Next Show - October 1st! Join Us!

Hi All:

The time is getting near for another night at the ‘House!  Hmmmm, actually I probably should use the analogy – “THE TIME IS AT HAND!”  LOL – I always wanted to say that.

Our next event is scheduled for Saturday, October 1, 2005, starting at around 7’ish.  We have a great show on tap with the Harvest Labour Band, Manny & Jessie Elswick, the HG House Band, and Jeff Arwood’s special brand of comedy (maybe with a little help from Derek Stilwell – go guys!).   For more info, check out the Higher Ground website at www.geocities.com/ofghigherground.  Once you are there, click on the link or the banner at the right!

GOD IS GOOD!  - actually – God is an AWESOME GOD!

Check it out!  Call someone and bring them along!  See you there…Godspeed!  BR

Saturday the 17th! Score another Soul for the Kingdom!

Score another soul for the KINGDOM!  On Saturday night a young man chose to give his life to Christ at the ‘House!  God is AWESOME!

On Saturday night, Jay Hagy joined us at the ‘House and we were inspired, strengthened, and we jammed out!  We had a great time with Jay, who is a multi-talented, multi-instrumentalist with a tremendous voice, great music, great songs and most importantly, a GREAT ANOINTING.  Jay’s soulful, energetic style blew us away and created an atmosphere of excitement and praise.  He performed two sets of excellent praise/contemporary, guitar driven songs, with powerful lyrics and immense energy.  Jay shared some brand new songs on a new 5 song demo that were great.  Jay appeared sans-band since his guys were unable to attend – no matter!  K.T. Vandyke effectively filled in on drums and the result was awe-inspiring!  Great job guys!  We cannot wait to have Jay back and are currently discussing a return date.  Jay is pretty busy, so keep it here for updates.

The Higher Ground House Band was fortunate to have had Jay join us to jam on several songs.  He played drums, bass, and guitar with us.  Emily Ratliff did lead vocals on 2/3rds of our stuff this weekend…WAY TO GO EM!  K.T. Vandyke was our drummer for the weekend and Gene Boyd filled in on Bass (REN!  TED!  We missed you guys!).  K.T. and Gene were outstanding!  We sounded as good as ever!  You guys rock!  

All in all, another “two-thumbs up” performance at Higher Ground!   Give praise unto the Lord for the young man who elected Christ on Saturday night – and pray for him!

Don’t forget – Higher Ground’s next show is scheduled for Saturday, October 1, 2005 at 7:00.  We have two great acts scheduled:  praise band “Harvest Labour,” and Manny & Jessie Elswick.  Tell your friends!  Godspeed…BR

The Best Labor Day Ever! ;)

The Best Labor Day Ever Weekend Ever!  ;)

Saturday night was absolutely exhilarating!  We all had a HUGE time with the music and laughter in the ‘House…it was a particularly intimate, fun, atmosphere! The Higher Ground house band took the stage at around 7:30 with “How Far is Heaven” and the crowd was electric!  The House Band was missing our drummer, but K.T. Vandyke leaped to the rescue and meticulously filled the space by playing every song, with the exception of “How Far is Heaven” – he sings that one, so  Roger Vandyke jumped right in!  What a cool thing … “MUSICAL instruments”  (pun intended ;)   ).  

We wanted to get right into Morgann McClanahan’s set – and we were not disappointed!  WHAT AN AWESOME JOB!  Morgann literally knocked the ‘House down with such a soulful, powerful, and anointed set of music.  Her presence onstage was powerful and her music was fantastic.  We were all mesmerized with her mostly (I might be wrong, but I think TOTALLY) ORIGINAL set.  “Breakin’ Out” is a Morgann original that is my personal favorite – especially the ala Carlos Santana intro – killer!.  Listen, if you do not have Morgann’s CD, “Breakin’ Out” you need to get it!  If you have not seen her live….well, you are truly missing a treat.  Morgann tried out some brand new stuff that she has not yet recorded nor even finished – debut right there at Higher Ground - that was great!  She played piano and sang some new originals that were very exciting for everyone.  We were particularly honored to have Morgann join the House Band for the final set of the evening!  IT WAS AN ALL-OUT JAM-PARTY!  We performed “Sweet Home Hosanna,” “Who Am I,” “That’s Why We Praise Him,” and several more together.  Emily Ratliff and Morgann took turns on lead vocals and backed each other up…lots of FUN!  We literally cannot wait to have her back.  I want  to get her back on the schedule for some time before Christmas, if her schedule permits.  Many thanks, Morgann (and Kate, and Dave)!  JANIE!  I am so glad you visited as well!  Be sure to visit Morgann’s web site at www.morgannministries.com.

K.T. Vandyke and Gene Boyd shook the ‘House with their version of Relient-K’s  “Be My Escape.”  What a cool song…the teens in the place were really jamming with that one!  They also did a great version of “All the Way Down.”  Awesome job, guys!  Unfortunately Harold Kinder was unable to make it.  We hope he can reschedule at some time in the future.  Oh Well…The House Band, K.T. Vandyke & Gene Boyd, and Morgann McClanahan definitely filled the bill for the evening, though!  

Jeff Arwood – oh my…HA!  Some funny concepts!  He was dead on it when he discussed his “guardian angel.”  You see, Jeff explained that he did not want t “sissy” guardian angel…he prefers a “John Wayne Angel” to protect him…you know, rough and tough…smoking a cigar and carrying  a bazooka!  Jeff’s comedy was as cool as ever.  Awesome job, Jeff!

The House band performed a couple of new songs by Jennifer Knapp this weekend, – “Undo Me,” and “Trinity.”  Emily sang both and they were absolutely cool.  “Undo Me” is a really progressive, jamming tune, while “Trinity” is an ominous introspective look at oneself.  This week, the House Band consisted of Emily Ratliff, Gene Boyd, K.T. Vandyke, Roger Vandyke, Ted Watson, and BR.  Many thanks to Roger for bring these to us (and the words, and the CD, and the chords – wow!  ;)   ) !

After the show, we talked with several visitors, two of whom were from Texas and Illinois!  They were a huge blessing and were very complimentary of Higher Ground, its mission, and our church, Oakwood Full Gospel, for supporting a ministry that actually reaches teens.  I spoke with another lady who was bursting with excitement – she said that she drives a college bus and is associated with a church that has over 200 youth and she could not wait to share Higher Ground with them!  The crowd this week was split about 50/50 between adults and teens.  It was a really nice mix, though.  Many thanks to each of you who attended – please come again!

I want to provide some special recognition to Missi’s helpers in the kitchen this weekend, without whom it would have been very difficult.  Rita Keen – we can always count on you!  You are absolutely amazing and you are a Godsend…great job, and thanks a MILLION (– and I hope you are reading this on the ‘net).  Thank you to Amanda Horn – Amanda, you are such a blessing to Higher Ground and we are so proud of you – thank you so much for jumping right in and helping in the kitchen at the beginning of the show.  God will bless you guys!  

We should have a bunch of new pics up later this week on the website.  Oh!  Don’t forget – Jay Hagy will be there on 9-17-05 – that should also be a great show!  Check out his web site at www.jayhagy.com.

Be sure to check out Higher Ground Christian Coffee House’s web site for pics and info about the show upcoming on 9-17-05.  It is located at www.geocities.com/ofghigherground.

Hmmm.  I think that’s it. ..although I am sure I am forgetting something.  Ah, well…that is the nice thing about blogs…if I do, I can just add it later!  Godspeed, my friends!  BR

Saturday Night the 3rd at the 'House!

Hi Everyone!

The show at the 'House this weekend is exciting!

Morgann McClanahan will join us for an intimate set of contemporary and praise. The big news is that Morgann is on the verge of a huge career (in my humble opinion). She recently won a significant competition in Colorado and is evaluating some potential career options that could land her on the national music circuit! COME SEE HERE BEFORE SHE IS FAMOUS! ;) In reality, Morgann has an awesome talent and a great attitude. She is a fantastic performer as well!

The House Band will be springing some new stuff again! We are planning a couple of new Jennifer Knapp songs including "Undo Me," and "Trinity." We are REALLY excited about our wersion of the praise song, "Fields of Grace!"

Jeff Arwood has some interesting insights to share with us this weekend, I think. he plans to expound on his view of the world...funny guy! I am sure it will be a riot!

Open Mic will have its place on Saturday, so if you know folks who perform, it would be a great time to drop by, have a cappuccino, coffee, or even a meal, then get right on stage and go for it! Poetry, Singing, instrument playing...any of those things are great for open mic. Come by and give it a try!

Enough for now....see you Saturday night! Godspeed...BR