Updated the Ministry Guide. Writeup coming soon.

2011 Music Ministry Guide

My aim, yet as I live, is for that distant shore.

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Alas, I think my mind is beginning to work again. I can feel the desire to create returning, and it feels mighty good.

There’s a time of the day, when the sun’s going down…….

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It was time for a refresh, so, I went ahead and ordered some new Business Cards..

Later Days…

Me: Yeah, My name is Aldanzo.

Them: Really, I always thought it was just Al.

Me: Yeah, Al; Short for Aldanzo.

Them: Yeah? Wow! What is it again?

Me: Aldanzo.

Them: Wait, What did you say?

Me: Al-Don-Zo.

Them: Ok, cool! I’ll just stick with Al, though. Cool?

Me: Yeah, that’s expected.

Al-Don-Zo

Three Observations….

1. It’s that awkward feeling when people realize that Al isn’t short for Albert or any of the other usual names…
2. The a in the middle of Aldanzo always throws people for a loop…
3. NO ONE besides my sister ever calls me Aldanzo. Not even my parents.

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Day Twenty: Meditate.

In the end, we all get exactly what we ask for… So, you better think hard on it and then be very specific in your asking.

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It’s a part of me and my life; the constant pinging of my blackberry all day. The reading and replying to the emails and text messages. I’ve come to love communication. In many ways it serves as a mental departure from all that is going on in life. But, I have an equal affinity for time spent with my phone on silent, with my journal in hand, deep in reflection and thought. I enjoy being able to clear my head of everything else in the world, to isolate myself and to delve deep into the confines of my mind. It’s my way of avoiding a longstanding tendency towards regression.

When I was young, I was considered somewhat of a hothead. I would get so emotional, so riled and I would lose my temper and would fuss and argue and get angry and would constantly find myself on the verge of hyperventilation. It was the saddest scene, but, it was the most honest part of me. I did not understand how to process what I was going through. Helplessness often brings about our truest emotions. I used to feel like I had no other way to cope with things than to simply roll up in a ball, pout, and then be the most ornery individual to be around.

It’s been years since I’ve done any of that. It’s a complete 180 in terms of the way I handle stress and confrontation. People who’ve only known me as an adult comment on how they never see me yell. I’m not into yelling; I’m seldom into arguing. I’m generally the one capable of keeping a level head and analyzing the situation before reacting.

It’s been a long journey.

A few years go, after continually finding myself with hurt feelings, I decided that none of my decisions moving forward would be based in emotion. Emotions are great in their purpose; they enlighten us to our bias towards empathy. But, they should never be used as a basis for decision making. There’s a rather superfluous nature about emotions of which I care not to allow to overtake my mindset.

I’ve made it a practice of listening to Earl Nightingale’s audiobook “Lead the Field” at least once a month. There’s one concept that I’ve taken away from it that drives me on a daily basis; Thinking. It’s the simplest ideal, but one i’ve come to realize many people don’t seem to apply to their lives too often. I’ve come to realize the truth in his words, that people often never think, but rather react. Many people, if they’re honest, never think.

Devoid of emotion or a concern for other people’s reactions, I choose to drown out the world and think. No crying, no anger, no frustration. Just meditation. I don’t think to arrive at a decision, but rather to arrive at greater clarity. I’ve come to understand that many of the decisions I need to make that are thought upon are already in front of me.

There is much that is elementary about what we need to do. We simply can’t see what we need to do because we have too much emotion attached to the thought process. It’s a practice I’ve tried to do away with; the motion of beginning to reflect, only to be bombarded by feelings associated with the surrounding situation.

I want to grow into a better processor of thoughts. I want to be even clearer in my understanding of self, so that I am capable to know which direction my thinking should go in and how I can better come to the aid of those around me who seek guidance. There’s a certain altruism associated with meditation in that it allows you to be better suited to assist others as your mind is now free.

Meditation, for me, allows for the subtle nuances that may be a hindrance to otherwise good thinking to drift away, and allow me to then see situations for what they really are. It allows me to regard things that are occurring in my life to be put into proper perspective. There’s a sense of gratitude that goes along with the meditation process, a reality that I’m blessed to be of sound enough mind to even collect thoughts to be processed. It takes the seemingly major trials of life and reduces them to compact scenarios of which I can see clearly enough to resolve.

Later Days….

Day Thirteen: Get me bodies! Dance to your favorite song.

I don’t know what it is about this song… It certainly doesn’t apply to me in any way; but, I LUH it.

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Just a little something to get the week started. I recorded this in North Carolina in August.. In my estimation, there is no better singing minister than Jesse Tolliver.

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Good Times

As I continue to work on The 2009 Music Ministry Marketing Guide, I’ve come to understand some concepts a lot better. As I had previously written about The Millionaire Artist, I still think that it is possible, even in an extremely niche situation, to find some success in the marketplace. This idea, however, is now backed with a more realistic model to go along with the revamped 12-month millionaire method.

I figure that a more strategic model is in order, and a more defined approach to putting up numbers will probably allow for more continued success for artists.

Just a Few Resources:

1. The Gospel Music Association – promotion of gospel music.
2. The Dove Awards – Tennessee in April, 2009
3. The Gospel Music Channel - 24-hour music station dedicated to Gospel Music.

One of my major resolutions this year has been to go to as many concerts/music events as possible. And so, tonight I attended the 33rd annual M.I.C. Kickoff concert at the Golden Heights Church of Christ. Now, The show was scheduled to begin at 6:00pm, but, well….

6:15 pm – Audience is light. Waiting on crowd to file in. I’m thinking that this may be a good show, but i’ll reserve judgment for the post show thoughts.

6:24 pm – Most of the talent is here. Emcee is setting lineups.

6:30 pm – Still waiting on show to begin.

6:35 pm – The soundcheck is concluding. Harvey Jackson is addressing the crowd. 33 years with this concert? Long time running.

6:49 pm – Show is underway! Pete is a tight encee. I am looking forward to the actual singing.

6:51 pm – First up – The 15th street choralaires.

Setlist

• He is the great I am
• I’ll Fly Away
• God Will Make the Difference in Your Life.
• One More Sunny Day

7:12 pm – Set concludes

7:13 pm – Revelation set

Set List

• Something Bout Sunday Morning
• Matchless Love
• Walk Around Heaven
• Anyway you Bless Me Lord

7:33 pm – Set Concludes

7:36 pm – Golden Heights Ensemble

• Thy Word Is A Lamp Upon My Feet.
• Ain’t Got Time To Die
• Lord, I’m Back
• The Walls Came Tumbling Down
• I Will Call Upon The Lord
• Thank You Lord

7:49 pm – Set Concludes

7:53 pm – The Exciting Enchanters

Setlist

• Standing In The Need Of Prayer
• God is Good
• Lord, If You Don’t Help Us
• Stand by me, Lord

8:14 pm – Set Concludes

8:15 pm – Literary Recital

8:29 pm – Recital Over // Back to the music

8:30 pm – The Dothanaires

Setlist

• It’s In My Heart to Serve The Lord
• Show Me The Way
• Singing In The Heavenly Choir
• On My Way Home (Fix It Jesus)

8:52 pm – Set Concludes

8:54 pm – The True Believers

Setlist

• Jesus Took My Burdens Away
• Roll Jordan Roll
• You Just Can’t Get By

Post-Show Thoughts: Tonight was a really good show. I liked that every group pretty much stayed within the 20 minute timeframe and that al the groups were appealing. I especially liked Revelation and The Exciting Enchanters. Next up – The Melo-D-Heirs in February.

By the way, You can see photos from the show at Flickr.