I don’t do this often, but this is worth the 60 seconds it will take you to read… and it’s true according to http://www.snopes.com/music/artists/bell.asp 

This will make you stop and think............or at least do what the children want to do…Happy 2010!

Washington, DC Metro Station on a cold January morning. A man with a violin plays six Bach pieces for about 45 minutes. During that time approx. 2 thousand people passed through the station, most of them on their way to work. After 3 minutes a middle-aged man noticed there was a musician playing. He slowed his pace and stopped for a few seconds and then hurried to meet his schedule. 


4 minutes later: 
The violinist received his first dollar: a woman threw the money in the hat and, without stopping, continued to walk. 

6 minutes: 
A young man leaned against the wall to listen to him, then looked at his watch and started to walk again. 

10 minutes:
A 3-year old boy stopped but his mother tugged him along hurriedly. The kid stopped to look at the violinist again, but the mother pushed hard and the child continued to walk, turning his head all the time. This action was repeated by several other children. Every parent, without exception, forced their children to move on quickly.

45 minutes:
The musician played continuously.  Only 6 people stopped and listened for a short while. About 20 gave money but continued to walk at their normal pace. The man collected a total of $32.

1 hour:
He finished playing and silence took over. No one noticed. No one applauded, nor was there any recognition.

No one knew this, but the violinist was Joshua Bell, one of the greatest musicians in the world. He played one of the most intricate pieces ever written, with a violin valued at $3.5 million dollars. Two days before, Joshua Bell sold out a theater in Boston where the price of seats averaged $100.

This is a true story. Joshua Bell playing incognito in the metro station was organized by the Washington Post as part of a social experiment about perception, taste and people's priorities. The questions raised: in a commonplace environment at an inappropriate hour, do we perceive beauty? Do we stop to appreciate it? Do we recognize talent in an unexpected context?

One possible conclusion reached from this experiment could be this: If we do not have a moment to stop and listen to one of the best musicians in the world, playing some of the finest music ever written, with one of the most beautiful instruments ever made... what else are we missing?

I'm working with Mark Collie, Don Cook and JT Hodges on JT's new record (Rob Thomas produced a record on him), I'm starting to write for Sony Music, and I'm working with Amanda Martin and Ronnie Bowman on some great tunes and productions. Me and Ronnie wrote a killer song called "It's Simple, But It Ain't Easy". I'm planning to write soon with Michael Heeney, Casey Beathard, Tom Douglas, Clint Daniels, Don Cook, Mark Collie, Curly Putman, Mark Tamburino, JT Hodges, and hopefully Leigh Reynolds.

I'm hoping that Pat Travers cuts one of my songs - it's possible...

I'm also playing at 3rd and Lindsley in late January, as well as booking a 4 concert series in Franklin, as well as setting up some Austin, TX area dates.

The 4 concert series I want to have at CCC - free, 1 a month, and build community with whoever wants to come. If you're ready for a church, we can help.

- blessings