Busting cynicism

Sometimes I get a little cynical in my job. It's easy to do after 20 years of being in the same industry. You hear enough bands that make you scratch your head and wonder how they ever got their foot in the door, much less a record deal. Working on the sales and marketing end of the whole thing brings another level of cynicism. A band might be great, but if they don't bring in "the numbers", no matter how much you believe in them, they probably won't have the backing of a record company for long.

It's common to sit in a board room and clinically discuss sales, demographics, trends, radio adds, website hits and all of the statistical stuff that defines success--without much of a nod to artistry. Hopefully, we get to leave that to the creative types, A&R people and label marketers to find and enhance that side of things. But when you're trying to make budgets work, meet sales goals and working every angle to make the top 10 on Soundscan for street week, the inspirational side of it gets a little lost.

Except for moments like today. We had a band stop by who's been with our distribution company for a number of years. They just wanted to thank our team for all of our efforts over the years and celebrate with us as they release a new record. This band, and I don't think they'd mind me saying this, is one of those that's big on talent, but hasn't broken through with huge sales numbers. This is a band our whole team believes in and they are fortunate enough to be with a label that believes in them as well and continues to support and promote them so they can continue to reach people with their music.




These guys also are a rare breed of band that actually sounds good with just a keyboard setup (using the speakers that actually come with the keyboard) and an acoustic guitar--no PA. They sang to us after enjoying some ice cream and chatted with us about the origin of some of their songs. As they sang, I was struck by two things. As much as the business side of things can wear one down, I'm still pretty blessed to be able to have the kind of "meeting" at work that involves ice cream and a favorite band giving us a private, unplugged concert. Secondly, I really like these guys' lyrics. They sang a song from one of their previous records called "The Real Jesus".

As I look towards this weekend and the real possibility of facing some people who really need to know the grace of God, I began to pray that I might be able to give them a glimpse of "The Real Jesus". I confess, I am at a loss as to how to summon up grace for those who have not shown kindness to me. In the middle of pain and resentment, it is difficult to show love. Fortunately, God has limitless grace and asks us just to go, to be open, to do the right thing (as best as we can see it). He can work out the rest. I'm grateful, that in a boardroom, in an office on the middle of music row--a group of guys showed up and celebrated the talents and the message God has given them, and for a moment lifted my cynical veil, and reminded me that simple act of love can reveal the "Real Jesus".

Jesus on the radio, Jesus on a late night show
Jesus in a dream, looking all serene
Jesus on a steeple, Jesus in the Gallup poll
Jesus has His very own brand of rock and roll

Watched Him on the silver screen
Bought the action figurine
But Jesus is the only name that makes you flinch

Oh, can anybody show me the real Jesus?
Oh, let Your love unveil the mystery of the real Jesus

Jesus started something new
Jesus coined a phrase or two
Jesus split the line at the turning point of time
Jesus sparked a controversy
Jesus, known for His mercy, gave a man his sight
Jesus isn't white

Jesus loves the children, holds the lambs
Jesus prays a lot
Jesus has distinguishing marks on His hands

If anybody walks behind the Good Shepherd
If anybody holds the hands that heal lepers
And if you recognize the eyes that see forever, please...

Jesus, Jesus
Oh, can anybody show me Jesus
Oh, let Your love unveil the glory, the real Jesus

Oh, can anybody show me the real Jesus?
Oh, let Your love unveil the glory of the real Jesus, the real Jesus

(composed by Marc Martel - on "Wide-Eyed & Mystified" - Centricity Records 2006)

Choose

It's been awhile since I've blogged.  Much has happened between April and now...the summer is nearly gone.  In some ways life has slowed down and in many ways there is still much upheaval.  I'm learning that life is unpredictable and although I can "play" like everything is within my ability to manipulate, that is far from the truth.  So what's a control freak to do in a life that throws curve-balls every 8.3 seconds?  Enjoy the ride.  

For with each bout of unpleasantness that comes, there are moments of joy as well.  Whether or not we choose to recognize those joyful moments, or choose to wallow in the mire of negative events is truly just that, a choice.  Whether or not we tend to lose ourselves in thinking about what the future could bring (or my classic mode of thought..."waiting for the other shoe to drop") or making the most of the here and now, again is a choice.  I'm grateful I can choose.  I pray that most days I'll choose the side of grace and hope and thankfulness.  

Debbie Downer

So, my blogs aren't filled with sunshine and roses these days, but give me time. "Silver Lining Laura" will be back in no time. I was reflecting on some correspondence I had with a friend the other day and found some interesting thoughts on tragedy. They are from a new book that we are actually selling that comes out in July called "Congo Vignettes" (check out the myspace page on this project--it's a nice inspirational read).

http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=328891807

Anyway, here are Shawn Lantz's thoughts on tragedy. Definitely gave me a few things to think about...

What is tragedy? I have had to redefine my previous definition of the word.

Tragedy is carrying around the burden of trying to find one's self worth and value in earthly treasures that can be here today and gone tomorrow.

Tragedy is continuing to be enslaved to the gnawing fear that we control own own destinies and there is no larger plan or purpose for our lives than what we are currently living.

Tragedy is never having a real-life experience that forces us to have to throw ourselves on the mercy of the One who created us. In trusting Him with our circumstances, no matter how dire they may be, we prepare the way for Him to rescue us so we may praise Him for those very circumstances.

Tragedy is not believing God can use our pain for His glory, and instead believing He has abondoned us.

When our lives are pierced with pain and sorrow, we can rest in the knowledge of the simple, but profound truth found in Matthew's gospel: the God who sees every sparrow fall from the sky watches over us with a Father's heart.

Good words Shawn. Thanks.

Bloggity Blog Blog Blog

I am not a blogger. I have this intense fear that if I compose all my most intimate thoughts on a format such as this...it will hasten my death. I will write words of profound intensity and once I get them all out, I will cease to be needed as an actual creature that walks on this earth--my words will become more important than my presence. You know, on second thought...I'm not that good a writer. I think I'll be fine.



So..wow, what a crazy, freaky, sad, happy, tumultous 60 days or so. I've experienced the gamut of every human emotion I thought possible. Not just the regular ones that happen, say, like at my job. You know...annoyance, stress, satisfaction, accomplishment, disappointment, delight, etc. These were new and more intense emotions. Love, hatred, helplessness, desperation, empathy, desolution, depression, compassion, revulsion, sadness, grief, gratefulness, humility, cluelessness, peacefulness, restlessness, pain, loss, relief, and appreciation. And not in that order.



This blog, as it is being composed at 5:20 am (after about 3 hours of sleep) is not going to say much. It's really kind of a pre-amble for a couple of assignments that I'm supposed to undertake to get me through all that stuff I mentioned that I experienced in the last 60 days. Although I did well in school, I wasn't much for homework. But this homework gets me to some important ends., so I guess I'll get out my number two pencil, my trapper keeper and my protractor and get to work. More to come, 3 people that might read my blog!