In celebration of the beginning of my mark upon the Blogger’s world, I have decided to blog about one of my reigning passions in life – Music. Not just one specific genre either, but rather a myriad compilation of many of my favorites.
A quote I frequently allude to when discussing music came from the mouth of a man with a passion for it’s power, Jamie Tworkowski.
“Stories ask for endings, but songs are brave things bold enough to sing when all they know is darkness,” he writes. What a powerful comparison.
I began dreaming of a time in my life when I could plan concerts. I could form line-ups of all my favorite bands and send them off to travel the world. So, I did some planning for that day in the future when I could perhaps do just that. And I have decided to share my fabricated concerts with you all.
What a rough decision it was though! I came up with four great genres… the best 3 tier lineup… and here are the qualifiers. I mixed it up a little bit and for my shows I am having each one represent a cause I know that the band has ties with and chooses to represent. Music is powerful and brave, and it has the power to change the world by changing perspectives. Even jazz… a lot of jazz doesn’t include lyrics. But if it’s right, you know exactly what the composer was feeling when he first played it. So here we go:
In the Rock division (my personal favorite…)
OPENING THE SHOW: Single File
THE MIDWAY: Cute Is What We Aim For
THE BIG ONE: BOYS LIKE GIRLS
This concert’s philanthropy is with TAKEACTION! It is its ninth year up-and-running, and TA raises funds and public awareness for youth involvement in charitable action. DoSomething.org would be where their percentage of profits from donations, ticket sales, and merchandise would go to.
IN MY JAZZ CATAGORY:
OPENING: RON COBB
SUSPENSING: CHRIS MCDONALD
HEADLINING: RHONDA MCCOY!
It just so happens that all of these jazz artists are under Christian label. Donald Miller is an incredible Christian author and he will be a midway guest speaker at this concert (which is in a Jazz hall in Chi-town). The first 100 people there will get a copy of his book “Blue Like Jazz.” Miller, in the preface of his book, talks about spirituality being like jazz in a way.
“I never liked jazz music because jazz music doesn’t resolve. But I was outside the Bagdad Theater in Portland one night when I saw a man playing the saxophone. I stood there for fifteen minutes, and he never opened his eyes. After that, I liked jazz. Sometimes you have to watch somebody love something before you can love it yourself. It is as if they are showing you the way…”
Donald will also speak at the event.
IN THE HIP HOP DIVISION:
First up: DJ LAZ
Following: Pitbull
FINISHING: MISSY ELLIOT
I’m pumped about this one! Missy is the best selling female hip hop artist of all time with 5 multi platinum albums. she owns her own record label AND she is a national spokeswoman for “Break The Cycle,” a non-prof organization dedicated to preventing domestic violence. Way to go, girl. Missy will speak out against the cause right before she plays “Ching-A-Ling.”
I like passionate music, and I am passionate about what God has done in and through my life and the power of it all, so I’m presenting an ideal line up for some crazy amazing artists from a Christian genre.
OPENING: BETWEEN THE TREES
FOLLOWING: SINCE OCTOBER
HEADLINING: FLYLEAF
These are all Christian heavy rock bands and their lyrics are nothing short of life-changing. They certainly were for me at least.
These bands will represent the non-profit To Write Love On Her Arms. Though TWLOHA is not a Christian movement, it is a message meant for all ears. TWLOHA is a cause I am personally involved with. It exists to present hope and find help for those who suffer from depression, addiction, self-injury and suicide. Between The Trees will speak on behalf of TWLOHA as they were a part of the organizations founding.
So there it is… my ultimate concert line-up for 4 different genres. Any comments, suggestions or disagreements are welcome. What would YOUR ultimate line-up be?
Tags: donald miller, flyleaf, jb4520, missy elliott, music, twloha
