I'm not necessarily an artist but I tend to look at life like one. I'm a music enthusiast, avid reader, and movie buff.
I'm a die-hard Carolina Panthers fan. I also bleed UNC blue but have been known to support the Deacs when they're not in a head to head match-up with the Heels.
Music
I'm all about listening to and promoting music which honors God and expresses all aspects of a complete walk with Christ. It's been my experience that you can find this in all genres of music. Cookie cutter music generally does nothing for me, although I can enjoy a good pop song done right. But I know that all opinions on this topic are subjective, so when you look at my list below try not to judge me too harshly, alright?
Rich Mullins is, hands down, my favorite musician/artist ever. His lyrics and music continue to give form and shape to my walk with Christ even ten years after his passing. I got to know Rich almost a year before he went to be with God and ten years after discovering his music. The video I've posted is for a song called "Creed" from his record, "A Liturgy, A Legacy, and a Ragamuffin Band" which holds the distinction of being the best record I own. Be God's.
After Rich, there are probably too many favorites to list all of them (if you know me at all, you know this) but I'll try to narrow it down. Please keep in mind that, in some cases, this is not an endorsement of philosophies or lifestyles. This is simply based on music: Jars of Clay, Caedmon's Call, Keith Green, Bob Dylan, Elvis, U2, The Beatles/Lennon, The Black Crowes, Derek Webb, Jimmy Eat World, Delirious?, Third Day, Soundgarden, Smalltown Poets, Mark Heard, Randy Stonehill, Phil Keaggy, Eric Clapton, Bebo Norman, The Wallflowers, The Choir, Lone Justice, The Eagles, Gin Blossoms, Pearl Jam, The Pretenders, Poor Old Lu, Creedence, Earth, Wind & Fire, Switchfoot, David Crowder Band, Skillet, Springsteen, Mellencamp, Van Morrison, Wes King, Steven Curtis Chapman, Counting Crows, Steve Earle, Jackson Browne, Common Children, Petra (Volz era), Burlap to Cashmere/Steven Delopoulos, Jack Johnson, The Temptations, Tom Petty (with and without the Heartbreakers), Bob Seger, Jerry Chapman (hometown boy!), Ashley Cleveland, Steve Taylor, Sixpence, Coldplay, Toad the Wet Sprocket, 77s, Lost Dogs, Altar Boys (and any Mike Stand projects), Larry Norman, Jacob's Trouble, Sara Groves, Supertramp, Rez, PFR, Pierce Pettis, Andrew Peterson, eLi, Charlie Peacock, The Waiting, The O.C. Supertones, dcTalk (and any solo projects), Russ Taff, Hank Williams Sr., Stevie Wonder, Simon and Garfunkel, Sting/The Police and all soundtracks helmed by T Bone Burnett or Cameron Crowe. And that's the short list.
God blessed me by giving me a mom and dad who raised me in a Christ-centered home and fostered my love for music. My mom was our church choir director and pianist. She also sang soprano in a Southern Gospel group. I have a respect for this music although it's not my particular cup of tea. My dad had a gig as "Little Rex, the Singing Cowboy" on WKBC-AM when he was a kid, singing songs by Hank Williams, Little Jimmy Dickens, etc. Sweet.
Movies
O Brother, Where Art Thou-no doubt my favorite, Casablanca, Citizen Kane, Sling Blade, Almost Famous, Spartacus, The Passion of the Christ, Ben-Hur, Unforgiven, High Noon, JAWS, A Christmas Story (watch the marathon every year), National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, Lord of the Rings, The Chronicles of Narnia, Lawrence of Arabia, The Princess Bride, Hoosiers, The Thin Red Line, Shrek/Shrek 2, Spiderman/Spiderman 2, Good Will Hunting, Finding Forrester, The Truman Show, Eddie and the Cruisers, Sideways, That Thing You Do, Falling Down, any Jimmy Stewart movie, anything by Alfred Hitchcock and Tim Burton. I'm a movie fanatic and there are way too many to mention!
Television
I've really cut down on this but but if Lost or The Office are on, I'm there. After church I'm usually watching ACC Sunday Night Hoops on Fox Sports South. And I'll always watch reruns of The Little Rascals (Darla was a friend of my Grandma) and Good Times. I still have a J.J. Evans doll circa 1975 complete with denim hat and "Dynomite!" PJs. Scares my wife silly.
Books
The Bible, The Chronicles of Narnia, A Prayer for Owen Meany, Cold Mountain, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, To Kill a Mockingbird, anything by John Steinbeck, Charles Dickens, Mark Twain, Edgar Allen Poe, Frank Peretti, and Ted Dekker. I've become a big fan of Erik Larson's historical novels - The Devil in the White City, Isaac's Storm and Thunderstruck. I have to admit that I'm hooked on the Left Behind series as well. I once interviewed Jeremy Post of the now-defunct band, Model Engine, who said, "I think to be a good writer you have to be a voracious reader." Well, that's me. A voracious reader. I'll leave the part about being a good writer up to God's graciousness and your discernment.
Heroes
So many. Christ above all, although "Hero" doesn't even scratch the surface when it comes to describing Him.
My wife, Angie, my parents, my grandfather David Cleary, and all my pastors and their wives (Gary and Diane Benesh, Wallace and Marty Cole, David and Jennifer Brady) are just a few of the heroes I've known in this world.
I'm blessed to wear several hats. But above everything that I do, I think the best thing that can be said about me is that I've trusted Jesus Christ with everything that I have. Nothing about me or what I do can ever come close to being as important as making that decision. Having said that, God has shown me favor and grace to allow me to serve Him in quite a few ways. God has placed me in a new, vibrant and outwardly focused congregation called Christ Community Church and I'm glad to call it home.
Some of you may know me from WBFJ's Crossroad Radio. For those who don't, XR's format consists of Christian rock, rap, and everything in between. We humbly like to call it "The Best Two Hours of Radio in the Entire World." You can hear the show live every Friday night at www.crossroadradio.com or www.wbfj.fm. For questions and comments about the show, contact me at david@crossroadradio.com. Or here. Here is cool too. One thing that really has me excited is our new "XR Revolution" link on the website. Deke and I will constantly posting new blogs on our "Beats of the Week" (what we've been listening to), as well as music reviews, devotions, and many random thoughts. Go there and join the "Revolution."
Freelance writing is a hobby of mine. If you live in northwest NC or southwest VA, you can catch my column on Christian music in the Good News Journal twice per month. I used to write for CCM and 7 Ball magazines (among others) when I lived in Nashville a few years back.
If you've found this site as a result of reading the Good News Journal, you'll notice that I'll always try to feature my current interview subjects in my "Top Friends". Be sure to check out AMBER DAWSON this time around. Thanks for reading and for all the great feedback.
I make my living as a case manager for people with developmental disabilities, mental illness, and substance abuse issues.
I breathe sometimes too. I have to give a shout out to Coke Zero and Vanilla Frappucino, my current drinks of choice, and, along with the all-surpassing power of God, reasons why I'm able to keep up with all my headgear. Hard to imagine life without them right now.
Hey, David Thanks for being Tyler's friend. We really appreciate the support! Please help spread the word about tyler, and add his banner if you can for his upcoming surgery in Maryland.
If you want to chat with the family visit www.tylertucker.com as we can't respond to all myspace messages due to spam.
Hows things? been a while, finally got news to update you on i suppose so i thought i'd check in!
I'm playing The Fillmore this week in Detroit, then the House of Blues in Dallas and Houston the week after, cool huh? Hopefully i'll be playing G'boro next month, i'll keep you updated, come say hey!
Did you know that the Master's Loft closed?!? I tried to call to get a show lined up, and their store has been closed since Feb. Crazy isn't it? I just got a couple of shows at Cloud 9 if you are interested in coming by. Talk with you soon!
Since we have changed the name of the band our CD is now a collector’s item! If you’re interested, please show your support and Purchase the Sand Timer CD here.
I wanted to personally invite you to this year's Red Letter Rock Fest,
guaranteed to be the best yet with our event expanding to two days
(June 5-6) at The Coliseum in Snyder, Texas, and featuring the
following artists:
SKILLET
FAMILY FORCE 5
AUDIO ADRENALINE TALKS
HAWK NELSON
RED
SUPERCHICK
DISCIPLE
NORMA JEAN
HASTE THE DAY
MAYLENE AND THE SONS OF DISASTER
SPOKEN
DECYFER DOWN
A SPECIAL MYSTERY ARTIST
and MANY MORE!
Full-event
tickets are $30 IN ADVANCE and may be purchased at Mardel in ABILENE,
LUBBOCK, and MIDLAND; Family Christian Bookstore in SAN ANGELO; The
Master's Touch in BIG SPRING; SunTrax in SNYDER; or ONLINE at www.itickets.com/RedLetterRock. For more information, please visit our website at www.redletterrockfest.com, and let us know if you have any further questions.
Hopefully see you soon,
Reid Johnson
Director
Red Letter Rock Fest
Well good, tell her I say Hi. and I would love to see you guys again. Its been forever since I last saw any of you guys. Also, please pray for my EOC's btw...i have to take them week after next, and Im really really nervous about it.
Oh, I dont have a facebook lol. Im donig pretty good actually. Lauren now has a boyfriend, they've been together for over a year now, and shes doing really good. How is everyone else?
Online Now!
