2024’s Concerts

“So, Joal, you kept this concert going thing going this year too, even with Sarah’s transplant?!”

Yes, yes I did.

Concert going has been a big part of my selfcare and sanity preservation for years, but most definitely in 2024, much and nearly like it had to be for me in ‘23. That blessed, much desired healthcare detour for the transplant for my lovely obviously brought a singular focus to us for months in the Spring. It was all and only about getting her through the surgery and recovery. 

Once she made it through the most serious moments, Sarah told me to care for myself and go see the shows I wanted to see, as often as I could. Full write ups for each show are on my FB page as they occurred, with photos and video clips for each show. Some of these were once in a lifetime events; other artists listed are still gigging hard and I’d encourage everyone to track them down, see, hear and enjoy them. 2024 had great shows for me and it began loud! Here’s the rundown.

Mr Big w/ Adam Nanez  

January 13  Deep Ellum (Dallas, TX)

This was the “Big Finish” farewell tour, hence a once-in-a-lifetime, while being my first opportunity to ever see the guys. Watching Paul

Gilbert and Billy Sheehan trade licks, Makitas in hand, was worth braving the biting cold to get there that night. Within the show, they played the entirety of their break out ‘90s record Lean Into It.

Kenny Wayne Shepherd w/ Ally Venable 

February 14  Tyler, TX

This American guitar bluesman, raised about 90 miles east in Shreveport, ripped through classics and new tunes with such ease and with such a smooth band. It was a night of classy blues, not my normal fare, but oh so good.

Petra  

March 30  Arlington, TX

The 50th Anniversary (and another unique farewell) tour was a joy to see. I’ve known John

Schlitt for 20+ years through church acquaintance during our Nashville days and it was a beautiful, brief respite at that moment post-transplant to see him and the guys play; they’re arguably the most significant Christian rock band ever and I loved hearing those songs of life on Easter Saturday night.

Dan+Shay w/ Ben Rector & Hailey Whitters 

April 6  Omaha, NE

The healthcare situation for my lovely, though good-intense at that exact moment, was stable enough I was able to keep a work commitment teaching & training in Nebraska that weekend. I bought this ticket just to see Ben Rector again, but I was swept into being a Dan+Shay fan that night. Great pop songs!

Foo Fighters w/ Nova Twins 

May 1  Dallas

When the Foo’s summer tour was first announced, I couldn’t click fast enough to buy a Dallas ticket; it sold out in like 11 minutes! So I bought a Cincinnati ticket and planned to make that trek.

As the Dallas show date approached, I had the idea to look for a resale ticket and I snagged a good one! Dave and the guys played everything Foo fans wanted to hear, even giving an appropriate tribute to Taylor. The Spring rain threatened but held off long enough for the full show.

Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder 

May 2  Arlington

With our new need to be back-n-forth to DFW for Sarah’s care, I found myself able to time up a number of clinic & doc visits with shows I wanted to see, Ricky being one of them. Honestly, I am no bluegrass connoisseur, but I can recognize world class talent and I was smitten by the blitzin’ pickin’ of these men.

Dwight Yoakam w/ Mark Mackay 

May 10  Shreveport, LA

Yes, I like Dwight Yoakam; the question may be “why don’t you?”! 

Guitars, Cadillacs is nearly 40 years old, but it’s still SO good to listen to. Watching Dwight and his guitarist Eugene & band bring those classics licks to life was worth the drive.

***

There were times this year when care for Sarah meant skipping a ticketed show, gladly. Sometimes I would give away a ticket to a friend. Others just went unused, no big deal. Then there were a couple of theaters that were generous enough to actually refund my coin when I explained why I couldn’t attend. That was a beautiful kindness and hopefully I’ll be able to catch a John Mellencamp show later and see Amy Grant at a different venue. 

Since I couldn’t work it out to get to Drew Holcomb & the Neighbors when their tour reached Dallas, I made sure to watch the livestream from the Ryman. A couple months later I also livestreamed Terri Clark’s Ryman show since my buddy Scott Bernard was playing guitar for her on that leg of the tour. Too cool to see him play again. Veeps is such a great streaming service.

***

Hootie & the Blowfish w/ Collective Soul & Edwin McCain  May 30  Dallas 

These 3 acts had a huge tour called Summer Camp With Trucks. Though all great artists, I was only there to see Collective Soul, my kind of American rock n roll band. It was my first time to see CS and now I’ll effort seeing them as headliners, hopefully soon, to get more than just 10 songs.

Dave Matthews Band 

June 1  Dallas

I drove right back to Dos Equis Pavilion 46 hours after CS & Hootie to jam with DMB for the first time. This has been a long standing desire, now fulfilled.

Wow. 

Just wow! 

Nearly 3 hours of jamband groovin’.

Dierks Bentley w/ Chase Rice & Zach Top 

June 7  Fort Worth, TX

Dierks is country-cool, no doubt. I actually bought the tickets for me and Julian, but that very day he came down sick and it was best to not bring him, so I went to the show solo. This Daddy was sure to get his guy a tour t-shirt and I grooved with Dierks’ show. He knows what his fans love and he’s supremely good at the bro-country thing.

Stryper w/ Karissa Ella 

June 23  Franklin, TN

It’s true, I’m an uber-Stryper fan, so much so that I timed a work trip to catch the last “To Hell With the Amps” Acoustic tour show in my old stomping grounds. This is another one of those “likely not to be repeated” events and it was a smooth show, with keyboard player and all.

Winger & Lynch Mob 

July 31  Dallas

For me, this show was all about the opening act: Lynch Mob.

George Lynch is a guitar god in the hard rock/metal scene, one I knew I had to see live. An outdoor show in Texas summer, new friends made and driving rock n roll all added up to a meltingly memorable night.

Crowder & Skillet w/ Anne Wilson, Colton Dixon & Jeremy Camp at Amplify Fest

August 9 & 10  Benton, AR

And the melting continued…Little Rock is only about 4 hrs away for me and I have work clients to see through about 2.5 hrs of that drive. A chance to see my buddy Todd Bragg play w/ Crowder again and my first chance to see Skillet rock, the draw of both acts made it an easy decision to hang in Arkansas. But another outdoor summer show—it was hot as hades!

Megadeth w/ Mudvayne & All That Remains 

August 20  Dallas

A headbanging joy fest in the Texas heat at one of my favorite large venues, the Pavilion. I could’ve lived w/o the opening acts—just get me to Dave Mustaine already, will ya?! I was there to experience the thrash intensity of Megadeth and they came through hardcore, playing all the good old stuff!

Jim Messina 

September 25  Arlington

Though I know some of Jimmy’s bigger hits, I was mainly there to catch up with my buddy Tim Creek, who is part of Jim’s crew. A small, but loyal crowd of fans showed up to catch this classic artist and his 5 piece band smoothly delivered hit after hit.

Stryper (40th Anniversary tour) 

September 28  Arlington (right back to the same hall 3 nights later :)

Ah, YES!! Like I said, I am a Stryper fan and this was their best show I’ve ever been blessed to catch!! Two sets of the hits, nearly chronological in their delivery, with 1,000 fans in a sold out theater makes for a snug vibe.

The Arcadian Wild w/ Oh Jeremiah 

October 6  Fort Worth 

Yes, please, more, again. Their songs are 3 voice harmonized, acoustic picking, stringed instrument perfection! They look bluegrass-y but

they’re really pop perfection! Tulips Club maybe fit 500 folks in, body-to-body, that night with everyone singing every lyric along with the trio. I will now go to every AW show I can get to!!

Lyle Lovett & his Large Band 

October 17  Longview, TX

Classy, cool, smooth and it really was a large band—like 15 folks on stage, with some of them being iconic players in the pop, country, bluegrass and jazz worlds. And it was right to hear “That’s Right (You’re Not From Texas)” in Texas.

Mat Kearney w/ Darren Kiely 

November 8  Dallas

This was my first time to see Mat live, though I’ve been a fan for many years. Pop goodness, easily singable songs in a beautiful, aptly named Majestic Theater. When live music is comfortably enveloping you know you’re in the right place.

Creed w/ 3 Doors Down & MammothWVH

November 13  Fort Worth

Arena rock at its finest! Both opening acts were great—I am a huge fan of Mammoth. When the

Creed guys swept onto the stage, it was nostalgia and fresh experience all in one. Every song in the set was what we all wanted to hear. So, so good to see these guys back together. Here’s to many more years of shows!

Pat Green w/ Riley Grimes 

November 14  Dallas

I’m not sure that I’d have made the journey all the way to see Pat at that club had I not already been in town for work, but it was such a fun show, and as country as it gets—boots and hats and all. It was a raise a glass, dance & sing loud kinda scene. 

Pierce Pettis 

November 16  Longview 

This man has written some lasting songs and that was my draw to be there. It was a low key, folkie, acoustic show of subtle, sincere and seriously good songs that Move Me :)

Bruce Cockburn 

November 18  Charleston, SC

Yes, 2 days later I went all the way to Charleston to 1) eat at my favorite restaurant and 2) finally see an influential artist for me.

Bruce is elderly now, but still plays his 50+ years of hits with such grace. Definitely worth the quick turn trip.

John Hiatt

November 21  Arlington 

As soon as I heard this show was happening it was an immediate click to buy ticket, no hesitation. The Music Hall was packed out with fans knowing every word and John clearly loves playing live shows; he’s so comfortable solo on stage.

Mike Goodwin & Shama Mrema & Jaron Myers on the Church Comedy Tour 

November 23  Longview

I’ve decided, since catching this show, that I’ll seek out more comedy shows, especially clean comedy shows—my soul needs the laughter. These 3 comics lightened my soul measurably that night and I’m still grinning.

Andrew Peterson’s Behold the Lamb of God

December 5  Plano, TX

This is now a tradition for me and this year I was able to again bring friends new to the experience.

This creative retelling of the coming of Christ never, never, never gets old. I’ll even listen to the record in June or July when tickets are released & purchased, anticipating seeing the concert yet again.

The Kid Icarus Project

December 31  Lindale, TX

A smooth cover band that makes the whole place just feel good, good, good is a special joy in life. Stacy, Ian & Mike do that so well! It was a fitting way to celebrate & anticipate. 

There’s something indescribable, unfakeable about live music (and comedy). When you’re in the room as it happens, it’s a precious moment and sweet memory. I’m always choosing to Go, see the show, be there as it happens and make a new memory. 

Psalm 23 is the Hinge and the Playlist—September 2024

Psalm 23 is the Hinge and the Playlist

Sunday school teachers managed to lodge in my understanding the idea that the middle of the Bible is the Psalms. 

True enough. 

Though verse counters think the literal midpoint is around Psalm 103, I rather like to think that the center, the core, the hinge of the whole book is Psalm 23.

In many cultures, that Psalm has a wide significance. Pieces and phrases are lifted for any number of uses from those 6 verses like:

The Lord is my Shepherd 

He leads me

Valley of the shadow of death

Restore my soul

Goodness and mercy follow me

A couple decades back, when I chose to start intentionally memorizing more Scripture, the first passage retained was David’s pastoral psalm canonized as #23. Now all these years later, I’ve probably recited it to myself and the open air hundreds, nearing thousands, of times. Occasionally it’s just to practice it, but there have been other times it erupted from my being as a mantra and prayer, said repeatedly as a breathless lifeline.

In the passage King David names the Lord,

(My Shepherd)

and he specifies the effect He has on us,

(We lack nothing, want for nothing)

(We find rest, gentleness, refreshment & guidance)

then David locates us in our reality,

(Darkest valley or shadow of death, near to and surrounded by enemies)

and declares our condition,

(Fearing no evil, comforted, fed & anointed)

after which David reminds us of promises, which deserves vs 6 to be quoted here:

“Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”

 For the past few weeks I’ve been re-reading and listening to this Psalm daily. It came back to the top of my mental playlist because of a new release from Charlie Peacock. Take a second and go spin “Get Yourself Some” and you’ll hear one of the gentlest, 23rd-esque invitations you’ve probably ever heard!

 There are a handful of other, really good tunes centered around King David’s lyric like CeCe Winans’ “Shepherd” and cover of “Goodness of God”, the gorgeous acoustic rendering by Michael Olson some 20 years ago and young Leanna Crawford’s new work “Still Waters”. I’ve started a playlist simply called Psalm 23 so I can readily access reminders time and time again.

“The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.”

Music Teacher Memories June 2024

We have probably all read stories of a memorable teacher or coach that transformed a young person’s life. Often, when I hear someone’s testimonial, they talk of either a pivotal life lesson learned or the importance of a teacher’s consistent presence. Both are worthy of recognition, recollection even celebration.

A few months back I bought a new classical guitar; nothing exceptional, nor expensive. My local music store had a matte finish, low end, but solid top Yamaha classical guitar that fit the bill.

It’s been a joy to play many days each week and get the ol’ Noad-method book out and crank back up my sight reading and fingerpicking. Playing the Yamaha got me remembering my music teachers, or at least most of them. First, apologies to the band director in 6th grade in upstate New York who taught me clarinet. I’m sure he endured serious sqwaking from my split reed embouchure. That was 9 months of sonic pain I think we should all forget; I’m fairly certain my playing was full on disrespect to Benny Goodman and Artie Shaw.

Years later, like when I was about15 years old, guitar-everything arrives when Jeff Rains enters my story. He was a seminary student who my folks invited to Sunday lunch at our house, a lot. He was working his way through grad school teaching guitar lessons. 

Yes, please! 

My dad put up $50 and Jeff found a low end, terrible action, cheapie-doo, used Hondo guitar at his guitar shop. 

Hondo, not Honda. 

Hondo. 

Then most Sunday afternoons Jeff gave me a legit guitar lesson. Nearly 40 years later, I am so grateful for the gift of those lessons.

After Jeff graduated and moved away and our family moved West, I felt like I should keep taking formal lessons. Alas, another name eludes me. Second apologies to the old Texas-country-picking kat who taught me guitar lessons during my last year of high school while we lived in the DFW area. He was a good enough dude, just not hair metal enough for my dreams at 17.

But then came college. My college days are all an enlivening memory from literally the first day, freshman orientation, when a sweet young lady liked my t-shirt. Sarah liked the band I was repping and here we are nearly 35 years later. College-love-music-dreams-songwriting-church music work-selling guitars-teaching lessons-choral training—all of it was possible because some great people trained me during those years.

Jimmy Turner not only introduced me to classical guitar playing, but was willing to jump in the car and play low pay Christmas shows with me year after year. As I recall, he signed me up to play in classical guitar competitions even when I knew I was waaay outmatched but I learned the beauty of that rich tradition. Again, I’m loving this new Yamaha and picking into those chops again.

“Miss Sandy” Bruce gave me a few voice lessons in my early Wesley College days and was then able to turn me over to JD Longmire! Let it be clearly known—I had no classical, serious music aspirations or inklings; but JD made my ears tune in and decide to listen. Week after week he’d walk into our lesson swiggin’ a Diet Mountain Dew or as he called it “nectar of the gods” and he’d open my heart, mind and ears to another beautiful aria for this baritone to conquer. His training eventually led me to Belhaven College and even a couple of chorus performances with Mississippi Opera.

 Jimmy and I kept guitaring while at Belhaven, but it was there that the vocal training got serious, first with Arlen Clarke for a year then with Ouida Bass for the remainder of my college time. My choral experience in college was mostly guided by Dr Angie Willoughby and those choir tours, Christmas shows and even kilt-wearing Scottish concerts were all important to me. I still keep a picture or two from those days on my phone.

Back to the one-on-one voice training…Ms Ouida was a local operatic force in her time. When she became my main voice professor I was in my early 20s while she was probably in her early 70s.

Her opera performing career was long over when we met, but her ability to teach was still spot on. I’m remembering her as only about 5 feet tall, white hair bunned up on her head and big round black framed glasses. She’d have to look up to me, of course, but it was always with a bit of wink and finger-wagging command. She knew I had a voice and she kept pushing me. I still have the vhs-converted-to-dvd of my senior recital and any time I watch it I’m a bit amazed all that sound (and foreign language) came out of my cords and lungs. Ouida taught me that.

A light hearted but true Belhaven side note worthy of recounting is about my piano training with Dr Roy Stillwell. Me and the piano have a jerky relationship. I can chord, I can one hand melody, but true two handed playing never took. Dr Stillwell was the organ professor who took all the non-piano students through their piano paces. God bless that man for what he had to listen to week after week from me. In my 2nd required semester of piano, after weeks of disjointed scale running and sight reading, Dr Stillwell looked at me, kinda defeated but honest and said “Joal, you have a wonderful voice and you’re skilled on the guitar. Piano is not your instrument. I’m giving you an A. Don’t come back for anymore lessons.” He was right on all counts and I obeyed.

Lastly, years later, living in Nashville, I was less formally schooled in many ways just playing in the church band. Lots of great players volunteered and would often share insights with me. Songwriting groups and jammin’ with friends also brought new, valuable direction.

Because of Jeff, JD and Ouida especially, my developed gifts have helped me lead church worship services, sing love songs at weddings and songs of peace at funerals. I still sing love songs to my lady and I remember taking my guitar into the NICU to play to Julian days after his arrival. Most days, though, I play and sing for my own soul-soothing; I play and sing because I can.

The voice is a bit raspier these days.

The fingers need some more time with that Yamaha to regain nimbility, if that’s truly a word.

I am grateful for all the music teacher memories.

Blessings to those still singing & playing, rest in peace to those who have gone on.

Your efforts mattered to me.

Joal’s 2023 Concert Going List—December 2023

Live music is healing for me.

Live music is engaging, encouraging, enlivening, releasing and restorative for me.

As we’ve been navigating my wife’s health challenges this year, at her urging, I chose to care for myself in one specific way: by going to concerts far more than I normally do. This idea was greatly helped by the fact that nearly everyone I like, in every genre imaginable, seemed to be on tour this year. Some notes of highlight:

The largest concert experience this year: Metallica, where 100,000 people attended!

The most “captured by her voice & presence pointing to Jesus” concert experience this year: Cece Winans. What a Spirit-fueled evening!

The longest concert experience this year was obviously the festival I attended: Moon River for 2 days--it was worth every bit of sweating and standing to see NEEDTOBREATHE, Hozier, Nickel Creek, Drew Holcomb & the Neighbors, Larkin Poe and so many more.

The loudest: Extreme, which seems appropriate, right?! (thank God and Sarah for my Eargasm earplugs!)

The least planned for: Thrice in October, with my ticket purchased just 3 hours before showtime (though a few others were a-day-or-two-before-kinda-ticket-purchase)

The show with the best “seat”: NEEDTOBREATHE in Fort Worth when I got bumped up to “the pit” due to a broken seat and got to rock out with two of my sisters-in-laws already there!

The most innovative BY FAR: U2 at the Sphere. Until you immerse yourself in that place & moment, it’ll seem like hype. Just go and you’ll see it’s unlike anything you’ve ever attended!

Repeat acts seen in 2023:

Thrice 2xs (yes, I see the irony)

Stryper 2xs 

NEEDTOBREATHE 2xs

Nita Strauss 3xs (one being w/ Alice Cooper)

MammothWVH 3xs

The best: ?

They all have a special place in my memory, with videos & photos on my phone and t-shirts in my closet. There wasn’t one “best”; they were all great in the moment. Some who have followed my Facebook posts, pictures and videos have asked for “The List” of the 35 concert events I attended this year. Feel free to look back at any of the posts there as there’s greater show by show detail and more photos and video clips. Here it is!

_________

March 17 at Will Rogers Memorial Auditorium in Fort Worth, TX:

Ben Rector w/ Jordy Searcy & Stephen Day

March 18 at Southside Ballroom in Dallas, TX: 

Alter Bridge w/ MammothWVH & Pistols at Dawn

April 13 at the Strand Theatre in Shreveport, LA:

Steven Curtis Chapman 

April 14 at the Arlington Music Hall in Arlington, TX:

Stryper w/ Millennial Reign

April 20 at First Baptist Church in Texarkana, TX:

Cece Winans

May 7 at Lake Country Playhouse in Mineola, TX:

Randy Stonehill

May 17 at War Memorial Auditorium in Shreveport, LA:

Alice Cooper

May 22 at the Echo Music Lounge in Dallas, TX:

Thrice w/ Holy Fawn

June 29 at Dos Equis Pavilion in Dallas, TX:

Matchbox Twenty w/ Matt Nathanson 

July 12 at Trees in Dallas, TX:

Nita Strauss w/ Lions at the Gate & Adam Nanez Band & Russ Hewitt Band

July 17 at the Basement East in Nashville, TN:

Stryper w/ Jamie Rowe 

July 21 at Dos Equis Pavilion in Dallas, TX:

Shania Twain w/ Mickey Guyton

August 3 at American Airlines Center in Dallas, TX:

Thomas Rhett w/ Cole Swindell & Nate Smith

August 18 at At&T Stadium in Arlington, TX:

Metallica w/ Pantera & MammothWVH

August 22 at Revel Event Center in Albuquerque, NM:

Extreme w/ Living Colour

August 23 at Toyota Music Pavilion in Irving, TX:

Counting Crows w/ Dashboard Confessional

September 9-10 at Moon River Festival in Chattanooga, TN: 

Hozier & NEEDTOBREATHE w/ Nickel Creek, Drew Holcomb & the Neighbors (guest appearance by Amy Grant), JOHNNYSWIM, Larkin Poe, First Aid Kit, Wilder Woods, Noah Cyrus, the 502s & Larry Fleet

September 28 at Minute Maid Park in Houston, TX:

Guns n Roses w/ Alice In Chains

September 30 at the Belcher Center in Longview, TX:

Vince Gill (Neal McCoy’s ETAN benefit concert) 

October 6 at True Vine Brewery in Tyler, TX:

Lydia Laird

October 7 at the Longhorn Ballroom in Dallas, TX:

Snarky Puppy w/ Nate Wood

October 9 at the Longhorn Ballroom in Dallas, TX:

The Wallflowers w/ LC Franke

October 13 at Thunder Valley Casino in Lincoln, CA:

Kenny Loggins w/ Richard Marx

October 14 at Toyota Music Pavilion in Irving, TX:

Sting w/ Joe Sumner

October 18 at Tannahill’s Music Hall in Fort Worth, TX:

Thrice w/ the 68

October 20 at Dickie’s Arena in Fort Worth, TX:

NEEDTOBREATHE w/ Judah & the Lion

October 26 at Green Acres Baptist Church in Tyler, TX: 

Brandon Lake w/ Benjamin Hastings & Leeland

October 29 at Flint Baptist Church in Flint, TX:

Natalie Grant & Bernie Herms

November 10 at the Strand Theatre in Shreveport, LA:

Whose Live Anyway?

November 11 at the Belcher Center in Longview, TX:

Crowder

November 25 at the Factory in Dallas, TX:

MammothWVH w/ Nita Strauss

December 1 at the Sphere in Las Vegas, NV:

U2

December 3 at Christ Church in Tyler, TX:

Nine Lessons & Carols

December 7 at St Andrew’s Methodist Church in Plano, TX:

Andrew Peterson’s Behold the Lamb of God w/ Jess Ray, the Arcadian Wild, Andrew Osenga, Jill Phillips, Andy Gullahorn & Skye Peterson

December 15 at Dickie’s Arena in Fort Worth, TX:

for King & Country’s Drummerboy Christmas

I’ve created an Apple Music playlist titled “Joal’s ‘23 Concert Review” with over 50 tunes, 3.5 hours of listening, with a song from each headliner and many of the opening acts that I heard live this year. It’s pretty eclectic as the list of shows suggests.

https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/joals-23-concert-review/pl.u-NpXmYB7FmvogKo

As I’m typing this, I still have my U2 floor access wristband on. I didn’t feel a need to cut it off because every time I catch sight of it or feel it slide on my wrist, I smile. 

Good memories buoy.

We can all use a little lift these days and these concerts have been that life-joy-lift for me.

Next time you see me, ask to see some concert photos and videos on my phone. I’ll show you some Crowder that’ll make you worship Jesus right then and there or a full on Footloose dance party with Kenny Loggins or a little Guns n Roses that’ll have you head banging with me in the parking lot or a smidge of U2 that’ll probably make you as dizzy as it did me that night. After seeing some clips, you’ll be smiling, too. There are a few shows in ‘24 I have tickets to attend, but nothing on pace with this year. It’s been a once in a lifetime run. 

Caregiving and Concert-Binging November 2023

Julian and Sarah.

My peoples.

They’re both cherished and loved. 

They both live with physical challenges that require, not constant, but continual attention.

Yes, there is younger son and soon-to-be-daughter-in-law, Mom & Dad and all the other extended peeps, but they’re physically well enough on their own.

I am a caregiver to Julian and Sarah.

Anyone who is caring for a loved one will eventually admit, as honesty meets exhaustion, that the toll is extreme but they’d rather not regularly share the details publicly.

Julian’s challenges will be with him his whole life. He’s on the spectrum and has epilepsy. Overall, though, he’s strong, healthy, loves working at the farm, loves all animals, loves his tools & old fire extinguishers

and rocks out on his drum set nearly every night. He’s all about live concerts and his tour t-shirts. He really can’t carry a tune, but music matters to our guy.

Sarah’s challenges have been arriving in waves through her adult years. A number of challenges (this not being the place to list them) have culminated in our ultimate moment: 

awaiting a

kidney transplant. Interestingly, music and specific playlists help her nearly everyday get through a visit or treatment or procedure or even a single, heavy moment at the house. The Carpenters, Bon Jovi and Trisha Yearwood all get huge thank yous from us.

Julian loves music.

Sarah loves music.

I love music, too.

Sadly, in the whirlwind of caregiving, work and life overall, over the last couple of years, I let my guitars stay cased in the closet, often for weeks at a time. It went so long at one point that a lifetime’s worth of callouses left my left hand, replaced by skin far too smooth to be a guitar player.

But a turn in caregiving, music, guitar playing, soul care and sanity arrived earlier this year. At the end of ‘22, I purchased tickets for me, the younger son & his lady to catch Ben Rector’s Old Friends acoustic tour stop in Fort Worth in March ‘23. I wasn’t feeling physically spiffy that night, but we attended nonetheless.

The show was great (Ben always is)!

G & L were a good hang. I love those two.

It was worth the effort and miles.

While acquiring the Ben tickets in ‘22, I also purchased a solo ticket to catch the Alter Bridge concert the following night in Dallas. I attended, still feeling less than great (dang kidney stone!!) and realized again, for the first time in a long time: I love live music! It matters to my being.

After seeing Wolfgang and Tremonti play that night the thought started dawning that maybe I should pull the guitars out and pick a bit. Another thought soon followed—these shows were great, they helped me feel good, they helped me feel again, lifting my spirit; maybe there’s another concert to catch in the near future.

The most necessary turn in this grand-concert-going-plan happened when I mentioned to Sarah that there might be another show or two I’d like to catch. Her response was immediate, emphatic and loving: “I can’t go these days, but you should go to any concert you can, see anyone you want, I know you love concerts. It’ll be good for you.” 

And so my “Sarah blessed concert binge” began. 

Since that day, I have been playing guitar most days, maybe just for 5-10 minutes but playing, and I’ve attended bunches of concerts. Bunches!

I haven’t made it to every show I wanted to see. Sometimes work prevented attendance, like missing the Dave Matthews Band show in Dallas in May. Other times two or even three good choices fell on the same night requiring missing someone, somewhere. But this year I’ve been blessed and thrilled to be in many a club or theatre or church or stadium or even open field where memorable magical musical moments occurred. I’ve watched unrivaled international talent mesmerize 100s up to a 100,000 all at the same time. I’ve sung, danced and headbanged with family and with total strangers all across America. So far this year, I’ve seen shows in what I consider to be my general area (Dallas, Longview, Tyler, Texarkana and Shreveport) as well as concerts in Houston, Nashville, Albuquerque and Sacramento. 

Each time I return from another concert or even

series of concerts, I have smiles and videos and stories and often a tour t-shirt. It’s been a year of good, true, right experiences and memories. 

Music does not erase our challenges. 

Music does, however, soothe my soul.

Live music, lost in the moment, part of a community of people enjoying the same thing, being where we all are because of desire, all of it has been good for me. 

I’ve approached this year of ticket purchases with a very open hand—I knew I may not be able to attend a given ticketed show and if that was to be the case, it was okay. It’s not a waste; it was just a plan with a few bucks attached. The caregiving challenges could always break into the plans with an unexpected sickness, surgery or situation. So far, all but one ticketed concert have been attended.

Current count is 30 concerts seen.

I have a few more shows to see yet this year and some concert plans in ‘24, just not quite the pace of ‘23, but a few things to look forward to down the road. And that’s part of the soul care ritual here: expectation of a simple pleasure. 

If you’re a caregiver, especially one with a long term forecast, any break you can take, any goodness you can bestow on yourself, do it.

It is not selfish. 

I repeat, it is not selfish. 

It’s kindness. 

Be kind to yourself.

True-Opposites-November 2023

Two seemingly opposite things can be simultaneously true. There are some folks who might possibly dispute that, the more didactic among us. Yet, the harshness of life on this side of glory has been bringing the tension of the true-opposites into sharper contrast for me lately.

God heals. I believe that.

I also believe we have lifelong disabilities and chronic loss-of-health.

Opposites, so it seems.

To relentlessly chase to embrace the first truth can lead to an almost comical fanaticism.

To cling solely to the second truth will grind faith, hope and charity to dust.

To only have the perspective of the first seems to disclaim we all have an enemy always looking to destroy us.

To stay locked in the second denies the truth that God is exactly who He says He is: Healer and the One making all things new.

The prayer approach and faith balance between the two is…I’d at first say difficult, but it’s more that it’s ever-presently tense in me.

Our longtime Nashville pastor Scotty Smith regularly reminded us from the pulpit that we live in the Now and the Not Yet. 

Another couplet of true-opposites.

Over the past few weeks I’ve repeatedly encountered Scriptures, songs, posts, podcasts and comments about the focus of Not Yet: Jesus’ return. Some hear the phrase “Jesus is coming back” and all the apocalyptic Hollywood-ness floods their mind. For some it’s a fear-filled, convicting and horrifying thought. It is true, He will return and it will be stunning.

But in my/our true-opppsites life, it’s a lot more comfort than concern, a lot more hope than horror. St Paul wrote that on this side (Now) we see through a glass dimly, but THEN we shall see face to face (Not Yet).

Yes.

Come quickly, Lord.

I know then there will be ultimate healing.

Still, today, the prayer is for healing, restoration, rightness N-O-W, NOW!

Mercy.

The Gospels are full of varied healing accounts. In St Mark’s Gospel there’s a recounting of a father whose son has seizures due to an impure spirit. 

It’s really bad, like hopelessly 

bad for the dad. The man wasn’t faith-less, but he was absolutely faith-depleted. 

At wit’s end.

The dad was reduced to “IF you can help us”. Jesus looked into that man’s eyes and assured him it would be done and the man honestly prayed directly to Jesus’ face, “Lord, help my unbelief”.

Some kernel of belief, trust and hope for healing led him to Jesus. Then the healing moment finally arrived, but (the ever-presently tense thought)…it was many years into the struggle with the dad admitting he was spent. While reading that portion of Mark’s Gospel, I also noticed the very one needing healing, the son, has nothing at all to say in this account. There’s no mention of the son’s age, other than the father explaining his son has been this way “since childhood”. For all we know, he could have been an adult, like 27 years old. The dad has faith, barely, for his boy. He didn’t have the answers, but he came face to face with the one who did.

Many of us wrestle with this over a lifetime with children, spouses, extended family, friends, colleagues, all forming an endless list of needed healings.

One of the first portions of Scripture I memorized was Psalm 23. I repeat it often. David wrote “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me.” Desperately desiring healing and restoration equates as that valley to me. Loss of health due to a chronic condition and/or a lifelong disability are on the death-loss-side of existence, not the life-vitality-side.

So I repeat the Psalm to remind myself: You are with me/us.  I breathe the prayer: Jesus, heal and restore the ones I love.

Today.

Today?

Today.

Then I pray: Help my unbelief and Come quickly, Lord.

Two apparently opposite desires, but simultaneously true.

Worry & Avocados-July 2022

Do not worry about the avocados. 

I realize this exact combination of words is nowhere in the Holy Writ. I’m not even sure it would be in Cantino Laredo’s employee handbook. 

Due to recent history, this sentence now has a place in my prayer journal. My heart and mind have been worried lately about avocados.

If this were that game show Chain Reaction, it might go something like this:

News

Report 

Card

Stock

Prices

(& availability of avocados)

A number of months back, as the looming economic woes were presenting themselves in unmistakeable ways, there was an NPR report about avocado shortages and price hikes.

Food context is important.

I’m all about a sliced avocado on my salad and I love me some guacamole with fajitas de pollo.

That particular report struck a diminished chord of worry in me that no other economic story yet had. I distinctly remember noting “what a bummer” and “I’ll still buy guac(!)”. Then the chain reaction of speculation in my unbridled mind took off from a possible avocado shortage to overall produce price hikes then to store shelves emptied like the “Great American Toilet Paper Crisis of 2020” to that Brendan Fraser movie where they lived in a bunker for like 20 years to me actually getting in my car, going to Target, to shop to stock up our pantry.

All of that because of avocados.

Lord, have mercy.

As it turns out, the worry has thus far been misplaced (as all worry truly is, right?!) Avocados have been mostly available in our local grocery stores without interruption and I noticed yesterday the price on the big Hass kind has actually come down significantly.

“Do not let your hearts be troubled.”

As I read that verse, spoken by Jesus, in St John’s Gospel again this morning, it’s as if I heard the Spirit of God say two more words: “about avocados”.

I’ve also been recently reminded that “do not let your hearts be troubled” is a direct command from Jesus, not a suggestion, not a tidbit of helpful guidance. And it is something within our control or why would Jesus command it?

Today, prayerfully, I’m choosing: “Don’t speculate or worry (about the availability of avocados)”.