New Song - Just for Fun

Yeah, I know I haven't posted anything "deep" in a while, but hey, I don't get paid for this! Hahaha. Actually,
I have been somewhat productive these last two or so months, as I've been washing windows with a local
company. So, for now, be content with me and Blane's latest offering, a cover of "Sound of Silence", written by
none other than the inimitable Simon & Garfunkel, of course. 8)



(Stay tuned for more originals by us in the next few weeks)

Just For Fun...

We got together to record yesterday and didn't have any new songs ready, so we did a fun Bass/Electric duet.
The song is called "Sleepwalk", and it was written and recorded by "Santo & Johnny" in 1959. It has since been
covered by everybody from The Ventures to Chet Atkins to Jeff Beck.



Back to more serious subjects in the near future...

Another One

Today I turned seventeen. At 2:23 pm, to be precise. Sunny baked a carrot cake, we had ravioli, and all is well
with the world. B)
  Anyway, this year has been a good one. I feel like I have matured more not only as a young man and a
christian, but also as a musician. This month marks a year since the Wretched Brothers became the Wretched
Brothers, and next month, a year since we opened our youtube account. This was the year I started writing
songs and singing them. Because of these things, I now know more than ever that the music I make must
glorify God and point people to the truth if it is to be worth anything. My music has a purpose, and for that I am
thankful. I don't know what God has in store for me next, but what I witnessed firsthand this past year is His
faithfulness when I am unfaithful, and His blessings when I obey Him. One thing that was certainly a blessing
was being able to get my Learners' Permit (which also borders on miracle territory, if you ask me!). This is
definitely an important step to becoming a man, and again, I am thankful for for it. Of course, I am grateful for
my family and church family, who have continued to support, encourage, instruct, and love me. This has been a
full year, a gift from God. I can only imagine what He has planned for the next one!

(And now, just for fun)

For Guitarist's Eyes Only!

One fellow whose music I have come to love is Jeff Beck, and I have been somewhat inspired by him, especially
since he plays completely sans plectrum, like me. If you can ignore the lack of sleeves, and that strange thing
around his neck, he really makes some beautiful music. These performances are from a live concert in London,
which I have the recording from.

This is just a classic:



Blues with a twist:
(The actual title is "Goodbye Pork Pie Hat/Brush With The Blues")



Amazing use of harmonics and vibrato bar:

Amazing Video

I just found this guy's YouTube channel and had to share this video! (there is a link to the channel on the video)


The "Chapman Stick", as it is called, is a very intriguing instrument. More about it at the manufacturer's site.

Scripture Sunday - Whoops!

Well, I missed the deadline, but I'll be posting tomorrow, so keep yer shirts on, everybody! In the meantime,
here's a very edifying cartoon, and a not-as-edifying-but-funny video from Tim Hawkins, my favorite funny man.

Remember, people, "Love is patient and kind..." (1 Corinthians 13:4)

Rockin'!

Blane Jr made this great "video" from an improvised jam session we had on Sunday...



...And yes, I like Freddie King. B)

One More Year...

Yes, it's my birthday, I turned sixteen today. DUN-DUN-DUH!

The Lord has done a lot in my life during the past year. He's taught me a lot of lessons,
and He's made me do some hard stuff, but I know that every thing that happens to me is
worked out by Him to make me more like Christ, so I rejoice! I know that I've got some
growing up to do, more lessons to learn, and more hard stuff to do, but I also know that
God is watching over me and guiding my steps with His Holy Spirit. By the way, here's
a good ol' proverb that really applies:

Some Acoustic Goodness

These guys are regulars on my "Phil Keaggy" Pandora radio station... 

Anybody feel inadequate yet?  B)

Just in case you haven't been impressed yet, try this video on Dan Philips' 

great blog, Biblical Christianity.

The Cataloochee Buglers

Yesterday, we all got to go with the Blevins to Cataloochee to see the elks bugling and

perhaps fighting (because it's mating season), though none fought while we were there.
Anyway, We all had a great time just talking and watching the elks. Well, here's some
pictures...

We had plenty of food!

Diggin' Them Shins!

You know, we've been up here in the mountains for nine years and never have gone

to Shindig on the Green, but we got the opportunity to go yesterday, so I took my 

trusty '70s Yamaha FG-160 to pick along with. B) I was pretty nervous about going

over there with all those other people and playing, but as I started playing along, it 

became very fun!

  They had a bunch of local bands play, and there was plenty of clogging and square
dancing. (None of which, by the way, was done by me. HA HA!) Actually, no one
really took notice of me, except one guy that was sitting in front of us that recognized
the tone of my guitar as a Yamaha that he'd owned a while back! He said that he had
purchased expensive Martins and Taylors, but he always loved that Yamaha.
I really enjoyed being able to just sit back in obscurity and play along with all the
bands, and it was a pretty good test of my dexterity! I'm sorry to say, though, that we
forgot the camera, so no pictures here, but you can see some at the Citizen-Times 
Website. We got there at about seven, and left around nine, but I could have stayed
longer! B)  It was all around a good time, and I expect we'll go again sometime...

(BTW, I'm thinking of getting some fingerpicks, any advice?)

A Capella, A Capella...

Just a quick post to show you this amazing performance by GLAD.

They take the hymn ''Leaning on the Everlasting Arms'' and sing it

in several different styles, from a classical fugue to modern jazz.

These guys really are talented, and praise the Lord, they're using their 

gifts to serve Him!

Birthdays, Books, and Audio Files

YES as a birthday cake #2 by like_the_grand_canyon

Yesterday, we all had a surprise birthday party for Daniel over at the Hodges'

house, and his family was able to come up. We had burgers and hot dogs,
Emily made a wonderful cake (half of my piece ended up on the floor), and a
good time was had by all! Blane Jr. took some pictures, you can see them here.
  Today at church, the Mounts and the Blevins were able to come, and we
had a whole mess o' burgers and cake that were left over from the party.
(Y'all come agin now, y'hear?!)