Share the gospel – and then tell them about us!

Posted on by Carla Jean Whitley

I rarely pause on Christian radio, primarily because I’ve become something of a music snob. But as I pulled into my apartment complex this morning, I sang along with “It Is Well with My Soul.” This was the first time I’d heard a hymn on that station, and it was nice.

The song ended, and I gathered my things to go inside. The commercial on the radio caught my attention:

“Share the gospel – and then tell them about 93.7!”

WHAT?

The first thing on my mind after someone begins to walk with Jesus certainly is not to get them plugged in to the local Christian radio station.

“I’m so happy that you’ve made this decision! Now, before you do read your Bible or anything else, you’ll want to be sure to treat yourself to a heavy dose of the crappiest music on radio….”

Did I mention I love this job?

Posted on by Carla Jean Whitley

My biggest accomplishment this week: Interviewing Ryan Newell, lead guitarist of Sister Hazel

CJ: You guys got your start in a college town. How did that help or hinder your career?
RN: Helped ‘ especially in SE, when we were coming up as a band, there was a real community of people who wanted to hear original music, and that started out in the whole college scene. When people went out to see bands, at that point, they elected to see original bands that had their own material, buy their independent CDs, build a fan base. College students tend to listen to music that’s not all over the CD, so that really helped us out.

CJ: To date, you still play a lot of college towns. Why is that?
RN: I think we still have a connection with the college scene. Even though we’ve had radio play and videos and stuff, I still think there’s definitely an underground community of fans that still like the band. They come to multiple shows ’cause our shows are different from night to night. We tend to improvise and we don’t play the same set. We still have the indie credit we used to have. Actually we’re an indie band again, so we go where people want to hear us basically.

CJ: How are college towns different than venues in bigger cities?
RN: Fortunately we have a chance to play all over the place. I think the main difference in college towns is that obviously most of the people are younger. In the big cities, you get the whole range of people ages 20 ‘ 12- 60 coming to our shows. Usually in college towns, it’s ages between 18 and late 20s, so it tends to be a little bit more wilder.

CJ: Advantages? Disadvantages?
RN: Both are great environments to play, we just love to play in front of people ‘ whoever comes, comes. We don’t really have a preference one way or the other.

CJ: Why do you play Tuscaloosa, in particular, as frequently as you do? (This is the second time within the six months that I’ve lived here!)
RN: I think it’s a combination of both ‘ we play year round, so we play everywhere a lot. It’s not really one place in particular ‘ we are playing and playing and playing, that’s what we do for a living. That might seem like a lot if you’re sitting in Tuscaloosa, but keep in mind that we’re doing that all over the place. We certainly have a spot in our hearts for the se, ’cause that’s where the band came from, and it’s certainly fun to come back to those towns. We’ll play the SE more than the rest.

CJ: I have to ask, since y’all are from Gainesville. Are you big Gator fans?
RN: Huge Gator fans (except drummer ‘ who likes the Hurricanes.)

CJ: How have y’all progressed as a band over the years?
RN: Musically ‘ I would say anytime you’re in a band for almost ten years with the same people, you really start to tune into everybody’s gifts and what they bring to the table, and I thinkw e have definitely defined our roles in the band. Things seem to work a lot smoother in the studio. We’ve grown as musicians from playing show after show after show. We know what works as a band and what doesn’t We’re technically better on our instruments, our songwriting is better. Just like anything else, the more you do it, the better you get at it. We’re at the top of our game at this point.

CJ: How was the recording experience different, now that you’re independent again?
RN: We actually, recording our second major label record, we went out to LA, had a big budget, big producer, and we started to over-think the record. We ended up scrapping almost half the material at the beginning of that recording session just ’cause we were over-thinking things and coming up with a sound that wasn’t really true to who we were. Halfway thru the recording that record, we decided that how we sound best in the studio is setting up the instruments and playing live, trying to create the best vibe possible with all of us playing together. We applied that to our studio experience from then on, and that’s how we recorded Chasing Daylight. That’s how we sound best ‘ we go in and we try our best to get a live concert vibe going.

CJ: What is your favorite song that y’all have recorded?
RN: There’s something special in each song we’ve recorded for me ‘ sometimes you wake up wanting to hear easy listening ‘ depends on what you ate for breakfast, if you’re in a fight, if you’re in love ‘ each song brings out different emotions, different from day to day. I can generalize ‘ I’m proud of the way ‘Champagne High’ turned out, ‘Best I’ll Ever Be’ on Chasing Daylight ‘ let’s see ‘ ‘Hopeless’ on Chasing Daylight ‘ really, like I said earlier, there’s parts of each song ‘ that’s like asking you to pick your favorite child.

CJ: What’s in your CD player right now?
RN: Jeff Buckley ‘Grace’ ‘ amazing CD

CJ: What should someone who has never seen y’all before expect on Wednesday night?
RN: Um, I think they can expect a band that doesn’t just play songs from top to bottom ‘ we try to change our set up a lot, improvisation in the middle of the songs (not every single one, but y’know, we try to keep a certain portion of the night spontaneous so it’s not like we’re just repeating same show) see us take chances, see the intimacy of the singer-songwriter type songs, played by a high octane rock band. So you’ll have everything from intimate acoustic moments to electric excitement.

CJ: Will you be playing mostly new stuff, or a mix of stuff from all of your albums?
RN: We certainly play a mix of our stuff, we definitely try to cover most of our records. But the records that we just recorded, we tend to play a little bit more off of those.

I only wanna be with you

Posted on by Carla Jean Whitley

There are certain things in this world that bring an added bounce to my step (when I’m not on crutches, that is!) There’s a vibrant red flower growing beside the walkway to my apartment. I can’t help but smile as I hobble past it. As I walk the halls of Reese Phifer, I can glance out the window at Bryant-Denny stadium. Magic. The crispness of the Alabama air as autumn moves in finds me breathing a contented sigh. But none of these (some of my favorite things) are what’s on my mind this evening.

Sunday afternoons also have that mysterious charm about them. Even in the heat of summer, I love to stroll along the riverbank, silently thanking the Creator for the many ways He reveals Himself. Perhaps then I’ll enjoy the brief drive to my favorite coffee shop. Computer and/or notebook in tow, I’ll often huddle into myself at the second table from the door. Between sips on the day’s beverage, I’l try in vain to capture my delight with words.

After many grins shared with the other patrons and a casual survey of the way the early evening light spills onto the stage, I’m off again.

Less than a block away, a treasure trove lies in waiting. Still rejoicing in the day, I’ll meander toward a store so revered that its likeness can be found on my bedroom wall.

I step through the doors and I’m greeted by the cashier. He sits atop his stool behind a counter cluttered with discs and magazines. Lost in such a publication, he won’t look up again until his assistance is needed.

I mentally recall my “to buy” list before I flip through racks of used music. My goal is to come out of here no more than ten dollars poorer. (I don’t always succeed – this week, both Hootie and the Blowfish and the Indigo Girls followed me home.) I’ve never left without finding something I wanted, whether I purchase it or not.

After making small talk with the clerk, I slip behind the wheel of my new car. I slide the CD in and sink back into the soft leather. The goal is to lose myself in the music, exploring ebvery instrument’s nuances and projecting myself into each emotion.

I want to soak up all I’m able. The process will repeat itself within weeks, leaving with me new friends to understand.

I’m tired of being alone, so hurry up and get here

Posted on by Carla Jean Whitley

I wonder if my cynicism toward romance is rooted in personal insecurity.

One of my favorite ‘love songs’ by John Mayer neatly sums up my feelings on the subject:

Sitting home alone on a Friday
Flat on the floor looking back
On old love (or lack thereof)
After all the crushes have faded
And all my wishful thinking was wrong
I’m jaded, I hate it

I’m facing an inner struggle that I’m not certain I can resolve. I don’t believe that I am loveable, that a fallible human being could truly care for me.

Oh, but I do long for that manifestation of my Heavenly Father’s love for me! It is too tempting to push the notion of love away ‘ to determine that I’ll never fall for it. A life as a career woman wouldn’t be so bad.

But to set myself firmly against a gift that my Lord could hold in store for me is less than holiness demands. My deepest desire is to be made holy, to be perfected.

The idea still frustrates me. I have been the initiator in the relationships I’ve been in. I’ve never dated a guy who not only brought out the best in me, but challenged me to grow spiritually. (In fact, they’ve all done just the opposite!)

I dream of being pursued. I refuse to settle for less. Too often, my type A personality rears its manipulative head. The temptation to control relationships is difficult to beat ‘ especially when I know some guys would welcome it.

But it’s crucial that the man be the spiritual leader of a couple. I insist upon being chased after because of that principle. If I hunt a man down and initiate the relationship, I have no basis for confidence that he’ll be a trustworthy driver when I let him into the driver’s seat.

That’s not a risk I’ll take. I’m a grown woman with goals, desires, and ambition, but that doesn’t make me a feminist. I believe in the biblical model for marriages. If we can’t strive to uphold that standard, I’m better off single.

I realize that my ideals are lofty. Perhaps they offer explanation for my singleness ‘ so be it. I’ll be an unmarried woman for the next seventy years if that’s how long it is before a man is welcome to fill that role in my life. Rest assured that if he ever steps into that part, I will spend every remaining day striving to love him and submit to him as the church does to its Head.

Mr. Whoever-You-Are, I’m willing to put forth time and effort if you will do the same.

Let’s fall in love – why shouldn’t we fall in love?

Posted on by Carla Jean Whitley

I saw the UPS man stop in front of my apartment building and said to myself, “That better be for me.” When he knocked on my door moments later, those words echoed in my mind. It’s almost my birthday – my roommates better not be receiving packages now!

After I signed the UPS man’s pad and chatted with him about playing guitar (I was practicing when he arrived), I was alone and free to inspect the box in my hands.

It is delightful to hold a package addressed to you from amazon.com when you possess only a small idea of what may be inside. During my brief walk from the front door to the kitchen, questions tumbled over one another in my mind. “Who is it from?” (I had my guesses.) “What could it be?” (I was betting on a CD, based on the CD to book ratio on my wish list and the weight of the package.) “Which CD is it?” (I’ve really been craving some jazz today – could it be that Diana Krall CD I’ve been wanting? Or perhaps the Toad CD that’s high on my list – I could go for some rock as well.)

Once inside the kitchen, I reached for the scissors and sliced away the tape that separated me from my gift. (Have I mentioned that I love presents?!) I pulled out the several layers of packing material and found beneat them a small silver gift wrapped package. Aha! A CD it is indeed! Is there a card attached? (Surely there is. Who sends gifts anonymously?!) I pulled the CD out of its oversized box and held my new toy in my hands for the first time. I pulled the packing list off of the pretty paper. Yes! There’s the card! And what do you know – my guess on the sender was right. How fun!

(Clearly, it doesn’t take much to make my day!)

Should I hold you close, should I push you away?

Posted on by Carla Jean Whitley

If you haven’t noticed already, let me clue you in: I’m a bit of a music geek. I beam when commended for my CD collection. I burn mixed CDs for every occasion. I troll local music stores for fun. When a tornado warning is in effect, I take my guitar and CD collection to my ‘safe place’ with me. Yeah, I guess I’m a little weird.

Another indicator of my ever increasing geek status: just how often do I write about music? Can’t I talk about something else for a change?

(Yes, you should consider yourself warned. More music inspired ramblings are to follow.)

I am constantly surrounded by music. It’s on in my car, in my bedroom, when I’m sitting around with friends, while I shower, when I cook, while I write. I relate to it, okay? I know I’m not alone in this ‘ most people do.

But you know what I’ve realized lately? So many of the songs out there are about male ‘ female relationships. Think about it ‘ how many songs can you think of in the next minute that aren’t sung from a guy to a girl, or vice versa? (CCM songs don’t count. And y’know, even some of those are about boys and girls.) Ready? Go.

Okay, I came up with two ‘ ‘Reasons Why’ (Nickel Creek) and ‘Just the Two of Us’ (Will Smith). I know there’s more out there, but the point of this exercise was to illustrate the vast imbalance. How many songs did you think of and have to rule out? Yeah, me too.

Y’know, I can relate to these relationship songs in many ways. Though I haven’t dated in ages, I’ve had a few crushes over the past several years. Songs like ‘Complicated’ (Carolyn Dawn Johnson) and ‘New Favorite’ (Alison Krauss) are suited to my situation.

Even the songs that are more specifically about two people who are dating/married/in love I am able to appreciate. I’ve dated before, and God knows I have the desire to fall in love and get married someday. But right now, those two things are far removed from me. I’ve never experienced either of them before, and while they would be welcome, I don’t anticipate doing so in the near future.

I don’t really have a point to this story, a lesson to be learned. I don’t imagine singing a song about my real great blue shirt would have as much impact or popularity as a song about a guy who I’m interested in. Such is the plight of the songwriter, I suppose. But I do have to ask myself: will my views on these songs be altered when I am with someone?

Two chords and the truth

Posted on by Carla Jean Whitley

My fingers are feeling a bit sore from pounding away on my guitar strings, so I thought I’d pause for a moment and record some thoughts.

I’m a beginning guitarist. Although I’ve owned mine for almost a year, I have yet to learn even one song. I practice my scales and periodically run through chord progressions, but anything beyond that finds me frustrated with my lack of ability.

I don’t want to learn to play the cheesy songs that are included in my guitar instruction book. I have no motivation to perform ‘Jingle Bells’ or ‘Old MacDonald Had a Farm.’ These are not the songs that inspired me to drop a few hundred on a guitar. (Sadly, those that were my motivation are too complex for a novice like me.)

Purchasing a guitar wasn’t something that I approached flippantly, either. Perhaps I’m a bit strange for saying so, but it was certainly a decision that I spent many weeks praying over. Pardon me if I’m over-spiritualizing this, but it’s almost like a calling of sorts. I need to be able to pick up that piece of wood and use it to illustrate what I’m feeling. It’s like an extension of who I am’.

‘.only it’s not ‘ not yet. My progress is slow, but my dreams are many. I will not give up ‘ that’s precisely the reason I invested so much into this endeavor in the first place, so that I wouldn’t abandon it. It seems strange to say that I feel almost sinful when I go days or even weeks without practice ‘ but I do. Playing those scales and practicing those chord progressions is somehow worshipful in my heart.

No, I won’t give up. The scent of guitar strings on my left hand calls me out. I must press on.

The rest is mine, I guess, the beauty and the mess, to hide

Posted on by Carla Jean Whitley

Writing is, in many ways, similar to performing. The differences are what stand out immediately, of course. But the commonalities, though subtle, are difficult to ignore.

When I write, you see only as much of me as I’m willing to reveal. Using my words, I can paint a picture for you of the person I want you to see. I give away bits of who I am, but only at my discretion.

The same can be said of daily life, I suppose, but the effect is more extreme when a paper and pen stand between us. You can’t see the pieces of me revealed in how I interact with others, my facial expressions, or the way I carry myself. You might glean some insight into who this girl is, but I wonder how much your understanding would be increased, were we face to face.

Just the same, this is the life I’ve chosen. The black Papermate I hold is my tool for communicating, not only about my desires and dreams, but about what excites me, the things that invoke my passion.

How much of me is revealed through that is an ongoing mystery.

And then you change…

Posted on by Carla Jean Whitley

My musical tastes are evolving.

Have you ever experienced this? Upon the recommendation of a friend, or perhaps a brief listen, you select a new CD for yourself. As time goes on, you find yourself listening to this CD more and more frequently. Dissatisfaction in the rest of your collection takes root. Radio becomes all but unbearable. Sometimes slowly, but altogether certainly, this single CD begins to revolutionize your taste in music.

For me, it was Nickel Creek’s self titled release. I clearly recall listening to a couple of tracks in my bedroom after my friend Amanda proudly displayed her new purchase. The next day, I had in my possession the very same disc. There was no looking back.

Caedmon’s Call finally entered my radar shortly thereafter, and within several months, John Mayer had registered on my good music detector. Solo releases of Creek members found their way into my CD collection, and another Nickel Creek album was released and purchased almost as soon as it hit shelves. Fast forward several months more, and my CD collection is expanding at a rate so rapid that it can hardly contain itself.

I’ve tried many times to express how powerful music is, but I simply cannot harness that image with words. To be sure, it makes me think, it challenges me to be true to myself, and it calls me to get out my pen and write. Music is a type of beauty in this world that is so powerful that I find it difficult to compare with much else. My words are futile.