My friends in The Myriad sent me over this little video and I’d love to know your thoughts.

Steven, their guitar player mentioned that they did a video specifically addressing the issues of factory farming and that surprisingly its been a little controversial among Christians.  I’m curious what the crowd here thinks.

And while we’re here talking about The Myriad boys, they are out on tour right now with another guy you need to check out named Tyrone Wells.  Tyrone used to be in band called Sypark, but his solo stuff is ridiculous.  Check out their dates and see if they are coming close to you…. and then you must go and tell them hey for me.

So back to the original point of this post.  Factory farming and cruelty to animals?  Controversial or a no-brainer?

Ready?  Go.

Most of you know that about a year ago I was on tour with Phil and David Crowder.  Well, the band that opened for the tour, and the band that I shared a bus with for 2 months was a band called The Myriad.  It was a short tour, but in that time I got to know the guys really well and they became good friends.  Randy, their drummer, was no exception.  He’s an amazing guy and quite possibly one of the nicest people I have ever met.  I wrote it then and I will say it again.  One of the things that stuck out to me the most about Randy was his passion for his family.  He was constantly talking about how much he was in love with his kids and wife.  They even came out to the tour for a while and he was completely wrapped up in them.  

Well yesterday I received some of the saddest news I have ever heard in a long time.  I got this email from Steven, their guitar player and I am urging anyone who can help to do so.

Friends and family,

As some of you may have heard, our band mate Randy Miller had a tumor removed from his upper torso near his shoulder on Friday. Initial analysis has come back that the tumor is cancerous. The specific type is still being determined and we will keep you all informed as we know more. We ask for your support and prayers for Randy, his wife Kristyn, and children Connor and Gillian during this time.

There are immediate and ongoing financial needs for the Miller family. For this reason, a fund has been set up through The Stirring, a non-profit organization in Redding, CA. There are a few different ways you can send tax deductible donations to the family. One is online at www.thestirring.org . Located to the bottom right of the main page you will see “ONLINE GIVING”. If you click on this link you will be directed to a secure page where you can set up an onlinegiving account. Once the account is set up you will see the “RANDY MILLER FUND” and be able to send secure, tax deductible donations to the family through this organization. Tax deductible donations can also be sent in the form of a check to:

The Stirring
RE: Randy Miller
3468 Bechelli Lane Suite E
Redding, CA 96002

Please specify “Randy Miller Fund” in the check memo. Any financial support you can give in order to help the Miller’s through this difficult time is appreciated.

Now, I know for a fact that musicians are not covered with the greatest medical insurance in the world and I know that’s something that needs to be dealt with.  Now I know there are plenty of people on here that are able to help, and I encourage you to take some time to think about if there is anything you can do to help.  If nothing else, your prayers would be greatly appreciated.

Remember my friend John from The Myriad?  Well, check this out.  John wrote a book.  How cool is that?  I haven’t had a chance to check it out yet because Amazon won’t let me read parts of it, and I haven’t left the house to get to Borders yet, but I’m excited to check it out.

John is an amazing guy.  We had such a great time on the tour that we were on together, and continue to stay in touch.  I swear the guy needs his own TV show where he just sits and talks to the camera for an hour or so.  He has so many stories, some of which I hope, for your sake, are not in the book, and has an amazing way of telling them.  He also has a great story about how he once almost met Ving Rhames before he was doing Quizno’s commercials.

So, if you get a chance, check out John’s book and then purchase it.  I’ve got some running around to do today so hopefully I will have time to check it out.  If anyone is able to get it or check it out let us all know what you think.  

Have a great Thursday.  

Great job guys.

*Click Picture to go to the video.  They didn’t let me embed it*

I forgot to tell you about our Jackass moment last night.  Steven from The Myriad and I “tased” ourselves.  That’s right, with a 650,000 volt taser.  

One of the guys in Eisley picked it up at a surplus store and we thought it was a good idea to try it out.  Steven had done it earlier in the day and convinced me that it wasn’t that bad, by doing it again on the back of his calf. After a good ten minutes or so of talking me into it, I gave it a shot. I mean how bad can it really be? It’s only 650,000 Volts of electricity shooting into your body, right? Plus there’s nothing more funny than a bunch of thirty year old guys standing in an alley in downtown Nashville tasering themselves.

So check another thing off the list of things I have never done. I can’t say I’ve never “tased” myself again. What a moment. Oh yeah, and guess what? It freaking hurt. You can check out Steven’s encounter here.  Good times.

So let’s hear it. Have you ever “tased” yourself?

The last time I saw these guys was at the end of the tour that will forever be the standard on which all other tours will be compared.  The Myriad  are a week in on a tour with another band called Eisley and came to town last night.  It was awesome to see them again.  It had been too long since we hung out.

They played a great show, then we got to hang out and Daley and I were able to grab some pizza with them afterward. From what I can tell they are still doing great from the MTV Breakout Band thing, and having a great time on the road. Their album comes out in May, and we got to take a look at it last night. Magical creatures are awesome. I will let you know when that comes out.

They are on tour now, so check the schedule and go say hi for me. It’s a great show.

The Myriad – “A Clean Shot”

Congratulations guys.

Well, check this junk out! It’s an honor.