The Promenade

This is a great blog from one of my favorite artist- John mark McMillan. Super talented Artist/Worship Leader and a very talented writer…. So I decided today to take the wonderful blog he wrote and throw it on my page for your enjoyment….. If you are a Writer, Artist, Listener, Lover of Music, Hater of Music….If you are anything…than this blog is for you….

Around the world Clint Eastwood is most famous for his brilliant one-liners, but, believe it or not, what made his career may have actually been the things he didn’t say. As an actor, Eastwood is known for blotting entire pages of dialog out of his scripts. In an ‘85 interview with Rolling Stone he explained “In a real A picture, you let the audience think along with the movie; in a B picture you explain everything”.

The same principal can be true as a songwriter. It’s important to keep in mind that a person’s imagination is far more vivid than your language or melody will ever be. Because of this, it doesn’t necessarily help your story/message/cause to insult their intelligence with over-explanation or ultra-simplification. In my opinion, the ultimate goal is not to simply relay information, but to actually draw people into the conversation. If you explain everything away, it doesn’t give them an opportunity to think along with you, and actually limits their ability to enter into a conversation.

I’ll give you an example from my own work (I know it seems a little pretentious, but it is easy because I know my own songs better than anyone else’s)

“Dress us up in the blood of a son”

I’ve seen several people reword this line to say blood of “the” son, but that isn’t what I wrote. Simply using the word “a” instead of “the” gives the listener a chance to ask themselves some very important questions such as: “If this is a son, then was he actually someone’s son, and how did that someone feel about the blood that was drawn?” They would probably have to answer: “the same way I’d feel if it was my son”. The conclusion they would hopefully come to would be that Jesus wasn’t just the Son of Glory (insert bright lights and cheesy white-girl vocals here); Jesus was also someone’s little boy. He was also a son.

Notice all the words I just wrote in that last paragraph in an attempt to explain a thought, when the more powerful explanation is still in the simple word “a”. It gives the listeners an opportunity to ask themselves who the “son” is, and that is far more important than the precision of my information.

See more of his blogs and music here…… John Mark McMillan

CD GIVEAWAY WINNER

Thanks to everyone that commented, this has been fun. Thanks for everyones support, it means TONS that you care to even receive this album. I hope you enjoy…..

I did not have any part of choosing the winner. It was a computer generated number.. As you might have noticed the comments were numbered. The computer then generated the number of the winner.

The winner of the FREE CD is……….. Drum ROLLLLLLL PLEASE>>>!!!>>>>!!!

NUMBER 18- Don Hall

If you would please send an email to info@rhettcanipe.com
From there you will receive further instructions on how to receive your cd.

Thanks to everyone for playing….I promise there is some more stuff up our sleeve and more things for you to win and me giveaway…..

Until Next Time………

“Vessel” on CNN….Barely

@2min and 30seconds——

Help-Portrait.
I had the opportunity to play at this event Saturday. I was very happy to be a part of it and help out where I could. It is such a great cause.

On or around, December 12th, photographers around the world will be grabbing their cameras, finding people in need, and taking their picture. When the prints are ready, the photographs get delivered.

I went and played a couple of songs. It was great, tons of people, tons of smiling faces.
CNN did an interview with Jeremy Cowart, founder, and at 2min and 30 sec- for just a couple of seconds you can here me playing “Vessel” one of the new songs on the album. You do have to listen very closely as they are talking and such.

anyways….

Q&A- Question Numero Tres

Andy Merrick asked:
If you had $100,000, how would you spend it on YOURSELF?

If you had $10M, how would you spend it on OTHERS?

Thanks a lot! haha This is definitely a hard question. So….here I go.

$100,000
I would put the money towards a new house. I know that seems to easy, yet it is what I would do…. but I know you want more details..sooooo

I would finish my studio and my wife’s Art studio and I would purchase a new vehicle.

$10 million to spend on others..
First off I would put some money to an inner-city festival. Really blow it out. Get restaurants involved, bands, churches, fun and free. I believe Strongly in local missions. I think it is great when we step out our front door and make a change. Do not get me wrong as foreign mission should not be forgotten, because they are very needed, but when we step out around our neighbors and make a difference it is amazing. No matter race, color, sex or religion, when we just step out and LOVE on everyone. That action speaks louder than words. That shows what is truly in your heart. I would use as much money needed to push this. Andy this also a big goal of mine to pull off one day. Not a conference with preaching and worship music.. Just a fun time. A time where we can step out of our comfort zone and as cliche as it sounds, shine a little light into someone’s life.

I would take some of the money and put it to charities. Charities for the homeless and addicted. Then I would take money and put it in the local church. To help them keep on pushing what is needed. Get the little things they need that matter.

Then the rest……
I would go downtown.. Hang out, get some dinner and just one on one talk with people.. I think so many times we go out with the cross blazed and cocked like we are going to battle that we take over an area before we have the opportunity to talk. I would just share stories about life, love, hurt, pain, problems, money and just be a friend to the friendless.

Hope that answers.