I really enjoy listening to music while I work. If I am traveling around the church I turn my iPhone on for a little traveling music. I wanted to listen a few of the CDs that I have really enjoyed over the past few months and ask you what you are listening to.

• Matt Maher, Alive Again, amazing worship album
• Visqueen, Message to Garcia, This one is infectious
• Bon Iver, For Emma, Forever Ago, sensitive-man-music to chill out to
• John Mayer, Battle Studies, Great album and the bossa nova track is a favorite
• Lady Antebellum, Need You Now – Single, I really look forward to the album

So what are you listening to? What do you recommend?

In high school the first influential album in my life was Ten by Pearl Jam. It was the first CD I bought and I listened to it literally a thousand times. That fact that there was a track on the album named Jeremy was totally a bonus. My friend Rodrick and I bought every Pearl Jam album we could find at the stores and searched far and wide for the hard to find live and European albums. We would sit around listening to Pearl Jam or playing their songs on our guitars. Alive was the first song I could play from beginning to end. Pearl Jam was first live concert experience in the Travel and Transportation building at the OKC Fairgrounds and we were in the mosh pit and just out from the center of the stage. I have front row at Coldplay, but nothing will compare to that first experience. The Seattle bands connected with my friends and these bands continue to be in heavy rotation in my playlist. I remember the night they first played Saturday Night Live and thinking that Eddie Vedder is the freaking man. They had some much passion and angst.   Not for You and State of Love and Trust are two of my favorite songs.

So what has been one the most influential albums in your life?

       I purchased the new Conor Oberst album yesterday and have listened to it three times now. I really enjoy the songs and stories Conor is telling. I like the way he works in the phrase “milk thistle” into a song. I never thought I would hear that one. Conor has a way of expressing the fear and frustration through his singing that few others seem to be able to capture. Check out I Don’t Want To Die in the Hospital. I enjoy the new/old school country sound that Conor and Ryan Adams have been bringing back. The Rhodes on Eagle on a Pole is an amazing sound and is pure pleasure.

I need to take the time to thank Leslie Penhall for introducing me to Conor and his music.

I saw that Conor is going to be at Cain’s on September 25th with Jenny Lewis from Rilo Kiley. I am going to have to get tickets.

This is an amazing video from Jesus Culture that I saw over at Ragamuffin’s blog and wanted to share with everybody.  This is an incredible song and this girl Becca can really sing.  I am sitting here in my office listening to this song and the hair is standing straight up on my arms.  Yeah, it’s that amazing.  Listen to it as part of your devotion.  Check the rest of the videos out on YouTube.com under Jesus Culture.  This girl could give a master class in leading worship and working with the band.

We are doing sound check for Big Weekend with Kyle Cantrell Band right now and it sounds awesome.  The band is rocking to some Wallflowers.  If you are in T-town this weekend come and check it out.  Mike Keahbone is our communicator this weekend.  Check you guys later.