So check this out.  My friend Kyle pointed out yesterday that over on the Crowder guys MySpace they have posted a few of the pictures that I took on the tour with them.  Now, normally I wouldn’t condone clicking on any link that says the words “My” and “Space” together, but in this case I can make an exception.

It’s pretty cool to see the times that I decided to push a button on a camera have turned into something that they like and are using.  They have about two-hundred photos so hopefully more pop up in the future.

There is also a little rumor floating around that several of the pics that I took will be featured in the DVD due out August 19th.  Okay it’s not really a rumor.  It’s true, and they said that they would send me some to check out.  Maybe we can do a little giveaway thing on here like BooMama does.  

So anyway.  This time and this time only, head over to MySpace, log in several times, sign away your first born, be blasted with music starting, slowing down your browser, and crashing your computer, then check out some pictures I took.

Enjoy.

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We just launched the new Connersvine.com today and I think it’s one of the coolest that Randy has come up with.  I just got off the phone with Chris and I interrupted his “Home Improvement” watching, and he told me to make sure all of you went over and said hi to him and Hunter.  So here I am, officially telling you all to go harass  Chris about spending his afternoon watching Home Improvement and not blogging.

Check out the new Connversvine.com and let us know what you think.

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Alright folks.  I know it’s been a while, but we need your help again.  Late last night we launched Fee’s new site and we need your help getting the word out.  It starts here and I know a lot of you already are linking to the guys, but if you aren’t make sure to start sending people their way.  Randy spent a lot of time and energy on this one over the past few weeks and I think it’s something pretty cool and different for the guys.

So head over there and say hi and don’t forget to link back.  Thanks for helping get the word out.

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Tonight I’m flying to Canton, Ohio tonight to meet up with Mr. Wickham and his band of merry men to watch them play some music.  They are playing with a whole bunch of other people tomorrow in the hot summer heat of Ohio.  Phil and I have lots of stuff to talk about and it should be pretty fun to catch up and see him with a band again.  I think the Crowder boys will be there too so it will be like a big ol’ reunion.  

Anyone from the area reading this?  If so I will be hanging out at some point near Phil’s merch table.  Come say hi.  I’ll be the guy dressed in long pants and a sweatshirt.  You got any festival plans this year?

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Thanks to this guy, I am addicted to this record right now.  I’m not sure how I haven’t heard of Katie Herzig before but we just got her album the other day and it’s pretty amazing.  So if you are like me and haven’t heard listened to Katie Herzig, you need to. Turns out this album just came out a few weeks ago, so if you don’t have it there’s your music recommendation for the week.

What album are you hooked on this week?

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I posted this to strictly show how amazing the editing is. I don’t necessarily think the President makes sounds like a monkey, or anything like that. Don’t yell at me.

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I didn’t get a chance to talk about Death Cab’s new record much because we were traveling, but I did want to point out a few things.  The album is good, but not their best.  I will say this; it takes me a few listens for their albums to grow on me and I have only listened through the whole thing four or five times.  With that being said, here’s my top songs on the new record in the order that I think they deserve.

1. Cath… -
Ben Gibbard is a brilliant writer but this is the best verse on the entire record in my opinion: 
Cath…
She stands with a well intentioned man
But she can’t relax with his hand on the small of her back
As the flashbulbs burst she holds a smile
Like someone would hold a crying child

Brilliant!

2. The Ice Is Getting Thinner 
3. Bixby Canyon Bridge
4. Your New Twin Sized Bed 

Now here’s the deal though.  Most people think that Death Cab have only made two records.  If you are one of those people allow me to recommend some  amazing listening.  First of all, in my opinion the best Death Cab record, hands down, no questions, is The Photo Album.  If the song “Styrofoam Plates” doesn’t wreck you I don’t know what will.  Easily one of their best songs.  Also the album Transatlanticism is a must have.  They have a few other records but those are the two worth checking out if you haven’t.

Here’s my top Death Cab songs if you are interested. 

10. Title And Registration (Transatlanticism)
9. Why You’d Want To Live Here (The Photo Album)
8. We Laugh Indoors (The Photo Album)
7. Information Travels Faster (The Photo Album)
6. The Ice Is Getting Thinner (Narrow Stairs)
5. Brothers On A Hotel Bed (Plans)
4. Cath… (Narrow Stairs)
3. What Sarah Said (Plans)
2. I Will Follow You Into The Dark (Plans)
1. Styrofoam Plates (The Photo Album

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I took this picture about thirty minutes ago.  Vince Gill is in the studio with Bart today recording some vocals for Bart’s upcoming hymns record.  From what I can tell Vince is a pretty big deal.  He’s won some awards, hosted some shows, and a bunch of other stuff and seems like a great guy.  Super nice.

 Any Vince Gill fans out there?  Kat, I made sure to tell him to say “hi” to Amy for you.

We just finished lunch and now it’s time for Bart to sing.

**Oh Yeah… And Look What I found**

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Last night we launched a new version of MercyMe’s Blog.  These guys have really become sort of the poster guys for what an artists blog should be and we wanted to really step up the features on the blog and cater it to what they want to do.  A couple things worth noting that should be fun for the future.  There is the “Your Pics” section where fans can upload their own pictures of them with the band, or shots they took from shows they were at.  We have a brand new MercyMeTV in the works, and a new feature where folks can add themselves to MercyMe’s blogroll.  Also, Bart announced a couple days ago that they will be doing a “By Request Only” video section, where people can request songs and the band will make a video of them covering that song.  Lots of interaction and lots of what an artist’s blog should be.

Randy really stepped up his game on this one.  It amazes me every time we start thinking of things, Randy somehow makes them all happen. So, if you haven’t, check out the new blog, link to it and go get some link love.

*Part of Creative Choas*

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This song is not the single that’s on the radio.  However, this is the song that should be the single on the radio.  Hopefully I don’t make anyone mad for playing this song, but here’s the deal.  Today’s a big day for these guys.  Their new record came out today and I think you should go buy it.  Here’s why.  

I was sent this record a few weeks back.  Now, I’m not going to lie, it took me a few days to start listening to it and Kristin was really the one that was excited about it first.  It’s not that I didn’t want to listen, I just didn’t find the time.  That was at the beginning of April.  Here it is, nearing the end of May and this record is still in my car in regular rotation.  My kids know every word to every song, and no matter how many times  I hear it, it remains a solid record in my mind.  In fact, I will go as far to say that this is one of the most solid records I have heard in Christian music in a very long time.  Now when I say solid here’s what I mean.  I mean that the first song is the current single, number three is the song that hopefully you have playing right now, number seven blows me away every time I hear it, all the way to number ten being a song I would listen to over and over.  That’s what I mean by a solid record.  I don’t feel like there are any songs on the record that are there just to take up space. 

I had a chance to talk to these guys a little during GMA week, and they seem like pretty down to earth guys.  I mean as much as you can tell guys are down to earth, by talking to them in five minute increments several times.  So anyway, here’s the deal.  This record came out today, and I have been waiting like six weeks to blog about the song that should just be about ending if you are listening through.  Anyway, check them out, and make sure to go get the record.  Like I said, if there is a complete record to buy in Christian music right now, this is it.  Take my word for it.  Have I steered you wrong yet?

Go get it.

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