Go West Young Man

This blog is particularly exciting for me to write today, we've been waiting anxiously to be able to share this. My faith is always challenged in the transition of a season when I desire to see the "writing on the wall" and I'm often envious of people who get that. I am shocked and thankful that God is evidently and unmistakably doing this in our lives right now.

We are moving to Colorado.

I will be the Director of Worship and Music at Calvary Bible's Erie campus in Erie, Colorado, just north of Denver. It has been a crazy and faith-deepening journey that has brought us and connected us to Calvary. We are packing and preparing for a cold winter move on December 18 and have already felt incredibly welcomed and reached out to by our new family at Calvary. We can't wait to begin a new season with a new spiritual family so close to our physical family and our roots. Colorado is our home and we can't wait to be close to a few grandparents. We can't be more thankful. I will be working at Calvary in a part time capacity to have the ability to tour as a solo artist, build my studio, teach students and continue recording my music.

We are thankful for the past two and a half years that God has had us at Grace in Indiana. We have met some incredible people and learned some invaluable lessons. Jenna and I are so thankful for the relationship and growth that we have experienced with these people, in our marriage, and our family. 

Thank you for rejoicing and celebrating with us.

Psalm 90:1 "Lord, you have been our dwelling place throughout all generations. Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the whole world,
from everlasting to everlasting you are God." 

St. Joseph, MI

While spending hours of preparation loading up the car with gear and diapers for a concert with a family of four inspires excitement and adventure, it's not the easiest and most stress-free way to tour. As I recently found myself rearranging car seats and wedging strollers between my road cases in the back of our SUV I remembered traveling with all dudes in a tour bus with a massive trailer packed with merchandise, gear and often a massive sound system. While I miss playing with a band of fantastic musicians, I prefer the small SUV with my cute little family.

Even better are the dates close to home. Several weeks ago I spent an early afternoon playing Tetris at the back of our MDX. Poor Gabby had to share her seat with a piano. Every time I have to move a keyboard I ask myself why I didn't choose to play the violin or guitar?



Even though the rain made the load in slightly obnoxious, we found ourselves ready for a great night with good friends. What better way to spend a rainy evening than with a group of friends at a concert?



Other advantages of having a show close to home is the ability to invite a network of cool friends. Always thankful for my friend and creative counter part Kyle Pierpont. Having a good photographer in one's inner-circle is always a good idea.









A one man show is tough and not my preference by any means. Toby Mac is probably the best example of this philosophy of business and has been very successful at it. He's the first to admit that he's not the most talented guy on the bus and purposefully surrounds him self with people who are better than him to make his concerts what they are. Any one who's seen Toby and the Diverse City band would see that. A band compensates for a player's weaknesses and potential lack of preparation. When you're by yourself, there's nobody to hide your mistakes behind. You also never get a break. There isn't a guitar solo that allows a few seconds to step back and drink some water and catch your breath, or a trash can ending to to give a few minutes to think of your next joke. It's also tough to remain entertaining for 80 minutes. When I'm hiding behind a keyboard, it's tough to visually stimulate an audience. I try to come out from around the keyboard a few times a night, but I always feel the pull hurry back behind my shield.




A band will come, but this has been a tremendously rewarding and challenging way to travel and play concerts. God has been so gracious to us in this, we've helped facilitate over 60 children sponsored this year. Considering the size of my typical audiences, this is a tremendous blessing.
If you've come to my shows, thank you. If you're thinking of having me to one, pull the trigger. Do it. Do it now. I can't wait and look forward to seeing you soon. Christmas is around the corner and I can't wait to share some Christmas music with you.

Collin