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Back in the UK!

Chuck — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 23:00:44 +0000

This May I’m pleased to return to England for a tour of the northern part of the country. I’ve been invited to play 6 dates at churches throughout the region. Andy Othling will accompany me, and we will be joined there by our friend and drummer Steven “Smack” McMurray. In addition, my wife, pastors and friends from New Life City will be on the trip. We’re very excited for the chance to minister the new songs (and the old, of course) to the saints over there. We will conclude our time there by ministering at Charis Church International with our dear friend Barry Manson.

I’d like to express my sincere gratitude to Pastor Dave Mansfield of Haven Church in Stapleford for working so hard on my behalf to set this tour up. His efforts have been tireless, and I hope you join me praying for blessing over him, and for a fruitful time of ministry and worship with our friends in the UK.

Dates and venues:

5/6/11 – Lifespring Church, Ollerton

5/7/11 – Haven Church, Stapleford

5/8/11 – Sherwood Forest CC, Blidworth

5/10/11 – LCF, Louth

5/11/11 – LCC, Lytham St. Anne’s

5/14/11 – Charis Church International, Sheffield

Additional information available at www.havenchurch.org.uk

LIMITED SPECIAL NEW RELEASE PRICE FOR A DOVE ON DISTANT OAKS

Chuck — Thu, 11 Nov 2010 15:09:33 +0000

Since the release of Beyond the Veil in February of 2009, I have gained many new friends and musical supporters outside of Albuquerque. To show my appreciation of your support and friendship, I’d like to offer those of you outside of Albuquerque and unable to attend the release concert a special price on the new album. Any online CD orders received through my website on December 3rd, 4th, and 5th, 2010 will be charged $6.99 per CD, including shipping. On Monday the 6th the CD will be sold for its regular price of $13.99. Thank you all, and may the Lord bless you.

Studio Updates and Upcoming Shows

Chuck — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 14:47:52 +0000

Hey, friends! I wanted to let you know that I’m extremely encouraged with the progress and quality of the new studio project. I’ve been working some of the new songs out with friend and bandmate Andy Othling before getting into the studio with producer Donn Halliburton. The fruit of those efforts is amazing! We are about a third of the way through the album, and maintaining a steady pace. In live music news, it’s been awhile since we last performed, and with the exception of a private Valentine’s Day banquet, we haven’t played much since December. But when it rains, it pours, and this seems to be the start of the rainy season. In addition to several concerts this spring and summer, I have been asked by my Pastor, Alan Hawkins, to lead worship at New Life City Santa Fe through April and May (they meet at Lutheran Church of the Servant off Rodeo Road and Legacy Court Fridays at 7pm). I am also in talks with friends on the west coast to set up a Southern California tour later this summer. I’ll publish the details as soon as I have something solid. Check the events calendar on the site for upcoming shows. Blessings!

Creative Excellence in Visual Arts

kenny — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 06:13:05 +0000

I wanted to take a moment to brag on my good friend, Kenny Barela. I’ve known Kenny for close to 7 years, first as a seeker of God and a good friend, second as an amazing visual artist. Kenny and his wife Rebekah have worked side by side to make their advertising and design company, Sum Agency, a success. They have worked with numerous high-profile clients on both a local and global basis, and their work is excellent.

You know Kenny’s work from my website. He’s the designer and webmaster. If you’ve sported one of my t-shirts, you’ve worn Kenny’s work. He was recently commissioned by internationally-known Christian musician Misty Edwards to do the album art for her latest two projects. I’m very excited to say Kenny will be doing the artwork for my next album, which I start recording this month.

Kenny and Rebekah also have a side venture called Locolygrown, which humorously captures the vibe and culture of New Mexico on great-looking t-shirts and other apparel. Be sure to check it out!

Working with Kenny has been a real pleasure, not just because of the high caliber of his work, but because he values the things of God. I pray that Kenny is blessed as much as he has blessed me and others.

Soaring on New Wings!

kenny — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 06:06:04 +0000

Christmastime, 2009. My family decided to host the members of my band for a Christmas party…some egg nog, some finger foods, a modest gift exchange. I surprised each of them with a gourd shaker that I had hand-crafted, painted, and filled with mustard seed. My wife Becky and the band surprised me with a Gretsch White Falcon.

Now, I don’t assume that those of you reading this are “gearheads” like the guys in my band, but this instrument has been called the Cadillac of electric guitars. It has been my dream for many years to own a Gretsch, and while I was dreaming, why not dream for the White Falcon? I wrote down this dream on a list of twenty things I would love to do regarding music and ministry, then I forgot about it. My wife found the list, conspired with my guitar player Andy Othling who got the rest of the guys involved, and the dream was realized, about 20 years before I thought it would be!

I don’t mean to gush about it, but this IS significant. This is an extravagant gift. This is a guitar you work up to. This is a guitar played by Chet Atkins, George Harrison, The Edge, Bono, and a whole host of distinguished musical dignitaries (technically, Bono plays his own signature model, an emerald green version called the Irish Falcon, but I digress). You earn your stripes before you play this guitar. I honestly felt unworthy of it when I opened the case and first saw it. In sharing testimony about this gift, Becky talked about how the Lord kept putting a guitar on her mind for a gift to me this year. She found my dream list, asked Andy about it, and worried about the price tag. But Andy offered to help and get the band involved, and Becky took the leap of faith. It was only after the guitar was purchased that a check came in the mail from an unexpected source wanting to bless me and the music ministry (thanks, Evonne), and that was final confirmation to Becky that the Lord was giving me permission to dream big (thanks, Jesus).

I am slowly getting over my compulsion to “earn it.” Becky helps me with this. Whenever I ramble on about musical heroes, she just says, “They’re men, just like you.” Thanks, babe. And thanks Andy, Matt, Chuck, and Stephen.

So I’m learning to fly, and I do have wings. It is my prayer that the songs that come from this gift will lift you up, too.