The Official Monthly Jars of Clay Email News Digest
4/13/97
5,279 Subscribers
web site: http://www.jarsofclay.com
CONTENTS:
*New Album
*Web site additions
*Tour Update
*Concert Review: March 28, 1997 Six Flags, Arlington, TX
*Concert Review: April 5, 1997 Silver Dollar, Branson, MO
*YOU! Magazine Article: "Jars full of Java"
*Prayer Requests
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*New album:
The next Jars of Clay album will be released to the public in August 1997. It has been written and recorded over the past month and will be mixed over the next couple months. The music will be quite diverse and there will probably be many potential radio-friendly songs, with the same lyrics you've grown to know and love. The first single may be "Crazy Times", a song that they've been showcasing in recent concerts. The cat has been let out of the bag by a number of sources now, that the new album title will most likely be "Much Afraid", named after the main character in Hannah Hurnard's "Hinds' Feet on High Places", a book brimming with analogy and adventure along the lines of "The Pilgrim's Progress".
Please stay tuned and watch the web site for frequent updates!
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*Web site additions:
We have added a number of new videos to the site (under "Multimedia") for your enjoyment:
1. Platinum Party In-Store Reel: Approx. 15 minutes, in 5 different sections. Includes a live rehearsal of Blind w/ strings, footage of Gold Record parties, etc.
2. Edge-TV Special, full length 12:13.
3. Rose colored stained glass windows, from Jesus NW '96: full length: 5:58 short clip: 1:34.
Hope you like them and please keep the feedback coming!
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*Tour Updates: Please remember to call the concert hotline for the most up to date information including phone numbers for tickets: 615-361-0444
April, 1997:
18: Valencia, CA - 9 & 11 pm: Magic Mountain w/ Sarah Jahn: 805-255-4100
21: Nashville, TN - GMA Spectacular (closed to public)
24: Nashville, TN - Dove Awards
26: Wilmore, KY - 10:45 pm Ichthus Music Festival: 606-858-3001
28: St. Davids, PA - Eastern College: 610-341-5970
29: Wenham, MA - Gordon College: 508-927-2306
30: Grantham, PA - Messiah College - Brubaker Auditorium: 717-691-6041
May, 1997:
2: Wheaton, IL - Wheaton College - Centennial Hall: 708-752-5000
3: Greenville, IL - Agape Music Festival: 618-664-1806
17: Red Deer, ALB - Centrium YC '97: 403-343-7800
18: Kamloops, BC - Riverside Coliseum
19: Chilliwack, BC - Alliance Church
25: Myrtle Beach, SC - Myrtle Beach Convention Center
30: Perry, IA - Hotel Pattee
June, 1997:
7: In Puerto Rico
8: In Puerto Rico
9: In Puerto Rico
18: Mabeltown, GA - AtlantaFest '97
20: Clio, MI - Clio Area Amphitheater
21: Canal Fulton, OH - Alive '97 - Clay's Park & Resort
22: Rochester, NY - Benefit Concert for RCS
25: Los Angeles, CA - DC/LA Conference
26: Shirleysburg, PA - Creation Festival
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*Concert Review: March 28, 1997 Six Flags Over Texas, Arlington, TX
From: alleycat@airmail.net (Amy Johnson)
Have you ever had someone completely change your life, and yet you have never actually met or seen them in person? Like reading a really incredible book, but you never get to meet the author. Or using a really great product, but you never get to meet the inventor.
On March 28, 1997 I got to meet the Creator of my new-found Christian life through the most incredible music. Jars of Clay. The amphitheatre filled with Christian fellowship and love for our Creator as we listened to His word via the most amazing musical interpretation by Jars. And I was there to actually see it -- something I will never forget in ALL of my life.
I went with my husband to both shows -- at 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. The daytime show was perfect. Perfect weather (80 degrees). Perfect view (2nd row, center). Perfect playlist (including "Worlds Apart", my favorite). The audience was a mixture of as young as toddler-age to as old as me (I'm not revealing how old that is, by the way ::::grin::::). I felt like I was floating above the crowd, as every song I had listened to at least 400 times on my stereo was being played before my eyes. I didn't really come down until almost the end of the first concert.
By the 8 p.m. show, I had a hold of myself. I was finally able to digest it all. The house packed with people -- again a mix from Alternative Rockers to Contemporary Christian Music lovers. But, it seemed different somehow. It was as if there was a ribbon of love, woven from person to person, that beamed reverence to our God. The God who chose Jars to come into our hearts and change them. And so, this show was not just incredible...it was awesome. And I believe Jars felt this too.
The playlist for both shows included favorites like Flood, Liquid, Boy on a String and Worlds Apart, but it also included some new songs planned for the upcoming CD. After hearing "Crazy Times," I felt sure this one was going to be the next hit on our local Alternative station. The crowd just lost it! And my personal favorite was "We'll Fly Farther," a beautiful acoustic song about marriage -- which was so apropos, as my husband and I were celebrating our 7th anniversary that very weekend. Both shows ended with "4:7," a perfect end to an incredibly spiritual day. :::And by the way Lord, thank you for letting them play "Good Coffee, Strong Coffee" per my special request. It wasn't planned in, but they played it anyway. It was so appreciated and enjoyed, I believe the guys were probably glad they threw that one into the acoustic set.:::
Oh, and here's a "hair" update (just for fun). Matt had a REALLY cool checkboard hair-dye job, Charlie had wild turquoise streaks, Steve's looked kind of burgundy, Dan was still donning his "short-cut", Scott had spikes, and of course, Aaron...virtually bald. Even though Scott and Aaron are not "official" Jars, everyone adores them and really let them know through applause, and at the after-the-show autograph signing.
I cannot complete this review without pointedly mentioning Sarah Jahn. Sarah opened both shows for Jars. I had never heard of her before the shows, but I know now, I won't ever forget her! She is now, by far, my favorite female Christian musician. Being a huge Sarah MacLachlan fan, I couldn't help comparing the two -- and believe me...they're neck-in-neck. Sarah Jahn's grace, fluidity and vocals (like hot chocolate in a snow storm) filled my heart with peace. I will be the FIRST in line on April 22 to purchase her CD. I may even buy 2 -- one for my mom! Whatever I did to deserve such an incredible evening, Lord, I thank you!
With God's Grace,
Amy Johnson - ARAM
Amateur Reviewer of Awesome Music
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*Concert Review: April 5, 1997 Silver Dollar, Branson, MO
by John Lowell
I saw jars in Branson, MO on Saturday and it rocked! They did three shows - at noon, 4, and 7pm. Each one was a half hour long. it was at a youth convention that was being put on by John Fischer. John was really influential to the guys so they did it out of admiration and he was a really great guy and a wonderful speaker. During the first show, they came on and did Liquid, Like a Child, Worlds Apart, Crazy Times, Portrait of an Apology (new song-only the second time they've performed it live - it was pretty cool). Then of course they did Flood and came back on and did Love Song for a Savior. Then John Fischer came out and talked about Liquid and they came back out and performed Liquid again (a slow, really cool acoustic version). Then they took a break for an hour before the second show. They came out this time and did the acoustic version first, then Fischer came out and talked about it and then they did the regular show. The sound system was pretty bad and so I went up higher for good sound, and it was a lot better up higher. The guys did a meet and greet after the second show. The third show was the same only they added Boy on a String, 4 Seven, and maybe something else, I can't remember. Three great shows packed with praise for our Lord. Catch them if you can...
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"Jars full of Java"
by YOU! magazine staff: Pegeen Quinn, Juliette Buerkle, Patrick Lorenz, Beth Clausen, Mike Conroy, Derrick Kunz. From Vol.10, No.1:
Jars of Clay: Just those three words are enough to send soulful melodies spiraling through your mind, the ones that give the ladies those warm fuzzies where they just can't stop smiling. These four musicians, Dan, Matt, Steve & Charlie have a special touch which they have used to reach a wide-ranging audience, surpassing all expectations of what a Christian band can do in our pop culture. They've hit the top of the charts but they still haven't taken their hands off the plow (Luke 9:62) or missed a beat in their walk with Christ.
These guys are not your average rock'n'rollers. They're following a call: the call of their Savior, who they are trying to love with all their heart, and especially loving Him through the people they work for onstage - their audience - whoever those people might be. Whoever God brings to them, and whoever God brings them to.
However...
This is not your average, ordinary, run of the mill interview with Jars of Clay. We, the fearless members of the world's coolest alternative Catholic youth magazine present to you... a COFFEEHOUSE interview. Java anyone? "You guys have enough Swiss Mocha? Like to try some of our fruit tort?" AND WE TAKE OUR COFFEEHOUSE VERY SERIOUSLY! (Ok... so our coffeehouse was a spruced up locker room complete with Christmas lights, paintings, pillows, blankets, and coffeemaker). A proper coffeehouse has to have the right atmosphere: a little art, a little philosophical conversation, and a lot of coffee and/or tea. For art, we provided clay so the guys in the band could live up to their name. For philosophical conversation we relied heavily on the guys in the band, and what was that other thing...?
YOU: Anybody for coffee or tea?
Steve: Oh, oh, what's this?
Dan: That's clay.
Steve: Oh, this is intense, what are we supposed to do with this?
YOU: Sculptures. Patrick's going to do the play by play: "Now, Jars of clay do jars of clay."
YOU: Which one of you came up with the name Jars of Clay?
Dan: It was Paul.
Steve: Charlie read the scripture.
YOU: How'd you all meet?
Charlie: Matt and I grew up together in upstate NY, in Rochester.
YOU: I heard two of you went to Catholic high school.
Charlie & Matt: Yes.
YOU: Are you Catholic?
Charlie: Actually no. We were raised Presbyterian. Our parents left it up to us and we chose to go there. It was a prep school and probably one of the best places to go to high school around where we lived.
YOU: Do you think you're different from other bands?
Steve: I think there are a lot of other bands who have similar values. It's a little unique that we have mainstream appeal. It's been a surprise to us.
YOU: So how do you handle it when you get criticism like, "oh, they're selling out."
Dan: People are not always going to understand what we're doing, and they are always going to misjudge and expect you to do one thing or feel like it should be one way. That's just a fact of what we do. We've kind of come to that point where we realize we need to stop trying to justify ourselves. We're wasting time and energy.
YOU: Did you think you'd have such a big impact on the teens, or did you start because you thought you had a message?
Charlie: We didn't really try to do the band thing. It was more music that came out of our friendships. Later we realized we needed to take it more seriously and start getting organized.
YOU: Do you feel God is leading you to continue to make an impact in the secular world?
Charlie: We've tried not to have an agenda.
Dan: We can't look at it in that light in order to do it. We could get so caught up with trying to impact that community, that we forget what we're truly called to do - love those people. Impacting that community is just a by-product of loving them and showing them what Christianity is about.
YOU: How do you guys try to stay focused?
Steve: As far as a group we try to meet an hour before our responsibilities and find out where everybody's at...whether we have a lack of energy or are just burdened.
Charlie: Because we're all together so much we just fight for time alone to pray or read.
YOU: Music is such a big part of a teen's life, how can they keep a healthy sense of what's right for them?
Steve: That's something that I specifically encountered. In college I went through a purging process. In this time of conviction, I threw everything out - all my Beatles, Jimmy Hendrix, U2 and Led Zeppelin records. You just have to balance it and be careful that you don't dwell on negative things too much.
YOU: Does your popularity infringe upon the spirituality of what you originally got together to do?
Dan: the thing that filters into our writing now-a-days... at first it was us doing music we liked with words to express how we were feeling to our friends. So we weren't worried about a larger audience or whether or not it would get on radio...Now, when it's become a career, occasionally the mentality that we need to write for the majority creeps in.
YOU: How do you guys write a song? I'm really curious, is it a collaboration?
Charlie: It's really kind of a group thing. It's hard for us to say, "let's sit down for three hours and write..." Usually, we kind of wait and somebody will goof around here and there and then, we'll start thinkin' about it and we'll sit down for a half n' hour or so till we have it.
YOU: It's a fragment you build on?
Charlie: Yes.
Juliette: When's the last time you were really filled with joy?
Steve: Every week there's just joy through these experiences.
YOU: But is there something we can do to obtain joy? Or seek it?
Matt: It's always a gift. This is something I've been dealing with and ruminating about recently. There's a difference: Happiness is what we can have when we do the right things or accomplish things, but moments of real joy are always gifts straight from the Father. They often show up when we least expect.
Everyone deals with emotions at some level and how it affects where and who they are spiritually. I think that the miracle of the grace of God and the gift of Christ is so amazing. It meets us when we feel the worst about ourselves, when we feel the best about ourselves and all the points in between. That's the gift and promise of "I will never leave or forsake you." You have to deal with that in your own heart and believe that God really does meet you in all those places no matter how you feel. Feelings are not reality.
YOU: Could you tell us in what way God has revealed Himself to you?
Matt: I have experienced the Lord's complete action as he's guided...no, that's not a strong enough term... drug us through the last two years really. It's his wisdom completely. Where we are is so pathetically little of anything we've been able to do or maneuver.
Steve: In the relationships we have with each other. It's such an illustration of who God is. Just learning to have unconditional love which is real difficult. Learning to forgive and be forgiven. It's been a constant struggle.
YOU: Did you say "dragged" Matt?
Matt: What I mean by dragging is that the Lord was making something happen. The experience we've had in the last year has been more of one where we hang on for dear life than trying to find out how to make it happen.
YOU: Can you tell me how having your ministry explode can be hard on you?
Dan: Being away from home for two years is one of the hardest things. Relationships are difficult. God puts people together to challenge them and he's definitely done that with us. Challenges are not always happy times. In doing this ministry, we've grown and learned more than we could have and that's something that God's been real faithful in.
"Outtakes":
YOU: We bought you a Mad Libs book.
Steve: I don't have this one!
Favorite tootsie roll flavor:
Steve: Chocolate. Dan: grape. Matt: I like fruity, red. We always kind of like the fruity kind.
YOU: Tell us about your golf game.
Dan: Terrible. If I took it seriously, I'd be dead right now. It's a fun sport to go walk around and chase a ball.
Books that influenced you: "On a Hill Too Far Away" by John Fisher; "Signature of Jesus" by Brennan Manning, "Children's Prayers to God" & "Death by Child Abuse".
To order YOU! Magazine, email youmag@earthlink.net for more information, or write:
YOU! Magazine
31194 La Baya Drive, Suite 200
Westlake Village, CA 91362
Normal subscription prices: $19.95 per year (10 issues) in the U.S.
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*Prayer Requests:
From: bright-eyes@webtv.net
Dear fellow Christian-music lovers,
"Bright-Eyes" here. I'm writing to (selfishly) request prayer for myself. I'll try to explain my situation as briefly as possible.
I have been suffering from migraine headaches since September of '93. My life was literally ripped out from under me like a carpet as a result of this. I was no longer able to attend school (it was my senior year), go to church, or have much of a social life. My father lost his church that following January. My family has been hit w/several crises in the 3 yrs. since (many of them being personal crises of my own). We're doing quite well, though, actually. We moved back to our hometown, my dad found another church to pastor, & things have been going well ever since. :-)
The thing is, while going through constant doctor's appointments, medical tests, etc., I let go of my Christian faith almost completely. I turned my back on things I once held close to me. (What a dark time that was!)
Recently, (thanks in part to inspiration from Jars of Clay, The Kry, & my friend Jamie S.) I re-dedicated my life to Christ Jesus. (Isn't God's Grace amazing?!) However, I'm still fighting to pull out of my depression. There are so many times that I feel like I'm about to break! So, my request is for prayer that Jesus will continue to hold me together & renew my spirit. I never want to return to that dark place again!!!
Any advice or feedback is welcome! My e-mail address is: bright-eyes@webtv.net
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From: kimbo@sunset.backbone.olemiss.edu
Hey Guys! I just wanted you to add my little sister to your prayer lists please. Brandi had knee surgery last Tuesday and she's not taking it well. She tore her ACL ligament during a basketball game a few weeks ago (very painful). Since she is so active (softball, tennis, cheerleading) she had to have the surgery. I'm afraid she is getting depressed now, because she can't get out and run around. So just keep her in your prayers. Thanks so much!!
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From: Usjov93@aol.com
On Friday, March 14, right before my finals week at Cal Poly State Univ. I found out that my dad has acute leukemia. He has lived with a debilitating blood disease for nearly ten years. I would like prayer for the success of the chemotherapy and the healing of my dad's body and blood. Also, please keep my family in prayer as we are going through this. My dad's family is not dealing with this so well because they have not been a part of his, or our, life for nearly 20 years. God is already working and answering our prayers! -- From Nikki, San Luis Obispo, California
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From: 09631763@mail3.dlsu.edu.ph
Hey brothers and sisters!
Last time I wrote about my Aunt Emma who was in a car accident. Well now, the doctors confirmed that she will be permanently paralyzed. Please pray for her healing: emotionally, spiritually, and mentally. What do doctors know anyhow, right?!!
Thanks for all the letters that you guys wrote to encourage Aunt Emma. She couldn't stop crying!!!
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Praise God, for He is good! His love endures FOREVER!!! Please pray for my Grandfather, Tom McKeown. He was diagnosed with cancer of the spine last week, and was immediately admitted into the hospital. He had been very ill since Christmas day, seemingly going down hill with each day that followed. We were SO thankful to finally know what the problem was that when we were informed, our reaction was basically, "oh good, it's only cancer." You see, we were able to have this attitude because and only because we knew/know that our God Almighty was/is in control of everything, and He has a perfect plan. My grandfather had surgery yesterday (March 25) which went very well. However, today he seems to be taking a turn for the worse with pneumonia and many panic attacks. It is hard to watch someone whom you love and cherish suffer as he is/has, yet we consider ourselves SO very blessed to be able to have the hope and peace that passes all understanding in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ! Thank you for you thoughts and prayers. I can never tell you how much it is appreciated! From my family, to yours........Love in Christ,
Hannah Traylor
Psalm 27 and Romans 5:3-5
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From: friend_net@juno.com
Dear Fellow Brothers and Sisters in Christ, I believe in the power of prayer. Some of you may have already gotten this request but I'd really like prayer for a friend of mine. His name is John Peterson. He's probably in his lower 50's. He's suffering from what the doctors call congestive heart failure. That kind of explains itself. He has already gone in to have surgery to remove fluid from the lungs. He has devoted his entire life to follow God. He doesn't have a job because he knows that God will provide for him. And He does! He goes around to a lot of Christian camps and plays music. He's not the kind of guy you meet once and forget about each other. He is a very caring guy. He's prayed for me every night. He doesn't deserve to suffer the way he is. He's also the one who led me into being filled with the Holy Spirit. I appreciate your prayers. I'd sure love to hear from all of you. I'm praying that God will richly bless you all!
Thank you so much.
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From: stir@juno.com
Greetings, brothers and sisters in Christ, and all those groovy Jars fanatics. To put my prayer request in a nutshell, over the past eight months or so, God's opened the doors for me to join the staff of a bimonthly paper called Christian Youth News. It's been a real blessing writing for the paper, which spans over a lot of the Northwest, based in Portland, Oregon. From interviews, to album reviews, to my one-on-one column, to devotionals, it's just been a great opportunity to pursue ministry. I just pray that God would continue to move us at the staff as the paper grows and reaches more youth groups and teens. Also, it'd be such a blessing for the publisher, who pays for each installment of Christian Youth News out of his own pockets and distributes it for free, for more readers to pick the paper up. We have a wide readers base in the area, but it'd be such a blessing to expand that. So, it'd be a blessing to have Christian Youth News in prayer. If you have any questions about the paper, drop me a note at "stir@juno.com." Thanks for all your time and consideration, and I'll catch you here, there, or in the air! God bless!
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From: vjohrbe@rs6000.cmp.ilstu.edu
I have a prayer request for a friend of mine. His name is Matt. He joined the Army back in November, thinking he could go to college after he served four years to his country. Nothing has gone right since he first arrived at the base back in November. He has to pass a physical test where he must do pushups, running, sit-ups, and various other exercises in a certain amount of time. He is not able to do the amount of pushups for his age, 18. He is severely depressed, and wants out. His wife, on the other hand is doing well in the Army. Please pray that God would be with Matt, and that Matt would seek God through all of this. My heart cries for him and his state he is in. I want him to be happy in whatever he does, and he is not happy now.
Also, please pray for my father, who has recently battled cancer. His radiation treatments are over, and he is doing well. Pray that God would totally heal him of the cancer, and keep his spirits high. It is hard on me, as I am away at school, and can't be with my family at this moment. Thanks!
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From: purplemarkers@juno.com
please pray for a thirteen yr old boy in mo. he has had heart problems since birth. he had a very simple hernia surgery done & went into a comma. hes been out of it for about a yr now. but he's in a wheelchair, can barely talk or understand. hes been improving. he can recognize his surroundings & he's walked alone a few times. please pray that his health would continue to increase.
Mark
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From: No1Violin@aol.com
Dear Jars, etc. Please pray for my church right now. Our Senior Pastor and our Asst. Pastor have both resigned. I thank the Lord that we have an excellent Youth pastor that is getting better every day. We have had some problems in the church, gossip, slander, and it hasn't been resolved. I don't want the church to crumble. Please pray for us,
thanks, Jens
P.S. Please also pray for someone who just emailed me. He saw my personal profile on AOL, and majorly criticized me for the references to Christian music that I had, including JoC. I responded and said it was obvious that he wasn't a Christian and that I was sorry that he didn't like my music and that I was praying for him.
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From: kfancher@CSWNET.COM
dear JoC & fans-
about 2 years ago, a young couple named Keith & Jane Vodrazka from my church moved to Fayetteville,AR. now, Keith has had 2 very rare diseases for about 3 weeks. they are viral pneumonia and a systemic beta-hemolytic strep infection. today, someone called and said that he has a mucus plug in his lungs & his stats have dropped - they are using a chest tube to get the mucus plug out, but they're not getting very far. the first week he was in the hospital he almost died, but a few people from my church went and prayed for him and he didn't. that has happened many times. my family, church, and I are still praying for him & I would really appreciate it if you did, too. please. thanx
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From: jesusfreak22@juno.com
I am having many struggles in life and I'm falling.
(Please write and encourage this person!)
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