Sunday, September 13, 2009

Back to School

Back to School Tour Version 2.0 is under way. And so far (2 shows in) it's been great.

Not just saying this: you want to see this tour. Everyone is rocking it. Lanae was out for the first 2 shows and she rocked it. Meredith is on for the next few shows. She'll rock it. Andrew is literally blowing people away. Just rocking it. People are blown away that this young kid -unsigned, mind you - is as good as he is. It's pretty awesome for me to watch people react to him. It's impressive. Aaron is, of course, great, playing songs from all 3 of his albums. The songs from his new album seem to go over great. And of course "My Savior My God" still blows people away.

My set is going great. I start off with 3 new songs (well, 2 new songs and a rewritten old song): "Naive" (rewritten! and more rocking!), "In the Weak" and "Only You Can Save". The first two shows may be a fluke, but "Only You Can Save" is going over incredibly well. The whole audience is singing along with the chorus, and it's pretty incredible for me to hear a new song being sung like that! My set list ultimately looks like this:

Intro/Naive
In the Weak
Only You Can Save
Something Beautiful
Somewhere
Let You Know
Empty Me

35 minutes of rock and roll (well, we hope!).

Anyway, after Aaron's set, we have a short worship time to end the concert. I don't want to give too much away, but this time is really, really cool and really, really special. Maybe simply because it's so different, we've received more comments on this than anything else...but it really is a cool, special time.

So...come out and see my 2nd annual Back to School Tour! Go to chrissligh.com for more info on where the tour is hitting close by you.

58 comments:

DJ in AL said...

Hoping I can get to Douglasville, GA!
Still trying to get a church in the metro B'ham area to book you. Need something I can send out, official bio or something professional looking/sounding. Let me know who to contact.

Glad the tour is doing so great, no surprise to me!

Rock on dude!

Anonymous said...

I just saw the tour in Maryland and it ROCKED! I was not sure what to expect and was blown away. My daughter and I really enjoyed. It is a must see! I bought an album from each artist. Keep it up and continue to run your race.

Cathy Storms said...

I'm so glad the tour is going so good. It sounds awesome. Just wish the tour was coming somewhere close to So. Calif. If I can come up with something here in CA I will let you know. I know you need more that just one date this far away so maybe Clarissa, Phyllis and I can come up with something. We will try.

Hischild said...

SO happy to read this! I want BTS2 in Phoenix!! I'm calling Extreme Faith tomorrow to find out HOW! C'mon Cathy, we can do this!

HstryQT said...

Aw it sounds amazing! Ever since first hearing you on Idol, I'd always wanted to attend any sort of worship service led by you. Of course, at your Make it Matter tour it basically was a worship service, too, which was great! But this would be amazing. I'm glad to hear things are going so well - but of course they would have!

I'm sad I can't make it. I guess I failed in getting people to the Indy show and so this time there are no Indiana shows at all :(. Wish I had the ability to drive to an Illinois show, but alas, I cannot. I'd really wanted to meet Andrew, too. In the future, though!

Also my sister will be going to the Liberty University show later. Wish I could be there for it. I'll be there in spirit!

robyn said...

Last night's show in Raleigh was so Awesome!! My daughter and fiance and I LOVED it!!! My daughter & I sat up front but fiance wanted to save his ears and sat in the back...we joined him in the back at the end (after Chris, of course) LOVED the re-worked Half Past Forever songs!!!! I still listen to that CD all the time too... great great concert...wonderful to see you again Chris...wish there was another one nearby, I'd sure go see it again cuz it's THAT good!!!

Hischild said...

Yay, Robyn. Glad to see you made it to the concert! I believe Chris asked on Twitter whether anyone knew if you had come.

I have hit a brick wall in getting Chris out here. Our local Christian concert promoter is nearly overbooked from now until end of Nov w/concerts. All far inferior than Chris' I might add. :o) They are not interested in adding to their work load.

I'm gonna go sit in a pile of ants and mourn.

mrsament said...

I came, I saw, I conquered! Back to School tour was awesome! I put some video on youtube of "Empty Me" and a new song that I missed the title of! View it at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lY6bTjh6qhc

mrsament said...

From looking through the blog the second song I put in the youtube clip is called "Only You Can Save." I like it, I love it!

ChrisSligh said...

mrs arment,

Thanks for stopping by the blog! This is our little community...welcome!

Chris

robyn said...

Hischild,
Oh, he knew I was there alright...we were sittin' there right in front of him at the meet 'n greet patiently waiting for the line to thin down before getting in it and he leaned over while waiting for the people to get done with Aaron and come over to him and he asked me how the kitten was doing. Then in between people I popped over and showed him a pic on my camera of the little sweetie.
I finally got to introduce him to my fiance...he never gets to come to the picnics because he is a musician and July the 4th is a very busy concert time for him... he plays in an ensemble band and a wind band and they do things around Raleigh on holidays, but he did come with me to the New Song tour last Nov. in Kinston, only I didn't get to talk to Chris at all then.
Wish I could'v hung around more after the concert last night but my daughter had to get on home to practice her guitar (hard to do with a cast on, which she got Chris to sign!) and she needed to get to bed since she has to get up at 6!

rosalee said...

Mrsament -

Thanks for your Youtube clip. I had put it up on the fansites (Chris-Sligh.info and Chrissligh.com). The second song in your clip is called "Catching Up". You can hear a version of it on one of Chris's Myspace sites:

http://www.myspace.com/chrisslighproductions

You can also hear "Only You Can Save" on that site.

risalea said...

Hey, Mrsament-Welcome! You'll find a few educators on here. I taught 2nd one year, most of my time in K and a couple in PK. Now I do classroom reviews and assistance in early childhood settings for a state college.

Clearsa, you do not have to have a promoter. You just need to get your church on board. Girl, if the Junior League can do it, you can do it by getting your church into it. We're working on Chris Sligh's 2nd annual concert as we speak. The hardest part is getting the venue and if you can get your church, that's half the battle. (working on that right now, BTW, Chris) An underwriter or two would help, but if your church finds it worthy, you might not even need that. I can tell you that Chris at the beginning and then Clint Milburn made the process very easy.

risalea said...
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risalea said...

I'm sorry, I forgot the original reason I came over here (I am getting more and more ADD as I get older!) to wish HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Candy Hamilton!

Happy, happy birthday on this your special day!
Happy, happy birthday is what we've come to say!
Happy, happy birthday, may all your dreams come true,
Happy, happy birthday from the Fro Patro to you!

And did you decide anything about possibly coming to Springfield?

risalea said...

Oh, and one more thing-the subject of this blog. I CAN'T WAIT to see this show. Carmen's getting to see 3 (of course!) in FL in mid-Oct., along with Amy. I was so tempted to meet them in FL, but real life calls and I have an event I am in charge of that weekend. But, anxiously awaiting Oct. 24 in Springfield.

Hischild said...

Robyn,
Your detail was great to read. Glad you got some one-on-one time and that you got to bring your special guy with you. I'm sad to say I don't think I met you at the first picnic.

Risa,
Thanks for the tips. Look at your FB inbox. I need some Q's answered.

Mrs. Ament! I was enjoying your YouTube clips last night. SO SO SO SO glad you caught "Catching Up"!! It's my absolute favorite! Thank you and welcome to the blog.

~clearsa

Cathy Storms said...

Mrsament~Welcome to the blog and it is so nice to meet you. I enjoyed your videos and thank you so much for posting them.

DJ in AL said...

Ms. Ament, ditto on the Welcome! and ditto on the thanks for the video!

Risa, glad to see you're alive!

Amy I owe you a phone call, I'll call sometime this afternoon when there's a lull.

Happy Birthday to Candy, sent you a mssg. on FB, hope it's fabulous girl!

Love to my Blogger Girls, still waiting to see how Carmen's Tea Party went!

DJ in AL said...

Robyn,

Did I miss what you named the Sligh kitten?????

rosalee said...

Happy Birthday, Candy!

Cleanaturalady said...

What a wonderful thing you guys are doing. Your efforts to bring this worship service to people is sure to be blessed.
~Kim

robyn said...

DJ,
Well, I've had her for a little over a week now. I had thought I'd see what she's like and decide. She's a real pistol when she's had some sleep! I oughta just name her zoom, zoom!! Anyway, my guy, Ted says her attention span doesn't last a millisecond so I thought I might name her Millie...then maybe Rickie the way she ricochets around the room. But then she's SO sweet & cuddly & loves to be all loved up maybe Sweet Pea...But I could just stick to what Chris and Sarah named her, Oreo and add what Amanda(my daughter) tagged on: Cookie and have a first and middle name...I also kinda like Abby after the Scientist on NCIS...the one with the black hair and white complexion (black & white kitty) and I could call her Ab's like they do... oh, well, I'll decide soon...I'm so bad at making decisions...you should see me tryin' to pick out a card...

DJ in AL said...

Robyn, LOL, girl you crack me up! That's too much thinking for me to be sure! If it were me I would stick with Oreo, because it's cute but mostly cause Chris and Sarah picked it and well my adoration for them apparently knows no bounds:)

Whatever you name it, all that matters is that you obviously love it!

Carmen said...

Happy Birthday Candy! Hope it is an extra special day for you.
Thanks Mrsament for posting the video clip. I really enjoyed it and now I am really pumped up about my "Sligh in Overload Weekend" Three shows in three days. Amy & I are going to have a blast. Not sure if we will be functioning on Monday but it will be a weekend to remember.
Risa,
I am looking forward to our Springfield concert as well. Just wish you could come to Florida for "Overload Weekend."

DJ--
Go to the Georgia concert. You will regret it if you don't.

Carmen

risalea said...

Robyn, well, you could call her what I now call Bubba, since he DUG UP one of my bushes that he has been so graciously keeping trimmed for me.

On second thought, that might not be a good idea. LOL

Deb, I'm here, but work is crazy and as usual, I have overcommitted myself in other areas. I am ready for a beach vacay. Right. now.

DJ in AL said...

Carmen,
The GA concert is looking depressingly doubtful- my Dad's B'day is the 29th and I have a sinking feeling his party is the same day, is it wrong to be mad at my Dad for having a Birthday?

Amy (i.e. AmysPurplePoodle) said to tell ya'll her computer is on the fritz again but she's here in spirit! All is well in her corner of the world with the exception of her computer and she is over the top excited about her upcoming visit to FL!

Risa I figured you were around and doing what you do best, EVERYTHING!

Sending love to my Fro Buddies,
Clenaturalady-welcome to the blog!

Chris sending you love and hope you're melting faces off on the road!

Cathy Storms said...

I so want to come to Florida for all the concerts. And I really want to join you girls for Springfield. Why oh why do I have to live so far away..

Robyn, I love the story about the kitty. She sounds really sweet. You should post some pictures.

Cleanaturalady,welcome to the blog. I think I'll just call you Kim though.

I'm missing y'all so much. If I could ever get Chris and the boys to play here in So. California, maybe I could get you out here.

robyn said...

DJ,
You should take your dad to the concert for his birthday! problem solved! He would love it, right? Heck, move the whole party to the concert...

Risa,
What DO you call a dog that digs up one of your good bushes? ...hmmm...

Cathy,
I have some pics...don't know how to post 'em on here though...could post 'em on facebook and let you all go there and look at them...how do ya'll go about showing your pics on here?

risalea said...

Robyn, if you post on facebook, there will be a link generated that you can post on here where everyone can see them. And what I called Bubba when I found his latest escapade yesterday is not suitable for a PG rated blog. 'Nuff said. ; ) And Deb, Robyn's got a great idea! Either that, or convince your parents to celebrate on a different day. The 29th is on a Tuesday...weekends are better suited for birthday celebrations, anyway!

robyn said...

ok...I got some of the pics posted to FB...I think this is the link:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=111005&id=544968080&ref=nf

hope it works!!!!! I put some pics I took at the concert Sunday night too...

Carmen said...

Just wanted to say that today is Amanda's birthday. She would have been 23 today. "Happy birthday Amanda! We miss you!"
Carmen

Cathy Storms said...

Happy Birthday to Amanda. She is so missed...

DJ in AL said...

Risa,

Er, I know the 29th is on a Tues. that's why we're celebrating on Sunday the 27th, the day of the concert! Ergo the problem!

As much as I adore Chris, I'm afraid I have not had alot of success at making my family understand my obsession...um...I mean adoration. They have been long over the whole subject-so not an option and would SO not understand Chris being higher in the pecking order than my Dad.

I'm calling Mom today to discuss, hoping I can nudge her to move party to the weekend after his B'day. Wish me luck!

Happy Hump Day!

DJ in AL said...

Sending prayers to Tammy the dear Mother of sweet Amanda who would have celebrated another birthday today!

Cathy Storms said...

Good luck DJ.

Tammy (Amanda's mom) asked for everyone to do something special for Amanda's birthday. Eat ice-cream..Amanda loved ice-cream. I think we can all handle that. I think her favorite was chocolate cookie dough...

Nicholas R. said...

Sounds great, it's too bad your tour isn't coming up to massachusetts. But I suppose that's what I get for living in the bluest state in america lol.

Still no news on the label contract???? I'm still amazed at how long this has taken.

Anonymous said...

why are the lyrics behind you chris?


do you do any covers?

robyn said...

Anonymous,
Not all the song lyrics are shown. The ones that are have them there so the folks can sing along on the chorus or crucial parts of worship songs or perhaps all of certain songs. some of us (ahem, Chris' Fro Patroers for example don't need lyrics..except maybe for his newest stuff) It helps everyone to feel a real part of what's going on! I love it!
Sometimes Chris will segue into a cover like he did with 'Livin' On A Prayer'

risalea said...
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risalea said...

Yep, today would have been Amanda's birthday. Forever 21...she still had so much kid in her when she passed away 15 mos. ago, yet in other ways, mature beyond her years due to her situation. Thought about her alot last night, as it was the final AI show of the tour. Oh, how she loved her AI.

I still think of her anytime I listen to "I'm Ready" and would love to see Chris dedicate that song to her on the new album.

Chris, saw lots of tweets about heading out on the road for the next two week stretch...prayers for a safe trip and that y'all will be happy traveling companions. : )

risalea said...

You may have seen this before...a photo montage of Amanda set to her favorite song by Elliott Yamin. You'll see our fearless leader with her in a couple of shots. (I took the kissing one...anyone that knows my photography skills, knows God took over on that one.) ; )

http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v241/nhdrummer34/Debbie%20Umel/?action=view&current=ARJ-2.flv

Carmen said...

Risa,
Loved the photo video of Amanda. Especially love that pic of her and Chris. My other favorite is of her in the snowfall with her arms open wide. It so captured Amanda's spirit.

Whenever I get discouraged, I think of Amanda and her P.U.S.H. saying---
Pray Until Something Happens. Even though I met her only once, her courageous spirit and unshakable faith stays with me.
I hope we can all try to be more like her.

Carmen

risalea said...

Chris and company just had a scary time on the hwy. with an out of control driver...police came and all is well but go follow him @chrissligh on twitter to follow the drama!

DJ in AL said...

Chris,

Glad everyone is ok!
Did the police recognize you? (sorry couldn't resist)

Anonymous said...

people should know the lyrics to the songs at a concert

you should not need them behind you

DJ in AL said...

Anon,

I consider myself an uber Sligh fan and while I know most of the lyrics to his songs, but I don't know all of them, particularly his new ones.

But you were probably kidding anyway right?

ChrisSligh said...

The lyrics are only up for the whole during "In the Weak" and "Only You Can Save" - both new songs. The sing-along sections of "Something Beautiful" and "Somewhere" have lyrics just to encourage people to sing along...the lyrics are easy, but we've found in church situations people are used to singing with lyrics up, so it works.

Finally, we put "Empty Me" lyrics up since it's kinda of the touchstone song of what I do.

Chris

risalea said...

Anon-you sound like the folks at church who debated whether it was scriptural to put the songs up on the powerpoint instead of just using the song books! LOL

I hope y'all have had a marvelous day. I've had a bit of a dark cloud hanging the last couple days. Woke up yesterday to leaks in several places in my dining room. Did I mention I have a new roof? And I slid in the mud on the sidewalk on my way into a school today...had to sponge off with paper towels and make the best of it, as I was doing a review with 3 other folks.

So tomorrow's got to be better, right? Either that or it's the proverbial things come in threes. Hmmm, hoping for the former rather than the latter.

Y'all be good and Chris, thanks for keeping us updated while you're on the road.

Cathy Storms said...

Risa~I hope you have a better day today.

Happy Friday to all...

Anonymous said...

Hey Chris and everybody-
the lyrics being up on a screen onstage always strike me as a little odd. Maybe it's a newer concept that I just haven't bonded to. Seems wierd in churches I've been to that do it, too, however a good idea. Apparently, I am inutterably low tech! I still remember guitar masses and such.

I'll check your MS page for the dates of the BTS tour.Loved it last year, and have gotten envious comments about my cool Sligh-shirt since! Neat, eh?

They are working on raising money for the St Jude Hospital around here, and so I often think of Amanda. She's the silent prescence in all the kid's faces I see shown on the screen, that need our help. One area girl recently died, and somehow, you really feel that kind of loss as a community. Amanda was no exception to that in fandom circles.

DJ in AL said...

Just got a nice surprise, watching Divas on VH1 (repeat from maybe last night?) anyway great show, Paula Abdul channeling Ellen, very funny bit. Kelly, Jordin, Leona, Adel, all very, very good! But not my nice surprise, my nice surprise is it's apparently Gospel Music Month and the Gospel Music Channel did a commercial promoting and our favorite fro friend's smiling face was part of the promo! So he said 7-8 words but hey he did an awesome job!

Anyway back to the show!

Happy Friday night Fro Friends, and sending love out on the road to our Fro Guy and his buddy Andrew and the band!

DJ in AL said...

Ok, so another plug for VH1's Divas-If you haven't already seen it-you MUST! All the Divas seriously delivered!

See it and you'll also get a glimpse of our fearless fro leader!

risalea said...

Just a quick note asking for prayers for Carrie's brother, who is not well and needs your prayers.

Deb, I didn't understand that you saw the GMC commercial during the Diva show. I'll have to find it..I'm sure it will be on again.

Cathy Storms said...

DJ~I missed that part! I'll have to go back and re-watch it. I tevo'd it. Maybe since we don't get the christian channel here it might not have been on. But the show was awesome!! The girls really brought it on. Adele was awesome. They all were. But of course my favorite was Kelly.

gdahimself said...
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gdahimself said...

Anonymous,

Chris is/was quite fond of performing Paul McCartney’s song, “Eleanor Rigby.

In a perfect world, everyone would know all the words. This way everyone is on the same page even they don’t/can’t hit all the notes.

risalea said...

Be sure and go over to chrissligh.com to see a video with excerpts from the BTS tour.