The Official Jars of Clay Email News
(issued 12/9/95)
CONTENTS:
*Message from Matt
*Message from Charlie
*Prayer Requests
*Chords
*David Hasselhoff & Jars??
*Ultimate Online Game Winners!
*Merchandise
*Web site update
*JoC Survey
*CD-Rom News
*Drummer Boy EP
*Charts
*Concert Review #1: 11/16 Clinton, MS
*Concert Review #2: Colorado In-Store Acoustic
*Concert Review #3: Atlanta, GA 11/3/95
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*Message from Matt:
11/8/95
Nashville, Tn
Matthew T. Odmark
Dear readers and friends,
Fall has settled in decisively here in Nashville. It is actually my favorite time of the fall; the air is crisp and visible, and most of the leaves have already fallen save a few trees who have proudly held on to their brilliant color with bravado. It is the season of change, even in the middle of its most beautiful moments, I am forced to remember that winter is coming and will come. It seems that all of fall points towards its inevitability. It is here that I find myself, with a few precious moments here in my hometown, in the middle of the Jars of Clay/PFR fall tour. I just wanted to thank you all for your support of the tour thus far. Thanks to all who have come to see us so far, and a special thank you to all those who have commited to lift us up in prayer. Your prayers have been a constant source of encouragement and strength to us here on the road, we covet them and ask you all to keep praying.
Specifically for me, the Lord has been faithful in his commitment to keep me on my knees and clinging to him for mercy and stability. Earlier this month I was given the news that my Mom was diagnosed with Cancer. The good news is that she has one of the most common and highly treatable forms of cancer but the bad news is that it is cancer. It is a strange thing that happens when something like cancer becomes a part of your life. All the little things of life quickly fade into the background and what's really important suddenly shifts into dramatic focus. However I must confess that it has been a challenge for me to even maintain this focus because of the business of our schedule and how far away I am from my family. All this to say that I desperately need any and every prayer on this matter, and please keep my mother Laurie in your prayers too.
I hope that all of you are doing well and that you have already begun as I have to eagerly anticipate the Holiday season. It is my prayer that once again the mystery of God in the form of a virgin born child will capture your heart with the wonder of the wisdom and grace of our saviour, comforter and friend, Jesus Christ.
Blessings-
-Matthew T. Odmark (Odie74@aol.com)
[Please note the date on this. Thank you for the prayers, those of you who knew about this. I'm sorry I couldn't get this message out right after he wrote it. It was put at the web site and many people prayed, and we can now rejoice that our prayers were heard! Matt's mom is home and is recovering quickly. Please continue to pray as she will continue some chemotherapy. -Ed.]
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*Message from Charlie:
Subj: Back for Thanbsgibing
From: Pdljmpr7
That typo is intentional- it's what I sound like with a sinus infection. Greetings from Nashville this Thanksgiving morning. It's cold and wet here!! We are home from the road for a three day break. Tour has been going very well, although we are all getting very worn out. However, God has been so faithful in being our strength and continuosly extending his mercy and grace to five broken vessels. We have about 1 1/2 weeks of tour left, in which we hope to meet as many more of you as possible.
Our apologies for the Raleigh, NC show that we had to cancel due to Dan's ill health. He is still resting and recovering. This break came just in time! December will bring for us the filming of video #2 (liquid), a Christmas benefit concert, a Christmas concert with Mr. Smith, a concert with Dan Quayle, and a good week and a half at home for Christmas. We hope you are enjoying our small token of Christmas. Season's Greetings to all. May you live in Christ's Grace and Love that we have come to put our hope and joy in as His children!! Peace and Mercy,
Charlie L.
jars of clay
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*Prayer Requests:
From: kpowell0@tiger.gtc.georgetown.ky.us (JESUS SAVES!)
To: earthpots@aol.com
I have a prayer request for everyone, I have a friend who lives in Colombia, S. America. Anyway...she adopted a little girl with AIDS. So just pray that God will heal Monica because her mom had AIDS and passed it on to her. She is just 1 and doesn't deserve to have this wicked disease. I believe in healing and I know that God can heal today just like He did when Jesus walked the earth. The Bible tells us that when we are told that God is the same yesterday, today and for always. That is so awesome that God never changes. If you would add her to your prayer list I would appreciate it.
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My roomate's name is Jeremy. His Dad got in a car accident and is in the hospital and is in danger of becoming paralyzed. Thanx for your prayer support.
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Some Earthen Vessels subscribers may have heard of the band Luxury. for those who haven't, they are a really cool band from Georgia who toured with Prayer Chain last spring. They played at Cornerstone Festival at the same tent that Jars of Clay did, but one day later than Jars. On their return trip with another band, Piltdown Man (also from Georgia), some members of both bands were in a wreck involving one of the two vehicles being used for the trip. The injuries were quite serious, but praise God no one died. Lee Bozeman, lead singer for Luxury, suffered the worst injuries and has undergone i think two surguries. As you can imagine, the medical expenses are very high. Please pray for continued healing for the band members and for God to take care of them financially as well. When you go to pick up Jars of Clay's new EP or cd-rom, buy Luxury's album entitled Amazing and Thank You. And remember to pray for Jars of Clay on their tours with PFR and Michael W. Smith for protection and ministry.
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Date: 95-11-04 09:38:33 EST
From: PVentrella@aol.com
Top Story. For those of you who haven't heard yet. I have been diagnosed with lymphoma, or cancer of the lymph nodes. I just spent the last week doing tests to determine how far it has spread. Luckily, it isn't anywhere else in my body except my tonsils. I will begin chemotherapy on Friday 11/10.
This means I will not be able to work for 5-6 months. If I had a normal desk job, it might be possible to work, but since my job requires me to stand and talk 8 hours a day, it would be impossible for me to be a reliable work resource. I will be going on disablility (hopefully) starting in a month or two.
Good news. That will give me time to rest, and write. Bad news. It's only 60% of my already meager salary. Can't win them all. Well, I lived through it before, and I'll live through it again. It won't be easy, but I really have no choice. Thanks for the prayer-
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*Chords:
[These are from a subscriber, if you know any please send them for the next newsletter! -Ed.]
I've tried to figure out Art in Me. I think they just alternate betweend G/B and C9 (The same fingering as G/B, but you use the A and D strings instead of the E and A strings). Using those chords during the verses, just play the top three strings in the order of B then E, then G. Strum the chords on the chorus.
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*David Hasselhoff & Jars??
David announced the winner of the Billboard Video Music Awards, for the best new Christian short form video award. Why am I including this? Jars got first place with their "Flood" concept video. Speaking of videos, they recorded the "Liquid" video today! I won't spoil any surprises though!
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*Ultimate Online Game Winners announced:
Chris and I had a panel of fellow online subscribers judge the creative stories that were submitted for the contest mentioned in the last newsletter....out of 14 entries, we had a first and a second place winner. Thanks to everyone for playing!! It was hard to pick the winners (they were all great!), that's why I had a bunch of fellow subscribers help! The number 2 winner was: bcborbka@bluffton.edu - congrats!!
The number 1 winner was: jblind@pacifier.com - congrats to you too!!
Although the titles weren't in order as on the album, we still felt he deserved the award because it was so off the wall and funny... Here's the number one winning essay:
"Hello, my name is James BLIND. This is the story of how I went to the playground the other day. I like to go to the playground because it makes me feel LIKE A CHILD.
As I walked to the playground, I saw a lady with a guitar serenading a statue of Jesus. I asked her what she was doing, and she said she was singing a LOVE SONG FOR A SAVIOR. I walked away without asking any more, knowing that she and I were Worlds Apart. I got to the playground, and saw a little girl with her friend on a sort of leash. It was the first time I had ever seen a BOY ON A STRING.
As she led him through the playground, he stepped in a puddle of LIQUID. HE shouted "Help me, I'm SINKING". I ran over to help him, but found that there was little water and that the FLOOD was all in his mind. He then took out a finger painting from his jacket, and ate it. I asked him why, and he responded "I wanted to see the ART IN ME". After that I started going to a different playground."
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*Merchandise:
Jars merchandise can now be ordered through the CCM store. Just call 1-800-7171-CCM and you can order anything that they sell at the concerts! The prices are fairly reasonable, just a dollar or two higher for the postage. Please note: the CCM Store closes January 15th for the year! All orders must be placed by about Jan. 1st.
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*Web site update:
The web site address, for newcomers and those who forgot since last time, is: http://www.grfn.org/~qwerty/jarsofclay The site has been much updated in the past couple weeks so check it out!
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*JoC Survey:
Thanks to all who submitted their surveys! There were more responses than I could handle, so the results will be printed in the next issue. Sorry for the delay and thanks again for the great answers!
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*CD-Rom News:
The CD-Rom has a street date of January 15th (that's when it should be in stores). There are many exciting things on it as well as 85% of their very rare debut cd "frail". Also, a screensaver from this is going to be freeware and will be at our web site very soon (released Dec. 23, will be at the site shortly after) and you can download it for free for your computer. There are 10 photos that fade in and out, some are color and some are black and white.
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*Drummer Boy EP:
This is going like hotcakes! Also, there were only 80,000 of these printed and they don't plan on printing more (they want them to be somewhat of a collector's edition thing) and the soundscan charts currently indicate that 70,000 are gone...so hurry and get yours!
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*Charts:
Like a Child went #1 this week on the CHR charts! :) Thanks to all of you for requesting it and making it the third #1 single. On the Billboard heatseeker charts, they moved up to #3 and on the Top 200 secular list, the Drummer Boy EP debuted at #101! They were told not to include it because EP's are not normally included, but for some reason the people at Billboard included it anyway...The regular album reached the best yet as well at #146.
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*Concert Review #1: 11/16 Clinton, MS: A Different Perspective
Date: 95-11-20 09:51:17 EST
From: D88KEYZ
NOVEMBER 16 CLINTON, MS PFR-JARS OF CLAY
I had the honor to walk into a small room in the auditorium around 6:56 p.m. Thursday night in Clinton, Mississippi at Mississippi College. I saw Steve Mason at the door and he quickly waved me in as he shut the door. We sat down and I heard the tail end of Charlie Lowell's prayer, "God, let it not be us they see...let us worship you tonight...amen." Then I heard a familiar voice, "It's Daron!" Dan got up and gave me a hug as we talked a while about stuff and how the band is doing and the direction it's going. I had the pleasure to meet Dan, Charlie and Steve at Greenville College two years ago. Before it all started. When "Love Song For a Savior" was a bunch of words on a yellow notepad. When recording songs in the studio at Greenville was something we all wanted to do, and we always fought over the graveyard shift time, midnight to 6:00 a.m. When "Fade To Grey" was recorded and everybody freaked over it.
What I want to say is this....in August of 1993 they all met...November they recorded "Fade To Grey" as a studio project for class...in March they hung out during spring break and recorded their indie CD "Frail". In April they won the "New Artist Spotlight at GMA". In May the performed at the AGAPE festival in Greenville along with Stephen Curtis Chapman, Petra and Michael W. Smith....and here they are about to share a tour bus with Mr. Smith and witness to THOUSANDS of people in Colisieums around the country....my point? These guys are nothing special. They are just like you and me....obviously God's plan for them is on a bigger platform, but they are simple, humble, and empty vessels. They are not almighty talented, they are vessels, willing to be used. They are not great philosophers of lyrics and spiritual enlighteners, they are vessels, and they were willing to be used......and i think you'll agree with me in saying God is using them.
Sure, the concert was great. PFR was great. I got my poster, shirt, the usual...but most importantly I got an encouraging word from some old friends. Some friends that are struggling, working, praying, and crying together as vessels willing to be used as I am, and I hope you are. God's got a plan for us all. Pray for these guys, not to reach thousands with their music and message, but for the love, strength, courage and wisdom when they are put in those situations so they can reach them. Because without that they are just a bunch of "resounding gongs or clanging cymbols (1 Cor 13)"
Daron Pitts D88KEYZ@aol.com
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*Concert Review #2: In-Store Set from Colorado
From: hastings@unm.edu (hermit-boy)
Date: 8 Nov 1995
As we all know, Jars of Clay is currently touring the nation with PFR. A friend (S'up Tree) and I decided to drive up to Colorado to catch a couple of their shows, as the *MENTAL* promoters in this town didn't pick them up. I don't wish to sound repetitive, so I won't go into all the details surrounding JoC's opening act for PFR other than their set is as follows:
Liquid
Like A Child
Boy On a String
He
Love Song For a Savior
Flood
What made this trip special was the fact that we learned that the Jars-boys would be performing a free acoustic set at a Christian bookstore near the place we were staying!
We showed up, running late, and were surprisingly some of the first ones there. It eventually reached a crowd of 50-75, so it was a nice sized group with very little crowding. Their bus pulled up and one of the store employees, Gator, and I went out back to help carry in any necessary equipment, etc; being an acoustic set, there wasn't a whole lot. One of the memories that sticks in my mind is Dan (lead singer) getting off the bus with his coffee mug. . . he kept it with him most of the time they were there. Make no mistake, DAN LOVES HIS COFFEE (as will be seen a little later).
The band came in, set up, and began to tune their instruments and mic-checks. . . simple confusion as they talked among themselves, the crowd, and the guy at the soundboard as Matt had to run back to the bus to get a new cable for his guitar. Matt returned, the band began to warm up a little, then went to the back for a quick word of prayer.
Returning about fifteen minutes later, the guys resumed their places. . . Matt, Dan, Charlie, and Steve on four stools about three feet away from the audience, their drummer (Scott) behind them. . . and launched into Like a Child.
Having seen them the night before with PFR, we were wondering just what they'd be playing (same songs; Fade to Grey; Good Coffee, Strong Coffee; etc.). To my pleasant surprise, they played Sinking next. Out of the three days I spent being a groupie :B, this was the loveliest part of the trip. Their harmonizing was so beautiful. . . magnifying that from the album many times over. Boy On a String followed. . . as just a side comment, there is nothing like hearing this tune live in concert!!!
The band stopped to talk with the crowd for a bit. "This next song was on our independent album of a few years ago. Unfortunately, it didn't find its way onto our current album because we didn't have time to record it. But it WILL be on our next album. . . this song's called Fade to Grey." POO-YAH!!! This song rules!!! The best part was, my friend and I knew the song. The crowd, and even Charlie (keyboardist), gave us a look like "Where the heck did you guys hear this?!" It was the best!!!
"For our last song, we would like to pay tribute to something that is extremely helpful to us. . . it really helps us make it through the day-- Coffee!" Alright!!! Good Coffee, Strong Coffee, which we'd never heard before, except in reference. "Today, Matt will have the honor of being our Cappucino maker." And what a good job he did! This song is a scream! A true song of love and dependence!
Afterwards, they moved over to a table to visit and sign autographs as they munched on their late breakfast of hamburgers, fries, and cokes from McDonalds. The whole time I was up there and visited with them, I was amazed at how humble these guys *really, really* are. They are very eager to meet people and strike up conversations, serious or small talk.
Overall, I got the honest impression that these guys realize that what they have suddenly attained is from God. The lyrics, the lifestyle, the success. . . it's not about Dan, Charlie, Steve, and Matt. . . it's about what God does through them. They, and their abilities, have been brought together to share a particular message, unlike any other, about the Gospel. In their uniqueness, they have reached many. I find it interesting that I just can't stop listening to their music. I can truly say that I have never listened to anything with such continuity.
J
ars of Clay and their music express an intimacy with God like no other band, in my opinion. They make our relationship with our Creator seem fresh and new. . . it's faith made simple. . . as our Lord would have it. Hey! Support these guys. . . I talked with Matt and he said that they give an honest reading to every piece of mail they get (e-mail and postal). He hasn't been on the net in six weeks, understandibly, due to the tour, but he says to keep those letters coming. They can't respond to all of them, of course, but it *is* a constant encouragement to them to hear from other believers. . .
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*Concert Review #3: Atlanta, GA 11/3/95
Date: 95-11-06 13:36:40 EST
From: garner@mindspring.com (C. Garner Andrews)
I was blessed to attend the awesome Jars concert last Friday night (11-3-95). A friend of mine won tickets on the radio, so we went to the 7:30 concert. After waiting outside for an hour, in one of Atlanta's few 35 degree evenings in early November, to get good seats, we rushed inside to warm our frozen fingers and to find that the front half of the church had been roped off for "Artist Circle" seats only. Needless to say we were pretty disappointed. We were still able to sit just beyond the "control booth" and could see relatively well.
Once the show began, however, we quickly got over our sulking and launched into one of the most enjoyable shows that I have ever been a part of. The audience response was truly incredible. The simple fact that the show had sold out is pretty amazing. (which by the way, I have doubts is due soley to the crowd from Nashville) The atmosphere in the church was so uplifting. Everybody was totally pumped for Jesus. A group of guys in the balcony led praise songs which the whole audience joined in for. By the time the show started people were really ready to listen. Not just hear the music that these guys were making, but to really listen to what they had to say. The performance of "He" was extremely powerful. The slowed-down version of this song left tears streaming down my face and a mark on my heart that will probably always be there. The compassion that was stirred in that audience is no little thing at all. Jars only played for about thirty minutes, but those few minutes were life changing for many. After Jars finished much of the audience left and missed a good PFR show. We found this pretty sad, but really it was obvious that Jars had stolen the show.
I had the experience last summer to talk to the guys at Atlantafest while I was working at a World Vision booth and I was so amazed to be able to see God working so hard in the lives of real people. These boys work so hard to remain humble and honest to the tons of people who are constantly watching them. I think that this is really gonna pay off for them. I am anxiously waiting for Jars to come back in January and will remain praying for God to continue to enhance their ministry and bring these guys closer to a perfect personal relationship with Him.
On a different note I have discovered that simply having a Jars CD in my car has become a minisry in itself. I can't say how many much needed conversations have been opened by this album. Original, good music with something to say that is worth saying is hard to come by. Especially that that can reach teenagers. A couple of my friends who don't know Jesus have become very interested in getting to know him simply by hearing this CD in my car and talking about what it says. I know that it has been there for a reason and it has helped me to see the power of God working through you guys' ministry and through me. Plus it solves the problem of what to get people for Christmas. :)
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