The Duhks

I discovered a new band today. Well, new to me anyway....
I just love it when I come across something fresh and new. It grabs my ear and my soul and my attention right away. It happened several years ago when I first heard Nickel Creek. To me, really good music is all about playing from the soul. Different people have different styles, different tastes, different instrument preferences....but, who really cares about that when people who play from the soul get together and jam? For me, playing music can be one of the greatest acts of worship to God. So, when I hear music that is really awesome, I thank God for the gift of music.
So, the new discovery, you ask? The band is called The Duhks (pronounced Ducks) and they hail from Canada. People have a hard time categorizing this band, and I think that is part of the reason I really like them. I abhor categories. Why do we have to label things as "pop" or "country" or "blues"? It all comes down to marketing, I guess...."how can the big guy make the big buck"? It may be easier to communicate by labeling or categorizing something, but when it comes to music, labels and categories often prevent good music from being heard.
Some people have described The Duhks as a mix between bluegrass, Celtic, blues, soul, folk and Afro-Cuban music. The band is comprised of 5 members. You'll hear percussion played mostly on a cajon, acoustic guitar, banjo, and fiddle. What grabbed me right away was the lead singing of Jessica Harvey. Her voice is powerful and soulful and it really pulls you into the music. So, when you hear that The Duhks are categorized as "folk" or "bluegrass" you might not be interested in listening to it. Trust me, if you give it a chance, the mix of instruments and soulful singing will most certainly grab your attention.
I discovered The Duhks while listening to one of my favorite podcasts. It is called The Nashville Nobody Knows. Hosted by Candace Corrigan, the show is 30 minutes of insight into the musical goings-on of Nashville, Tennessee. Candace interviews artists, recording engineers, record executives and others who work in the recording industry. They talk about what they do, how the industry works from their perspective, who their favorite artists are and they also play music chosen by the interviewee. What I really liked about the 30 minutes with Jessica Harvey was that this twentysomething is well-educated in the realm of music and the arts. She describes the songs and music of The Duhks with passion and she knows the history of the songs.
In looking for more information about The Duhks, I also came across an interview they did in February with NPR's Melissa Block. Melissa has quite often brought many artists that are under the radar to my attention through the program called All Things Considered. This particular Live at NPR feature is in two parts and all of the band members are present. It is very cool to hear the mix of instruments and the vocal harmony/fiddle playing of Tania Elizabeth. She started playing fiddle at age 3 and at age 14 started her own production company. All of these band members are amazing and, in their young 20's, have some stories to tell.
Check this band out, people! If you want to hear good music, with no boundaries, The Duhks are the place to start...

Insane Landscapers

I have an idea for a new TV show. Hosted by HGTV, Home and Gardens Television, the show would be called Insane Landscapers. It is a 30 minute show where these crazy people find an overgrown yard that needs to be cleaned up and within a day they go nuts on every tree, shrub, vine, flower, weed and blade of grass they can find. I mean, they really go for it. They have their hacksaws and weedeaters and shovels and gas-powered blowers and garbage cans and trucks. Not only do they chop it all, but they clean it up too! "The Insane Landscapers.....what takes one man months to do, we get done in one day!" As Larry the Cable Guy says, "Get 'er done!"
Now let me introduce you to the crew....on his knees pulling weeds, up on the patio cover chopping down vines, or painting the walls.....Steve Montgomery can get the job done. With his car full of tools and ladders, chopping down everything in sight, the lead crazy.....Bart Bolt. Not only does he chop down large branches and haul them away, but he's also an expert electrician (just ask him about the light fixture he changed with the power ON).....Doug Peterson. In the house and in the yard, she can scrub the walls or paint them.....Kristen Montgomery. Hauling away the mess (and loving the smell of the dump)....Mike Blakely. Last, but certainly not least, the childcare crew.....Christine Peterson and Melissa Bolt....what would we do without childcare? Thanks to all of my great friends who helped us out on such short notice on June 18th. We had such a quick turnaround that needed to be done to put our house on the market on June 20th. We got 'er done......thanks to the Insane Landscapers (and crew)!
I wish I had taken before and after pictures, but you'll just have to settle for after pictures. Wow, I've never seen 1025 Quail Hill Drive so sparkling.

Thanks again, friends........I'm serious about that TV show......get 'er done.......

Promoted!

Another milestone that occurred in June was Cassidy's promotion from elementary school to Junior High. I just can't believe that our baby is going to be in 7th grade in the fall!
Cassidy has really enjoyed her time at Mission Estancia Elementary School in Encinitas and we have certainly felt blessed to be able to send her there for all seven years of elementary school. Overall, Cassidy received great marks during her years at Mission Estancia and she has especially excelled in the areas of reading, comprehension, writing and science. She especially enjoyed projects and field trips dealing with marine life. Although math was quite a struggle early on, Cassidy has really matured in this area and she does quite well with all math concepts now.
I took a few pictures of my "Bug's" big promotion day. She is a beautiful girl and I can't wait to see what Junior High has in store for her. Congratulations, Cassidy Rose!

The All-Star

I'm noticing that I have neglected my blog for quite some time. Sorry about that....things are quite busy at the Mazza Zoo these days. Our house is on the market (more on that in another post), we are looking to buy a house in Encinitas, and Paula and I just got back from a short vacation on the island of Santa Catalina (pictures coming soon).
We have also had a couple of milestones as summer kicks into full gear. The first of those milestones is that my son Anthony just finished his first year of T-ball and was promoted from preschool. AJ is turning six years old this September and we are so proud of him. He is growing up so fast!
Last winter, AJ played a short season of T-ball at the Encinitas YMCA. That was a great introduction for him because he had never played organized baseball before. It was quite funny to see all of the kids running together in a pack after each ball that was hit. This spring was quite a different story and it was so great to watch AJ mature and begin to understand the game. He played in the San Marcos Youth Baseball league, which is a PONY league. His team was the Diamondbacks and his coach was Ed Shockley. From day one, Ed had the team out on the practice field taking grounders and learning about positions. By the end of the season, AJ was really good at playing a position and trying to get those grounders that came his way. He even played catcher a few times and was really good at chasing the balls down as his teammates threw them in. His hitting was great too!
June 11 was AJ's last game with the Diamondbacks. Afterwards, we all went to a team party where the kids received trophies and I even got a little trophy with a ball signed by all of the kids for helping coach them. It was quite fun!
In that same photo album, you can also see a picture from Anthony's preschool promotion. He has done so well this year at school and we know that he is ready for Kindergarten in the fall. Congratulations, AJ, you are an All-Star!

To Move or Not to Move

I hate moving....
Does anyone really LIKE moving? I mean, all of the things you have to think about....real estate agents and mortgage lenders, fix this and fix that, clean this and clean that, fix the screens, mow the lawn, get some flowers to brighten up the walk, this is contingent upon that and this other thing is contingent on that, what is the current interest rate, what will the interest rate be 5 days from now, should we make an offer on this one or on that one, sign here and here and here and sign twice over here, do we need to move this, can we give it away, do we have enough boxes, where's the tape, "honey, where' my supersuit?"....Geez, I need a vacation.
It should be a requirement, maybe something written in the contract and negotiated into the price of the house....BUYERS WILL BE SENT ON A TWO WEEK VACATION TO ITALY FOLLOWING CLOSE OF ESCROW. My, wouldn't that be nice?
Well, I have had nearly a three year break from moving, so I guess it isn't that bad. But, with the amount of money that we are putting out this time around, can this please be my last move for 30 years or so?

My Angel of Music

Her name is Cassidy Rose....she is smart, funny and talented....and she is starting JUNIOR HIGH next year!

Oh my goodness, how time flies. It feels like just yesterday when I first met Cassidy on the campus of Cal State San Marcos. She was hanging out with her mom and when she met me she said, "Hi, Shamie!" She had the most wonderful little buck teeth. I remember the first time I visited her at her home. It was around Valentine's Day and she kept offering me candy hearts so that she could eat one with me. Now she is my daughter and I could not be more proud of her.

This past Saturday, Cassidy played her last orchestra concert of the 2004-2005 season. She has been learning to play the violin for several years now and has had quite a variety of great experiences through it all. She has played solo recitals and entered a talent show at our church. She has played in orchestras that have played at UCSD, California Center for the Arts in Escondido, Palomar College and Disneyland. She has made great progress and is becoming quite an elegant woman. She played beautifully this past Saturday at Palomar College as part of the Civic Youth Orchestra. I took several pictures from the event and we even had some friends come and support Cassidy. A big thank you to Grammy Rosemary who has continued to support Cassidy financially with lessons, orchestra involvement, and new outfits and violins when needed.

Keep up the great work, Cassidy! You are my angel of music....

The Most Important Post

Oh yeah....I can't forget the most important post of the day....pictures of my kids.

Cassidy will get her own post later, she is the Queen. But, I had to share these great pictures of my younger three. What joy they bring me....I took these pics in our backyard in front of our Bird of Paradise plants.

13 and the Friars

Can I obsess for a minute? Is it OK to obsess in a blog?
I mean, really, isn't that what blogging is all about? I get to sit here and obsess all I want and not feel bad about it because....well, will anyone really read this anyway? (Well, maybe my wife and my mom will read it....hey, at least I have SOME fans....)

I just realized this last week that my season tickets for the Padres are in row 13. Now is that just a "fortuitous circumstance"? I could not have planned it any better. Two awesome seats in right field, right next to the foul pole, with a perfect view of the whole field. I was able to go to a Thursday night game last week with my friend Doug. We made quite a pair, he in his Chicago Cubs jersey, and I in my Padres jersey. Yes, the Cubs were playing the Padres and proceeded to soundly beat them. What can I say? We shall live on to beat the little bears another day! It was a good time, including the 1/2 pound Randy Jones hot dog and having to sit through the wretched chanting of "Let's go Cubbies." I'm just happy that the Padres are winning when necessary and remain in first place as we continue into June. Yes, they got beat 3 out of 4 by the Cubs, but after today's day off, I am looking forward to the Padres winning at least 5 of 6. Right now, I am happy that they are in first by 3.5 games....and the Dodgers remain in third place.

Keep on swingin', Friars....

Spirit West Coast

Wow, it has been quite a while since my last post....I have quite a few things to write about, but just have not had the time. So, this post will be the first of many quick posts to come....Enjoy!

For the last two years the Del Mar Fairgrounds has hosted a Christian music festival during Memorial Day weekend called Spirit West Coast. It is three days of music and prayer and ministry and thousands of people show up from many different places. Some camp out and some just show up for a day, but all are seeking good music and fellowship. Because my wife and I have four kids, we have to split time at the festival. She went on Saturday and I went on Sunday this year. It was an amazing time! I spent most of the day at the main stage, which is set up on part of the horse racetrack facing the grandstand seating area. I was down in front with hundreds of other people covering all age groups. It was a magical feeling being surrounded and worshipping God together. I hope this picture conveys some of that feeling.
When I first arrived, I heard a band playing and they sounded pretty good, so I sat and checked out a few songs. I really enjoyed the lyrics and the lead singer was very passionate. The name of that band is Telecast. I then moved on to the main stage where KJ-52 came out and did a few songs. He is a Christian rap artist. Although this isn't necessarily a style I like these days, it took me back to the days in high school when I listened to a lot of rap music. It was fun to be in the crowd, bouncing around, and waving my arms in the air with everyone else. I hung around and heard a few songs from Barlow Girl, an all-female rock group. They had some sound issues going on, but I like their style and their message. They are great role models for young girls and are proud to seek after purity in an impure world.
The acts that I could not wait for started about 5 PM. Chris Tomlin was first. In my estimation, he is one of the best worship leaders around. I saw him last year as well and he really captured everyone with his heartfelt and worshipful lyrics. I sing many of his songs with our worship team at Solana Beach Presbyterian Church, many of the same songs that are incorporated in hundreds of churches across the globe. His new CD, Arriving, is one of my absolute favorites and I am also reading a book that he wrote called The Way I Was Made.
Next up was Jeremy Camp. What an amazing artist! He is such a witness for Christ and his story is amazing. A few years ago, Jeremy's wife died at a very early age. He was of course devastated, but relied heavily on God and expressed himself through music and worship. God has carried him through that time and blessed him with a new relationship and a daughter. His music is on the rock side and his lyrics are very powerful. Check him out!
Last, but certainly not least, was Third Day. I didn't get any pictures of the band, but they were so awesome! Mac Powell is one of the best singers around and he has such a great stage presence. He even invited two people up on stage to sing part of a song with him. How jealous was I? The highlight was seeing Mac and guitarist Mark Lee come down from the main stage to a lower front stage and play "Just To Be With You," one of my favorite songs. They rocked the house!

Well, that was last weekend, more later on what else has been going on including the Padres, the number 13 and pictures of my kids....