the presentation and hold them there without all the hype and marketing you know you have something special.
k so there’s that. in a band shell… bryan d
SMA has been around for thirty years. The NehoSoul Band was invited to do a concert on the beach yards from the finish line of the very first Daytona 500 race.
The Daytona Beach Band Shell looks to be a relic from a lost civilization, only transplanted to the current “mardi Gras” looking surroundings of Daytona Beach.
Saturday night there were some 3000 people there to celebrate recovery. O.k. there were alot of onlookers from the bar too! and the balconies of the 16 floor hotel towering over the band shell.
The heat even at 7 p.m. when we started playin, was stifling. I found myself pouring cold water over my head during the performance. which included a spontaneous combustion, on my part, of off the charts dancin around during one of the blistering grooves the Neho Soul Band always lays down.
Dancing, for a 56 year old with bad knees,(while wearing motorcycle boots) is near suicide in normal weather. But Daytona has the humidity factor of an African Jungle.
The day after came with the kind of punishment that an old man deserves for tryin to live up to his past.
I was clearly finished physically after the three hour motorcycle run that was part of the event. Some 200 motorcycles rolled under escort from ten Motorcycle cops, stopping traffic at every intersection. I could get used to that.
The scenery was surprising in variation, I wasn’t aware some of it existed in Florida. That canopy of trees and Black Water swamp was like a New Orleans movie setting.
What was familiar was the flat land and the sandy roadsides, tall pines towering over lush tropical vegetation, and that humidity drawn from frequent rain showers serving up a deceiving momentary relief.
The recovery ride finished at the Band Shell. Bikers lined the sidewalk with their motorcycles next to the beach to watch two bands, a dance team, and a motorcycle stunt show.
The whole event brought large numbers of curious bystanders and tourists. It was the kind of set up that I always hope for in presenting music. An event that captures the ears of the unsuspecting. When you can stop someone on the sidewalk because of the presentation and hold them there without all the hype and marketing you know you have something special.
k so there’s that. in a band shell… bryan d
Monday, September 21, 2009
Nifty Noodles - Sailing Over The Grapevine
Six hours north of me and straight up the old 99 is the town of Madera. Forty minutes above Fresno (which still might not help you find it), is an outpost of the central California farming community. The Cornfields and the Cotton were ready for harvest. It’s mostly a boring run on a motorcycle especially when the ride is solo. California farming is not what you visualize when you think of the state. But there are miles of almond groves and orchards. Its the other kind of fruits and nuts that are cultivated in California. Add to that Vineyards, and Cattle for milk and Cheese, Asparagus, Beets, and Garlic, and you have the makings of nothing to take a picture of.
Madera is an old original whistle stop with the remnants of the wild west still standing between 7-11’s. The wooden water tower next to the rails looks like Knott”s Berry Farm. Quaint deco style gas stations have been converted to grease monkey hang outs and the place to get those cool rims for your low rider.
Roger Leach has been a frontier pastor here for 22 years. “my church is mostly third generation hispanic families. The grandchildren of migrant farm workers” the pastor shares at dinner saturday night. “Roger never made me feel like an outsider” says ex gang member and cholo Sam Cortez. “I hated white people” he says but I always loved Sam Cooke music and somebody gave me one of your records back in the day” he told me after the service.”Jesus spoke to me through this soul music from a white guy” he smiles. “Got me through some hard prison time too” he added tearfully. “don’t ever stop what yer doin man”.
Valley West Christian Center was a fresh spring on sunday morning. I read Oswald Chambers before riding through the little town to the church on the other end. “God will give us communion with people we have no natural affinity for” I read. The timeliness of the insight in devotions has always made me realize there are no coincidences.
I took Hogwash books with me too. Though I thought “no farmers are gonna buy this book”. But there were at least thirty bikers who rolled up in the parking lot. Again, God plans ahead and doesn’t tell me about it. I rode to the Black Bear Diner with em after church, all members of “CMA” Christian Motorcycle association. It felt like family.
In the scope of “Great things to do for God”, from an earthly perspective, Madera would not stand out on the poster of impressive places to play music. But God taps me on the shoulder as I’m riding home over “the grapevine” and says, “have you considered my servant Roger Leach?, there is no finer example of faithfulness”.
His church looks like so many others you might pass along the roadside. The usual clam shell at first glance. But here I found an absolute pearl inside!.
Madera is an old original whistle stop with the remnants of the wild west still standing between 7-11’s. The wooden water tower next to the rails looks like Knott”s Berry Farm. Quaint deco style gas stations have been converted to grease monkey hang outs and the place to get those cool rims for your low rider.
Roger Leach has been a frontier pastor here for 22 years. “my church is mostly third generation hispanic families. The grandchildren of migrant farm workers” the pastor shares at dinner saturday night. “Roger never made me feel like an outsider” says ex gang member and cholo Sam Cortez. “I hated white people” he says but I always loved Sam Cooke music and somebody gave me one of your records back in the day” he told me after the service.”Jesus spoke to me through this soul music from a white guy” he smiles. “Got me through some hard prison time too” he added tearfully. “don’t ever stop what yer doin man”.
Valley West Christian Center was a fresh spring on sunday morning. I read Oswald Chambers before riding through the little town to the church on the other end. “God will give us communion with people we have no natural affinity for” I read. The timeliness of the insight in devotions has always made me realize there are no coincidences.
I took Hogwash books with me too. Though I thought “no farmers are gonna buy this book”. But there were at least thirty bikers who rolled up in the parking lot. Again, God plans ahead and doesn’t tell me about it. I rode to the Black Bear Diner with em after church, all members of “CMA” Christian Motorcycle association. It felt like family.
In the scope of “Great things to do for God”, from an earthly perspective, Madera would not stand out on the poster of impressive places to play music. But God taps me on the shoulder as I’m riding home over “the grapevine” and says, “have you considered my servant Roger Leach?, there is no finer example of faithfulness”.
His church looks like so many others you might pass along the roadside. The usual clam shell at first glance. But here I found an absolute pearl inside!.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
A Sneak Peak at the Caddie Show
A fan’s view of Bryan and the Caddies at The Gathering, in Lake Elsinore, CA on September 12, 2009.
Nifty Noodles - Connecting
As great as the Gathering gig was I was off the next morning with no time to revel. Rode my ride up the coast with my friend, James for an evening concert in Lompoc, Ca.. It was perfect weather for ridin. 70 degrees and overcast.
Riverview Church of God invited me up to share some music. Robert Key, gave a twenty minute history lesson on stuff I used to do and what it meant to him. I might have treated that unfairly in response. I was in a tired and giddy mood sunday night. Played some of the old stuff to a mostly new audience.
Played till my voice went out from fatigue. Yea it happens. I won’t see my voice again till maybe thursday. It felt relaxed and comfortable in Lompoc. I made remarks about Lompoc being the perfect location for the witness protection program! and asked the crowd to pretend like they knew my old songs if they didn’t . “think of the Beatles if you have too”.. “try to act like yer hearing yer favorite song live” I said. I finally got a great response!
My wife got home from New York City the day I left for Lompoc. I was singing “green acres is the place to be”.. She loves NYC! me? I love the countryside! But neither of us has been home for the last five days! and I just wanted to run to her. But safety on a motorcycle has to come first so I stayed the night to insure an attentiveness that would get me home.
Oh my!, I forget how gorgeous she is!. found myself staring at her in the kitchen. I gotta pinch myself to make sure this is all real sometimes! wow that’s my wife! (whats wrong with her eyesight) I thought. (i feel like she’s gonna come to her senses any day now and realize that she could have done alot better)
After five days apart there is a wall to work through in the way of connection in a relationship. Talking on the phone was more of a “To do” list on my part and Cassie was all distracted about the big city and so many things new to see! monday night I finally looked at her as we sat on the back porch, our favorite hang. “Hi Cassie” I say… “hi bryan” she returns “do I know you” I smiled… “yes, I would be your wife” she laughs.
There’s a distraction to our focus on each other that has a way of turning into a monster sometimes. it took the better part of a day to even recognize each other in our “real” souls. We both got home and started “cleaning” routines, and unpacking. There’s just more to do than we have time for. Let’s see should I unpack or sit on the porch with my wife first. I think I made the right decision.
Riverview Church of God invited me up to share some music. Robert Key, gave a twenty minute history lesson on stuff I used to do and what it meant to him. I might have treated that unfairly in response. I was in a tired and giddy mood sunday night. Played some of the old stuff to a mostly new audience.
Played till my voice went out from fatigue. Yea it happens. I won’t see my voice again till maybe thursday. It felt relaxed and comfortable in Lompoc. I made remarks about Lompoc being the perfect location for the witness protection program! and asked the crowd to pretend like they knew my old songs if they didn’t . “think of the Beatles if you have too”.. “try to act like yer hearing yer favorite song live” I said. I finally got a great response!
My wife got home from New York City the day I left for Lompoc. I was singing “green acres is the place to be”.. She loves NYC! me? I love the countryside! But neither of us has been home for the last five days! and I just wanted to run to her. But safety on a motorcycle has to come first so I stayed the night to insure an attentiveness that would get me home.
Oh my!, I forget how gorgeous she is!. found myself staring at her in the kitchen. I gotta pinch myself to make sure this is all real sometimes! wow that’s my wife! (whats wrong with her eyesight) I thought. (i feel like she’s gonna come to her senses any day now and realize that she could have done alot better)
After five days apart there is a wall to work through in the way of connection in a relationship. Talking on the phone was more of a “To do” list on my part and Cassie was all distracted about the big city and so many things new to see! monday night I finally looked at her as we sat on the back porch, our favorite hang. “Hi Cassie” I say… “hi bryan” she returns “do I know you” I smiled… “yes, I would be your wife” she laughs.
There’s a distraction to our focus on each other that has a way of turning into a monster sometimes. it took the better part of a day to even recognize each other in our “real” souls. We both got home and started “cleaning” routines, and unpacking. There’s just more to do than we have time for. Let’s see should I unpack or sit on the porch with my wife first. I think I made the right decision.
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Nifty Noodles - Sensational Gathering
I was euphoric in an exhausted kind of way. Leaving "The Gathering". What a sound system! and what an unbelievable line up of talent. I was caught off guard hearing One Nation, with a full horn section and percussion, keyboards and guitars. It truly was a "Santana" sounding outfit.
And I've never seen a more prolific guitarist than Doug Smith. He played one of the pieces from his work in the movie August Rush, and "Classical Gas", "Peter Gun" and several absolutely wonderful humor songs including "would you like to play the guitar". His wife joined him on vocals and flute. they covered "I got you babe" by Sonny and Cher" as well as a graceful version of "Somewhere over the rainbow". I've never sat through an entire set of music before I went on. It was like getting a free concert myself.
I invited him on stage to play with me after his set. "when you see talent like Doug Smith" I told the crowd "you have to have him join the band". He brought a rendition of "Love you with my life" that was closer to the quiet prayers project when I asked him to sit in with me.
The Sugar Caddies played with me on this one too. and the improvements were light years over our first gig. "Into Wishin" was a real highlight as well as "never lied to you" first time I've played the song with a band. We closed with a little rendition of "release yo self" by Graham Central Station that took the place apart!
The stage was set up like a little beach shack restaurant complete with tables close to the stage. the amphitheater audience was looking in on a small club like atmosphere that really came alive shortly after dark. Mike Gross, Guitarist for the Sugar Caddies tells me we have real footage of tonights gig so maybe you'll get to see what you should be slapped for missing! 8)
20 bucks was not too much money for this gig!
And I've never seen a more prolific guitarist than Doug Smith. He played one of the pieces from his work in the movie August Rush, and "Classical Gas", "Peter Gun" and several absolutely wonderful humor songs including "would you like to play the guitar". His wife joined him on vocals and flute. they covered "I got you babe" by Sonny and Cher" as well as a graceful version of "Somewhere over the rainbow". I've never sat through an entire set of music before I went on. It was like getting a free concert myself.
I invited him on stage to play with me after his set. "when you see talent like Doug Smith" I told the crowd "you have to have him join the band". He brought a rendition of "Love you with my life" that was closer to the quiet prayers project when I asked him to sit in with me.
The Sugar Caddies played with me on this one too. and the improvements were light years over our first gig. "Into Wishin" was a real highlight as well as "never lied to you" first time I've played the song with a band. We closed with a little rendition of "release yo self" by Graham Central Station that took the place apart!
The stage was set up like a little beach shack restaurant complete with tables close to the stage. the amphitheater audience was looking in on a small club like atmosphere that really came alive shortly after dark. Mike Gross, Guitarist for the Sugar Caddies tells me we have real footage of tonights gig so maybe you'll get to see what you should be slapped for missing! 8)
20 bucks was not too much money for this gig!
Nifty Noodles - This Ain't Prettyville
I wrote the song “this Ain’t Prettyville” with some friends and produced it for Chonda Pierce her DVD will be aired on CMT Sept. 15 tune in.
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Nifty Noodles - Assembly For The Gathering
I think I might have rehearsed so hard that my voice will be gone for the show tonight. I forgot that I agreed to do this “meet and greet” mini concert at Temecula Valley Winery an hour and a half away from rehearsal yesterday. nearly drove by my house without stopping.
What I got for the effort though was a front row seat for Grammy Award Winning Guitarist Doug Smith. I’ve never seen anyone do what he could do with an accoustic guitar. I’ve been on tour with Phil Keaggy for cryin out loud. Doug has a unique approach and everything he did got standing ovations! between every song! btw.
No one was expecting him tonight least of all me. I sat Jaw dropped for his thirty minute montage of what you didn’t know you could do with a guitar.
He joined me on “I love you with my life”, which we will do together at “The Gathering” tomorrow. I played too much tonight, probably trying to recover the audience from what they got from Doug. worried about my voice now. But I’ve been really getting serious about presenting new and different songs in a guitar set mostly and I jumped at the opportunity to present a small set. of course there were die hard old fans who wanted to here Blue Skies and Maybe I’m Amazed.
I really didn’t wanna go to the piano but it still resonates as perhaps my high water mark in music.
These days I’d rather sing in lower keys… soft touch, warm vocal sound. I have two styles of song on guitar that leaves me feeling a little bi polar. half the songs are irritated smartalec presentations of dissasters. The other half are good feeling happy songs. from a marketing perspective I’m not sure where all that takes me.
What I got for the effort though was a front row seat for Grammy Award Winning Guitarist Doug Smith. I’ve never seen anyone do what he could do with an accoustic guitar. I’ve been on tour with Phil Keaggy for cryin out loud. Doug has a unique approach and everything he did got standing ovations! between every song! btw.
No one was expecting him tonight least of all me. I sat Jaw dropped for his thirty minute montage of what you didn’t know you could do with a guitar.
He joined me on “I love you with my life”, which we will do together at “The Gathering” tomorrow. I played too much tonight, probably trying to recover the audience from what they got from Doug. worried about my voice now. But I’ve been really getting serious about presenting new and different songs in a guitar set mostly and I jumped at the opportunity to present a small set. of course there were die hard old fans who wanted to here Blue Skies and Maybe I’m Amazed.
I really didn’t wanna go to the piano but it still resonates as perhaps my high water mark in music.
These days I’d rather sing in lower keys… soft touch, warm vocal sound. I have two styles of song on guitar that leaves me feeling a little bi polar. half the songs are irritated smartalec presentations of dissasters. The other half are good feeling happy songs. from a marketing perspective I’m not sure where all that takes me.
Monday, September 7, 2009
Bryan Duncan Podcast Interview - 09/07/09
Just posted a new podcast interview with Bryan Duncan and David McLaughlin about what's going on currently in Bryan's life and career. Clocks in at 47:30.
Bryan Duncan Podcast
Right click and choose "Save Target As" and save to your computer. Then play from your favorite mp3 media player.
Bryan Duncan Podcast
Right click and choose "Save Target As" and save to your computer. Then play from your favorite mp3 media player.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Nifty Noodles - Little Weekend
Homeland, Ca.
Just down highway 74 on the left is a little two year old church meeting in a 50 year old building. It’s 20 minutes from my house. I had agreed to come on a Sunday morning a month ago, and I completely forgot about it the day I was supposed to be there. So I made time to reschedule on my official calendar.
I wasn’t expecting too much. It was part of getting the word out about “The Gathering” coming up Sept. 12. There might have been 60 people there. But the presentation was maybe the best for me in years! Not because of new songs but rather the fresh thoughts I have had that went with the old songs.
“you all have at least one person in your life that you can call to mind” I said at midpoint in the set. “who asks you for favors all the time… but when you ask for a little of their time they don’t have it”. “well that is my relationship with God” I said flatly. My prayers are all about him helping me move my plans around and him doing things for me” but when he asks me to wait a little or follow his instructions, I really don’t want to! “
“I believe the ‘angels’ we entertain unaware might be the ugly people who irritate us most, the ones that force us to do what God asks”. I sang “you keep me coming back” with a whole different light on it.
There was a freshness about my attitude that I cannot explain except that I have been through enough uncomfortable places in my own relationships lately that I found a new insight and it poured forth from somewhere outside myself. it was as fresh a perspective as I might have ever had in my life, based on experiences in recent hours.
I told a joke about asking my mom to beat me cause when she stopped it just felt so good. And Sunday I felt that way. Really good after a fresh beating, the feelings of my own moral inventory left me “rotoruetered” to the point that maybe my soul was completely free of any sanctimonious rust and religious white wash.
I wish you could have been there to see that pillar of cloud by day. I wish I could manufacture that fresh manna so that I might parlay it into a lasting career of effectiveness too. But such will not happen and maybe never the same way again because that is the God I know. Never does the same thing twice the same way. I can’t imagine how it could have been better.
K So there’s that…. Bryan d
Just down highway 74 on the left is a little two year old church meeting in a 50 year old building. It’s 20 minutes from my house. I had agreed to come on a Sunday morning a month ago, and I completely forgot about it the day I was supposed to be there. So I made time to reschedule on my official calendar.
I wasn’t expecting too much. It was part of getting the word out about “The Gathering” coming up Sept. 12. There might have been 60 people there. But the presentation was maybe the best for me in years! Not because of new songs but rather the fresh thoughts I have had that went with the old songs.
“you all have at least one person in your life that you can call to mind” I said at midpoint in the set. “who asks you for favors all the time… but when you ask for a little of their time they don’t have it”. “well that is my relationship with God” I said flatly. My prayers are all about him helping me move my plans around and him doing things for me” but when he asks me to wait a little or follow his instructions, I really don’t want to! “
“I believe the ‘angels’ we entertain unaware might be the ugly people who irritate us most, the ones that force us to do what God asks”. I sang “you keep me coming back” with a whole different light on it.
There was a freshness about my attitude that I cannot explain except that I have been through enough uncomfortable places in my own relationships lately that I found a new insight and it poured forth from somewhere outside myself. it was as fresh a perspective as I might have ever had in my life, based on experiences in recent hours.
I told a joke about asking my mom to beat me cause when she stopped it just felt so good. And Sunday I felt that way. Really good after a fresh beating, the feelings of my own moral inventory left me “rotoruetered” to the point that maybe my soul was completely free of any sanctimonious rust and religious white wash.
I wish you could have been there to see that pillar of cloud by day. I wish I could manufacture that fresh manna so that I might parlay it into a lasting career of effectiveness too. But such will not happen and maybe never the same way again because that is the God I know. Never does the same thing twice the same way. I can’t imagine how it could have been better.
K So there’s that…. Bryan d
Friday, August 28, 2009
My First Speech
Bryan posted this text of a speech he gave last week at his website bryanduncan.com. I took the privilege of posting it on Noodles because it is some of the best and most honest writing I've ever read. I didn't want anyone to miss it.
dm
---------------------------------
Thank you for inviting me to be with you this morning I consider this a real honor.
I’d like to open with a letter I wrote to God, from a book I have coming out this year, called Dear God… Really? Prayers you won’t hear in church.
Dear God… Make me a success
I’m not sure what that means really, but my vision is to be independently wealthy, so I don’t need anybody. I’ll pay appropriate homage to you of course and act humble. I’ll give to those in need too, I just don’t want to be one of them. I’d like to be in control and look good to everyone around me.
I don’t know if you’ve noticed but I do look a lot more spiritual when I’m not lacking anything. It’s easier to tell others about you and how you made it all happen. It’s a win-win for both of us. As I see it, no body listens to poor people! Here’s where your plan for “spreading the gospel” might not be working. Most of your followers have very little influence in their communities. The Gospel is the “Good News” right? So what could be better than not being needy?
Thanks for letting me share… amen
My favorite read is Oswald Chambers.. mostly his devotional “my utmost for his highest”… I call him Ozzie… the one thing that has stuck out in the last year from his work is where he says “avoid posing as a profound person”…
So here I am accepting an opportunity to speak to you about some great insights into success. All I know is I’ve been in the music business for 40 years. I’m still here. So I guess I’m successful.
I relate most to a quote in the movie ‘As Good As It Gets. The Gay guy observes of the disgruntled novelist about his new attempt at a love life….“the one thing you have going for you is your willingness to humiliate yourself”.
This morning I’ve been asked to speak to you about “The cost of success and the Road To Redemption”. I don’t pretend to know that cost in actual figures. But I know I’m still making payments! and my interest rate is pretty high. In the movie the Awakening, a researcher, being interviewed for a new job says, “I’ve been studying the habits of worms for the last 20 years, to see if there was any chance of using worm feces for fertilizer”. ? “that would never work” the interviewer says. The researcher replies “Yes, I know that now” .
The cost of success is greatest in discovering what success is not! And these days it might be discovering what success is not anymore! We have a golden opportunity in these lean times to sharpen our focus on what is most productive. They say companies are run better with less waste when they can no longer afford to waste. In rehab, I recall a statement about climbing the ladder of success only to find the ladder was leaning against the wrong building. What I have learned recently is that Upward movement can be a deception. I have also learned in my own experience that if the ladder is not stable the climb will be a waste of time.
I had a reasonably stable ladder as a young man. My dad was a preacher, so was my mom for that matter. I could point out the defects of character in my parents that I might have inherited, but all in all I was given a good foundation. One thing I had to learn by myself however, is that having the answers before you know the questions does not help you work the problem. Put an arrogant big shot on a “stable” but skinny ladder and when he gets to the top his own weight distribution will definitely change the dynamic.
I believe maintaining a balanced EGO might be the first cost of success. Cause it gets fatter the closer to the top of the ladder you get. I found myself expecting more and delivering less.
I’ve always questioned Jesus’ words “if you want to lead learn to be the servant of all”. I chose to “delegate” my service requirements. To the point I had too much time on my hands. I was financially unworried for thirty years. But I was not content. My passion became a distant cousin in my little family business.
I wrote a song recently, that says “You gotta do what you love… and love what you get”. That’s really where I might have gone wrong to begin with. I was unhappy with the results of my passion, mostly it was because it was never enough!. Pretty soon it was “just business”. I ended up in Rehab at the top of my career, another disillusioned victim of addictions. I became my own biggest liability.
I know what that cost me. I lost a wife, and the fragile trust of many, my home, and at least half of my career. But God was gracious in that I was not the recipient of Public humiliation. I quietly checked into a Rehab In 1990 mostly for long term depression. I reached an early arrival at “gaining the world and losing my own soul”. Looking back I would say it was a matter of poorly defined parameters about what success is, always followed by unrealistic expectations. After all I was only looking for Universal acceptance and world wide domination.
I have always had well meaning intentions, but even my most noble of causes have been side lined by my own defects of character. Being something of a Rock Star, I was afforded the notion, that I was above the law and the rules did not apply to me. Simple ones, like the rules of consequence. My choices for self comfort were justified when my bank account was healthy, but I was growing spiritually bankrupt even as I wrote and sang the regurgitated messages of hope and salvation that paid the bills. I don’t lay out my list of addictions as I believe they are merely symptoms of a deeper affliction. Behaviors, you’ve all heard about time and again from celebrities who answer to no one, are so typical they become rather boring. What I’d like to say here is that Recovery works when you work it. I might add it stops when you stop.
I’ve been working a recovery program since 1990. I’d like to say I’ve had no problems since arriving at Step 12 but the truth is I am still powerless over my dependencies (starting with an unaligned Self Determination) and they are still capable of making my life unmanageable. I’ve heard the stories of those who’ve been miraculously and instantaneously transformed by the power of God. That has not been my experience. God delivers me daily, but he has never removed my power to choose between success and failure.
I could list the things I do that are constructive to rehabilitation too but it usually serves to place me in denial about what I’m still capable of doing in a direction that is not suitable for success in life. Jesus Christ is my higher power and supreme redeemer but I still discount his work in me, and ignore one principle while following another.
I’ve learned that Salvation can be quick but Redemption is a process. Recovery is for everyone eventually. It’s like I say on my radio rehab show on line: “if you have living relatives, you have something to recover from”. So don’t think you have to be a crack addict before you believe you need to find a way to overcome yourself as a liability.
Addiction is merely self will run amuck. It can be whatever makes your life unmanageable. It may be as subtle as self serving greed! If the consequences of giving in to temptations were immediate, we probably wouldn’t be tempted at all. The denial starts from the beginning that “just this once” I’ll go around the boundaries.
No one recalls the seven years I wrote and sang music without a contract or a budget. And no one will ever award you for the daily discipline it will take before success arrives either. They will only see the results of what pans out. I think of the leper who dipped seven times in the Jordan. He only came up once with pure skin.
If you are personally defective in some area of your life that only you might know, You have a lot of company so don’t stand alone. “Confess your faults one to another that you might be healed” it says in James chapter 5 verse 16. the recovery program adds: “to God, yourself and at least one other person, someone you trust”!
No one recovers alone… and success really does have many fathers. “Yes, I know that now!” I took much for granted of those who worked on my behalf. I have made and am still making amends for my thoughtlessness and unappreciative nature.
Today I would say that I am happier doing more with less. More than I have ever been! Because my passion has been restored above all else. It gives me a better attitude regardless of what the economy does or the circumstances I am in. I am successful because I can see the value in all the things I once took for granted. I used to get disappointed with God because he would never tell me the outcome of my efforts or give me a clear look at the future. What I realize now is that I was overlooking the joy of surprises.
I heard a statement in the movie “call of the wild”… speaking of a boy who left home and disconnected from his parents dysfunctional lives never to be heard from again. “They are not the same people” his sister says in a letter to him that he never read. “they are people softened by the forced reflection that comes with loss”. Gentleman that would be me! softened by the forced reflection that comes with loss.
I have started over from scratch. Redefining what is within reasonable boundaries for risk to achieve. I believe Jesus died for my sins but God surely lets me suffer the consequence of my own free will. Perhaps so that I may grow in wisdom so that in my old age I can say. God’s will is more than a suggestion for a good life. There is only one path that leads to success. It is through the denial of your own self satisfying desires. If your goal to be successful includes being “self satisfied” , You will not find true success at anything!
Someone told me that if you invest everything in one thing, you will be forever disappointed. Because there will be no surprises, only great expectations, and surely much disappointment.
I like something I heard from a friend in Recovery who said “what if your plan b was really God’s plan A all along. I have come to believe that Happiness is a by product of business until God surprises you with his plan A blessings. Something that cannot be worked for to achieve. It comes with the insight into how much we are already successful because Christ has redeemed us apart from any effort on our part. We are now free to pursue whatever is pure and noble and of good report.
I wish you all the insight into what makes you truely successful. thank you for letting me share.
dm
---------------------------------
Thank you for inviting me to be with you this morning I consider this a real honor.
I’d like to open with a letter I wrote to God, from a book I have coming out this year, called Dear God… Really? Prayers you won’t hear in church.
Dear God… Make me a success
I’m not sure what that means really, but my vision is to be independently wealthy, so I don’t need anybody. I’ll pay appropriate homage to you of course and act humble. I’ll give to those in need too, I just don’t want to be one of them. I’d like to be in control and look good to everyone around me.
I don’t know if you’ve noticed but I do look a lot more spiritual when I’m not lacking anything. It’s easier to tell others about you and how you made it all happen. It’s a win-win for both of us. As I see it, no body listens to poor people! Here’s where your plan for “spreading the gospel” might not be working. Most of your followers have very little influence in their communities. The Gospel is the “Good News” right? So what could be better than not being needy?
Thanks for letting me share… amen
My favorite read is Oswald Chambers.. mostly his devotional “my utmost for his highest”… I call him Ozzie… the one thing that has stuck out in the last year from his work is where he says “avoid posing as a profound person”…
So here I am accepting an opportunity to speak to you about some great insights into success. All I know is I’ve been in the music business for 40 years. I’m still here. So I guess I’m successful.
I relate most to a quote in the movie ‘As Good As It Gets. The Gay guy observes of the disgruntled novelist about his new attempt at a love life….“the one thing you have going for you is your willingness to humiliate yourself”.
This morning I’ve been asked to speak to you about “The cost of success and the Road To Redemption”. I don’t pretend to know that cost in actual figures. But I know I’m still making payments! and my interest rate is pretty high. In the movie the Awakening, a researcher, being interviewed for a new job says, “I’ve been studying the habits of worms for the last 20 years, to see if there was any chance of using worm feces for fertilizer”. ? “that would never work” the interviewer says. The researcher replies “Yes, I know that now” .
The cost of success is greatest in discovering what success is not! And these days it might be discovering what success is not anymore! We have a golden opportunity in these lean times to sharpen our focus on what is most productive. They say companies are run better with less waste when they can no longer afford to waste. In rehab, I recall a statement about climbing the ladder of success only to find the ladder was leaning against the wrong building. What I have learned recently is that Upward movement can be a deception. I have also learned in my own experience that if the ladder is not stable the climb will be a waste of time.
I had a reasonably stable ladder as a young man. My dad was a preacher, so was my mom for that matter. I could point out the defects of character in my parents that I might have inherited, but all in all I was given a good foundation. One thing I had to learn by myself however, is that having the answers before you know the questions does not help you work the problem. Put an arrogant big shot on a “stable” but skinny ladder and when he gets to the top his own weight distribution will definitely change the dynamic.
I believe maintaining a balanced EGO might be the first cost of success. Cause it gets fatter the closer to the top of the ladder you get. I found myself expecting more and delivering less.
I’ve always questioned Jesus’ words “if you want to lead learn to be the servant of all”. I chose to “delegate” my service requirements. To the point I had too much time on my hands. I was financially unworried for thirty years. But I was not content. My passion became a distant cousin in my little family business.
I wrote a song recently, that says “You gotta do what you love… and love what you get”. That’s really where I might have gone wrong to begin with. I was unhappy with the results of my passion, mostly it was because it was never enough!. Pretty soon it was “just business”. I ended up in Rehab at the top of my career, another disillusioned victim of addictions. I became my own biggest liability.
I know what that cost me. I lost a wife, and the fragile trust of many, my home, and at least half of my career. But God was gracious in that I was not the recipient of Public humiliation. I quietly checked into a Rehab In 1990 mostly for long term depression. I reached an early arrival at “gaining the world and losing my own soul”. Looking back I would say it was a matter of poorly defined parameters about what success is, always followed by unrealistic expectations. After all I was only looking for Universal acceptance and world wide domination.
I have always had well meaning intentions, but even my most noble of causes have been side lined by my own defects of character. Being something of a Rock Star, I was afforded the notion, that I was above the law and the rules did not apply to me. Simple ones, like the rules of consequence. My choices for self comfort were justified when my bank account was healthy, but I was growing spiritually bankrupt even as I wrote and sang the regurgitated messages of hope and salvation that paid the bills. I don’t lay out my list of addictions as I believe they are merely symptoms of a deeper affliction. Behaviors, you’ve all heard about time and again from celebrities who answer to no one, are so typical they become rather boring. What I’d like to say here is that Recovery works when you work it. I might add it stops when you stop.
I’ve been working a recovery program since 1990. I’d like to say I’ve had no problems since arriving at Step 12 but the truth is I am still powerless over my dependencies (starting with an unaligned Self Determination) and they are still capable of making my life unmanageable. I’ve heard the stories of those who’ve been miraculously and instantaneously transformed by the power of God. That has not been my experience. God delivers me daily, but he has never removed my power to choose between success and failure.
I could list the things I do that are constructive to rehabilitation too but it usually serves to place me in denial about what I’m still capable of doing in a direction that is not suitable for success in life. Jesus Christ is my higher power and supreme redeemer but I still discount his work in me, and ignore one principle while following another.
I’ve learned that Salvation can be quick but Redemption is a process. Recovery is for everyone eventually. It’s like I say on my radio rehab show on line: “if you have living relatives, you have something to recover from”. So don’t think you have to be a crack addict before you believe you need to find a way to overcome yourself as a liability.
Addiction is merely self will run amuck. It can be whatever makes your life unmanageable. It may be as subtle as self serving greed! If the consequences of giving in to temptations were immediate, we probably wouldn’t be tempted at all. The denial starts from the beginning that “just this once” I’ll go around the boundaries.
No one recalls the seven years I wrote and sang music without a contract or a budget. And no one will ever award you for the daily discipline it will take before success arrives either. They will only see the results of what pans out. I think of the leper who dipped seven times in the Jordan. He only came up once with pure skin.
If you are personally defective in some area of your life that only you might know, You have a lot of company so don’t stand alone. “Confess your faults one to another that you might be healed” it says in James chapter 5 verse 16. the recovery program adds: “to God, yourself and at least one other person, someone you trust”!
No one recovers alone… and success really does have many fathers. “Yes, I know that now!” I took much for granted of those who worked on my behalf. I have made and am still making amends for my thoughtlessness and unappreciative nature.
Today I would say that I am happier doing more with less. More than I have ever been! Because my passion has been restored above all else. It gives me a better attitude regardless of what the economy does or the circumstances I am in. I am successful because I can see the value in all the things I once took for granted. I used to get disappointed with God because he would never tell me the outcome of my efforts or give me a clear look at the future. What I realize now is that I was overlooking the joy of surprises.
I heard a statement in the movie “call of the wild”… speaking of a boy who left home and disconnected from his parents dysfunctional lives never to be heard from again. “They are not the same people” his sister says in a letter to him that he never read. “they are people softened by the forced reflection that comes with loss”. Gentleman that would be me! softened by the forced reflection that comes with loss.
I have started over from scratch. Redefining what is within reasonable boundaries for risk to achieve. I believe Jesus died for my sins but God surely lets me suffer the consequence of my own free will. Perhaps so that I may grow in wisdom so that in my old age I can say. God’s will is more than a suggestion for a good life. There is only one path that leads to success. It is through the denial of your own self satisfying desires. If your goal to be successful includes being “self satisfied” , You will not find true success at anything!
Someone told me that if you invest everything in one thing, you will be forever disappointed. Because there will be no surprises, only great expectations, and surely much disappointment.
I like something I heard from a friend in Recovery who said “what if your plan b was really God’s plan A all along. I have come to believe that Happiness is a by product of business until God surprises you with his plan A blessings. Something that cannot be worked for to achieve. It comes with the insight into how much we are already successful because Christ has redeemed us apart from any effort on our part. We are now free to pursue whatever is pure and noble and of good report.
I wish you all the insight into what makes you truely successful. thank you for letting me share.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Nifty Noodles - Hogwash Mini-Tour
Poulsbo, Wa. Aug. 21-25
How do you sell out the first printing of your first ever book? You tour till you puke! I did nine presentations in four days!
Cause I’m a newly wed and I never wanna be gone for longer than a week! So we crammed as much into a long weekend as we could.
Michael Forney and Brett Eddy of my new publishing company IGNITION GARAGE had my back to the point I was feeling a little spoiled. They have an acute synergy level I have not seen in my lifetime.
I was glad I saved one book to take home cause that’s all that was left after this tirade. It included Thursday night and Monday night at the Global Bean Coffee conspiracy where we recorded the shows for you tube consumption.
They had the biggest and best latte’s I’ve ever had. It came in a bowl bigger than the one I used for my morning breakfast of Capt. Crunch.
The Owner is also quite the virtuoso on guitar and he sat in on my mostly guitar driven new tunes, which included a surprise new hit… “it didn’t work out”. Designed as a call and response sing along with the crowd it was a favorite and I had to repeat it during the shows.
We also captured footage of an impromptu layout of “mr Bailey’s Daughter” that absolutely caught even me off guard.
The rest of the weekend included six hours signing books at the Downtown Harley Dealership in Renton, 3 full concerts, three morning services, and a speaking engagement to Christian Business folks. A first in my lifetime too, that went very well. I spoke on “The cost of success and the road to redemption”. … “I don’t know the full cost of success” I told them. “ I’m still making payments and my interest rate seems pretty high”.
I had a great opportunity to meet with a T.V. producer about being a guest on a developing show and maybe offer some music and scripting as well. (to be continued). It’s still a secret. We hit it off very well though as he is a veteran of the biker wars.
I left around 3 a.m. for the trip home on Tuesday morning. There is a kind of fatigue that doesn’t feel too bad. I was singing ‘it’s been a hard days night”! at 56… everything hurts right now. My lungs are blown out, I feel like there’s a knife between my shoulder blades, and my knees hurt. I’m losing my voice for the next couple of days as a result.
But selling out everything? Priceless.
K so… there’s that…. Bryan D
How do you sell out the first printing of your first ever book? You tour till you puke! I did nine presentations in four days!
Cause I’m a newly wed and I never wanna be gone for longer than a week! So we crammed as much into a long weekend as we could.
Michael Forney and Brett Eddy of my new publishing company IGNITION GARAGE had my back to the point I was feeling a little spoiled. They have an acute synergy level I have not seen in my lifetime.
I was glad I saved one book to take home cause that’s all that was left after this tirade. It included Thursday night and Monday night at the Global Bean Coffee conspiracy where we recorded the shows for you tube consumption.
They had the biggest and best latte’s I’ve ever had. It came in a bowl bigger than the one I used for my morning breakfast of Capt. Crunch.
The Owner is also quite the virtuoso on guitar and he sat in on my mostly guitar driven new tunes, which included a surprise new hit… “it didn’t work out”. Designed as a call and response sing along with the crowd it was a favorite and I had to repeat it during the shows.
We also captured footage of an impromptu layout of “mr Bailey’s Daughter” that absolutely caught even me off guard.
The rest of the weekend included six hours signing books at the Downtown Harley Dealership in Renton, 3 full concerts, three morning services, and a speaking engagement to Christian Business folks. A first in my lifetime too, that went very well. I spoke on “The cost of success and the road to redemption”. … “I don’t know the full cost of success” I told them. “ I’m still making payments and my interest rate seems pretty high”.
I had a great opportunity to meet with a T.V. producer about being a guest on a developing show and maybe offer some music and scripting as well. (to be continued). It’s still a secret. We hit it off very well though as he is a veteran of the biker wars.
I left around 3 a.m. for the trip home on Tuesday morning. There is a kind of fatigue that doesn’t feel too bad. I was singing ‘it’s been a hard days night”! at 56… everything hurts right now. My lungs are blown out, I feel like there’s a knife between my shoulder blades, and my knees hurt. I’m losing my voice for the next couple of days as a result.
But selling out everything? Priceless.
K so… there’s that…. Bryan D
Sugar Caddies Videos
Enjoy these YouTube videos from Bryan's new local band the Sugar Caddies. Originally posted at bryanduncan.com.
Monday, August 17, 2009
Nifty Noodles - Sugar Caddie Picnic
The Benedict Castle summer concert series on the lawn was the coolest gig I've done in a year! First time ever to do a picnic on the lawn type of setting. "The crowd was double what we've ever had here" said Walter Kelly, the spokesman for Teen Challenge who sponsors the event.
It's blankets and camping chairs all over the lawn. Bring yer own crackers and cheese. The stage seemed to slope a little down hill to my left or maybe that was just me tryin to kick back. It was a long way from the blistering vocal delivery I've made a career out of . Mostly it was laid back tunes and easy vocals. And I absolutely loved it. No feeling of having to really grab the audience or impress them. No need to be the best band you've ever heard. No competition at all.
It was my first performance with the SUGAR CADDIES. The first song "Into Wishin'" was absolutely nerve racking though. One moitor mix for all. My keyboard was way out from of a drum kit that wasn't mic'd so Icould hear my own mistakes in stereo. We settled down after that though and there was something relaxing about just playin with the band.
The highlights were "Used Again" and "Lovin You". just really fun tunes with a solid groove. My Black Sheep friends from the Riverside Chapter turned out in force to line the side of the stage with motorcycles. My old friends from another life turned up in astonishing numbers too. Then there were the people who spoke to me about seeing the first Sweet Comfort band concert some 40 years ago.
It was a lot like a reunion of survivors I think. Nice setting for that. Out back of an old Castle. sponsored by a recovery organization. Teen Challenge staff and "inmates" have an easy going way about em. "we would like to have you back next year" another director said. "I'd like to make this a regular thing" I replied. I love the summer picnic on the lawn atmosphere. We'll have some video clips on my website as Steve Webb followed me around with a camera most of the night.
The Caddies had a reasonable start showing some real potential. The signature identity is the three part harmonies in a rock and soul groove. It's the real "SUGAR". We just need more opportunity to rehearse and play together and we have the makings of a solid band with a local following. Best of all the gig was done by 8 p.m. and I was home by 9!
k so ... ther's that....
It's blankets and camping chairs all over the lawn. Bring yer own crackers and cheese. The stage seemed to slope a little down hill to my left or maybe that was just me tryin to kick back. It was a long way from the blistering vocal delivery I've made a career out of . Mostly it was laid back tunes and easy vocals. And I absolutely loved it. No feeling of having to really grab the audience or impress them. No need to be the best band you've ever heard. No competition at all.
It was my first performance with the SUGAR CADDIES. The first song "Into Wishin'" was absolutely nerve racking though. One moitor mix for all. My keyboard was way out from of a drum kit that wasn't mic'd so Icould hear my own mistakes in stereo. We settled down after that though and there was something relaxing about just playin with the band.
The highlights were "Used Again" and "Lovin You". just really fun tunes with a solid groove. My Black Sheep friends from the Riverside Chapter turned out in force to line the side of the stage with motorcycles. My old friends from another life turned up in astonishing numbers too. Then there were the people who spoke to me about seeing the first Sweet Comfort band concert some 40 years ago.
It was a lot like a reunion of survivors I think. Nice setting for that. Out back of an old Castle. sponsored by a recovery organization. Teen Challenge staff and "inmates" have an easy going way about em. "we would like to have you back next year" another director said. "I'd like to make this a regular thing" I replied. I love the summer picnic on the lawn atmosphere. We'll have some video clips on my website as Steve Webb followed me around with a camera most of the night.
The Caddies had a reasonable start showing some real potential. The signature identity is the three part harmonies in a rock and soul groove. It's the real "SUGAR". We just need more opportunity to rehearse and play together and we have the makings of a solid band with a local following. Best of all the gig was done by 8 p.m. and I was home by 9!
k so ... ther's that....
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Nifty Noodles - Affair-y Tale
I read a comment or two this week on a question about why a man would sacrifice his career for an affair. It was in response to yet another politician, who's public persona was one of integrity and conservative values. I was unnerved by the lack of insight into such disasters. First of all "no temptation has taken you except what is common to man". And yet people are horrified that someone who has built the house of cards that all of our public persona tends to be, could possibly still suffer from a choice of insanity.
There's a story of a frog placed in a pot of boiling water. He jumps out immediately but when left in a comfortable pot of water turning the heat up just a little the frog stays put until he is cooked! Affairs don't happen in an instant. A man is vulnerable most when he is tired, hungry, hurt or lonely. That is pretty much an ongoing reality. It doesn't matter how much time you've logged in as a saint. Temptations to feed your own endorphins run very deep.
Throw in lust as an addiction and the prevalence of pornography at just a mouse click away, and the media blitz that sex with several partners is just a matter of personal choice and you have the makings of a fire under any comfortable pot.
God placed a strong sex drive within humanity maybe to insure the survival of the species. It also is a power not easily controlled even when there is no fear of extinction. One cannot be in denial that our sex drive can become stronger than our commitments of love. And a conservative man with a huge career and public image is not exempt.
An affair starts with a slow and simple "transfer of affection". "This woman is around all the time". Maybe my significant other is not. "We're just having coffee"... "we had to work late"...most people think yer being too prudish to question moments alone with the opposite sex. Or maybe even 'harmless' conversations on the internet. I ride a motorcycle and I know at certain speeds if I'm following too close I will not be able to stop as fast as the car in front of me. Same thing.
The trouble with men is, we always think we can handle things. And so we leave the door open just a crack. Why? because, like women, we enjoy being flattered! There's a validation we're all looking for that creates an endorphin rush. At several points in a deeper relationship there will be times where you are "not getting your needs met". You can count on that too. Cause no one person can keep up with your schedule of personal needs. The danger is, there is always plenty of feel good attention coming from elsewhere! It's never in the same place either so the desire to "jump ship" could still come in the middle of reading scripture.
We are all vulnerable to the fatigue of always doing the right thing. We all have a desire to 'escape' our responsibilities no matter how conservative you might be. It's why Las Vegas is the fastest growing city in America! The collateral damage is never realized till it happens usually. If the consequences were immediate we would probably be less tempted.
Generally no man wants to follow someone else's rules. It might be built in to a mans character to quickly become a defect. Riding herd on our own mind is a full time occupation!
I read once something I cannot recall who wrote but it stuck with me over the years. "The man who marries his mistress ...leaves the postition open". The big mistake for men is too believe that a "transfer of affection" is not deadly. "Consummation" is not necessary to destroy trust. Suspicion needs no proof either. The damage is done. I invite you to visit Radio Rehab on line at www.radiorehab.com for encouragement to stay on the Road To Redemption.
There's a story of a frog placed in a pot of boiling water. He jumps out immediately but when left in a comfortable pot of water turning the heat up just a little the frog stays put until he is cooked! Affairs don't happen in an instant. A man is vulnerable most when he is tired, hungry, hurt or lonely. That is pretty much an ongoing reality. It doesn't matter how much time you've logged in as a saint. Temptations to feed your own endorphins run very deep.
Throw in lust as an addiction and the prevalence of pornography at just a mouse click away, and the media blitz that sex with several partners is just a matter of personal choice and you have the makings of a fire under any comfortable pot.
God placed a strong sex drive within humanity maybe to insure the survival of the species. It also is a power not easily controlled even when there is no fear of extinction. One cannot be in denial that our sex drive can become stronger than our commitments of love. And a conservative man with a huge career and public image is not exempt.
An affair starts with a slow and simple "transfer of affection". "This woman is around all the time". Maybe my significant other is not. "We're just having coffee"... "we had to work late"...most people think yer being too prudish to question moments alone with the opposite sex. Or maybe even 'harmless' conversations on the internet. I ride a motorcycle and I know at certain speeds if I'm following too close I will not be able to stop as fast as the car in front of me. Same thing.
The trouble with men is, we always think we can handle things. And so we leave the door open just a crack. Why? because, like women, we enjoy being flattered! There's a validation we're all looking for that creates an endorphin rush. At several points in a deeper relationship there will be times where you are "not getting your needs met". You can count on that too. Cause no one person can keep up with your schedule of personal needs. The danger is, there is always plenty of feel good attention coming from elsewhere! It's never in the same place either so the desire to "jump ship" could still come in the middle of reading scripture.
We are all vulnerable to the fatigue of always doing the right thing. We all have a desire to 'escape' our responsibilities no matter how conservative you might be. It's why Las Vegas is the fastest growing city in America! The collateral damage is never realized till it happens usually. If the consequences were immediate we would probably be less tempted.
Generally no man wants to follow someone else's rules. It might be built in to a mans character to quickly become a defect. Riding herd on our own mind is a full time occupation!
I read once something I cannot recall who wrote but it stuck with me over the years. "The man who marries his mistress ...leaves the postition open". The big mistake for men is too believe that a "transfer of affection" is not deadly. "Consummation" is not necessary to destroy trust. Suspicion needs no proof either. The damage is done. I invite you to visit Radio Rehab on line at www.radiorehab.com for encouragement to stay on the Road To Redemption.
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