Fast, Furious & A Blessing
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Hey, there boys and girls. I just thought I'd jot down a couple of lines and try to put into words what a blessing I'm in the middle of. I got to go to my first (and NOT my last) Winter Jam in Dallas. I drove down early that morning, made it to the hotel just in time to shower and wash the road grime off before I headed out to the American Airlines Center to enjoy the show. I was impressed by the number of people there to see a christian tour. Granted, being from around Lubbock, we don't get the giant megashows, but I was still impressed. As I settled into my seat, I was excited for what was to come.
Tonight I would be seeing every band for the first time. Although, I'd listened to some before (and some not at all), I was still expecting an awesome night....I was NOT disappointed. Jason Castro opened the night with a short set, followed by Chris August with his "Candy Song" (Loved it!!!) and "Starry Night." Sidewalk Prophets were next up and sang favorites "You Can Have Me," "You Loved Me Anyway" and everyone joined in with "The Words I Would Say."
Next on the bill was RED, one of the bands I was wanting to see. I'd had an opportunity to see them a couple of months back and had missed it. I don't think I'll be doing that again. This band is AMAZING live. Their set opened up with "Death of Me" and the energy level at 10 and it never dropped. They followed it up with "Faceless" and rocked all the way to "Breathe Into Me." Energy - check... Pyro - check... Awesome - check. I definitely recommend checking these guys out live if you ever have a chance.
KJ-52 came on stage and did his version of Michael Jackson's "Thriller" and Journey's "Don't Stop Believing" while the stage was reset for NewSong. They treated us to the first song they learned as a group, "People Get Ready" and at one point, broke into a rendition of "Sweet Home Alabama."
Francesca Battistelli, another artist I was anxious to see, was on next and opened with "I'm Letting Go." She also has to have had the quote of the night when after she let us know she was feeling a little bit under the weather said "Jesus still loves us with stuffy noses." Stuffy nose or not, she fought on like a trooper and belted out her current single "This Is The Stuff" and ballad "Beautiful." She also sang "Angel By Your Side," one of my personal favorites from her new album "Hundred More Years." she ended her set with a fan favorite "Free To Be Me."
The David Crowder Band took the stage with signature beard and wild locks and hometown worship. Crowd participation was at a maximum level when they joined in "No One Like You" and "How He Loves." Set list also included "Oh Praise Him" and ended with a down-home hoe-down featuring Hank Williams Jr's "I Saw The Light" and a DCB version of "I'll Fly Away."
Kutless was next and opened with "It Is Well," one of my dad's favorites and had he still been alive today, I think he would've loved it. They followed up with "Give Us Clean Hands," "Strong Tower" and "Everything I Need." They closed their set with the ballad "That's What Faith Can Do."
Chris August came back out to sing "7x70" during the Love Offering portion of the night. I have to say that it became one of my new favorites.
Anticipation was growing and peaked when the lights went out and the Newsboys started with "Escape" and rolled into "Beyond Myself." Tait asked the Dallas crowd to shake their groove thing before breaking into "Where The Boys Light Up." Next was "Something Beautiful," "He Reigns" and an a cappella version of "Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus" that brought chills to the crowd. They slowed it down a bit to sing "Mighty To Save" before picking it back up with "Born Again." When the band sang "Miracles," the showmanship of the band sparkled through when Jody Davis', Jeff Frankenstein's and Tait's platforms rose from the stage and Duncan Phillips was tilted on his...a taste of what was to come. NewsBoys then went 'Old School' with "Shine" and "Breakfast" while Jody's and Jeff's platforms crossed over the crowd. They ended the night with "Jesus Freak" where Duncan's drum set tilted and started spinning and the crowd went wild!!
Sure, there were probably tons of people there to see a concert but I think by the end of the night, God was there and touched everyone. If you have the chance to catch any of the remaining Winter Jam 2011 stops, GO....you will not be disappointed. If you don't get to make it this year, make plans for next year...I know I am. I'll be posting pics from Winter Jam on all the artists pages so go by and take a look. Let me know what ya think.
Like I said before, I'm in the middle of a blessing. This next weekend, I get to go to the Rock & Worship Roadshow back home in Lubbock. I don't know if it can compare to Winter Jam but I sure am expecting another great experience.
bigaltx's Blog
Anywho, I'll try to repost my prior blog soon.....and it was a doosy!! hahaha
