NYC Tour - Day 03

Ahhh, what a day.

Today it rained even more. But as it cleared, we pulled into the venue (Kenny's Castaway). This place was a great venue. Just a while back Ben Harper and Tom Morello were rockin' the stage.

Today though was my turn and it was a nice intimate show. A friend from high school showed up that I hadn't seen in 10 years. Good times!

Here's a couple pics from the show...

And here's a pic of the aftermath...the mood...the passion...the ominous-ness...

...I don't know what I'm talking about, but Brandon can work some photo-magic!

Peace,
Ross

NYC Tour - Day 02

Today was quite eventful. Rainy. But eventful.

I woke up around 11, which was nice to sleep in. I don't think i've slept that late in about 2 years actually. So after I got up and out, I departed from the Holiday Inn for the city.

The first item on the itinerary was get some grub.

After that, Brandon and I took in the city. There's something about a big city and the rain, and all of the smells that it brings out.

Tonight was my first show (of 3) in the city. Tonights gig was at The Sidewalk. Bruce Springsteen, Aerosmith, Patti Smith, Regina Spektor all got their starts at this place. Great atmosphere, vibe, supporters!

They had a great downstairs green room - with a bike. That's a first.


Then it was time to take stage. The crowd really got into it. Great night of musical art!


Tomorrow I'll be at Kenny's Castaway. Come out for the show!

Peace,
Ross

p.s. BRANDON SCHULTZ - owner, artist, dreamer of BRSPhotography is on this tour doing all of the amazing photo work. THANKS BRANDON!!!

NYC Tour - Day 01

Yesterday afternoon we rolled into NYC after much driving through Il, In, Oh, Pa, and Wv. My personal opinion, Illinois and Indiana need a new crop of choice - bland, PLUS a carb-overload!

But once we got checked into the hotel, we headed into the city by foot to enjoy some amazing Thai food, people watch, and happened to score some free tickets to the Sage Theatre Comedy Club. Hannibal Burris was 1 of 5 comics that performed and he was brilliant! Perfect understanding of delivery and breath. I don't think I could ever do stand up. True talent!

www.hannibalhannibal.com

After the late night show and all the driving, we were pooped and needed some rest.

More to post later...

-Ross

NYC Tour Dates

Hey all,
For you NYC and East Coast readers, I'll be in your neck of the woods this next week for 3 concerts. If you're around and available to come out, I'd love your support! Come on out for a good time of art and music...

Fri, Aug 28 - The Sidewalk Cafe (9 Ave. A NY, NY) - 10PM
Sat, Aug 29 - Kenny's Castaway (157 Bleecker Street, NY, NY) - 7PM
Sun, Aug 30 - Don Pedro's (90 Manhattan Ave, NY, NY) - 8PM

Excited to see you guys!
Ross

p.s. I will not be in this tour bus :-(

help people see

I think a lot of effort is spent by Christians in trying to win debates, prove fact, and disprove anything that brings about doubt. Maybe there's a place for that. Maybe not.

Though i've learned throughout the years, that perhaps our efforts have become too programmed, to results based, too project oriented. i.e....befriending someone with the sole purpose of conversion. I'm pretty sure that's not authentic friendship...

I'm learning that instead of me forcing people to see God, maybe its my job to point them in the direction that leads to an understanding that God is what allows them to see in the first place. Perhaps my job is to help focus what's ALWAYS been - maybe it's just been blurry all these years.

Its not as if God has just now revealed himself. He's been revealing huge pictures and little snippets, everyday since creation. Sometime we see it. Lots of the time we're not even looking.

But maybe we're just here to help people see...

-Ross

The Rain Cometh Down Vblog - August 17, 2009

-Ross

Cora & the Fair

This past week, we ventured off to the Missouri State Fair. Let's see, what does the fair have to offer?

Corndogs - check!
Funnel Cakes - check!
Livestock - check!
Mullets - CHECK!
Very few teeth - CHECK!

It was quite the site. People watching/mocking is one of my strengths and I was in people watching/mocking mecca!

BUT, Cora loved it...no matter the heat, the hunter-orange-bib-overalls in August, permed mullets, and tube tops in sizes that should be banned; she loved every second of her Fair experience!

-Ross

Vblog - August 13, 2009

-Ross

why do we sing?

ever wondered what the deal was with singing in church?
this past sunday i spoke on that in interview format.
check it out here:

http://www.youmattertogod.org/podcast/aug092009.mp3

peace,
ross

they just don't write 'em like this anymore...

breathtaking!
-ross

hats hats hats

Here's Cora. She loves hats. Seems she has since the beginning.


Girl's gotta get her accessory on!
-Ross

the recording studio is a magical place

I always have those musical conversations with people...(friend)"i just LOVE _____ band, their CD is SO good. then i heard them play live and they were TERRIBLE. how is that possible?!?!"

(me)"autotune."

The recording studio is a magical place where a good producer and engineer can make dung sound like angelic landscapes from afar.

here's a good example of the power of autotune. (spoken word + midi controller)...



peace,
ross

Cultivating A Creative Space

This coming Sunday, I'm facilitating a brainstorm meeting called CPT (creative planning team). We're going to creatively ideate EXODUS 20.

But the task I'm constantly facing is cultivating a creative space without directing thought too much.

How much imagery will lead and how much will blur?

How much vision will cultivate and how much will hold back?

...to explore EXODUS 20 over the course of 10 weeks.

How do I explain these ideas and contexts to a child, a martian, without words, with images, with actors, etc?

Word.
-Ross

Eating Eating Eating

Over the past 3 days we've been on a whirlwind trip revolving around "the meal." Kate, Cora, and I headed back to KC late Wednesday night to spend a few days with the fam and some friends we haven't seen in a while. (trying to get family travel out of the way until we have the baby)

Unfortunately (and fortunately), most of our meet-ups revolved around grabbing a bite somewhere. Its hard to beat good friends ensconced in delicious eatery!

Here's how it all went down...

THURSDAY
9AM - gi-normous breakfast at Neighbors Cafe in Lee's Summit
11AM - Chipotle
5PM - all-you-can-eat pasta bar at Cinzetti's in Overland Park

FRIDAY
12PM - glorious burgers and onion rings at Hi-Boy in Independence
6PM - BBQ fajitas in Independence

SATURDAY
9AM - even gi-normous-er breakfast at Mama's Diner in Kansas City
5PM - shrimp at the Marlin Bar in Independence

So...now, i'm bloated and added another chin.

'Twas delicious, but ridiculous all the same!

-Ross
p.s. sorry its been a few days since the last post, but the carb overloads have left me fatigued...