Paper Route or Dairy Cow?
I like to tell people I used to be in the newspaper business. It sounds respectable and it’s true. Yes, ok, fine, it’s also true that I only delivered the paper, but still…I technically was in the biz.
Unsolicited Advice
What I want my kids (and you) to know.
Part 2: Why I Don’t Tour (Very Much)
In last week’s blog post Why I Don’t Tour (Very Much), I gave a long explanation that basically boiled down to, I don’t tour because I don’t like to. But some of you responded and asked if I’d give a more in-depth answer on the “why” part. Here it is.
Why I Don’t Tour (Very Much)
Imagine you wanted to be a pilot. The idea of flying, seeing the world like a bird — you couldn’t get it out of your mind. So you went to college, you studied flying, you learned everything. Got your million hours or whatever. People knew you as a pilot. They’d look at you with those …
Why You Should Grow a Garden
Last night around dusk, from our kitchen window I looked out into the backyard. Heidi was holding Lorentz, watering the garden. Silas and August were playing in the dirt. It was a simple moment in time. I felt grateful to be alive and blessed to have what’s been given to me.
How Life Events Affect My Music
Question from Stephen in Minnesota: How have big life events like getting married, having kids etc. affected your music? Your songs are always deeply personal and I feel like many of them have specific life events behind them. Have you seen certain events affect your songs more than others? Great question. You’re right that many …
Don’t Finish a Race Like This
In junior high I ran cross-country. It’s that sport where you run on golf courses, all the while wishing you were golfing. I remember this one race. Park Rapids, Minnesota. Hills everywhere. I was running a pretty decent race. My lap times were good, and I felt strong. But with less than 50 yards to …
Who’s Your Redheaded Youth Pastor?
I’m from northern Minnesota where people are stoic and reserved. More walk. Less talk. In fact no talk is also fine and acceptable, often preferable. I’ve driven hours in a car with fellow Minnesotans, nobody saying a word the entire way. Complete comfort. Awkward silence is just called silence where I’m from.
Why Social Media is Like Track and Field Day
Remember Track and Field Day? Being led out to the football field by Mrs. Rislov. All those different stations. Softball throw, gunnysack race, 100 meter dash.
One Sentence I Write Down Everyday
It’s easy to get caught up in the hustle of just surviving. Somedays the to-do list is out of control and I feel like that ball inside a pinball machine. Just bouncing from one place to the next without any clear direction or control. By the end of the day I’m exhausted, but I can’t …
When No One Takes You Seriously
Trying to book my own gigs in the beginning was a lot like going door to door selling vacuum cleaners. Only I was telling the person they could have the vacuum cleaner for free. I just wanted them to take it and like it.