Last night Becky and I headed to Rocketown (the music venue and skate park) in downtown Nashville for Compassion‘s annual artist appreciation dinner. Here are the highlights from the evening:
1. My homeboy: Michael beginning his remarks with “Keeping it real and the whole deal.” (Semantic stretch?)
2. Spanked and inspired: Tony Neeves (VP of International Development for Compassion) speaking on how import caring for the poor is to God and how, if we know God, we’ll care for the poor. He took a few tangents along the way. One of them was on technology. The developing world now has television and internet cafes. And this allows the poor to “press their face up against the glass of our lifestyles” here in the West. They know what they’re missing now. And this breeds resentment and despair. Another tangent was on the Church in the West. He spanked (Gently, of course. He’s British.) the wealthy Western Church for caring so much about their people having a pleasant experience that pastors are no longer (if they ever did) speaking about injustice and poverty in the world. He ended by reminding us that the problem of poverty is too great for billionaires and governments to fight. But not too great for the Church, united, to wage war against. Inspiring.
3. Blogging Brit: A brief conversation with Vicky Beeching about blogging and the importance/fun of conversation between artists and “fans” on the internets.
4. Being thought of by a legend: “What’s your last name, Shaun?” Dallas asked. “Groves. Shaun Groves,” I said. “I thiiiink I’ve heard of you,” he said. Thanks, Mr. Holm. And congrats on 38 years of making music. That’s a lot of hotels and rental cars – and it’s been known to affect one’s memory. I forgive you.
5. Little people: Turns out, I’m taller than Wayne Watson, Andrew Peterson, and everyone in Hawk Nelson.
6. Yummy: Key lime pie.
7. Uganda Reunion: Anne, Randy, Chris, Doug and Heather all made it to the appreciation dinner. I appreciated that. Hugs, laughter, and fried chicken ensued.
8. O Canada: I’m huge in Western Canada. Who knew? I sure didn’t. The folks from Compassion in Canada informed me of this last night and we began hatching a plan to visit the North more often in 2008.
9. I’m very twelve sometimes: Allie‘s husband Kirk (road managed Bebo back when I toured with him) comes up and says “I’ve been hearing a lot about you, man. Lots of good stuff.” (I have no idea what that would be.) So I say, “Yea, I didn’t plan on making a calendar like that but the nudity has been such a hit on stage we just decided to give it a shot and see what happens.” To which he says, with a straight face, “Well, yea, I’ve always thought that was your best side anyway.” We laughed like the twelve year olds we are and another artist walks up right then, introduces us to his lovely wife. “I’m Shaun,” I say. “I’ve seen your Shlog!” she says. Awkward. And a good laugh. Oh, the things you’ll never read in media coverage of Gospel Music Week.
10. You’re what?: My boss at Compassion introduced me to the crowd last night as an independent contractor working with bloggers. The ambiguity of the intro made for some great questions from fellow artists and industry types afterward: You get paid to blog? (Um, no, not exactly.) You’re doing what with bloggers? (Just go here or here.) What’s a blog? (Seriously?)
Linda Sue says:
Glad somebody else giggles about the name of your blogging. I don’t refer to your blog by its given name – always mentally you are Shaun Groves or Shaw-annnn.(just too tempting to be tacky -a southern mama’s training). Thanks for a peek into what to many of us is an alien culture. Key Lime Pie AND fried chicken – you have been having fun.
AL says:
I simply totally love you to pieces.
I like how you are turning out, young man, and sometimes I have worried like a mom. (Now that I am a mom, I realize that’s what it was.) And yay in general for Western Canada, caring for the poor, and key lime pie.
cool dad says:
“independent contractor working with bloggers”
Don’t go stealing Brody’s thunder now…
RevJeff says:
Heh – hehehe…heh
I guess I need to pay closer attention to the calendars I keep throwing out
Grovesfan says:
I’M taller than everyone in Hawk Nelson and you’re taller than me. (Hawk Nelson=short).
What COLOR was the Key Lime pie? This may sound trivial, but to someone who grew up in the Florida Keys, it’s VERY important. Many places (most in fact) that purport to offer Key Lime pie, wouldn’t know one if it hit ‘em in the face. If it was any shade of green, you didn’t eat real Key Lime Pie. Trust me.
Beth
nancy says:
I’m 5’4” and I’m almost taller than everyone in Hawk Nelson.
aaron says:
how did you and i not meet dude!? one day…
Kelly @ Love Well says:
I have nothing witty to say.
But I’ve been snickering all evening.
Does that mean I’m 12?
(Oh, and Grovesfan is SO RIGHT about the color of Key Lime Pie. If it’s Key Lime Pie that Jesus would eat, it should be yellow.)
shaunfan says:
Hawk Nelson are all “Switchfoot-sized” along with Derek Webb. Hawk Nelson was just at my church and did a duet with Amy Grant on the deluxe edition of their new album. Apparently now they’ve made it, and they are also big in Western Canada (and from there). Keep keeping it real Shaun. Maybe your next album can be called “Shaun Groves Is My Friend”.
Your homeboy,
Kevin
Rachel says:
Sometimes it’s good for the soul to giggle like 12 year olds…what a brilliantly awkward moment!
And what a powerful statement by Tony Neeves that poverty is too big for our money or our government…but not for the body of Christ. Unity is essential, so it’s great to hear about people blazing the trail! Man I need to leave the country…
Vicky Beeching says:
I loved the Compassion Dinner. Great to see you there Shaun…
I’ve never been called the “Blogging Brit” before… Love it…that names is a keeper! : )
Vicky