Caught Rod Stewart's show at Caesar's Palace on Wednesday night. He and his 14 piece band are magnificent on the concert stage. Although I only have his "Greatest Hits" album in my collection, Stewart has a fine catalog of songs, including "Have I Told You Lately That I Love You" and "Forever Young". One of the highlights of the acclaimed British-born star's act is his kicking of soccer balls into the audience at every show. I was sitting on the front row of the first balcony. Got It!! He's got a great leg and I got a soccer ball!
Lighted sign outside on the Flamingo Hotel
Saw comedian George Wallace on Tuesday night. He's a genuinely funny man, who manages to keep you in stiches for almost 2 solid hours, and he doesn't drop the "F" bomb like nearly all so called comedians do today. In addition to his Las Vegas residency at the Flamingo, Mr. Wallace has also done television appearances on Tyler Perry produced shows.
Entrance to David Copperfield at MGM Grand
Also on Tuesday evening, I witnessed master illusionist David Copperfield. Most of the performance I sat there with a dumb look on my face wondering how he did that! He made cars appear, people disappear from the stage only to re-emerge in the audience and he's doing some high tech stunts that are simply amazing and you have to see to believe! The language was salty in places, and totally unnecessary, but overall the illusions were pretty incredible!
Entrance to Dancing Queen at Planet Hollywood
On Monday night, I went to see "Dancing Queen" a musical featuring the music of Abba and several others from the disco era. The cast was made up of 2 male singers, 2 female singers, 6 male dancers and 10 female dancers. It was Vegas meets disco! Glam and glitter, song and dance. The show is fast paced and features great songs like "Mamma Mia", "I Will Survive", "Car Wash" and "It's Raining Men". Fun show!
Last Sunday evening I had the opportunity to sing for the good folks at Salem United Methodist Church, just outside of Kingston. It was their annual Thanksgiving dinner, and the food was excellent I must say! Got to spend time with old friends Earl and Marcella Hildenbrand, and Rose Minor. My thanks to Pastor Jon Osmundson for the invite!
Yesterday morning I had the great pleasure and opportunity to sing at the Good Shepherd UM Church in Circleville. This was a return engagement as I had sung there back in August a year ago! I loved coming back to this beautiful church...because the people are very friendly, and there's a strong ministry to the community there. I was extended the opportunity to sing a longer set during the service allowing me to mix in, both old and new songs. My personal thanks go to Pastor Greg Swann and assistant Cindi Lutz who helped the morning go so smoothly!
Had a great return visit to Calvary United Methodist Church in Circleville yesterday! I had sung there a year ago last August, and to come back was a real joy. I got to sing a longer set this time, and the folks were just so enthusiastic and kind! A big thank you to Pastor Greg Swann and assistant Carolyn Cupp for making my morning a smooth one!
Last Sunday, I headed across highway 23 and sang for all my wonderful friends and mail family at the South Bloomfield United Methodist Church. This is truly one of my favorite places to sing, since I know nearly everyone by name! The church is growing though, so I have to keep up! LOL I was honored to sing 3 songs from my latest CD "The Blood Bought Church", including a favorite of some of the folks there, "Up In Chicago", a song about the homeless in America. My thanks to Rev. Floyd Hubbell for his usual warmth and wit, and to Pam Moody who took some amazing pics of me with my own camera no less!! God bless SBUMC!
Tuesday afternoon while in NYC I took a stroll to W. 51st St. and Broadway to the location of Times Square Church. This is the church that was founded by the late Rev. David Wilkerson, most famous for writing "The Cross and The Switchblade". I have followed this man of God's ministry since the late 1970s. He was instrumental in forming my early and basic Christian beliefs. When this church was founded in the late 1980s, friends Tim Wile and Russell Beatty sojourned together with me to NY for the grand opening. Today the church is still growing strong! Multiple services and multiple outreaches to the poor and hurting in the NYC area. I went in for a time of prayer in their prayer room, which is open daily from noon to 2. For me, it was a touching, and historic moment as well, in my Christian life. God bless Times Square Church and World Challenge ministries!
Tuesday night I arrived for the first of four Broadway shows in New York City. The first show was "Motown - the Musical" the Berry Gordy Story. Berry Gordy was the force behind Motown Records in the 60s, 70s and 80s. He brought an amazing array of talented people to the masses, including Diana Ross, Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson, Marvin Gaye, Michael Jackson and the Jackson 5 just to name a few. The story is interspersed with amazing music tributes to the artists of the time. It's a great show, telling one of America's best musical rags to riches to struggles story.
Wednesday afternoon, it was a date with Emmy-award winning actress Cicely Tyson in the drama, "The Trip to Bountiful" in a limited engagement. The story revolves around Ms. Tyson's character who longs to return to her home of Bountiful, TX. The cast featured award winning singer Vanessa Williams as the over-bearing daughter-in-law, and "Dukes of Hazard" star, Tom Wopat in the role of the kindly sheriff. The production was poignant, as anyone who has dealt with eldercare issues can testify to.
Wednesday night, it was Disney's production of "Newsies". The story was about the newspaper strike around the start of the 20th century in New York City, by their young newsies (carriers). The music and the energy of these young guys is so heartwarming to watch. The story is well-written, but it's the singing, dancing and tap dancing that steals the show. Don't miss this one when it comes to your town!
My last evening, Thursday, I took in the off-beat production of "Kinky Boots." The music was written by Cindy Lauper and was surprisingly very, very good. The story is one, of two main characters trying to discover who they really are down deep inside. In this case, it's the young newly minted president of a family shoe business who's trying to save the fortunes of the company, while the other is a young drag queen, trying to discover his/her hidden talents and dreams. A great production actually with lots of camp, comedy and of course some oh so fabulous boots!
Today was my first visit ever to Emmett Chapel United Methodist Church in Circleville. This beautiful church located on Tarlton Road in the south end of Circleville, is so friendly and inviting and made my appearance there so gratifying! Singing songs from my newest albums, "The Blood Bought Church" and "Change the World", the folks were so receptive to the message of Jesus' unconditional love. Afterwards I got to meet many of the members, and just enjoyed the warmth and fellowship of these people. Some of the ladies from Louise Terrace made the trip, as well as my parents were able to visit as well. Super day, and I was very honored to serve God's people at Emmett Chapel. Thanks be to God!!
This morning I kicked off the first leg of the "Blood Bought Church" tour at Zion UMC in Ashville, followed by a 45 minute time of ministry at their sister church, Emmaneul UMC in Circleville. I love the people and the acoustics at Zion...the cathedral ceilings and stained glass windows make for a wonderful visual and audial experience. Follow that with the enthusiasm of the congregation at Emmanuel UMC, it was both a humbling and uplifting time for me!
The follow up CD to "Change the World" is finally here! "The Blood Bought Church" features ten songs of hope, joy and inspiration! Recorded in the summer of 2013 at Musicol in Columbus, "The Blood Bought Church" is the other side of what I do in concerts. These are songs that were written by others, that have brought me great joy and hope in my Christian walk. The title track is the Nancy Harmon classic, "Blood Bought Church" followed by "Morning's Coming" a hit by Jeff and Sherri Easter. Cut 3 is a long time favorite of mine, "He Will Carry You" from Scott Wesley Brown. The next track is "One Less Stone" I recorded in 1997 and re-recorded for this project, as I love doing this song live! Song 5 is Martina McBride's amazing song "Anyway" which is the newest of the songs here, and may be my favorite.
The contemporary "Blessed Be Your Name" from Matt Redman follows as song number six. Song 7 is a re-record from 1990, a concert pleaser, "Up In Chicago." Selection 8 is the Johnny Cash hit "Goin' By the Book" which even though is based on the imagery of the Book of Revelation, still upbeat and hopeful. I heard Diane Green sing "For Those Tears I Died" back in the 80s and has been a favorite of mine for many years and is song number 9. And, the closer, is "The God That Cannot Fail" which I named an album after in 1986. New version, but the message is still sooooo good!