Opening night

 

Tonight is the first session of the first of 10 weeks of BigStuf Camps this summer.  Can’t wait.  The opener is going to be pretty intense - some great video stuff right into Hillsong United’s The Time Has Come.  We also have some other great stuff planned for this week like a medley of worship songs down through the past 20 years, and a medley of classic rock songs that talk about time (Fly Like An Eagle, Time After Time, Led Zep’s Rock and Roll, etc…

 

There are some great friends in the band like Casey Darnell, Chris Coleman, Danny Dukes, Jayce and Chrystina Fincher, Evan Lemmons, and Ben Snider.  Gonna be big fun, for sure.

 

 

Giant Impact

Because of family stuff, I never got to blog about an amazing event I played at a couple weeks back called the Giant Impact Simulcast at the Georgia World Congress Center, which was broadcast via internet to a bazillion people.  It’s a John Maxwell event.  I was in the house band and we mostly did “bumper” music to bring the speakers on/off stage, stuff like “Big Time” by Peter Gabriel, “Running Down A Dream” by Tom Petty, and “Walking On Sunshine” by Katrina and The Waves - usually just a few seconds of each. Particularly fun was “Friend Like Me” from Disney’s Aladdin movie, believe it or not.

 

Anyway, I’ll let a record of some of my Twitter activity for that week give you some other cool tidbits:

 

Gig at World Congress Ctr. Ernie Johnson Jr is MC. U Atlantans remember his dad, the voice of the Braves 60s-80s? http://twitpic.com/4q9eg12:55 PM May 7th from Twitterrific

http://twitpic.com/4qpg0 View from our room at the Omni.4:35 PM May 7th from Twitterrific

Just sat at the lobby piano with the writer of ToysRUs theme song, working that song up for the band to do tomorrow at John Maxwell conf.8:48 PM May 7th from Twitterrific

Here at Max Impact Conf. They did a hilarious bit where Danny Dukes left us on stage, ran over to TNT (pre-taped), went onto the set…12:20 PM May 8th from Twitterrific

..he actually went onto the TNT NBA set with Barkley and the rest. Grabbed Ernie Johnson and brought him back. It was amazing.12:21 PM May 8th from Twitterrific

Great Giant Impact Conference with @timmy_g, Brad Long, Danny Dukes, Slug, and Chrystina Fincher. Staying at the Omni Hotel ruled.7:22 PM May 8th from web

 

Tonight

Wish I could’ve posted this sooner, but it’s been quite a week.  Thanks to all of you for the kind words and well wishes regarding the passing of my precious Mother Bern (see previous post).

 

I’m excited about the release of Todd Fields‘ new album.  Finally!  Hope some of you can make it tonight.  Free album with admission.

 

 

 

 

 

Homegoing

I’ve been a part of some awesome musical environments these last several days.  But the news of my precious grandmother passing away this morning now has me doing some music planning for an event that will outshine them all.  It’s a homegoing service for my precious Mother Bern.

 

At the request of some of you dear friends (thanks for all the support btw), I’m posting a song I wrote for her some years ago; years after it was written, we recorded it and gave it to her for her 90th (I think) birthday.  My brothers Neil and Rich are doing most of the singing; and that’s a younger Noah (my son) at the end, just before the birthday wishes.  You audiophiles, be kind; I was just discovering ProTools at the time.  

 

I feel like these lyrics paint a great picture of the amazing lady she was.  She was tough.  Lived to 96. It seemed nothing could knock her down - strokes, heart attacks, losing 2 husbands.  And she loved God.  I tweeted this picture on a recent trip to South Georgia, with the caption: “Guess what I caught my grandmother doing?”  That’s right - reading her Bible; and she’s read that whole thing many times, believe me.  I’ve also walked by her room before and caught her praying to her Savior, arms stretched to the sky.

 

She was fiery, too.  I remember her once getting mad at my dad because he wouldn’t let me go somewhere with her.  She said to someone behind his back, “Well, Ted can just kiss my butt!”  Wow!  We didn’t talk like that in our home!  I thought it was awesome.

 

Having been widowed at about age 50, she lived with us when I was growing up.  As a child, I’d go into her room in the mornings and climb into her bed.  I can remember her playing catch with me, even though she was a senior citizen.  I remember her bringing Rich and me groceries in college. She bought me the rocking keytar that my son now uses with his band!

 

Here’s a Stephens family story that gets a lot of play at family gatherings.  As a toddler, I walked up to my mom and said, “Mother Bern is in she’s room.”  My mom replied, “Danny, your grammar is terrible!” At that, I quipped, “Yes.  My grandmomma are terrible!”  Though I probably had no idea what I was saying that day, it’s true that I could always joke with her.  I could be ridiculous with her.  For many years now, when I arrive for a visit and she leans forward for a hug, I will normally extend a hand and say, “Let’s just leave it at a handshake.”  Of course, then I smother her with hugs and kisses.

 

Today, she can run and jump again.  Can you imagine, after all those years? She’s reunited with her soulmate after 44 years apart.  And with sisters who went before her.  With parents, grandparents, friends from school, old nursing buddies and squaredancing friends.  And, oh yeah, she gets to see Jesus, actually see him!  

 

Mother Bern, I can’t wait to see you again.  Thanks for pointing us to Jesus.  Thanks for loving us so much, giving us so much, and leaving us so much.  I love you so much.

 

Dreams Live On.mp3

 

DREAMS LIVE ON

Danny Stephens

 

A person who reflects the Father’s heart

Is what I see in you

And all you’ve done to teach us what we know

This is all you’ve wanted from the start

To see His heart in us

And through the pain of many a weary mile

You’ve watched us grow

 

And through it all you’ve born your cross

You’ve fought your wars, you’ve loved and lost

Tell me was it worth the cost

To pass your dreams along?

 

Would the road not taken have been best?

The answer lies in us

And all you’ve done to make us what we are

Life has surely put you to the test

And tried to crush your dreams

But you have brought them safely now to us

You’ve come so far

 

You’ve paid the price with every mile

You gave yourself, that’s just your style

Tell me was it worth your while

To pass your dreams along?

 

And all throughout my life you’ve shown me love beyond compare

I’ve always known you’re always there to help me through the tears

You’ve taught me by example how to live and how to hope

And I have found in you a friend to last beyond the years

 

And through all you’ve done and all you’ve been

You’ve proven yourself a faithful friend

And when you reach your journey’s end

Your dreams will still live on

 

And you’ve paid the price with every mile

You gave yourself, that’s just your style

And even now I see your smile

And hold your dreams inside

 

And though one day you must move in

Your dreams live on in us

 

 

 

Go Rudy.

This Wednesday night at The Hard Rock, Rudy Vaughn’s band will compete in the next round of the Ambassadors of Rock Battle of the Bands presented by Rock 100.

 

The winner of this round advances to the national competition, one step away from playing in Hyde Park in London with Springsteen, the Killers, and many others.

 

Doors at 8pm.  No cover.  All ages. See you there.

 

Think Orange.

Orange Conference 09.  I honestly don’t know where to start.  Seeing my son’s band play in front of thousands and absolutely nail the songs, being vocals director and working with many of Atlanta’s finest singers, getting to direct a choir of really good people and really good singers, hearing amazing speakers and powerful testimonies, playing keys for Fee.  

 

There’s just too much to tell.  If I can get permission to post some video, I will do so when I get my hands on it.

 

 

 

 

GNOW

 

I don’t have the words for how powerful Global Night of worship at Buckhead Church was last night. It was presented by GlobalX, and I was privileged to be a part of the band.  More exciting than that - my son Noah was asked to sing a solo.  There was an emphasis on Northpoint’s missions work in several countries.  One of those is an East Asian country where Cindy, Noah, and I have served in an orphanage.  After one of our trips there, I wrote a lullaby for the kids of the orphanage.  Last night, Noah sang that lullaby and I played piano.

 

 

 

Needless to say, I WILL be posting video asap.  I thought my heart would explode.  It was amazing.  I was nervous for Noah, but he delivered the song like a pro, even in the midst of some technical difficulties.

 

My buddy Walker had some great thoughts about last night on his blog: Tonight i got to do my favorite things in the world, Night of Worship. for those of you who are foreign to this, it’s basically just a night where we gather as followers of Jesus and sing love songs to our god for 2 hours. it’s hands down my favorite “gig” (don’t hate on me andy jones) i get to play. it was so amazing. i literally had to turn my in ears up because the crowd was louder than my monitor mix. so powerful. i got introduced to one of my favorite new songs - No Greater Love written by my buddy Casey Darnell. got to sing my guts out on Grace Will Be My Song with one my all time favorite worship leaders Seth Condrey. got to follow along while new friends Kellen and Paulo worshipped in Portuguese. and got to do all of this with a band of unbelievably talented people that i love. that nasty combination ruled me. its such a humbling experience. i’m still reeling from it 6 hours later. absolutely incredible night of worship and fellowship.

 

More on this soon, y’all.  It was that good.

 

 

The Rhodes

I’m going to steal a page from my bro’s blog here, or at least point you to it. The story of my recent acquisition. It has brought me great joy.

 

Click here to read all about it.

 

 

Jubilee Jam

I’ve been spending a lot of time writing music for this childrens’ website.  The site is not “full-blown” yet, so the music isn’t posted.  But here’s an audio clip of the theme song I co-wrote with Jubilee Jam creator Ellen Love.

 

jubilee-jam-audio-sample

 

 

From the website: “Jubilee Jam is a town filled with virtual adventures and games.  Once the full game development is complete, children will have the ability to explore different creative interests through a variety of exciting activities and enjoy unique interactive multi-player games.”

 

The site also exists “to provide not only great entertainment for children, but hopefully to encourage universal qualities of IMAGINATION, CREATIVITY, and SOCIAL AWARENESS.”

 

Kings Near Leon’s

My buddy Jonathan Matteson, who’s a really good up-and-coming drummer I play with occasionally, sent me the link to this video. It won first place at Browns Bridge’s Student VMAs apparently. Jonathan’s buddy Bobby Bryant actually created the video. Both these dudes are only 16.  Scary talent.

 

Forgive the vague post title. Leon’s convenience store/package store/post office/whatever is a bit of a landmark out here in North Forsyth. The video is synced to the Kings of Leon song Use Somebody.

 

 

Rock For Justice

 

Some local artists are teaming up for something that is going to be pretty fly.  From my new friend Garrett Moore:

 

ROCK FOR JUSTICE is bringing top-notch artists together:
Aaron Shust
Meghan Coffee
Evan McHugh
Erica Ambrose
Ryan Van Kirk
Trey Rosenkampff
Eryn McHugh
and Garrett Moore
in a world-renowned music venue, EDDIE’S ATTIC,
for a purpose that goes beyond the walls of any one church, any one denomination, any one political group- to help LOOSE THE CHAINS OF INJUSTICE!
We are doing this for the good of those who will be saved, looking after those that THIS WORLD HAS ORPHANED 
and also for the PEACE and PROSPERITY of this city.

YOU have an opportunity to be a part of this, to raise awareness here in YOUR city, to chip in a few dollars (you will spend $20 for your entertainment some other way this month, I promise) to benefit the broken, abandoned, oppressed girls UNWILLINGLY caught in the web of commercial sexual exploitation, and to have an incredibly fun time listening to great music and developing a community of like-minded people!

 

Click here for tickets.

 

Crazy weekend

I played Friday night, Saturday night, and twice Sunday - in 4 different places.  In fact, I missed the show I blogged about in my last post, but I hear it ruled.

 

Friday night was a gala at the Georgia Aquarium to raise money for Safehouse, with whom ONE Atlanta works on a regular basis. Two of the ballroom walls had huge glass portals into the whale tanks.  It’s pretty crazy to be playing on stage and see a beluga whale swim right past you.  It was also crazy that I was trying to play jazz and keep up with Jamie Portee on keys and vocals, Rudy Vaughn on sax and vocals, Joni INOJ Portee on vocals, Brandon Gilliard on bass, and Reese Jones on drums.  Those cats can bring it.

 

Saturday afternoon, my son’s band 2nd Wave played at the Sawnee Arts Festival in Forsyth Co and sounded great.  I was particularly proud of my sons vocals on We Shine and his piano solo on Sweet Home Alabama.

 

Saturday night was a party with James David Carter and his ridiculous voice.  Then Sunday was Connection Church in the morning and Inside Out at Browns Bridge Sunday night, which James David graciously asked me to join him for.  It was a blast.  Some of the Unhindered guys were in the band with us for that; they’re another good Atlanta band.  Good times.

 

Saturday @ the Hard Rock

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rudy Vaughn, in concert this weekend, Saturday the 28th at The Hard Rock in Atlanta opening for Big Snow with special guest Randevyn.

 

Click here for the deets.

 

 

 

Randevyn

Randevyn’s people contacted our website a few days ago, suggesting we check out this Atlanta artist’s stuff.  I’m glad they did.  This is a talented guy.

 

From his website: “During a summer tour, after a conversation with his musical mentor, India Arie, Randevyn decided to take an even more active role in the construction of his compositions acting as co-producer for all his new music. Months later, it was back to the piano for the former church musician, as he began reflecting on his father’s early training and recording musical ideas for a sophomore project, which felt more like his very first album ever. Later, Randevyn established a collaborative effort with Atlanta record producer, Mike Phillips of The Drummerboyz Club to create an album called, The Randevyn Project. ”

 

Randevyn is appearing next weekend at The Hard Rock in Atlanta the same night as Big Snow and our own Rudy Vaughn, next Saturday the 28th.  Come one, come all.

 

You can sample Randevyn’s music, and read all about him, by clicking here.

 

 

Andy @ SPIN

This is very cool.  From SPIN.com: Up-and-coming Atlanta quintet Manchester Orchestra are making a name for themselves with a raucous guitar sound that’s deepened by frontman Andy Hull’s emotional lyrics and tender vocals (check out “I Was a Lid” for proof). Hull’s recent solo acoustic performance at SPIN’s NYC office treated some 25 staffers to the band’s softer side.

 

To see the performance, and read the rest of the article, click here.

 

 

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