Shaun Groves
CMCentral (That’s Christian Music Central) has declared this here blog of mine the #1 Artist Blog of 2008. This is quite a bit more meaningful than CMCentral may realize. You see, I’m the Susan Lucci of Christian Music, having been nominated for 7 – count ‘em, 7 Dove Awards – and never given the bird…I mean, the Dove.
But I’ve had my speech written since the first nominations in 2001. Now’s probably the best and only time I’ll have to use that so here it goes…
Ahem.
Thank you. It’s an honor to be nominated alongside Zoe Girl, Sara Groves (no relation), Joy Williams and Downhere tonight for New Artist of the Year. And this is a very important award. It’s the only one Mercy Me isn’t nominated for. (pause for laughter) But also, if one day the inconceivable happens and my record label goes under and radio stations stop playing my music and retailers don’t recognize me when I come into their stores to shop for a Christmas present – if one dark day all that happens, at least I’ll have this award to prove that Jesus loves me and so do a lot of people currently employed by my publisher, distributor and record label. So thank you. Thank you very much.
On second thought, this really isn’t so much an award as a list so I take all that speech stuff back. I simply want to say thank you. It’s an honor to be listed. And quite unexpected to be #1. Thanks, guys. Seriously, thank you.
Stretch Mark Mama says:
Reminds me of that Dilbert comic where they’re handing out awards, and one of the employees ends up with “talc.”
“Our new ‘recognition program’ assigns the names of precious gems to your levels of performance.”
“The highest level is diamond. You get a new ring at each level.”
“Are you sure talc is a precious gem?”
“I think I saw it sparkle.”
Chaotic Hammer says:
Congratulations, Shaun. I absolutely agree with their assessment—you’ve been writing one of the best blogs anywhere for a few years now.
RevJeff says:
Finally “THEY” are realizing it… ummmm – the Susan Lucci thing – you don’t seem to have aged in the last thirty years either…. are you using botox?
John C Thomson says:
For Christmas Shaun, you should go to prison. Not to long, a moment would do. Read the following story…
I have read of many churches celebrating Christmas with Pageants that include an actual baby portraying the role of ‘baby Jesus’. Our first child Ruth, was born December 12th, 1981 and was chosen to be ‘baby Jesus’ for our church’s (Reba Place Fellowship) Christmas Eve service. Last year, our grandson, Charlie, born on Oct. 19th 2008, was chosen, also at Reba Place Fellowship. But in prison no such ritual exists.
I wasn’t even thinking about babies being in Christmas plays back in 1972. This was yet another year in prison, the difference being this was my first Christmas as a christian. The Christmas service held new meaning for me as we sang the traditional Christmas Carols bringing with it a hope for a new life with a redeemed future. Christian volunteers were a part of our service at the U. S. Medical Center for Prisoners in Springfield, Mo.
As our service wound to completion a cry was heard. The faint
whimpering of a baby. My first thought was that I wasn’t hearing what I thought I had heard. I had been in prison for many years and had never even seen a baby inside of a prison (not counting my infrequent times in the visiting room.) But there it was again, a baby crying. Someone, a volunteer, had brought their baby into the service wrapped in a blanket unnoticed by the guards. I then thought, there was our ‘baby
Jesus’. The parents of the yet unknown child were the children of an older couple (Lloyd and Nita Colbaugh) who had only a few years previously began their ministry to the prison. Even the great-grandmother, (Mom Carter) was a volunteer and had played a significant role in my own conversion, telling me that God had a plan for my life.
Life would go on and the incident of ‘baby Jesus’ coming to prison would fade to a memory, until the baby grew up and now is known throughout many countries far and wide as acclaimed Christian
singer/songwriter Sara Groves. I hope this story adds to your appreciation of the life of Sara and her family.
John C Thomson
shaunfan says:
Awesome Shaun!! I LOVE your speech. It’s a great example of why you ARE the #1 artist blogger. Congratulations, it is well-deserved.
Kevin
Grovesfan says:
Wouldn’t you say that CCM is just a little slow on the uptake? Hello! We’ve all known this for how long now? Congratulations and I’m glad you weren’t waiting on the validation of of the CCM industry to know how much you’ve impacted the cyber world; not to mention the world of some 3000 or so children.
Juli Jarvis says:
Wow–that’s great! Congratulations!
euphrony says:
I must say, that acceptance speech put a tear in my eye. Of course, that could be the garlic in my pizza . . .
But, like others have said, it is well deserved.
The Secret Life of Kat says:
That’s great Shaun.
The acceptance speech cracked me up.
Kevin Cook says:
KUDOS! Thank you for bringing the real Shaun Groves to life here; I really enjoy reading this blog and being a part of what God’s doing in your life.
To the Work,
Kevin Cook
MBC Morristow
Shaun Groves says:
Kat, you built this thing. So thank YOU!
Dan says:
Are there any other artists’ blogs out there that discuss the background issues and history involved with Christianity as much as this one does?
I’m happy to see you win, but there’s a certain amount of “well, Shlog is a darned serious blog and not just a quick fix for fans – nobody else offers that”. This blog is essential reading on its own, and I’ve put it next to the “serious” news blogs instead of with the other artists’ blogs I read – truth be told I don’t even listen to your music that much. It’s worth reading this just for the gritty writing about Compassion’s ministry, and for the occasional brilliant article the faith (OK, occasionally I’ll really love some of the family posts too).
I loved the speech – too funny.
Sindy says:
Thanks for the info. BTW I’ve marked it @ http://searchallinone.com/Other/The_NEW_ShaunGroves-com_-_Shlog-3/