April First
I’m not a big ‘prankster’. I have never been really good at it, and when I am in the middle of pulling off some sort of prank, I usually feel bad and then tell someone. I suck at it really. Except for last year. Anyone remember this?
Here’s the funny thing about that prank and what happened after. See, Kristin didn’t think that keeping it going very long was a good idea, and like normal, she was probably right. I pulled the plug earlier than I was going to and told everyone it was a joke. Come to find out that there were literally people all over the country gathering money together to help me stay out of jail. See how awesome you people are?
Now, that story is an example I have used a million times in meetings with people about starting blogs. That’s an amazing community and it completely blew me away that readers of this thing would offer to give money to keep me out of jail. Even if it was a joke and they should hate me for it. I love the new faces that have shown up since then, and the folks that for whatever reason keep coming back.
And since I’m not that great of a ‘prankster’ I want to hear some of your stories. What’s the best prank you have ever pulled off, or had pulled on you?
Ready? Go.
Donny, Marie And The Bellagio
So, last night after the show we ran over to the Flamingo Hotel and Casino, to meet Donny & Marie Osmond. Apparently Marie is a big fan of MercyMe, and wanted to meet the guys. And really, who are we to say no?
Now, to be honest with you, I don’t know much about these two, but I do know they are a pretty big deal to my mom, and the MercyMe guys were pretty nervous to meet them. We ended up hanging out for about twenty minutes or so, but they seemed super nice and were willing to let us take about a hundred pictures.
After that we walked over to the Bellagio and watched the fountains do their thing, which happened to be my favorite part of the night. I could watch that over and over. 
Today we are in Fresno, where I’m hoping to grab some lunch with some BlogNation members then headed home in the morning. I’m super excited to get home, but this has been a pretty cool run of shows. I’m thrilled with the way the tour’s ‘online life’ is going and I think it’s really shaking some things up. For now, I’ve got to go find a shower to get this Vegas off of me before lunch.
When In Vegas…
So, here we are in Vegas for the day and I thought I’d throw out a question for you. Gambling. What are your thoughts on it?
Now, here’s the thing. I know that, to some, gambling can become an addiction. I’ve heard stories of families wrecked, finances wrecked and all that, and obviously I’m not talking about that type of gambling. I’m talking about the ‘take a selected amount of money and play until you either win or it’s gone’ type of gambling. ”Responsible”, “playing for entertainment” type of gambling. That’s what I’m wondering about.
So that’s my question. Where do you stand on playing the games in Vegas. I’m guessing I won’t have time for any of it anyway so I thought I’d ask around.
Ready? Go.
The Mobile Roadshow
So, some of you might not care about this, but tonight was the first night that The Roadshow was not only broadcast online, but was also broadcast as a Feature on the Ustream iPhone App. What’s that mean for you? Well, nothing if you are watching it online, but for those of you tech nerds out there like me, this is pretty awesome. See, now, for the rest of the tour, not only will the show be online, but it can also be found on the iPhone. For nerds like me, this is awesome.
Tonight’s show was pretty amazing. Twelve thousand five hundred people or so, singing as loud as they possibly can. I’m continually blown away by the turn outs at these shows and the amazing crowds that bring it. I love being a part of this.
Tomorrow is Vegas. See you tomorrow night.
Chairs
So, I don’t think anyone who has been on tour with a camera hasn’t taken this picture, but tonight I was walking around getting pictures for something that we wanted to try out on The Roadshow Blog, that turns out, only works with a PC. Seriously? Who makes things ‘only’ for a PC??! But if you’re running Windows or something check out this cool little thing we have going over there. All us Mac people are out of luck.
Today we were in Ontario, CA. I’m really, really not a fan of Southern California and anyone who knows me knows that I have never been. Something about it, just rubs me the wrong way and I don’t love being here. Now, before you all freak out and say that I’m a jerk, let me say this. I do happen to know some pretty amazing people that live here, but I just wish they would come live next to me. Throw your stones, or whatever. I just have a hard time with the ‘culture’ here. Sorry for the mini-rant, but I’m tired and ready to see my family.
We had a great show tonight though. Another sold out crowd, right at 9,000 people. There’s still something about that many people singing in a room that blows me away. My favorite part of the night and easily makes all of this work worth it. Anyway, I’m pretty tired tonight and headed to the bus. Tomorrow is Phoenix, which I can never spell right the first time.
Blog Nation Tweet And Greet
So a few days ago on the MercyMe blog we introduced “The MercyMe Tweet & Greet”, and things have been going awesome with that. But today I wanted to mention something a little more involved and something I’m really excited about. I won’t give too many details, but let’s just say The BlogNation Tweet&Greet is going to be AWESOME! Now we are a little ways off from the actual “launch”, but be warned… you will love it!
Meanwhile, check out this pretty cool article about the way Twitter has infiltrated the celebrity world and how they are using it. Even the real Shaq-Attack is getting quite involved. I’m loving watching this whole Twitter thing unfold and I love trying out new things almost daily.
Today, we have a day off in Sacramento and my sister and parents came down and got me. Laundry at my parents, some catching up on work and maybe catching up on a little rest too. Bus call tonight at 3am and then on to L.A.
Oh yeah, one more thing. Turns out there has been a ‘BlogNation’ Facebook Page set up and I have no idea what to do with it. So if there is any “Facebook magicians” out there that want to help out with BlogNation, let’s hear from you. Email me from the contact page on this blog.
Enjoy your Tuesday… or whatever day it is.
iPod Night
So, last night we were told to be out of the venue last night at midnight but the busses weren’t leaving until three in the morning. What to do? I suppose the sensible thing to do would be to go to bed and get some rest starting out our couple days off, but this was the first chunk of ‘downtime’ the crew guys have had all week so it was time for some hanging out. So, you want to know what a bunch of music crew nerds do when there’s downtime in the middle of the night? Well, I’ll tell you what we do.
Last night six or seven of us gathered around the front lounge of our bus. Each with our laptops or iPods in hand and a chord to the bus sound system was passed around the circle. Each guy gets a turn to play one song that he likes and wants to share with the group. At any point the song could be vetoed, and if it’s vetoed by two or more people, the guy playing would lose his turn and the chord would be passed to the next guy. Three veto’s and your ‘out’, you don’t get to play any more. Pretty basic, but an amazing way to share, and learn about new amazing music.
We got on the bus at midnight and the last song was played at about four-thirty this morning as the bus was cruising down central Oregon. Needless to say we all slept in pretty well this morning, but all with a list of new music to go out and buy.
Today we’re in Ashland, OR for the day off and we haven’t done much. Brent and Tam and their two cool kids came down in from Medford for lunch and just left. Now it’s almost time for dinner, and maybe getting back on the bus for another iPod night. A little different than most Monday’s, but it’s good to have a much needed rest.
Blog Nation
So here we are a week into this tour and already Kyle and I have found ourselves a ‘nickname’ of sorts. Typically we are the ones sitting in the corner behind laptops, typing away or following someone around with a camera. Inevitably someone will yell from across the room, ‘Blog Nation‘. It’s more just usually the room we are in or something like that, but I think the name’s going to stick. Tonight I decided that ‘Blog Nation’ is the name of those helping turn this whole “touring / blogging / industry” thing upside down. And I love it.
Tonight everyone watching the show online brought it. They spread the word faster and more than I have seen in a long time. So much so that I had a hard time keeping up with the chat. I also saw and talked with some major players in the Christian Music Industry that were stopping in to see what was going on. I was completely blown away. Tonight will go down as something special to me, and I’m pretty sure it’s changing things.
So thanks to everyone that showed up tonight and helped make this thing crazy. This is what I love about the grass-roots type of interaction. All of the sudden people have to pay attention to what we are doing. We are ‘Blog Nation’. Now all we need are shirts.
Seattle
I woke up this morning to the bus stopping at 6:50 and a bunch of commotion and orders that we needed to get up and be inside a radio station in twenty minutes. That’s how my day started and here it is 11:30 and I’m still going like crazy. Today was a long one. Three different radio stations, the first ever MercyMe Tweet & Greet, a pretty cool contest that we will show you tomorrow on The Roadhshow Blog, and then of course, the show and broadcast. All that to say, it’s been a long day. That’s for sure.
And on top of it, We’re here in Seattle and I haven’t had a chance to get one cup of coffee. Seriously. There’s something wrong with that. In fact, I don’t think I have had a cup of coffee yet on this tour, and to be quite honest, I’m a little sad about that.
Tomorrow we are headed for Boise, ID. I’ve only been there once, but I’m hoping it has some coffee. Sorry for the play by play post tonight. I promise something a little more exciting once I’m not too tired to think. I did just catch wind that a one Mr. Steve Fee just landed in Seattle to play a show at this same arena tomorrow night. I think he might be on his way over to hang out before we leave. I wonder if he’ll bring me coffee.
