George Jones

Going Old-School

/ Ragamuffingospelfan / 1 Comment

I’ve been on an old-school music kick lately, and the trend continued over the weekend. Among the music I had playing in the Jeep as I travelled were George Jones, Marty Robbins, Chet Atkins and Les Paul, Earl Scruggs, and Kris Kristofferson. That’s real country music.

I’m not opposed to new music. I’ve simply discovered that 99.9% of it doesn’t speak to my soul the way the old stuff does. Honestly, I really can’t find anyone who can emote heartbreak in a song the way George Jones did. Or sing cowboy songs the way Marty Robbins did.

Most people will be content to turn on the radio and go with whatever’s playing. That’s all fine and wonderful, but that’s not me. I’m a little more deliberate when it comes to my music.

As always, I’m open to suggestions about what I need to add to my musical playlist for my lengthy commutes. The older, the better. Also, I’m all for finding the artists that aren’t as well known.

Thanks again for reading these blog posts, even when they’re last minute, “couldn’t think of anything else to write about” posts. As I’ve mentioned before, it’s not always easy to come up with something fresh and original when you write these posts every day. Plus, you do know that my mind works in strange and mysterious ways.

 

 

All Those Christmas Lights

/ Ragamuffingospelfan / 1 Comment

blue lights

I confess that I am not the biggest fan of all-white Christmas lights on a tree or on a house. To me, it’s like the person is saying, “Happy Generic Winter Holiday!” They are so bland.

I prefer the multi-color lights. But I’m old-school like that. I also really like the blue LED lights. A lot.

A few years ago, I went with the family on a tour of several homes decorated for Christmas. One of those homes on the tour was the late George Jones’ vast estate. That was one of the best and from what I’ve heard was always one of the most consistently festive houses around Christmastime.

Yet it all started with a single light. That one star shining in the night sky that drew those wise men all the way from the East to where the Christ child lay. That’s what started it all.

It was almost like a neon sign pointing the way and saying in essence, “Your hope lies here.”

Few saw it. Even fewer found what it pointed to. Just three wise men and some shepherds. So many who eagerly longed for Messiah missed it because it didn’t come in the way they expected.

I hope you and I don’t miss it this time. I hope you and I don’t get so caught up in the parties and tinsel and wrapping paper that we miss the child in the manger, born to be a sacrifice.

Truthfully, I like all Christmas lights. I prefer the colored ones because they catch my eye but I like all of them. I like how creative people get when decorating and  how they still manage to come up with new ideas after all these years. Plus, it’s so much easier to admire others’ ingenuity than to actually attempt to put up Christmas lights myself.