The Official Monthly Jars of Clay Email News Digest
2/12/99
Approx. 7,000 Subscribers
www.jarsofclay.com
CONTENTS:
*News & updates
*Jars of Clay Fan Club
*Billy Graham Webcast Review: 10/24/98, Tampa, FL
*Concert Review: 10/8/98, University of North Texas, Denton, TX
*Concert Review/Personal Experience: 10/15/98, Eastern Michigan
University, Ypsilanti, MI
*Concert Review: 8/20/98, Taccoafest, Taccoa, GA
*Global Christian Network's Online Chat with Charlie Lowell: 11/9/98
*Article: Postcard From a Church on Wheels by John Fischer
*Flashback! Article: Breakaway Magazine, 2/96
*Prayer Requests
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*News & Updates:
><> Earthen Vessels Subscriptions:
Well what'd you know! ...a NEW Earthen Vessels! We apologize for the length of time between issues, but we have lots of new information as well as a lot of catching up to do. Breaking news will always be posted at www.jarsofclay.com so please visit the site often. And let us hear from you! Just click on the website feedback button, or email Earthpots@aol.com.
><> As we speak, Jars is busy with preparations for the recording of their third CD with Essential Records, targeted for release sometime this fall! In the next few weeks they return to the studio with all new songs! Let's keep them in prayer as they continue to pursue in their ministry
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><> Jars most recent Tour 101 upheld the old adage "variety is the spice of life" with tour-mates Silage and Burlap to Cashmere... pushing all three corners of the triangle with Jars' new twists, modern rock/rap, to eclectic Mediterranean pop! Whew! Charlie and Steve even played saxophone for Silage's bluesy "Ketchup is Mustard"... even though the wigs and shades may have thrown you off! The tour covered almost 50 dates in three months at colleges and universities all across the U.S., giving Jars a welcomed chance to return to their roots. Tour 101 spotlighted Jars' new tune "Grace" a solid rocker due on the next album!
><> Jars and dc Talk joined Rev. Billy Graham in October for history's first live webcast Crusade entitled "Concert for the Next Generation." The event was broadcast in streaming video from Tampa, FL via the internet impacting thousands more than the 65+ thousand in attendance at Raymond James Stadium. Jars were privileged to join Mr. Graham in their third Billy Graham Crusade event.
><> During the holidays, Jars were featured on two major motion picture soundtracks! After previewing a rough cut of Dreamwork's Prince of Egypt, Jars was asked to write a song inspired by the movie. Jars' effort "Everything In Between" is an electric/acoustic rockin' insight into the mind of Moses as he follows God's call. Timothy B. Schmit of Eagle's fame joins Jars playing bass on EIB. Catch it on The Prince of Egypt's Inspirational Soundtrack. Jars' song Five Candles was featured on Mercury Record's original motion picture soundtrack as well as in the Christmas movie Jack Frost, a bittersweet comedy about a young boy offered a second chance with his father... but under quite unusual circumstances!
><> Joining such artists as Kevin Max, Michael W. Smith and labelmates Caedmon's Call, Jars honors Rich Mullins, one of their most respected lyrical influences. On Reunion Records, Awesome God: A Tribute to Rich Mullins, Jars covers Rich's "If I Stand" as a humble prayer. With simplistic vocal harmonies, accordion and acoustic guitars Jars attempts to capture Rich's sincerity of the grandeur of God and the depravity of man.
><> Jars were a nice part of a recent indie-demo album by fellow Greenville college friend Jonathan Noel. Look for Jonathan's demo, Hand, featuring most of the guys on instrument parts, and watch for his album when it comes out on a major Christian label! We will soon link the official Jars website to a website for him.
><> Charlie Lowell joined Sixpence None the Richer for two national television performances in the past two weeks. Both Late Night with Conan O'Brien (Feb. 9) and Donnie and Marie (Feb. 16) featured Sixpence performing "Kiss Me" with Charlie on accordion! "Kiss Me" is featured in the hit movie She's All That and last week hit #16 on the Billboard Adult Top 40 Contemporary Charts.
><> In January, Jars was a featured headliner at the Sundance Film Festival Music Studio in Park City, Utah. Through acoustic showcases, the Music Studio presents major recording artists to independent film makers for new soundtrack possibilities. Duncan Shiek, Lyle Lovett, and John Hiatt also headlined showcases this year. Look for a compilation CD featuring live Sundance Music Studio performances to be released on Beyond Music/BMG Entertainment sometime in the future.
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The Official Jars of Clay Fan Club has released it's first issue of The Crazy Times Newsletter. Hopefully all EV subscribers have received it by snail mail. The first mail-out of fan club packets is immediately pending if you sent in your registration by January 15! They are terribly sorry for the delay that some of you experienced, but please have confidence you will hear from them very soon! It has been a tremendous success so far. Jars' enhanced CD, "Stringtown," including live performance tracks from the Bubblemaker's Dream Tour and Jars' Ryman Auditorium performance with the Nashville String Machine, will be shipped separately for Level 2 and 3 members. For Jars Fan Club registration info, go to www.jarsofclay.com and click on "join the fan club!" Thanks for your support!
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*Billy Graham Live Webcast Review: 10/24/98 Tampa, FL
From: The Jars Discussion Zone
The whole Billy Graham webcast was amazing. Just to be sitting there in front of the computer watching the concerts and listening to the message the exact time it was taking place was very cool.
For some reason, the picture on my computer seemed a lot clearer during the Jars concert than dcTalk, but I'm not sure why.
Quick run down of the setlist: Liquid, Like a Child, Love Song for a Savior, Worlds Apart, Crazy Times, Fade to Grey, and Flood. The camera seemed to stay mostly on Dan, and the close-up shots were in much better focus than those from far away. There were some great shots of Matt, Steve, and Charlie too, but it seemed like the camera zeroed in more on Steve's new white Les Paul and Charlie's Hammond B-3 than the guys. Scott and Aaron got some camera attention too, which was great! They had an excellent interview with Jars immediately after the show in which each Jar had several opportunities to speak.
This was Jars third concert with Billy Graham and Matt said that working with Billy Graham was very special to him because his wife came to know the Lord at a Billy Graham crusade.
Billy Graham said that he had asked Jars and dcTalk to come because, "They help bridge the gap between you (speaking to youth) and me. They (Jars and dc Talk) can interpret from me to you and you can be interpreted to me by them." What a great thought! He also said that tonight was the largest audience in the history of Tampa, Florida! (How about that?)
After Mr. Graham's sermon, during the invitation, Toby McKeehan of dc Talk and Dan were on a private screen talking to the people who were watching via the internet. They each said that you don't have to be there at the crusade to receive Christ as your personal Savior; you can be by yourself at home. You just have to make the decision. And if you feel an emptiness in your heart, Christ can fill it. I'm very glad they let them speak after the sermon to the internet audience. That added a lot and helped personalize the experience. I wish I could have been there in person, but the webcast was a blessing.
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*Concert Review: 10/8/98, University of North Texas, Denton, TX
From: Obyknoby@flash.net
Set List:
Acoustic Opening (Done in melody format): Like a Child, Worlds Apart, Love Song for a Savior
Main Set:
Liquid, 5 Candles, Unknown (it's a new one and they didn't say the title) [Grace, Ed.] , Truce, Overjoyed, Prince of Egypt song (didn't get the title either) [Everything in Between, Ed.] , Frail, Crazy Times, No Matter What, Fade 2 Grey, 4:7
Encore: Flood, Hymn (acoustic)
Well it took me driving 4 hours and 300 miles, but I finally got to see Jars of Clay this year. And to much anticipation I was NOT let down, despite Blind not being played (which is probably one of my all time favorites live), it was still a GREAT show. Now onto the review.
"Let's do something we haven't done in a while." These were the words of Dan as he, Steve, Matt, and Charlie lined up across the stage with acoustics and accordions in hand. Next thing that is heard is the opening to Like a Child. Then "Dear God!" which got the crowd started. Everyone singing through the chorus led them into the chorus of Worlds Apart, and then into Love Song for a Savior. After Love Song, they walked off stage. LIGHTS, drums and Dan, "Arms nailed down," as the others come on stage. Then BAM! All the loudness this great band can produce comes from the stage. This song has never sounded better, Steve has gotten better on his electric guitar and is using the effects at full force complete with a cool wah effect ending the song. The next song on the line up is 5 Candles, this has always been a good song and the harmonies were great as ever, then all of a sudden, Steve lets out a scream and the song goes punk. Interesting touch, and done effectively, only thing is Steve could've added a tad more distortion to add to the effect, but still done well. The next song was a new one and I didn't catch the title, it sounded good, I hope I can hear more of the new stuff soon. Truce is next in line, and it has a slightly new opening, kind of a slow "swigish" touch. Charlie got a small solo in during the bridge, and then Steve came in on his guitar with a wah going full blaze. Next is song we know as the one about being overjoyed, it's called, Overjoyed. The cool part of this song was Steve's solo, the effects he used on it were well mixed and well set, giving the solo an emotion that could not be expressed otherwise. After this Dan proceeded to talk about Prince of Egypt, the new movie coming out in December by Dreamworks, after which they proceeded to play the song they recorded for the soundtrack. I didn't catch the title of it, but it did have a HINT of a Nirvana chord progression which got the crowd really excited. The next song which came as a complete surprise was FRAIL! I was so surprised when Dan started singing it. This song was done SO well. So beautiful, and Steve to not leave himself with one good solo he bust into another one to give Frail a new level of sadness and and frailty (is that a word?). Not to keep the momentum slow, Matt switched guitars and so began Crazy Times. Now here was the second highlight of the evening (the first being the acoustic melody opener), Steve playing with his teeth as usual but that's not the highlight. No sooner did Steve pull off the maneuver then to look to my right and see Matt playing his acoustic with his teeth! No Matter What is the follow up song, with a lead into Fade 2 Grey. Now Flood WAS the expected song but alas it was not the next song. Four Seven was the closer for the official set, and after the bows the stage was cleared. Now I knew better and apparently so did everyone else, next thing I saw was Steve running across stage and sliding, like he was stealing second. He got up and went back to his position and the next thing you hear is Flood. After their usual 30 second wait after the bridge, they went at this full force. After Flood, they lined back up front like they had at the beginning of the show and played Hymn, what a great way to end a night.
Highlights: Matt playing with his teeth, the melody opener, Frail. Let Downs (well just things that I wish had been done): Blind (it wasn't played), no FULL Worlds Apart
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*Concert Review of the personal kind: 10/15/98, Eastern Michigan
University, Ypsilanti, MI
Posted by (Newcomer) at the Jars Discussion Zone
I had just finished my History class and I was heading over to the bookstore when I saw people unloading what looked like stage equipment of some truck. I walked from the back of the building to the front (this was at Pease Auditorium at Eastern Michigan University). I went inside the building and I saw people setting up the stage. I asked someone (his name is Paul) what was going on and he informed me there was a concert in the building that evening. I asked him who was playing and he said "Jars of Clay". I watched the people set up the stage for a while. Then I asked the boy I talked to if he was part of the band. He said no. He was the merchandise man from "Company X" (the people who make Jars and dc talk's merchandise). I asked if he needed any help and he said yes(the volunteers did not show up). I talked to the sound guy for a while. he was having problems loading his CD-ROM drive. I showed him how to load it and he was able to get it to work. He played the CD he had recorded live at the concert in Indiana the night before. As I was talking to him, Steve walked in with a cup of coffee in his hand. I introduced myself. He brought an old Roland Workstation with him and he had the CD with all the James Bond Songs on it. I asked him if he plays the piano. He said he just messes around with it. Any way he had saved sound samples from the Beastie Boys and Jeff Buckley and was playing them on the workstation. Then we started talking about workstations and clothing stores (He wanted to know if there were some Music or clothing stores in the town within walking distance). (Steve came across as being very youthful); is he the youngest? Later when I was helping the merchandise boy Matt walked in. He started talking to Steve. I later went over and introduced myself. I asked him what instrument he played and he said guitar but he had also played the piano for 15 years. Steve said he had played the sax in high school (In fact I was able to witness him play it, along with Charlie playing the trumpet, during the Silage sound check). I told Matt that I also play the guitar. I asked Matt how long they had been together. They've been a band for five years. Anyway, I stayed for the Jars sound check. They played a new song during the sound check (it was so new even Paul said he hadn't heard it before). It was a slow song and it sounded pretty good. It was about a guy buying a girl some flowers on a Sunday afternoon (or something like that). The concert itself was great. Burlap to Cashmere rocked the house. After the concert was over, I helped take down the merchandise booths. I ended up getting a free T-shirt. I also got a VIP pass that allowed me to get into the concert for free.
p.s. I think the Jars will remember who I am if we ever meet again (Because i had an odd name that almost sounds like coffee or trophy).
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*Concert Review: 8/21/98 Toccoafest, Toccoa, GA
from: libbyp3@aol.com
The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia
Most every Jars' show I've been to has gone off without a hitch... bubbles gently descending on cue... guitars with broken strings swapped out unnoticed..., BUT this one was "different." It was an outdoor festival which earlier in the day also featured Reality Check and The Waiting.
Jars came on with their jazzed version of Liquid which first rocks slowly then kicks in hard with "He Didn't Die For Nothing!" They moved smoothly into Like a Child which sounded GREAT! But only a few seconds after Steve let out his first big WooHooo!, the sound went dead and the stage went black! Jars graciously waved to the crowd, but headed off stage, leaving the crowd shrugging their shoulders in disbelief.
It was almost dark, but within a minute or two Dan came back out on stage and did a pretty nice juggling act with water bottles! Guess if you can't sing to the crowd, you resort to your other talents! Steve and Matt then grabbed their acoustic guitars, Scott grabbed a snare drum, and the rest lined up in front of the stage for a concert with NO lights OR sound. A security guard on either side of the stage shined a flashlight on the band while they performed. It was pretty dim, but at least you could see them. Jars thought pretty quickly on their feet, cause they picked four songs sure to spur crowd participation. And even though it was hard to hear the band at this outdoor venue, the crowd came on strong with Love Song For a Savior, He, Flood (guess everyone knows that one!) They ended with Rich Mullins' "oh God, you are my God"... It was pretty awesome! There were thousands of people singing with Jars and from the hill, you could hear this choir rising from the church lawn.
Vance Powell, Jars' sound engineer, came out with a megaphone and announced that basically Jars' sound equipment pulled a little too much power and subsequently blew out the electrical transformer across the street, but Georgia Power was on it's way and if the crowd would chill for 35 to 40 minutes we'd still have a show! The crowd must have had strong faith in God as well as Georgia Power, cause I didn't see many leave.
After about 30 minutes, they announced that partial power had been restored, but not enough the pull the big amps. However, there was enough power for a wired acoustic set! I was thrilled, cause I love the acoustic part of Jars' shows anyway. After a few minutes of tuning... and lots of communication between the stage and sound booth, Jars seated themselves on stools and proceeded to offer one of the BEST acoustic shows I've heard. They definitely rose to the occasion performing six songs they don't regularly include in their usual acoustic set. They kicked it off with "Blame!" It's been quite awhile since I've heard this song... Fall '96, I think... but it is Great! I know there's been a lot of discussion about Blame not being on Much Afraid, but I HOPE it's on the next album.
A few crowd surfers skimmed the audience in front of the stage... with numerous rolls of toilet paper unraveling across the night sky! Dan cautioned the crowd surfers to be safe, and noticing the streaming tissue, said "Blue light special on aisle four... 6 rolls for $1.25!" But with a convincing "We're gonna make this thing work, aren't we?", they kicked into Five Candles. The acoustic guitars gave Five Candles a new live twist and Crazy Times soundeda lott like Seatbelt Tuba! The sound was great! Of course Steve had to play his normal electric solo on acoustic, and when the famed "teeth picking" part came, he shook his fists and yelled in frustration! He was pretty funny!! And there must have been a true blue Jar crowd down front cause most everybody seemed to share his "pain." :)
Dan then let out a comfortable "Wooo!" and burst into the opening line of the Carpenters' Close To You... You know..."Why do birds suddenly appear?" Scott then got up and with a puzzled look on his face, walked off stage... maybe a broken drumstick, but I'm not sure. Dan looked around and seeing him gone, asked the crowd, "Does anybody know how to play drums?" But Scott, smiling, resumed his position, gave a nod, and they cut loose with a cover of Badfinger's "No Matter What." It's a GREAT song and I'm old enough to even know the words! Steve, Matt, and Charlie do this little clap-clap thing between verses! I noticed how good Aaron's bass sounded on that song!
Then there was some more conversation on stage and Dan commented, "We're just trying to figure out what to do next!" Of course several "natural disaster advocates" in the crowd screamed FLOOD! But Dan said "No, we kind of have an idea!"
Acoustic Fade to Grey was incredible! I hadn't noticed how great the live organ sounds on this song before. And of course, Flood followed, but was just as well received as the electric version. I'm pretty thankful now that the transformer blew! :) The songs came across a little different with an acoustic flare, but were great, solid and well performed... It was kind of like the old days... WAY back in 1995! And if anybody asks "Who was that nut taking notes in the dark?" It was ME!
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*Global Christian Network's Online Chat with Charlie Lowell: 11/9/98
GCN Host: Welcome to GCN!
Rhodelyn: Good Morning! We will be starting at exactly 10am PST - 1pm EST Start sending us your questions!
Rhodelyn: We will be giving away some great prizes during the talk show...so stay tuned!
keep those questions coming....we will be starting soon.
ok...we're almost ready...get those questions in!
are you all excited! Charlie will be here soon!
Rhodelyn: Charlie...when you're ready...go ahead and start with an opening comment and then we'll start with the questions.
Rhodelyn: Welcome everyone and welcome Charlie!
Charlie Lowell: Greetings! I made it!
Rhodelyn: We are very glad that Charlie can give us this time as they are leaving for tour in an hour. So we would like to thank him. Great! Ok, Charlie are you ready!
Charlie Lowell: I'm ready for some questions- fire!
Rodelyn: how about an opening comment...
ok, we're sending the first question now....
Water Walker from Vidor asks: Hi, how did you come up with "Jars of Clay" ?
Charlie Lowell: Well, we're midway through our "Tour 101" college tour and having a blast with Silage and Burlap To Cashmere, our two opening bands
Charlie Lowell: I found the verse, II Cor. 4:7 in high school, met the guys in college, and we starting writing songs. We love the image of a jar representing us, people, and the treasure is Christ's Spirit within us.
Rodelyn: We will giving away 5 Jars of Clay fun packs...so stay tuned to see if you win!
Michelle Meineker from Nashville, TN asks: How do you prevent yourselves from becoming physically, emotionally and spiritually drained while you are on the road?
Charlie Lowell: Great question, Michelle! We get drained in all those ways. We try and find ways to get exercise- football games, skateboarding, etc. And spiritually, it's a matter of finding time alone each day to read and pray and get refreshed. We have a road pastor every couple weeks that helps with that.
Rodelyn: First winner of a Jars of Clay fun Pack is: Friend4Him from Louisiana...Congratulations!
Charlie Lowell: Woohoo!!! I want a fun pack!
Harco from Veenendaal, The Netherlands asks: Hello, I love your music very much. Please can you tell me if there is a chance in the future that you go to Holland? God bless, Harco Ploegman
Charlie Lowell: Hello to the Netherlands! We hope to tour Europe in the future, we love it there and can't wait to tour extensively. Thanks for your patience so far.
Amethyst from Ohio asks: Charlie, What bands have been your greatest influence?
Charlie Lowell: Musically, older stuff- Beatles, James Taylor, the Meters. Recently, Radiohead, Del Amitri, Crowded House. Lyrically, Chris Rice, Sixpence, Fernando Ortega.
Friend_With_Cheese from Greenleaf, Idaho asks What would be the best thing, we as fans, could do for you?
Charlie Lowell: Wow....keep us in prayer- unity of the band and that we would not take what God's given us for granted. We're starting to write and think about album #3, so that's a big prayer request. Thank you!!
Rhodelyn: keep those questions coming!
~Blondie~ asks: Do Jars of Clay write their own songs or do they have a song writer?
Charlie Lowell: So far, we've written all of our songs. Usually starts with a guitar idea, and we all pass different ideas around. Dan is really gifted at melodies and lyrics, so we usually leave that to him.
Rhodelyn: 2nd winner of a Jars of Clay fun pack is: Amethyst from Ohio... Congrats!
LivetheLife from Phoenix Arizona asks: Hi, I just go Much Afraid and I love it! I was wondering when you all are planning on coming out with a new album?
Charlie Lowell: Thanks, glad you enjoy it! We're schedules to hit studio in Feb, so it should be out next summer (knock on wood)!
ANER from Chile asks: Do you like recording in Spanish?
Charlie Lowell: We haven't tried that yet! It would be a challenge, but we would consider it. We would love to tour S. America. Jarros de Barros!
ames from england asks: does each member of the band have a different role on tour or do you all muck in with everything?
Charlie Lowell: Well, we play different roles to an extent: Steve, the comedian/entertainer, Dan, the visionary, Matt, the foundation/balance, me, the servant/peacemaker
Charlie Lowell: Shout out to England!! keep the groovy music comin'.
Rhodelyn: Jars of Clay is leaving for tour in half an hour ...so we will try to get as many of your questions answered....we are very glad they were able to spend some time.
3rd Winner of a Jars of Clay fun pack is: Michelle Meineker from Nashville...woohoo! Congrats!
Wimsie from Canada asks: What does the song Fade to Grey mean¿
Charlie Lowell: Fade to Grey is a song about struggle and doubt, from a non-believers point of view. We feel like it's in time of questioning that we grow the most, and God certainly isn't intimidated by questions.
themuzicman from Michigan asks: What is your favorite song, from those that Jars of Clay has done?
Charlie Lowell: I really love Frail and the mood it creates, Dan's lyrics are a masterpiece. Musically, I really love Truce. And Worlds Apart is a band favorite, very personal.
roandti from Indiana asks: when did you get saved??
Charlie Lowell: became a Christian around the age of seven at a Christian cowboy camp! I put roots on my faith through Young Life in high school. I grew up in a great, Christian home which I am thankful for.
sideburns from Daytona Beach, FL asks: Where do you (the band) see yourselves heading in the future, as far as the music and the ministry?
Charlie Lowell: hey Sideburns! We would love to keep breaking down walls between the Christian and mainstream industry's. We love being in the culture and being exposed to non-believers, it gives us purpose and passion.
Rhodelyn: 10 more minutes... 4th winner of a Jars of Clay fun pack is: Wimsie from Canada...Congratulations!
nicko from Reno, NV asks: What is yourv favourite cereal???
Charlie Lowell: Ah, a tough one!! :) Banana Nut Crunch!
Michelle Meineker from Nashville, TN asks: This is a deep thought provoking question.... Coke or Pepsi?
Charlie Lowell: Well, Coke. By the way, we should start hearing that silly commercial again...
New Life East Carolina style asks: do you have a web site or listserv?????
Charlie Lowell: Yes! My brother has setup a great website: www.jarsofclay.com visit us, and sign up for our mailout regarding the fanclub.
Rhodelyn: I can answer that one Charlie....they have a web site at http://www.jarsofclay.com it's a great site with lots of information...Check it out! oops! sorry charlie...i thought i'd help out on that one. 5 more minutes....we'll be asking the last questions now.
jarchic asks: What is the nuttiest thing a fan has ever done for you or told you?
Charlie Lowell: hmmmm, a young girl in Colorado once brought her violin to our show and played us a solo. That was a treat...
Charlie Lowell: Thanks, Rhodelyn...we can go a couple minutes late if we need....
Jamie1 from IL asks: How long do you think you guys will be performing?
Charlie Lowell: We love touring and playing for you guys! although it does get tiring. Hopefully for years, as long as we can make records and feel like people enjoy what we do.
Rhodelyn: ok....we're about to wind down so Charlie isn't late for his bus....we'll ask 2 more questions... 5th and Last Winner of a Jars of Clay fun pack is: Sparrow from GA....woohoo! Congratulations!
Cynical101 from Nova Scotia asks: Do you mind sharing your personal life with millions of fans around the world?
Charlie Lowell: If I can be an encouragement to people I don't mind. There's some things (family life) that aren't always appropriate to share. And to a certain extent, we are accountable to you, our fans. And we count on your encouragement and prayer...
Stacey from Virginia asks: Besides II Cor. 4:7, what is your favorite scripture?
Charlie Lowell: I think Romans 8:38,39 is my favorite promise. Absolutely nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus!
Rhodelyn: sorry...we've got a couple more...quick questions...and then we'll wind it down...
Aash from CA asks: How old are you... are you single ??? :-)
Charlie Lowell: I am 25 years old (yikes!) and I am married. It's been 10 fun months so far!
Vish from idaho asks: Where are you guys gonna be touring next....
Charlie Lowell: PA, OH, KY, NC, FL, GA we just had fun in: MN IA IN
Rhodelyn: ok...thank you to everyone who participated today! it's been great fun! and congratulations to the winners of Jars of Clay fun packs! Thank you to Charlie, Jars of Clay, and the Jars of Clay management staff....we appreciate the time you were able to give to us today! Thank you and good luck on your tour!
Rhodelyn: Charlie, would you like to give any closing comments?
Charlie Lowell: Congrats! Thanks for tuning in from different countries. We'll be coming your way! May you all be aware of God's love and grace that constantly showers over you!
Rhodelyn: Again...thank you Charlie! Good luck and God Bless! Bye!
Charlie Lowell: Glad it worked out! We'll have to do it again, and answer some more questions. We'll get the other guys involved too! Thanks again to our friends and fans out there!!
Current Viewers = 236
GCN Talk: http://www.gcnhome.com/asp/talk_archive.asp
Talk show is sponsored by SirReal Records, http://www.sirrealrecords.com
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*Article: Postcard From a Church on Wheels 1998 by John Fischer
A Personal In-depth Look At Jars of Clay by a Forerunner of Contemporary Christian Music
"There are three guys here who want to meet you," the man said to me backstage after I performed a small, intimate concert at Greenville College in Greenville, Illinois. "They drove up from Nashville. They used to be students here and now they're making an album."
This happens to me occasionally on the road. Young musicians want to meet me--not because I'm a big star--but because I was one of the forerunners in the Christian music industry, and they probably think I might have some pull. I encounter too many people for names to stick with me for very long, but I did remember something different about our meeting that night. These guys were not interested in me for what I could do for them. They had driven 250 miles from Nashville to Greenville just to listen to me talk and sing and to thank me for my influence on their thinking and their art. Now that was unusual. Apparently, they were steady readers of my monthly CCM (Contemporary Christian Music) magazine column and had devoured a number of my books.
A year and a half later, I had an opportunity to catch the new Christian music sensation, Jars of Clay, at an alternative rock concert in downtown Dallas. "Flood," their first single, was charting high on rock stations across the country; the first time anything like this had happened to a new Christian band. The person I happened to be with was a friend of the bass player on tour with Jars, so we had an opportunity to meet the band after the concert. It was then that I found out that Dan Haseltine, Charlie Lowell and Steve Mason, the original members of Jars of Clay, were the same three guys who had visited me in Greenville. I had been a mentor of a band making history, and I didn¹t even know it.
In many ways, Jars of Clay has been the fulfillment of a vision of mine that began before they were even born. As a pioneer in contemporary Christian music, my motivation along with others like Larry Norman, Love Song, and Andre Crouch was to create a platform to talk to the world as Christians through the appeal of popular music. Although the world took some note of our beginnings because of curiosity over the popular Jesus Movement of the late sixties and early seventies, Christian music quickly became a commodity only for those inside Christendom--music created, marketed, and sold to Christians in Christian bookstores and played on Christian radio. For over 25 years now, Christian music has been a sort of apology--a Christian version of what was already popular. If you like a particular group in the general market, there is never a long wait for a Christian sound-alike (even look-alike) to appear on the scene.
Jars of Clay shook up the formula. They did it by championing a sound all their own--a rhythmic acoustic charge of jangling guitars and driving bass overlaid by the sensitive, boyish, but contemplative voice of Dan Haseltine. Their first single was popular on rock stations across the country before anyone had a chance to discover these guys were a Christian band. Now other groups try to sound like Jars of Clay. They defied the categories. They are Christians but their work stands on its own. It does not need a Christian music industry to prop it up.
Like anything with depth and lasting quality, Jars of Clay is awash in paradox. Fragile, but forceful in the power of their music; young, but old in wisdom and insight; childlike, but attracted to ancient themes of philosophy and religion. Everything they are is embodied in their name. "But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all- surpassing power is from God and not from us" (2 Corinthians 4:7). That¹s the essence of the paradox: the power of God set against the fragility of human existence. The members of Jars of Clay even look a little frail and vulnerable on stage, especially when pitted against the sonic force and passion of their music.
What I've personally enjoyed most about these four guys is the lack of arrogance that often accompanies the level of success they have enjoyed so far. That success can be documented by 1.5 million sales of their self-titled first album (Jars of Clay), and a follow-up release in the fall of 1997 called Much Afraid that shipped more than 800,000 units in its first four months. And yet they are who they seem to be: vulnerable, twentysomething guys who are a little surprised by all the attention they¹ve gotten from what began as nothing more than a college recording experiment and now commands one of the largest, and certainly the most diverse, followings in Christian music.
Dan Haseltine, lead singer and the most vocal on stage, is actually the most introverted of the group. He walks like he's responsible for the rest of the band--as if there's a weight on his shoulders or some wheel grinding in his mind. He reads C.S. Lewis and George McDonald and comes up with album titles (such as Much Afraid) from Christian classics such as Hinds' Feet On High Places by Hannah Hurnard.
Dan once sent me a postcard from the road. It was a picture of a bus made over to look like a church with stained glass windows and a steeple on top. The caption reads "Church on Wheels, County Kildare, Ireland." On the other side he wrote, "This post card seemed to capture the true heart of what it is we do. God continues to challenge me. I suppose that is the most encouraging factor. God cares enough to see to it that I don't become comfortable in the monotony of this lifestyle." The monotony does get to him at times with bouts of depression common to artists and thinkers. So when he sings, "It's in despair that I find faith," he is singing from personal experience.
Guitarist, Stephen Mason, the youngest of the group, occupies the other end of the personality spectrum. He is a live wire who often can¹t talk as fast as his mind operates. He pauses frequently, "Oh yeah..." and starts off in another direction. Steve is a Beatles fanatic and the first to show up for sound check just to make sure everything works right.
Balancing both the age and the temperament span is keyboardist, Charlie Lowell. Charlie measures his words carefully and for that reason is a frequent spokesperson for the group. "It's definitely a dream," he once said of Jars of Clay's rise to popularity that garnered four number 1 radio singles in the first year. "When I really stand back and feel like I've got a pretty good perspective on it, I'm totally baffled." Of the group's often criticized straddling of the sacred and the secular, Charlie says, "We try not to write for a certain market. Instead, we write from a very human level that a lot of people can relate to. We try not to force feed [our faith] to people. Instead we say, 'Here, chew on this.'"
And then there¹s Matt who--to put it in a word--is simply intense. I once saw him play the guitar so intensely, he tripped on a monitor speaker and fell over backwards. He merely kept on playing, like the Energizer bunny tipped over by an invisible hand and still going strong.
According to Aaron "Utah" Sands who should know--he travels with the band as their concert bass player--all four members of Jars of Clay complement each other remarkably well. They would have to in order to maintain the grueling schedule of appearances and the artistic demands of recording without getting on each other¹s nerves constantly.
Guest spots on the Late Show With David Letterman, MTV videos, a coke commercial, a stint fronting for Sting, a song for the soundtrack of the movie Hard Rain, and features in Billboard magazine, Rolling Stone, Spin, and Details have proven that thoughtful lyrics, carefully crafted and creatively presented from a Christian perspective can gain a hearing in the wider culture.
Though their current title Much Afraid may express the reality of human frailty, when it comes to opportunities to present their music and their faith, these guys are not afraid of much. In the final analysis, they are what their music is: passionate, vulnerable, young in life experience, but wise beyond their years. One can only hope they stay that way.
I'm looking again at the zany post card Dan sent me and concluding that he was right. The "Church on Wheels" does capture pretty well the true heart of what it is they do. It certainly captures well what happened the night I found out this group and the guys I met in Greenville were one and the same.
We were outdoors at the Starplex amphitheater in Dallas and Jars of Clay was closing out a four-hour show presented by a local alternative rock station as a celebration of the station's twenty-fifth anniversary. The tattooed, body-pierced audience was not sure what to expect of this new group. From a darkened stage two candelabra were lit and suddenly three slight figures were seen emerging from the fog, two of them tearing into their acoustic guitars with a vengeance, and the other preparing to arch his first words to a waiting, prove-it-to-me crowd: "Arms nailed down, are you telling me something?"
To many who would probably never go there and would certainly never call it that--church had begun.
Article can be found at John Ficher's website: http:www.fischtank.com http://www.fischtank.com/articlesdetail.cfm?articleid=3
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*Flashback!! (to the days of free food!): Feb. 1996: Breakaway Magazine
Takin' Shape With Jars of Clay
by Michael Ross
The phone rings, "Ready for pancakes?" asks the voice on the other end of the line? It's the publicist for Jars of Clay.
"I'm starved," I confess.
"The guys are wrapping up the radio show now. Then they'll head out to the Pancake Pantry."
Jars of Clay and I step into Pancake Pantry, followed by a crazy entourage: a guy with a video camera (filming for their CD-ROM project), a photographer snapping pictures for Breakaway and two record company representatives.
Talk about drawing attention to ourselves, I think. Then I look around and realize nobody's batting an eye. This particular breakfast spot seems to be a Nashville music industry hangout. I spot DC Talk's publicist across the room with a crew from Z Music, and catch a glimpse of singer Garth Brooks heading out the door. And just two tables away from where we're about to sit, I notice Steve Taylor munching some pancakes.
Steve Mason spots him, too. (He's an obvious Taylor fan.) I've never met him before, but I love his music," Steve tells me. "It's so weird going from a guy who listens to Steve Taylor to a musician who could one day share a stage with him."
Jars of Clay's own music is described as a fresh brand of acoustic rock that has attracted attention from coast to coast. Just this month, these four musicians from Greenville College in Illinois released a CD- ROM project and launched a world tour with Michael W. Smith.
After we slam down about 150 cups of coffee and dive into a mile- high stack of chocolate chip pancakes, I click on my tape recorder... and our conversation begins.
BREAKAWAY: So, You guys got your big break by winning a music contest? Tell me about that.
Charlie: After we finished a demo, we sent it to the 1994 Gospel Music Awards (GMA) Spotlight Song Contest and ended up winning. That was the beginning of everything. After we won, people began approaching us. We started getting a lot of positive feedback. So we sent out our demo to the industry.
Matt: We got a lot of calls to our pay phone on our dorm floor at Greenville College. We eventually put up a sign by the phone that read, "if anybody calls regarding Jars of Clay, take down their number." School ended three weeks later, and we all moved to Nashville and signed with Essential/Brentwood Music.
BREAKAWAY: What was it like to go from four unknown guys to one of the hottest Christian Music acts?
Dan: We've been treated to lots of free meals from record companies, which has been great! Actually, we're really thankful to all the people in the industry who have helped us with some critical decisions--like which record label to choose, who to tour with, stuff like that.
Steve: I'm both excited and scared to death. There's a huge responsibility that comes with being in the spotlight. As a group we're trying to keep each other accountable to God. We want to make this a lifestyle ministry--to make sure what we say on stage is what we're living out daily.
Charlie: We find ourselves more humbled than egotistical. Seeing the response of people in the industry, and other musicians we look up to who have commented on our music, makes us feel honored, unworthy and very blessed.
Matt: God didn't just call us to fame. He put us in a position where attention is being drawn to us so we can refocus it to Him. That's what we're all about.
BREAKAWAY: How would you describe your music?
Steve: I think our stuff is unique. I get frustrated with acts being "the Christian equivalent" of anybody else. I believe that if our music is of God, it can be better than what the world has to offer.
For example, I think our song "Blind" is really strong musically and lyrically, and Ron Huff did a string arrangement behind it that's just haunting. This song talks about the cynical nature of man and how we crucify Christ daily with our disobedience. And this describes our culture today. The masses seem to live in denial and cynicism. Many have heard the message, but chose not to believe.
Dan: We're trying to be relevant to this day and age. Things that were used three years ago to preach the Gospel are not relevant today. So we're constantly reinventing the mediums for sharing the Gospel and are seeking to stay up on things that today's teens are into.
BREAKAWAY: Speaking of your lyrics, they're pretty deep. What are some things you want Breakaway readers to learn from your music?
Matt: Don't beat yourself up trying to obtain a level of perfection that's simply unobtainable, and don't get caught in a performance trap. Jesus already paid the price for your sins. Accept His forgiveness and commit your life to Him. He'll take care of the rest.
Dan: We are sinners saved by grace. Understanding grace is something I'm just starting to grasp. I grew up in a very guilt-ridden environment, not really understanding our freedom in Christ and how it's freely extended to me. That goes along with trying to live life through the week and then on Sunday feeling really terrible because you didn't do good this week. Jesus doesn't give us a license to sin. But He wants us to come back to Him when we blow it. He's standing there with open arms.
Charlie: A lot of what has been said about grace and forgiveness is what we want to communicate through our music. It's only when we arrive at the state of broken-ness or hopelessness--when we have gotten to the point of trying to do it ourselves--and realize how utterly we have failed, that we realize how badly we need Christ. It's a painful process, but I think it's a necessary one in every Christian walk. The bottom line: We really need Christ. And God is being faithful to us even in the midst of all the pain.
Steve: There's a verse in Romans that talks about perseverance producing character. This Scripture gives me hope that one day the struggles I'm dealing with will turn out to be a positive thing. [Look up Romans 5:1-5]
BREAKAWAY: Let's switch gears and talk about your teen years--which weren't too long ago for you guys. What were some of your biggest struggles as a teen?
Steve: I grew up in Decatur, Ill., and went to a small school of about 350-400. In a setting like that, it's pretty easy for everybody to see who you are and what you're all about. It's impossible to just fade into the cracks and blend in. But that's exactly what I wanted to do. I didn't want to stand out or be labeled weird, so I didn't take much of a stand for my faith. And I really regret that today. There's nothing weird about being a Christian.
I have a challenge for Breakaway readers. Make an effort to walk your talk. You have an opportunity to impact a lot of lives at school. Don't blow it as I did.
BREAKAWAY: What would you say to a reader who is trying to "break away" from mom and dad and put feet in his own faith?
Dan: My folks divorced when I was a freshman in high school, and it really hit me hard. I began to question a lot of stuff my parents had taught me--especially their faith. I remember thinking, Mom and Dad are Christians, but they still got a divorce. What's happening here?
My youth pastor helped me through it and got me back on track with God. Before I had my talk with him I had taken my questions to the wrong people, which sent me in a lot of haywire directions. Here's my advice to Breakaway readers: Don't be afraid to ask hard questions about your faith and your identity in Christ. God understands. But keep in mind that God gave us His Word as a source for answers. Take your curiosity to the Bible and to people who will point you in the right direction.
*Steve and Dan's Guide to Working at McDonald's
Rule 1: Look busy even when you're not. "Follow this advice," Steve says, "and you'll be a manager in no time--two weeks tops."
Rule 2: Don't mess around. "One time when I worked the drive-thru," Dan says, "my buddies and I thought it would be funny to fill up a balloon with helium, take a deep breath, then take someone's order. Bad news. We almost got in trouble. Besides, it's bad for your health. I think it causes you to grow multiple toes or something."
Rule 3: Before working the grill, get some heavy duty, extra-strength acne medicine. "When you work around grease," Steve says, "your zits are going to multiply."
Rule 4: Always count the money. "I'd been burned so many times," Dan says. "Don't trust anyone. Count the money every time and you'll be safe."
Rule 5. Learn the trick to making killer sundaes. "When somebody asks for a caramel sundae and they want extra caramel," Dan says, "put the caramel on the bottom, then--and only then--add the ice cream. They'll love you for it."
Breakaway Magazine is a Focus on the Family publication
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*Prayer Requests
From: Strongho1d@aol.com
I have to admit, I don't always read the "prayer requests" section. But in these last few days, I've come to realize the power and importance of prayer for others.
Known at the Discussion Zone as "Jeremy B", my dear friend, at the age of 19, has passed away. But through his pain in life, he was able to bring smiles and laughter to those he met. He will be missed deeply. I ask that you pray for his family, friends, and the lives that he touched. Our memories of him will be cherished forever.
in Christ,
kathy
From: lv42day@hotmail.com
My youth pastor, and one of my closest friends since i moved to this church (because he is very close to my age), just told me he has advanced stage 4 Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma Cancer. That means unless God performs a miracle, he's going to die by this fall. This is very devastating to me, especially since him and i have been close friends for a couple months now. ANYONE WHO READS THIS PLEASE PRAY THAT GOD TAKES AWAY HIS DISEASE EITHER BY DEATH OR BY A MIRACLE. Thank you guys for making me feel comfortable enough to come to you with my problems.
God Bless all of you,
Jon
From: vannice@aztec.asu.edu
I just got word from my mom that my youngest older brother got cut at work. Both my brother's work at a a place where they hang glass windows. You know when you drive downtown and you see all the really tall buildings that are like almost completely glass? Well, that's what my brothers do, they hang all that glass. And it is very dangerous work. My oldest brother got cut on his arm last year, went through the tendons, had to have surgery, and was in therapy for a very very very long time. Well my mom just told me that my youngest older brother cut three of his fingers while he was shaping metal. I mean he REALLY cut his finger. His ring finger was the worst he cut through the tendons and POWDERED the bone! he had to have surgery and then put metal pins in that finger. He is in a lot of pain and I just want you to pray for him please. And pray for his wife, cause once Jason feels better he is going to be very antsy! He can't stand not to work for more than a day or two!
From: ArtYnMe@aol.com
recently a friend of my family found some growths on his neck. it turned out to be (extremely luckily) benign tumors and not cancer. he has surgery and it looked like it was better, but recently the growths returned in greater number, and again, it was not cancer, just benign tumors.
well, he had surgery again, about 2 days ago and the doctors said that while they would remove the tumors, and all that, he could lose feeling in part of his head, and just maybe have other various problems, so i would really appreciate it if anyone who wanted to would just lift him up in your prayers, that the tumors would not return and he would have no side effects from the surgery.
thanks!
eric
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