January 2012
48 posts
Hard not to be introspective and reflective on a night like tonight. But tomorrow is just another day, with no real significance at all. Funny how the future makes us look back. I’m where I’m supposed to be, and so are you. Cheers!
December 2011
36 posts
Did the movers and shakers of our brief history set out to change the world? Or did they press inward, leaning in on Christ, aiming only to transform their own life and please the One who gave if to them? Is the progress in science and civil rights advancement in God’s eyes? Or have we slithered only a few inches closer to his infinite glory, making “discoveries” that He discovered. Has the...
I want to believe that I aspire to be significant in a non-narcissistic fashion. I don’t crave fame, or legendary status. But if I am the center, in the spotlight or not, then where is Christ?
I am not the center of the universe, but I am the center of my life. When did I claim this life as my own in the first place? How does one take oneself out of the picture? Each morning I wake, my eyes are...
How can you expect someone to react when you tell them they are important, but not necessary? Loved, but not depended upon? Delighted in, but not essential to the Master Plan?
I want to be vital to those I love more than I want those I love to be vital to me. In other words, I want people to depend on me more than I depend on them. There is much unlearning to do. So much re-wiring when it comes...
I want to train my sin, like a pet. I can’t believe I actually believe I can control it. We’ve not been called to get things under control, rather put sin to death.
Am I alone in my want to be the hinge; the indispensable connection to the door of oportunity? The one whose purpose is absolutely essential to The Purpose? Am I the only one who wants to be vital? Am I selfish?
12/13 - Waterloo, IA
After an eventful yet restful day in Chicago we (my buddy Jon and I) made our way to Iowa. The band has spent a lot of time in Cedar Falls / Waterloo the last couple years for several reasons. 1.) the shows are always good 2.) the people are nice 3.) Pablo’s is delicious 4.) Tim Dodd.
Tim is a extremely talented and extremely whacky friend of mine. You may know him from videos online like...
12/12 - Chicago, IL
I picked up my buddy Jon from Midway in Chicago mid morning and we grabbed some Panera for lunch. The pesto veggie soup there is one of my favorites. Jon was my room mate for one year in college and we’ve actually become much closer friends since then. He’s a college professor in Wichita and since his semester was wrapped up, and I was losing my mind, he flew out to ride along with me...
12/11 - Cedarville, OH
The flight from Buffalo to Detroit to Dayton was short, but my guts were killing me for some reason. I showed up to Cedarville a little early and spent some time at Jay’s apartment before the show. Felt good to shower but my stomach was still a mess, I couldn’t figure it out. Jay had made some cake batter cookies that were delicious and had a lasagna on the way. I was burning more...
WatchOne of my favorite moments on the acoustic tour this year:
Jeremy Spring & Joey Vannucchi sing “The Golden State” by Abandon Kansas at Land’s End Park in San Francisco, California.
You can send Christmas presents and cards to:
1431 E. Prairie Hill Park City, KS 67219
:) Merry Christmas!
Top Ten of 2011
These are the top ten releases of 2011 in my humble opinion. Would love to see your list!
My Morning Jacket - Circuital
St. Vincent - Strange Mercy
Foster The People - Torches
Bon Iver - Bon Iver
Young The Giant - Young The Giant
M83 - Hurry Up We’re Dreaming
Coldplay - Mylo Xyloto
Washed Out - Within and Without
Radiohead - The King Of Limbs
Friendly Fires -...
12/10 - Buffalo, NY
I originally booked the acoustic in Buffalo for two reasons: to see Niagara Falls, and because Bruce’s e-mail was just to genuinely interesting to pass up. It made zero sense in the routing; a 7 hour drive straight out to New York and back, but I wanted to make it happen regardless. A few days before the show Bruce e-mailed me saying that he wanted to bless me and my trip by flying me out to...
12/9 - Springboro, OH
I grew up in Middletown, Ohio, just a few miles from Springboro. Despite the child-hood roots, the host was Jan Davis, a rad mom with some teenage kids in a rock band that I met at a full band show in Dayton back in August. They even have a full on recording studio in their basement. Jan made my favorite Ohio meal for dinner, Cincinnati style chili and provided a huge spread of snacks and finger...
12/8 - Columbus, OH
This one of the most unique days of the living room tour in that it wasn’t in a living room at all, and had four cameras capturing the whole experience in a tv studio. I arrived in Westerville, just outside of Columbus at the RadioU studios around 10am. I caught the sunrise when I left Indianapolis to make it in time. I hopped on the mics with Obadiah and Nikki to record a radio interview...
12/7 - Greenwood, IN
The Shevlot’s have become friends of the band over the last year, running into each other at various festivals and shows in the midwest. They are known for ministering to bands and hosting them at their lovely place outside of Indianapolis. We’ve never stayed with them though because the last two times we’ve played Indianapolis it’s been the last day of the tour and...
12/6 - Morristown, IN
I woke up in Springfield to a light snow on the ground. By the people were sliding across the road you would have thought I was in Florida around people driving in snow for the first time ever. The drive was long, over 8 hours to Indiana and I lost an hour in the time zone change. When I showed up at The Brook’s house the first thing I asked was if I could take a shower and change. After...
12/5 - Springfield, MO
Originally this was supposed to be an off day. A few days into the second leg I connected with Tyler, a student at Evangel University. Daniel, a fan of AK, had been keeping up with the tour and asked Tyler, who is involved in student activities, to bring the tour to Evangel. It was last minute but since I was already in town I played anyway.
I spent the day in Springfield with my friend Katie who...
12/4 - Bolivar, MO
Back in high school I visited a few colleges to check out the football programs and campuses. I tried out at Southwest Baptist University, even kicked some field goals in the cold. I’m glad I didn’t go to SBU for a lot of reasons, but the every time the band plays in Bolivar everyone is super cool. My buddy Neal (you may know him from “I Wear Your Shirt”) hosted the show at...
12/3 - Tulsa, OK
The entire drive to Tulsa it rained. I cruised along pretty slow and by the time I rolled into Jenks where the show was, it was already dark. My buddies Christian and Austin hosted the show in the band practice barn behind Austin’s house. It’s a great setup for a band. Fully carpeted barn with a loft upstairs with futons and a tv. The Oklahoma State vs. Oklahoma game was the same night...
12/2 - Denton, TX
My buddy Steve works at Stroker’s bike shop and pub in Dallas so I met up with some friends and him for lunch. It’s a heavily themed biker bar, but had great burgers and a pretty radical atmosphere. The show was in Denton, less than an hour away, so I set up an “office” if you will, at a Starbucks on the way. By the time I made it to Michele’s apartment, I was...
12/1 - Irving, TX
I woke up in Austin and busted my car out of car jail for $200, bummer. On the way up to Dallas I was driving with the cruise on, zoned out listening to Death Cab. I stepped on the accelerator to pass a slow car in my lane and the car started slowing down instead. I was singing along with “What Sarah Said” and didn’t even miss a word as I coasted down the nearest exit ramp. I had...
Irving to Denton to Tulsa
Thrice - Alchemy Index 1 & 2
Sleigh Bells - Treats
Radiohead - Kid A
Foster The People - Torches
Anathallo - Canopy Glow
The Civil Wars - Barton Hollow
Augustana - Augustana
Arcade Fire - Funeral
Jonny Greenwood - There Will Be Blood Soundtrack
Idiot Pilot - Wolves
11/30 - Austin, TX
I spent the day in Houston with my friend Anne. She knew of some great spots in Chinatown so we went on a little trip to that part of the city. We got a $20 hour long massage and it was unbelievable! Then we had lunch at an Indian food buffet. It was a very ethnical afternoon and a much needed vacation.
I got to the Austin show a tad late, partially because of all the Houston funtivities and...
11/29 - Houston, TX
The show in Stafford Texas, just outside of Houston, was hosted by my new friend Justin at his parent’s house. It was a private show so there weren’t a ton of AK fans, just a lot of Justin and his fiance’s friends and family. Before the show we met up at Tornado Burger and got to know each other. Justin booked me at his house but had never actually seen the band play before. We...
Austin to Dallas
Death Cab For Cutie - Transatlanticism
Death Cab For Cutie - Codes and Keys
Death Cab For Cutie - Plans
Houston to Austin
The Vines - Highly Evolved
Spoon - Transference
Kings Of Leon - Because Of The Times
11/28 - Arlington, TX
I’ve played Arlington all three years of the living room and it’s a highlight of the tour every year. This year my friend Cynthia hosted the show at her parent’s house, a beautiful place to have an acoustic show. I had lasagna with the whole family before the show and we started re-arranging furniture to accomodate for the show. People started rolling in early and I could tell it...
