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Well, the day finally arrived... June
26th.. show number 1,618. I thought it most fitting to have Gary Chapman,
who has probably been the most frequent and arguably the most popular guest (as
well as being my FIRST live guest all those years ago) to finish with me. A
wonderfully, delightful surprise was to have Bonnie Keen join us. (Click
HERE for a clip.) A very bitter-sweet time.... WHAT A RIDE!!!!
Thanks for tagging along. |
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I called Phil Keaggy to ask him
about being on my last show and was very sad (OK... I was devastated!) to hear
that he would be in California touring on my last Sunday. HOWEVER, he did make
it to my second-to-last show, having traveled nearly all night from performing
at the Ichthus Festival the night before. I was delighted that Phil brought his
beautiful wife Bernadette, but I had to admit, I was a little when
Gary Pigg arrived unannounced. Off the air I was handed a CD and told to get
it ready but not to play it until I was told. These two guys gave me one of the
best surprises and presents of my life! Watch it by clicking
HERE
to see it on YouTube. WHAT AN ABSOLUTE THRILL!!!! What an amazing
time!!! June 19 |
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With just three shows to go, I was very
happy to have one last visit with Point of Grace... well at least two out of
three. I've said over and over- these ladies have been the most consistently
sweet people since the day they first appeared on the show in early 1994. I am
so proud of them and continue to be a big fan. Pictured in upper left: Shelley
Breen, me, Leigh Cappillino. (Denise Jones was on a traveling mission with her
son.) -June 11 |
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I have known Jim Cole for over
twenty years. We once lived in the same neighborhood. Although we've been good
friends for years, I've always loved his music and abilities. On June 5th (our
4th to last show), Jim brought us his latest project, "Walls and Doors".
He also introduced us to his producer Stephen Gause. Find Jim at
www.jimcoleonline.com Picture top
left: me, Stephen Gause, and Jim Cole. |
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When Michael W Smith heard about the
retirement of the show, he asked me to lunch to thank me for all the years. What
a most pleasant time and conversation. With all that's going on in his life
these days, this father of five and GRANDFATHER of five was gracious to
join us for his first visit in over 10 years. I'm so glad we were able to have
one last visit on the air together. -May 29 |
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We were fortunate to have Chris Eaton
and his wife Abby join us on May 8th. Although they are from and live in
England, Chris and Abby spend a great deal of time in Nashville. Catch up with
Chris at www.chriseaton.co.uk and with
Abby (Scott) at abbyscottmusic.com.
They promised that next time they are in town we will all
go out for "fish and chips"... I can't wait!!! By
the way, this is the first show since announcing the retirement of The Brian
Mason Show. |
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It's been a while, but I have always
enjoyed the music of and visits from Morgan Cryar. Since first meeting
him in 1984 when his first project was released ("Keep No Secrets"), he's simply
been a singer and songwriter who connects with our listeners. It was an real
pleasure to have him on the show on April 3rd. |
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This particular show (Mar 20) will always
be one of my absolutely favorites! If I recall, the first two Christian music
albums (yes, vinyl) I ever owned were Love Song's self-titled project and
Phil Keaggy's first solo LP, "What A Day". How wonderful to
have the two members of Love Song living in Nashville with us as well as
Phil Keaggy (who subbed for a time with Love Song in the 70's).
Phil also brought along our pal Ric Blair as well. I was just thrilled to
have Phil sing "What A Day" and segue into Love Song's "Little
Country Church". (Click
here to watch on YouTube.)
Pictures... left side starting on the
top: Phil Keaggy wanted to see what life like on my side of the board.
Chuck Girard and Phil sing, Tommy Coomes, and Ric Blair on the
bottom. On the right: Chuck Girard, Phil Keaggy, and all together
now singing on the bottom.
By the way, this was a few days before
Phil's actual birthday but we celebrated at his house that night. |
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A most talented young man! Jonny Diaz
sings, he writes, and he's very funny. He's the kind of artist I believe will be
around for quite a while. Find him and follow his tweets at
http://www.jonnydiaz.com/
-Mar 13 |
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Seems that I've been here before! Altho
it's been many years since I was with these particular guys (lower right pic
from Aug 1986), spending the morning with Classic Petra was very familiar
all the same. Even tho Petra disbanded years ago, many of the original members
have regrouped. New CDs and world tours happening as well. In additional to
members pictured, we also received phone calls from non-Nashvillian members Greg
X. Volz and Bob Hartman. Pictured in upper left: l-r Louie Weaver, me,
Mark Kelly and John Lawry. -Mar 6 |
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I remember the excitement of
hearing ZOEgirl for the first time... the first single was "I
Believe" from their self-titled project in 2000. Just 6 short years
later they split up- yet remained very close friends. One of the very few groups
that come to mind that never had a personnel change! I thought it would be
interesting to have a "ZOEgirl reunion" and invited the ladies. I felt sure that
locals Alisa Childers and Chrissy Conway-Katina would be up for
the visit but so pleasantly surprised when Kristin Swinford-Schweain came
in from her home in Missouri. A truly memorable trio... during their recording
years and still today! Pictured upper left: Kristin Swinford-Schweain, me. Alisa
Childers and Chrissy Conway-Katina. -Feb 27 |
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There's lots of great Christian
music released all the time... however, I must confess that "MOSAIC"
by Ricky Skaggs has been especially captivating. On Feb 20th, Ricky Skaggs,
Gordon Kennedy (CD's producer and writer or co-writer of all the songs)
and Ben Cooper (co-writer of 8 cuts) joined us. The visit was full of
fun, amazing stories of putting "Mosaic" together and was
certainly made complete by some live music. Please check out "Mosaic"
by Ricky Skaggs... I think you'll find yourself attached as I did. Pictured top
left: Gordon Kennedy, me, Ricky Skaggs and Ben Cooper. |
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On February 13th, one of our
favorite guests dropped by for a visit. Gary Chapman has been a good
friend of the show. He was (sick as a dog) when he came by. Although we had
planned to have him perform some songs live, due to his illness, he brought us a
CD of hymns from his incredible site:
www.ahymnaweek.com ... I highly recommend it! |
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I continue to be so very proud of
these ladies. Point of Grace has been at it for nearly 20 years now... so
hard to believe! They have a very special love for their fans- especially young
girls.. Recognizing the bombardment of with world on Christian values, Point of
Grace created "Girls of Grace" specifically for young ladies 6th
thru 12th grades. We talked about their first "Girls of Grace" event in
Tennessee coming up Visit:
www.girlsofgrace.com to find out more. Pictured in the upper left: Leigh
Cappillino, me, Denise Jones and Shelley Breen. -Feb 6 |
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The Gospel Music Association Hall
of Fame induction ceremony was held on Monday, January 24. The day before we
enjoyed a visit from one of the inductees, Eddie DeGarmo. Also joining us
was program co-host Chonda Pierce. I am so very pleased that DeGarmo &
Key were finally being recognized for the tremendous job they did in the 17
years of recording, touring, and sharing Jesus with the world. A bit
bitter-sweet time since Dana Key is longer with us. Chonda (as always) was
incredible- both on our show Sunday morning and on the Hall of Fame TV taping. -Jan 23 |
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