East Coast Tour - Day 3

We left Elim Lodge this morning after a leisurely breakfast with the camp director, David Rivers, and started to head east.

After a clear, easy day of driving, we arrived in Montreal!

We don't have any concerts here, but we'll be enjoying a well needed mini-vacation before heading to Nova Scotia for our next concert.

In the meantime, let the fun begin! We took it easy tonight and hit a fantastic little pizza place on St. Denis where I tried (and devoured) an escargot pizza. Yes, that's snail pizza.

I'm a picky eater in many ways, but give me the chance to eat something weird, and I'm game!

New Photos!

I've just posted the photos from last week's Garden Concert. I'll get some tour photos up tonight.

You can see the photos by visiting our Facebook page. 

Don't worry if you're not on Facebook - all our content is public!

www.Facebook.com/InfinitelyMoreBand

East Coast Tour - Day 2

What a full day here at Elim Lodge!

This morning, we sang for the camp's main worship service. The large sanctuary was packed with campers and folks from neighbouring towns. We sang You Take Me Higher, A Divine Heart Imagined You, and Amazing Grace (My Chains are Gone.) 

Before the service, I went out in the field next to the church to do some vocal warm ups. On the other side of the field, a man was doing his own warm up - stretching, push ups, and jumping jacks. I couldn't help but smile at the dichotomy of the images - me in my Sunday best, him in his work out clothes, and both of us stretching our muscles for the big game.

You'll never go hungry at Elim Lodge, and lunch was a feast of roast beef, Yorkshire pudding, and all the fixings. I think it's a safe bet that most people took a nap this afternoon.

I actually spent the better part of the afternoon sitting by the water and painting. Pure bliss...

This evening, we sang a few songs for the evening service. The preacher wanted to speak on 'healing' so for the song before the message, we gave our testimony about our car accident and sang Healing is in Your Hands. It's been a while since we've shared that story, and it felt good to minister in that way.

It's really been a fantastic kick off to the tour. Tonight, we spent time chatting with new friends at the Snackery and packing up. Tomorrow, we head to Montreal for a much needed mini-vacation before heading to Nova Scotia for our next concert! 

East Coast Tour - Day 1

It has begun!

After months of planning, we are officially on our East Coast Tour!

Today we pulled out of our driveway with a car full of guitars, gear, CDs, maps, clothes, and of course, our espresso maker. Over the next month, we’ll drive 6000 kilometers, sing in 4 provinces, and do our best to eat a lobster or two.

Our first stop is Elim Lodge campground, just north of Peterborough, ON. We came here last year and loved it. They’ve put us up in a little cottage right by the water. Tomorrow, I have grand plans to sit outside and paint a bit …

Tonight was our opening concert. It feels so great to sing our songs, and actually give people the opportunity to take the music home with them!

After the show, we visited the Snackery for late night hotdogs and ice cream.

Tomorrow we’ll be singing at both the morning and evening worship services, so tonight we’re planning songs and getting some much needed rest.

THE CDS ARE HERE! THE CDS ARE HERE!!!!

It’s official:

We are thrilled to announce the release of our 2, 

yes TWO, new CDs!!

Infinitely More contains 10 songs featuring our signature vocal harmonies, Gerald’s ripping guitar, and a fantastic band of Nashville musicians. We wrote 8 of the songs, and also included “How Great Thou Art” and “Amazing Grace (My Chains are Gone).”

Every Church is a Small Town is Gerald’s debut songwriting CD! This awesome collection of songs, written entirely by Gerald, is a great blend of inspirational anthems and country story-songs.

You can purchase CDs at any of our live events,

or online at www.InfinitelyMore.ca/Store

The CDs are in the oven!!

Well, at the manufacturer...

After a week of 14 hour days - listening to mixes, listening to masters, getting photos, working on graphics, looking at proofs, singing a concert & two church services - the CDs are finally being printed!

We're getting a "short run" which means we'll have CDs to take on our East Coast Tour this month.

This is sooooo exciting!!!!

Here's a sneak peek at the packaging:

More photos!!!

We hit Toronto Beaches today to get photos for our Infinitely More CD artwork.

I took a few shots on location. 

You can find them on our SITE and FACEBOOK page.

With our graphics designer, Linda van der Beek. 

The Joy & Challenges of Recording...

The busiest month of my life was January, 1999. Toronto residents will remember that winter as the year the snow was so bad the city called in the army reserves to haul it out.

In 31 short days, I:

• moved into my first solo apartment
• booked and shot a commercial
• booked and shot a short film
• booked and started full-time rehearsals for Tony & Tina's Wedding at Second City
• taught preschool 5 mornings a week
• sang as a soloist for a church choir every Sunday

Why mention the snow? Because, not only did I spend the month walking and taking transit through several feet of it, but the snow banks were so high that all we could move into my apartment was a cot, a TV, and an armchair.

I remember walking down King St. to a dress rehearsal at Second City and feeling incredibly disoriented. "Ah," I thought, "This is what it feels like to be sleep deprived."

I thought of this time period last week, because I found myself overwhelmed at our current schedule and thought, "When is the last time I was this busy?"

January, 1999.

Recording these CDs will probably go down in our family history as one of our greatest challenges ever. Taking on 2 CDs at once is crazy at any time, but add in 3 weeks worth of lost recordings due to studio issues, 2 weeks of laryngitis for me, and all the other things that have needed to be done, and I think it's fair to say it's been a bit wild.

Our days have been filled with long studio sessions, hours of listening to mixes, arranging photo shoots and graphic design, getting everything in place with the manufacturer, mastering the projects, planning our August tour, teaching baby music, and of course, and planning, rehearsing, and playing 2 church services a week. Oh, and did I mention I signed up for an 8-week Musicians Summer School to study music marketing?

Needless to say, we're tired, a little overwhelmed, and a frightfully antisocial.

But I'll also say this: 

We're inspired, excited, and tremendously hopeful 

about the future of our CDs! 

"Every Church is a Small Town" is full of amazing songs played by incredible Nashville players. Gerald really sang the you-know-what out of them, and the mixing created a CD that sounds ready for the radio. I know people will be inspired by Gerald's song-stories of love and hope.

"Infinitely More" is so much larger, bolder, and moving than either one of us ever imagined (asked or imagined?) Every piece - from musicians to harmonies to mixes - has come together to create something that both represents us as a duo, and surpasses our expectations. I feel these songs will find a place in both personal iPods and church worship services.

We're in the final days - a photo shoot today, one more vocal session on Saturday, some more mixes, working out graphics, the final mastering, and then, getting them pressed into actual hold-in-your-hand CDs!

We've been so challenged in these recent months, but I feel confident that we're following God's plan, leaning on His strength, and singing His song.

How can we not feel blessed? 

New Photos!!

We've got new photos posted of our recent vocal sessions, 

and the photo shoot for Gerald's CD - "Every Church is a Small Town."

You can see the photos on our SITE or our FACEBOOK page.

Gerald and our graphics designer, Linda van der Beek, at the tower door of St. John's York Mills Church. St. John's was the inspiration for the title track, "Every Church is a Small Town."

Studio Update!

Today was a big one - 9 hours in the studio!

Gerald started the day and I took the early evening shift. It's been weeks since I've been well enough to record anything, so I was a little nervous, but it all went really well.

I'm happy to say that we've now finished 

all the vocals for Gerald's solo CD!!!

Denny, our producer in Nashville, has all the pieces, and he's already started mixing. By next week, we'll be ready to master.

Now, to turn the focus on completing the vocals for our Infinitely More CD. There's a lot of work to do in a very short time, but everyone is bringing their A game, and it's exciting to see it all come together.

Just a reminder that you still have a few weeks to pre-order the CDs and get free shipping. Visit www.InfinitelyMore.ca for more details.

Friday - back in the studio! 

Canadian Worship Night - The Stories Behind the Songs

When I realized July 1 was a Sunday, I thought, "Wouldn't it be cool to have all Canadian worship music at The Gathering for Canada Day?"

So tonight, that's just what we did! I did some research and found the stories behind all the songs, and gave it out to the congregation.

As my Canada Day gift to you, 

here are the stories behind the worship songs*

 we sang tonight:

*The Gathering often incorporates secular inspirational songs into worship, so for tonight's purposes, Gordon Lightfoot and Neil Young are worship writers! 

Heart of Gold

By Neil Young

"Heart of Gold" was released on the 1972 album Harvest, and was a #1 hit in both Canada and the USA. In 2004, Rolling Stone ranked it #297 on their list of the 500 greatest songs of all time. The song is one of a series of acoustic pieces which were written partly as a result of a back injury. Unable to stand for long periods of time, Young could not play his electric guitar and so returned to his acoustic guitar, which he could play sitting down.

Come, Now is the Time to Worship

By Brian Doerkson

In the mid-1990’s, Canadian worship leader, Brian Doerkson, and his family were in their lowest place - they lost everything financially, experienced a tremendous ministry failure, and discovered a genetic illness in 3 of their 6 children. In the midst of this time, he took a prayer walk and heard the line, “Come, now is the time to worship…”. He realized that the call to worship sounded in all times and in all places, not just for those who have it all together - we are called to worship even at the lowest  points in our lives. Doerkson wrote the song and used it in his private worship for weeks. Within months of bringing it to his church, it was being sung in churches around the world. 

You Take Me Higher

By Gerald Flemming

Gerald wrote “You Take Me Higher” in 2011 as a congregational song of praise. It expresses the joy and energy of a personal encounter with an all-powerful God. “You Take Me Higher” has been featured in The Gathering’s recent video teaser, and will appear on Infinitely More’s upcoming debut CD.

Hallelujah (Psalm 31)

By Leonard Cohen 

Tonight’s verse text: King David

"Hallelujah" was originally released on Cohen’s studio album, Various Positions (1984). Cohen's original version contains several biblical references, most notably evoking the stories of Samson and the traitorous Delilah from the Book of Judges, as well as the adulterous King David and Bathsheba: “she cut your hair" and "you saw her bathing on the roof, her beauty in the moonlight overthrew you." Tonight’s text draws from Psalm 31 - ironically, a psalm attributed to King David.

If You Could Read My Mind

By Gordon Lightfoot

"If You Could Read My Mind" reached number one on Canadian music charts and was Lightfoot’s first recording to appear on the American music charts, reaching number 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart in January 1971. Lightfoot has cited his divorce for inspiring the lyrics, saying they came to him as he was sitting in a vacant Toronto house one summer.  

Living Manna

By Allison Lynn

Allison wrote “Living Manna” late one night in her parent’s Burlington living room. The song speaks to the wholeness of God, as found through bread, water, blood, and the Trinity. “Living Manna” will appear on Infinitely More’s upcoming debut CD.

Refiner's Fire

By Brian Doerkson

One day, while stuck in traffic, Brian Doerkson felt the presence of the Holy Spirit and ‘heard’ two lines being sung repeatedly - “Purify my heart, let me be as gold…” He rushed to his church, hid away in a back room with his guitar, Bible, and concordance, and began to search through all the references to “purify.”  Doerkson says this about the song, “...singing words like ‘Purify my heart’ is so dangerous and so important. It prepares us to see God. … Our calling and role in God’s unfolding redemption depends on our hearts being purified. And our relationship with God depends on it as well.” 

God keep our land, glorious and free!

Happy Canada Day!!

Lose a Voice - Read a Book...

So, as frustrating as my recent bout with laryngitis has been, I've been reminded by friends and supporters that this is also a time to rest, think, and allow myself some quiet time.

One gift has been hour upon hour of reading. I've started and finished 3 books in the past week!

I've enjoyed all three, so I wanted to share them with you. Here goes:

HEAVEN IS FOR REAL

By Todd Burpo

I will totally admit that I secretly mocked this book for months (which goes against my personal philosophy of not judging a book I haven't read, a movie I haven't seen, or a song I haven't heard, but I digress...) I had so many people recommend it that I finally gave in. And I have to admit, I was moved. I don't know how much of it I can believe, but I do believe that this family had an extraordinary experience, and it's one worth sharing. The book is well written, and I think the discussions it can evoke are worth having.

THE PATRON SAINT OF LIARS

By Ann Patchett

I read Ann's book Bel Canto as my 'airplane book' a few years ago, so I was excited when I saw this on the table at Costco. I love books that tell stories from multiple points of view. A theme in a lot of my reading and watching this year seems to be "the power of being loved." This book investigates the consequences of not accepting that love. Great storytelling and writing!

UNLEASHED

(Previously released at THE BARBARIAN WAY)

By Erwin Raphael McManus)

I heard Erwin at this year's Break Forth conference and he was my favourite speaker of the weekend. This book encourages us to rip away at civilized Christianity, and answer the primal call of Christ to "Follow me." What do we do when Christ calls us into risky places? What does a Christian 'barbarian' look like? It's obvious that Erwin is a bit of an adrenaline junky, so it would have been nice to have a few examples of risk taking that don't involve waterskis, ATVs, or visits to the ER. That said, I love this book. It's one of those books that shouldn't be simply read and closed - instead, we should use it to re-evaluate our faith walk and practices.

Every Singer's Nightmare...

Over a week ago, I started to feel a tightness in my throat. I told myself I was just tired and needed to warm up a little more gently, but I was wrong. Before long, I had every singer's nightmare: a lost voice!

I fought it for days - keeping silent when I could, drinking herbal throat tea with honey, breathing through my nose - but it was no use.

By Wednesday night, I was silenced.

On Thursday, I had to cancel a class. I started communicating with Gerald by texting.

On Friday, we had to cancel my time in the studio. Gerald told me I was off the team for Sunday's Gathering service.

On Saturday, I listened as Gerald and Monika rehearsed for Sunday.

And today, I spent the afternoon in a glorious bath of self-pity. 

I was just so frustrated!!! Here we are, recording vocals for our CDs, and I have no voice!! Our schedule is so tight, and we've already been put behind with some technical stuff, and now, I'm completely useless.

So tonight, I sat in the pew while Gerald led worship for the Gathering.

I was tired, but I knew I needed to worship. I opened my hands, lifted my arms, and sang my heart-song to God. I prayed, and listened, and felt the spirit.

I had chosen the songs for the service last week. How was it that I planned "Be Still and Know"? Did God plant that in my heart because He knew I'd need to hear it tonight?

I can't say I'm happy that I'm still voiceless, but I can say this:

Refreshed by worship, encouraged by friends, loved by my husband, and loved by God - 

I feel at peace tonight.

Book Review: The Truth About Grace by John MacArthur

I choose this book to review for 2 reasons: I had heard great things about John MacArthur, and I'll take any chance to read about grace. I finished this book for two reasons: I had agreed to review it, and I hoped I'd learn something about grace.

Don't get me wrong. I didn't hate this book, but there were 2 things in the first chapter that, if I hadn't agreed to review it, would have made me put it down. First, instead of quoting scripture, it gave scripture references. Now, unless you have your Bible memorized (which truly, I do not) then you either need to stop reading and look up every single reference, or you need to keep reading and think, "Well, I assume that reference meant something." Either way, you're not getting the most out of the message. Second, even though I feel solid in my basic theology and church terminology, I still felt like he was speaking academically at times. It made me wonder if this was written for a different kind of target audience?

Now, all that said, I think there's actually some great insight in this book. MacArthur is at his best with his play-by-play of Gospel stories, explaining hidden meaning and historical context. His descriptions of common grace versus salvation grace are wonderful, and I found lots of quotes and paragraphs to underline for further reference.

Would I recommend this book? I don't know, but it's a reminder that, sometimes, sticking with a book you don't love can still give great rewards.


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Recording "You Are..."

Back in the studio for another great night of vocals!

Tonight we focused on "You Are..." - a song Gerald wrote for me. We played it at The Gathering one night, and Rev. Anne called it a "love song" for God, which was a perfect description. It has a soaring melody, and Denny created a gorgeous instrumental track for it.

So tonight, all I had to do was be in the moment, and sing this beautiful love song. I did three full takes, and then we did a little bit of detail work on the second verse. This verse is thick with emotional imagery, so we wanted to make sure that the performance was really telling this piece of the story.

After I finished my lead, Gerald jumped in the booth to do some lovely harmonies for the chorus. I feel so good about what were able to do tonight. I've been teaching a lot lately and that can be vocally tiring, so we've really focused on Gerald's vocals in the last few sessions. Tonight has left me feeling energized and ready to lay down the rest of these songs!

Next session - Friday!

Recording the Vocals...

We've now got three vocal sessions under our belt. The first one really was an exercise in experimentation - how do we capture the sound we love live in the unique setting of the studio?

This week, we've focused on Gerald's solo vocals. He's done some lead vocals on songs from both our Infinitely More project and his solo CD. He's just sounding great, and the more he does, the better he sounds.

Carmon and Gerald working out parts with guitars in hand...

Recording is such a different beast than performing live. Everything feels vaguely odd - no audience, the mic is different, people staring at you through a window...

And in the worst moments, you can start to feel very self conscious - "Oh no! This is being recorded! If I mess up, people will hear my mistakes... forever!!!!"

We're just trying to be relaxed about things - to remember that this is a crazy time, but a time to savour every moment.

Next week, on to my vocals!

Musician as Marketer...

One of the challenges about being an indie-musician is also being a part-time marketer.

I created these posters and order forms last week to help people preorder our CDs. At times like this, I'm really glad I have a MacBook. Nothing replaces a real graphics person, but for simple stuff like this, it's nice to be able to create at home.

I've created a few mini-posters for the CD table we put up at concerts, and some orders forms to keep track of everything.

If you're interested in our preorders, you can find us in person, or you can visit www.InfinitelyMore.ca/Store. 

Hair Cut for Cancer - Over 2000 YouTube Views!

Our video of my recent 10-inch hair donation has received over 

2000 views on YouTube! Whoo-hoo!

If you haven't seen it yet, here 'tis:

You can see photos & info on how you can donate at 

www.InfinitelyMore.ca/CutForCancer 

CD Preorders have begun!!!!

It's official! You can now preorder your copies of our 2 new CDs!

Preordering guarantees you'll be among the first to receive your CDs. 

As soon as the first batch is printed in late July, all preorders will be placed in the mail. 

Oh, and did we mention we're offering FREE SHIPPING on all preorders?

Infinitely More features 9 original songs of praise and reflection, and our signature arrangements of "How Great Thou Art" and "Amazing Grace (My Chains are Gone)."

Every Church is a Small Town is Gerald's first solo CD! 

His soulful vocals will shine on 10 of his original Inspirational and Country songs.

Both CDs are backed by an incredible band of Nashville musicians!

Each CD is only $15.00 CAN, and let me say again - FREE SHIPPING!!!! 

To place your preorder, 

please visit www.InfinitelyMore.ca/Store

New Video for The Gathering at SJYM!

Every Sunday night, Gerald and I lead the worship band for 

a contemporary worship service called The Gathering.

We've just completed a teaser video to give a sense of what we do there. 

It features our song, You Take Me Higher.

The Gathering runs every Sunday night, 5:00-6:00pm

St. John's York Mills Church, 

19 Don Ridge Dr., North York, ON 

www.sjym.ca

Come join us!