Shaun Groves
What an amazing week celebrating our sixteenth anniversary! Almost no technology. We sent the kids to Texas to spend time with grandparents (thanks, grandparents). And all by ourselves Becky and I painted the living room, bought some furniture, didn’t cook a single meal, never touched laundry or dishes, and mostly just enjoyed uninterrupted conversation and silence and not having a to-do list. Spectacular.
And now…back to work. Here’s what’s on my to-do list this week.
- Uganda in November: Plan A for the Compassion Bloggers trip to Uganda in November has unraveled. Working on plan B this week and a whole new round of invitations to bloggers.
- An Advent Album: I’m in talks with a producer about recording an Advent album in August, which is different from a Christmas album. It might contain some of the same standard Christmas carols but there would be a greater emphasis on waiting and preparing for Christ’s birth. Trying to write a little every day in hopes of finding the right songs for this album. The producer is working out a budget this week. And if all goes well – budget and songs – I’ll launch a Kickstarter project next week to raise the funds for recording and manufacturing.
- Help Wanted: Micah is my lone employee. He handles booking, advancing, road managing, plays a plethora of instruments on-stage and sings background vocals. Micah’s taking a break from the road for a while – probably a long while – to spend time with his family. He’s a good man, impossible to replace, but that’s what I have to do. He’ll still handle booking and advancing of concerts but I’ll need a road manager who can also play and sing. The search is on this week. It’s like hunting for a unicorn – odds aren’t good.
- Painting: I don’t paint much these days – not enough time – but now that we’ve repainted the walls of our living room, we’re in need of some new art. Furniture arrives Wednesday and new paintings go up shortly after. Maybe a post of a work in progress next week?
- New site: I’m meeting with Ben from Louder Media this afternoon to nail down the details of the new shaungroves.com design. Site launches by October 1.
- New branding: I’ve hired Chaz Russo to create a new logo for this site. Ben will build the rest of the site around Chaz’s work. The logo makes use of custom type, hand-drawn by Chaz. I weed through versions this week and hopefully we whittle our way to the final design by Friday. Then I’ll turn the logo into new business cards and stationary soon after.
- Guitar repair and replace: I play a Yamaha CPX15, a road dog that cannot be broken by the most ill-tempered baggage handler. And I also play a 1968 Gibson J45 deluxe – a fragile beautiful vintage instrument that has been broken again and again. I’ve repaired the neck three times. This week I’ll get it repaired again and then retire it from the road and buy a guitar that will travel better in its place. I’m leaning toward a Martin but it sure is pricey. Anybody got a used amazing guitar for sale?
- Advent Tour: Last year’s Acoustic Advent tour went so well that Micah and I decided to do it again this year. And with the possibility of an Advent album it makes even more sense. But with Micah now unable to play with me on that tour I have to decide if I want to go it alone or hire a couple guys to play in his place (yes, it takes two men to do the work of one Micah). I don’t think this Advent album will work all that well solo but it’s impossible to hire players (and transport them and their gear) if I’m doing shows for free. So I’m wondering if anyone would book me and two players for a price. Or if people are so used to getting me for free that they’ll balk at paying anything to host me. The decision has to be made this week.
Those are the big items on my list today. Is there anything on yours we could pray you through or help out with?
My biggest prayer request is finding the right person to replace Micah on the road. That person has be a great musician and a great hang, self-starting, problme-solving, diplomatic, representing me and Compassion and Christ well no matter what, and keeping me positive and sane on the road day after day. God, help me.
Tracy Edwards says:
There is no replacement for the organizational genius known as Micah, except for maybe me and I can’t make myself a man to travel with you!! I do have limits! But, as far as your kickstarter project. . . you had better let me help!!
NancyTyler says:
My to do lists always look so pathetic next to your to do lists. LOL
Praying for you.
Matthew (FzxGkJssFrk) says:
Praying for God to bless you with another great road manager.
Kelli says:
Looking for a new Micah? That’s MUCH more involved than hunting a unicorn! And the most pressing question is how on earth will you find someone who can do all those things and perfectly mimic a Russian man?!
Praying for you, my friend.
Kris says:
Oh my. This is an impressive list of needs and opportunities to pray. So glad to hear you and Becky annoyed a lovely week together–and now it’s back to therest of life. I wish I could do some of these things, like give you a guitar, or help on the road–I’ll definitely be supporting your kick starter, and praying for everything else. I know this much–however hard or even impossible this list of things may look, God is more than capable. He makes the impossible possible on a regular basis. I can’t wait to see how He works these details out. Praying with you, Shaun.
Kris says:
Ahem, that should read, ” glad you and Becky ENJOYED time together” (not annoyed)
this is what happens when I type on my phone. Gee whiz. Sorry about that.
Pam says:
Sunday, our preacher asked us “how much do you trust God?’ And “what do you not trust about God? His ability to provide or His desire to provide?” Important questions that really made me realize how much more I needed to trust God and not worry so much. I believe your prayers will be answered, in amazing ways.
Jolanthe says:
Count me in for Kickstarter! And my prayer is that God will provide in ways that are EXCEEDING your expectations. 🙂
Heidi says:
Can I give you one little piece of advice? Wait on the paintings in your home. Live with blank walls for a short time. You will be surprised how calming and soothing an undecorated room can be!
Matthew W says:
1) Count me in on the Kickstarter campaign.
2) I’m moving to Tyler, TX in less than two weeks to start my new stint as an Algebra 2 teacher at John Tyler. (I’m from Henderson, so I’m familiar with the area.) This will be my first teaching job, and I’ve got to take care of that while getting settled into my new apartment and getting my old apartment clean. In the short term, the apartment is more important… but in the long term, I’d sure like to avoid coming up with any of those first-year teacher horror stories.
Betsy W says:
Speaking of advent songs, here’s a shameless plug for my favorite…the best site I could find it on w/ story & video made by someone somewhere who found it & liked it 🙂 you know, in your spare time…
http://www.johnsonu.edu/About/JohnsonU-Blog/November/-A-Baby-Will-Come”.aspx
Heidi H. says:
My to-do list is nowhere near this! Edit some photo shoots, work an event for Compassion, and get the kiddos off to their 1st day of school tomorrow. And I love the thought of an Advent album. 🙂
MamaPoRuski says:
I cannot wait to hear the Advent Songs! (Although I am a sucker for CHRISTMAS year round!)
As for prayer request-We are still weathering our son’s recovery from surgery in hopes he will walk again. We also found out our daughter who is (was) to be a senior at college this year did not get enough financial aid to continue. Hard to help her navigate God’s change of plans and not feel 100% like a failure for not being able to help her. But then again, if we could fix it all, then it would not be God then would it?
Riann says:
An Advent album! Oh, what a gift that would be! Our family has been practicing Advent and Lent for just three years, and we have worked hard to find music to incorporate into those seasons. And an Advent concert? Oh, goodness. Please come to the Washington coast! Blessings to you as you continue to write words of truth and worship.
Kit says:
Aside from the painting (which would probably lead to a divorce if my husband and I tried that together), that sounds like a wonderful anniversary stay-cation! My husband is out of town for almost the whole month and I’m on my own to get 4 kids ready for back-to-school, etc. It’ll be our anniversary right after he returns– our 11th. Best wishes with your significant to-do list!
Melissa Jones says:
This is the problem with being a “mommy blogger” – mostly women read your posts and we can’t be your road manager! I’d offer up my brothers as possibilities (both live in the Nashville area), but neither of them plays banjo. Both sing, and one plays (or played) guitar, but no banjo. My dad plays banjo. And sings. And lives in Nashville. I have no idea if any of them would be interested/available though. I can ask if you’re coming up empty though!
Stacy Sublett says:
Hey Shaun, I thought I posted a comment like this a week ago…I don’t know how your search for Micah’s replacement is going, but I am interested in at least talking about the position. I play (acoustic) and sing. I love Compassion and adoption. I’ve been in ministry since I graduated from college in 1990. Married that same year. I think I could round up some folks who’d tell you that I’m a self-starter and an overall good guy to hang with. I’ve got positivity by the buckets, and I’d love to talk about the possibility. I’m guessing that there’s a line of folks waiting to step into this role, but if you’re still looking and would like to chat, please let me know.