Getting it right.

Here are a couple more pics from Dan’s mixing excursion to LA, as I’ve blogged about much in recent days. These are basically just shots of Manchester Orchestra listening back to mixes, mulling things over, deciding if they’re liking what they’re hearing. 

 

These particular pics remind me a lot of historic Ardent Studios in Memphis, where I spent many an hour back in the day with Smalltown Poets.  We’d roll into town to work on a few songs here or there and would stay in the old, dilapidated “band house” next to the studio.  It was rumored to be haunted.  Don’t know about that, but it was creepy.  

 

On a completely separate, but good, note - today I led worship at North Lanier Baptist Church here in Forsyth County. They’re some good peeps and I had a good time.  The Veteran’s Day tribute in the service was pretty cool.

 

There was a color guard there; veterans were honored according to their branch of service (complete with military theme songs), and those who paid the ultimate sacrifice were memorialized by a bugler playing taps. I love that stuff.  Happy Veterans Day.

 

 

2 new blogs.

Both Philip Bray and Drew Benton of Safehouse Outreach have started new blogs. ONE Atlanta is proud to be involved with Safehouse Outreach.  These are the kind of people you need to be getting to know in cyberspace, and in person for that matter! They always need volunteers.

 

Philip’s blog at the Safehouse site is here.

 

Drew’s blog is here.

 

What follows is a bit of what they’re all about, as told at the Safehouse website. 

 

You really should stay tuned to their blogs.  Some incredible stories flow out of Safehouse all the time.  It will be fun to have that online pipeline to great stories.

 

What does this have to do with music?  Well, ONE Atlanta has agreed to be one of the bands that regularly plays for weeknight worship services at Safehouse.  We’ve already done it once, as described here, and it was amazing!  Anyway, from their website…

 

That’s a wrap.

Another Tats for Tots party is in the books, and several hundred more dollars were raised for Adopting Africa.  Here are a few photos.  To order Adopting Africa merchandise, click here.  If you’d like to make a donation, please let us know here.

 

Thanks to Jamie Pierce, his wife Samantha, my wife Cindy, the Pearsons, the Wills, and everyone who helped with food and prep!  I’m afraid I didn’t get pics of all the tattoos; someone probably did.  Candi had a great one of her son Elias’ name in Greek.  

Which one of these do you like best?  And, can you tell what languages are represented?

 

 

Hola, Amigos.

ONE Atlanta’s Rudy Vaughn (who recently signed a recording agreement with ONE Atlanta Music’s new music brand), performed at Suwanee Town Center Park this past Saturday.  The event was the Amigos For Christ Music Festival.  

 

He told me all about it in an email: “This past Saturday gathered several hundred people from all around the community to bring up the issues of need for Nicaragua.  Basically, the goal was to raise money to help pipe water into an area of Nicaragua where people are unable to get any.  I teamed up with fellow songwriter Ansley Rushing and keyboardist Mike Hankins to kick off the first set of songs to be performed at the Suwanee Amphitheatre, and was followed by a very entertaining world touring family band known as Shae Laurel.  12Stone Church brought some rip roarin’ rock music as the day continued on, finishing their set with a rousing version of “Twist and Shout” which had the entire crowd doing the twist.  The night headlining bands were The Afters, and Caedmon’s Call, but the talk on everybody’s lips was the needs of people who are suffering and our responsibility to help them.”

 

 

Adopting Africa

 

Adopting Africa is the reason for the Tats for Tots parties going on last Saturday and this coming Saturday.  It exists to fund an adoption by our friends Chad and Candy Pearson, at the record label/merchandise company P is for Panda.  In fact, these two tattoo parties have also been given the moniker: Ink For Africa.  Read more here and get your Adopting Africa shirt and merchandise here.

 

 

Ink Report

So, last night 40-50 people filtered through my family’s hacienda for the first of a two night tatooing extravaganza known as Ink for Africa:Tats for Tots 2.   Just like the first Tats for Tots, Jamie Pierce’s work was excellent; all those tattooed were very satisfied customers.  The party benefited Adopting Africa. 

 

Our friends the Pearsons have branded their efforts to bring home an African orphan, calling it Adopting Africa.  You can see the T-shirts in some of the pics below.  You can order them here.

 

Several hundred dollars were raised Saturday, and there’s more to come, because…

 

The 2nd night of Ink For Africa: Tots for Tats 2 happens this Saturday, Oct. 11th, from noon to midnight.  If you want to get inked for charity, there are a couple of slots left after 8pm.  The minimum donation for getting inked is $100, and can be more depending on the size and complexity of the artwork.  Contact us here for more details and/or to nail down a slot.

 

Ink anyone?

 

 

Powerful stuff.

 

Wow. Just wow.  I don’t think I’ve ever been in a more powerful worship service.  And I’m not saying that lightly.  ONE Atlanta led worship at Safehouse Outreach downtown tonight, a ministry to the homeless of Atlanta.

 

 I thought the roof was going to come off the place.  A couple of us had a hard time composing ourselves onstage.  I don’t know that I’ve ever seen and heard worshipers that passionate, genuine and loud!  I don’t know what else to say.  I hope we can take a bunch of you with us next time, December 2nd, to sing along with us and perhaps help serve food.  

 

The band was Casey Darnell, Jamie JAMM Portee, Ashley Appling, Phil Rogers, Nick Pirtle, and me.  Thanks to Philip Bray, Drew Benton, and the whole Safehouse crew for having us.  Powerful stuff, indeed.

 

 

 

 

 

Anyone up for joining us next time?

What’s going on?

 

So, this morning I could’ve sworn I distinctly heard the sound of an accordion playing Free Falling by Tom Petty.  That’s pretty specific, I know, but it was clearly that chord progression.  Turns out my 11 year old son had found my old accordion in the basement.  I asked, “Is that Free Falling by Tom Petty?”  He laughed and said, “Yes.”  Then he started playing the melody with his right hand while playing the familiar chord pattern using the chord buttons.  It was the kind of moment that just makes a Dad happy, so I snapped this pic.

 

Anyway, just thought I’d post today about what a few of us in the 1ATL community are up to right now.

 

Tomorrow night, several of us are going to Safehouse Outreach to play a few songs.  If any of you want to come listen and, more importantly, volunteer, then please drop me a line.  It’s a great experience.

 

Dan Hannon is in the studio with Manchester Orchestra and fellow producer Joe Chicarelli (U2, Counting Crows, The Shins, Tori Amos).

 

Jamie JAMM Portee has meetings this week regarding one of Akon’s new artists, who is on Universal Records; he might be producing her next record.

 

Moxie Davis and his wife are returning from Puerto Rico.

 

Rudy Vaughn is gearing up for the big announcement that you’ll read soon here on this site.

 

And, by the way, here’s an update on our filmmaker buddy Brandon McCormick; he is recovering from a Vespa scooter accident last week in which he apparently had to slam on brakes while going 50 mph.  He will have to have teeth replaced and some facial reconstruction.  He’s covered with road rash, and has two badly sprained wrists.  He reportedly looks like death.  But he should fully recover. 

 

Anyone else want to tell us what you have going on musically right now?  Or, for you non-musicians who read this blog, you can tell us what you’re up to as well….

 

 

 

 

Tats For Tots 2: Ink For Africa

The details for the 2nd Tats For Tots event are cemented!  It’s being called “Ink For Africa” because the proceeds go to help support an international adoption by some of our friends at P is for Panda.  Having a daughter from China, my wife and I know from experience how expensive that process is.  

 

Here’s how it works. Tattoo artist Jamie Pierce will be back with us, doing his thing from noon to midnight on both Oct. 4th and Oct. 11th at my humble abode in Cumming GA.  There is a $100 minimum for each tattoo.  Jamie will split his earnings with the Adopting Africa fund to benefit our friends who are adopting.  Contact us here to schedule an appointment.

 

Terrified of needles?  No problem.  Your money is still welcome.  Just come and hang out!  

 

Sorry for the delay in getting these details out.  Slots are already running out fast, so if you want one, please hurry up and contact us!

Tats for Tots 2 details to be announced soon.

Tats for Tots was a success, so we’re doing it again. This time it’s to raise money for the adoption of an Ethiopian orphan by our friends Chad and Candy Pearson, of P is for Panda (a new record label and merchandise company). For an idea of what to expect, click here to see video from the first Tats for Tots.

The talented Jamie Pierce will be our tattoo artist once again. He’s awesome. We already have a lot of folks planning to get inked, so please drop us a comment here or click CONTACT to let us know if you’re interested.

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