GMA Canada Week and Covenant Awards
Hey! How have you been? I’ve been in a whirlwind of excitement and busy-ness lately and have enjoyed every minute of it. I enjoyed returning to perform and reconnect at the House Coffee Sanctuary in October and look forward to returning again soon. Thank you also to Fairmont Hot Springs Resort for having myself and my good friend and percussionist Brent Gerlitz perform at your wine festival. We had a blast and look forward to our next visit. Join Brent and I at FHSR Dec. 27-28 during their Christmas season. It’s sure to be a relaxed, memorable time. To book a room or for other info, visit www.fairmonthotsprings.com or call 1-800-663-4979. Also visit my Dates page for additional dates to come, and my Facebook page (click on the Facebook link icon) for photos, etc. Thank you, GMA Canada for the honor of nominating my latest album “Paradise” for Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year! While the award was presented to a fellow nominee, I am honored and humbled for this recognition. Being in Ontario this past week, I loved reconnecting with artist and radio friends from across Canada, and look forward to next year’s GMA Canada Week and Covenant Awards. Thank you, Daron Schofield (producer, additional instrumentation), Brent Gerlitz and Jaret Hunchak (drums), Sherri Bergen and Erica Fulton (additional backing vocals), Johnny Gasparic (studio engineer for mixing and mastering), and Dave Tempel (Music Centre Canada Recording Studios) for your support and hard work on this record. I’m quite proud of the work we did together, and won’t forget it. On the plane to Ontario this past week I saw the movie, “Jobs” (the story of Steve Jobs), came away very moved and inspired, and have just begun to read the book, “Steve Jobs” (by Walter Isaacson). Steve Jobs began his business a young, barefoot, college drop-out hippie. He was a visionary, imaginative, spontaneous, motivated, gutsy, stubborn, a thinker, and when his flaws were pointed out to him he made the effort to change. He was also ignored, annoying, flawed, initially a poor husband and father, and a perfectionist. He risked failure and had passion for what he believed in. After considering his accomplishments because of and despite of himself, I considered what it could mean for my own life. “What is my vision? What has God laid on my heart to accomplish his will, not only for my life but also for those he introduces to me?” Steve Jobs said, “The people who think they’re crazy enough to change the world are the ones who do.” He also wanted to do “what no one thought possible.” For the Believer, “Everything is possible for him who believes.” (Mark 9:23). “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. If God is for us who can be against us?”. (Romans 8:28, 31). Consider the gifts and talents God has given you, then go and use them. There will be opposition, temptations of self-doubt, and times of weariness, but God is on your side and will do what you cannot. “So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.” (Galatians 6:9). Be encouraged! Thank you again for your ongoing support. I hope you see you soon