♫♪ Banjo ♫♪

It’s so quiet tonight.  I’m typing this story out on the terrace surrounded by the beautiful sound of cicadas and the warm glow of citronella candles trying to keep away the “skeeters.”

I have not laid eyes on or spoken a vocal word to another human today… just my dogs.  The phone has not rang, and I’ve not left the house.  My roommate is out of town, and no one has stopped by.  All day, It’s just been me and Raoul… and Raoul is a 1968 Mustang.

♫♪ “When I lose my smile
When my thoughts get jumbled
When the air and BS get too thick
Can’t take a breath without getting sick
I’ve had enough with this concrete jungle

I drop my truck in drive
I pick up my baby
She jumps in with a kiss and a hey
We exit off that old highway
Sometimes you gotta go beyond the pavement.” ♫♪

My home is my sanctuary, and for the most part, I have always kept it completely to myself.  It’s my little piece of heaven.  I absolutely love the location.  To get here, you drive until you’re feeling completely lost… go 12 more miles, and there it is!

♫♪ “You gotta go deep Way on back Cross a few creeks And a couple little shacks

You gotta get lost
Way on out
Crickets and frogs
Yeah you’re gettin’ close now

And you kick it into four wheel drive when you run out of road
And you go, and you go and you go-go-go
‘Til you hear a banjo” ♫♪

All “Deliverance” jokes aside, I live waaay back in the woods… and I love it.  It’s one of the most peaceful places I have ever lived in my life.  My short time in NYC and once for a couple of months in Chicago gave me a real longing for home.

I feel incredibly blessed to have what I have.  It may not be the best place, but it’s mine, and it’s something I wouldn’t trade for anything in the world.  I plan to live here until death.

When life throws it’s fiery darts at me, and I need to escape it all, I can do it right in my own back yard… literally.  My big iron gate at the end of the drive and several acres of pines make me feel very secure and safe.  I can have a quiet day like today without a care in the world or even the worry or concern of an unwanted visitor or intruder.

You may read this and never understand why this is… and chances are, you never will.  It’s who I am, and it’s what helps me keep my sanity.  Because of this, I not only see no reason to apologize, but no reason to change.  Some people can’t handle a place like this… but not I.  The quiet life is good for me.

It’s a place called home, and it’s also the namesake of my story… Alarida.  I live on Alarida Farms, and that is where most of my stories are composed.  It’s a place where I can discuss the story of my life, for those who care to read it.  Never forced on anyone, it’s the thread and fibers of my journey of life.  It may not be the most exciting, and sometimes it can even be a little dark… but it is what it is.  And it is me.  It’s where I’m not ashamed to admit that I LOVE the sound of a banjo.

 

“Banjo” by Rascal Flatts contributed to the composition of this post.

You Are My Home / The Brighter | CD Review

After three years and a successful live debut album, The Brighter returns with their sophomore project “You Are My Home”

Nate Kelly, the band’s front man didn’t rest on his laurels when creating the new compilation.  Penning much of the lyrics and music himself, he proves that the sound and style of The Brighter has evolved, at least for the new tracks.  This effort creates a more edgy experience that brings a clear departure from the freshman live album that was created with an audience of hundreds of excited fans.  This time around, a professional studio quality is prevalent with the distinctive and quite unmistakable vocals of Kelly.

Phillip Larue, of the famed brother and sister Christian Rock duo “Larue” co-produced the album with Ben Phillips.  Nate’s wife Kelsey sets the art standard with a sharp eye that can be verified by the “Train Shot” on the EP cover.  It brings a natural curiosity of what the music holds… and let me assure you that it never disappoints.

Now, I’d like to say up front that if you’re expecting the praise and worship experience that spoke so loudly on “To The City,” you will not find that on this EP.  What I really felt as I sat and listened was one word… intimacy.  Intimacy with Christ. Or, break it down like this… Into Me See.  The lyrics all reflect of a very personal and close relationship with a loving Savior.

The EP kicks off with the explosive “Showed Me Love.”  This electrified tune sets the bar for the entire EP.  I immediately knew when I heard this track a couple of weeks ago that this would be a pinnacle selection.  The band fires up the air with action while Nate has no trouble keeping up with passionate vocals.

Next up is “Couldn’t Be More Beautiful,” which slows the pace a little from a lightning fast intro track.  This very beautiful tune speaks from the perspective of Christ into His human creation, who can be sometimes so discouraged in their walk, while He never makes mistakes, and never abandons His beautiful creatures.  Probably the best track lyrically, It’s so easy to hit repeat on this very beautiful song.

“Fall Apart” picks the tempo back up with a message of encouragement and grace, especially for the ones who have maybe walked away from Christ, and found it hard to return to the Savior who wants them to know that His grace covers their sins.

My personal favorite and the namesake of the project, “You Are My Home” comes up next.  This tune really tells a story of intimacy and anticipation of living with Christ forever, with a reminder that Earth is not our home, but more of a sojourn.  “I hear the angels singing HOLD ON! You’re ALMOST HOME!”

Bringing the EP to a close is “Hold Me Still.”  Trust is something very difficult to earn among humans, but Christ and his faithfulness has shown us that He’s the one we can turn to when everything in life seems to be crumbling around us.  “Hold Me Still” speaks of this relationship with our Father.  A very fitting end to this compilation.

Overall, the EP is excellent and a must have for anyone looking to deepen their walk with Christ while enjoying incredible music.  Nate Kelly raised the bar with the new project, and I can easily see this and future projects with him behind the music and the mic becoming a standard for this genre.

A Release Concert is Being Held at Bay Community Church Malbis Campus in Daphne Alabama on Friday, June 1st at 7pm.  This concert promises to be an evening and fun and excitement, along with a chance to experience these new tracks in a live setting.  The concert is free, but you won’t want to leave without first buying the new EP, and maybe one or two more for out of town friends.  More info about the EP will also be available on the band’s Facebook Page.

Don’t let me scare you away when I mention that this album lacks the traditional praise and worship sound… because when you are intimate with Jesus… to Him, it is worship.  “You are My Home” is intimate.

“You Are My Home” by The Brighter contributed to the composition of this post.