Alberta Odyssey

My original plan was to blog every night of my time in Alberta. That obviously didn't happen!

It was a really busy 3 days. On the Thursday there was a session with Steve Taylor, who is best know for being what made old Newsboys what they were (and his absence what new Newsboys are). He also did some solo stuff and helped Sixpence None the Richer get the mega hit they had with "Kiss Me." Plus he directed the Michael W. Smith movie "The Second Chance." Steve was talking about his new film "Blue Like Jazz." It's based on a book by Donald Miller. I've never read it, but have heard good things. We saw it later that evening... unfortunatly Steve's quirky, thought provoking lyrics don't translate to the screen...

Moving right along.

Friday was full of radio sessions and shmozzing with artists and radio people (did I just say shmozzing? Maybe I've been hanging with Scott Jackson a little TOO much!!!)

After the sessions ended we got ready for the Covenant Awards - This is the Christian music equivalent of the Juno Awards.

Had lots of fun hearing from Jon Bauer (Chasing After Me), Dan Bremnes (You Are) and The City Harmonic (Manifesto) as well as To Tell (Safe to Say). Junkyard Poets were also there. These guys are nuts live! There bassist has a t.v on his head through the WHOLE SHOW!

The best part of the awards for me was presenting Modern Rock/Alternative Song of the Year to Marcel Preston and the boys in Sky Terminal.

Saturday meant an early rise and fly.

Overall, Calgary was a blast!

Alberta Odyssey Day 1

I have never been on a plane. It's always been on my list of things to do, but I've never really had need to fly... until today. GMA Canada is having a radio and artist conference in Calgary that Scott Jackson and I are attending, which means flight!

I was surprised how large Pearson actually is... it's HUGE! You could drive a car down the halls.

The plane was also bigger then I thought. I had a personal t.v thing infront of me which help pass the time.

I wasn't bothered by the Gs at all... actually I've been on worse roller coasters.

Looking forward to a 3 days of conferences and music... and the Rockys.

Group Therapy Thursday October 20th

Tonight on Group Therapy Thursday we were helping out Jasmine. She want's a pet but isn't sure what type to get... here's what you suggested...

Last night I had the chance to talk to Manafest. Just in-case you missed it, here's the recap!

Group Therapy Thursday October 13, 2011

Tonight on Group Therapy Thursday we were helping out Ryan, who is having trouble concentrating in church.

Here's what you suggested Ryan do to help remember the sermon...

Toby in Toronto

This Thanksgiving weekend was a little more special then most... tobymac
made an appearance at Church on the Queensway.
I was a little bummed out when I found out it was on a Friday because that
would mean that I couldn't go... then they added the Saturday!
I'm going to say the highlight of the night was meeting Toby. One of the
first Christian bands that I got into was dc Talk and I've always enjoyed
his solo stuff.
The concert it self was terrific. Toby covered songs like Gone, City On

Our Knees and Get Back Up. Plus to my surprise/delight he went wayyyyy
back into the catalog to songs like Diverse City, Whoopsi Daisy and
J-Train... yes he did J-Train! And just to keep the dc Talk fans happy he
did In The Light and Jesus Freak! While doing Jesus Freak they throw some
crazy sound effect on and the entire band froze on stage.... and the
froze.... still frozen.... pushing a minute... there is now no sound
coming from the stage... still not moving... then after what felt like 5
minutes, but was likely only 2, wham! The chorus hit and the crowd freaked
(pun intended)!

I also had the chance to meet Mr. Talkbox who likes to do crazy stuff with
his voice and Jamie Grace.

Ohh and I finally got a Jesus Freak shirt!

Jamie Grace... actor???

With Jamie Grace coming to Toronto this weekend with Toby Mac, I thought it would be fitting to post this video.

A friend of me pointed this out to me a few months ago, while not the funniest of Julian Smith's videos, this one may have one of the coolest cameos...

1:04 is when Jamie Grace Spencer come in... singer, song writer and now actor, talk about a triple threat!