For the first time in 10 years, since we’ve become residents of Williamson County, I was able to stroll unhurried Saturday afternoon with Brenda, my daughter Betsy and her husband Adam at the downtown Franklin, TN, PumpkinFest.

It reminded me of the days, 30 years ago, when I was on the road. We played many outdoor state fairs and festivals where the sweet smell of fried funnel cakes and smokey barbeque floated on the crisp autumn breeze. Many children and pets alike were in full Halloween regalia last weekend–even some crazy, gutsy adults.

At the music stage, right in front of the newly-restored Franklin Theater, we stopped for a moment to watch a group of dancers, dressed as zombies, interpret Michael Jackson’s famous moves from the Thriller video. Also taking the stage was an Elvis impersonator, decked out in an iconic high-collar, one-piece suit emblazoned with a “Waste Management” logo, singing to the tune of C.C. Rider: “Oh, re—-re-cycle. Re-cycle…when you are done!“ It seemed to fit the laid-back family atmosphere, even in it’s over-the-top corniness.

Betsy and Dad at the Franklin PumpkinFest, 2011

The time I spend with my family is truly precious. I’m thankful that our schedule this summer and fall has been fairly open; we haven’t had this opportunity in many years. I know this relaxing time may change at any moment. But while I can stop and smell the barbeque, eat a fried turnover, and peruse local arts and crafts displays along Main Street on a lazy Saturday afternoon, I’m gonna do it– because fall is my favorite time of year. Happy Halloween, everyone!

I love the speaker porthole!

Kevin Shaw, the maker of this new amp, is gonna be mad that I’m showing it here. He prefers to create amplifier heads with separate cabs, and doesn’t want anyone to get the idea that he’s getting into the combo business. I have three other Shaw amps, including a Shaw Retro-Mod 15 in the piggy-back configuration, but I really wanted a grab-and-go amp that works well with pedals, for when I get out and play live. When I asked him to consider making me a combo version, he grit his teeth, shook his head and said, “Just this once!”

The economy has messed with everyone’s finances, so getting a new amp without trading or selling other gear was impossible. I had to let go of some of my much-loved stuff, but this black beauty seriously eclipsed the gear I sold to obtain it.

L to R: power, light, standby, tone, volume, boost, input

I appreciate the simplicity: volume, tone and a boost switch. Of course my favorite speaker, the WGS Reaper 30, is part of the tone I love in most all of my amps–and here, it’s no exception. The beautifully clean chassis contains new parts along with rescued pieces from a “mojo-soaked” Hammond organ (thus, Retro-Mod!). I love that Kevin has taken the low-end flub away from the typical 5E3 circuit, Tweed-type tone, so the dual 6V6 Fender-esque vibe shines through in all of it’s glory. Again, the front-end takes pedals extraordinarily well. But get that volume cranked-up to eight and nine, with just a guitar plugged in, and the amp gets crunchy, creamy–and loud! The guitar volume can be adjusted to create the various tones needed for an entire gig!

WGS Reaper speaker! Notice the two mid-60s RCA 6V6 power tubes.

So many manufacturers add extra buttons, knobs and dials, but the tone has a tendency to suffer as it gets pushed through all of those sonic trails. This simple yet elegant combo makes the great tone I get in my studio, with the head and cab version, possible. This way, I can carry that killer tone wherever I go.

Sorry, Kevin. I spilled the beans!

It used to be a standard question at the grocery store: “Will that be paper or plastic?” I always liked paper bags because they smelled so good and you could cover your school books with them in the fall. Plastic is handy, but it just isn’t the same. In it’s “shininess” it can also be cold. I will attempt to compare paper and plastic to some worship experiences I’ve had.

Paper is organic. Sometimes we witness a worship experience that is so down-to-earth and simple–just like a paper bag. Many times the musicians and singers don’t perform up to professional standards but, for some reason, it generally works. There’s much room for improvement, but the overall feel of sweetness and connectivity is present. Many churches fall into this category; they can use a lot of work in the presentation, but they get an A+ in authenticity.

On the other hand, there are churches who have rushed into the “plastic” mode where the presentation is slick but the “heart” is missing. I am a big proponent of excellence (notice my many “Great Moments In Worship” blog post series). I prefer preparation to just “winging it”. I like to think through the stage moves, conduct a thorough rehearsal, and coordinate with other aspects of the service and the hospitality teams. But at a certain point, we must learn to relax and connect with God and the congregation. I think it’s more helpful for a worship team to be at rest, instead of a team who are trying to put-on a show.

Preparation and planning are the roads to the ultimate destination: a one-on-one, personal connection with God. No one wants to come to church and experience a bunch of puppets-on-strings lead us in worship. If I had my way, I’d choose the down-home method, including mistakes, intonation problems and a set that doesn’t quite flow, over fake or forced (it pains me to type that!). I believe that in our race to create great worship presentations, we can make the mistake of rushing right past simplicity. I always try to shoot for a balance.

So what will it be this week, paper or plastic?

My brother Jon and I took the long way to my dad’s place in North Carolina over the weekend. We zoomed right past signs to the Unclaimed Baggage Center in Scottsboro, Alabama, where lost luggage and other unspoken-for items from the airlines are sold. I’ve never been, but my son, Josh, tells me it’s full of cool stuff to be had at a fraction of the retail price. Too bad it was closed when we flew by Friday night, but the phrase “unclaimed baggage” really got me to thinking…

Isn’t it true that if everyone owned up to their part in family problems, we could actually make things easier for future generations? I remember quizzing my grandmother years ago about a touchy subject relating to persons in our family tree. She shut me down so fast, I was sent away with nothing more than, “We don’t talk about that!” I remember being furious but respectful at the same time because grandma was, well–grandma. To this day, the questions go unanswered and are buried along with my  deceased relatives.

I think Brenda and I have been pretty forthright with our kids. In fact, it’s no secret to them the many mistakes we’ve made as parents and, generally, as ignorant folks. We certainly have made some clumsy choices along life’s way. I think it’s good to own-up to our failures and ask for forgiveness sooner than…never.

I wouldn’t want to perpetuate any secrets, but would rather expose poor human behavior to my children, even if it involves highly respected family members. I still feel the rejection and remember being angry when grandma turned me away all those years ago.

As long as the baggage stored in dark corners of our personal and family’s lives go unclaimed, we will continue the streak of failure, loss, disappointment, shame and fear, until we deal with it once and for all before God. Lord, help us.

I know I am a complex person; it’s evidenced in my coffee snobbery. When I go on trips, like the one I’m taking this weekend, regular McDonald’s coffee won’t do it for me. (a Starbucks drive-thru is hard to find in rural North Carolina!). I know I’ve written about this before, but as I prepare for the trek to North Carolina this evening with my brother, I have to think about coffee as seriously as my other travel items. Underwear: check. Socks: check. Medicine: check. Shaving kit: check. Cuban coffee, sweetener, creamer, Melitta cone filter coffeemaker: check!

This summer, as I traveled back and forth to help my dad with his surgeries, I took my Keurig “rig” with me in a cooler that was the perfect caddy to pack all of my coffee supplies. It was a breeze to roll everything from the car to the hotel room. None of that stale hotel room coffee for me, no sir! I didn’t miss a great coffee opportunity if I could help it.

On this weekend’s trip, it’s no exception. Instead of carrying my cafe on wheels, though, I’ve decided to pare down a bit and simply bring an old-school drip coffee maker. No, not the Mr. Coffee variety, but a drip-system that goes back to the middle ages: hot, boiling water poured over fresh, dark-roasted coffee into a simple, 10-cup glass carafe.

Melitta drip coffee: boil water, pour over fresh coffee, enjoy!

My friend Debra Sadler showed me this process, and when we make coffee for more than one person, especially in the morning, and to save $$$ on K cups, this method of brewing creates the best coffee I’ve ever had outside of Europe and, closer to home, New Orleans.

Don’t ask me why I complicate my life so much. I can only shrug my shoulders and roll my eyes–mostly because I don’t want to explain myself. And, as a warning, please wait until I’ve had my coffee before spewing forth your criticism. You’!l regret it!