phil wing

My wife “tagged” me (whatever that means) to do this Kreativ Blogger survey thing.

So this calls for you to list seven things about yourself under each heading, but I’m not so sure I can do that many under each. I guess we’ll see.

What I did before (job): youth ministry, landscaping, retail sales, phonebook delivery, snow removal, groundskeeping for a funeral home (yes, seriously), fast food (Mickey D’s!!!…for 1 month)

What I do now: I am on staff at Apex. I write music as often as possible. I try to be someone who helps train/equip other worship leaders. Above all that, I’m really trying to be a good husband and father. I also try my hardest to procrastinate from cleaning (specifically my car or office) and to avoid my wife’s house projects. Oh, and I do yoga.

What I’d like to do: go on more dates with my wife. play with my kids more. make more music. become a better teacher. learn to write about things that matter. take a vacation. love Jesus more deeply.

What attracts me to my wife: I can’t say that in public!!! jk. I’m attracted to Amber because she is Godly. She is kind. She is loving. She adores our kids. She has beautiful eyes and an even better smile. She is friggin’ hilarious! She is a servant in so many ways. She has compassion for those who are hurting. She’s not materialistic. She values holiness over culture. She will never let my daughter dress like a hooch. She will never let my son date a hooch. She constantly helps me remember what really matters. She is the best woman I have ever known, literally! That’s why I’m attracted to her. I guess that’s more than 7.

Favorite foods: most EVERYTHING made by Amber, Thai 9, Skyline, Chipotle/Qdoba (interchangeable), Pompano Joe’s, PF Changs, and any steak house where I can get a sweet potato with my steak.

What I say most often: “definitely”, “fo sho”, “zoinks!”, “YOP!” (like a loud old man saying yep), “just to be honest”, “whatev!” (said sarcastically), “whaaat?!?!?”

So, I guess that’s it. I’m supposed to “tag” 7 other people to do this survey but I don’t know if there are even 7 people who read my blog. So, if you’re reading this…TAG, YOU’RE IT!

p.s. I don’t really do yoga…but I think it’d be hilarious to see me try.

Gibson broke his arm Wednesday night.

The full story and pictures are here at Amber’s blog.

here’s a story…

Once upon a time long, long ago in a land far, far away, there was a lady and a singer. While in the weekend gathering of a church, the lady filled out a comment card that said “The singer talks too much. He is almost enough reason to go to another church.” Upon receiving the comment card, the singer felt a little sting from the aforementioned comment…and then he laughed and laughed…and then went on to talk to someone else for a long, long time.

the end.

I found a shnazzy little video camera on the stage and decided to test it out. wasn’t quite sure who it belonged to but male curiosity wouldn’t let me put it down without pushing buttons. this is what happened when joe, mark, and I decided to push the aforementioned buttons.

So, I get asked about this a lot so I figured I’d just post it.

top 10 favorite bands:

10. Delirious
9. Leeland
8. Foo Fighters
7. Mute Math
6. Hillsong United
5. Future of Forestry
4. David Crowder Band
3. Switchfoot
2. Jimmy Eat World
1. Coldplay

top 10 solo artists

10. Tim Hughes
9. Mat Kearney
8. Joseph Arthur
7. Ben Harper
6. Sufjan Stevens
5. Jason Morant
4. Brooke Fraser
3. William Fitzsimmons
2. Jon Foreman
1. Phil Wickham

What about you? What are some of your favorites?

if you’d like to get a little glimpse of the upcoming acoustic ep, go check out my myspace for the first track called “You Say”. the song is still a rough mix, and still unmastered, but I’m happy to finally be able to share a little piece of what we’ve been workin’ so hard on.

so what are you still doing here??? go listen!!!

a few weeks back I posted about the song “healer”…well, I am unbelievably heart-broken about this news.

I trust in God’s control and His ability to truly “heal” any person or situation…whether it be cancer or sin.

I could not be happier about this news…

ok, I love this song, Healer, anyways…but now, hearing the story behind it, it means so much more. Check it out…

For some reason, I’ve gotten a lot of new music in the last couple weeks…I don’t normally get much music unless it’s for Apex, but lately that hasn’t been the case. Here are some noteworthy finds…

Coldplay - Viva la Vida - this is definitely not their best album, but it’s still pretty dang good! I was surprised to find that not 1 song on this album has the “coldplay drum beat” that they’ve become famous for. I’m ok with that. This CD seemed a little more “produced” than normal Coldplay - adding in a lot of orchestra pieces, synths, loops, etc. I realize that may be good for some, and I still dig it, but I’m just the guy who still loves their “Parachutes” album more than any of the others…and it’s 8 yrs. old. Coldplay is my favorite band, so I actually love all their albums, and Viva la Vida is definitely a good one…not their best…but definitely good. Thanks to Jon for buying it for me!

Foo Fighters - The Colour and Shape (10th Anniversary edition) - I’ve always been a fan of Foo Fighters since I heard their first single back in the 90’s…but I’ve never owned a full CD until now. My wife got me this one for my b-day and it’s GREAT! It originally released in 1997, but they remastered it and added 6 unheard studio tracks to it for the 2007 release. I will definitely say that this album was WAY ahead of it’s time! I think this record contains 2 of the top 20 rock songs from the 90’s which are “Everlong” and “My Hero”. Honorable mentions would be “Monkeywrench” and “Walking After You”. I love this album!

Brooke Fraser - Albertine - ok, it’s no secret that Brooke Fraser has one of the most beautiful female voices that has ever existed, but I was skeptical of her solo music. I was familiar with her because of her work with Hillsong United (which I love!), but I’d heard 1 or 2 of her singles and thought she was just another acoustic/pop/chick-music type. I was WRONG! First of all, she’s a great musician, playing both guitar and piano very well. She’s also a great songwriter. Her music has hooks, but they’re full of artistry. There aren’t many female solo artists that keep my attention, but she is definitely one. She was a PLATINUM selling artist in New Zealand and has just now been signed to major label here in the US. You should go buy her music (it’s only 5.99 on iTunes) and try to catch a concert - I promise you won’t be disappoinited.

Phil Wickham - singalong - you can get this album for FREE on philwickham.com. I’ve been listening to it all day here in my office and I am very pleased, especially for a free album. Phil Wickham has been near the top of my music list for about a year now and this album reminds me why. The first time I saw him, it was just him playing his songs with all the passion he could shout out…and it was incredible! This whole album is just him, his acoustic, and a crowd…and it’s great! Like Brooke Fraser, Phil Wickhams voice is one of the best I’ve heard and his voice defintely carries this CD so well! It’s just a great time of praise that was captured (well) on a recording. I know I’ll be listening to this a lot when needing personal times of praise and focus.

so, there you have it - plenty of good ear-candy to tickle your fancy for a while…or at least my fancy.