So there’s this salute to Brown Bannister right now, and all I can think about (besides the fact that OH MY WORD STEPHEN CURTIS CHAPMAN JUST WALKED IN THE DOOR, BUT TO MY CREDIT, I DID NOT SQUEAL) is how, when I was fifteen years old with my dogeared Amy Grant songbook for the piano, every single song, it seemed, said, “Written by Amy Grant and Brown Bannister.”
And my fifteen year-old self wondered “Who is this Brown Bannister? And how does he know my pretend-BFF Amy Grant?”
So here I sit, over twenty years later, listening to this parade of music people talk about how much Brown Bannister means to them, and something that someone said keeps echoing in my head: “it’s all about relationships.”
And you know, it really is.
I can’t even tell you how many times I’ve looked at D over the last year and said, “That’s the power of a relationship right there.” Just seeing the people here testify to the impact of their relationships with Brown Bannister – among other people – has really reminded me of how deeply we are wired for community, how God uses people to teach us and refine us, and how without close friends to travel the road trip of life with you, the road trip isn’t nearly as much fun.
And I just want to say this before I forget: thanks for being along for the ride, y’all.
That’s all.
how much fun you must be having!!
OK. Steven Curtis. NOW, I’m impressed. I was going to post and ask if he was there. And if you tell him I said “hi” he won’t know who I am. But, if you showed him a family pic – he would recognize me as one of his favorite stalkers. But, you don’t have a family pic of us, now do you? Well, anyway, tell him we just got home from Vietnam with our new son and we’re gonna find a way to meet him (again) to introduce him to our Caleb. Does he have any of the fam along? Any Asian beauties or MBC?
Your posts are hilarious, Boomama. Thanks!
I’d be in community with you any day, Sister! Yep, I would.
I cannot get over this amazing blogging community. It is such a blessing for a stay-at-home-maybe-get-in-a-shower-today girl. Thanks for making it even funner. (I know that’s not a word, but go with it) Good night!
Yeah, it sure is all about relationships.
Wow – sounds like you are having yourself a ball! How cool is all of that????
Enjoy and soak it in!
All, I have to say is that you are great! You bring it all to life… I feel like I am there. Keep up the good blogging!
Okay, I might’ve squealed about SCC if I was there! Have you ever seen his video blogs? They’re an amazingly down-to-earth family even with all the fame. I admire them so much.
Ha!! When I saw the name “Brown Bannister” my first thought was, “oh. the guy that wrote songs with Amy Grant”.
I am so excited for you! What a completely fabulous event!! Find us some new music while you are there!!
You’re welcome! I love being on this ride with you! And I’m so glad that you get to live your dream tonight! I know I would be squealing all night long, and they’d probably have to ask me to BE QUIET ALREADY…maybe that’s why I wasn’t invited. :)
Yep, because you can I could seriously be related, I knew exactly who you were talking about IMMEDIATELY because AG was the soundtrack for, oh, the first 25 years of my life. Hooray for Bannister! And let us not forget that he worked with Out of the Grey, too, which was/is the coolest married couple ever.
I so would have squealed. Loudly. =)
Have fun for us all. The internets are jealous.
Thanks for pulling up to the curb and lettin’ me climb in… I’m so all about the ride.
I wondered the same thing about my pretend-BFF!
I’m so excited for you! ~:-)
I SO would have squealed. And gushed about how much I wished I would have won the radio contest for him to come and personally sing his famous song I will be here at my wedding back in ’93. At which point he would probably politely say “Thank You” and make a hasty retreat, because gushy fans are so not his thing.
Did you really have a pretend-BFF already when you were only 15????? You are SUCH a trendsetter!!!!!!! : ) (Or you’re still a teenager…) Either way, you go girl!!! : )
No, thank you Boomama for inviting us along for the ride. Your blog is like visiting with a dear friend daily. Thank you for allowing us into your world.
I can’t imagine anyone else I’d rather read live-blogging the ASCAP Christian Awards, BooMama! Truly. You’re awesome.
Community is a very good thing!
Sounds like you’re a leetle excited, maybe downright giddy! Although, I might possibly have a hint of jealousy right now, just a teeny, tiny bit. :)
Aww. So sweet. Your description was reminding me of “Deliverance” at first, with the squealing, but it sounds like a wonderful time. You deserve it.
Hey you .. give back my dog-eared copy of Amy Grant Greatest Hits piano music.
But, could you have Brown Bannister, uh, sign it first?
Now this, this is some good testifyin’ right here:
‘I can’t even tell you how many times I’ve looked at D over the last year and said, “That’s the power of a relationship right there.†Just seeing the people here testify to the impact of their relationships with Brown Bannister – among other people – has really reminded me of how deeply we are wired for community, how God uses people to teach us and refine us, and how without close friends to travel the road trip of life with you, the road trip isn’t nearly as much fun.’
We went to Women of Joy this weekend and this description matches that experience to a tee. We laughed (hard) together, cried together, hugged, shared, worshiped, loved much and loved well. And all through the power of God making a group of women available to get together and worship Him alone. And at the end of that weekend, He had filled our cups. And we don’t want to keep it all for ourselves!
Girl, I’d have squealed at every.single.one. of them!! You have yourself a big time there in Nash! Savor every second.
Relationship -yes ma’am – you relate to us quite strongly. As so often happens – I am verklempt – you do have a way about you – menu copying or not.
Well, you’re welcome. It really is amazing how all of us, most of whom have never met each other, share emotions, encouragement and excitement. Oh, look, some alliteration all up in there! Squeal!
I adore SCC and his family. I don’t think I would have squealed — but I bet I would have broken out in a cold sweat.
By the way, please tell me you read our favorite imaginary-BFF Beth Moore’s post about all the musicians she didn’t see in Nashville over the weekend. It fits so well with your night.
Only you actually saw many of them.
We love being along for the ride!! We are living vicariously through you, you know!
I am so very proud of you for not SCREAMING when Steven Curtis walked in. I would have been so embarrassed!