This is the guy that wrote "How He Loves," a deeply moving and passionate song that came out of pain.  It speaks to me or rather, God speaks tenderly to me through it.  I wrote a blog on www.ithinkiwokeup.blogspot.com inspired to some degree by the song.   I highly recommend him as a Pandora station.

Lately, I've really been enjoying this artist.  He is a thoughtful, insightful poet, lyricist and musician.  He is a jack ass in so many other ways.  I wish I could spend some time with him offering the corrective measures of noogies, ridicule, wise counsel and brow beating.  His music inspires and relaxes me and takes me to deep, contemplative places.  I often listen to him while I write.  Thanks Pandora

For years, I've suffered with an unmet back-burner yearning for deeper interaction with music. This spring, with a coffee mug in my hand, that back burner has heated up a bit. Undertaking the task of bringing music to the coffee shop, I meet on Monday afternoons with local musicians. I ask them questions and think about their answers. I listen to them. I listen to their music. I tell them what I think. Two to five acoustic, micro-concerts just for me every Monday afternoon for several months. The kettle is whistling. I require original music on Friday nights. I don't mind an occasional cover when the music gods require it – but mostly original. In other words, if you're going to play at OTBG, you have to write music. Consternation has come from this requirement and I've been asked why. Here is the answer.

Imagine a small, bright eyed girl showing off a brilliant new drawing. Uncle Bob says, “Wow, what a beautiful picture. Did you do that all by yourself?” Or the teenage boy who turns in an essay, so compelling his teacher feels beholden to ask, “Are you sure you wrote this?” You've seen this happen or it's happened to you. The deep motivation for the challenging question is an important clue to understanding the human heart. Are you really that good? Do you really see with that much clarity? Why does it matter? What is really being asked?

People matter... the most. The words they say, the art they produce and the music they make alters life because it comes from life. The true expression of a person is penetrating, intimidating and inspiring. So, if I am paying attention to them, I am forced to consider my own life. Am I seeing well, is my significance being offered effectively, is my foundation solid? Am I who I want to be and what am I doing about it? What a person can produce from the concert of their heart and mind reveals the world around them through their own significance. Their revelation encourages life growing introspection. If you are listening, if you are paying attention – really hearing, really seeing, you will find life. Truly inspired music, art and prose bring the heart to life.

That is why I ask for original music. I want the musicians that play at Old Town Battle Grounds to offer their lives. I want them to have a shot at changing your life. It is infinitely powerful when they share from their own hearts. So much less is offered when they play someone else's song.

This requires something of you as a listener. You need to participate. Go to any bar that has live music and you will hear mostly cover bands. Some of them are fantastic musicians with great technical ability. They play with unity and passion. Many of them dabble in music writing. Some wish they could play their own even though it scares them. But... they are expected to play familiar music. Something the crowd can sing along with... even if they're drunk. That says something about a culture that is used to being entertained, doesn't it? We are not used to working for it. That's the difference here. Most of the music and art is original. There is something to be discovered. It takes work and attentiveness. We have to listen, pay attention, really hear and really see. If we do, it will change all our lives.

So, let's listen...

Curtis