Winter Jam 2011

WOW. amazing day yesterday. it started with a fantastic fifth anniversary celebration service at church, and continues with Winter Jam 2011, which was, without exaggeration one of the best experiences of my life- even better than last year, which i thought would be hard to beat. :-)

Let me start by explaining something to the few of you reading this who may not know. Newsboys is my favorite band, but saying that doesn't go far enough. i was about 10 the first time i heard their music, and 12 when i REALLY started listening to them. i also accepted Christ that same summer, and i don't think it's really any coincidence that from that point on they have been the single greatest influence and source of encouragement for my faith walk. I've known and love lots of great Christ followers in the past 16 years, but consistently this band and its music has been SO integral to my growth and strength. their albums have come out in perfect timing, providing a lyrical match for what is going on in my life in ways that blow my mind. i've seen them in concert over a dozen times, and every time it renews me. there have been lineup changes, but the message and the music has never ceased to grab me at my core. in addition to the music, these men have shown themselves to be the real deal in countless ways. who they are as men of God is something that has made me feel a bond with them that kinda surpasses fandom. Oh, i'm a huge fan, but it;s more than that. it sounds silly maybe, but i love and pray for these guys like they are family- because, in christ, they are- and i know God is using them in so many lives.

Last year i got to meet newsboys for the first time as an adult, and HO BOY was i giddy (imagine meeting your personal hero and your favorite celebrity of all time- now imagine they are one person- that;s waht this was for me). it was still a great experience though and all 4 guys were very patient and Jody and Duncan in particular were super sweet to me. This year, i was determined not to act a fool and jsut enjoy whatever moments i got to talk to these men.

So, that all established, let's rewind to when we got to Va Beach....

We arrived at my parents' house to pick up my sister Melissa, her boyfriend Jeff, and BFF Abby, almost exactly when we hoped to, and were out the door very quickly and efficiently. WIN! When we got downtown, Scott dropped us all off to go get in line, while he parked. there were no real lines yet, so we just plopped down as close to the barriers where the lines *would* be as we could. it was only about 2:30 when we got there, so we had a solid 2 hour wait till the doors would open. This was the first time Scott and i had met Jeff, and we both took an instant liking to him, and i have to say, seeing my beloved and precious sister so happy just filled me with joy. Plus, the kid was incredibly patient with my hyperactive newsboys prattle. :-)
Sidewalk Prophets and Chris August came out around 4 to mingle with the fans, and i i met the former and got pics with the latter. at 4:30, they let us in, and we grabbed seats that turned out to give us an absolutely perfect view of everything. WIN!

The show started at 5, with Jason Castro, of American Idol fame. his set was shot and sweet, and i enjoyed it. i love this guy on Idol, and i was so excited to see him in this setting. immediately after Jason finished, they called for the youth ministry folks to come to the meeting. this was my chance to give Duncan the hat i had crocheted him as a birthday gift, and i was really excited. at the beginning of the meeting, Tony Nolan spoke, then Jason Castro came in and thanked us for what we do, and was jsut a really sweet guy. when he finished, he sweetly took a picture with me and gave me a hug. :-) Next was Jon Micah from Kutless, who seemed SO accessible and again thankful for what we do. hearing that from these artists, means a lot. i got a pic with him too. David Crowder came in and shared similar stuff and again i was humbled- i am soooo thankful for these guys and their ministries, and it is so cool to hear that they are thankful for me too! Then...

Duncan slipped in the door i was (convieniently) standing by- All sunglasses, smiles, and joyful energy. i touched him on the arm and whispered "Duncan!" he turned, threw his arms around me and whisper shouted! "Hey Mae!!! How ARE you, Sweetheart? SOOOOOO good to SEE you!!! Look at YOU!" i told him my shirt had come just in time and he was thrilled, and then i gave him the hat. HE LOVED IT! He laughed at the mohawk, was touched that i;d made it for him, and hugged me another 3-4 times before jumping on the lil stage to talk to the group. i video'd his hilarious and charismatic speeh- then he got off stage, posed for pics with me, "Oh yes! we Have to do this!" after seeing the pic "OH! THAT is MONEY! Look at us!!!" Hugged me super close again, and was off! It was probably less than 2 minutes of contact with him but that man showed me so much love in that time- and THAT is why i love him and his band. i listnened, swathed in a pink glow of contentment and excitement to the rest of the meeting, and then fushed back to my seat to enjoy the concert. i had missed part of Red, which was a bummer, but when i told Scott how it had gone with Duncan, he hugged me tight cuz he knew how much it all meant.

Red was great. KJ 52 was the emcee for the night, and all his interludes were fantastic. I think newsong was up next, and tough they are not my favorite, i think they put on an very enrgetic show. Tony Nolan spoke, and then Francesca Battisteli took her turn. i REALLY enjoyed her. Next was David Crowder Band. i think this tied with the next act for my second favorite of the night. there was an talk about sponsoring children, then an intermission. After intermission was Kutless. this set, like Crowder's was absolutely perfect. Just wonderful. then- FINALLY it was time for my Newsboys.

This set was everything i'd hoped and waited for. they sang almost all songs from the new album, and their entrance was to die for. These guys have always been known for their stage shows, and the current one has kicked it up soooo many notches! i'll probably be posting video in the coming days, but here is a teaser- straight from the lips of Duncan: "at one point, the whole band will be flying around the arena!"
The MOMENT they left the stage, i booked it over to get in line for autographs. i was fairly close to the beginning of the line, which was good, cuz we had to get some rest before an early start to get home today. When i got up to the table, i saw Jeff Frankenstein (yup, real name) yawning. i realized yet again how worn out these guys must get on the road. i said "aww, Jeff, you look, so tired!" he said "really? thanks...i guess i am a little tired..." (i hope i didn't irritate him, i was jsut tryin to be sympathetic...) then i moved on to Duncan, who, when he saw me said "Awww.... here coumes Trouble!!!", Grabbed my hand in both his, said "How was it, Darling?", to which i responded "AMAZING- as ALWAYS!" and he grinned at me and said "Good, thank you SO much for coming out, and have a GREAT night, okay?" before moving on to the girls behind me. Now- came something else i was excited for- i had brought Jody Davis' solo album with me, and i was thrilled to put it in front of the soft spoken and incredibly kind guitarrist. he was really happy to see it, and elbowed Michael Tait next to him to show him. Michael kinda teased him a little, and i reminded them that a similar moment had played out last year when i mentioned having the album. Michael muttered something about "shoulda brought my album too!" what i didnt notice, was that as i was chatting with Jody, michael SIGNED the album- when i looked down to pick up both CDs, i said "Michael Tait! you signed Jody's CD!!!!" to which he responded with a shrug "I dont mind!" Jody turned his head and gaped at him. i didnt wanna be a hog, so i said "i love you guys, thanks SO much! goodnight!" to which they all responded "Night!" Yeah... i love my Newsboys... and i'm thinking next time i'll take Michael's solo album for him to sign- and get Jody to sign that too. jsut to make it fair. ;-)we got to hang out with my mom a little while when we got back, wich was good. amazingly i was able to sleep after all that somehow, and we woke early to get home at 8:30 this morning.
Pictures will be posted SOON!