After the loss of the Predators at the hand of the Red Wings, we decided to stroll a couple of blocks down the way and re-visit The Place. We went there Tuesday to see the great Blues band CJ Vaughan and the Highway 58s. Tonight, we were able to see The Place's House Band, "That Band." They were a wonderful funk/soul group that got everyone there up and dancing. Their lead singer had a beautiful voice, their drummer, a quirky sense of humor, and their sax and trumpet players played almost as well as my cousin used to play. I would post more information, a website and such, for "That Band," but I cannot find anything. No big deal. If you are in the Nashville area, they will be playing every Thursday through Saturday for the next few weeks.

Tomorrow morning we have a few more sessions, then it is back home. I have had a blast in Nashville and need to come back sometime. Not only have I enjoyed the music scene, I learned a great deal at the conference and met a whole bunch of new people.

Huge group of us checked out the Predators - Red Wings game this evening. Although the Predators were not victorious, we had a great time. There is nothing like a pre-playoff hockey game between the top 2 teams in the league...like I know what I am talking about. I have been to a total of 2 NHL games in my life. Ironically, the other game...wait for it....Red Wings in Detroit.

Next stop - The Place to see That Band....more later.

This week I am in Nashville for a conference for work. A few co-workers and I got into town Tuesday afternoon so we would not have to fly in early Wednesday for the conference. We were able to gather together and have dinner. We went to the famous WildHorse Saloon and I actually had a dinner first...I ate dinner while listening to a live band. Besides that, the steak I had was pretty good too.

I am not sure what we will be doing the next few evenings, but last night we traveled up and down Broadway to find a good blues band, and boy did we find one.

We stumbled upon a venue called The Place on South Second. When we walked by, there was a guy standing on the porch. We asked him if there was live music tonight and he told us that this band, CJ Vaughn and Highway 58, were playing. He said the lead guitarist/vocalist was an 18 year old kid that played the blues like no one else around. We figured, great, let's check it out and got a show that we would never forget.

Take some time to check out their myspace page and listen to their music, read about their influences, and see what they are all about. I found it interesting that some of their influences, and there are a great deal of them, were Rich Mullins and DC Talk along with Bach and the Eagles.

I am not exactly sure why, but I have reverted to my CD collection from high school. In particular, I have been listening to Tourniquet a great deal. Tourniquet is Christian heavy metal. I know that sounds contradictory, but they really are.

I have always noticed, that in times of angst in my life. In times that my soul really hurt and longed for peace, I for some reason, turned to heavy metal music as a release. In college, when some girl broke my heart, a buddy of mine and I would get together at his house, bar-b-que, and listen to KMFDM as loud as we could. (this is a time when I really wasn't living my faith as fully as I could)

Tourniquet sooths my soul because they bring me back down to earth and help me examine what is really important in my life. What God called me to in scripture. The blessings I have if I would ALWAYS strive to follow. Believe it or not, it helps me get closer to God.

The following 2 clips speak to me right now. A great deal of people don't like the whole fire and brimstone reality of hell, but I find it speaks to me in a ways, at times, when the soothing, comforting knowledge that Christ dies to set us free does not. I am not sure why. I think, sometimes, that we all need this little kick in the pants.

The Threshing Floor



You Get What You Pray For

Here is a taste of the lyrics (Click the Song Title for Link to complete Lyrics):