Shaun Groves
I think it was Derek Webb who said we singer-songwriters are the blue collar workers of the artist world. Maybe that’s why I’m so uncomfortable on tour buses with any other kind. Or maybe I’m just too insecure to hang out with real singers with real voices and real records sales. Whatever the reason, I just have a better time hanging out with singer-songwriters talking about anything than I do discussing the merits of Prada or…heck, I don’t even know what gets discussed by “those” artists.
I’m heading out on the Gloria! Christmas tour with Travis Cottrell and Cindy Morgan this weekend. Derek and I and the other blue collar singer types have voted Cindy and Travis into our little club despite their being prettier and more talented than the rest of us. They’re truly two of the nicest most down-to-earth artists I’ve ever “worked” with…and certified Prada-free. Looking very forward to a month of front-lounging with them, the crew, the players and some hot wings and sweet tea.
Bring it.
Tour rehearsals have begun. Here’s the crew hard at work to make us look and sound better than we actually do. That’s “Redwine” on sound, Wade as tour manager and Todd on lighting.
Speaking of Todd, here’s some of what he’s put together already this morning.
OK, back to rehearsal. I have a lot of sitting around eating and waiting to do, so, gotta take off. See you on the road hopefully. Are you coming to one of the shows? Oh, and would you watch if we broadcast one show live on the interwebs?
Jen~Beautiful Mess says:
I hate that I am going to miss the Jax, FL show! We already have an event planned for that evening. I would love to see an interwebs show if you offer it.
Praying blessings on the events! God bless!
Jeff Honnold says:
As you won’t be anywhere near me here in the cold Midwest I would LOVE to see a broadcast of one of the live shows!
Stretch Mark Mama says:
I’m in the black hole of the christian touring world, otherwise known as the pacific northwest. I’d watch a broadcast–if it was on during a PST friendly time (i.e., not dinnertime).
Shaun Groves says:
Left-coasters are so demanding ; )
What time works best for you, princess?
Stretch Mark Mama says:
Well, 8:00 PST is fine and dandy, if the kids are cooperating. I mean, you should probably schedule in a half-hour or so after that for drinks of water and questions about why the center of the earth is magnetic. So that’s about 11:30 EST, is that good? You guys still have a voice then, right?
So probably putting it on endless loop is the best option. Or making it available to watch at our leisure. (pronounced “lezzshure”)
Princess Fiona, the Ogre
Rhonda says:
Would absolutely watch!
Kristie says:
Seeing as how the car I would drive to Jacksonville just died in the middle of the street on Tuesday, and now the money I would’ve spent on tickets and hotel (and probably a lot more cash, too) is going to have to go towards fixing the car…and considering the fact that the hilight of my daughter’s young life was the Travis Cottrell live concert in Woodstock last year….YES…I would sit in front of the computer, with popcorn in hand (until I would need to drop it so I could clap, dance, and praise), with my 6 year old right beside me….if you were to broadcast it. And Mary Beth would probably pretend to be Cindy Morgan for three weeks afterwards.
Kelly @ Love Well says:
I notice y’all aren’t venturing north of the Mason-Dixon line or to anywhere that actually looks like Christmas outside your concert doors. Winter wimps.
So yes, I vote for streaming. Or an endless loop we can watch at our leisure, as Stretch Mark Mama wisely suggested.
Shaun Groves says:
The whole nation was welcomed to book this tour. But only the South loves Jesus that much ; )
Amy @ My Friend Amy says:
8:30 PST and I’m there!
Shaun Groves says:
You left-coasters have to be kidding! There’s no way we can start a show at 11:30 at night in North Carolina so you can see it live. Not. Gonna. Happen.
But the loop idea is a great one. We’ll do that instead.
Sorry. I’m too old to stay up so late…and so are the Baptists we’re playing to ; )
Laura @ Texas in Africa says:
Well, I might actually be able to make the Fayetteville show. Although that would require going outside of the perimeter, and I’m kindof scared of the rest of Georgia…
Debbie G. says:
Yes, I will be at the JAX, FL show. I drove by the hosting church and saw your name on the sign and thought “NO WAY!”. I bought myself a ticket and a handful for friends and family. Looking forward to a time of worshipping the Lord with you, Travis and Cindy in the midst of a difficult holiday season for me (my husband passed away in January – 1st set of holidays without him). Grateful for the wonderful opportunity to get out of myself and put the focus back on the Lord. Thanks for coming to JAX!
Shaun Groves says:
Please please please come introduce yourself, Debbie. I’d love to meet you.
I’ll be praying for you this Christmas. There are others here who’ve been through the loss of their husband. I’m sure they’ll know how to pray better than I do and I’m sure they’ll do it. We’re with you.
Debbie G. says:
I will definitely do that, thanks. And thank you so much for the prayers, it really means a lot to me. While it has been a very tough year, it has also been a year filled with gifts from the Lord. One quick example you’ll appreciate: At my husbands memorial, a friend shared a beautiful illustration using Gen 5:24 (Enoch walked with God and was no more). It was very moving and I will always think of my husband when I hear that verse. So…on “Compassion International” Sunday at my church – what do you think the name was of the little boy in the first packet I picked up? Yep. Enoch from Uganda. Only God can make those personal kind of connections. What a gift to be able to sponsor him! A living memorial. God is good.
benstewart says:
My neighbor is in a similar position this year. I’ll be praying for you as I pray for her this season. I won’t pretend to understand… I’ll just stick with prayer. 🙂
Hopefully we’ll see you in JAX!
Debbie G. says:
Thank you so much for the prayers. That is the most helpful thing anyone can do. I will definitely add your neighbor to my prayer list too.
I hope to meet you in JAX also!
Rebecca says:
would love to see you guys in Minden. LA – but, as you said earlier, Not. Gonna. Happen. – but an endless loop would be great!!
Debbie G – i am praying for you right now, and will continue
Vicky Slaybaugh says:
Being that I was/am “maybe” planning a trip to the closest city (Louisville, KY) you’re coming to…(my home city: Kansas City)…I would love to see a broadcast on the web…just in case I can’t make it. It would save me about $400.00 in travel cost…not that it’s not worth it to see it live. I’d love to see all of you and my daughter on stage with you all. Tell Cara hi for me. 🙂
Shaun Groves says:
Done.
Cara is an incredible cellist and an even more impressive girl. Good job, mom ; )
Daniel Decker says:
Watching you on TV right now (8:30am Sunday morning, 12/27) via First Baptist Jax replay. Amazing. Such a gift you and the rest shared. May God continue to use and bless you to impact many.
Daniel Decker says:
Just realized this First Baptist broadcast may have been from a 2008 event?