Artist Gathering...now I know I'm not crazy!

Hi guys!

I know what you're thinking...two posts in one week and he's not on tour...what's the deal? The 'deal' was a gathering of artists from all disciplines and genres, held this past Tuesday night at the Chapel of the People's Church in Franklin, TN (where we've plugged in as a family), and hosted by Randy Elrod and Ken Davis. Randy is another one of us crazy folks who've stepped away from their career to follow God's call. For the past years Randy has been the Worship Arts Pastor at TPC, and has been a great influence to me in the short time we've been here, both on and off stage.

Several folks shared their vision and callings, and you can follow the link above to hear Randy's new mission (to develop a facility in the Nashville area to equip and encourage artists). But the underlying message was that God is raising up artists in every area to a new work and style of ministry. I'm not talking artistic style...but the realization that God is NOT calling us to 'business as usual'.

As I sat in this room with about 50 other artists (many 'names' that you'd instantly recognize; and many other 'unknowns' like me), I was overwhelmed by the comfort of Holy Spirit as He once again confirmed in my heart and spirit the 'rightness' of where we've been called. I can't tell you just how many times I've questioned everything about this move and this call. I'm almost ashamed to admit my distrust, as God has done some incredible things just to get us here...and He has been faithful to provide in many miraculous ways in the past nine months.

I was so moved by this gathering, I went up to Randy afterward to express my thanks. But all I could get out of my mouth was the phrase "now I know I'm not crazy"! I know that he knew exactly what I meant. I mean...it's crazy to leave a great job and risk your family and life in such adventures. Project Onefifty is a few years old now and I'm still trying to figure it all out!

But thank God I know someone who does have it all figured out. He knows full well 'the plan' and our place. Thank you, thank you, thank you for continuing to support us. Continue to pray that we will faithfully follow the Call.

Love you guys!

GV

Weekend in Review

Ok...sounds like a Sunday morning talk show! Just trying to be consistent in this whole 'blog thing'. I have to have faith that someone out there may actually read these posts in order to keep up with me and Project Onefifty, so here goes!

I was once again back in Birmingham, Alabama for a few days. Thursday night I played the 'big room' in town...the Civic Center Coliseum. Along with home boys Barry Page on bass, Steve Sample on drums, horn players Mart Avant and Rich Davison (and Chad the unknown T-bone guy), and Michael Addler and company from Shades Mt. BC on BGVs, we played for Birmingham alum Charles Billingsley. He has been in groups like Newsong and is currently the music leader for the David Jeremiah Crusade ministry. It was just such a crusade that brought us all together at the Coliseum for a great night of music and preaching. It should appear on TV at some point, so I'll try to get you the info in a timely manner.

The rest of the weekend found me playing with my friends out at ClearBranch United Methodist Church in Argo, AL. Their student ministry presented an original musical called "Fifteen For A Moment". The premise was a recently departed lady looking back on her 9th grade year and all the trials and turmoil that led to her accepting Christ. My role was that of bass player, which led me full circle to my early days at Erwin High School playing bass in the pit for shows like "Bye Bye Birdie". I keep waiting for my Tony Award...maybe they don't have my new address in Tennessee!

Anyway, it was a fun week and a fantastic way to help pay the bills. I have asked many of you to pray that work would head my way, and I do believe your prayers and mine are being answered. As always, keep Project Onefifty on your list.

I actually have about 10 days or so off before heading back on the road. School ends this Thursday, and Justin (recently turned 19, and Brandon, 22!) will be heading to Chicago for the summer playing at a LifeWay Centrifuge camp. I'm hoping we can use this down time to do some fun family stuff around town (lots to do and see here).

I'm also hoping to use this time to do more work on songs and demos for a follow-up to my "Spheres of Influence" CD. I actually have 2 complete projects I want to do...but first things first, as they say.

Finally, my good buddy Glenn Garrett has finally completed his long-awaited CD titled "Mysteries and Dreams" (keep checking www.glenngarrett.com for more info). I am so excited about this...I ended up playing all the bass parts (with the exception of 2 tunes with synth bass) and alot of guitar parts as well. I am humbled to be on these tracks along with Glenn and session heavyweights Dave Cleveland on guitars, Tony Morra, Chester Thompson (yes, THE Chester Thompson!) on drums, as well as Lisa Bevill on BGVs. Heck, even my buddies Tom Lane and Jamie Rogan got to help on a few tracks (on guitars and percussion, respectively).

The new CD has been released to 240 radio stations and Glenn has already started booking concerts. Glenn and I go way back (he's also a Birmingham guy from about 20 years ago). I used in play in his road band back toward the end of his CCM career, and I actually helped he and Kathy move to Franklin. It was one of those 'God moments' that put Glenn and I back together again last year, leading ultimately to our move to the area (Kathy was also our realtor...lol!).

Alrighty, then...enough review! Have a great week and I hope to see you soon!

GV

Project Onefifty

I was sitting and thinking about the incredible journey that I've been on the past several years, and I realized that many of you may not know how this whole Project Onefifty thing got started. And while you can go to the P150 website and get the 'Cliff Notes' version, I thought it'd be fun to reminsce.

It was about this time of year back in 2002 that I went on a music/missions trip to Italy and Switzerland led by my buddy Dan Moran. Joining me were Barry & Jill Page, Josh Cooper, David Gaines, Steve Wingo, and Deb and Seth Moran (Dan's wife and son). Our local ministry contact was Scott Steelman of the Italy for Christ ministry.

Our mission was simple; play music and let Dan preach. And play and preach we did. But the amazing thing to me was when we were simply playing music...and seeing people respond to a move of Holy Spirit, just from us jamming!

God had been tapping on my shoulder about doing this sort of ministry for several years. But in Paul's prison in Rome, he stopped tapping and pretty much slammed me! The next few days found me examining my motives, dreams and desires, and running all this by Carol back in the States.

After an incredible 10 days or so, I arrived back home in Birmingham after a long flight. But during that 12 hours or so, the entire concept for P150 dropped in my lap...name and all. Even down to the details of how we partner with other ministries, finances, etc.

To develop this ministry, we decided to go slow, determined to be obedient in every step. The process led to my first solo CD "Spheres of Influence", the actual creation of the business entity of Project Onefifty, finding a board of directors, etc. It would not be until July 2004 that we debuted Project Onefifty at our CD release event at the Church at Brook Hills.

Jumping back to today, May 17 2006...we now find ourselves living in a new city (Thompson's Station, TN, about 30 minutes south of Nashville), with new friends and opportunities for music and ministry. The People's Church in Franklin, TN has opened their arms to us in a huge way, even allowing us to host an event there this coming July to introduce P150 to more folks in our area. There have been great times and times of struggle...but God has been faithful in every step along the way.

Thank you for the way many of you support us each month, through finances, encouragement, and most of all prayer. Since that trip to Italy and Switzerland back in '02, I've been able to use my music in Ireland, Japan, the Middle East, and all over the Southeast. My music is being heard literally all over the world through online outlets such as iTunes, Napster, CD Baby, and about 30 others.

And so it goes. Tomorrow I head down to Birmingham to play for CCM artist Charles Billingsly at a big rally with David Jeremiah, and then to finish the weekend helping my friends at ClearBranch with a student musical. I am thankful that I'm allowed to use these skills in His service.

Ok...thanks for indulging my little stroll down Memory Lane. Glad I had you along...

Later!

GV

Vulcan Classic

This past Saturday I played at the Vulcan Classic at the Alys Stephens Center in Birmingham. No, I'm not talking about the motorcycle...this Vulcan Classic is a body-building championship. Yes, I know what you're thinking...what the heck was I doing there? My friends Brian Taunton and the God's House Band played the intermission of the show and they asked me to come play with them (I had worked on their recording project at Kevin Derryberry's Ark Studio).

And while the gig went very well, I think I know how it would feel be on an alien planet. We were surrounded all evening by men and women who looked like Greek gods and goddesses...needless to say I went around all night with my stomach pulled in as tight as I could...lol.

This whole event was Brian's brainchild (he is into that whole body-building world), and his dream was to have a time during the night where the Gospel would be clearly presented. God's House Band has great songs filled with truth, and toward the end of our set, Brian gave a powerful message of how Christ can change a life. He closed with a simple invitation to accept this message...over 5 people asked Christ into their life for the first time, and 6 others re-dedicated their lives!

God is challenging people all around the world to find new ways to present His love. For me and Project Onefifty, it's music. For Brian Taunton...it's reaching out to body-builders. But the fact remains that we need to go beyond the walls of the Church to "be Christ" to the people who won't come to us.

I'm proud to be part of this type of cutting-edge ministry. Brian tells me that next years Classic will be bigger and better than ever...

I'd better start working out now!

GV