Merry Christmas from Studio 84

Here's a fun little video we put together at the Studio. I ran around the office with a digital recorder and sampled all the sounds. Then I put together a midi sequence using all the sounds. After that, Stuart, our head video guru, went to work filming all the sounds and all the staff. Put it together and what have you got? Merry Christmas from Studio 84!

Pimp my iPhone #1

If you've followed my blogging, you'll remember I've posted a couple of articles called "Pimp my Mac." I recently purchased an iPhone and have been busily attempting to fill it up with apps. I figured I might as well talk about the good ones. I've mentioned a few on Facebook. I'll probably post more here, since my blog is echoed on FB as well.

Today, I bought an app called TrueHDR. For those of you unfamiliar with the term "HDR", it stands for High Dynamic Range and refers to a photographic process in which a series of photographs are merged together. Usually, a minimum of three shots are taken, one at normal exposure, one slightly over exposed and one slightly under exposed (real photogs will quibble at my choice of terms, but this is the easy explanation). These three (or five or however many you wish to use) are woven together within your software of choice to provide a much more detailed photograph than is usually possible.

The iPhone has never been able to provide HDR shots, since the camera/phone cannot change Fstop and exposure settings. Most of the HDR apps available just mess with the saturation levels and call it HDR. TrueHDR is different. This little app utilizes the tap-to-focus feature of the 3.0 software in the iPhone. After you launch the app, it walks you through the process of taking two shots of your subject. In the first shot, you tap on the brightest spot in your frame and then take the picture. On the second, you tap on the darkest and repeat. The software does the rest. It will align your shots and merge the two pics, giving you a wider range of colors, lighting and resolution.

It's not as good as real HDR with multiple shots, but it's a big step for the iPhone. Here are a couple of HDR-ish shots I took this afternoon, just before sunset. It's not true HDR, as the app title suggests, but it sure makes an iPhone shot look better than it would normally.

While I'm talking about iPhone photos, I might as well mention a couple of photo editing apps. Photoshop Mobile is a good app. It does a good job of editing shots, but I prefer an app called PerfectPhoto. It offers more filters and options and I get generally better overall results.

Another fun one is Lo-Mob. This little program is chock full of special effects, the likes of which would have cost a pretty penny even just a few years ago. It's worth the few cents that it costs. Enjoy.

Birmingham 3-Day Diet

My wife stumbled upon a diet recently. I had serious doubts that any 3-day diet would make any kind of an impact and may even prove unhealthy. I guess I was wrong.

According to the old copy we received, this diet was developed, or at least used, by a cardiac unit in Birmingham for patients who need to lose large amounts of weight heading into a surgery. The claim is that you can lose up to 40 lbs in a month. After doing it I suppose that it’s possible, although I wouldn’t recommend trying it without the oversight of professionals.

The goal is to diet for 3 days, then spend a few days eating responsibly, then back another 3 days, etc. Sherri has gone through it three times in three weeks and I’ve done it twice in two weeks. Sherri has lost 12 lbs and 2 pant sizes. I’ve lost 14 lbs and a belt notch. It hasn’t been hard at all.

There are some substitutions allowed. I didn’t know that when I first saw it, which was the first thing that turned me off. Keep that in mind as you read it and I’ll tell you about the possible changes in a minute. So, here it is:

DAY ONE
Breakfast:
1 cup black coffee or tea
1/2 grapefruit or juice (8 oz)
1 slice toast
1 tbs. peanut butter

Lunch:
1/2 cup tuna
1 slice toast
coffee or tea

Dinner:
3 oz. any type meat
1 cup string beans
1 cup beets or carrots
1 small apple
1 cup vanilla ice cream

DAY TWO
Breakfast:
1 cup black coffee or tea
1 egg
1 slice toast
1/2 banana

Lunch:
1 cup cottage cheese or tuna
5 saltine crackers

Dinner:
2 wieners (franks)
1 cup broccoli or cabbage
1/2 cup carrots
1/2 banana
1/2 cup vanilla ice cream

DAY THREE
Breakfast:
1 cup black coffee or tea
5 saltine crackers
1 slice cheddar cheese
1 small apple

Lunch:
1 hard boiled egg
1 slice toast
1 cup black coffee or tea

Dinner:
1 cup tuna
1 cup beets or carrots
1 cup cauliflower or greens
1 cup cantaloupe
1/2 cup vanilla ice cream

The paper says, “This diet works on a chemical breakdown and is proven to work. Do not vary or substitute any of the foods. Salt and pepper may be used but no other seasoning. This diet is to be used 3 days at a time. In 3 days you will lose 10 lbs. After 3 days dieting you can eat your usual food, but do not overeat. After 4 days of normal eating, start back on the 3-day diet.”

I did some substituting within the diet. For instance, on lunch for day 2, I would do a 1/2 cup of cottage cheese and a 1/2 cup of tuna instead of one cup of either one. I don’t handle fruit well (it’s a texture thing), so whenever apple or bananas were called for, I would drink grapefruit juice. On some days, I would substitute 5 crackers for a slice of toast (we have no toaster at work). We also found some tuna packages that came flavored... 1/2 cup of sweet and spicy tuna or lemon pepper tuna. They’re new. Even though seasoning is off limits, I did it anyway. I still lost 14 lbs.

As I’ve told others, anyone can do 3 days. Try it once and see if you like it. If so, try it again the next week. I did it Tues-Thu so I could have my weekends free for normal food... in moderation, of course. Good luck!

Help! I need this bike!

I need the help of all my friends online. I am looking for a special bike. This is a picture of Shay, from this season's Biggest Loser. She was eliminated in week 9 and this is a screen grab from her "where are they now?" video online. You can see the actual clip at this link. The bike scene happens a little over a minute into the video.

It's a trike, with a wheel in the back. There is no seat, you stand on the machine. In motion, it acts like a stepper. The handles move back and forth as you move, like a stepper as well. The bike/trike/stepper is apparently steered by leaning, like a Segway.

I've looked online and can't seem to find the thing. This would be perfect for me, if I can figure out what it is. Anyone have a clue?

Maybe Sean can help me out. Sean, did you use any of these on the Ranch or when you got home. What is it?

UPDATE: Thanks for the help folks. These are called Streetstriders and can be found at Streetstrider.com. They are apparently pretty popular and low in stock. And they cost $1,999. Ouchy.

Merry Christmas from Moyers Sound

South Africa 2009

I recently had the opportunity to travel back to South Africa to sing. My last trip to this far land was in 1995 with Marvin Phillips, George Pendergrass, Duane Adams and Robert Guy. This time around, I traveled with a group termed "Acappella Classic." Once again I was with George, but the remainder of our jolly troupe consisted of Keith Lancaster, Rodney Britt, Kevin Schaffer and Steve Maxwell.

We were booked for two concerts, Johannesburg and Capetown. I was not able to stay the entire time to make the Capetown concert, but my short time in Joberg was a wonderful experience. I've been many places all over the world and experienced many different cultures. I can say without reservation that the people of South Africa are some of the most open, friendly and accepting people I've met.

After a 30+ hour trip from Lubbock to Joberg (Wed-Thu), we spent the first evening relaxing and trying to figure out what time it actually was. Rodney did not make it in with us. He was stuck back in the States going through a long chain of troubles. Ask him about it sometime.

But I jumped ahead of myself. Before we made it to the lodge for the evening, we were greeted by the wonderful people of Joberg. After we had finally cleared South African passport control and customs, we emerged into the large rotunda/public area. We began looking for someone holding a sign that said "acappella" or something similar. We noticed a very large group (200 or so) of what appeared to be scouts, both boys and girls. A few of them were carrying drums and they seemed to be looking for someone. Suddenly, two of them noticed George and starting jumping around yelling something. Within seconds, all 200+ people crowded around us and began singing and going nuts on the drums. For the next 45 minutes, it was constant handshaking, hugging, singing and signing. The other guys (with the exception of George) did not know it, but this was a repeat of a scene 14 years ago in Port Elizabeth. The South Africans are exceedingly friendly.

Friday was a day of becoming acclimated to our new time zone and rehearsals sans Rodney. What amazed me was our trip to the mall for lunch. The mall itself was pretty cool, sprawled across several blocks and multi-level. Even more interesting was the mix of people we encountered. We obviously saw many Africans in their cultural dress. Within the space of a few minutes, we also saw Indians in sarongs, Muslims in hijabs, modern Europeans suits and even Hassidic Jews complete with peyot. I've seldom seen such a wide array of cultures mingling together in, what appeared to be, harmony. At any rate, Rodney arrived that night amidst a downpour and we were complete and ready to go. After another rehearsal or two.

The next morning we made the trip to a local radio station to promote the concert that evening. The security to get into the place was as tight as an airport. Searches, scanners, registration, etc. Pretty tight. After being "removed" from the wrong studio (the only rude Africans I met), we wound up in the studio of RadioFM 2000. As it turns out, it wasn't a local station at all. It was a nationwide radio station that was also the official station of the 2010 World Cup. Extremely cool. I was one year too early.

That afternoon, we rolled into Rhema Bible Church for sound check. I've seen some large church buildings, and this one is as big as any of them. 6500 seats. I did a slow camera pan of the empty sanctuary. It took 2 hours. We had almost 2000 people at the concert and the place still seemed mostly empty. Massive.

The concert was extremely well-received. The crowd knew and sang along with most of the songs. We sang through our exhaustion, and God took care of it. The next day, I boarded the plane for the long route home. The rest of the gang stayed for a safari and the Capetown concert.

I look forward to our return. I DO NOT look forward to the 30+ hour trip one-way. Nasty.

City of Black and White

Our head video engineer, Stuart Blalock, put this video together. He shot a ton of aerial footage over Lubbock. While editing, he started messing around with the colors and Matt Kearney's song came to mind. This is the result.

The Moyers Mash

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Songwriting 50/90

I stumbled across an interesting site today. It's called The 50 Songs in 90 Days Challenge. It's an online community of people who have taken up the challenge of writing, as the title suggests, 50 songs between July 4 to October 1, 2009. This is not the first year for it. I'm not sure how long it's been going, but this year there are over 2700 members and 4400 songs have been submitted. From what I've seen, about 10% of the members have done 90% of the writing. The rest are lurking along checking things out.

I find this idea somewhat alluring. The only way to become a good writer is to sit down and write every day. In the past, I have been an "on-demand" writer. Acappella would need a certain kind of song for a certain album, so I would write it. Keith Lancaster had somewhat the same approach. He just did a whole lot more of it.

The really good writers I've met (who make a living from it) mark out a daily chunk of time to write, say 9:00 AM to lunch. The goal is never really to write one song during that time, but more to document ideas. Over time, several of those ideas flow into one song. And then another, and another, etc.

I find it interesting that I ran across this site just as I am getting into a new group, The Sons of Korah. I really like their writing style, putting the Psalms to music. It runs right along the style I like and the way I like to write.

So who knows? Maybe I might challenge myself to something a little less stressful than 50/90. I'm thinking something more along the lines of 26/52. That 26 songs in 52 WEEKS. One song every two weeks. Even that would be a challenge. My schedule is crazy right now. Something to consider... anyone else up to it?

Shut De Do - Exappella

Here's another song from the Boys Ranch Telethon. We had rehearsed several songs for the show, one of which was Everybody Said. At this point, we were going to sing Shut De Do. My intro confused Kevin and he started the wrong song. Some things never change.

I refer to my ability to confuse Kevin, not his starting the wrong song.

Hush - Exappella

Here's a clip of the four of us, me, Duane Adams, Kevin Schaffer and Gary Evans, singing "Hush" for the Texas Boys Ranch Telethon.

Serious Street Corner Do-wop

Here's what happens when New York based Naturally 7 cuts loose on an unsuspecting crowd in the Paris Metro subway.

Exappella

This coming Friday, Aug. 21st, KAMC Channel 28 (ABC) in Lubbock will be hosting the annual Texas Boys Ranch Telethon. Several artists will be performing, including Richie McDonald (formerly of Lonestar).

Studio 84 is producing the music for the show as well as doing all the filming and graphics. When we were putting it all together, the folks from the Boys Ranch asked if I could get some of my old singers together. I immediately realized that Gary Evans was here in Lubbock with me, and Kevin Schaffer and Duane Adams were in Amarillo. That made it real easy to pull things together. Thus, Exappella was born. At least for one show. :)

So if you are in the Lubbock viewing area Friday evening and want to tune in, we will go on at the 10:35 PM slot, immediately after the newscast. And if you want to come out to the Firehouse Theater (where it's being filmed), there is no charge for entrance. We will also be singing a few songs for the crowd during the newscast. You are welcome to come for any part of the show, which airs from 7:00 PM to 12:00 AM, with a break from 10:00 to 10:35 for the news. Be advised, the Firehouse only seats about 300 people. See you there...

Universal Health Care

When the people fear their government, there is tyranny; when the government fears the people, there is liberty.
Thomas Jefferson

Power of Music

My friend Russ White turned me onto this one. Bobby McFerrin does a great job of simply presenting the power of the pentatonic scale. You'll notice that he only sings three notes for the crowd, but they pick up on everything else. Pretty cool.

Barney Fife and Acappella

We used this video for a while as an introduction to our concerts. I found it again on YouTube. Funny stuff.

He Gave Her Water

Recently, I had the opportunity to return to an annual spiritual retreat in Paris, TN. It is nearly impossible to explain what happens at the retreat. Suffice it to say that it is a mountaintop experience every year.

This year, we gathered together several old fogies to sing, calling ourselves Acappella Classic. It was me, Keith Lancaster, Rodney Britt, George Pendergrass and Steve Maxwell. At one point, we sang the old favorite "He Gave Her Water" with our friend Jerome Williams.

Every time we sing this song, Jerry Jones hops on stage and tries to sing the song with us. This time, we pulled the old trick "turn your back on the guest from the audience" that Acappella (His Image) used to do years ago.

It worked, until Jerry decided to take the lyrics of the song literally. In an attempt to get the microphone, He Gave Me Water. I suppose I've been sprinkled by the pope. A baptismal redeaux. Take a look.

MJ's Death a Hoax?

The king is dead. Long live the king.

Many comparisons have been made between the death of Michael Jackson and the death of his father-in-law Elvis Presley. I'm sure you've seen them and I won't recount them here. So here's my prediction:

Within a month, you will begin to see stories suggesting that Michael Jackson is not dead. He couldn't handle the stress of the new tour. He wanted to drop out of site completely. We'll see shots of what appears to be clandestine meetings between Michael and his children.

The seeds have already been planted. AP released a story about Michael's death certificate and stressed that the cause of death was listed as "deferred." This is obviously because the autopsy had not been completed, but you watch... that's where it will start.

Also, why did the golden casket containing his body detour from it's trip to Forest Lawn? No one seems to know where the final resting place is. Could it be?

Don't get me wrong. I fully believe that MJ has truly shuffled off his mortal coil. This is more a comment on the current society of instant info and our Ethernet-in-the-belly-button lifestyle. Just wait. It's coming.

Book Review: Latter-Day Cipher

I have decided that maybe it’s better to read books by authors you do not personally know. This is no judgement against the book Latter-Day Cipher. As a matter of fact, I really like the book, but more on that in a moment.

I’ve known the author, Latayne Scott, for many years. I’ve read some of her other works and sat in seminars under her leadership and teaching. She is one of the few people I’ve met that I would consider brilliant. Her depth of theological understanding and her ability to present subjects in a clear and understandable manner are highly developed. She has a great sense of humor which, in my experience, runs on the dry and slightly sarcastic side. It’s a joy to be around her.

Which is why it took me completely by surprise when the opening paragraphs of Latter-Day Cipher graphically present the first in a series of serial murders. It made me wonder if I had the right book. I did. And I’m glad. As I write this, I am slightly over halfway through the novel. You are safe from spoilers.

As a novelist, it seems to me that Latayne has a unique style, at least when coupled with this genre. Her flowing language and use of metaphorical imagery create a striking contrast to the topic at hand. Oftentimes, her poetic description of events make them seem all the more horrific.

Latter-Day Cipher flows well. Characters are introduced and fleshed out at a pleasing pace. Events roll along without getting bogged down. The story is well constructed. You won’t fall asleep reading this, unless you take medicine and read it when you go to bed, as do I. But that’s not the fault of the book. That’s the fault of restless leg syndrome.

The story is very compelling and engaging, but what really impresses me is the way she presents truth in an apologetical wrapper. Latayne draws on her extensive history and understanding of the Mormon culture and weaves its secrets into an astounding tapestry. The truths of Christianity shine when compared with the falsehoods embraced by the Mormons of Latter-Day Cipher, and the Mormons of the world.

As I said, I have not completed the book. I look forward to finishing the journey, and I highly recommend you take it as well. Latter-Day Cipher by Latayne C. Scott. Best murder mystery I’ve ever read by someone I actually know.

Wings Point Aid to Nicaragua

Wings Point Ministries has shipped their first sound system to the mission field. Benny Baker heads up Mision Para Cristo in Nicaragua, a medical mission servicing the entire nation of Nicaragua. They were in need of a portable sound system to use as they travel from city to city dispensing aid. Also, one of the larger churches in the country had a place to meet but no means to be heard. God allowed Wings Point to provide for their needs.

On June 24, we delivered 2 sound systems to Global Samaritan Ministries in Abilene. Global Samaritan ships materials to mission points all over the world, including Mision Para Cristo in Nicaragua. Pictured here is David Catalina of Global and me as we stand by a portion of the system, delaying the men who were trying to load it. They had a serious production line going.

Each system we shipped consisted of 2 JBL Eon 305 speakers, a Soundcraft GigRac 600 powered mixer, speaker stands, mikes and cables. Benny tells me that they often use one speaker for their church and one speaker to set out in the street so the town can hear the gospel. That's what it's all about.

If you have any interest helping with future shipments, Wings Point is a non-profit entity. Any donations given are tax-deductible and will greatly help in spreading the Word of God to people who need to hear it around the world.