Be joyful always, pray at all times, be thankful in all circumstances. This is what God wants from you in your life in union with Christ Jesus. ~1 Thess. 5:16-18

Let me start off by saying I’m a Bob Marley fan. Do with that what you will. No, I’m not Rastafarian. No, I’m not a white guy trying to be cool. No, I don’t sit around and smoke a lot of herb. I like music and I like Bob. I like his message and I like what he stood for. I like that he tried to fulfill the greatest commandment to “love God with your whole heart, and love your neighbor as yourself.” It’s tough to find any celebrity that strives for that, especially after fame and fortune hits them.

I’m a musician, and as such, I listen to a lot of different kinds of music. There have always been certain artists however that hold a more prominent place in my listening catalog and to whom I have listened more profusely than others. Among those would certainly be Bill Mallonee, Rich Mullins, Phil Keaggy, and of course, Bob Marley. Strange mix? Perhaps, but these are artists who have always impressed me, either lyrically, instrumentally, or both, and have said something to me with their music. Music is interesting in that nearly every culture and every type of people on earth understand it. It’s the universal language. I think that most likely, while I aspire to be able to speak several different languages, I put all my effort instead into writing and playing music. A good artist, like those above, can paint a picture and give you a glimpse into something that words alone can be hard pressed to define, but with music, those words come alive. Music can set moods, change tones, and can transport you to another place and time. It can send a message, reflect on an issue or a person, or calm a weary soul. Bob’s music has always been like that to me. His songs are often simple, with no more than a few chords and easy riffs, but along with the words, they are deep. Simple words and simple tunes are what stick with me the most, and I suspect with most people. It doesn’t matter how many times I hear a G-C-D, or E-A-B chord progression, if played in a certain rhythm with the right lyrics, it’s always catching, and it’s easy to remember.

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That’s right! I’m the opening act for Steve Bell tomorrow night in Indianapolis. If anyone is close, please come out and support Steve and I. The cost is only $10 at the door, and you get 2 hours of top notch Americana and Canadian acoustic delights. I can’t put into words how stoked I am about this! Thanks be to God for this honor, and for the opportunity to talk with Steve again. He is truly a delightful and Godly man; a joy to be around. For anyone wondering, the gig is at the 7th Day Adventist church building on South Bluff Rd. in Indianapolis. The show starts at 7:30 p.m. Hope to see you there!