Big Schedule Changes

We have made a major overhaul on our appearance schedule please see the list to the right for the new dates. X-alt! seems to be becoming a more wanted commodity and Our schedule is starting to show it - Ain't GOD Good!

A Hot Night At TBG

X-ALT! had another great night at TBG coffee House in Ashland City TN. Saturday night. A good crowd of old and new friends gathered and if I say so myself X-ALT! put on one of our best shows so far. There was really a spirit in the band despite distractions, I hated my bass sound that night and it bugged me all night long,
Mr. Pierce had car key problems and Katy's chronic neck and back problems were flaring up, but in spite of that we went on, sang out and played our fingers off.
A dear old friend of mine who had come to see us for the first time hugged me after the show and said "Y'all are doing God's will, spreading joy and helping people find something have lost along the way". I can't tell you how that made me feel! she then told me to let her know next time we are at TBG and they will do their best to fill the place up. I say bring it on!
We found out Saturday night that we will be part of a fundraising classic car show and concert to be held at the Ashland City Assembly of God Church on Saturday April 21st, we don't know what time we will be playing yet but keep checking back and I'll let you know as soon as I do.
This just in from the "Salem's Lot" blog...

"Rocking the joy in Ashland City, or, I’m seeing a lot less of Slartibartfast these days..
Jump to Comments
Friends, let me testify. Those scales that Slarti keeps showing on his blog are accurate. The man is disappearing before our very blog-eyes. He really is nearly at fighting weight. If his thick hair keeps growing it may soon outweigh his torso!

We saw ‘his’ band last night. Little group of about 73 people (uh, actually there were nine, but they sound BIG). The band is called ‘X-Alt‘, which is a pretty clever despite the fact that maybe one of the ‘kids’ in the band is from Generation X (not that everyone else on stage is dino-saur-ish!) and they really don’t play alternative music, but what they do is exalt, with some Memphis-style horns, a couple of keyboards, some stinging guitar, and a ton of good vocalists.

This is the third time I’ve heard these guys. I’m not a big Christian music kinda guy. I grew up in an era where a lot of schlock was passed off as music and labelled Christian or praise, and it was somehow OK, because of the ‘brand’. I know the industry has grown up quite a bit since those days (yeah, probably a lot more than I’ve grown up), but my prejudice still is woven neatly into my sleeve.

These guys play great music. If the music blows, the message suffers. I know the message is really the true medium for X-Alt, but they know better than me, if the songs aren’t popping, the ‘go ye into all the world’ bit isn’t going to make it out of the driveway.

Our diminishing buddy Slarti got more vocals last night than the previous times I’ve heard the band. Slarti’s voice has a little more grit and growl than anybody else up there. He’s the one that can do the upbeat Stax-rumble and make it work along with those punctuating horns behind him. He especially shines on his own tune, ‘Piggyback Ride’ (uh, Slarti, your passion is showing).

My wife pointed out to me last night that the reason the song ‘Oh Happy Days’ works so well for these guys is that they don’t play it dirge-speed. They actually SOUND happy. Yeah, they do a lot of standards from the 60s, either leaving them alone lyrically to convey the message: Lean on Me, He ain’t Heavy, Put a Little Love in Your Heart*, or twisting the lyrics a bit to make sure we know WHERE the love’s coming from, e.g. Slarti’s take on the Sam and Dave ‘Soothe Me‘. The soothing here is heart-ward, and a little more to the ‘north’ than perhaps the original.

I don’t want to denigrate or neglect the rest of the band, especially the vocals. They truly have more lead singers on one stage than Van Halen and The Band put together. But, I”ve just gotta say that last night, Katy Seale was ON. She sings right on the edge of Americana, blues and torch just enough to make you realize you’d drive all the way to Ashland City for her featured songs alone. Throw in the amazing harmonies, the tight horns, the stinging guitar, and an occasional poignant flute, and you have good times, even if you doubt the Source of their inspiration.

And, oh yeah, Slarti threw in a little go-go dancing last night that almost cleaned out my nasal passages with espresso. Somewhere, someone needs to get that on ‘YouTube’.

*my one piece of advice is to drop ‘Put a Little Love in Your Heart’ and pick up another Memphis style song like some Dusty Springfield or the Isaac Haye’s chestnut: “If something is wrong with my baby…”. Too many good vocal chops in that band to not serve up some more grit. "

You can find a link to this blog in our links section.
Well that's it for now, hopefully tomorrow I'll have some video from the show to share with you, and hey if you ain't doing nothing next Monday come on up to Tater Day in Benton KY. X-ALT! will be there for a 2:00pm performance at the gospel singing.
Hope to see you there
V

Bits and Pieces

First off a big Happy Birthday to Jessica Reel the now 16 year old daughter of our own Susie Reel. The family and I were thrilled to be a part of the celebration last night, Over the last few years we've seen Jessica bloom into a beautiful and talented young lady and we are all very proud of her.

A sad note, the music world lost one of it best last week with passing of "BOSTON" lead vocalist Brad Delp, from all reports he was a great person without many of the ego problems that so many "Famous" people seem to develop. I personally thought of BOSTON's song "Long Time" as a theme song for my youth and still can't resist trying to hit that high not in the chorus every time I hear it - I've never made it. RIP Brad Delp.

X-ALT! will be a TBG in Ashland City on Saturday March 24, so come on out a hang with us a while. It'll be a Party!

Speaking of parties our friend Lawrence Baily and his band "The Jones" will be appearing at "The Rutledge" this Saturday, March 17th. Cover is $5 and worth every penny. "The Jones" are Nashvilles definitive Funk Force and put on a show that will blow you mind.

Just added a new link to the links section, this is from our old singing partner Jennifer Coomer. The girl is crazy. She is also a great friend that we don't get to see enough of. We miss you Jennifer, come back and sing with us again, SOON!

That's it for now, but keep checking in you never know when something new will pop up.
V

Getting Ready

Just a short note... We had a great rehearsal last night as we started getting ready for the service this Sunday at New Beginnings, for our return to TBG in Ashland City later in the month and for "TATER DAY" in Benton Ky on April 2nd. We were joined by our old buddy Jason Oliver who was filling in on Drums for Eddie who has the Flu. Jason will be playing with us Sunday so Eddie can fully recover and he will also be with us on "TATER DAY". Jason is one great drummer and took to our material like he had been with us forever. Mark Mills, Brooke and I have known Jason since he was just a kid (He's still a kid compared to the rest of us old fogies!) He's played with us before, almost two years ago now, at St. John's UMC at one of the first
X-ALT! Services after we left our old church gig. If you search back far enough in this blog you will see a couple of songs from that morning. Anyway it's great to have Jason back with us and wish him the best in all that he has going on in his life. Also we are asking for prayers for Eddie, that he gets better and is ready to return to the drums at TBG.
Service is at 11:00 am Sunday morning at New Beginnings. SO get up and come on out!
See you then,
V

Riverbend Prison

We had another great service with the men at Riverbend last night, I don't know what it is about taking the word to the men at Riverbend but it is such a soul strengthening experience that it is really hard to put into words.

Mark Pierce nailed it in an e-mail I received this morning...

"No doubt that playing in the Riverbend facility is a humbling experience. It is somewhat funny, but upon leaving I didn't seem to have ANY problems!"

I think that says it all. We, "On The Outside" - I think take our freedom for granted. But when you come face to face with a group of men who have lost that freedom and everything else, and have decided to turn their lives over to God, it creates and incredible worship experience.

I look back over the last year or so and see how much fighting and arguing has gone on at my church in the name of "creating" a worship service, the meetings, planing sessions, re-arranging of leadership, new banners, new video display and the list goes on and on, and then I think about the service at Riverbend, and I realise how down right foolish we all are. I mean who are we worshiping here? All God has asked is that we bring our lives to Him. That's it! I hate to say it but I think the rest is for us. Sure it helps "Create" a more worshipful atmosphere, but is it worth it?
At Riverbend all that is left outside the gate. Worship is "Created" by God from nothing, It happens because a group of people have come together for no other reason but to worship. Now having said that, do I want to go to prison in order to have a true worship experience? No. But our experiences at Riverbend has opened my eyes some and I am going to be rethinking what worship means to me.

Sorry - I kinda went off on a tangent there.

The following are two posts from Tommy's "Shoot The Moose" blog about our recent trips to prison...

First from March 2nd

I don’t know if I’ll be able to accurately express what I want to say. I’ll give it a shot, though.

No matter what I do the rest of my life, no matter how much money I make or what heights I rise to in computing, music, or writing, I know that I will look back on the first day I went to prison as one of the absolute pinnacles of my life experience. Last year, members of X-Alt traveled to Riverbend Maximum security prison in Nashville, to lead worship services there. What happened there had such a profound effect on me, I am drawn to return as soon as possible.

It was probably the scariest thing I’ve ever done. No doubt, we were going behind inpenetrable walls to be amongst some very scary people - men who had done horrible things to get in the position they were. Here we were, whitebread, middle aged men and women from Belle Meade, Bellevue, and West Meade, going with eyes wide open into the one prison in the state of Tennessee where the worst of the worst of criminals was housed. But we felt called, and we had made a promise, so we went.

When entering Riverbend, you are searched vigorously. The musical equipment has to come in separately, inventoried down to the smallest wire. You are not allowed to bring ANYTHING in with you but your driver’s license, and a single key to your car. You are told not to ask the men about what they’ve done, and you are told that under no circumstances are you to give any personal information to them. Then you go through a gate. Then another. You walk a bit, then go through another. With each automated gate closing, you feel you’re being drawn deeper away from the word you knew.

We walked across the yard, accompanied by a lone female guard. As we walked, a large group of men were crossing the yard on the other side, probably going to dinner. I’ll be honest, they were quite scary looking. We had females among us, and, being a male myself, I understood perfectly the looks they were giving us. We finally got to the chapel, if you can call it that. It’s just a bare room with a few pews. No decorations, no adornments. Just a bare room.

Our equipment was already there, and some of the inmates had already started setting up for us! Our first instinct was to yell, “Hey! Get away from that stuff!” But we remained quiet. It became obvious after a few minutes, that these men were just very eager to get the worship service started.

Once set up, the strangest thing happened. A couple of men left the room and came back with Styrofoam cups of water for us. To be “served”, in a Christian way, by these men who were in the direst of conditions was quite humbling. It moves me still, just thinking of it. We started playing, and immediately you could tell that these men were there to worship. Not to see or be seen, not to gossip, not to socialize. They hungered for the Living God. We played our set, feeling that we had done pretty well in those circumstances. The minister preached a bit, and then they called a few of the inmates up to sing.

They called themselves “God’s Soul Children”. Five of them had worked up an acapela version of “It’s So Hard To Say Goodbye (To Yesterday)”, changing the word “hard” to easy, and inserting their own verses singing God’s Glory. I can’t tell you how moving this song was. Many of us had tears in our eyes. Later, I thought to myself, they must have been ridiculed endlessly when they were working up this song in “the yard”. Yet, they sang anyway. God was glorified, I can tell you.

Then, we got up to close the service. We did an encore or “Lean on Me”, then we called up God’s Soul Children to sing Amazing grace with us. The only way I can describe that moment is the same way that Handel described the moment “Messiah” was written:

“I did think I did see all Heaven before me and the great God Himself.”

I have never experienced anything like it before, or since. We weren’t a bunch of west-side white folks and a group of hardened criminals thrown together in a room. We were brothers and sisters, singing a song for our Father, and the Spirit let us know that the Father was well pleased. Singing words like wretch, lost,blind, saved take on a whole new meaning in such a setting. It was such a glorious experience, I feel my words are failing to express it properly.

We are going back to Riverbend Prison this Sunday. I don’t know what we’ll find there - usually the second time you experience something, there’s a letdown. But if the worship service is only half the one we experienced last time, we’ll be talking about it for years to come.

When I went through that third gate into the yard, half scared out of my mind, who would have thought I would hunger, no, ache to get back in there again. God is funny like that.

Then from today...

Yesterday evening, not being the first time going to prison and all, went a lot for efficiently. That’s a weird word to use for something so profound as a prison ministry, but there’s not doubt we got in and out much more quickly than last time. That was good, because it left more time for “church”.

It went beautifully, as expected. There is a man who calls himself “Happy Jack”, who was there last time as well, who may be the best singer I’ve ever heard. Anyway, it was a wonderful service, and it went over a little because nobody wanted to leave. A couple of guards positioned themselves in front of the chapel where we could see them in an unspoken summons for us to wrap it up.

But even they got into our version of Amazing Grace

Back to my tangent for a second - Isn't that what we all want in a worship service? As Tommy put it "who would have thought I would hunger, no, ache to get back in there again" that's what I'm talking about, when my church service ends I want to hunger and ache to return. Isn't that what God wants from us, to hunger and ache to be with him?
I'm going to have to keep thinking on this one.
What do you think?
V

Mark Pierce Rocks

I've mentioned before that we are a diverse group of players, writers and singers, many of us have other projects outside of X-alt.
Last Saturday night our ubber-talented guitarist Mark Pierce made an appearance with his other band "The Wreckingball" to what I understand was a happening crowd.
Here are a few pictures from the gig.




Check out their website - the link is in the links section and keep a eye out for The Wreckinball next time they are in your area.
V

East End UMC

What a great Sunday Morning!
Sometimes God steps up and says "This is why I've put you where you are." X-ALT! was truly blessed this week by bringing the music to the morning service at East End UMC.
We want to say a special thank you to Pastor Diane Luton Blum, Music Director Joe Lee and organist Lee Druce for inviting us into their beautiful church. East End is one of Nashville's most historic churches and has seen many changes to the area it serves in it's 150+ year history.
This was our second visit to East End and again we were blessed to be a part of God's service there. Also a special thanks to my Mother in Law. Peggy Howell who was instrumental in bringing us back to East End.
So many people came up to us and told us how the music we choose took them back to their childhood church experiences, we chose to do the old hymns, "I'll Fly Away" and "Old Rugged Cross" to open the service. We did two specials, Katy sang the Contemporary Christian hit "The Voice Of Truth" and in a last minute change of plan I got to sing the old country/gospel song "Why Me Lord" and we closed with "Oh Happy Day".
It is always a blessing to see what you do touching the hearts of those in the congregation, Brooke told me she saw tears in the eyes of some of the members while we were doing the two opening hymns. Sometime we forget just how powerful those songs are and how much of God's glory is packed into those lyrics. I don't give us any credit for those tears of joy, all the credit goes to God and his power to change peoples lives. We are just the ones that are lucky enough to be the tool he uses to bring these powerful songs into peoples lives.
Thank you again to the wonderful folks at East End for a beautiful Sunday Morning!

Well next up for X-ALT! is a two week break from appearances as we start to work up new material for the next X-ALT! CD and as we start getting the line up ready for what is starting to look like a very busy Summer of church services, coffee houses, prison services and an ever growing number of festival appearances.
God is Good and he is blessing us as never before, all we can do is follow the path he is placing before us and say thank you Lord for this incredible opportunity to do you work.
V

Here is some comments on the service for one of Tommy's blogging friends that attended. His blog can be found at http://salemslots.wordpress.com

Bouncing around the East End, or, Slarti plays for the mayor (and a few wonderful commoners)
Today we took Slartibartfast’s invitation to church seriously. His group (X-Alt) was one of the main events today at the Sunday morning service at East End United Methodist Church. I’m sure someday Slarti is going to look up from his keyboards and see my smiling face and regret his open invitation policy. Anyway, Slarti’s band shook it up and out for several songs (I’ve never actually considered ‘The Old Rugged Cross’ as a polka, but hey, if it works, it works) including a rousing ‘Oh Happy Days’ that easily rivaled the Edwin Hawkins Singers’ version.

The mayor was in attendence (I think he is a regular) and he made a beeline to the band after the service was over, presumably to compliment the performance (hey, he’s got taste). I was slightly tempted to ask the mayor as he walked by me and spoke to me (with a leery eye, I might add, not that I blame him) - ‘uh, Mr. Mayor, would you PLEASE veto that stupid English bill’, but, (a) I’m really kind of a nervous around big-wigs, (b) I’m scared he might call his security guards, and (c) it really wasn’t the place.

I’m a lucky guy sometimes. I got to sit between two wonderful beautiful women during the service and despite all the pulchritude surrounding me, I ‘got into’ the service, the sermon, and especially the music. We all got to meet another really cool blogger - Linda Creekmore, of Fixin’ Supper fame.

The sanctuary worked better for the band than the Ashland City coffee shop where we last heard them. Slarti gets into his music…he’s got a delightfully geeky style (I say that with the highest of complimentary thoughts). I love watching him play because he has his passion and he is living that passion. There’s not much better than that (and I have to add, the guy CAN sing).


We rolled down to Cafe Marche’ after the service and had one of the greatest brunches of our Nashville life. Holy camembert , this place rocks the brunch party. The coffee alone is worth the trip. I strongly recommend Marche’ for brunch or any other meal it happens to serve (I’ve been there for lunch twice, supper once and now for brunch..it’s all good).

Thumbs up for East End United Methodist, for X-Alt (esp. Slarti) and Cafe Marche’. Thumbs WAY up to my two delightful pew mates: my wife and the wonderful Jag. Great company, and they nicely and patiently put up with me pretty much the entire time.

This Just In

X-ALT! has been added to the line up for the American Cancer Society's "Relay For Life" Celebration for the Portland TN area. This will be on May 12th beginning at 7:00 pm although we don't know what time we will be playing as yet. This is an all night party for a great cause and YES that is the weekend before we go to Portland to take part in the annual Strawberry Festival.
V

Portland Strawberry Festival

I just recieved confirmation that X-ALT! will be part of the entertainment at the famous Portland Strawberry Festival in Portland TN on May 19th. Our actual performance time and length is still TBA but keep you eye right here for more details.
V

We Missed The Mark (& The Brooke)

X-ALT! had a busy weekend but it was worth it. We started out Saturday night at 23rd Psalm Coffee House minus two of our members, Brooke was out with the creeping crud that rendered her unable to sing and Mark Mills was out due to his father having some serious health problems. The good news is Marks father is in good hands and hopefully on the mend, Brooke's voice is still not 100% but is getting better.
Anyway 23rd was a good show with a few rough starts but those in attendance seemed to enjoy themselves and come out feeling uplifted and blessed. I need to say a special thank you to our Sax player, Randy Jenoski. During Amazing Grace which is usually one led by Mark the rest of us hit a wall that could have ended very badly but without missing a beat Randy threw into an inspired Sax solo that allowed the rest of us that split second that we needed to re-group and bring the song to a neat closing. Randy is truly a blessing to this group, with his professionalism and great attitude. Thanks again Randy.
Sunday morning Mark was back with us as we led the congregation at New Beginnings SMC (Our Home Church). A few old standards from our previous stint as a praise band were pulled out of the closet and brought back to life. Our own Tom Landers brought the message with appropriately was about "Football"

This weekend we lead the service at Nashville Historic East End UMC. The service starts at 10:30 am, hope to see you all there.
V

A couple of more fom Talents Coffee Studio

Here are two more songs from Talents Coffee Studio - Did I mention how much we love that place!

Voice Of Truth


Piggy Back Ride

Once again Tommy Says it better than I can

"This past weekend was wonderful. We had an incredible experience when X-Alt played atMcKendree Village. We’ve learned our lesson about when we play nursing homes and retirement villages. If you break out the old hymns and jazz them up a little, you’ll get them going every time. This past Saturday was no exception. The little old ladies and men were REALLY getting into it.

After we finished, an older lady walked up to me with tears in her eyes. She said her husband had brain surgery 6 months prior, and she was amazed at how engaged he was with our whole performance. (Apparently, he hadn’t been ‘with it’ in quite a while). He had even brought out some of his old funny lyrics:

On a hill far away, stood an old Chevrolet, with an emblem of cherry and red…

His wife thanked each of us many times. We all teared up, too. You just don’t know what it’s like to know you have been used by God in that way.

Sunday was almost the exact opposite. We played a private event at Tallent’s Coffeehouse in Springfield, and to say it was rollicking would be an understatement. These people were so open to The Spirit - and it was overflowing. Every vocal, even my own, seemed super-charged. Mark Mills was on fire. It was quite a wonderful, but tiring afternoon."

It was a great weekend and all of us came out feeling so blessed and uplifted. I wanted to share a few highlights with you all from Talents Coffee Studio.
V

LEAN ON ME at Talents Coffee Studio in Springfield TN


"PUT A LITTLE LOVE IN YOUR HEART" at Talents Coffee Studio
in Springfield TN


"OPEN UP" At Talents Coffee Studio in Springfield TN

Even more kind words from our friends

This is from our Producer and former Sax and guitar player Brian Cummings.

To whom it may concern:

This is to let you know that the band X-ALT have worked on an extended project here at Studio 23, and I was impressed with the band's talent, dedication and desire to do a good job.
The band is blessed with lots of good singers and songwriters. In any other circumstances, this would create ego conflicts, but X-ALT is blessed with a corporate commitment to teamwork. There's humility to go with the talent, and flexibility to go along with the professionalism. They are a pleasure to know, to listen to, and to work with.
Thank you for considering this recommendation.
---Bryan Cumming
Owner, Studio 23 Nashville

More nice words from an old friend

In our quest to get some testimonials for our promo pack we sent out requests to some new friends and some friends that have been in our lives for a long time. I recieved this from Tom Mulnix who many of us worked with when he was worship leader at Belle Mead UMC. Tom is one of the nicest people I now and also one of the strongest Christians I have ever met. He has a true heart for Christ and a belief system that comes from living life on the other side and finding his way back home.
He and his lovely wife (his equal in all ways) serve the Aldersgate Church in Lubbock TX. now.
Thanks for the kind words Tom, we love you and miss you more than you'll ever know.
V

"It is with high regard that I recommend X-ALT to you. I have been in ministry some 15 years, and can honestly say that this group is filled with servant’s hearts. I have personally ministered shoulder to shoulder with several of the members – the Pinkertons, Tommy Landers and Eddie Loper – to name a few; and have experienced their genuine desire to bring God glory with their music.

In a city like Nashville where everyone you meet is ready to pitch you a song to further their career, it is refreshing to find a group that simply wants to point others to the One that deserves fame and glory – Almighty God. I know that your time with X-ALT will make that abundantly clear.

I would be happy to talk with you personally about my relationship with them if you’d like; feel free to contact me. Blessings…………

Glorifying God Through The Arts

Tom Mulnix

Worship Pastor

Another Godstock testimonial

This just in from our good friend Dr. Phil Speer.

The Xalt! Band is one of the best Christian
groups to ever hookup together in Nashville
as studio-quality vocalists and musicians. They
have combined their superb talent into a top-notch Music City USA band! Talk about
talented, these are the best of the best in
musicianship. Wow - their dedication and
commitment to Christ cannot be surpassed.
Give them exposure, and you'll find everyone
will love them.
Dr.Phil Speer
Nashville, TN

Dr. Speer has been a friend of the band for quiet a while now and we really appreciate the kind words. Check out Dr. Speer's Web Site at
http://www.cashinhouses.com/

A nice note from the folks at New Beginnings

I e-mailed Theresa at New Beginnings this morning to ask her to write a reference for X-ALT as we are getting our promo pack together for a possible place in "Godstock X" a Christian Music Festival later this summer. The following is that Testimonial as well as some wonderful things she had to say concerning this weeks service at New Beginnings SMC.

X-Alt has been a member of our Church Family since October of 2006. They have blessed us with worship services that ministered to us through their music and personal testimonies with sincere hearts. God sent them to us at a time when we as a Church were in great pain and used them to help us to heal. We are a small congregation and our finances are small but they came anyway. They are extremely talented but most importantly they use their talent to serve our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and we as a congregation have been brought closer to God because of their willingness to be used by Him.

A Sister in Christ
Charter Member/New Beginnings So. Methodist Church
Theresa Thomas

Hope this is what you need. By the way tell Mark (or whomever was responsible) that we had a great response to the Responsive Reading yesterday, not only the choice of verses but the way it was presented. Tell Tom that everyone enjoyed his sermon and are looking forward to "The Football Sermon". Believe me if there were any negative comments to be heard either myself or Barbara would be told and so far there has been none!

Thanks
Theresa

This world is full of great people and great church's, New Beginnings may be small in number but their love for each other and for the Lord is stronger than some of the "BIG" churches that we have been a part of. New Beginnings has opened their doors to us over the last few months and all of us in X-ALT can never thank them enough for the love and hospitality they have extended us.
V

Schedule Change

Just a short note that the X-ALT! service at the Women's prison has had to be rescheduled. An exact date has not been set but it will hopefully be in early March.

See you Sunday at New Beginnings SMC, the service begins at 11:00 am

Oh What a Night

Just a short note about our rehearsal last night...

Let me start by saying that when X-ALT! put together the "Rhythm & Praise" CD, we collected songs that each of us had written over the last million years and recorded them as a group. In a way that is a good thing because it makes for a very diverse CD with at least one song that will appeal to just about any musical taste. On the other hand, in some cases the CD sounds kinda like one of the K-TEL "Hit's" records, the ones that all of us old enough to remember when CD's were 12 inches wide and made of vinyl, had in our collection. I'm not putting down the CD, I love it and all that it has to offer and I am more proud of the work on that CD than anything I have ever been a part of. I just say that, as a lead in to this...

Last night at rehearsal we wrote 2 new X-ALT! songs, this time as a group. Mark Pierce and I had the basics of a song called "Lift Me Up" written by the time Mark Mills, Tommy and Eddie arrived, but it did not become a complete work until they threw their two cents worth in, and without bragging - this songs kicks! We will be testing it out on the congregation at New Beginnings this Sunday but I'm willing to bet they will really dig it! The ladies were all busy doing other things last night so it will be a suprise to them as well!

Just as we finished putting the final touches on "Lift Me Up" Tommy brought out his newest magnum opus. (That's A Good Thing) Anyone that has listened to "Piggy Back Ride" knows that Tommy is a master of creative lyrics and his new song is no exception. The yet-to-be-named song is a throw back to the old Stax Records days with one of the coolest vibes of any X-ALT! song yet. Not to mention a bass line that will have my fingers in knots for days! But it will be worth it. It needs another night of work to pull it all together but once it's ready to go I'm sure - Like "Piggy Back Ride" - it is going to be another staple of our live sets.

That said, the next CD should be a bit of a departure from the first because it is setting up to be a true group effort. After a year of playing together outside of the old church gig I think we have all come to know each other better and that unique musician's experience of knowing what the other players are thinking is starting to sink in. Needless to say- I'm Stoked!

V

As usual Tommy can say it better than I

This is from Tommy's blog "Shoot The Moose." A link to the site has been added to the links list.
V


Let Go and Let God
Posted on January 15th, 2007.

I am myself again.

Saturday, while doing early set up at Cumberland Heights for yesterday’s church service, it helped to have a task to concentrate on. Then, while leaving the beautiful grounds, I paid particular attention to the arch over the driveway. In big letters, it says, “Let Go and Let God”. I literally did one of those “I could have had a V-8″ forehead slaps. Sometimes, these moments just kind of come at you, dontcha’ know?

One other thing about yesterday: worship at a place like Cumberland Heights (it’s a drug and alcohol treatment center) just seems so much more real. Songs that we’ve played a hundred times, that usually bring about polite head nods or applause, at this place they bring forth such raw emotion. You get so used to playing these songs that it becomes routine; yet, after almost every number, I look up and see so many tears. For some people there today, songs like He Touched Me, Lean On Me, Amazing Grace, even my own Piggyback Ride struck a nerve.

I’ve always believed that music is God’s way of giving us just a taste of the ecstacy of Heaven, a fleeting glimpse leaving us wanting to get to His kingdom so that we might experience the real thing. Kind of like walking past a McDonald’s and smelling the french fries. Music touches us in a way so unknown, in a place so hidden within us that it is impossible to describe. I forget that sometimes. That’s why it shocked me to see people so visibly moved by music I had begun to take for granted.

We musicians are there to “Lead them to the Altar”. So many Sundays, whether because the congregation is distracted, or we are, that doesn’t happen as much as we’d like. But not this Sunday. You could see the Holy Spirit embracing every person in that chapel. It is hard to remain in self-pity when you know that you are being given the highest honor: being allowed to do God’s work. It is impossible to not feel all Joy when you see that work bearing fruit. This is why we do what we do. I’m going to try not to forget that again.

I know I’m using a lot of Christian-Speak, but I do not apologise. These are the apropriate words for what I am feeling.

I had a Crocodile Dundee moment yesterday. I offered up the knife of my pain and struggle and dared God. The Lord just smiled at me and said, “That’s not a knife”. He took me to Cumberland Heights and said “THAT’S a knife”.

Lesson learned.

Cumberland Heights

It was a beautiful Sunday morning when X-ALT led the Residents, their families and alumni at Nashville's Cumberland Heights Rehab. Center yesterday morning.


It was one of those mornings that reminds us of why we do what we are doing. Rev. Ishee surprised us by requesting a song off the "Rhythm and Praise" CD that we had not intended to play and he asked us to start the service with "Down To The River." That made it so special, knowing that our songs and voices had touched the group enough last time we were there, months ago, that they wanted to experience those songs again.

It's hard to explain the feeling of "CHURCH" that was in the room Sunday. The chapel at Cumberland Heights is like something out of a story book: a capacity of around 75, wooden bench seats and beautiful stained glass windows.
There were no empty seats and folding chairs had been placed in the small aisle.

It was a strangely warm morning for January in Nashville so we threw open the doors and a warm breeze blew through the chapel. X-ALT's songs of praise joined by the voices of the congregation were carried on those breezes to the flocks that stood outside and they traveled over wires to the overflow room and God's presence was definitely felt. The congregation was on their feet and clapping and singing along - I tell you it was CHURCH!

The feeling of God's presence washed over us and our ladies voices blended together like the songs of angels! The band was tight and together and it was as if each song took things up another notch untill the bluesey version of "Amazing Grace" was played to close the service. Amazing Grace is Cumberland Heights theme song and they sing it at every service. As they sang along with us you could see by the smiles on their faces that they had been uplifted and strengthened and we are so proud that God has given us the chance to be a part of those blessings.

Rev. Ishee dismissed the group and we played them out with the song he had requested "No Place Like Home." Our drummer Eddie must have been feeling the vibe of the room as he started it "a bit" faster than usual, but believe me when I tell you - it worked - it was such a great upbeat way to end a morning of praise and worship.

We will be returning to Cumberland Heights this summer to help them dedicate their new sancturary and we can't wait!

Next weekend if everything works out we will be worshiping with the ladies at Metro Nashville's Women's Prison on Saturday and then with the good folks at New Beginnings SMC on Sunday. We ask that you keep us in your prayers as the X-ALT train keeps chugging along spreading the Good News of God's love thru song.

Be Blessed
V