this blog is moving…

hey all, I’ve been attempting to get better at my blogging skillz…oops…see, right there, I blew it. Anyhow, I started this thing, and gave it a few tries…and I feel like I’m getting the hang of it. So now it’s time to do something new.

anyhow…everthing will be the same, ‘cept the name:

http://circleslide.wordpress.com

I’m grateful to everyone who has stopped by to read these musings.

by making it a ‘circleslide’ centered blog, i hope to have some posts from the rest of the band up here too.

I’ll see you over there, someone bring cookies…oh and the last one here has to turn off the lights…thanks.

gabe

A Day Of Service

Today, was a good day. We were able to get away to volunteer at the “Feed The Children” warehouse in downtown Nashville and help the youth group from 1st Baptist Church in Hendersonville pack up some boxes full of food.

We were excited to be asked to participate in this ‘Day Of Service’, and I was reminded that these little things, like packing food containers, are done by “Somebody”. I always assume this stuff gets done by ‘Someone’…but I was humbled to see that on a very cold, snowy, grey, otherwise gloomy day…about 100 young people showed up to help prepare boxes of food and other necessities for those in need. Theirs were the hands that prepared the blessing. We were all touched by this humility and desire to serve.

Martin Luther King Video Extravaganza

I was introduced to Martin Luther King Jr. at age 6 or 7 by a talking Robot that played 8-track cassettes…ahhh, the 80′s…what a glorious time, indeed.

Maybe you had to work today…or maybe you’re just chillin’ at home, surfin’ the vast interwebs…either way…be inspired, like I was:

What we’re up to…

Rehearsing. Rehearsing. Rehearsing.
Getting ready for the first concert of ’09 in Louisville, Kentucky.
New Life church…should be fun as there are so many friends there from my YWAM days.

Today we’re going to be helping ‘Feed The Children’ here in Nashville as they participate in President-Elect Obama’s call for today to be a ‘day of service’. I’ll try and get some info on that later on today.

Between writing new material, rehearsing old material, getting gear up and running, repairing old guitars, making sure the van and trailer are still road worthy…deciding on how to tell Debbie we should name our firstborne “Captain Chesley B. Sullenberger III”…i’ve barely had any time to even breathe. (Ok, I have snuck in a bit of the NFL playoffs and a Spurs game…but I paid for it later)

But I thought I’d let you in on what I’ve been reading lately:

1776 by David Mccullough

having thoroughly enjoyed “John Adams”, I had to get what is considered that work’s companion. Great read if you love American History as told through the letters and writings of the people who were there.

Watchmen by Alan Moore and David Gibbons

wanted to read this thing before making up my mind about seeing the film. A complete suprise, and revelation…truly original. Not for everybody…a bit controversial. But still, as far as graphic novels go…it’s amazing.

Orthodoxy by GK Chesterton

There was a time, on this journey of faith that I’m on, where I felt that “Mere Christianity” by C.S. Lewis helped me put words to what it was that I believed. I was much younger then. If that book was a drink of water…then this is a sublime glass of wine. Quirky and sometimes a bit messy…I understand why the title is actually “Orthodoxy: The Romance Of Faith” great, great read.

Listening to:

Strong Hand Of Love a tribute to Mark Heard (Various Artists)

Long lost Treasure trove of songs that have made their home in my heart and head. I’m so glad I re-discovered this collection featuring Artists like, The Choir, Vigilantes Of Love, Buddy and Julie Miller, and Rich Mullins covering Mark Heard. As far as songwriters writing about their faith (or lack thereof) there are few braver, more willing to stand naked or better masters of words.

Dreams Of The Color Blind by Harrod & Funck

this Boston based duo were often compared to Simon and Garfunkel and with good reason. This debut album is full of acoustic, stripped down fare…with wonderful harmonies. Produced by Mark Heard. I see a trend here.

Transmission #1 by The Listening

Gabe Wilson and Company retool their sound, and lineup…but the music still delivers. Feels like it was written and recorded somewhere in Europe…dark, mysterious, worshipful, phenomenal. Great EP.

Downhere is a band

If it seems as if we’ve been delinquent with our blogging duties last week, well…we were. Last week began with our annual Centricity Writer’s Retreat, where the various artists and writers within the Centricity Music Family get together to hear from other writers, music supervisors, publishers, etc…and hopefully, become better, more productive song writers. Sandwiched in there was a life-altering Marriage Seminar as well as the Centricity Christmas Party. (yes, it was held in January).

During this time I was reminded of how much I have taken from my fellow label mates without giving much back. Encouragement, Inspiration, Laughter have become so common place whenever I’m around these amazing people that I’ve taken them for granted. I usually only have to offer a funny story, a bit of professional envy or jealousy, or a sarcastic remark.

I was reminded last week, that although these friends of mine are just ordinary people, with a lot of the same hangups and egos and shortcomings as I have inside of me…there is also something very incredibly awe inspiring about their stories, their talents, and their hearts.

So I’m going to post a blog about each and every artist that’s a part of Centricity Music, starting with Downhere.

Do you know this band? If you do, consider yourself richer for the knowledge. Are you in a band or starting one? Get to know these guys’ story, and take notes.
Where most acts are starved for good songwriting, these guys are stocked with two of the best in all of Christian Music. Poets, Preachers, Jesters, Lovers, Servants…these four lads from Canada are laden with their music’s highest honors and not without good reason.
Their albums contain gems like ‘Here I Am’ from their latest (Ending is Beginning), and killer tracks like ‘The More’ off ‘Wide-Eyed and Mystified’.
Take a listen to the Juggernaut Rock Anthem “Protest To Praise” off their self titled album.
Marc Martel’s vocals are unequaled…UNEQUALED…in the sea of mediocrity of current music. You have to go back to the golden age of vocalists like Freddy Mercury or haunted by the sublimity of Jeff Buckley to appreciate the sheer and effortless power.
If it’s not unfair enough that one band would have that kind of talent, this one also has the deep, thoughtful, soulful vocals of Jason Germain…the two sharing singing and songwriting duties. As a fan of Lennon/McCartney it’s not hard to see why I have so much respect for the way these guys plumb the depths of the experience of the believer with such clarity and artistry.
A great live show is tantamount to any true rock band. Without it, you’re only fit for studio wizardry. These guys are phenomenal performers. You have to give credit to their steady and creative rhythm section. Jeremy Thiessen is one of my favorite drummers to watch play live. Always serving the song, he is the epitome of the team player. If you let your guard down though you’ll miss the revelation of his technique. Same goes for Glenn Lavender. His personality shining through his melodic bass grooves…locked in yet leaning and pushing and pulling you to enter into the dance, the sorrow, the yearning of the song.
I got the chance to be on a bus tour with these guys. Each one of them could have me laughing one minute with some crazy, silly story…and the next nanosecond challenge my understanding about the kingdom of God…have my defintions of the words ‘justice’, ‘mercy’ rocked to the core.
I’ve had my stomach punched full force by a smiling Glenn, had an amazing homemade oreo milkshake at Jeremy and Erin’s house while watching football, lamented the state of the music industry with Marc Martel up in the Mountains of Washington, and confessed some of my deepest fears on a drive with Jason…
and yet, I write this with the hands of a true and unabashed fan.
Thanks guys for the music…

to hear, read, and exeperience more…go here:

www.downhere.com

Long Overdue Commies

Damaris wins a Commie for being the first ever to comment here.

“First of all, love the blog! Secondly, one of the reasons I love the
Rudolph special is because its about nobodies leaving the ordinary and
changing the world!”

Second one goes to Bulldozer Bobby for this gem of a comment from the Top Ten Christmas Specials :

“What about “White Christmas” with Bing & Danny? That’s a classic.
It comes with sap, songs, choreography, romance, awesome fake
backdrops, military stuff, Vermont, and the Hayne sisters.”

And lastly, Malvis wins one for being such a class act… a former member of Circleslide stopping by to congratulate me on a new guitar…

“Dude that’s great!”

Enjoy your highly deserved awards. The rest of you…keep ‘em coming. We love to hear from you.

Top 11 Circleslide Moments of 2008

Sunrise Worship CD

In February of ’08 we were invited to be a part of Sunrise Church’s Live Worship CD/DVD “Go Light Your World”. It was a huge honor for us, and a chance to sing a worship tune with an amazing band and incredible gospel choir…that’s just something you can’t pass up. Plus, on the flight from Nasvhille to L.A. and back, we beat all the other passengers at the on flight trivia game…I believe I had the highest score…then Eric and Debbie…but then again…who cares about that, right?

Eric and Libby buy house in Nashville

As some kind of declaration of faith, Eric and Libby packed up their belongings from Seattle and made the huge commitment to move down to Nashville…and purchased a home. After a very rough 2007, Circleslide seemed to be heading towards the fate of many bands who simply fade away. I can’t say enough about the new guys in the band…but particularly this move by this precious couple strengthened my resolve to keep touring and making music like nothing else could. They deserve so much respect and honor for how they conduct themselves…two very cool people.

Church of the Good Shepherd in Whittier, CA

Packed house. Everyone singing every word to every song at the top of their lungs. Pastor Sam, introducing me as a mix between James Brown and Springsteen and then, during ‘Morning Star’ coming up on stage and draping me with a cape just like the Godfather of Soul’s band used to do…simultaneously hilarious and humbling…absurd and sublime…this was one of those shows that we, as a band, knew was special when we were up on stage. Very hard to top this one.

morning show el paso

In ’07 the good people of el paso woke up to Circlelside handling their weather report…in ’08…they woke up to a full band onslaught…as we blasted through 4 or 5 of our most rock-n-roll tunes from 5 am to 7 am on KDBC…in between reports about traffic, politics and Lindsay Lohan.  Great fun.

 
the roxy

There’s nothing like unloading your gear on the sunset strip, hustling for parking, sharing the stage with 4 other bands, and sweating and bleeding trying to win a cynical crowd over at such a legendary club.  It was a blur, and before we knew it—it was over…but it was fantastic. When other club owners started trying to book us for that week…we knew we’d done our job.

Opening for Todd Agnew in New Mexico

It was remarkable to watch Todd opening his heart to the crowd in Carlsbad, New Mexico…he taught us that before you can be honest with yourself, or an audience, you have to be honest before God. A gracious guy who does a killer version of U2’s ‘When Love Comes To Town’…and the fact that there were a sea of Circleslide T-shirts in the crowd was a huge cherry on top to such a cool experience.

demos with Gabe Wilson/John Mays

Can’t begin to say how good it felt to be back in the studio, working with the new guys on new songs…even if we were only cutting demos. Maybe you heard some of them on the road, ‘the turning’, ‘immortal’, ‘flowers fade’…it sort of felt like starting over…and it sort of felt like coming home…hard to express all the mixed emotions. I’m just grateful that we had great people working with us, like Gabe Wilson from ‘The Listening’ and John Mays from Centricity…a blast working with both of them.

Playing for 10,000 on 4th of July

Portage, Michigan. We had no idea when we were setting up for that concert how many would show up. We were headlining a brand new event celebrating the fourth of July, and there were some great artists before us and a huuuge fireworks display after us…but when we took the stage, there was a sea of people everwhere…and it turned out to be the largest audience ever for a Circleslide Concert. Bigger than when we opened for Casting Crowns.  When the police gave their report it was set at 10,000 people. It felt like more. We knew it was insane when the Mayor of Portage came and found us and said he couldn’t believe how many people were there…and invited us back. We’ll see…but still…the looks on our faces on stage must have been funny…I think I kept looking over at Eric and Jonathan and mouthing, “this is crazy!”

playing for 200 prisoners

that same week, 200 prisoners were allowed, because of good behaviour, to see us perform inside Coldwater Prison. It took hours just to walk our gear through the 4 or 5 different checkpoints…but it was so worth it to see these men singing with us, and with tears in their eyes, worshipping the Lord with us. We were nervous with all the high security, but after the concert, it was surreal and poignantly safisfying to see the guards and the prisoners helping us load out our gear together, laughing, sharing stories…best concert of ’08 for me…not even a close second.

signing with artist garden management

Again, 2008 was a year of rebuilding for Circleslide, and nothing signified that process better than the signing of new management, Artist Garden Entertainment headed up by Keith and Diana Stancil.  With all their years of experience in the music business they’re also bringing us a new sense of hope and joy for what it is we do…and that is priceless. We can’t thank them enough for the encouragement and support we’ve received from them during these last few months of ’08. We’re looking forward to 2009. 

Seeing you on the road

The best moments for us, have to be when we get the chance to meet the people who enjoy our music out on the road. When we get a chance to shake your hand and have you tell us what you enjoyed the most…what song you wished we’d played…how far you had to drive to see us perform…displaying that ‘vintage’ Circleslide shirt from a time long ago…introducing us to your friend who’d never heard us before but who now follows us on Facebook and Twitter…hearing you tell us about how a song inspired you to pray, or helped you somehow in your relationship with God or with others…when you bought that extra CD or poster because you knew gas prices were high and you just wanted to help us get down the road…or when you got Debbie to sign your shirt cause you knew you’d get more for it later on ebay, ha!….or when you got the band together to pray and bless our journey…when you took us out to eat at the local dive, or burger stand…when you let us crash at your house and let us eat your bread…when we’re backstage and the lights are out and we hear you ready to sing along…that’s what makes everything we do a joy and a privilege and a marvel.
You inspire us more than we could ever inspire you.
It’s been a pleasure…we hope to see you again in 2009.
God Bless You.

A New Guitar

gabe with his shiny new kay guitar

I had a great little time in Cape Girardeau, MO with Debbie’s side of the family. Ate way too much food, but it felt so right. We opened gifts, and laughed at and with each other and partied until the sun began to peek through the clouds. However, I was definitely missing my side of the family. So it was with fantastic excitement that I heard my dad on the other line telling me he was driving up with my mom from San Antonio to hang out for a bit in Nashville. The point was to watch the Cowboys play the Eagles…ouch. That hurt. That was misery personified. I have some friends who are Eagles fans…and they better not mention the game around me if they want to enjoy the rest of their day. That’s all i’m gonna say about that.

But anyway, the reason I’m posting is because tonight my dad brought out a gift, which turned out to be a 1962 Kay Swingmaster Guitar with Gold “K” pickups.
The guys in the band can tell you…i’ve been really searching in every music store, in every city we’ve stopped in, looking for a guitar…craigslist, ebay…just really searching for an electric guitar that sounds great, and fits neatly into my snobby ‘it’s got to be vintage’ category. This guitar is a thing of beauty…and my dad bought it for $50. I know, I know…outrageous. I plugged it in and it sounds like a dream…a dream full of warm, beautiful tone.

I’m just really thankful and blessed to not only be able to spend some much needed time with my folks…but that they came with a much needed gift as well.

I wish my acoustic guitar wasn’t such a mess and still unrepaired…but this more than makes up for it.

thanks mom and dad…

“…I’m trying real hard to be the shepherd.”

…that quote is from Jules Winfield aka Samuel L. Jackson in the ultra violent, drug fueled, film from Quentin Tarantino. Not a holiday tradition in our home. But, I have been thinking about shepherds lately. Particularly the ones who were visited by angels some 2000 years ago.
Who were they? We don’t know. We have no idea if they were righteous or pious, or if they had ever done something wicked or evil,…anything to deserve a whole host of angels to serenade them with ‘The First Noelle”. We do know they were going about their job. ‘watching their flocks by night’. At least in a moment when they least expected to be visited by heaven, they were found faithful to the task at hand…as inglorious as that task may seem.

They weren’t rich or powerful. That much is certain.
That’s pretty much it. That’s all the gospel of Luke will venture to say.
And I’m so grateful for it.

At the latest hollywood movie premiere, publicists work overtime to make sure A-listers are seen rolling down the red carpet. People are so bummed that Steve Jobs won’t be attending the latest MacWorld Expo. When the elite throw a party, it better have some ‘cool’ people, or you’re just not that big a deal.
But when God chose to give the biggest press release to the most historic happening ever, he sent his angels to a group of nobody’s who smelled like goat crap.
Why? Because this gift, the gift of Himself that he was giving…was not going to be something you could earn, or work hard for, it’s something anyone, ANYONE, could freely accept.

“Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known to us.”

That’s the correct response…it’s the response I want to have this year to the gift of God. I want to have the common sense to leave whatever it is I’m doing and see what God is up to this year. I want to run down whatever hill I’m occupying and bow my head inside a small cave to kneel before a King, perhaps the world won’t accept…but is dieing for.

I want to be the shepherd.

Top Ten Christmas Specials

Hello, and welcome. This is the new and improved Circleslide blog.
Maybe, you’ve been reading over at Myspace or Facebook. Well, now this is the place to find out what is really going on in the life and times our little band. It will eventually include posts from various band members dealing with life on the road, new songs, what we’re thinking, doing, etc.
In this first entry we are going to discuss my top 10 favorite Christmas Specials. Why? Because “why not?” thats why.

The only criteria to be in the top 10 is that they have to be my favorite things to watch on TV during the holidays and they have to be awesome. Got it? let’s begin:

10. the office special (uk)

This hilarious show always felt a bit cynical to me…probably why I liked it…but this is a satisfying conclusion to the groundbreaking, and now, copycatted series in which David Brent gets the last laugh, literally.

9. bing crosby and david bowie

Probably one of the weirdest pairings in any Christmas Special…and yet, it resonates for some reason. The awkwardness is palpable on screen…but the voices are so original, and let’s face it, the song is awesome…so it is something i have to youtube before i’m able to open presents. Speaking about that song…

8. the little drummer boy

In 1968 the people over at Rankin-Bass created a classic that used to air on NBC for many years. It’s one of the few specials on this list where the actual story of Christ’s birth is the backdrop for the story. I have to admit to having a few tears fall at the end…the idea of gift giving is turned on it’s head and i’m reminded that Christmas is about the amazing gift that God gave…and there’s nothing we can do to repay that gift except worship. A shame this doesn’t air anymore.

7. ’twas the night before christmas

I liked this cartoon (again from Rankin-Bass) as a kid, because it dealt with the idea of belief, cynicism, and redemption. I know it’s about Santa Claus…but it could be viewed as a kind of parable for a world that’s decided that faith, in general, is no longer needed. Cute songs too.

6. the grinch who stole christmas

Few classics hold a candle to this Dr. Seuss adaptation…and I wish we’d sing “Fah Who For-Aze welcome, welcome christmas day” in church…but i know i’d be thrown out for being a heretic…but still…it would be fun.

5. frosty the snowman

I thought it would be so cool to ride down a snowy hill the way Karen does, on Frosty’s back…not to mention illegally hopping on a train to the North Pole. On one of the rare occasions where it snowed in San Antonio, I admit to building a snow man with my brother and trying to make it come to life. Sadly, we weren’t able to achieve that feat…another blow to childhood innocence I’m afraid.

4. rudolph the red-nosed reindeer

So many classic characters, hermey the misfit elf, yukon cornelius, the awesome bumble (who scared the crap out of me as a kid) and you got Burl Ives as Sam the Snowman singing “Holly Jolly Christmas” which, in my humble opinion, is a gift from God to all of mankind. I love hearing that guy sing that song.

3. It’s a wonderful life

So many people dismiss this Capra film because of it’s perceived sentimentality and sugary-sweet message. What they sometimes miss is that this movie is DARK. Suicide, greed…a father who resents and verbally abuses his children and wife…a man who dreams of leaving a small town but is trapped because of death and debt….these are serious, dreary themes. Watch it again, and you’ll see why it’s stood the test of time…as people rediscover this amazing story of true redemption in the face of stark reality.

2. A charlie brown christmas

Why does every list about Christmas specials have this at or near the top? I think it’s the sublime surprise of watching such familiar and beloved characters so starkly and simply give us the true meaning of Christmas. The music is phenomenal, Vince Guaraldi’s jazz compositions are embedded into my dna…and I don’t believe it’s Christmas unless I’ve had the opportunity to watch this rare masterpiece of television.

1. A christmas story

Oh Fudge. You’ll shoot your eye out. It’s a Major Award! Drink Your Ovaltine. Fra-gee-lay. He looks like a deranged easter bunny.
Like a Christmas “Lebowski”…this movie is totally quotable, full of believable nostalgia, and one of those movies that gets better with multiple viewings. It’s my favorite…and I think it should be yours too. But then again, maybe you have some in mind that I’ve left off this list. Let me know.

I hope you enjoy the holidays…Merry Christmas from all of us in Circleslide.
now, where’s that blasted remote?

–gabe