I Just Want To Thank The Lord!

I've been doing a lot of thinking, praying, crying, and generally feeling pretty upset lately.

Last night I took a walk and prayed the whole time I was out for some guidance. I told God I needed something good to happen because I was having a lot of trouble finding anything good to hold on to. What I just discovered is that God has been giving good things in abundance lately and I've just been in such a negative place that I've been refusing to see them. Tommy's new song that I've posted above really helped me when I stumbled on it hiding on my desktop as an un-named file. Although there is a lot of crap hanging around my neck right now I have to try and look at the bigger picture. Sunday morning we were blessed to participate in a homecoming service at Richland Baptist Church that saw some folks come forward and rededicate their lives to Christ. Five hours later we were behind bars at Riverbend Maximum Security Prison worshiping with a group of men who literally have nothing left but when they hit bottom they looked up and found their salvation through the love of Christ and God Almighty. Next Saturday we see one of our own, Mark Mills become an ordained minister then on Sunday we get to worship with our family at New Beginnings then later that afternoon take part in a praise concert at Word Of Life Christian Center. My faith is strong, my family has their health and I believe that God is at work in this world and we have nothing to fear.

Are there going to be bumps on my personal road? Sure. But if I can keep my eyes focused on THE ONE who made me,THE ONE who saved me and THE ONE that will lead me home then those bumps will not seem as bad and there will always be a bright horizon ahead.

GOD BLESS

V

New Beginnings Coffee House 9/27

Updates

X-ALT! continues to work on the new CD "On The Air", we are hoping for a mid October release of this 2 CD package so keep checking in. Once we are sure of a release date I will make sure to let everyone know. Also we are excited that our own Mark Mills will soon be an ordained minister. His ordination service is scheduled for October 11th. Mark is a great man of God, a true leader and I'm sure he will make a great minister.
Till next time
V

"Brother" Bill Jenkins

"Brother" Bill Jenkins is the Pastoral Director of Claiborne and Hughes Nursing Facility in Franklin TN. I was recently hired to do a video profile of "Brother" Bill for the facility to present at an upcoming convention as part of a discussion on the role of religion in health care for the elderly. In doing the project I not only met an incredible servant of the Lord but also had my eye's opened to the good that prayer can do in the lives of many who have nothing else and that a simple touch can convey not only love but healing. I hope you enjoy the video and that it touches you as much as making it touched me.
V

Goodbye Pastor Olds

The Nashville community lost a great minister and leader early this morning with the passing of Pastor Howard Olds. I worked closely with Pastor Olds on his "Faith Break" television spots. I produced these spots for the last couple of years and found Pastor Olds to be a kind and generous person who was concerned with the welfare of his church and community. Despite numerous battles with cancer Pastor Olds never lost his spirit. He will be missed. Please pray for his family, friends and congregation at Brentwood UMC. Pastor Olds had recently retired due to the serious condition of his cancer.

God Bless you Pastor Olds, may you finally rest in the arms of the savior, free from pain and worry. You have touched many souls and the time has come for your reward.

V

A Quick Update

We had a great service Sunday morning at New Beginnings, Kyle Netherton and his son joined us playing Trumpet and our good friend Susan Christians added her flute to the music. It was a joyful noise and none of us wanted it to end!!! Pastor Dan Shapley brought a great message on "Grace" to us all and I think we all left feeling filled and lifted up. It was just a wonderful way to start the week.



I've got a couple of pictures to share. These are from a recent show we did for the good folks at West Nashville Southern Methodist Church as part of their "Homecoming" celebration. We were a little rusty that day and were missing Mark Mills (our big toe) but it was fun to get out and sing the glory of God.



We start recording the new CD on August 16th then we will be back on the road trying to get out and play for all the folks that we had to put on hold during Mark's cancer surgery and recovery. It's going to be a busy fall in X-alt Land and I can't wait!!!!



See you all soon

V

Finally Getting Started

After much delay I'm proud to announce that we will finally be recording our new CD titled "On The Air" beginning on August 16th.

If things go as planned this will be a special 2 disk package containing the "On The Air" CD and a second disk of re-mixes and, live and other cool stuff. We are still finalizing the song list but I can give you a preview of some of the song titles.



"Just Wanna' Praise The Lord" (Tom Landers) Vocal by Tom Landers

"Flame On Jesus" (Vince Pinkerton & Mark Mills) Vocal by Brooke Pinkerton

"In His Song" (Vince & Lucy Pinkerton & Mark Mills) Vocal by Mark Mills

"Too Blessed" (Susie Reel & X-ALT) Vocal by Susie Reel

"Lift Me Up" (Vince Pinkerton & Mark Pierce) Vocal by Vince Pinkerton

"Paper Dragons" (Katy Seale) Vocal by Katy Seale

Here is a preview of one of the songs. This is "Too Blessed" live at Ashland City UMC with special guests Bryan Cumming and Bob Shultz.

Stay Tuned!!!

V

The Sounds Of Life

Been a while since my last post - sorry about that!- but I just had to mention the great, great, great event we were part of this weekend at Word Of Life Christian Center. This was Word Of Life's Community day and we were invited to play along with the always amazing "Sound Of Life" (Word Of Life's Praise team). There was also a Christian Rapper and some dance performances. I would be remiss not to mention the incredible Food, fellowship and love expressed by the members of the church to all involved and attending. It was truly a day blessed by God and he was certainly in attendance.
I'll let some of the other XALT-ers tell you the rest...

From Tom Landers "Shoot The Moose Blog" -
A Little Bit of Heaven In Bordeaux
June 30, 2008 — Slartibartfast
I didn’t want to let too much time pass before I mentioned the incredible experience I had this weekend.

X-Alt took part this past Saturday in an open house event for the community in Bordeaux at Word of Life Christian Center. The church had gone all out with marvelous food, inflatable slides for the kids, “fair” fare (snow cones, cotton candy), and music.

Politicians were there (including the local legend Thelma Harper), and there was some speechifying. There was some not-so-subtle campaigning, and although many in our band probably won’t vote the same way as many present, one had to be struck by the sense of urgency and commitment felt by most present.

Anyway, that was only a tiny part of the proceedings, and when the music started, it was hard not to be swept up by the spirit present in this very hot and sticky (and windy) outdoor venue.

Susie has her own God Sighting about the event at her place (hurray, Susie’s blogging!)

Our set was not bad (we REALLY miss Mark Mills!), and by the end of the second set, we had hit our stride. The members of the Nashville “biker church” had showed up, and that coincided with us starting our rock set. The timing couldn’t have been better.

You haven’t lived till you’ve won over a crowd of bikers with your version of “Jesus is Just Alright”.

When the church’s praise team did their set, things really started rolling. I can’t tell you how much I enjoy this group. It’s just hard not to get excited when they are singing.

I sometimes forget to thank God for the incredible gift I’ve been given. I have been given a small view of the width and breadth of the way Christians of all backgrounds worship Christ. I have been in high churches with great organs and soaring choirs, singing some of the greatest hymns ever written by some of the greatest composers in history. I’ve seen the quiet, somber worship of those struggling to overcome addictions. I’ve heard great scriptural teachings, and liturgies that have been spoken for centuries, and heartfelt prayers inspired on the spot. I’ve worshipped with prisoners who sing, and feel, every word of ‘Amazing Grace’.

Jesus left us with a specific prayer, and He told us that we would one day worship in spirit and in truth, but He pretty much left the ‘how’ open. He did not tell us to face a certain direction, or say ‘x’ number of prayers per day, or do this or that meditation to reach enlightenment. He did not dictate rituals that must be performed by His followers. He did not tell us to make a pilgrimage to a geographic spot, or to sing certain songs, if we sing at all.

Now, we Christians argue over these things; we have for centuries now. But, I really feel in my heart that God is pleased, not dismayed, by the almost unlimited ways His children display their love for him.

I only say this because I was struck by one particular moment. The Sounds of Life sang their wonderfully soulful version of “Trading My Sorrows”. Several people started an impromptu dance. Before I knew it, I looked up, and there were 50 or so people doing a variation of the Electric Slide. Church members, community members who had just walked up when they heard the music, tattooed bikers in full regalia, old and young, some of us west-siders - all of us singing, and dancing and shouting “Yes, Lord!”

This event was not billed as a worship service, but that’s what it was.

Surely, this is the stuff of Heaven, no?

I sure hope Ford got some good pictures for the X-alt blog. Y’all check later, it was really a great day.

And from Susie Reels new blog OhSusieQ's...

Rubber Band Man
Xalt played yesterday at the Word of Life Christian Center, International…that is one of the places I would rather go to play than anywhere else. The people are so incredibly filled with the Holy Spirit…they were having a Community open house with lots of fun stuff for the kids and the best food you have ever seen! Kinda reminded me of what it would be like in Heaven at the buffet table…and the desserts…WOW!!! The church is located on the top of a hill in Bordeaux, and the wind was really whipping everything and everybody around. I have long hair, which kinda was starting to look like a mop…upside down…well, I was wearing a hat, but it wasn’t doing a bit of good. So I asked around to the other girls in the band, hoping somebody had a hair bow of some type that I could corral my shagginess…but to no avail…so I said, Lord, I would just die for a hair bow of some type (Drama Queen, lol), even just a rubber band would work…well I guess he was listening because right then, I happened to look down on the ground, and what was curled up at my feet? A Rubber band! with the wind whipping around the hill there is no telling how long it would have stayed there…God even cares about the small things…that’s just one of the many reasons why I LOVE Him so much!

Check back later for pictures from the event.
V

New Web Site

OK Folks, the new X-ALT! web site is up and running so go check it out at

www.xaltband.org

some sections are still under construction so check back often for changes.

This Blog will continue as usual so make sure to check both for all your
X-ALT! news!

V

Prayer Requests

Just a short note this morining asking you all to send out prayers for three X-ALT! member with health concerns.

Please Keep...

Mark Mills

Katy Seale

Tom Landers & Family

in your prayers.

Thanks
V

A Little Something New

Here is a clip of a new song from our own Susie Reel that we played at Camp Marymount Saturday night. Sorry about the rough sound, we were in a big, beautiful barn of a room so the sound bounced around (A Bit!), but it's always fun to get out and stretch our musical legs a bit. Hopefully we will be going back to camp sometime this summer to do a show for the kids. I talked to the camp manager about that and he seem excited at the idea. I think it would be a ball.
More coming soon.
V

A Last Minute Opportunity

We recieved a last minute invitation to join our own Katy Seale in performing at Camp Marymount outside Fairview, TN this coming Saturday. Katy will be doing a set of her fantastic solo material then
X-ALT! will join her on stage to rock out the night with our own particular style of Rockin' Rhythm and Praise. We love to play whenever and wherever folks want us whether it's at camp, church, a coffee house or anywhere else.

It looks like after delays due to health and scheduling we will finally be recording the new CD starting in late June at Studio 23. At the helm will be our producer and sometime band mate Bryan Cumming. We are looking at a whopping 16 cuts that will feature X-ALT! and some special guests who will be named later. So keep checking in and hopefully come late July we will announce the name of the project as well as availability. From all indications this is going to be a diverse collection of songs highlighting the Best of what X-ALT! has to offer.

I'll be posting some video from Ashland City UMC in the days to come as well as pictures from Camp Marymount.

More soon,
V

What A Great Night Pt. 2

What A Great Night

X-ALT! was back, with the help of a couple of friends, last night in Ashland City. We were invited to perform at a regional meeting of United Methodist laity that was being held at Ashland City UMC. Our friends Bryan Cumming and Bob Schultz filled in for Mark Pierce and Eddie Loper (respectively) and did just a wonderful job. Hopefully I'll have some video and pictures from the event up in a few days but until then here is what some of the band members had to say.

FROM MARK MILLS:
Wow. What a time we had last night! It was so great being back with everyone, and worshiping God together again! I've got to say, everything clicked last night, and as Turner Potts said, "God was in the house". The old songs sounded solid as ever, and the new songs just rocked! More than that, though, both we and the congregation WORSHIPED. In spite of all Satan has thrown our way lately, God is not thru using us yet.

FROM SUSIE REEL:
I have to say that tops the list as one of my favorite places we ever performed!
Can I just say that I could not have been prouder of the group of people that were on that stage last night? And one of the cutest things that happened was when we started into our set after Down To The River, something was mentioned about we might be loud...and the older gentleman on the second row took out his hearing aids...too funny! WOW I so love our gigs...lol

FROM TOM LANDERS:
I had chills, especially during the song Vince, Mark and Lucy wrote. My
goodness, what a beautiful song!

More Later,
V

It's been A While

Things have been kind of slow lately (not really) but it looks like things are picking up!

First off GREAT NEWS: after a series of problems from his cancer surgery I'm glad to report that Mark Mills is on the mend and ready to start playing again. This is something we have all been praying for and as usual prayer works! Mark will make his return appearance with us at a private function at Ashland City UMC on Tuesday April 15th! Also sitting in with us that night will be our old buddy Bryan Cumming and a new friend, drummer Bob Schultz.

X-ALT! has been continuing our monthly services at New Beginnings Church and another New Beginnings Coffee House is in the plans - more on that later.

For now thanks for all your support and prayers and keep an ear out for the new
X-ALT! CD hopefully before summer.
V

This Says It All

E-MAIL FROM MARK MILLS

In case anyone is considering coming to the hospital, don't. Save the gas, save the time, it will do you no good. I'M FREE!! They released me this afternoon after only six days and I am home. We were shocked when the Dr. walked in this morning and told us. But after hours of poking and prodding they finally let us go. So we will be resting the next few days. I'll get back to everybody after some of this soreness has subsided. For now we will enjoy not having wake up calls every two hours. Mean time thank you for all of your continued prayers and concern. they lift us up.

******************************

Thank You Lord!
V

I just want to thank the LORD!

Great news today. Mark's Tumor was a stage 1 not stage 2, and he is healing at a miraculous rate! In fact he is being put on solid food as of today, all tubes are being removed and he could be home before the end of the week. Never let anyone tell you that Prayer does not work. Mark is proof that it does, God has big plans for Mark and for X-ALT! and nothing will stands in God's way of making his plans happen!
THANK YOU GOD! Thank you for your healing touch, Thank you for the blessings that you pour out on us every day, thank you for family, friends and complete strangers that are led to pray for us. Your greatness is seen in everything that happens in this world and it is up to us to see that greatness and understand that You are in control. Your hands touch us daily and we so often dismiss Your work as fate or coincidence. Fate does not exist, coincidence does exist, Only You are in control and we are safe in your hands and live with the assurance that no matter how it happens when our time comes we will have a home for all eternity with you. Until that time we live to serve You, praise You and spread Your word for all to hear.
You are the one true God and we thank you.
Amen

V

God Is Good and Prayer Works!

Thank you all for your prayers for Mark as he underwent cancer surgery this week. The doctors tell us that the surgery went as expected and that their was no immediate indication that the cancer had spread. This is great news, that means that there will be no need for cemo or radiation treatments!!!
Mark is recovering in the hospital for the next week or so then will need a few weeks of recovery at home before getting back to a more normal schedule, but he will be back soon.
Prayer works folks and we thank you for yours.
V

Checking In

Wow it's been an interesting month!!!!
But at X-ALT! we are not the type of folks that let
life get us down. We continue to write new material for
the next CD and let me tell you it some pretty good stuff.

We have beeen batteling some health problems, most noteably
Mark Mills recent cancer diagnosses, but the news is good
and the doctors tell us that surgery should take care of the
problem and Mark should be back up and running in a couple of
months. Untill then we will continue to write, do what recording
we can and be ready for late spring and Summer appearances.

We ask for your prayers for Mark and his family and for the X-ALT!
family, and keep watching here for further updates.

We will continue to lead our monthly service at New Beginnings as well as a few other churches that have contacted us but we will be doing these without
Mark untill he feels ready to come back.

Thanks for all your prayers and support
Vince

It All Starts Tonight

Well this is it, tonight we start what will be the next chapter in the X-ALT! story!
This will be our first night concentrating on writing and refining the new music that will make up the next X-ALT! CD. This has been a long time coming and after a long conversation with Mark Mills last night I can promise you that this CD will be more diverse than the last. One thing X-ALT! has always done is pride itself on not adhering to any musical boundaries and with the addition of some new key players since the last recording, and simply becoming a tighter band with all the live performing we've done I think we are going to produce a very different CD. One I'm sure you all will enjoy and one that hopefully will help lift your spirits and bring you closer to God. That is our prayer and our purpose - to help make your journey a smoother and happier one and as a good friend of mine put it, "To plant seeds" that hopefully will grow into a stronger relationship with the Creator.
We are all looking forward to the spring when we will be taking X-ALT! back on the road, there are some very exciting new opportunities on the horizon. We are looking forward to expanding our relationship with New Beginnings Fellowship and creating new relationships everywhere we go.
If you would like to have X-ALT! come to your church or special event, leave a comment here and I will get back to you, and keep watching because as the time gets closer to the release of the CD we will be premiering our new website and will be giving you more ways to get in touch with us.
Please pray for us as we start this process and thank you all for your continued support.
Vince

A Little Nashville Gospel

A while back I told you that X-Alt! would be providing the theme music for the TV program "Nashville Gospel" Well here is a sneak peek at the music and the new opening segment for the show.



Keep checking back for updates on the new CD and appearances beginning in March when the CD will be ready for release (Hopefully)
V