And we’ll wrap things up with some of the Song Categories. I must be quick as time is escaping. As a reminder, if you have Spotify installed and want to follow along, here’s the playlist for most of the nominees. Off we go.

Rap/Hip Hop Song of the Year

NOMINEES: Hallelujah (Lecrae),Intoxicated (JayEss),Please Don’t Let Me Go (Group 1 Crew),Riot (Tedashii),Overdose (Lecrae)

THOUGHTS: More proof that Lecrae should be Artist of the Year, right? 2 of the top 5 Rap songs of the year?

WINNER: Lecrae, probably for Hallelujah.
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Okay, poor planning on my part. But I’m burning the bottom of the candle, and diving into the Dove nominations for album categories. As a reminder, if you have Spotify installed and want to follow along, here’s the playlist for most of the nominees. Off we go.

Rap/Hip Hop Album of the Year

NOMINEES: Backlight (Tedashi),Captured (FLAME),Culture Shock (Jai),Rehab: The Overdose (Lecrae),The Whole Truth (Da TRUTH)

THOUGHTS: This is really indicative of the style of hip hop that is selling these days – the thicker beats and harder tones – and perhaps the lack of a really strong label presence for the likes of Braille, Playdough, and such.

WINNER: Lecrae, especially since he’s such a longshot for Artist of the Year.
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so… we’re back and all seven from last week are back… and the little intro thingie there was totally a nod to the new Thousand Foot Krutch album that released yesterday, The End Is Where We Begin… anyway, a nice mention of Dick Clark’s passing… and we get to hear two songs each? really?… a song from the 2000s and a soul classic if I heard that right… off we go…

Let The Sparks Fly by Thousand Foot Krutch

Hollie Cavanagh picks Rollin’ in the Deep because it’s never been done before (sarcasm)… she’s struggling to control her breathing and the arrangement was not to my liking… Steven says it was perfect and beautiful and what we were waiting for… J-Lo agrees that she let loose and didn’t think at all… Randy says it wasn’t perfect, but it was the first time she had emotion…

Colton Dixon goes Gaga with Bad Romance, hoping to recapture that rock element… i like the arrangement – particularly the half-time for the bridge – and he kept it pretty tight the whole way through… Randy says it was a Colton concert, job well done… J-Lo says his pitch was a little low in some spots, but it was really good… Steven says in order to get to the other shore you need to lose sight of the first one and Colton is doing that really well…
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All Pro Dad by Mark Merrill

I’ve been a dad now for about a decade. What more is there to know? Well, first, there’s knowing that it’s a never-ending process, akin to climbing a mountain to catch a glimpse of the peak.

In All Pro Dad, Merrill, a former NFL player and founder of Family First, uses his initials to provide an alliterative plan of action for fatherhood with the goal of becoming a hero to your kids. His seven Ms outline a life reflective of God’s values and one that will improve your impact on others, specifically your wife and children, and shore up a lasting legacy. This is a book filled with practical advice for intentional living and yet another reminder to properly balance your life’s priorities and invest in your family moreso than your work, or hobbies, or other things that will fade away.

Merrill offers this gameplan sprinkles with insights from leaders in business and sports who have discovered the importance of seeking the right things first. The book walks you through the theoretical steps of discovering your identity, purpose, and goals and then offers a few applications for each of the seven Ms in the appendix.

Fatherhood is a responsibility like none other. The impact you have on your children – for good or for bad – cannot be overemphasized. This book offers a pretty sound framework to help develop your personal parenting style, but more importantly, it begins the discussion, both internally and with your family.

peace… love… bdg…

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One of my traditions here at theTRu is that of predicting (and griping about) winners for the Dove Awards. Since this year’s awards show is right around the corner, I’d better get on the ball before it’s all over. So, I’ll dive right in – only touching on the major categories and maybe a few extras that pique my interest. If you have Spotify installed and want to follow along, here’s the playlist for most of the nominees. Off we go.

Song of the Year

NOMINEES: Alive (Natalie Grant), Blessings (Laura Story), Celebrate Me Home (The Perrys), Glorious Day (Casting Crowns), Hold Me (Jamie Grace), I Smile (Kirk Franklin), I’ve Been Here Before (Ernie Haase & The Signature Sound), Please Forgive Me (Gaither Vocal Band), Who Am I (Jason Crabb), Your Great Name (Natalie Grant)

THOUGHTS: Well, there’s a lot of Southern Gospel represented here, some old and new standbys, and one fresh face. Speaking of, I can’t listen to Hold Me without singing Neil Sedaka’s Calendar Girl in my head. There, I said it. I’m not sure I would’ve picked any of these songs to be perfectly honest, but I’m at a loss for replacements.

WINNER: Blessings should win. Glorious Day is likely to take it home, though.
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When Work and Family Collide by Andy Stanley

If I’m honest, I’ll admit that I cheated both work and family to read this book…

I listen to Andy Stanley’s leadership podcast as well as the “Best of North Point” podcast and one of them recently featured the topic contained within the pages of this very book. And since I work for a company that strongly emphasizes (at least in word if not deed) the importance of a proper “work/life balance,” it really struck me as quite relevant and intriguing. I mean, I’ve heard what the corporate world has to say on the matter and I – like most of us – know what I would like to believe I practice, but what does the Bible have to say about it?

Stanley, who’s quickly becoming one of my favorite authors, covers the topic of priorities and maintaining a healthy focus on work and family by providing examples from Daniel and offering practical advice. It’s clear from the statistics on family life that this is a problem plaguing the masses and one that needs to be addressed more openly. The book is convicting without being accusatory and offers suggestions without being overbearing. It’s also a pretty quick read, partly because – if you’re at all like me – you’ll be captivated and engaged from cover to cover. (If you don’t believe me, get started with a sneak peek now). Very worthwhile investment.

peace… love… bdg…

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Empty Promises by Pete Wilson

One of the most annoying things in life is when someone or something doesn’t live up to expectations. Too many times, I’ve purchased some new technology that promises to make life easier, but ends up costing endless hours in configuration or troubleshooting. Such is life in reality. Pete Wilson offers this poignant reminder that regardless of what we look to for acceptance and love – whether accolades, looks, religion, or even other people – anything this world has to offer won’t fill that proverbial God-shaped hole that aches to be filled.

Empty Promises examines many of the most common substitutes that can quickly become idols in our lives, distracting us from our natural inclination to worship God and find our purpose in Him. Wilson writes with a casual tone that makes reading enjoyable and conversational. The book is full of practical advice for identifying some of the issues we struggle with as well as some steps to take in addressing them. As someone who’s inclined to miss the point from time to time, it’s nice to have things spelled out clearly and honestly.

peace… love… bdg…

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seven more left off we go… of course they didn’t use the save on DeAndre last week… they’re waiting until Phillips gets voted off too early… I already told you that… the real question is, how will they stretch THIS episode into two hours?… oh, I see, they’re just going to let the audience scream longer between each section… and more style advice… tonight is music released from 2010 until now…

Forget You by Cee Lo Green

Skylar Laine makes Akon curse by singing under her trucker hat… probably not really a challenge… she chose Kellie Pickler’s Didn’t You Know How Much I Love You and it’s right in the heart of her wheelhouse… probably better than Kellie, but I’ve never heard the song before… Randy says the song is in her wheelhouse (copycat) and it was crazy hot and crazy good… J-Lo says from what she could hear here, it was perfect pitch and she nailed it… Steven says she sang a complete sentence and the crows may crow, but the hens deliver the goods… that’s the type of remark we love from Steven Tyler…
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apparently we’re now down to the best of the best… eight left after Heejun left… and it’s 80s night, which means songs from before most of the contestants were born… everyone sings a solo and then they pair up for co-ed duets… yay… that’s how they’re filling two more hours… off we go…

And We Danced by The Hooters

DeAndre Brackensick sings I Like It by Debarge… it suits him… and he bounces between a raspy voice and his shrieking falsetto… it’s a good fit for him, but it’s so laid back… J-Lo says it was natural and he moved his hair nicely… Steven says it was captivating and he forgot where he was (which probably had nothing to do with the song)… Randy says it was amazing and likes that he used his natural voice and his falsetto…
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nine remain and I’m not sure what the theme is for this “jam-packed two hour event,” but we shall see how good and bad it will be… we said goodbye to Erika last week and I can’t disagree with the choice even though I thought Hollie would leave… I think I’ll eventually lock in on this group a little better, but I might also run out of time… okay, it’s the idolettes taking on songs from their idols… and performing as trios as well… busy night… off we go…

Open Arms by Journey

Colton Dixon was found by music in church and he’s tackling his favorite worship song, Everything by Lifehouse… great song and knowing this is his taste explains a lot about his vocal… that was spectacular and the first time I didn’t feel like he was fraudulent… Steven says he’s a dream come true for an AI judge… J-Lo was literally moved because it was so emotional… Randy believes in every song Colton chooses and it was unbelievable… COLTON IS IN IT TO WIN IT, DAWG… (or something to that effect)…
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