One Bad Man in the Mirror

I'm sure millions of people are writing about this now, and as I think about the tragedy of the day,... I am quite shocked that it is affecting me as much as it is... but then, when I think about it,... I guess that the death of MJ is really a big deal to me and a ton of peeps who grew up around the same time. I have always been a person deeply affected and influenced by music. Music has a way of shaping thoughts and feelings, and putting otherwise unidentifiable emotions into a very real part of moments in your life. I remember the first tape cassette I ever owned was MJ's BAD. I begged and begged for it, and it was the coolest thing, owning my own TAPE. I carried it around in my pocket and often pulled it out to look at,... not minding if anyone around me saw it as well... because then, of course, they would know how awesome I was because of what was in my hand... ;) ha! ...next came the TOP GUN soundtrack, Jefferson Starship, Rod Stewart, Whitesnake... but Michael Jackson... I'm pretty sure I drove my Dad batty as I listened over and over and over and over to each track in the golden colored BMW with my step Mom Tina. I think he actually yelled a few times for us to STOP PLAYING THE SAME SONG OVER AGAIN!!! ;) Ha Ha Ha Ha... Man in the Mirror, Bad, Dirty Diane, Smooth Criminal, Just Can't Stop Loving You... Those songs take me back to my childhood, where I lived, what I was doing, things I thought were so important... But they are a part of who I am. Michael Jackson was the first concert I ever saw, the first time I lost my voice, screaming with thousands of other crazy fans at the LA Amphitheatre. I watched as this little tent like thing came down after every song. It seemed like it took forever as he changed costumes, preparing for the next performance. Even though I was only 8 or 9... MJ was an incredible performer... and I don't think I realized how much all of that stuck with me until I found out this afternoon that he had died. I kind of always thought he would freeze himself and all that... :) he wanted to live forever. Michael Jackson was, obviously understated, a music icon... but for me he was a HUGE part of my childhood... And i think that is why it struck me so hard today... yes, he was an incredible performer, singer, songwriter who inspired so much of the culture today. For me,... I am reminded once again of the power of music... With MJ, I think of Disneyland, Macaully Culkin, Free Willy, the moonwalk, Justin Timberlake, Mrs Presley, incredible short movies, the beginning of MTV, and personally... long drives to Santa Barbara with my Dad, top down in the Porsche screaming "here I go again on my own"-Whitesnake, I think of crazy "make your own music videos" and some great times as kid with my Dad. My Dad was the one, after all, who gave me the tape. Things don't always go the way we want them to... and life can be unbearable at times... but it is still an incredible gift. His death was sudden, and makes me thankful for what I have been given. I'm pretty sure that it almost took my breath away when I found out what had happened, maybe not so much for the physical person,... but more for the memories, how his music and influence on culture were a part of my life. Negative or Positive, however you look at the person... his influence on our culture was drastic to say the least,... It reminds me why I love music so much... music is cross cultural, and invokes emotions that sometimes words cannot... MJ... you will be missed, you will be remembered... Thank you for sharing your life with us...

Now, out of the serious mode... I have a treat for you... as soon as I can get ahold of my Dad and get some video tapes put into digital format... I'll post some videos that will for sure make you laugh...

j

Olivia King Benefit

This coming Sunday I will be playing for two hours at PJ's coffee in Suwanee. This will be part of a Sunday night benefit concert type deal to raise money for a little girl, Olivia King. I learned about Olivia's story a few weeks back and wanted to help however I could.

When I was diagnosed with Lymphoma, people reached out from all over the country. On top of prayer and support, a significant amount of money was raised to help out with misc. costs. I wasn't "IN NEED" of the money, but it sure did help and Danielle and I are forever grateful to those who sacrificed for our benefit. People gave, not out of a necessity, but out of generosity. Olivia's family, on the other hand, is "IN NEED" of money for costs associated with a liver transplant. While I can not give much financially, I can play some music and sing for a few hours! ;) I know that many people are involved, and I'm glad to help out.

When I first heard about her story, the money needing to be raised was near $185,000 dollars. Already in a few short weeks, that number has been now lowered to less than $50,000 dollars. It is obvious that God is working some incredible miracles as He writes her story, and all of our parts in it. You can read more about her story and everything that is going on in her world at

http://www.oliviagking.com Check it out!

PJ's Coffee http://www.pjscoffee.com is the headquarters for Friends of Olivia, people dedicated to making sure that the King family has everything they need for Olivia. PJ's is looking for singer/songwriters to play on Sunday nights to help continue to raise money. If you're interested in playing, let me know and I will get you connected! PJ's FACEBOOK page.

I hope you're day is going well!

j

Welcome To My World...

Hey...I'm Jason and my wife Danielle and I are excited to welcome y'all into our world...The BEAUTIFUL DISASTER as my wife likes to call it. We've been married almost 3 years and we've lived a full life so far! From cancer to church planting to new jobs to complete uncertainty at times...We've finally landed in a place where we know without a shadow of doubt, that God is actively writing our story. And we are blessed.

Life is funny and short and so meaningful...We like to say that we're living the dream, baby! ;)

Welcome to our world.

j