Closed November 5th!

Hi All:

Today is October 24, 2005 – I wanted to get the word out that Higher Ground will be CLOSED on November 5th.  There is a pretty big event upcoming on that date in the community and we do not want to conflict, particularly since some of our “regulars” would not be able to make it.  

We will be OPEN next on November 19th!  Entertainment is being lined up as we speak, but NOTE!  We are working on a big Comedy Show!  Should be cool.

Okay – recap – Closed November 5th (*sorry!*) – Open on November 19th.  

Later!  Godspeed…BR

October 15th - "Silence is Golden...but Duct Tape is SILVER! ;)

Hey all! I hope if you are reading this, that you had the opportunity to be at Higher Ground this past weekend (October 15th). We had another awesome time…it was a BLAST from start to finish! If you weren’t there, by all means make plans to visit on November 5th! WELCOME NEWBIES! We had a great crowd of around 60-65 with a lot of new faces….WELCOME!

I am not sure if we will have any photos from this past event, but I might be able to scarf some from the video…I will certainly try. YOU HAVE GOT TO SEE Britney Davis with the fuzzy pink top hat ;) ! Oh yeah, and Shanique and Britney on stage singing with the House Band! Very cool.

We had some great entertainment this past weekend with Evan Rasnake & Ashley Hubbard, The HG House Band, and two (yep, count ‘em, 2) comedians – ‘House regular, Jeff Arwood, and Bobby Street. Oh, yeah – we also had a rowdy, fun, rockin’ crowd ;).

Evan and Ashley did a great job with a number of great contemporary songs, some Third Day stuff, and an original Ashley Wrote. Thanks, guys for giving me the privilege of jamming with you through that one – AWESOME! They will be joining us again with some other folks in November. Keep it here for more details.

The House Band performed a bunch of songs from our repertoire, including “How Far is Heaven,” “Fields of Grace,” “Hungry,” “Undo Me,” Trinity,” and some new stuff including a new instrumental and a 4 bar blues tune, “I Thank You Jesus.” We handed out a microphone to the crowd, who all obliged with singing along on “Sweet Home Hosanna.”

Jeff Arwood took the stage and shared his philosophy on telemarketers. Jeff provided an excellent overview of practical methods to keep those telemarketers at bay. He was HILARIOUS -- His comprehensive list included,

1. “Answer the phone. As soon as you realize it is a Telemarketer, set the receiver down, scream, "Oh my God!" and then hang up.” and,


2. Tell the Telemarketer you are busy at the moment and ask him/her if he/she will give you his/her home phone number so you can call him/her back. When the Telemarketer explains that telemarketers cannot give out their home numbers say, "I guess you don't want anyone bothering you at home, right?" The Telemarketer will agree and you say, "Me either!" Hang up. Oh yeah, also:


3. Ask them to repeat everything they say, several times.


4. Tell them it is dinner time, but ask if they would please hold. Put them on your speaker phone while you continue to eat at your leisure. Smack your food loudly and continue with your dinner conversation.


5. Tell the Telemarketer you are on "home incarceration" and ask if they could bring you a pizza.


6. Ask them to fax the information to you, and make up a number.

…There were a lot more – should’ve been there ;)

Bobby Street followed up Jeff’s routine and did an outstanding job of cracking up the masses. His self-introduction was great…he advised everyone that he ahs lived with a married woman for the last 16 years… “my momma.” COOL! Bobby had help from a friend, but really blew us away. We want him back really soon!

AUDIENCE – the audience was great this weekend! Tyler, Ethan, Sidney and all of the usual bunch at the front two tables – you guys rock! Carol and Roger Caudill – thanks for joining us! And…Barbara, Sandy, and Linda – it was great to have you all!

We are looking forward to November 5th! Come visit us and bring a friend!

OH YEAH! Remember… “Silence is golden…but duct tape is silver!”

Godspeed…BR

HG Web site updated with new pics! www.geocities.com/ofghigherground

Hi Everyone!

The official Higher Ground web site has been updated with photos of the shows on 9-3-05 with Morgann McClanahan (www.morgannministries.com) and on 9-17-05 with Jay Hagy (www.jayhagy.com).  

CHECK THEM OUT at www.geocities.com/ofghigherground.  Click on the “Photos” link and select the dates your want to see.  ENJOY!  Don’t forget…Next Higher Ground is scheduled for Saturday, October 15th at 7:00 P.M.!

We will have photos of October 1st with Harvest Labour and Manny & Jessie Elswick up soon!

Godspeed…BR

October 1st at the 'House...Another Great Time!

Saturday night was a fantastic, very diverse night of music and fun at Higher Ground!  It was the BOMB!  The show started off with Harvest Labour, an outstanding praise and worship band.  Manny and Jessie Elswick also joined us with their band in tow – (Manny says they are called “Unction Function” ;)  Jessie would disagree-) and performed an outstanding contemporary and praise set.  Jeff Arwood put a real zing in the evening with his perspectives on weightlifters and his opinion of differences between Heaven and Hell, and of course the House Band had to jump in briefly.  All in all – something for everybody and, as always, a lot of fun!

The show started up with Harvest Labour – Richard Bostic has assembled a group of true praise leaders who share Christ in song and focus all their energy on Him.  They were excellent musicians and performed straight from the heart.  Harvest Labour performed two sets, both starting up the show and winding us up at the end.  Harvest Labour had a very mellow, smooth delivery and a very sweet spirit.  I was amazed with the use of a FLUTE in a contemporary and praise band…very unique and really cool!

Manny and Jessie Elswick brought along some of their closest friends to put on a super show with several new contemporary songs in a powerful set that lasted about 35 minutes.  Manny’s vocals and guitar style were ala John Mayer’ish – VERY cool stuff.  Jessie’s backup vocals set the ambience – outstanding job, guys!  Oh, and Jessie – that hot pink Fender bass….wow!  Gotta love it!

Following Harvest Labour, The Higher Ground House Band took the stage to rev things up a little.  Emily Ratliff did a spectacular job with Jennifer Knapp’s “Undo Me.”  The House Band also played “Sweet Home Hosanna,” “Hungry,” and K.T. Vandyke did a greta job on vocals with a rendition of Los Lonely Boys’ “How Far Is Heaven.”  This week, Gene Boyd covered for us as bassist extraordinaire, and of course, K.T. Vandyke was our drummer (TED!  REN! We missed you guys!).  Roger V. was awesome on acoustic guitar (as always).  GREAT JOB, GANG!

K.T. Vandyke and Gene Boyd performed an original song K.T. wrote just this past week.  It was an awesome acoustic piece with a great melody and good instrumentation.  These guys have a real future as musicians ;)

Many thanks to our special friends who were at Higher Ground this weekend!  DALE ELSWICK – thank you, my brother, for taking care of sound and giving me a chance to just hang out.  I SO appreciate that!  Rhonda!  Beth!  

Many thanks to the folks who volunteered in the kitchen – Rita Keen, Judy Hess, and Tina Lester --  May God richly bless each of you, because without you, this ministry cannot go on.

REMEMBER!  Next Higher Ground is on October 15th!  We are currently working on the schedule, but we know for sure that Ashley Keen will be performing.  JOIN US!  Godspeed…BR