Day 3, part 2: Pam Tillis Dinner Party and wrapup

The final event of this Senior Trip was Pam Tillis' Christmas dinner party. Lots of good food served family style, and a Christmas production show by Pam and her band (kudos to one of the many singer/songwriters I support in the Nashville community, Mary Sue Englund, who did a great job on guitar, fiddle and vocals in Pam's band). Pam did many Christmas songs with fresh, contemporary arrangements, a few of her past hits and some songs from her latest CD.

Mark and LordSong took the stage for the final 20 minutes after Pam left to sing us (and other attendees of the show besides Senior Trip folks) home.

As often happens, just as quickly as it began, it was over.

In the end, it's about faith, music and friendship, a great mix for the soul. As one of my friends told me this evening, there's just something about kindred spirits in Christian love. Teresa, Kylene, and Ann, you ministered to me more than I can tell you.

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I want to thank Penny at marklowry.com for her help in bringing this and my other Senior Trip blogs to you via Mark's website. It's been a great ride. I hope those of you planning to attend the Spring Fling in April at Gaylord Opryland have a great time.

Day 3, Part 1: Tunes and ICE

I woke up this morning feeling like I've walked 9 miles. Perhaps I did. Made me want to have hijacked a scooter...




After a big breakfast, we headed for this morning's concert and activities.

Yours truly managed to secure a spot as a contestant in the "Name That Tune" contest. There's two abilities I have in this world that I'm pretty confident in: writing, and "Name That Tune" contests. Now, I've won a few of these contests--prizes being anywhere from a few cents to gift certificates. I'm also the person you call if you're on a game show about to win a big pot or a bet on the line and you've got a music trivia question. So I'm feeling I've got a good shot here when it comes to knowing Mark's songs. I knew one of the other competitors would be my dear friend Teresa, who kept assuring me she wasn't really good at this sort of thing and she would probably lose. This might be another easy win, I thought. But then I found out the other competitors would be Kate and Sharon. Two who between them have gone to just about every show on Mark's tour this year. And there was some studying for the contest going on, for heaven's sake. Well, I decided to take the "I don't need no doggone prep" route and let the chips fall where they may.

Turns out it wasn't a typical "Name That Tune" contest where you hear the notes and clues and challenge as to how many notes you can name the song in. Instead, Woody Wright read the clues, we heard the opening notes and had to guess. So there was Kate, me, Teresa, Sharon, and Bill "the all-knowing maestro" paired with last minute contestant, Mark's self-proclaimed #1 fan/elf, Muriel. In my case, I knew every song that was given to me just by the clues alone, so I didn't miss a one. But the eventual winner was Kate by the luck of the draw of being next in the pecking order when someone missed a question (and far be it from her to miss any!). Though some agreed I was the clear winner (astounded by the fact that I didn't even need to hear the full clue!) I officially placed second, but it's all good--I and the others came away with lovely parting gifts (Woody and Mark CDs, t-shirts and "Mary Did You Know" autographed books).

After "Name That Tune" came more music with an extended set from LordSong, where they did crowd favorites "Lord of the Dance" and "Day Three" (and Kim asked for prayer for her dad, who sadly is having a recurrence of cancer). We showed some love to Stan Whitmire and heard him play more lovely holiday piano. Mark moved often between funny and serious during this show when sharing about God's grace and how God can use us broken folks, and needing to be peacemakers and pray for peace. Mark sang "Home Where I Belong", "Make It Real", and "Let There Be Peace On Earth". It all ended up with a Christmas song singalong. I don't like to sing along all that much myself--I'd much rather hear everyone else and take it all in.

Now really, I don't mean to be a broken record about this and I mean no disrespect or slight to any of the other great artists who have been with us these few days. But I have to say this again, and in talking with some of my fellow trip-ers, I'm not alone...Mark's singing has just been brilliant these past couple of days. Even when he was leading the singing for the carols portion, the best part for me was listening to him. Simply beautiful.

Oh, and speaking of piano--Mark actually played a little piano for us and did a pretty good job. Then Woody and Barbara Fairchild got into the act. Stan, no worries, you still have your job security.

After the show, it was on the shuttle bus and off to Minnesota, uh, I mean the ICE exhibit. I must say I got a cold nostalgic feeling walking through the exhibit in a parka (first time I've worn one since last March in St. Paul). I thought I was back at the St. Paul Winter Carnival as I walked through the ice sculpture area, except the SPWC never had sculptures along the line of the nativity and angel (aside from the ice palace every few years). One thing I never did back in St. Paul was go on the ice slide, so I did go on it here. I told everyone that the cold air they felt walking through had been my world in the winter time the past 18 years in St. Paul, getting up and out in it early to catch a bus for work. To answer all the questions, no I don't miss that at all.

I left my trademark red hat behind for the ICE tour and figured no one would notice. Wrong. A dozen people in the line asked me where my hat was. I should have known better. Don't worry, it will be back tonight for the finale.

Day 2: Worship, Jokes and Christmas Songs

It was a record setting mild day here in Nashville, warm enough to get out and exercise in shirtsleeves. Skip the fitness center; the Opryland hotel outer grounds and the complex give you plenty of tread for a good walking workout.

The morning worship portion of Senior Trip had lots of the most effective tools of ministry used by Mark and his on-stage guests: music and humor. Woody Wright put both of those to use to start off, with his opening number "So Glad God Is Looking At My Heart" (and as he quickly ad libbed, not listening to his track as it malfunctioned toward the end of the number). He quipped about writing songs for country artists that the artists never heard, then smoothly transitioned us to thinking about God's grace for all of us ("one size fits all, but individually").

Though Mark tried to get us closer to him by asking us to move our chairs up, that was short-lived due to fire code regulations. He did encourage us to get closer to each other over these few days and more importantly, get real with ourselves and closer to Jesus. After that came a beautiful rendition of "God Doesn't Know".

Barbara Fairchild did sing to us, but she came here this morning mainly to talk. And talk she did, bringing us a powerful message about really allowing God to use us. Using her own personal experience as a teen, she stressed that we need to let out the pain and hurts of the past before we can really begin to heal. At that point, Jesus can step in and work a miracle, making up anything we lack and helping us to heal. Barbara told a moving story about reaching out to a young woman who was closed emotionally and eventually getting through to her heart by being like Jesus to her.

A time to reflect...and a time to laugh. Next came "Joke-e-Oke" where audience members came up and told their favorite jokes. There was a wide range of types and topics; pet jokes, fishing jokes, sports jokes and of course, Sunday school and church jokes. Two of my favorites: The two sisters who went to the post office to buy stamps and were asked what denominations they wanted. This threw them for a loop, so they requested a few Methodist, Baptist, etc. The other was a woman who survived vocal cord cancer and joked about the driver who "drives like lightning--hits trees."

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This evening's Christmas concert highlights brought us wonderful sets by Janet Paschal and Joy Gardner, pristine singing from LordSong, music and humor from Woody Wright and Barbara Fairchild. Mark sang incredibly on "The Christmas Song" (oh, no, Mark--thank YOU!) and of course, "Mary Did You Know". But the clear hit of the evening was the Voices of Lee. These amazing young singers are led by Danny Murray, who has lots of personality, spirit and passion for the music. I could imagine these kids giving him 110% each time they sing or learn a song. And in the middle of their second set, God showed up big time and we went with the flow.

One main theme that Mark spoke of was despite the interruptions or whatever we are going through, God is up to something, it is eternal and for our good.

Day 1: Mark Lowry Evening Concert

Getting to this year's Nashville Senior Trip was a breeze. No flight delays or flying weather to worry about. Quite the advantage to actually live in Nashville for this event. Even the weather didn't rain on my drive as predicted (and folks, the temperature was in the 60s. Gotta love it). Plus, no big nasty traffic driving here (then again, I avoided rush hour). It was way too easy. I mean, even my room was ready when I arrived.

I'm very lucky to have, within the space of one week, heard in concert two of the greatest male vocalists in this business, in my opinion: Michael McDonald last week and Mark Lowry this evening. I must make note here once again that "Untitled Hymn", particularly performed live, is perhaps one of the best showcases for Mark's style, passion and the beauty of his voice that he's ever had.

This evening was the kickoff concert, opened up by a choir which came recommended by the Perrys, from College Heights Baptist Church in Gallatin. LordSong followed with an acapella version of "Our Father", then out came Mark, doing "Be the Miracle", "Heaven Medley" and "In the Garden" from his hymns CD. On the latter song, he said he "got to be like Frank Sinatra, but alive". I dare say that Mr. Sinatra would well approve of his vocal abilities. Again I note--there's no studio sweetening necessary here. Stan Whitmire was featured on "Winter Wonderland"--his piano stylings fit the atmosphere quite well.

Much of the concert was what you'd expect from Mark--the motorcycle accident report, Miss Barth, TV themes medley, good natured tweaking of the denominations (particularly Baptists and Pentecostals) storytelling rabbit trails ranging from talking to oneself, not finding your hotel room at Gaylord Opryland and Pentecostal hairstyles of the 60s to some great singing by Mark and Lordsong. No matter how often the stories are told, the audience just loves it.

Other quick highlights:
- The Perrys once again showed why they've become a Senior Trip favorite, getting the crowd encouraged and energized. Tracy Stuffle (who also added bass to a couple of quartet songs with Mark, Stan and LordSong members)is a great emcee and Libbi, ever the trouper, sang through a case of pneumonia.
- Wedding anniversaries from one year to 59 and those serving in the armed forces were recognized.
- Mark singing parts of songs from one of Stan Whitmire's contemporary pop piano albums. I didn't think Mark knew the song "Get Here". Mark, I'm telling you and I've told you for years...you need to make an album like that. And put "Get Here" on it. That will sound amazing.
- Young Perrys pianist Matthew Holt with a touching tribute to Anthony Burger, which he played at Anthony's induction into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame, earning him a standing ovation.

Here's hoping Mark found his room. I've found mine so I'm turning in. More tomorrow.

Watch this space...

I'll be blogging from Mark Lowry's Senior Trip Nashville at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel and Convention Center in Nashville, TN December 10-12. I'll try to have something up every day if schedules and computers allow. Stay tuned!