Yesterday was"hoe-down" day at New Hope. Our bass player's dad is a mean banjo picker, and we periodically invite him in to sit and play with us. I throw one of these days in every once in a while since we're still something of a country church even though the "city" is coming no matter what.

What was really cool is when he sat in on the non "country" songs and picked a little background for us. He is really a very talented musician, and it gave our songs a completely different vibe. I actually think the banjo made some folks instantly be more open to some of what we sang. People are funny creatures.

I completely destroyed a guitar pick during the pickin' and grinnin' section. About halfway through the songs, I just felt like I couldn't get the action I wanted out of my guitar, and so I bore down a little bit more to get what I wanted. At the end of the first set, I look at my pick only to see it cracked and splintered, and missing a pretty significant chunk from the tip. The songs were flying so fast I didn't really get a change to take a look or I would have grabbed a new on off my mic stand.

The crowd was down big time yesterday. I don't know if it the start of deer hunting season like somebody joked. The weather was cool and crisp but beautiful, so maybe it was a perfect day to play church hooky.

To my non-New Hope readers, if you think of it, would you say some prayers for families here at our church. We've got some pretty heartbreaking situations going on in some marriages and families, and it seems to just keep piling on. I know all those involved here, though anonymous, would greatly appreciate your prayers. I know the Lord will hear and answer.

Here's our set-list for the morning:

• I'm Gonna Sing Medley (I'm Gonna Sing; Swing Low; Oh, When the Saints; This Train)
• This World is Not My Home // Albert E. Brumley
• I'll Fly Away // Albert E. Brumley
• Unfailing Love // Chris Tomlin
• Wonderful King // David Crowder
• 'Tis So Sweet // Louisa M. Stead, William J. Kirkpatrick

This is also a part of Sunday Setlists at Fred McKinnon [dot] com.

Popularity: 2% [?]