Well, I said before that I would post some pics of my pedalboard when I got the chance, so here they are.

The set up is really simple, since the podx3 is doing most of the work. 

• The guitars enter the chain at the switch blade a/b selector.  I use this so that I can quickly switch between two different guitars without having to unplug anything. 
• From there it goes to the pitchblack tuner, review here.
• From the tuner it goes into the pod.
• The DD6 is set up on an effect's loop.  It stays on always, being controlled by a foot switch on the pod, that lets me insert it only when I need it.  I use it for volume swell effects only.  Using it this ways is allowing me to engage a swell effect without having to adjust the delay on the pod or having to switch tones to get a "secondary" delay effect (the pod only has one delay available per tone).

The pedaltrain board is awesome, allowing me to hide all the cable beneath the board itself.  Pics are below.

From Guitar Pics

From Guitar Pics

From Guitar Pics

From Guitar Pics

From Guitar Pics

Ok. I knew my new iPhone was going to be awesome before I received
 it, but now I am truely amazed. I was unaware of the tremendous
 amount of useful music apps that are available. I'll spare the
 details and share about one that I am truley blown away by.

 That app is Fourtrack. That's right, a fourtrack digital recorder
 on my phone. I was a little unsure about this one as I paid my $10
 to download it, but now I must say it is was worth it.

 The app has four tracks, each with it's own volume fader, pan
 control and volume meter. It has built in click tracks with tap
 tempo, all in a very user friendly format (Screen Shots Below) It uses the built in mic
 on the phone or can use third party mics as well.

 What about the sound? Amazing. I recorded a quick sample demo to
 try it out and was blown away. I even played it for some friends
 who are no strangers to audio recording and they were amazed, also.

 Last cool feature. What do you do with a finished demo? Simply
 connect to the same network as your desktop and it will download
 your tracks for use in any DAW.

 Needless to say, this will be one of the most used apps on my phone.

 Sent from my iPhone

Just wanted to take a second and share about the Pitchblack Tuner from Korg.

I have always used Korg tuners in the studio.  Not any real reason, just one of my favorite handhelds.

Recently one was bought for everyone in our band.  After using it for a few weeks now, I have decided that I like it a lot.  Here's what I like about it:

• First, it is so easy to see.  Much easier to read than the Boss TU-2 and the built in tuner on the POD X3 Live.  This is a biggie when on a dark stage.
• It's quick.  It senses the note immediately.  When you need to tune quick, this is helpful.
• It has 4 tuning style to choose from. Standard, Strobe, Half Strobe, and Mirror.
• True By-pass
• It will power other pedals.
• Built like a tank!
• And of course, it looks cool.  Large very cool lights!

I am definitely keeping this in my set up.  Click here  for more info.

I was informed that my numbers were wrong about the Southside Easter Service. 

The actual number in attendance was 4,997 and there were 75 decisions made.

Well, not much has been going on lately, so I thought I would just bullet some random things.

• Easter Rocked!  Over 3 services we had about 4,000 or so in attendance.  I believe the number of decisions were around 50.  We played some really great tunes that rocked hard, so a lot of visitors experienced real dynamic worship for the first time

• I have been enjoying my time with the boys lately.  They can be stressful, but for the most part they are a joy.  Josiah is a rebel.  He is such the opposite of Aden.  Josiah is just crazy.  There is no telling what he will do next.

• My guitar tone is better.  I have finally gotten it the way I want.. for now.  I have gone to an "amp" mentality with the X3.  I have just one amp sound, never changes, just use effects when needed.  Of course different effect combinations are saved to different pre-sets, but the amp tone stays the same, with the comp making sure every patch keeps a consistent out put level..  This makes every thing so much easier, for me, and the sound guys.  I know some reading this may not care, but most know I obsess over tone.

• I got a new pedal board.  I might post some pics when I get the finished set up.  I'm still working on the set up.  My old one is a little worn out and cracked, but it's available to anybody with $20. (soft case, too!)
  

• P90X has been great, but I'm going to have to put it off for a while due to my schedule.  It is difficult to fit the time in for the workouts.  I have been doing them, but it's been either real late, I'm in someones way, or somebody is in my way.  I have dropped a little over 10 pounds, and feel great, so I can't wait to actually commit.

• This Saturday will be a getaway day.  I believe we are going down to Albany to some animal park.  

Well, that's about it for now.  Please feel free to contact me if there is anything you want to hear. 

Great little vid from Lincoln Brewster.  Further support for the POD X3

Just wanted to take a second on share this awesome instrument with those of you out there.  This is a custom made lap steel made by a good friend of mine, Thom Pinkston.

It is a stock Tele body, but he custom crafted the dobro like neck.  The neck features a tele shaped headstock and hand made inlays as fret markers.

I am not a lap steel, dobro player, but I think it sounds great (Thom let me take it home last night / Thanks!). Steve Mason (guitarist for Jars of Clay) played around with it last night and enjoyed it.

Anyone intrested in throwing one of these necks on an old guitar body, let me know.  NECKS ONLY, YOU SUPPLY THE BODY.  Thom is making these for folks all of the world. In fact He just took an order from Germany!  Don't quote me, but I think it'll set you back between $250 - $300. 

Check out some pics Below.
 

Now first let me say I was never a big fan of the original Elixer acoustic strings.  Although they played great, and seemed to last forever, their tone was flat and dull.  For most players this wouldn't even be noticed, but when my acoustic was miked in the studio, you could definitely tell.

So when it came to my electrics, I was dead set against string them up with Elixer electrics.  I have been using Ernie Ball's for years.

Recently someone gave me some free sets of the Elixer Nanoweb Electric strings.  Not being one to pass up a freebie, I gave them a try.  So far I am impressed.  The Nanoweb is not the same as the original Polyweb.  The Nanoweb does not have that "dull" sound.  They are bright and crisp.

Now we will see if the string life is as good as I remember on the original acoustic strings.  If so, this is good news for me.  I change strings every week on my main guitars.  I hate changing strings and it is expensive.  Anybody want to volunteer for a guitar tech job?  Just kidding. 

Over the past year there have been been some big changes in our life.  First a little background.

In 1996 I accepted the call to full time Christian service, having no idea where that would take me.  Through a series of life events, I sorta lost my focus on that calling.  I gave into the pressures of the worlds influence.  I bought into the idea that being a Christian musician was a "dream" not a reality, and that there were more important things to take care of.  Sadly, this thought process not only took me further from my calling, but also took me further from God. 

Then in late 2007, I had the chance to get back on track and lead worship for a church in the Atlanta area.  This forced me to confront the issue at hand.  I was not looking for a position of that level, but it brought to my knees as I realized what I had been running from. 

Now God has brought our family back to the Middle Ga area, home, and given me amazing opportunities.

This blog will shift it's focus slightly, even though I am still very passionate about Messianic Judaism, but I look forward to sharing anything and everything I can about what I do, what's going on and more.

If anyone is still following my blog, please standby for big changes!!!