It’s almost the same as jumping off a high rock or bridge into a river. Ideally you’d check out to see where it is that you are going to be landing… but where’s the fun in that?

Last night Randy and I stopped by a birthday party with these guys.  It was their managers birthday and they were in town for a golf tournament or something going on today.  Originally we were just going to stop in, give our birthday wishes and be on our way, but when we got there they were all in a meeting with some folks from this place.  

While they were all meeting, Randy and I wandered off and came across this zip line thing at the back of the property.  Naturally without checking how how we were going to stop, I hopped on and brought the camera with me.  Turns out, you are supposed to have someone at the bottom there to stop you.

Later a few of the MercyMe guys went on it and I think they got some video too.  I’m sure it will end up on their blog at some point.  But for now, here’s Randy and I instantly turning into twelve year olds.

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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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It’s working! And let me tell you why.

I have had the opportunity to work with some amazingly talented people that are totally believing in what I am doing, and jumping in with both feet.  Today was a day that proved to me that what we are doing is working, and I am totally excited about it.

A couple things I would like to point out that I am really excited about is first, see the yellow writing on that picture over there?  Phil made an amazing video the other day while we were sitting in his hotel room talking about blog ideas.  So far in the past two and a half days the video has been viewed almost two thousand times, and was ranked number ninety of the most viewed musicians on YouTube.  What the crap?!  In all of Youtube! You know… in the entire world and stuff. I love it. Also, Phil made an announcement on his blog tonight that will, I believe, will revolutionize and solidify his “presence” in the Christian music industry, and I love that I get to be a part of it.

Secondly, Natalie who took home the Dove Award for “Female Vocalist Of The Year”, reached a new high on her blog today, totaling over four-thousand people.  Four-Thousand.  Amazing talent and I love that I am allowed to be involved in a small part of her career this way.  It’s amazing to see this stuff working.

And third, my father-in-law called me on the way home from Blue’s baseball game and told me that MercyMe’s blog was being featured and talked about on Total Axxess.  Now for those of you that don’t know, Total Axxess, from what I understand, isn’t just a Nashville thing.  It’s broadcast from here, but is all over the country and that’s a big deal I think.  I’m not sure all that was said but I would have loved to have heard it.  Any of you hear it?  And what’s cool to see is even all the industry folks coming to their blog including other artists.  Today Aaron Shust even commented.

So anyway, I just love to see things working and I love to be a part of helping these amazingly talented people get out into the world wide internets a little better.  It’s been a good day and now I am off to bed.  

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Hey there. I haven’t been around much at all. Obviously today is Tuesday and I haven’t posted anything for “Positive Post Tuesday”, though many of you have. I don’t have a whole lot of time right now to post, but I did want to point out a guy that I have been hanging out with all week and has been a friend of mine for a couple years, Wes.

Wes is the production manager for MercyMe and basically runs around and makes sure everything works at a show.  I first met Wes on the Third Day tour.  He was helping out on that tour and we hung out quite a bit.  After the tour ended we kept in contact and eventually Wes was the one that offered me the job with MercyMe.  The last couple days Wes hasn’t had much to do because MercyMe hasn’t really done anything that requires him setting anything up, so him and I have had some time to hang out.  We went to the shows last night together and hung out the night before.  

Wes is Texas to me.  He’s a super cool laid back guy, but as intense as they come when he’s mad.  Being on two different tours with him, I have seen a bunch of different emotion and every one makes me laugh.  He’s got the thick accent, and loves all things Texas.  One thing that has always stuck out to me an even continues to is Wes’ work ethic.  There are very few people in the industry that work as hard as Wes.  He is always running around at shows making sure things are in order.  For what ever reason it is Wes and I have just clicked and it’s great to continue to be able to work together on some level.  Check out MercyMe’s Crew Blog and say hey to Wes for me.  

Sorry this “Positive Post Tuesday” took so long.  It’s been a weird week.  Even if you don’t get to it today, write something and get it on here.  It’s the thought that counts, right? So let’s see what you’ve got.  You know the drill.  Ready?  Go.

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Last night Kristin and I took the boys to Jackson, TN to say hey to the MercyMe guys and try doing some internet-y things in a place with no internet.  It didn’t really work.  The show ended about eleven and then we had about a two and a half hour drive back.  The boys were asleep before we left the parking lot and Kristin and I have always traveled better with snacks.  We stopped and got some SunChips and Gatorade.  I picked strawberry.  

Now, I’ve had a lot of Gatorade in my day, and I’ve never really paid much attention to a “favorite flavor”, but last night it occurred to me that I don’t think there are different flavors of Gatorade. I think they are all the same flavor, just with bright colors. Honestly I don’t know if I have ever tasted a difference. I mean, seriously. Anyone out there really have a favorite Gatorade flavor? Can anyone tell a difference? Then Gatorade got really creative and decided to go with the clear Gatorade flavors which, consistent with the rest, all taste the same, only now the only difference is the bright label, rather than the bright liquid. Genius.

This week is picking up and I don’t even know my entire schedule. All I know is there are plenty of things going on and I have to be at a handful of them. Hopefully by the end of the day I will have a decent idea as to what I am doing. And hopefully I will have something more interesting than Gatorade to talk about.

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This week is a busy time here in Nashville. Everyone that lives here can attest to that. It’s GMA week and even if you don’t have anything you have to do, everyone from the industry is here doing things they have to do, and it’s like a big reunion.

So far I have managed to keep my calendar pretty open but I know that it will fill up fast. Yesterday I had a great lunch (meeting) with Spence about blogging and social networking and all that.  I love talking with people that “get it” and I don’t look like a crazy person when I am talking about blogging.  Today is pretty free, but I have a lot of things to get done before the weekend.  Then tomorrow, I will be headed to Chattanooga to hang out with these guys and their crew and answer a few questions.  These guys will be there too so I’m excited about that.  Then on Saturday I will head to Jackson, TN where these guys and these guys are playing a show together, so that will be fun.  Stay tuned because I heard that there might be some MercyMeTV stuff going on that day.  Sunday I have a meeting with one of those mass text messaging companies to talk about… well… mass text messaging, and Monday there are a few different options of things that might happen.  That will start the week, and from there I’m sure it will get busier.

 I know a few people have contacted me who are coming to town for GMA Week, but if you are in town let me know on my contact page. Maybe if we get enough people here we can do a blogging dinner get-together type thing. You know a big group of us.  

 Have a great morning.

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Kristin and I had plans to head to Atlanta this morning. With Winter Jam going on down there, the guys in MercyMe were planning on doing some stuff during the day that I was going to go down and take pictures at. Obviously with the crazy storms down there last night, we not only aren’t going but there isn’t much going on down there.

We have a bunch of friends down there especially since the tour stop was there tonight, so be sure to pray for everyone down there affected.

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I’m driving to Knoxville today. It will be about an eight hour, round trip. The other day MercyMe had a show cancel there, but not before their merch manager had over five thousand CD’s shipped to the venue. So I agreed to rent a truck, and drive out there to get them.

The band is flying in tonight so I will meet them and the bus late tonight and give them the CD’s, then head home. Sounds like a pretty exciting day huh? It actually will be kind of cool to have some time to just drive and think. Later this week Winter Jam is in Nashville so that will be fun to take the boys to.

Can you tell I can’t think of anything to talk about?

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(HT:MM)

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