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The narrow gate 12

eZine lover (@eZine)

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narrow gate

· 1 Feb 2023

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our text version for the imaginatively inclined....!

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Jonah Had No A.C.
Whitman's Mold Brings "Groovecore" to Cornerstone
Never Enough (or is it?)
Mailbag (win free cd ... get free advice!)

*If confused as to what "Cornerstone Fest" is go here: http://www.cornerstonefestival.com

JONAH HAD NO A.C.

by Shauna Skye

After visiting Cornerstone Festival it really hit home how spoiled I am by air conditioners, running water, soft beds with clean sheets, and fresh clothes. I don't think I usually come off as a primadonna, but during this heatwave (long after Cornerstone) someone asked me why I looked exasperated. It made me feel guilty for letting it show. And it reminded me of Cornerstone.

Since this issue is dedicated to Cornerstone Fest, I suppose the expected thing would be for me to report on the happenings there, the bands, the seminars, etc., but I want to give you my personal perspective and tell you what stands out to me. If you'd like the official stuff you can visit the Cornerstone site.

When I think of Cornerstone Fest the first thing that comes to mind isn't the Christian going-ons. Sad as it sounds, I think of the Johnny-on-the-Spot porto potties first; next the mud, the grime that clings to your body because of the humidity, the heat and the suffocating tents.

The next thing I think of is people with wild hair that make me look conservative. I don't like looking conservative, but dag nabbit if I conform to nonconformity by getting mohawk then I'll be a reverse conformist. Oh the irony of it all!

Where are my priorities? I know you're wondering that. Shouldn't ministry and God come to mind when I think of Cornerstone Festival? Yes, it should. But often times I find myself thinking more about the heat on my brow than the souls of men. This is not uncommon. Jonah from the Bible was the same way. The entire city of Nineveh was going to be destroyed and he was ticked-off because a plant that gave him shelter died. And yet, I can almost understand Jonah's anger. He had no AC!

I don't mean to imply that Cornerstone isn't fun and that all I think of is how hot it is. I'm not a couch potato kind of person. I like action, to be part of things hands on and fellowship with friends. Cornerstone has a jillian things happening, and for someone with a short attention span that's great. I think the most fun I had was jumping around in the "jig pit" with my friend Wendy. She's a fun kind of gal like myself, and doesn't allow me to be the only idiot dancing.

Other entertaining moments from Cornerstone:

...When my friend Brian told the youth group he was the devil and if they gave him their souls he would give them a toilet that flushed.

...When my friends suggested I needed psychological counseling because I desire a bath when I get sweaty and dirty. They claimed non-bathing is actually better for you because the bugs don't chase you as much, and after a few days it simply doesn't matter anymore.

...When my friends suggested that Wendy's husband, Patrick, should counsel me. (He has a psych degree.) I had visions of laying on a couch and Pat saying: "So, tell me about your mother," and showing me inkblots. I would, of course, respond to every inkblot with: "That looks like a bathtub." "That looks like a toilet that flushes." "That looks like a giant air conditioner."

I know this isn't what you want to hear, but I left Cornerstone early because my eyes were bugging me. Yes, I know it sounds like I'm whining. Oh my eyes! Oh the heat! Yadda Yadda Yadda!

OK, so I have an evil twin who occasionally breaks the surface pretending to be me. She's called the FLESH, and she doesn't like to be uncomfortable. However, I am legally blind without contact lenses. Without them the most I can see are blurry lights, and there was no point in me staying if my eyes felt like someone tossed pepper juice in them and I looked like the town lush. I couldn't see a thing, but I did hear Sixpence None The Richer live from the comfort of my sauna--er--I mean my tent! Golly gee!

I have nothing very spiritual to impart at this moment. The only thing that comes to mind is "Jesus loves us, even when there's no air conditioning!" On that note I'd like to introduce a much shorter editorial than my own (no applause, just throw money) by my jig pit dance partner, Wendy Wilkins.

WHITMAN'S MOLD BRINGS "GROOVECORE" TO CORNERSTONE

by Wendy Wilkins

Every year Cornerstone throws out several surprises on its landmark New Band Showcase. Though the bands are all generally palatable, few exhibit the creativity or togetherness of rookies Whitman's Mold.

The self-described "groovecore" band from Augusta, Georgia opened their well prepared and fully sound checked* set with a hard-hitting antiracism number that immediately raised most of the 200+ crowd to its feet. My disdain at sitting through another hardcore-where-every- song-sounds-exactly-alike concert was soon put to rest when lead singer Charles Cooper headed into songs that required singing, timing and true talent. Though the lyrics aren't exceptionally original, they will cause one to take notice . . . and right about that time, you'll realize that the guitar rifts are not hardcore-smothered. (Think influences from classic rock, pop, and, dare I say, jazz?!) Wow- hence the groovecore. Also, pay special attention to eighteen year old drummer, John Curtis. Though only joining WM in mid-June, Curtis displays serious proficiency when it comes to slammin' the skins, while easily mingling with the band's unique style.

After sweating off a few more pounds, I had a chance to chat with Charles Cooper about the group's background. Originally founded as a loose outreach gig for the Atlanta Olympics in 1996, Whitman's Mold has evolved through changes in members and focus, recently releasing the CD, Nobody Loves Me. While many bands make claims about "reaching kids for Christ," WM delivers. Their humble, yet energetic attitude is best defined by Cooper:

"We don't wanna' be church entertainment. We wanna' challenge kids. We'll play a coffeehouse, we'll play a club, we'll play a birthday party."

Good to know the Great Commission is alive and well.

*If you've ever attended a steamy July concert only to sit through thirty minutes of sound checks and a fifteen minute set, you'll know why the first impression is the lasting one!

NEVER ENOUGH

by Shauna Skye

Never Enough was formed in 1994 by Jason Hansen, the singer/songwriter and rhythm guitar player for the group. Initially the band was called REST, so when they changed their name I took to calling them NEVER ENOUGH REST which expressed my sentiments at the time. It's probably been more than a year since the name change, but I've just started thinking of them as Never Enough.

The band's CD "He Who Dwells in the Secret Place" could be described as heavy alternative. Musicians on this album are Jason, Brett Miotti (a bassist who engages in "back-up screaming"), and Warren Gandy on lead guitar also known as "Drew" or "Hey You!" Mike Fox is credited with drums, but Scott Blackman, former R.E.X. recording artist for TRYTAN, pounds the skins on "Upon You." A few additional players are listed here, though the main members would be Jason, Brett, and Warren.

Lyrically Never Enough are open about their Christianity. Here is an example from the song "Quicken."

Blessed are the undefiled in way keeping the statutes of His hand Humble--the Lord is near the broken seeking the righteousness of the lamb. Strengthen me--my inner man In your ways--revive me Quicken me into your righteousness....

All the lyrics on this album were written to lift up God. I have seen this band several times in concert, and their love, zeal and energy comes through in their live performance as well as their CD.

Musically, the group lists Mortal and Deliverance as two of their influences, so the fact that they embrace distortion isn't surprising; however, Never Enough doesn't sound like either of these groups. They have a unique "Never Enough" sound which needs to be heard.

The band's web site is at http://www.jesusfreak.com/neverenough/neverenough

The band received email at stillness@juno.com

MAILBAG

Hi Shauna;

Thanks for having a link to our web site in TNG #11.

Please pass this on. Everyone who visits our web site and signs our guestbook and tells us they heard about Corduroy Bloom from TNG will be automatically entered to win a FREE copy of one of our CDs! The entries need to be posted on our web site guestbook and we'll announce the winner via e-mail and on our web site.

Then for everyone who signs our guestbook AND joins our mailing list, they will be entered to win a FREE CD and a FREE T-shirt!

Keep up the great work.

Because of Jesus;
Corduroy Bloom
Melanie, Chris, Tom, Shawn, Andy and Devin
http://www.corduroybloom.com

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Dear Shauna;

I want to move out with my music. I need help in "what to do next" I need someone to push my music and get it to the right people in the business. I have a demo. I ran out of money so I can't mass produce the CD as of yet, however I can record it on to cassette and send it out that way. I just have been wondering lately who really would be the best type of people to send it to? Do you have any ideas? I am basically in seclusion writing and working on songs. I have sooo many. The four on the CD are OK, but I am writing more and more and getting better and better. I have some people who are somewhat interested in my "demo" but I want to cut right to the people who can help. I don't have a lot of money.

Please stop in and visit; Http://members.aol.com/BrokenChn

In His Cause;
Steve G.

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NOTE: I edited Steve's letter. His site address leads to music and help with addiction recovery. Anyone interested please visit.

Now, onto Steve's letter. Steve, I'm not sure I'm the right person to be asking this of. I, too, am a musician with very little $$$ and am just making my start with this. I am recording a CD right now which should be available (hopefully) before the next issue of TNG. I plan to place it on MP3.com and market it there. Any musicians reading this who have not looked into MP3.com as an option need to do so.

I also plan to market my CD to a few select record labels, and see what comes of it. I do not plan to buy a truckload of my own CD's to sell. Anyone who wants one will be able to purchase it direct from MP3.com, or if I get signed to a label by conventional methods. That's about all I can tell you. Perhaps one of our readers might have some more advice.