Three Miniature Music Stories

Last night my good friend Melissa and I played music at the local farmers’ market. I am blessed to know Melissa and her clan: How many families can boast both a world-class piper and a world-class fly fisherman?

It was a very small affair as farmers’ markets go, but we played well and people enjoyed it. We were not soliciting tips, but toward the end we got one anyway. And I can now add “Getting paid for a gig in summer squash” to my list of accomplishments.

…..

After the buyers and sellers left last night, Melissa and I sat in the shade and talked for a long time about God, music, and the connection between the two. Music, which requires great time, effort, and sacrifice while giving us nothing in return except its own beauty, is one of the reasons I consider the existence of God to be almost self-evident. Want to see some Olympic-caliber intellectual gymnastics? Ask an evolutionary atheist to explain the universal need for music, art, and beauty. We won't even get into attempts to explain selfless love.

In the image of God we are created.

…..

I have started on a new CD project. Its working title is “The Stone of Beth-El,” and its purpose is to commemorate the amazing spiritual journey God has had us on over the past couple of years. I always tend to think of my projects as concept albums to some degree, as large, hopefully cohesive works rather than simply collections of songs. This one is more so than usual. I am choosing the music to reflect where I was before, and the struggles through which God has brought me, and my current resting place.

So far the work is being blessed greatly. During my first session with Jesse, my main co-conspirator on this project, things sounded almost precisely the way they sounded in my head: always a good sign. Who knows; maybe I will finish this project in something less than my usual five years. I want this one to be my best work. So far, so good.

Until next time…