Greetings - "Lean on me..." - Reviews - Concert - Content

Greetings
I hope this message finds you all in a great situation as we finish up the first month of 2008. It's a new year with new challenges, but the opportunities are there too. Whether your goal is to increase your professionalism, brush up on your skill or to just get started, let me encourage you: NOW is the time! American Idol (or whatever your favorite down-time activity is) may be great, but you getting a move on with your life is even better. Sometimes we need to be reminded that rest is not a goal...it's a necessity. No one great ever aspired to rest! It's in the struggle to become that we really begin to develop confidence and competence.

I'm stepping off my soapbox now...sorta


"Lean on me..."
Not sure where that first paragraph came from, but maybe someone on the list needs to be encouraged to press on. Encouragement is a HUGE part of doing music. Yes, there are boring times of slogging through practice exercises by yourself. There may be things that you need to figure out on your own. I'm not taking anything away from individual effort. Still, what are you going to do with all that talent? Sit in your bedroom and listen to yourself? No! I think Jesus had something to say about sharing your gift:

"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."
- Jesus Christ (Matthew 5:16 KJV)

If you apply that to your musical craft, it is only when others experience your gift that they will glorify and praise God. There's no place for arrogance in music or in life, but confidence is essential! I was blessed early in my musical development with people who poured confidence into me. I sang in a church production and was timid at the microphone. Someone encouraged me not to back down. I didn't respond at first, but I slowly began to believe that I could sing well. I had a hard time playing guitar and singing at the same time. It was really tough to listen to. Still, I had friends and family that endured my growth and encouraged me to keep going...sometimes they encouraged me to go outside before I kept going, but I was still encouraged to keep on! I would be a shell of the singer, guitarist and arranger that I am if I had not been encouraged.

Maybe you are like me...maybe you need to be encouraged. Email me if you really have a hard time with it. Let's get connected so I can personally pray for you and encourage you. The only thing cooler than receiving what God gives to you is giving it away to someone else!

Maybe you are in the position to encourage someone else. Do it now! Seriously, if you have their email address or phone number, send them a message, TXT or call them now. Yes, right now...I promise, you can pick back up here when you get through. Have you done it yet?? Great!!!

Encouragement really is that important. It really is that urgent for some people. I can't tell you how many times I was almost ready to stand up my stupid guitar in the corner and let it sit there! Growing into a new talent is not always easy, and sometimes encouragement happens at just the right time.

Those of you with a more critical eye for composition can tell that I'm really writing about two separate things: encouragement and confidence. They are separate, yes, but they are vitally connected. Study anyone that is truly confident (not just arrogant) in any area, and you will find that the confidence they posses has not been developed, instead it has been imparted through the encouragement of other people. Sow seeds of encouragement in others and watch their confidence bloom! Receive encouragement for yourself and watch your own confidence grow also!


New Music Reviews In Brief
I am not a new music junkie (I can quit whenever I want...yeah, right!), but through some gift certificates and some other random blessings, I have purchased some new music, or at least music that is new to me. The prolific Steven Curtis Chapman recently released a new album entitled "This Moment." I have been a huge fan of his in the past, but I fell away somewhere a couple of years ago...not sure why. "This Moment" was a refreshing listen that I highly recommend. If you're a beginning guitarist, bassist or pianist (or even drummer), don't try to figure everything out. This is not really easy music to play, but it is inspiring to experience. The technical stuff really takes a back seat to some powerful and personal songwriting. Tip: Pick up the special edition if you can. It has the orange cover. It's a couple of bucks more than the regular version, but you get 4 more songs (acoustic versions of other songs on the disc).

I also picked up Shane and Shane's CD called "Carry Away." You know how sometimes you get turned on to an artist like a year or two after everyone else thought they were cool? Well, you get their current CD and you love it. Then you decide to go buy their older stuff to catch up. Sometimes it's a big mistake! With Shane and Shane, this older CD did NOT disappoint in that way at all. It has some of the same musical elements (i.e. phenomenal acoustic guitar work, passionate expressive vocals) that I really love about these guys, and it also has some really powerful songwriting. For those of you who enjoy little details, Nichole Nordeman sang background vocals on a couple of tracks. All in all, it's a great CD (in my humble opinion).


Shane and Shane Concert in Greenwood, South Carolina
OK...news alert...I just saw that Shane and Shane are gearing up for a midwinter/spring tour. It is called the "Vision of You" tour. If you're in upstate South Carolina, there is a prime opportunity for you to catch this event in Greenwood, SC on Sunday night, February 24th. It will be at Northside Baptist Church. I'm going! For more info, check out their tour link on their website or visit iTickets.com. It looks like Bethany Dillon (Shane B's new fiancée) and Starfield will be playing on this tour too.

I know some of you won't be able to go to this event, but I'm almost willing to consider this concert an official Music Share Group event (for what that's worth!). Not only will you be inspired by great music, but I believe your heart will connect with God in a real and powerful way at this concert. Email me if you plan to go. Maybe we can get together for a meal before the concert.


Tired of hearing about guitars and Shane and Shane? Do something about it!
I admit, I'm not doing a very good job yet of creating an inviting and useful forum for musicians of different styles and skill levels. It seems like it's just about the stuff I like. Does that bug you like it bugs me? Do you have cutting edge, helpful content to offer to musicians from a different perspective? Let's have it! Lay it in the table. I'll make you a guest columnist on the ole' MusicShareGroup.blogspot.com page. Let your light shine!

Be blessed!

Andy Johnston - the facilitator
musicsharegroup@gmail.com
musicsharegroup.blogspot.com

PS. Post a comment on the blog or email me if you're getting this and it is helping you out...I appreciate your feedback!

Dropped off the face of the earth? Not yet...

Greetings!

I have a lot to write about lately including some new music reviews, new learning opportunities, and a recap of an unofficial Music Share Group training event!  I'm allocating a lot of time to my work and my family so there is not much left when it comes time to post to the blog.  I'll be more regular in the future, and I look forward to some of the events that will be happening.

It is a new year and I'm excited about the new things that are coming up!

Stay tuned,
Andy Johnston, the Facilitator

musicsharegroup@gmail.com
http://musicsharegroup.blogspot.com

The Day After Christmas - New Toy - Learning From YouTube - Planning Update

Good Morning!

The Day After Christmas
If Christmas morning at your house was anything like mine, you have a lot to clean up!  Maybe it's only a mess if you have small kids.  Anyway, I hope you all had a great Christmas celebration!  This is a quick message just to stay in touch and point everyone to some more resources.  Maybe you have some time over the next couple of weeks to work on your skills or your equipment.  However you use your time, I encourage you to make your relationship with God a priority.  He is the only one that can give you what you need to serve your family well.  God first, family second, and then everything else falls into place.

New Toy: MXR M-132 SuperComp
My lovely wife gave me a Christmas present, the MXR M-132 SuperComp from Jim Dunlop.  This is a compressor, a device that levels out the dynamic peaks in an audio signal.  I started thinking about getting one after I read that Lincoln Brewster uses the MXR DynaComp in front of his PODxt.  For all of you guitar players out there who are familiar with Lincoln, I'm sure you'll agree that he has fantastic tone.  For me, this will be one more tool in my toolbox that will help me create the sounds I hear in my head.  I know that everyone reading this doesn't play guitar.  I won't bore you all with specifics and in-depth tech info on this product as I begin using it.  If you have any specific questions about my guitar equipment, email me.

Learning from YouTube
There are few things that have changed our world the way the Internet has.  One area of potentially positive change is YouTube.  Yes, there are some trashy videos that are available.  Still, if you use some discernment (or borrow someone else's discernment), you can find and enjoy some pretty beneficial content on YouTube.  Case in point, I am a big fan of Shane and Shane.  They are a duo that made a huge splash in the college scene a few years ago, and they continue to produce some incredible songs.  Their music has a tremendous amount of spiritual depth, but it reaches a place of honesty and expression that is rare.  In addition to all of that, those guys can play guitar!  You can find a lot of Shane and Shane videos on YouTube.  Watch, enjoy, and learn!

Planning Update
Gosh, after reading this post, you would think this blog is just for guitar players!  That's not really the idea, but it's just where I am coming from.  For those of you who are local and interested, we'll be pulling together for a planning meeting soon.  Stay tuned!

Andy Johnston - the facilitator
musicsharegroup@gmail.com
musicsharegroup.blogspot.com

Urgent: Meeting Tonight Canceled for Family Emergency

Hi Everyone,

I am canceling the meeting scheduled for tonight due to a family emergency.  I apologize for any inconvenience for those who were planning to attend!  This initial meeting will be rescheduled to a later date.  Thank you for your understanding.

In the meantime, I wanted to pass along word of a resource that I came across yesterday.  Musicademy is a worship music training outfit in London, England.  In addition to their live training (for those of you in England...;-), they offer a great deal of training resources on their website including articles and DVD lessons (their online store sells in Pounds Sterling as well as US Dollars).  I expect that this will be a great resource for the Music Share Group.  We may even purchase the DVDs to share them among the group for whomever needs them.  We can talk about this resource and others at our planning meeting (to be scheduled).

The Musicademy website is:
http://www.musicademy.com/

I appreciate your prayers for our family right now.

Merry Christmas,
Andy Johnston - the facilitator

musicsharegroup@gmail.com
musicsharegroup.blogspot.com

Goals for the meeting on Friday, December 21 at 6:30pm

Good morning!

In case you're just joining us, we're planning an initial meeting for Friday, December 21 at 6:30pm. The location is Friendship Worship Center at 233 Carwellyn Rd., Abbeville, SC 29620. Anyone who loves God and plays music is welcome (singers are welcome too, but the meat of what I have in mind is primarily geared toward musicians).

Here are some goals for the meeting Friday:

1. Find out who is good at what (talent inventory)
2. Find out who needs help with what (need inventory)
3. Share about how music impacts spiritual life in public and private worship
4. Identify resources (books, DVDs, websites, etc.) to help with technical and spiritual aspects of music
5. Schedule the next meeting(s) and discuss ways to promote it.

This meeting will be really informal and should not last more than an hour and a half. Come as you are. I don't plan to provide any food at this meeting, so eat dinner before you come. At Friendship, we already have some equipment available (keyboard, e-drums, bass and guitars), but you're welcome to bring your own instrument if you prefer (in case a jam session breaks out!).

Also, please RSVP to musicsharegroup@gmail.com. Some of you received a Google Calendar invitation and can RSVP easily with that, but if you were referred to this blog by a friend, you'll need to send me an email directly.

On that thought, forward this blog to your friends who play music (or your friends who are interested in playing)! Even if they are not near Abbeville, SC, they could benefit from the blog. I'm looking forward to connecting with everyone and seeing some cool stuff!

Be blessed,
Andy, the facilitator

musicsharegroup@gmail.com
musicsharegroup.blogspot.com

Get-Together: Friday, December 21 @ 6:30pm

The Music Share Group will be having our first meeting this Friday, December 21 at 6:30pm. We will be getting together at my home church, Friendship Worship Center. I don't have time to lay out an agenda right now, but come if you're interested...it will be great!

Map/Directions:

View Larger Map

If you need more specific directions, send me an email.

Be blessed!
Andy Johnston, the facilitator

musicsharegroup@gmail.com
http://musicsharegroup.blogspot.com/

First Things First...

Greetings!

Thanks to all of you who have expressed an interest in what we're putting together with Music Share Group. One thing that is critical as we move forward is that everyone put something on the table. Your enthusiasm is contagious, and it counts for something!

The first event will be a get-together to brainstorm, lay some groundwork, and set a direction. We'll plan on getting together Friday evening, December 21. Time and location are TBA. After this first time that we share, we'll probably have some more structure like:

1. Purpose - why?
2. Format - how?
3. Content - what?
4. Schedule - when?

I don't expect the Music Share Group to be overly religious by any means. My goal eventually feeds back into a ministry function, but this is primarily a music-focused group. Still, my heart's desire is that my life (including this effort) would glorify Jesus Christ. As you pray, please mention me and this effort. It has been born out of a desire to be equipped and equip others who are in what I would call "worship music ministry." There are some unique and universal challenges that face us as worship-oriented musicians. My hope is to create a forum where the musical treasure that is inside each of us can be shared to benefit all of us. Here are some bullet points to focus your prayers:

Please pray specifically for:

• My ability to hear the Lord and follow Him in this effort
  
• Wisdom in facilitating the Music Share Group
• My relationship with my wife and kids (who really has any extra spare time? not me...)
• Wisdom to know who should be involved and favor with the right people

Thanks for praying. Great things are in store!

I will use this blog as a central point of communication for the Music Share Group. I'm not sure whether you have to subscribe to it or if I can "broadcast" it to an email list. Either way, I'll try to make sure I get the word out without you all having to remember to check the site.

One final note for now: Whatever the next opportunity you have to use your musical talent, don't play it small!!! There is a gift inside of you that needs to be expressed. God is not honored when we don't "own" our gift. Dust it off. Tune it up and turn it up! Be humble before God, but don't think humility involves shrinking down before people. Be who God has made you to be...and in so doing, glorify your Father in heaven.

Stay tuned...