Comedian or philosopher?

So I recently watched "Comedian", an independent documentary following the likes of Jerry Seinfeld after the hit TV show became syndicated and he made gobillions of dollars. Everyone wanted to know what he would do next... He started over doing stand-up using all new material going back to clubs in New York. Awesome...



If you haven't watched this movie then I would highly recommend you do so... especially if you are having trouble with your identity, job, happiness, life etc. etc. etc. if you are reading this then I will go ahead and tell you that YOU DO in fact fall in this category.

Fascinating thoughts from a guy who's made millions and been on stage a lot of his adult life. The movie also follows another comic,"Orny Adams" I think that was his name. Who, like Jerry, is trying his hand at stand-up, but is completely miserable. Mainly because he is too caught up in wanting fame and fortune to enjoy what he does. It's a really great parallel.

Jerry talks about watching some construction workers in New York "trudging" back to work after their lunch break. He talks about how ridiculous it is of him to complain about the difficulty of working the crowd, starting over with new material, and becoming a comic again when he's been doing and getting paid to do what he loves all the while the construction guys hate what they do.

The amazing thing when watching this movie is seeing this amazingly talented comedian sweat off stage and be nervous about coming out with new material and also watching him laugh and make fun of this other young guy (orny) who is completely miserable while HIS new career is just starting to take off.

Thinking about that makes me have a little bit more pride about playing at "Churches" - HA - By the way - Playing at church for me as much as I love being a part of the "worship" band (we are pretty damn good - probably the best band I have played in by far) and with a killer singer/songwriter... it's kind of like winning the special Olympics to a degree - please don't misunderstand me - I think you know what I'm getting at...

Anyways - chew on that!

Zach H Jared J and Brandon H

These three pictures are the latest additions to the list of artists I have been very fortunate to play with. 

First, (top) Zach Hendricks from the Houston area. Zach is an up and coming very young and very talented singer songwriter who I've been playing with since May of this year. Zach is going to do some great things very very soon. Zach is finishing a worship promo project and has his debut solo album in the works right now. Zach is a great artist and phenomenal worship leader. You can see Zach at The Woodlands United Methodist Church during the Harvest service at 9:15 in the main sanctuary.

myspace.com/zachhendricks

Jared Johnson (middle) is a singer songwriter from Nashville, TN. He is currently working for Craig Wiseman (country songwriter) at Craig's publishing company. Jared and I will be playing at "The Ranch" in Belton, TX on November the 3rd. Jared is an up and coming artist who you will absolutely be hearing about very very soon. He is very close to breaking through with some really great songs he has written. It's only a matter of time.

myspace.com/jaredjohnsonmusic

The third (bottom) is Christian artist Brandon Heath. Brandon has one of the most played songs on Christian radio right now "I'm Not Who I Was" off of his latest release "Don't Get Comfortable". I was fortunate enough to play with Brandon at The Woodlands United Methodist Church in The Woodlands, TX. Brandon is all over the radio and is a great guy and performer. If you haven't heard his music - you will soon - or just turn on your radio.

www.brandonheath.net

myspace.com/brandonheath

anyways

next you will hear about something even more exciting than these great opportunities

yes.... for those of you who know me..... THE 71s

Playing

It's been a while - I've had some new things happen since the last time I posted. My wife and I are now coming into our fourth month of marriage and it's amazing. God has blessed us in so many ways it's very humbling - or at least that's the way I feel when I recognize how he's working in our lives. I was recently let go from my old job at The Woodlands United Methodist Church. They went through some "downsizing" if you will. (the office) It kind of came at a good time for me - The end of August and September have been my two busiest months this year. I was just starting to get to work quite a bit in the Church's studio before they gave me the axe. But, that's life I guess.

Some good things have happened lately as well. I recently played with Sparrow recording artist Robbie Seay at his home church. His band - The "Robbie Seay Band" recently released their second album called "Give Yourself Away". His drummer Dan has recently moved to Dallas. Dan is still a full time member of the band, but Robbie has asked me to start playing at his home church, Ecclessia, on Sunday nights when he is in town. I'm not sure how much I will actually get to play, but either way it has been a great experience and opportunity for me to play with someone like Robbie. If you haven't heard his music - you should go and buy it - he is incredibly talented - a true - artist.


Robbie contacted me about filling in for Dan on their next leg of the tour - Dan caught pneumonia and is going to be out for possibly two weeks. I cleared my schedule and was excited about flying out to catch up with the band this coming tuesday, only to find out that they ended up calling another drummer - who happens to be a friend of mine in the area. I was bummed - but who wouldn't be? That's an experience of a life time - besides - the guy they hired is a killer drummer - his name is Michael Lisenbe.

During the past couple of years - I've gone through some rough periods where I doubted playing music, and I think the only thing that has gotten me through those slow times has been my close friends who have always encouraged me to follow my dream and to be patient.

My wife's sister Kathryn has been dating a musician from Nashville named Jared Johnson. Jared is a great guy to say the least and is also a songwriter under a publishing contract with Craig Wiseman's (Tim MgGraw: Live like you were dying - Everywhere and tons of other hits) company "Big Loud Shirt". Jared is an up and coming writer and is bound to hit the bigtime very very soon. It's been great getting to know Jared - he has some amazing songs and it's only a matter of time for him. I'm also going to be playing with Jared soon in Belton, TX - his home town on November the 3rd.

And last but not least - I've been playing with a band for almost the last two years. The band is called The 71's. Consisting of Micahel Coffman, Ryan Cecil, Jacob Lisenbe and myself - we have been working hard. Recently we were invited to perform and compete in a showcase for Word record label. Word is the christian label owned by Warner Brothers. We traveled to Nashville - picking up a friend to play bass along the way since our bassist Jacob was out playing with matt redmon. We played in nashville but didn't get chosen. Thus is life - eventhough we were way better than all of the other crap bands there.

Anyways - thats whats going on in my world.

Jay

One New Pic

April...May...JUNE!!!!!!!!!!!!

I hardly ever post on this thing anymore, but I think I will start again. My birthday was last week (the 19th) and our (Lindsay and I) next shower for our wedding stuff is this weekend in the woodlands. I had some promo pictures taken yesterday and today|I will have to post those eventually - they should turn out really good.

Our studio at our church is almost finished and i've been mixing some tracks and working a little here and there on my AE skillz. I'm also hoping to work/gain experience at Robbie Seay's studio at Ecclesia (hyde park).

I'm about to move into downtown houston in june - that will be crazy. I will be near the rice university campus for lindsay. I guess I'll be going to more Astros game.

Lataz

J

pics

Late thoughts

I really don’t even know where to begin. My whole purpose in life is supposed to be about my relationship with a living god. Now there’s an interesting idea. A LIVING God. I think deep down we all recognize some innate being that we want to relate to or know about. Most of us who have experienced something like that have decided for ourselves what we think that is. With all the research and logic behind what we decide it is, I guess that it’s mostly based on experientialism. What I mean is the idea that I’ve experienced it and therefore it exists for me. Even though I do believe that as a Christian you don’t have to believe blindly, but at the end of the day it seems that doing just that is an important part of faith. But back to my original statement – my whole purpose in existence should be about somebody else, but I’m desperately trying to make it about me, my life, my desires, my dreams, you name it. And, after all of that being said I would also have to add that doing that has left me very empty. I guess my personal hurdle that I can’t seem to figure out how to break has been laziness. Typical I guess. Obviously the answer that most Christians would answer to “how do I break this cycle?” would be to ask God for help, change, a desire etc. And, for me I do believe I need to do that. I guess it’s an attempt to find a balance between my work and the miraculous intervention of the Holy Spirit.

Well, I really want to play music. I love it. It’s hard. I’m going to bed.

Engagement

Well folks.... I'm engaged to be married. Her name is Lindsay Merrill. I'll try to put some pics up of the ring and my sweet bride to be.

Jay

Workkkkkkkkkkkk

My schedule is so odd - Sometimes I work 8a.m. til 1p.m. and then sometimes I work 5p.m. until 9p.m.

I'm at work sitting at the sound booth with Chris - he and I work together. It's traditional orchestra rehearsal tonight. My last post the other day was about possibly moving back to Little Rock - I may be an assistant golf professional for my dad. Not really the same as pursuing a career as a full time musician - it's kind of disappointing - but I still haven't decided for sure.

I'm trying to figure those things out. I'd like to keep playing music - but nothing has really come up lately. I guess I might have to stick it out and wait a little longer before throwing in the towel, but it's really difficult doing Sunday morning gigs all the time with different people at different places.

As of about two months ago - I quit playing for Bruce Clinton. Right now I just play for Matt Browuer and other churches.

My job pays well - but it sucks - crappy hours - no benefits - no OVERTIME!!!!! - I would say more but I would get into trouble.

Anyways

see ya

Jay

Aghhhhhh

I may move back to arkansas and work for my dad - giving up playing music full time - ha - that's an oxymoron "full-time musician".

Check out mattbrouwer.com

i tracked the b-sides album - i'm on
here i am again
tis so sweet
all i want
it is well

if anybody still reads this - awesome

love ya

Jay

Vacation Bible School

Treasure hunting adventures galor!!!!! Is that how you spell galor?

Is there anyone who still reads this thing?

- Jay

U.S. Military into Iran?

So - I'm always blogging about myself so I decided to talk about something else.

Most people by now have been hearing rumors about Iran and their attempt to enrich uranium for use in possible nuclear weapons. The UN deadline is soon or already passed and now that the U.S. is in Iraq we have troops on both sides of the Iranian border. This is just an observation, but that seems really scary to me. Iran is not little and their military is much larger and much more organized.

I also happened to see "united 93". Which made me angry. I also thought during that movie about the idea of redemptive violence. For instance - how would Jesus tell us to deal with terrorists on a suicide hijacked plane. That may be a stupid road to go down, but it still made me think. Would he be pleased if I was to hurt one of them? and possibly save the lives of others?

Sick Again

I'm always sick.

I'm moving into a new house.

I'm going to be paying $67 in rent instead of $160

I will still have a pool, but I'll have my own bathroom and a real room.

Hooray

Abilene - I forgot what West Texas is almost like

Well - I'm in Abilene Texas with Matt Brouwer. We are currently leading worship for some kind of Nazerene Youth sports camp type of sorts. Yippy

As most of you know or have heard; I am dating a girl named Lindsay Merrill. She is great. I could describe her to you in detail, but it really isn't worth it. Just know she is amazing and I am lucky to be with her.

West Texas - I do believe we are directly above San Antonio. So, we aren't completely in west Texas, but we are pretty close. Not to take anything away from where my parents are from, but wow it is dreary, dry, and grey.

I am ready to get back.

Our church is building a recording studio and I am getting excited. It should be really cool.

Lataz

J

Another week another sunday

Not a lot going on in my world recently. Still working at a not-so exciting job, but still a great job. I am slowly learning some valuable things. Two days ago I learned how to solder. It was a great experience. Hopefully I can get my photoshop/illustrator/indesign skills back up to par.

I have realized how much easier my life would be with a trailer. I would really like a Pace American "journey". It is a really small trailer but costs about $3,000. I just don't have the money. It would be amazing if I had one. I am currently tearing up the inside of my blazer in order to haul my drums around.

My friend Jacob returned home a couple of days ago from tour with Chris Tomlin. Meeting Jacob has been such a blessing. He is such a genuine friend and has allowed me to meet some great people. I still haven't found an artist that is touring or asking me to play full time. I know that playing full time for someone is a little far fetched, but I am still hoping.

Matt Brouwer has asked me to play a couple of dates with him this next week. He is doing two outdoor concerts that are being sponsored by KSBJ - which is a local Christian radio station.

Well - it is official - I am horrible at foosball. I am yet to beat my girlfriend (Lindsay) - and she now refuses to play with me because I am such an unpleasant loser. She says I am ungraceful.

I will admit - I am a horrible loser.

Where are you Grove?

Well - after being here for about nine months it is official.

The Grove Church is amazing and I miss it a lot.

As I was roaming my itunes as I usually do at some point during each week, I thought to myself; "I wonder what the Grove church is up to." And so, I went to the Grove's website to see what was going on and to my amazement - I discovered that the Grove is podcasting!!!! So, you guys should let Kent know that I am listening to his talks online and that I wouldn't have made fun of him about his gap shirt still having the sticker attached to it - back on the 2ncd of January.

I really miss all of you guys a lot. I miss my community group - Someone tell Roger that he is great and I want to see him soon. Jason Miller and I will be getting together for a conference during April in Waco so that will be cool.

As far as music goes - I am playing for Matt Brouwer and Bruce Clinton on Sunday mornings. I'm doing a little bit of recording for a few other people. I have gotten to play with some really great players down here and as I wrote up my resume I realized how lucky I have been.

For instance:

Bass players I have played with:(if you haven't heard of these bands then go check them out!)

1. Jacob Lisenbe - Currently touring with Chris Tomlin and Matt Redman
2. Russell Wedelich - matt brouwer
3. Ryan Owens - Robbie Seay Band
4. James Colvin - Inhabited
5. Travis Brockway - Waterdeep

By the way - none of these guys hold anything to CHRIS TUCKER

Basically - these guys are really really good - I am so lucky

Go say hello to Jacob when they play in Fayetteville this weekend the 12th - he and I were planning to get an apartment together. He will be playing bass for tomlin and redman.

Lata

Pictures from X-mas Eve Service

These are some pictures that our bass player's wife took durig our xmas eve service.

Weird

I found two of my three bibles today! Praise the Lord.

And to follow a previous post since I realized I hadn't said anything in a while.

The girl I supposedly took on a date didn't know it was a date and told me had she known she would have said no.

I am reverting back to my previous statement that girls are ridiculous.








.....................ridiculous

The Explanation

I wanted to at least say a little bit about my most recent ventures.

I went on my first date of 2005 (maybe I shouldn't admit that) a couple of weeks ago. Her name is Abby. She is very sweet, intelligent, and a lot of fun to hang out with/ not to mention very pretty. We went to a restaraunt called Cheesecake Factory.

In this last adventure I have come to realize a couple of things. For one - Only now can I say that most girls are right to assume that most guys are lazy/crazy because they usually don't ever muster the courage to ask anyone out. And secondly, that given the chance, girls will usually let guys know how they feel if they will simply be patient enough.

Even though my last date was a one time thing, I appreciated her willingness to give me a chance, and also to say no when she could have avoided it.

I think that I am simply too impatient. What I mean is that - I expect the answers far too quickly.

Anyways - despite my previous posts - my hat is off to her.

And if you are reading this abby - I hope I am not embarrassing you. You are great.

I think Brett was right

Girls are ok.........sometimes.......when they aren't being themselves............ok just kidding.


I think I will have my first visitor from Fayetteville here today. If so then I will post a picture.

Cool

later