Congratulations to Paris native, Cherry Jones, for winning an Emmy for her work on the television series 24.

Come join my facebook discussion for an informal town hall meeting. There are many strong opinions out there! I believe we should be able to discuss all issues in a Christ-like manner.

Les Paul changed my life.

Les Paul passed away last week at the ripe old age of 94.  What an amazing man!  And yet, many non-musicians might ask, "Who was Les Paul?"  He was a legend who invented "multi-track" recording.  Some of you may remember this previous article I wrote about multi-tracking, featuring this cutting edge (tongue-in-cheek) cassette cover of my first solo project (from the 70's) on which I sang each and every part (it was magic!)


We transformed the multi-track recording process into a "live," human activity for the purpose of song-writing on the latest Acappella Find Your Way album, as I shared in this article.  Do you remember the popular song that includes these lyrics: "The life I love is making music with my friends . . . ?"

As an inventor, Les was instrumental in developing the electric guitar and many major studio devices.  In addition to being a break-through inventor, he was an avid, award-winning musician who continued to perform until his final days. 

Music brings people together.  Our good friend, Roger Ferguson, lives and breathes music. It is difficult for him to go anywhere around Nashville without someone asking, "Are you Robert Plant of Led Zepplin?"

Gene Dries sent me this photo of two of my favorite artists - James Taylor and Take 6.

Okay, I would not have believed this had I not heard it on television (so it must be true, right?)  Do you remember Bubbles the chimp, one of Michael Jackson's favorite pets?  Apparently, Bubbles grew far beyond his cute, cuddly stage and was moved to Florida, to live comfortably there.  The news story claimed that he was taught to moon walk.  But here's the kicker . . . someone offered to fly Bubbles to Los Angeles for the Michael Jackson Memorial.  No kidding?  I don't hear of animals attending funerals that often, do you?

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Here's a report I did not need to hear . . . Last week, a study actually revealed that people who are overweight live longer.  Yes, that was the report.  I did not hear a mention of how much weight or to what degree, but considering my struggle in controlling weight gain, this report did not need to grace my ears.  (Isn't it odd how conflicting reports surface all the time, contradicting previous announcements?)  On second thought, I suppose it wasn't the Twinkies that killed Elvis, but the drug abuse.

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It happened again.  While at the airport in St. Louis this week, I heard a loud voice directed toward me, coming from the only other person within a reasonable distance.  I almost responded to his words, only to discover he was wearing one of those blue tooth phone attachments on his ear and talking to someone (looking quite odd, as if talking to himself loudly.)  Remind me not to do this.  Or, if I start doing this, take me off the assembly line.  Gently.

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I made the plunge.  I now have Rosetta Stone on my computer so I can begin learning Brazilian Portuguese in earnest.  There will not be enough time to make a difference for our tour to Brazil later this month with the Acafellas (ACAPPELLA), but at least I can get a start on next year.  We have a passion for the churches and the wonderful people of Brazil.  Obrigado.

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ACAFEST 2009 was a wonderful experience!  The variety of hearing Russian vocalists presenting classical music, mixed with a solo R&B artist (former member of The Gap Band), combined with praise teams from Indiana, Kansas, Oklahoma and so much more, brought quite a buffet of a cappella Christian music to Music City.  Of course, I was very proud of The Vocal Union, Durant, AVB and ACAPPELLA.  This quality event was very affordable, especially with dorm housing available to families on a budget.  I'm wondering how we can promote this so that more can enjoy this summer family getaway.  Any ideas?

Today is a very historic day in America!  It's hard to believe that in my lifetime, we would celebrate such a milestone; rising from the shameful events of our troubled past to the current celebration of unity and freedom.  Yesterday, our nation celebrated Martin Luther King.  Today, Barrack Obama is inaugurated as our nations' 44th President.

In the midst of the celebration, allow me to make one troubling comment.  It has accurately been said that "Sunday morning is the most segregated hour in America."  On a very special day like today, I'm forced to ask, Why has the church not been on the forefront of this issue?  Why do our churches remain segregated? Schools and universities became integrated.  The world of sports followed suit.  Government became directly involved in civil rights. Workplaces everywhere have become a refreshing reflection of the communities around them.  So, why is the church continuing to lag behind everyone else in this cause with which we should be in the lead?

Please pray about this and consider doing what you can to build bridges and remove dividing walls.  After all, this is what Jesus would do.

Click the video below and hear Acappella and friends singing, "Lift Every Voice," a very fitting song to mark this day.  Video by Stan Moore.



Lyrics from "Lift Every Voice"

Lift every voice and sing, till earth and Heaven ring,
Ring with the harmonies of liberty;
Let our rejoicing rise, high as the listening skies,
Let it resound loud as the rolling sea.

God of our weary years,
God of our silent tears,
Thou Who hast brought us thus far on the way;
Thou Who hast by Thy might, led us into the light,
Keep us forever in the path, we pray.

Sing a song full of the faith that the dark past has taught us,
Sing a song full of the hope that the present has brought us;
Facing the rising sun of our new day begun,
Let us march on till victory is won.

They are calling it "The miracle on the Hudson." An extraordinary splash landing of flight 1549 in New York City yesterday ended with every passenger being safely rescued.

Sharon and I were also flying yesterday morning.  When we boarded the plane in St. Louis that was bound for Tulsa, I noticed plenty of extra empty seats.  Seeking room to stretch and use my laptop, I moved to an exit row that provided extra space.  As frequent flyers know, sitting in an exit row requires extra responsibilities in preparing for an emergency exit.

I cannot begin to tell you how many times I've heard the mandatory safety instructions given at the beginning of every flight.  Rarely do I ever pay attention.  Yesterday, however, was an exception.  I listened intently.  I found myself studying the detailed instructions on how to open the exit door and what steps were expected.  Air travel is a very safe means of travel, but we should never take it for granted.

Am I the only one who usually ignores the safety presentation at the beginning of flights?  What about you?

Days ago, we read about a person who was trampled to death at a Wal-Mart shopping frenzy.  Today, we received a report about frustrated karoke enthusiasts murdering a singer who overstayed his welcome.

My blog is entitled Hearing Voices, and I specialize in positive news and discussions about worship and singing.  However, this story is very, very sad.

Of course, the Houston area received the brunt of the hurricane damage.  Yet, I found it surprising that in Kentucky, there have been 300,000 cases of power outages resulting from Ike.  Sunday morning, while leading worship in Paducah, we experienced spikes in power and witnessed the results of very strong winds.  Do any of you have family and friends who were affected by the swath of this storm?

Having made the conversion in my laptop choice around Thanksgiving of 2006, I have found the "I'm a Mac" commercials quite humorous.  It seems that Microsoft is ready to fight back.  Check out this article about how the software giant is employing Jerry Seinfield and Bill Gates in a counter-commercial advertising campaign.

What about you?  Will you remain loyal to PC or have you made the transition?  Have I mentioned that macs are immune to viruses?  Which platform do you prefer?

Have you heard of this woman?  Read more here.
She remembers every detail of most of her past in uncanny detail.
A special about her will be aired on 20/20 tonight at 10 PM Eastern and 9 PM Central.

If you live within driving distance of Athens, Alabama, you would be blessed to attend Southside's Homecoming 2008, held at Athens Middle School.  The a cappella Gospel singing is spectacular!  I'll share some pictures later.

It seemed that Forest Gump had the uncanny ability of being right in the middle of major events.  Sometimes, I feel like I also end up smack dab in the middle of current events.  In October, we flew to San Diego, just as the wild fires were starting to spread and people were evacuating. 

While in Charleston, South Carolina, Senator Obama was speaking only a couple of blocks away just before the South Carolina primaries.  The past two days I've been in Washington D.C. and who arrived right behind me?  The Pope.  I heard he may be coming to attend my worship leaders clinic.

They attended the VERY FIRST Acafest in 1986.  The Herndons have been special friends to the Lancasters ever since then.  Most people who are associated with Oklahoma Christian will be acquainted with campus doctor, Michael Herndon and his wonderful family.  I wanted to let you know about something the twins have been involved with.

Like me, you may have cringed when you heard snippets of Reverend Wright's ill-conceived remarks taken from many sermons he has preached.  I've reconsidered my "open and shut" judgment of this matter after reading Mike Huckabee's comments that I discovered through Brian Mclaren's Blog.

Hearing this news makes me wonder if I should start a "strange news" category akin to "Believe It Or Not."

Can you believe that a woman, who did not know she was pregnant, recently gave birth in a McDonald's restroom?  Here's the story.

Obama and Huckabee now in the lead?

A new and reliable Iowa poll places Huckabee well ahead of Romney in the important Iowa contest.  Senator Obama is also jumping ahead of Clinton in this ever-changing climate.

This early contest may not interest a host of people, but I find the breaking news fascinating.  Huckabee leaped 17 points from last month's poll to overtake Romney for the top spot.  The amount of money spent on their respective campaigns brings to mind comparisons of "David and Goliath" proportions.  The Baptist minister seems to be developing a wild-fire, grass roots appeal.

Speaking of religion, Romney is set to give a speech about his faith, obviously to deal with the growing skepticism of his Mormon theology.  His speech, scheduled for the Bush Library this week, is drawing comparisons to John F. Kennedy's head-on approach to questions about his Catholic faith.

On the democratic side, Obama has surpassed long-time front runner, Hillary Clinton as he continues to gain momentum.  Clinton, who barely acknowledged her opponents during her reign in the leading spot, has shifted strategies toward attacking Obama head on.  What I find most interesting is that Hillary's strong lead among women voters has evaporated as Senator Obama has surpassed her with that all-important voting group - even before Opra's aggressive efforts later this week.

Who will be the next president of the United States?  Will it be the first woman president?  How about the first African American  president?  Will it be a Baptist minister?  A Mormon?  Or perhaps a former mayor of New York City who holds some views not unlike his democratic opponents?  What about a conservative senator from Tennessee who is a successful Hollywood actor?  This is a very interesting campaign, although conditions can and will change drastically in a just few days, not to mention over the upcoming months leading to the election.

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To avoid getting too serious, let's look at some odd name combinations resulting from the mixing and matching of the candidate names.  Which one is the most unusual?  Would it be Mitt Giuliani?  How about Hillary Huckabee?  Share some others you come up with.

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Have you noticed the macho names that some television personalities adopt?  Can you imagine calling a baby son one of these names?

WOLF      Blitzer
MAJOR   Garrett
STONE    Phillips

"Hey Stone, Major came over to see if you want to go to the park with Shepherd and Wolf." 

(Okay, I can hear some of you saying that I should stick to blogging about a cappella singing and worship!  They say in most circles you should never talk about the divisive issues of religion and politics - and I am meandering into both.)