4 Part Harmony: February 2007

Suitcase Life: 101

Exhaustion.....that is the only word for my job right now. Two weekends ago we did a four day run....Augusta, GA; Birmingham, AL; Mobile, AL; and Tupelo, MS. After that run I was home part of the day Monday, then Tuesday day, and then we left out again Wednesday at midnight for another four day run. We played Roanoke, VA; Greenville, SC; Greensboro, NC; and Norfolk, VA. Needless to say, after 8 days on the road and 2 1/2 days at home, I'm worn down. Yesterday we got home around noon, and I hit the couch and slept till my wife got home from work at 6:30pm. I then slept in today until noon. I'm almost feeling rested now. Luckily this weekend we are only gone 3 days, and one of those shows is actually here in Nashville!! Hurray for short weekends!!
This last weekend was fun though. Greenville, SC and Greensboro, NC were to two largest shows in WinterJam history!! We also had a couple of guest appearances at those shows. Clay Aiken, a good friend of Steven Curtis was in town and did a guest vocal on "Greatest Adventure" with Steven. Then, on Saturday, Michael Tait made a guest appearance with Newsong when they did a reprise of "Jesus Freak". The crowds went wild! For Clay, I saw a girl who ran to the front to snap a photo walk away crying while she gazed at the photo on her cell phone camera. HAHA! It was hilarious! Well.....until I return next week......hope and peace!

Would you be mine??

So the road has changed lots of things in our life.....one of those being the night that we choose to celebrate l.o.v.e! Valentine's day came 2 days early for the Butler's this year. Jayme came home surprised to see her man all dussied up in a suit with reservations to Maggiano's Littly Italy! She quickly threw on a dress and "freshened up" (which we know means completely re-did her make-up and took way longer than "5 minutes"). After an incredible dinner at Maggiano's, we bagged up the leftovers and headed back to our house. She was then told to go to the bedroom, dress warmly, and stay there. Her dashing husband then went outside to the deck and stoked a quaint fire (almost burning the suit off his back!!). She came out to find two chairs, roasting sticks, and mellows and graham by the fire!! We snuggled under blankets for the next hour by the fire!! The rest of the night was spent behind closed doors......sleeping!! Love is a many spledid thing!! Hope and Peace!!

Yeah, we clean up well!! Watch out town!

How far can I stretch my arm out and still look comfortable??!?!

Cool artsy shot of Jayme by our fire....

Fire, lights, action!!

Update from the road

So we are now halfway done with Winter Jam 07!!!! Truth be told, my feet wish that next weekend was the end! Working 3-4 days straight, almost 18 hours/day definitely begins to wear on your peds! But I'm having a blast. I wake up, pop in the head phones and go to town. I've decided that work is so much more fun when you can create your own soundtrack for each step. My wife lets me borrow her pink iPod mini and that keeps me company each day. I'll have to blog about what I'm listening to now.

The part of the tour that is the most encouraging is the people on the tour. So far we have hit it off and I'm enjoying all the new friends that I've had the opportunity to meet! Too many stories to tell! We've been through perfect weather in Florida and CRAZY cold, snowy weather in Michigan, Ohio, and Indiana. Can't wait to see what Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, and Colorado have in store for us!

Here are some pictures from the road. My parents were able to come visit for the St. Charles, MO show.....and we happened to have a special guest that night!! It was good to see Mom and Dad....and they were a huge help!! Thanks! Enjoy the pics and give me a shout. Hope and Peace!