Sunday, February 28, 2016

Top 10 Reasons to Catch The Oldest Town in Texas Road Show

So this blog is titled "grace GUITARS & red dirt" & it occurs to me that while I spend a LOT of time living the GUITAR part, I haven't posted much about it.
If you know us or have followed us on Facebook or on this blog, you know that we spend many weekends and evenings as working musicians. My husband is really the GUITARS part. He is an accomplished player, teaching guitar throughout the week and playing with the best bands around this part of Texas. We both write and sing and have the honor of entertaining at some pretty special occasions.

One of the coolest things we get to do together is The Oldest Town in Texas Road Show.
There are many
REASONS you're gonna want to see this show if you are anywhere near us.  

Why do you want to see this show?

10. Because you'll hear music that you've loved most of your life
Country. Gospel. Old Rock.  Cline. Strait. Orbison. Clapton. SRV.  You name it, we may have done it or we may do it at the next show.  There is so much variety on our little stage!
9. Because our current home is a must-see
Our show has recently taken up residence at the historical Old Tobacco Warehouse in Nacogdoches.  This beautiful, old building has been restored to house not only Spring and Prince, a lovely boutique on the ground floor, but also an intimate event venue upstairs which is breathtaking!
8. Because you don't need a babysitter.
It’s true.  Our dream when we started this show was to provide quality entertainment in a venue where you can bring your granny, your infant, your precocious 7-year-old, or anybody in your family.  Nothing at this show will embarrass your family because we make an effort to keep our content clean and our environment family-safe.
7. Because this guy's gonna make you smile
Sometimes we call him Mr. Kim.  Sometimes we call him Camo.  But whatever his name is at the moment, one thing never changes:  He is fully invested in making sure all our performers, guests, and audience members feel welcome and have a great experience.  
6. Because you could listen to this guitar picking all night. (I should know.)

In my opinion, he’s the best guitar player ever.  If you are thinking I am biased, you are probably right.  Only one way to find out… come see—I mean hear-- for yourself.
5. Because you'll meet your Mama’s favorite soap opera doctor, and he's a really nice guy

No kidding!  I used to watch Mr. Brad Maule saving patients on General Hospital.  I’ve also caught him on a few Three’s Company and Charlie’s Angels re-runs.  Now he’s in East Texas and a big part of our show!  But the coolest thing about Brad Maule is that he is so nice!  He is always friendly, easy to work with, and fun to talk to.  You have got to meet him!
4. Because our guests are fantastic at what they do
Our guest performers are awesome!  You may have an emotional experience.  I have laughed until I cried at our comedy sketches.  I have cried and gotten chills from the sheer beauty of a song.  You will be amazed at the array of talent we have found around East Texas.
3. Because you will get to see them before they become stars
I told you before we have some amazing talent on our stage, and some of them are just getting started.  There are future STARS rising from our stage.  Just think how nice it will be to say, “I saw them back when they were in the Oldest Town in Texas.”
2. Because you may get proposed to
Well maybe not… but it has happened.  No kidding!
1. Because they're not just good at music; they're great people!

I am SO blessed to work with this group of people.  They are truly wonderful, loving, positive people.  They’ll bless you with their talents and their contagious joy!

Wednesday, February 3, 2016

February Good for the HEART Challenge #1: Move the Mouth Less and the Body More

Move the Mouth Less and the Body More
James chapter 3 talks about this small muscle of the body and the power it has over our lives. The sarcastic southern girl in me responds with my hand on my hip... Well, ain't that the truth? James hits the nail on the head when he says that no one can tame the tongue(v8) and that it can be set on fire by hell(v6) Woh!
How many of us can testify to this "world of evil" (v6) ruining an entire day, an entire weekend, an entire relationship even? So much is lost because we didn't just keep it behind our teeth?
Additionally, I can’t tell you the number of hours I've wasted just wagging my tongue when I should have been working, or writing, or studying...
And then there's the whole eating issue...
How many calories have I consumed out of boredom or because "it just tastes so good"? Even if I was full as a tick, as my Granny would say.  

I challenge you to use this month to keep a tighter rein on your tongue.  Want to gossip? Excuse yourself instead.  Tempted to complain, smile and be thankful instead.  Want to chew on something? Go with sugarless gum… and take a walk, dance with your kids, clean a neglected space.  Ask for God’s amazing GRACE to see you through.  I wonder just how much we will all get done.  Let me know how it turns out.

Tuesday, February 2, 2016

Challenge Yourself to Do Something Positive

Generally, I love the first day of the month. It's a time to regroup, renew, & restart.  Even though I felt that way going into yesterday, the reality of what had to happen & what didn't happen set in pretty quickly. And it DID NOT feel like a fresh start. It felt like the same old tired mess!
But I don't have to be defeated by the messes of yesterday. The truth is that because I am in Christ,
I am a new creation. (2 Corinthians 5:17)Notice that’s in present tense. I wasn't a new creation, I AM one... Today on the 2nd. I accept that and choose today to do something new.
Remembering that February is the
month of love I am thinking of matters of the heart, of people who inspire me, of ways I can connect more with people.
So I am
challenging myself to a few things for this month.
Won't you
join me as I move my mouth less and my body more AND tell those who have inspired me what they mean to me?  I hope you will and that you post something positive about how it affects your corner of the world.
Happy New Creation Day! Grace to you from our Red Dirt.