I spent the last week putting a lot of effort into my podcast. Fortunately, my efforts are starting to pay off. After some tweaking, I managed to get the show listed on iTunes. This required some fine-tuning on my part. Although I already had a logo designed for the podcast, I had to revise the RSS Feed so it would actually include the image. I could go on, but it's a lot of technical stuff I'm sure you're not particularly interested in. Moving right along...

I also decided to set up a Facebook fan page for those who are interested in interacting that way. Facebook, of course, is one of the most popular social networking sites on the Internet, and it just so happens that it's a great place to get the word out about a project as well. Make sure to 'like' the podcast!

Finally, I also got roped into creating a Flickr account. I will be uploading some day-to-day photos as well as candid shots from the studio. I will be putting a widget up on my social network page, if you'd like to check it out.

I'm still on the lookout for sponsors, affiliates and advertisers for the show, but I'm sure it will come in due time. Right now I am simply attempting to build listenership through word of mouth. If you haven't already, go have a listen, and make sure to leave a comment. Thanks!

This last week was rather eventful. I was preparing for a fundraiser performance on Saturday and concurrently writing some new material. It's not that I don't like playing my older songs, it's just that they don't always reflect where I am in life right now. Songs like "Six Sides" and "Clay to Mold" have long been staples in my set, and I'm sure they will continue to be, but on Saturday, I did not perform any material from Shipwrecked... Instead, I unleashed 3 brand new songs on fans and onlookers.

But let's get back on track. Amidst writing new material and preparing for the performance, I was also looking for work. I finally visited CrossIron Mills and dropped off a few resumes. On Friday, I recorded a new podcast episode with Keith Skrastins. You may want to check out the podcast blog if you haven't subscribed yet, so you can keep up-to-date with current episodes. In any case, this only added to the chaos that was already a busy week.

On Saturday, I went to a Stampede breakfast. I decided that I wanted to visit some old friends, and, well - let's face it - I needed to eat. From there I proceeded to my favorite music store, Long & McQuade, to rent a Taylor acoustic guitar for the performance. Then I went to a friend's wedding. Then I spent the rest of the day helping my friend organize her event until I hit the stage. The event ran until l2:00 AM and suffice to say I was not in bed until 1:30. But I'm a trooper, and still got up at 6:30 to play on the CLC worship team for the Sunday services.

Anyway, I think you get the idea. Things have been a little slower today, so I've been working on things around the house and organizing the mailing list. You can expect the latest newsletter some time this week!

I've had a lot of questions on the subject, and it's been a long time since I've talked about it, so here's the lowdown on my upcoming release, Back on Solid Ground:

• I have a written plan mapped out for the entire project including: objectives, goals, financial, and promotional efforts.
• 3 tracks are already complete and require no further work except for mixing and mastering.
• The remaining tracks require vocals, keyboards, and possibly some percussion work. There is only 1 track that may need some additional percussion, and there are only 2 tracks that I'm thinking about adding keyboard to.

I'd like to think that we're on the home stretch. In the next couple months, I will be singing up a storm in order to get worthy takes on each of the tracks.

As far as the ETA is concerned, I still don't know. I would love to see it come out this year, but that's not a guarantee. It was a very ambitious undertaking to begin with, and because it has taken so long, it has drained a lot of my resources. I won't lie; I was also working on a lot of other projects while putting together the album. I ended up dropping a lot of those things in the last few months, however.

Regardless, I'm optimistic that I will be putting out a few more demos this year. Make sure to grab my RSS feed and keep updated on that front.

If you have any other questions, feel free to leave a comment and I will respond to it.

My backyard was starting to look like a nature preserve, so I decided it was time to take care of the lawn. All I have in my arsenal is a hand push mower and weed-eater. I don't believe a weed-eater was ever designed to cut an entire lawn, but there was no way I could force my way through 3 feet of growth with a hand push mower. Naturally, I ended up using the weed-eater for the entire job.

I like to listen to a bit of music while I do yard work, so I put my iPod on shuffle and went about it. I usually put it on shuffle when I can't decide what to listen to. While I was cutting the grass, a song by Kutless came on. The song really spoke to me, so I decided to listen through the album.

This is going to sound like a bit of a detour, but I promise it will all fit together at the end (maybe). While I was working outside, I got to thinking about my current financial situation. I've seen God work miracles in it, but I've also hit a couple of lower points in the last 10 months. I am currently in the middle of another low point.

It's easy to feel discouraged when things aren't going exactly as you planned. I am thankful that I have a roommate who pays me rent, and I still have students to teach (at least until the end of June), but in the mean time I'm not sure how I'm going to pay my bills.

I got to thinking about how a lot of people are in a tough place financially right now. Certainly, my family is struggling at the moment. Those of you who know me know that I've been shrugging this economic recession off as the "imagined recession", but I know that's not entirely fair to those who have lost their jobs, or are struggling to make ends meet. I am also facing that reality.

While I was listening to the Kutless album, a song called "What Faith Can Do" came on. Here is an excerpt of the lyrics:

I've seen dreams that move the mountains
Hope that doesn't ever end
Even when the sky is falling
I've seen miracles just happen
Silent prayers get answered
Broken hearts become brand new
That's what faith can do

It's important to keep your faith in God - even when things are tough - because that's what He works with. My problem is very real, but I believe that God can turn it around.

Another detour. Earlier this month, I was talking to God about what to do with my summer, and I believe this is what He told me:

1. Go and work at the AYF Youth Camp
2. Go fishing

At this point, I'm not sure how I can do either of these things without the finances. Now I'm getting to my point.

I'm going to be looking for summer work in the coming weeks, but I would also ask you to prayerfully consider hiring me this summer. I've been told I'm pretty decent at guitar, so if you are having a BBQ, a birthday party, a house party, a corporate function or any kind of event that requires music, please consider bringing me out. I promise my rates are reasonable, and it doesn't even need to be a formal concert format. I could simply mingle among your friends, and add a little atmosphere to the party. Send me an email and we can talk more.

Additionally, I will gladly do some of your grunt work for a fair price. If you need to get your lawn mowed, fences painted, or anything to that extent, you can email me. I'm also pretty good with computers. Is your computer running slow? Do you need a website? Graphics? Just email me, and we can work something out.

Thanks for reading, and I hope you have a blessed summer. If you're the praying type, please continue to pray for me and keep me in your thoughts. There are a lot of things going on right now, and I could certainly use the support. Thanks!

"Summer (I'll Be Waiting)" is a "fresh" sounding track, according to my roommate Phil.

Up until this point in my musical journey, my primary interest has been in the 80s. Sure, at times I played Blues or Jazz or even Country, but it always came back to the Melodic Hard Rock of the 80s. There's nothing wrong with that, of course, but I've been inclined to try my hand at a new sound.

"Summer" is the embodiment of this idea. It's closer to Pop, or even the Post-Punk genre that is currently dominating the iPods of teens everywhere.

As for the significance of the song, it's basically a song about youth. I will leave the rest for you to interpret, but suffice to say there is a deeper emotional connection to this song for me.

Download Summer (I'll Be Waiting) (5.39 MB)