Music Fan

Just in today - so I'm a little late to catch on. I was surfing (I'm sure you all can relate) and was on Keith Urban's website and found that there was a re-release of his Greatest Hits album that came with a DVD of videos. I didn't get his Greatest Hits album because I already have the songs I like on CD (some copied), my phone and my computer. But the music videos.... I haven't seen them all because we really don't have CMT or GAC on that often and we've only had those channels for the past two months. BUT I didn't really want the DVD enough to pay $17.99 for it. So I check out EBay. I realize that KU might not benefit as much financially from me picking up his album on EBay. Of couse, I might not have this increase in my fan-ism if I didn't buy it through EBay. FIVE DOLLARS!! Brand new, sealed, Greatest Hits CD special edition with DVD. Woohoo! (That was for James) They didn't sock-it-to-me with shipping either.

What do I like about Keith Urban? It's not necessarily him or the lyrics but the rhythm. I enjoy the music. I've always loved a touch of piano in songs and he has great jams on the electric guitar and neat melodies on the acoustic. I imagine with scientific, musical study I'd understand exactly what appealed to me. But for now, I'll just admit that there is something about the music that touches me.

I have a bit of regret that a Christian group or artist is not my absolute favorite music-maker. However, for lyrics, Casting Crowns rank #1. Crowns reaches me where I am, even when I didn't realize I had a problem. Crowns lyrics bring tears to my eyes. Chris Tomlin and Smitty are my favorites for praise lyrics.

Is music such a big deal for everyone else? I was raised in a house of 70's rock music. My dad played keyboard in a band and would occasionally jam some Chicago, Toto, and Deep Purple at home. This motivated me to teach myself how to play the keyboard, too. Because of that Hammond organ-playing, I can always pick-up the sound in a song. There are few where you can catch an organ and leslie solo but you recognize it.

So, why the blog? First, I'm a little excited about my EBay deal. Second, there is some reason I like KU's songs. Third, I was analyzing if I'm really a "fan." I don't dress funny or eat weird things to win tickets, I don't pay $100 for a ticket to see him, I don't travel even 80 miles to see him, I don't pay $25 a year to be a member of his fan club, and I don't drop everything at the mention of his name. I don't think I'm a fan of Keith Urban, I just like his songs.

A friend of mine recently met Keith and Nicole Kidman and had high praise of Keith's personality. He was sociable and appreciative. Nic....was not. I'll attribute that to her pregnancy hormones. Been there.

As for other artists...I emailed some members of Casting Crowns after I saw them in February. Lead singer Mark Hall did email me back. I think that's pretty neat. It did take three months for the reply, but he's touring - I'm not. I feel an attachment to Crowns because they really come across as simple humans who make mistakes and love Jesus. They are based in McDonough, Georgia and I knew where that was when it was just a green exit sign off of I-75 and was home to one warehouse. Mark Miller and Steven Curtis Chapman are their producers. I've followed both of them since early in their careers. Mark Miller is from Apopka - a redneck suburb of Orlando.

Switchfoot is also a group I like. Just thought of that one. I have their earlier CDs. Almost went to see them at the House of Blues in Orlando but didn't think anyone would go with me. But I also like Norah Jones, Nickelback, Michael Buble. I guess we could say that I don't care for R&B, but yet some of it I do like. Depends on the song.

So, this is my rambling of thoughts for the past hour. I like music. Not everything touches me or inspires me, but there are some artists whose music I just REALLY like. (We could add REO Speedwagon and Chicago on my list, too)

And - I was happy to sing to my kids that "I bought it on EBay." (look it up on YouTube if you haven't heard it. especially if you enjoy Weird Al's parodies.)

Boy, aren't you glad you read my meaningless post today? I'm impressed that I thought about one thing for so long! AND I was sitting down. Guess we've started the cycle of summer - work in the morning (cleaned the barn early today), then sit around the house waiting for the afternoon storms to roll in. Oh! And my house is already clean because we had Shannon's baby shower Saturday. Always love a clean house but I have to have a reason to clean it.