The B Word.

Wow, I havent written in a while. To much stuff just going on by! Right now I am sitting in the breakfast nook at the In-laws house in Fort Myers Florida. The woman folk are getting ready and we are going to go and do some Christmas errands.
This Blog entry has no huge purpose, just wanted to say I am blessed.
Sometimes, you can preface bragging by saying the words 'I'm blessed.' I hear it all the time, 'Oh man I am so blessed, I bought a ferrari' okay I don't necessarily hear that statement to often. But you know what I mean.
But I am saying I am blessed, cause God has looked out for me so much. I am blessed with a woman that loves me way more then I deserve. I am blessed with her family and they treat me like there own. I am blessed beyond measure with my own family. I am blessed with not only a job that I love, but people I love working with (Tucker not Jeff). I am thankful for a church that cares about the staff and goes above and beyond. And yes I like the material things I have received, but without those, I am still blessed.
I know there are many who are struggling during this time of year, financial problems, family problems, and I am not trying to rub it in their faces, cause I know those days and I know they will come again.
But to sum this year up in one word it is by far the word blessed.

Life.

Man, it is crazy to see how fast life moves and how crazy its twists and turns can be. I am not referring to anything to specific. But I can say that over 3 years ago I moved to Blacksburg, expecting to be here not really that long. I obviously was open to what God wanted to do with me, but just did not expect to fall in love with this New River Valley area and people!

If you find yourself questioning what you are doing and where you are doing it at, just know that trusting God always, always, always pans out! He has ordained your steps, and all you have to do is follow them (proverbs 20:24).

Thoughts.

Well it has been a little while since I have posted, not trying to neglect, just been busy with things here at church. It has been somewhat of a whirlwind since Aug 26th. We went to 2 service hoping/knowing we would run out of room and we wanted to make it more comfortable for our guests. Well, that was a bust, no not in the way you are thinking. We continued to be packed in the 11am service and now the 1st service is pretty much full. Yes, we are incredibly excited and pumped to be celebrating Christ with this group, but now we are left with a conundrum...what do we do next? God is bringing us people left and right, and we know that it is only going to be through Him that we can minister to them all and we don't just want to stay in this spot, but we are not sure how to grow farther. lol 3 services? New worship place? Just crazy to think about what God is doing.
We are not in the numbers game. And we all know that next week we could have 50. Thats what makes our staff and pastor so great, we don't care. We want to do our best to minister to the people that come. If more come awesome, if less come awesome. From a worship leaders perspective, it is so awesome to see so many worshiping on Sunday mornings!

It is easy to exclaim how God is so faithful when you are in the midst of growth and excitement in a church, but regardless of that God is faithful. If we closed Northstar tomorrow, He remains faithful. If a loved one died today, He remains faithful.

God, thank you for this time of blessing, and thank you for seeing and planning my steps before I knew them.

Take a second.

I know it is the beginning of the semester, every one I know is busy, but take a second to watch this video, and know that the same creator God that made this, wants to talk to you today. So let Him.

Time Lapse Tour of Yosemite National Park from Henry Jun Wah Lee on Vimeo.

American Idol.

Well after being asked numerous times about trying out for this show, and after my cousin founded a facebook group petitioning for me to do just that, I did. Tyler Tokie and Chad Brown - this was for you.
No, I did not even make the first cut, no I am not heart broken (my wife, maybe a little). But I knew this was a game show going in and thats how I treated it. It was fun, but sadly not as many crazy people as I had hoped for. I took some videos which you can see below, but they are all a little shaky because you are threatened to the nines not to take any film.

This is the morning of the registration line. It was crowded. Oh and pay attention to the black guy with the cubano hat on when I pan around, his name was Jimmy and by far the best person I heard sing, and he got through to the next 'stage'... could I be the first to have posted the new 'idol'?


This is on Broadway street in the middle of downtown Nashville. Pretty cool, packed with people and 6 in the morning. It was interesting because it all depended on when you registered, so since we registered early we didnt have to stand around and waste all day Friday or Saturday. So to those still auditioning or planning to, register asap and then show up at 7 on the day of. Promise its worth it.


One of the crew guys was having us yell stuff like 'welcome to music city' and then cheer and stuff, here is a video of that going down...


Finally inside the stadium again more yelling stuff...


more of the same...


they turned out the lights and did this, thought it was pretty cool...


Okay so here is a quick clip of the audition process, they set up 12 tables in the middle of the stadium, call you down in groups of 4 and have you sing to 2 producers. awkward. sometimes they have you sing for 20 seconds sometimes you sing like half a song. everyone in my group sang for like 30 seconds, i sang 3 different songs (signed sealed delivered, yearn, i'll be) so i thought I had a good chance, but notta. oh well...




So I didnt make it, but it was very interesting, and I have to say I would have loved to be the 'judges' behind the table who got to pick and choose and listen to everyone. Although I bet it would have been hard to keep a straight face at times.

Chipotle Vs Moes

So since our little town of Blacksburg is finally getting a Chipotle, I wanted to dissect why this burrito chain is so much better than Moes Southwestern Grill, which if you are not from the area, is directly across the street from the new Chipolte.

First. I am an aesthetically driven person. What I mean is that I put value in the looks of something that is pleasing to the eye, probably over value to be honest. But when something is well designed it is an immediate trap hook for me. In my mind, until proven wrong, when someone places the energy to make something appealing, it's most likely quality. So as we compare these two restaurants, immediately there is a huge gap, that Moe won't close. You can start with the tables, they are steel top in Chipotle, they look like my highschools at Moes. Then just small details that round out the restaurant, the chips served in little brown bags, the black and white pictures and even the font used on the menu. Chipotle has it's own original style, where as Moe just stole all the cliches that come to mind when you think of 'texmex.'

Second. The menu. I already mentioned the way the menu looks but Chipotle has a very limited menu. At first when you hear that it could come across negative, but it is far from it. They have a limited menu because they are pros at a couple of things. Burritos and Tacos. If you make something so well you shouldn't have to add things to your menu to attract people, your food should be the advertising. Moe and Chipotle have two different business models. One is trying to sell food to you, one is trying to make great food you want. Doesn't sound that different, but they are completely different.

Third. Moe's food goes thru me faster then water from a firetruck.

Chipotle wins.

Casual Christian Nation.

Okay, so before you read this, know that I am not a socialist/communist/idiot, I own a house and have a car, like the average American. Please read the entire entry and know I am not trying to be preachy, I just think this is something we should all give a second to think about...
The other night I was watching 'Last Comic Standing' and one of the comedians said something along the lines of 'you know you are a cool country when you have water parks, there are countries that don't even have water, and here we are playing in it.' It's funny, I love how comedians look at things different. But anyways, I thought it was funny, but then it settled in my thoughts and I got a little sad or maybe just disappointed(?) not sure what word to use here.
My thought is this, and again, I love my country but...I wonder if Jesus cringes when he hears us say we are a 'Christian nation.' I know our heritage is based in Christian morality, but if we were truly a christian nation wouldn't things be a little different? At any given moment there are 100,000 orphans in America, if we were a Christian nation, would that be true? (James 1:27). When was last time you spoke to your neighbor let alone 'loved him as yourself'? Sadly I think the 'American Dream' has blinded us as Christians. We all think we have the right to have a bunch of stuff. I know it is a hard pill to swallow, because we have been taught since we can remember that we have the right for the 'pursuit of happiness,' and sadly that doesn't line up with anything Jesus taught. In fact, He taught the direct opposite. He wanted us to give up everything to follow him. (Luke 18:18-25).
If you live in America and you are reading this article, you are rich compared to the rest of the world, that is factual. This is where I panned out, when compared to the rest of the world...
Top 2.88% in the world? Am I being responsible with my cash flow, probably not as much as I should be. Especially after this website pointed out how I could be spending money...

I know that there will be some people that read this and will begin to rationalize their conviction away, but all I am doing is pointing out what Jesus said about wealth and orphans.
I love that my country allows me to search after God how I want, when I want and as loud as I want. I also have nothing but respect for those who have risked/gave their lives to protect our freedom. But to call ourselves a Christian Nation is a bit far fetched. I am thinking 'Casual Christian Nation' would be more appropriate.


Check this out to see how rich you are... Global Rich List

July Mix.

Wow, it is almost July! Crazy, well I wanted to give you all a great playlist for the month of July. Songs that just capture summer or songs that for some reason are just better with humidity. Who knows, but I must say this is a legit list, you should just go to Itunes and download them. Sorry no Nickleback on this one guys...

Blogs I Read

Just a quick blog telling you that you need to visit these blogs, good/brilliant people....

Robot Activate

JonRyanCreative

Jeff Noble

Duck Duck Collective

and of course...
LaRae Davenport

All I need is You.

I am sure that you have heard the song, 'All I Need is You' by Hillsong. But if you haven't...

Hillsong United - All I Need Is You @ Yahoo!7 Video

This song doesn't declare something new, or something that people don't think about. God is all we need. He comes even before food, water and shelter, because if you rely on God the rest will work itself out, I truly believe that, even though I barely act like that. But thats not my point. Every Christian knows, all that they need is God, even if they don't act like it.
The problem is that God isn't all we want. We want so much more, and we now have grown so accustomed to getting it, that if we don't get it we start declaring that it has become a need, so we can justify getting it. I am sorry I should stop using the word 'we.' I want so much more sometimes and I act like they are needs.
I know God is the only true necessity, because if my soul is safe then what does my body need, but when I turn wants into needs I overlook how gracious God has been to me.

Psalm 84 - "my soul thirst for God, for the living God.

Not what I expected.

Life doesn't always go how you think, especially when you plan it out as a 14 year old kid. The summer before my freshman in high school I remember just sitting down to decide what I wanted to do with my life. I cant say I remember exactly what the plan was, but I knew that I was going to marry this certain girl, have kids, and sing. Well that certain girl did not pan out, neither did the next 10. But I did have the singing part right. Maybe not the exact plan that I was thinking in high school, but I get paid to play music, and lead people into worship. Something I would never have guessed, mainly because at that time I thought worship music sucked. And to be honest I still hold that opinion about 'worship music' back then.
Everything changed when I won a 'Sonic Flood' cd the very next summer at youth group. Don't get me wrong, I still wasn't ecstatic about worship music, it was one cd, but that summer, in my Dodge Shadow, I had it made.
I still did not get on the 'worship movement' train. I listened to secular music and Relient K. Really, that was probably my music library, stuff on Z88 and Relient K, until Liberty.
I transferred to Liberty my sophomore year, and Liberty took things to a different level. I remember my first night at LU like it was yesterday, how great my RA's were, and making immediate friends with some guys on my hall. But the main thing I remember was the worship service that night. It was in the Schilling center, which for those who are not familiar with Liberty, picture it as is a big metal recreation center. Anyways, I did not want the music to stop. I know I was incredibly blessed to have some of the best talent Liberty has seen come thru their school, all at one time. One who is touring (Meredith Andrews) and one who should be (Jake Holman).
They were just talented, and seeing Jake lead was really a benchmark in my calling to lead worship. Knowing that someone with talent can lead with out becoming an arrogant jerk, made a stamp in my life. I don't want to leave out the rest of the band, because Dave McKinney is probably one of the most sincere guys I have ever met in my life, and it pours out in the way he leads worship.
Anyways, I had led worship in youth group, but really it was just because no one else sang and I was the singer guy. I can honestly say, I never once thought about making it my 'ministry' until I went to Liberty, and even then it took a couple years for me to even realize that it was what I was truly called to do.
It probably started when my friend Ms. Lauren Campbell, now Lauren Rosenau, told me her sister Taryn Hofert was helping put together a traveling worship band for WorldHelp. They pretty much had their band, and I was applying for the 'media guy' job (putting the mediashout jank together and all that). Well I never ended up touching a computer. I ended up being the second acoustic and background vocals, as they already had everything else, and kind of added a spot for me. Thank you Scott Spruill. During this time, we traveled on the weekends and played two sets every Sunday typically at different churches. It was great. I made lifelong friends from that, and everything I learned from packing up gear, gaff taping stuff, to setting soundboard stuff has gone into doing my job now.
After we were replaced by cute African orphans, probably a good choice, I was jobless for a month and worked one day at Kmart. Literally one day, I quit the next day so I could go to lunch with my friends. But that same week I got a call from Student Life at LU. Thanks you Chris Misiano for finding my application. I absolutely loved this job. I could write a lot about all what I got to do because of this job, but I won't drag this out. But somethings that this job did do, was got me into graphic design. I just met so many creative people and really they all just helped me along, especially Michael Sanders. He showed me the ropes in photoshop and for that I am truly thankful.
Okay, so to sum it all up I just wanted to show you just how crazy God works. He works just as well through people you don't even know as your best friend, jobs that you think are just pointless jobs, and classes that you really want to drop. I know how to run sound, hook up and properly take care of sound equipment, design, edit video, and do my best to lead worship without arrogance but still do my best to do it skillfully. I am sure the list could go on. God uses our situations to grow us, just rely on Him, His path and plan are so much better then your plan, that you had at 14.

Camp (pt2)

It's amazing that the busiest week I have had since college, when I worked for Student Activities and we had events everyday during freshman week, has been the most refreshing week I have had in quite some time. I have had the opportunity to go to 3 different conferences in the past 9 months and will be attending a worship one in September at Liberty, and yet I have been encouraged and refilled more than all those combined. It has reestablished my calling every night, I am a worship leader. I love leading people into worship. I wasn't even in charge this week, all I did was play lead parts (not well) and sang without a mic. I have to look at my guitar a lot when I play lead, so when I did get to look out at the kids, I saw earnest/yearning students wanting to just praise. Man, I wish everyone could have passion and innocence like a 14 year old.
The thing is, kids/teens know what grace is and use it. Adults also can tell you what grace is, but can't get past their own sin. So they constantly beat themselves up and can not worship God, when in reality God has thrown their sin to the east and west. God just wants/deserves/craves your worship. We are sinful people, there really is nothing good about us, but the enemy has started to confuse us, and plant the idea that we are good and that we really can't worship until we get everything lined up in our lives. WE CAN'T. Acting like we can actually offends God, we can not do anything good a apart from Jesus ( John 15:5). When we act like we can it takes away from how incredible Gods grace is. It's like a murderer taking out the trash, and wanting to be praised for doing so. "good job, you carried a bag outside...but you killed a guy last week." Everything that we do is junk to God, BUT (see this is a huge but) with Jesus it becomes brilliant, fresh, and beautiful!
Worship God! Get past your failures, it will probably happen again, and amazingly God will forgive you again, and then again. Forgive yourself and get back to serving and worshiping the God that created you for that sole purpose.

Here are some more videos from this past week...
Prayer/Communion Service.


Nothing like a homemade waterslide.

Camp.

I have always loved camp. I went to the mega camp known as Lift for the last 2 years of highschool, which I loved. But before then our church had a camp for jr/sr high. It was out in the middle of nowhere, but there is something about being in an unairconditioned chapel and sweating, where God can just grab you and rip your heart back to him. I don't know what it is, the nature, the speakers who bring it or just those quiet/intimate moments that really only occur in situations like these.
I am playing guitar at a camp this week, no mic, which is awesome! Within the first 20 minutes my head was swarmmed with my years of camp. The smell of adolescent sweat, although making me cringe, made me think of the dorm style rooms we stayed in, that contstantly smelled of a mens YMCA locker room, even when it was 'clean.' The overwellming smell of perfume just before dinner because the girls didn't have enough time to shower.
Besides all the fond memories of late camp nights, all the camp crushes and of course singing 'pledge allegiance to the lamb' with my brother. I also remember God getting a hold of me during my counselor days at camp chof in ohio. The speaker pulled me aside, and no, I have no idea who he is now. But anyways, he grabbed me and just asked me what I was going to do with my life. I remember not having an answer and he then said, 'well that's fine what are you doing now?' And I wish I could explain what I felt at that very moment. I could have cried, I knew that I was coasting spiritually. I knew God had a plan for me but I was too lazy to do anything. And I knew he just wanted me to transfer. I knew God wanted me at Liberty.
So camp was a big deal for me. Without it, I would never have met, my wife, LaRae. Never realized I was made to worship/lead worship because I wouldn't have traveled and played with CrossCulture. I wouldn't have some of the lifelong friends I met thru Liberty, (Kameno, Stuart, Cedric, Sanders, Glauco, Ryan Law...and the list goes on). All of this is because I was able to get out in the open and hear Gods voice. Thank you camp.
Here are some videos of the week so far, there will probably be more to come...

Look I wrote something!

Hey everyone, it has been a while since I have posted anything, and my pastor was harassing me about it yesterday so I thought I would post some newish music or just some music that I have on repeat right now, here is a condensed short list...

Phil Wickham- Heaven and Earth, this isn't new, but I can honestly say that I listen to a couple of songs every day. Almost all the songs on this album are about heaven, and they are good. Don't just listen on pandora, buy it.

Matt Papa - Your Kingdom Come- His newest album came out in January, and is just good. If you are a worship leader, this music is refreshing cause it breaks the mold for the typical Christian/worship music.

Matt Wertz - While We're Becoming - I got this album when it first came out, but its such a summer album, so good right around 7pm on a deck, with arnold palmer in hand, not the actual golfer but lemonade and ice tea mixed together. It'd be borderline uncomfortable holding hands with Arnold Palmer whilst listening to Matt Wertz, while the son goes down...

I will have some more writings coming out soon(ish). See ya soon.

Not me.

Messing up is a hard pill to swallow when you are leasing worship. This past Sunday, yes Easter, I messed up 2 different times during the worship. Both having to do with capo placement. I was frustrated to say the least. I just kept thinking I messed up how the Holy Spirit was moving. And that I could have messed everything up. 
I sat there beating myself, against my wifes orders. But then halfway thru the preaching I was slapped by that very same Holy Spirit, basically wispered in my ear "really, you think I need YOUR help? Must be thinking a little lofty of yourself Cody...". I can honestly say I laughed, how prideful of me to limit Gods power to how well I sing or play. God is going to do what He is going to do. That doesn't mean I am just going to put my capo anywhere and shrug it off or say I don't need practice, I will still strive to do my best on stage and off. And I know that I  will probably be highlighting the capos on my music from here on out! 

Amazed.

He is incredible. I am selfish.
He is awesome. I am weak.
He is stunning. I am prideful.
He is wonderful. I am awful.
He is spectacular. I am unimpressive.
He is breathtaking. I am commonplace.
He is perfect. I am deficient.

He is everything I am not. Yet he chose to die, so that I could have another chance. Amazing.

26.

Well. March 5th 1984 I was spanked and welcomed to the world. Since that time, I have been incredibly blessed. I know that counting those blessings and talking about what I am so thankful for would require an awful lot of html code. But here is what comes to my mind right now...
Blessed with...
with a family that loves Christ, not just my brother and parents but my grandparents almost all of my family.
A wife that loves me, despite how much I totally fail at this marriage thing.
An incredible group of best friends. Friends that I know I could literally die laughing with, but also would encourage and lift me up when needed. You guys know who you are.
A church that has people that are wanting to know you, and love people. It's awesome to work in a place where people will forego the "typical" church feel to reach lost people.
A pastor that has vision and follow-thru, and I can call him a good friend, Usually you only get one part of that.
new friends.
a wife that works a job she hates to pay my bills!
our first house!
college ministry with students that want to know you, and want Your future for their life.
a Macbook pro & iphone
coffee - everything lacks color without it ; )
Liberty University, can't imagine what life would be like without this place.
Student Activities- probably the most fun job I will ever have.
incredible inlaws - Something I overlook constantly cause I never had bad ones!
a brother I can look up to, and a sister in law that I can make fun of and know she can handle it, plus a nephew and niece that are ridiculously cool/cute, and one on the other side that is growing up and its so cool to see.
history class my 2nd year at liberty
cross-culture - thankful they needed a "media guy"
music, just being able to play and sing. It's so ingrained in me that I never thank God for the talents he has given to me which have all added up to me being in the ministry and serving Him with those talents.
worship music - wickham, shane&shane, hillsong, crowder, tomlin, houston, brewster, glorious unseen, kim walker, brooke fraiser, chris quilala, stanfill
inspiring music - coldplay, wickham, explosions in the sky (make my time go quicker and make me want to write more)
videos that are well made or done with just excellence, and really not for some huge reason like these...

we were in love from John Carl on Vimeo.

pictures that make you just stop for a second...like these...

jonryancreative.com














duckduckcollective.com

















creativity. i know i said the same thing about coffee, but for real this life would be a lot more boring with out creativity.
I know I could keep going but this post is already getting kinda long. But my final thing is obviously Christ. Even with coffee, creativity and all the rest of the things I mentioned, life would be kinda pointless if my future wasn't with Christ.

break.

Take a break today. Just sit back and take a break. Clear your head and not think of anything. If you have to have something, get the new Matt Wertz EP. I am not trying to sneakily promote Matt, this album is just perfect for sitting back in a recliner or couch and trying not to think.

God asks us to be still, and know He is God. When was the last time you were still, and just acknowledged that God is God, and focused your relax time on Him and not xbox or tv? He wants you to relax, and just sloooooow down. So try it today.

...

I didn't know what to call this blog. Right now the title is ... I could change it at the end but I am not sure. I just can not really come up with an appropriate phrase to sum up the what I am feeling or what I am writing about. I just watched a video about India Christians being persecuted. Francis Chan actually talks throughout the video, and draws attention to it in a way that shows the gravity of these events.

It almost made me throw up. (it is violent, so use discretion)

I have to admit, the video, although hard to watch, was not what made me queasy. It was my lack of faith, love, compassion and passion. We are so blessed to be living in America, and we think that being made to call Christmas break winter break counts as some sort of persecution. We are blessed, but we have been blessed so much that it has made us ignorant. Most 'Christians' now base their entire faith on an attendance sheet. If you go to church most Sundays, except for those 1 or 2 weeks that you are on vacation, you are living the Christian life. I can honestly say, you are going to feel like crap when this life is over. You are going to realize you missed it. You missed the point, yes you just might make in those pearly gates, but what about your neighbor you lived next to for years, what about the waitress at your favorite restaurant that knows you by name, what about your kids, what about your co-workers.

I just wonder if Christians were getting persecuted in America, who would still be claiming Christ. I think it would be like a huge spaghetti strainer, people with substance would stay, the others just fall away. Luke mentions something like this in chapter 3 of his book. He is writing about John the Baptist, one of the best Bible characters, John says 'as for me, I baptize you with water; but One is coming who is mightier than I, and I am not fit to untie the thong of His sandals; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in His hand to thoroughly clear his threshing floor, and to gather the wheat into His barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.'

Use the blessings that have been given to you to support Christ in this world. I am not just talking about money given to your church, but time, effort, love ect... God wants to use every last one of us, and has given you certain gifts to help the body of Christ, so use 'em.

worship

I am excited for worship this week at Northstar Church. If you are in Blacksburg you should show up on Sunday at 10am at the Blacksburg Middle School. Worthy of affection is on the docket and it is a tremendous song, You can get a quick preview below...

Worthy Of Affection - Shane & ...

Grammys 2010 Recap

Well here it is, a recap of the 2010 Grammys. I immediately have to ask forgiveness because this blog is full of cynicism and sarcastic comments. But thats how I had to approach it. Anyways, enjoy and leave a comment if you so wish!

The show begins and...
Lady Gaga & Elton John. It would be very hard to try and make this a stranger performance. They sang "Your Song" and sadly, very disappointing, one of the only Elton songs I like, and it was terrible. This is her outfit she wore on the red carpet, children do not look or you will have nightmares of her crawling on your ceiling or out from under your bed.

Stephen Colbert, starts the show off - always good "Stay away from katy Perry," he says talking to his daughter from the stage. He then talked about different groups that have performed together at the grammys in the past couple of years and then says... "You know who I'd love to see on stage together? Adam lambert and any sort of personal restraint" Wow, LaRae almost spit out her water, such a great quote.

Song of the year- Single Ladies. Expected.

Green Day plays with their broadway peeps, stange, but made me want to see it on broadway. There's like 87 people on stage. A mixture of Punk and the tv show Glee.

Taylor swift wins country album of year. Well deserved and accepted with humility. Awesome, such a night and day comparison between her and Gaga.

Beyonce performs. Again like 80 people on stage. "Her being married to jay-z makes her so much cooler" a quote from my very smart wife.  Standing O? Hmm she's talented but that wasn't amazing, oh well I may have stood if I was there, but since I am in my living room I will just continue to eat my penne pasta, and nod my head.

Seal introduces Pink. If you're wondering, yes, he walked out to his one big hit, "kiss from a rose" from that one Batman movie...

Pink is talented, but right now it looks like she has a bedazzled bathrobe on though. Never mind now she's practically naked, except for the naughty bits. She's doing cirque de solei stuff and singing, being raised up like 20 feet in the air on some sort of ribbon, glorified ribbon dancing maybe. Standing O, well deserved.

Best new artist, Zach Brown! Thank goodness, was hoping for him or MGMT, but I'm glad the man with the beard pulled one down.

Miley Cyrus introduces the Black Eyed Peas, not sure why. Black eyed peas, they are always a little strange, but they know how to make music that is very catchy and gets the general mass to buy. It hasn't been the same for me since this picture of fergie was released where it looks like she peed her pants...
LaRae quote - "what do the other 2 guys do?" referring to the other members of the BlackEyed Peas (besides fergie and Will.I.am, I replied with "I do not know."

Jonas Brothers introduce Lady Antebellum. Again, no one really knows why. Lady Antebellum, good stuff, a little boring. No standing O.

Best comedy album- Steven Colbert!
Other nominees Spinal Tap, Weird Al & George Lopez. George you are not funny, how do you keep getting chances? Affirmative action of comedy I am guessing.

Record of the year - USE SOMEBODY - Kings of Leon! So pumped for them, wasn't expecting that at all. Awesome. ">

Robert Downey Jr. I really just love him. Such a dry humor that is great. Introduces Jamie Fox and T.Pain, ironically both have careers in music due solely to the invention of auto tune. Now Doug E Fresh comes out beat boxing which made the performance sooo much better, now Slash? Really? That seemed out of left field.

Rock Album -Green Day, other nominees AC/DC, Eric Clapton, Dave Matthews Band, U2. No new rock acts out there? The newest of these is 20 years old. Hmm...everyone seems to be making poprock right now.

Chris O'donnell introduces Zach Brown. Could they get a more irrelevant person to introduce them? Probably not. I think the last movie he was in was that Batman movie with Seals song... (my wife is mad because I said that, she thinks he is good looking. boo) Zach Brown Band is just flat out good, great harmonies and do it their own way with no apologies. Love it.

Ryan Seacrest gives a great/flattering intro to Taylor Swift. Shes adorable as per usual. Incredible that she writes her own songs, you have to respect that. Stevie Nicks comes out and takes us back to the late 70's and early 80s. Glad she is gone now, pardon me she just moved to the back of the stage to play the tambourine, now back to singing bad harmonies. ehh making "You Belong to Me" sound a little depressing. But its still a great performance by Ms. Swift.

Lionel Richie - introduces the tribute to Michael Jackson. Yeah its in 3d. I'm sorry, am I supossed to have 3d glasses laying around on my coffee table. I guess I am, my bad. "What about Us" starts up, watching this without 3 d glasses feels like what I'm guessing an acid trip feels like . Celine Dion, Usher, Carrie Underwood, & Jennifer Hudson they actually sound great together. Smokey Robinson, still gots them pipes as well. Took this picture of Beyonce rocking 3d glasses and Jay just not caring. Standing O for Michael Jackson. Jacksons kids come out and give an awkward speech, but accept a grammy on his behalf.

Bon Jovi takes the stage, playing a Takamine acoustic guitar. You are Bon Jovi, can't get a sponsorship with a better guitar company? Ah lady from Sugarland, sounds like a dying cat. "Living on a Prayer" just started and the state of New Jersey immediately started fist pumping, and maybe one living room in Blacksburg...

Best Rap/Sung - "Run this Town Tonight" Jay-Z and Rihanna. I was really was hoping for "On a Boat" Yes it was up for a grammy.

Mary J. Blige &{ Andre Bocelli strange duo, sang "Bridge over Troubled Water", Andre is ridiculous (in a good way), Mary not so much, but she held her own. You can buy this song and the money goes to Hati. ( www.itunes/target )

Adam Sandler introduces Dave Matthews Band. Never been my favorite, but they are an actual band, that plays actual music and doesn't have to dress like an extra off Star Trek to get attention (see Lady Gaga picture above), so I appreciate them, and they perform great live.

Ricky Martin and the girl from glee present for Best Female Pop Vocal, I like the girl from glee, but Ricky Martin is just as pretty tonight...
Female pop vocal - "Halo" - Beyonce. Other nominees- Adelle, Katy Perry, Pink, Taylor Swift

Larae goes to bed, 10:45. Now I am all alone blogging away

LL. Cool J comes out licking his lips every time he gets, but you can not hate on LL. He is dope, and he will knock your mom out. Introduces Maxwell. He's a talented dude, just boring but I am guessing he has a lot of girlfriends. I bet that when he is trying to set the 'mood' he just turns his own cd on, and just slowly nods.

Les Paul tribute. Jeff Beck, just starts shredding, on a Les Paul. Don't know if I could think of a better tribute. The drummer is wearing a vest with no shirt under, this does not contribute to the tribute, but it is the definition of classy.

Quentin Tarantino introduces (very awkwardly) Travis Barker, Eminem, Drake, Lil Wayne. The sensor immediately gets really nervous, and there it is, my tv keeps going silent because of the cuss words in the song. If Jay was in this song then they would really have to just burn the stage because of the amount of good rappers. I know this isn't everyones cup of tea, but this group is just very talented and on top of that, they have one of the best drummers in the world backing them, I could watch Travis Barker play the drums all day long, makes me want to buy some.

Album of the Year......Lady Gaga, Beyonce, Black Eyed Peas, Dave Matthews Band, Taylor Swift

Taylor Swift! Awesome, glad she won, and No Kanye in sight! That ends the night, thanks for reading and again, sorry for the cynicism...

Awesome

I am not like a lunatic fan of Vampire Weekend, but I have to say that this is flat out cool.
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