Keith Lancaster - Hearing Voices

AVB Reunion: Incredible Concert

KeithLancaster — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 02:27:00 -0500

Over twenty former members of AVB vibrated Alumni Auditorium with song and dance on Lipscomb's Campus yesterday in an incredible three and one half hour concert (with no breaks!) Tim Corder did an amazing job of running sound for this multiple combination of groups as Corey Callis ran the lights, with assistance from several outstanding technical support team members. Tim thought it was hilarious that Rodney and I "opened" for AVB, as AVB originated as an "opening group" for Acappella.

Rehearsals

Half the fun was hearing all the different combinations rehearse and prepare their set.

Catching up, reminiscing and fellowshipping was a tremendous blessing!

Their voices are still in top shape.

Their energetic stage presence captivated the audience.

I enjoyed a front row seat so I could capture these great angles.

George Pendergrass always told me that in order to sing really, really well, sometimes your face will show the effort. Check out Bret's passion.

Check out this mid-air shot of the "Celebrate and Party" AVB.

Everyone at the concert felt as if we were "stepping on a cloud" as well. Wes Mckinzie did a wonderful job of organizing this reunion concert. Maybe in a couple of years we'll encourage AVB to sing for a "25th Anniversary"? Everyone was so blessed by this extremely rare treat, as the three and a half hours went by very quickly. If something like this happens again, we hope you'll make plans to join us.

Lipscomb was a gracious host for this event. We'll be adding many more pictures, so keep checking for updates at the AVB Reunion Gallery.

AVB Reunion Teaser

KeithLancaster — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 21:31:00 -0500

On Thursday at ACAFEST, we were treated to a sample of the upcoming AVB Reunion concert, scheduled for 2:00 PM on Friday, July 3rd.

Photos and more Photos of ACAFEST and Praise & Harmony recording

KeithLancaster — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 13:27:00 -0500

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.

Happy Singers Make Happy Recordings

KeithLancaster — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 07:35:00 -0500

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.

ACAFEST Kicks Off In Style

KeithLancaster — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 06:33:00 -0500

Durant
(Photo by Randy Glover)

Portrait of the Week

Keith Lancaster — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 06:00:00 -0500

Recording Team

KeithLancaster — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 20:42:00 -0500

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.

John Bynum Brent Vaughan James Simmons

Praise & Harmony Recording This Week

KeithLancaster — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 16:53:00 -0500

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

The singers for this recording were the best prepared of any congregational recording group I have ever worked with. It was exhilerating!

Praise & Harmony Recording in Nashville

KeithLancaster — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 12:00:00 -0500

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.

ACAFEST Alive

KeithLancaster — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 06:00:00 -0500

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.

Also included in our eclectic line up will be Psalom from Russia.

Come join in the a cappella celebration.

Lighthearted Life Lexicon: Going Up

Keith Lancaster — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 06:00:00 -0500

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

One Day Until ACAFEST

KeithLancaster — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 07:12:00 -0500

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.

Quote of the Day: Strength Training

Keith Lancaster — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 06:00:00 -0500

"Difficulties are meant to rouse, not discourage.
The human spirit is to grow strong by conflict."

ACAFEST: This Week

KeithLancaster — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 16:00:00 -0500

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.

Mammoth Cave

KeithLancaster — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 10:00:00 -0500

I highly recommend visiting Mammoth Cave National Park.

We were blessed to visit this park with our friends, the Sachs.

Derek & Laura; Aeryn & Christian

We enjoyed the violet lantern tour, lasting about three hours.

As we approached the cave entrance on a very hot day (approaching 100 degrees), I was astounded to feel the powerful air current (around 54 degrees) emanating from the cave like a giant air conditioner.

How large is the Mammoth cave network? Although efforts have succeeded in mapping 367 miles of caves, they realize there are so many more undiscovered passages. Mammoth is indeed an appropriate name.

There are many different tours to choose from. The violet lantern tour included a visit to a hospital that had been located in the cave many years ago to treat tuberculosis patients. At that time, they hoped that a cool, damp environment would cure the disease; before later discovering the opposite - - a dry and hot area is a more effective treatment. We also saw early markings of native American tribes of centuries ago.

One of the most interesting aspects of the tour was a cavern where a Methodist church used to meet for services to enjoy the great acoustics. When traveling through central Kentucky, consider touring this wondrous park.

Trivia: Faster than a Speeding Bullet

Keith Lancaster — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 06:00:00 -0500

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

Worship Survey: Articulation

Keith Lancaster — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 06:00:00 -0500

Are leaders held more accountable for their speech?

Photo of the Week: Punch Buggy

Keith Lancaster — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 06:00:00 -0500

News Television Video Of My Racing School Experience

KeithLancaster — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 09:41:00 -0500

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

Hallett Race Track Experience

KeithLancaster — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 05:00:00 -0500

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

Randy Lamp

Again, I want to thank Randy for giving me this exhilarating opportunity. What a memory!

Here are my fellow students in this High Performance Driving School.

Getting strapped in is quite an ordeal.

Here's Randy in his McDonald's racer.

Here I am being interviewed by a local television station (as if I knew anything about high performance driving! ha)

Anyone can go fast on the straight-aways; but skill is required in navigating the turns and controlling your vehicle.

I'm very thankful for this rare experience. Thanks to my friends for a wonderful two days! I hope you enjoyed the photos.

Venician Master Glass Maker

KeithLancaster — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 06:00:00 -0500

Portrait of the Week

Keith Lancaster — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 06:00:00 -0500

Wanted: Office Assistant

KeithLancaster — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 08:37:00 -0500

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.

Athens, Greece

KeithLancaster — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 07:00:00 -0500

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?")

I really enjoyed seeing the Parthenon, especially since Nashville, Tennessee has a full-scale replica. Remember I posted some photos of Nashville's Parthenon a while back? (Nashville has long been referred to as "The Athens of the South.")

As with many of the tours on this trip, it included an obligatory visit to a souvenir / gift shop.

We didn't get to see everything during our half-day trip, but our tour did include a quick visit to this fancy hotel. I have seen several hotels, like this one, where the tour guide told of celebrities, like John F. Kennedy staying there.

The remains of the temple of Zeus showcased the grandest of the Grecian temples.

I would certainly enjoy returning to this city which holds countless, ancient secrets.

Lighthearted Life Lexicon: The Pot Calling the Kettle...

Keith Lancaster — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 06:00:00 -0500

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 2009

KeithLancaster — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 07:13:00 -0500

ACAFEST arrives in only eight days!

My Experience At High Performance Driving School

KeithLancaster — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 06:00:00 -0500

What a dream come true to attend this driving school!

Those of you who have followed my blog will probably remember me telling you about my friend, Randy Lamp, and his blazing car, "The Atom." Jay Leno is among the owners of this hyper-fast, yet street-legal car.

Ashley Randy Dakota Scott

I was thrilled when Randy invited me to join his son, Scott, and son-in-law, Ashley Tucker, to attend a two day performance driving school in Hallett, Oklahoma. The experience was one I never imagined I'd get to enjoy.

When we arrived at the school, we found our "Spec" cars customized, donning our names on the side.

A lot of red and gray :)

Upon arriving the first day, we attended class with an instructor, complete with multi-media presentations. The training materials were very well designed. Our first driving session involved becoming familiar with the car, changing gears, stopping quickly and turning up hill (experiencing the first of many spins.)

We were strapped in like astronauts inside the cockpit of these racers. After each session, we'd receive a print-out of our times around the track, giving us a goal to eclipse. Ashley improved his time the most during our two-day session, while Scott "cleaned our clocks" with the absolute best times.

On the second day, the instructor pushed us to push our own limits, informing us that we had not begun to reach the potential of the cars -- especially on curves and turns. Following our instructor's orders, we proceeded to push the limits. That's when I spun the car on and off the track many different times (at curves and turns.) One time, I spun all the way into the tire wall (and I'm glad we didn't capture any photos of that.)

This was the first time I saw Randy's new car, complete with McDonald's logos.

I have found that whatever Randy sets his mind to do, he does it with uncompromising excellence. It was fascinating to see his brand new car (looking like a rocket) in action, zipping around the track. Thanks, Randy for this unforgettable experience!

Although I didn't set any speed records (maybe the most spins in one lap?), I developed a whole new appreciation for what it takes to be a competitive driver. The team at the Hallett Track was extremely friendly and helpful. While driving the track, you can think of nothing but the task at hand. Very exhilerating! And at those speeds, it's a rush. Again, the word I use to describe these two days is simply "amazing."

Quote of the Day: Undiscovered Gold

Keith Lancaster — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 06:00:00 -0500

"Adversity has the effect of eliciting talents which,

in prosperous circumstances, would have lain dormant."

Trivia: Andreas Cornelis van Kuijk

Keith Lancaster — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 06:00:00 -0500

Who managed Elvis?

Photos Of Our Visit To Ancient Ephesus

KeithLancaster — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 05:00:00 -0500

I have never been to Jerusalem or the area referred to as the "holy lands," but I was thrilled to visit the biblical city of Ephesus. I could not help but snap quite a number of photos at every turn.

The smaller amphi-theater was used for musical events.

I was fascinated by the sewer system Ephesus utilized.

We took a stroll through history.

It was a very unique experience to walk these historic streets.

There is so much of this ancient city that is still available for us to see.

It was very crowded the day we visited, so I tried to take most of the photos without tourists in the picture.

Check out this intricate flooring work.

This is one of my longest posts, as there was so much to photograph and absorb during the visit.

This was the location of the public restrooms.

You could almost hear the sounds of many centuries ago while viewing the ruins of Ephesus.

If you've made it this far in the post, perhaps you are also fascinated with this city.

My favorite place was the giant theater that brought back stories of a riot involving the Apostle Paul.

My lens was not wide enough to catch the capacity of this amazing arena. The acoustics were special in order to accommodate the largest crowds. This trip whetted my appetite to see more of the Bible lands.