As you might can tell, this phase didn’t last very long. At least not until my Columbia House 10 CDs for a penny deal ran out.

Another childhood phase originated in the form of a movie. Well, not “a” movie, but rather “the” movie. “Back to the Future” solidified my belief that Michael J. Fox was the raddest guy on the planet. It also introduced me to “The Power of Love”. Not in a weird way, but in a Huey Lewis and the News type way. That Christmas I received a Pocket Rocker. With my brand new rocker was a single mini-tape which contained two songs, one one on each side. Side A: The Bangles “Walk Like an Egyptian” and on Side B: Huey Lewis and the News “The Power of Love”. My childhood was complete.

Like most young Mississippi natives, middle-school and early high-school centered around country music. To this day, one might could find my wife and I stopping the dial on a country station during a long drive from Mississippi. It’s interesting to note that we can still sing most every song. My favorite country musician was and always will be, George Strait. In fact, I liked George Strait so much that I got a Jeep Wrangler and personalized the license plate with STR8 HED. No, I’m not kidding.  I don’t have many high-school memories that do not involve George Strait’s box set as the soundtrack.

My late high-school years, as well as my short-lived college years were mostly fueled by illegal substances. As with most people who venture into the world of drugs, my musical tastes quickly changed. Jam bands and even 1960′s rock & roll became my forte.  My favorite band was Widespread Panic. I not only listened to these guys, I followed their every move. I could even go as far as to tell you what their set lists were during an entire month of touring. I really can’t listen to these guys anymore, but I would have to say that their musical ability was incredible.

At the age of 20, I had an encounter with God that changed everything. Musically, I locked myself away from most anything other than worship music. I quickly found that music is what helped me connect to God. It was easy for me to enter the spirit through music inspired by God. The first book I ever read after my conversion experience was entitled, “No Compromise: The Life Story of Keith Green“. I know the full title because that book is within arms reach even now. In fact, I would say that the inspiration of Keith Green in my life means more today then it did even then. Between two of my favorite musical people, Keith Green and Jason Upton, my early days of growing and learning were packed with inspirational sounds.

In January of 2006, I was coaxed into attending a concert in Vancouver, BC. This one night changed my life. I mean that sincerely. God birthed in me a brand new perspective on music and began a journey within me that I wasn’t expecting. Some friends of mine wanted me to go see this group that I had never heard of and I really wasn’t into going. I was content with Keith and Jason and really didn’t want to pollute myself. As I sat through the opening act sulking, I was half expecting to fall asleep and half expecting to need to perform deliverance on half the people around me. During the intermission before the main act, I thought about sneaking out a side door when suddenly I heard this sound. I looked down onto the stage to see where the sound was coming from. Although only a few lights shone from the platform, the band had taken stage. I was perplexed. There was something familiar about that sound. In fact there was something godly on it. I was confused. Had I somehow stumbled into a time or worship? Or could God actually rest on what some would call “secular” sounds? I set in awe through the entire show. I even looked at Lori and said, “Can you feel that?”. That band was Coldplay.

Which really brings  me to the present. My musical tastes are so varied now that it’s difficult to nail down. I fall back on some old favorites often and I find new favorites through great sites such as Last.FM. Recently I came across a young girl doing an acoustic cover of a Lady GaGa song. I must preface this by saying that I am not a Lady GaGa fan to say the least. In fact when I happen to get one of her songs in my head I’ll usually tune into children’s television in order to replace it with Barney or the Backyardigans. I have to say, this girl does this song a favor. She’s got something special and I though I would share this gem that I found with you. Her name is Juliana Daily. If your tastes haven’t changed in a while, give something new a try. Be inspired.

Why is it that the going theory among younger (see 20′s & 30′s) music lovers is that once a band gains some semblance of success that band is no longer accepted as “cool”? Case in point, one of my favorite bands, Coldplay.

In 2006 I saw Coldplay live for the first time, in Vancouver. To be honest, I knew that Chris Martin was married to Gwyneth Paltrow, but other than that I couldn’t tell you a single song they sang. I went with Lori and a couple of friends. They pretty much dragged me along. The opening act was Fiona Apple. If your in your late 20′s or early 30′s you might be rumaging through mid to late 90′s memories of a song called “Criminal”. I thought she was pretty out there then, but her opening act that night sealed the deal. This girl was whack. If I had any interest at all in being at the show, that act killed it. As I sat sulking in between acts, I was pretty sure the night wouldn’t get any better. Many times, in the midst of situations and atmospheres that carry a strong spiritual presence, I can sense that presence fairly easy. After Miss Apple’s act I felt a heavyness hanging over the large arena and, at the time, I figured nothing short of a mass destruction of the entire place could lift what I was feeling. Then it happened. It was as if a bomb had gone off and immediately cleansed the lingering atmosphere. It wasn’t a fire alarm clearing the arena or a “prayer” being offered by yours truly, but a sound. A sound that swept through the air amidst the roars of the screaming crowd. It was “Square One”. I didn’t know the song and I didn’t know the band, but I knew the sound. It was cleansing and pure. It might seem that I am being overly dramatic about the whole event, but it was a turning point for me. That night initiated my journey to discover God in some of the most unlikely places.

In 2006, although I was late to the party, it was still perfectly socially acceptable to not only enjoy Coldplay, but to place their bumper sticker over the E-machine logo on the back of your laptop. Not today.  It’s there notority that sank them. Shame on you Coldplay for fulfilling your dreams. We won’t stand for it.

Why do we find it so difficult to watch people fulfill their dreams? Is it that we ourselves feel so void of satisfaction pertaining to our own dreams, that we tend to only stand with people that seem to be on the same pitstop of their dream journey as us? Maybe since the first time we were cut from the basketball team in middle-school, we’ve figured it’s better to just not dream at all. Hey, disappointment can never come to somone who never hopes. Seems to me like a terrible life to live. I’m a card carrying dreamer. The lifestyle has its pros and cons for sure, but a life void of believing for something that you’ve yet to see is a life I don’t want to live.

At times, dreaming causes stress. Not in the actual moment that your dreaming, but in the day to day tasks it takes to accomplish your dreams. So, my milestone. Today was the first stressful day in quite some time. I think I’m learning how to balance the now with the yet-to-be.

And now, my inspiration for today. much love