Is there still a value in music?

I recently loaded some old cd's onto my itunes . . . albums (mostly in the CCM world) that were produced back in the glory days of the industry- going all the way back in the last century (1990's :-) and the differences are stark.

The biggest contrast in those recordings from todays music is the production value. Albums that came out in the late 90's and very early 2000's have a depth/quality in the musical recording- not necessarily in the talent of the artist or even lyrics of the songs, though you can make an argument for those as well. Im referring to the depth of the musical canvas, the musicianship of the artists performing in the music. This is the time we first started seeing digital effects coming into play, and it was used to extend the value- not replace it. Much of this is attributed to the budgets that albums used to have, verses the "above the garage" studio budgets that many major label artist are "forced" to create in. While there are some great advantages to having a relaxed environment and more time to create than in a traditional studio, you also can't fit a real orchestra in there!

Mixing in the box (a term coined when mixing happens completely inside a computer environment- no physical mixing console or gear) has opened up the gates to new engineers and producers, but has also put the art form of recording and producing into cold territory. No longer do you have the time to tweak and mix, to let the music rest on your ears for a bit. Now you create a mix- compress it to a MP3, and send out to radio. Unfortunately, the art in the mixing and producing has become a forumla to be followed- mix a CHR verison, an AC version, an album version, a cut with the local stations call letters, and an extremely "Vocals UP" mix to make sure everyone has a version that they can play. While this is great for helping reduce friction to playlists, it becomes calculated.

Musicians, by nature, are passionate "all-in" people, and the ones that do well are willing to put everything in and do what is required to make it. Producers and engineers are also passionate people who can see the vision in a song. They can take a artists vocals/guitar, and craft an entire musical experience. I'm afraid the machine today has taken a lot of the gut feeling out of musical production, and left the artist torn between being a major player or creating authentic music.

When corporations saw the $$$ in Christian music, they jumped on board. While this enabled the genre to expand and gain acceptance, it also created a dichotomy in musicians who feel called to create music that points to our creator and the most popular product that is most accessible to radio. It can be done, and the artists that find that illusive balance are till surviving.

I don't know that the bulk lies on any one particular group, its just kind of the product of the times. I guess the point is that I would like to have a rock/pop album with real instruments, real musicians AND technology. One violin and a synth keyboard will never replace the pops orchestra accompanying a full band. We're now about ten years out from the collapse of the music industry, and while we still (and always will) have new artist and big hits, I can't help but think back to when an album took you on a musical journey.

Check out the site http://www.restoringmusic.org/TheCrisisDocument for more depth on many of the things I'm talking about. Im glad to see a group that is trying to not only restore some of what was lost, but also create an environment where business and creative can co-exist more effectively.

Honestly, I'm kinda tired of trying to be the "Cool" Christian.

I currently have about 5 emails/correspondence or ideas going on with others. Currently I've heard back from one of the five. I find it harder and harder to actually "communicate" in our 140 character or less world. Sometimes things take more than a short paragraph to communicate. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE having twitter and Facebook . . . and Google plus . . . and LinkedIn . . . and You Tube. . . and FourSquare (get the point!). While all these outlets are made to enable us to be more "social", in reality all it allows us to do is have a mostly one way conversation. Actually, its not really a conversation, its more of a monologue - you can comment back, but you can't really talk to me. These are MY platforms to say what I WANT- problem, thats not a conversation. (Ironically, this is very much a monologue I am typing right now, but thats not the point :-)!

Just because you have a social media following doesn't make you a good leader, or even a good "Cool" Christian. I don't think Christ would have had many followers on Facebook, or even be that interested in Social Media for that matter. From what I've read he seemed more interested in spending time with "ACTUAL" people. You might not want to see where he checks in on Four Square, and I doubt most of his posts would get "re-tweeted" or "Plused" on Google.

In regards to faith, it requires us to be "catchy and cute" in order to have any significance. The "Cool" Christians can build their social platform complete with many followers and therefore can expound on how great their Christian walk is. AND if you just buy their CD or book - perhaps you can have a Christian life like theirs. Honestly, I'm kinda tired of trying to be the "Cool" Christian.

I know that the faith community would say "Oh, you don't have to try to be cool, just be a good Christ-follower". But, what that really means is- Sing this new catchy song, wear the right necklace and wrist bracelets. Then buy some trendy clothes and look like you just rolled out of bed-  OH AND DON"T FORGET to have a cool "faith-tattoo" (or faith-too as I call them) and the world will see that you are cool and just maybe they will want to be that kind of Christian. Please understand, I don't necessarily have anything against any of those parts of someones lifestyle- if that's who they REALLY are. But I venture to say that the majority spend a lot of time and money trying to create the "Cool" Christian look. I've tried too, and I must say - its EXHAUSTING.

Can we just talk, or even email- you know that among all the cool features that an iPhone has, it can also make phone calls (unless you're on AT&T- then it might not).  Oh, wait I think I'm using too many characters in this blog, guess I'll have to shorten it so I don't get cut o

Busy, Tired & Fulfilled

The past several weeks have been somewhat hectic. I'm half way through my final semester at Belmont, working full time, and installing a new sound lighting and video system at a church in Mboro. Needless to say, I'm just trying to keep my head above water. But even in all the busy-ness, I feel a good sense of fulfillment, as I have three separate areas of my life that are full and functioning. Does that mean I would like to keep this up all the time . . . NOOOOOOO. I would love nothing more than to be lying on a beach right now listening to Jimmy Buffet and relaxing. (Actually my wife and I have a Disney trip coming up next month, so I will be VERY ready for some down time!).

The sense of balance is somewhat out of whack, but overall I feel like things are moving along nicely. The next 8 weeks of school are going to be rough, but the other extras are about done.

I am very much looking forward to this summer when I can spend alot more time with my wife, the most awesome woman in the world!, and just sit on our new front porch and waive at the neighbors and drink ice cold lemonade.

Summer PLEASE HURRY!!!!!

Social Media is the new Wild West

I see more and more people with the tag "Social Media Expert" or "Social Media Strategist", and I often wonder what their interpretation of the title means. The modern social media movement only goes back to MySpace- early 2003, and followed closely by Facebook in 2004. We have less than a decade and really only about five years of mainstream "social media" under our belt, and even the big boys are still trying to figure out what it really is.

The rules and standards are starting to solidify now, but there is still a wild wild west element to the whole medium, and no one REALLY knows for sure who will be king. We still see companies that were titans in the web/media industry fall, and though Facebook is on top today, there was a time when MySpace was thought to be the king.

So are there "experts" in social media? There may be a few, but only a few. People like Seth Godin, Dan Zarrella & Lisa Strauss I would consider experts, but your friend's neighbors son, probably not. He may like social media, he may use social media and even have a blog, but that doesn't really make him an expert. Being an end user of a product and a designer of a product are two different things, and being familiar with social media doesn't equal social media expert.

I know, your going . . . Kevin, you're depressing us! Is anybody worthy of the title expert? The answer is . . . maybe. How'd you like that for an answer! Ok, so the good news is I don't think you have to be an expert to take advantage of social media and social marketing. The heart of social media is one person talking to another and sharing information, which is what marketing is all about. Firms spend MILLIONS trying to get information to their target audience and convince them to buy their product.

If you have a product, idea or a service then you must (not should or maybe) be using social media to get your message out. There is so much noise in media today, that you have to use every option available to help your cause. Even with social media you are not guaranteed to succeed, but without it - your likelihood of failure is that much better.

We will start to see more true experts emerge as social media creates a whole new category of marketing, but that also means that more people will be grasping for that title. We need more time under our belt before we are all "experts", but with every tweet and wall post we take one step closer.

Spring Is Coming

So ever since Narnia and the lyrics from a SCC song, the phrase "Spring is Coming" has represented a renewal and a type of salvation (reclaiming the old and making it new) in my mind. The obvious representation of the actual season of spring which brings nature back to life from its winter sleep, is a great analogy of what happens in our life a lot.

Yes, there is the spiritual inference that stands perhaps most obvious, both the initial acceptance of Christ and the constant renewal of our spirit. But our lives in general often go through seasons, times of prosperity and famine, success and failure. The only way we can stand back and make any sense of it is through perspective. We (my wife & I) are on the way back up from being in the valley for quite a long time. 2010 marked a turn for us that I believe will continue through 2011. I have a tendency to get too involved in the roller coaster of emotions that accompany the ups and downs, and not focus on the ride itself.

I know that compared to the rest of the world, most of my problems are nothing. Being frustrated by the ridiculously slow car in front of me is such an "American" problem, that it seems selfish. (Although, 10 mph under the speed limit is not necessary!) Having the sense to stand back and see the bigger picture is something we work towards, but I'm not sure we ever attain. I do know that I've begun to reference points in my life as twists and turns in the road - the road I had to take to get where I am now. Good or bad, it MY road, and the greatest hope I can hold on to is that no matter what, its a season. One of the best mental phrases I can keep in my mind is "Spring is Coming".

If you're on top of the mountain, enjoy the time- cause you don't know when you will start heading back down the other side. Its fun and safe "Up on the Mountain" (to reference another SCC song :-) As spring really is coming (the sooner the better - I'm over the snow), we look forward to the new life that comes, and make plans to thrive in the summer. If you're in the valley, Spring IS coming - it may be a long winter, but its only for a season. You might be in spring right now, or on your way up; be happy, plan wisely and keep relying on the one who has the strength to get you to the top.

Finally, remember if we didn't have winter, spring wouldn't be so desired! Live in the season you are in, and welcome the one thats coming next.

~K

Status Update on "The Church"

I've been reading two books (actually I have four books on my Kindle), and they mostly deal with "the Church" and what we don't do so well. Focusing on issues like AIDS, poverty and social issues, it casts a sharp light on modern Christianity and exposes some large holes between Philosophy and Actions. However, I've been coming away from my reading borderline depressed and wondering if the church does ANYTHING right?

While there are certainly those who would jump up and say "No", I feel the need to point out some things we do well. Now, before you get all uptight or defensive of well written calls to fill in the gaps of our faith, let me be the first to say that I agree with those who point out those areas. The church DOES need to step up and be Christ to the modern day world. We DO lack in caring and concern for the vast majority of the world, and OFTEN spend our time focused on our little world. So, is there anything we can give a thumbs up to? Anything we can point to and say, well- we did pretty good there? I believe there is, and while this isn't a theological debate or a doctrinal thesis, I think there is a lot of good being done today.

First, I think we are getting better at not "Shooting our own while they are down", by that I mean we have gotten away from condemning others in the faith when they stumble or fall. In order to create an environment that restores and renews, we can't throw rocks and verbally abuse, but work towards completion and recovery. I think that many churches today are beginning to understand that, and as we see leaders fall; and endure the comments from the media, we start to see that we need to help restore, not aide in the throwing.

Next, the community of believers have done better at being friends instead of enemies. I recently watched a good pastor friend of mine lead over 10 churches from the area in a community work day. Aptly titled "Outside the Walls", the goal was to work as a faith community to serve the city they lived in. On a Sunday morning, several hundreds of Christians (not Baptist, Methodist, Pentecostal- but Christians) worked on cleaning up school grounds, planting trees along the green way, and making their town a better place to live. Now, were they going to have theological debates, or get in to the church pre/post tribulation?, NO. But they could work together, and even have time to worship God and His Son Jesus as a faith community after the work was done. People who share our values (or even a majority of them) need to be folks we can lean on, and fellowship with. Not a clique, but a base of friends, believers who want the best for each other.

Finally, the hot word of the past 10-15 years "Worship". Growing up in a conservative church, that word basically meant singing the first and last verses of three hymns, followed by a special music solo or choir number. NO, there is nothing wrong with that format, or the songs that were sung. Many are still dear to my heart and I enjoy singing them today, often with new arrangements and new life. I do feel that now we spend more time laying with our faces down at Jesus' feet, and focusing on lifting our voices and our spirit to God. This generation of song writers and lead worshipers have a earnest desire to simply lay everything down and just "be" in God's presence. Its not about clothing, instruments being used, or even Bible translations. Its about spending some time with our "daddy", curling up in His lap and being loved by a Father that longs for us to spend time with Him.

I know that for me and many that I run with, we seek to be the "Hands & Feet" in a very real and practical sense. I don't like playing church, I love being the church, and being AT my church. When people see real relationships, they will ask what's different, and then we have the opportunity to share why we love the way we do. Are we perfect? No. Are we "There" yet? No. Is there a lot of issues to work on? YES. However, I think that sometimes we need to step back, and while examining our actions & what can be improved on, also put a sticker on the wall that says "Good Job" to recognize when we did something right. We have plenty folks to tell us what we are doing wrong, lets not overlook what we do right.