New Music Tuesday – The Alive Band

Well here I am being unreliable already! I promised a new music Tuesday and couldn’t get to writing a blog yesterday so this week it’s New Music Wednesday. Sorry about that! But let’s jump right in to it…

While at Cornerstone 2009 I kept hearing/reading about a band called The Alive Band. So as most Cstoners do, I looked them up in the program and discovered that they are the praise & worship band affiliated with the Breakaway Tent (the youth group/high school program). So in my head I said “well that’s nice” and moved on my merry way. Then as the week progressed, I kept overhearing what was going on at Breakaway and got curious. The music sounded really good. Really fun. Really…alive. So by day 4 of hearing their music I was singing along and decided to head to their merch table and check out what they’re all about.

The Alive Band is a youth group praise & worship band out of MetroSouthChurch in Michigan. With a sound similar to Hillsong United it’s pretty obvious that with time, we could be singing their songs in our east coast churches.  Their name stems from the title of their song “I am not Dead,” a catchy praise song that has kids shouting “I am not dead, I AM ALIVE, I AM ALIVE” – a chant frequently heard at Cornerstone 2009. With a cover of Hillsong United’s “Break Free” that I think I like better than the original and heartfelt worship with songs like “Broken” and “What Love,” The Alive Band is worth a listen.

Sounds great, but what’s the down side? Well to be honest, I think the songs are much better live. This band is packed with young adults who know how to lead great worship and truly bring God down to their listeners; and that’s something that can’t be mimicked recorded.

Their music can be found on iTunes and myspace – hope you enjoy it!

New Music Tuesday – The Alive Band

Well here I am being unreliable already! I promised a new music Tuesday and couldn’t get to writing a blog yesterday so this week it’s New Music Wednesday. Sorry about that! But let’s jump right in to it…

While at Cornerstone 2009 I kept hearing/reading about a band called The Alive Band. So as most Cstoners do, I looked them up in the program and discovered that they are the praise & worship band affiliated with the Breakaway Tent (the youth group/high school program). So in my head I said “well that’s nice” and moved on my merry way. Then as the week progressed, I kept overhearing what was going on at Breakaway and got curious. The music sounded really good. Really fun. Really…alive. So by day 4 of hearing their music I was singing along and decided to head to their merch table and check out what they’re all about.

The Alive Band is a youth group praise & worship band out of MetroSouthChurch in Michigan. With a sound similar to Hillsong United it’s pretty obvious that with time, we could be singing their songs in our east coast churches.  Their name stems from the title of their song “I am not Dead,” a catchy praise song that has kids shouting “I am not dead, I AM ALIVE, I AM ALIVE” – a chant frequently heard at Cornerstone 2009. With a cover of Hillsong United’s “Break Free” that I think I like better than the original and heartfelt worship with songs like “Broken” and “What Love,” The Alive Band is worth a listen.

Sounds great, but what’s the down side? Well to be honest, I think the songs are much better live. This band is packed with young adults who know how to lead great worship and truly bring God down to their listeners; and that’s something that can’t be mimicked recorded.

Their music can be found on iTunes and myspace – hope you enjoy it!

Oh the Memories…of Cornerstone 2009

So, it’s the much anticipated blog about my trip to Cornerstone. Maybe it’s not so anticipated but I’ve sure been anxious to write it. So much happened between the end of June and beginning of July that it’s actually been a real challenge to write this blog. So here we go…and I’m sure I’ll forget 50 things.

Top Moments on our trip:

• Seeing House of Heroes live again. Everytime I see them they get better and better. It touched me how genuine Tim said “thank you guys” after playing. I love when fans are truly appreciated and loved. And just a side note, Colin smiled the whole time. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen a drummer smile so much. It’s so contagious.

• Seeing Bradley Hathaway upclose for his live set and then meeting him the day after.  What an amazingly true and humble guy. And soo talented.
• Discovering/visiting the Christmas Story house & museum in Cleveland, Ohio. What a surprisingly fun day.
• Talking to the guy at the Black and White Attire booth. I’m so excited to wear my new shirt. It’s such an amazing feeling knowing the company whos shirt you’re wearing and knowing the full story behind the design.
• Meeting the worship leaders of The Alive Band and getting to worship with them Saturday morning in the rain. I’ve listened to their cd 4 times already haha.
• Morning worship almost every day. It’s so exciting to be in a tent filled with the holy spirit and people craving a touch from God. Especially people from all different denominations and locations.
• Sitting around the campsite talking to my Cornerstone friends of old and new. Kairsie, Dave, Kevin, Fitzpatrick, Brooks, Tim, Joel, Adam, Dima, Jeremy, Alex, random band members of The Ember Days aannd I’m probably forgetting someone…sorry about that if I did.
• Spending hours and hours of quality time with Chris. We grow closer every year we go away. This year was even better than usual. I love you

• Watching Josh Garrels play and literally crying during his set. His music is so powerful.

• Meeting and then watching Everfound. This young band WILL be going very far if they stay close to God. They led great, genuine worship and carry a very powerful message. Please don’t turn into the Christian Jonas Brothers (haha, inside joke.)

• The music seminars with Ryot Entertainment and Traa from P.O.D. They really helped Chris and I get a focus for his next project and re-directed our vision. Then getting to talk to Traa for a while just topped it off. The future is looking SO good and exciting.
• Sneaking away to the Imaginarium to watch part of Lars and the Real Girl. Watching a movie under a tent while it’s raining was very romantic
• Learning common word mix-ups between the US and England and New Zealand. The world we live in is pretty funny sometimes.
• Sitting in the press tent listening to Grandfather Rock talk about Becky and the DCBoys haha. We learned a lot from him.
• Sitting outside with my blanket reading my bible and hearing from God. Man there is nothing like it. Then the humor of DJ Dima and I trying to light a candle for 20 minutes. Then joined by other boys. Insert a “how many people does it take” joke here.
• The fact that Tim was the only person to grab my camera and take a picture with me. It meant a lot to me – I spent the whole week taking pictures of them lol.
• Joel buying me tea when I didn’t feel good. The smallest thing really meant a lot to Chris and I. Thanks buddy!!
• Taking pictures of people doing what they love to do. I’m looking forward to sharing with everyone soon.
• And I saved the best memory for last…learning the meaning of grace. The entire week I felt God showing me, teaching me and demonstrating to me what the meaning of God’s grace is. It was everywhere and I cried every time I saw it. The true knowledge that we are who we are because of God’s grace is so overwhelming that there really are no words to describe it. I’m so amazed by the wonder and awe that our creator is.

Well..I know I have more memories to share but I’m a bit spent. If I feel the need to share more I will. Photos are on my facebook. If you aren’t my facebook friend then just send me an email or comment and I’ll send you some photos