ACAFEST photos are starting to come in.  Here are some shots taken by Randy Glover at the 8:30 A.M. class.


Check out the ACAFEST gallery here (we'll be updating it.)
We also have some great shots taken of the Praise & Harmony recording by my friend, Mary Lewis.


Check out the entire P&H recording gallery here.

I grabbed a few portraits of some of the wonderful people who sang on the upcoming Praise & Harmony CD.  I believe that happy people make happy recordings!  I believe that hearers can tell so much more about the singers by listening to the finished product and can actually "hear it in their voice."


Check out some of the other folks in my Portrait Gallery here.

It takes quite a number of people to make a recording run smoothly.  Here are a few from our team, including the recording project leader, John Bynum.

Mary Lewis captured quite a few photographs I'll be sharing as soon as I get them uploaded.

These past couple of days, singers from around the nation descended upon Music City to record our next Praise & Harmony CD.  There is nothing like the sound of this many voices and hearts joined together in beautiful harmony and praise!  I'll post pictures soon.

In addition to the AVB reunion concert, we'll be hearing from so many other Christian artists throughout the week.  Hosting the Thursday artist showcase (2:00 PM in Alumni Auditorium) will be none other than the very talented and energetic Paul Williams.

Happy Birthday to Kenny G. He turned 53 years old yesterday.

He had a big birthday party in one of New York's hottest elevators.

- Jimmy Fallon

Look at the right side of my blog and you'll see a count down notice, "___" days until ACAFEST.  It has been counting down for the past year.  It now says, "1 Day Until ACAFEST."  Below that, you'll find a playlist of favorite Acappella songs, including many from the brand new album, Find Your Way.

Pray for all those who are traveling from far and wide to join us during this week, celebrating the human voice, the power of song and the One who created us.  Eclectic styles will be represented in special concerts.  The AVB reunion benefit concert will be the icing on the cake.  If you can't be here this year, we hope you'll make plans to be in NashVegas next year for the family-friendly, Summer Celebration / ACAFEST.

We are putting the finishing touches on ACAFEST 2009.  People will be traveling long distances to join us for a time of singing and celebration.  The time has come.

I highly recommend visiting Mammoth Cave National Park.

After 27 years, service on the supersonic Concorde stopped.  Why?

Are leaders held more accountable for their speech?

I didn't realize some of my spins were caught on video tape!  Check out the article here.

I just received some additional photos of our racing school experience. 

The Acappella Company is looking to hire a full-time Office Assistant to handle tasks including answering the phones, shipping, etc.  If you know someone in the Nashville area interested in applying, please contact Brent Vaughan.

As I continue posting reports of our May Mediterranean cruise, our itinerary finds us sailing from Ephesus to Athens, Greece.  Our tour guide, a native of Greece, spoke eloquent English, much better than I ("reckon' that ain't too hard?")

At the Summit of the Americas, the leaders of Cuba, Nicaragua,

and Venezuela all agreed that capitalism will destroy the planet.

Then they all hopped in their private jets and returned to their huge palaces.

                            - Jay Leno

ACAFEST arrives in only eight days!

What a dream come true to attend this driving school!

Who managed Elvis?

What do you see emphasized more often – godly example or public giftedness?

It was a pleasant surprise to come across this connection to one of my songs on Bobby Valentine's blog.

I found this article very interesting.

One of the highlights of our recent vacation was the historic city of Istanbul, Turkey.

California Governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger, says it's time to consider legalizing marijuana.

University of California says they may start a marijuana research center.

Really? I thought the University of California was a marijuana research center.

                                                                                         - Jay Leno

We are excited to announce our partnership with Oklahoma Christian, which will move the singing group, Acappella, to based in Edmond, Oklahoma.  Check out the press release: 

Oklahoma Christian University (OC) has reached an agreement with the Acappella Company that will move members of the popular Christian vocal group Acappella to the OC campus this fall. The company’s headquarters will remain in Goodlettsville, Tenn.

Dr. Mike O’Neal, president of OC, said the goal of the partnership is to promote the beauty and spiritual merit of a cappella music. The agreement with Acappella provides significant benefits to both parties. 

“Many of the talented young people who have been a part of Acappella over the years have had to put their college education on hold because of the group’s busy schedule and extensive travel,” he said. “We are providing scholarships to the members of the group. Though Acappella will remain independent of the university, their presence on our campus will result in much goodwill toward Oklahoma Christian as they minister throughout the world.”

Keith Lancaster, founder of Acappella and CEO of the Acappella Company, said, “Never before has the need to celebrate and strengthen the wonderful heritage of a cappella singing been greater. Along with the international concert ministry, Acappella will be mobilizing to lead worship for youth events as well as training and developing a cappella worship leaders. We are energized by Dr. O’Neal’s vision and foresight as he leads Oklahoma Christian to be an ever greater source of strength to equip the local church. Acappella Ministries is honored to be included in this mission.”

Lancaster — songwriter, producer and original lead singer — started Acappella in 1982 with a mission to communicate Gospel truths through music. Believing in the awesome versatility and flexibility of the human voice, Acappella can fill a large concert hall with beautiful, intricate music without instrumental accompaniment.

Acappella’s fan base steadily grew through the 1980s as the group experienced many lineup changes and constantly experimented with fresh new sounds. The landmark album, Sweet Fellowship (1988), ushered in one of the most significant developments in the group’s membership and style. Lancaster stepped out of the group as lead singer to focus on the role of producer and manager. The group continued to change after that, developing a unique sound that has been mimicked by countless groups around the world.

Signed to Word Records in 1990 (and later to Epic Records), Acappella’s popularity soared with releases such as Rescue, We Have Seen His Glory and Set Me Free. Media exposure included many television appearances, while the song “More Precious Than Gold” became the centerpiece of a Sony Camcorder television commercial. Acappella’s new album, Find Your Way, is a mix of strong harmony and sound biblical lyrics. Featuring Acappella’s trademark strong bass and soaring tenor, Find your Way marks a triumphant return for the quintet since their last release of three years ago, Radiance.

Five talented young men — Allen Brantley, Robin Brannon, Zac George, Anthony Lancaster and Zach Wilson — continue Acappella’s work today in concerts all over the world. When Acappella relocates to Oklahoma City in August, Brantley will hand the bass singer baton to Wes McKinzie, who previously toured for seven years with another Acappella Company group, AVB. McKinzie, who is OC’s associate director of marketing services, will join Acappella while retaining his current position at Oklahoma Christian.

This official partnership builds on a long history between Oklahoma Christian and Acappella. Thirteen former or current OC students have served with the Acappella Company through the years: Brantley, Rodney Britt, Luke Coles, Will Coleson, Zac George, Michael Forehand, Steve Maxwell, McKinzie, Robert Orr, Max Plaster, Chet Sweet, Denise Sweet and Bret Testerman.

For additional information concerning Acappella, log on to www.acappella.org. For more information about Oklahoma Christian, log on to www.oc.edu.

Remember what song these lyrics came from?
"Mountains come out of the sky and they stand there. . . "
I think of these words when I see this photo I took last year.

Howard Hughes built a gigantic airplane, the Spruce Goose, so called because to conserve metal in wartime the craft was made chiefly of spruce wood.  True or False?

I was struck by the contrasting diversity of each port and country we visited.  After leaving Italy, the distinct style of this Greek Island was apparent from our first look. 


All the buildings are painted white; many with colorful trim.


As the cruise ship passengers descended upon this island, I’m sure the population multiplied.  Shopping opportunities abounded.


Now I understand all the talk about the beauty of the Greek Isles.

How does what we do every single day affect our ability to lead worship on Sunday?

What an eerie experience to stroll back in time via the streets of Pompeii.  As a result of the deadly volcano's sudden eruption, this city became one of the most well-preserved sites of antiquity.