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ApologetiX in TN, WI, Memorial Day Memories
Thu., May. 27. 2004 12:38pm EDT
1. Memorial Day Weekends Through The Years
2. Next Friday: Chattanooga TN
3. Two Weeks Out: Milwaukee WI
4. Upcoming Concerts
5. Why Are We Called ApologetiX?
J. Jackson, lead singer and lyricist for ApologetiX (That Christian Parody Band) here.
Thanks to all of you who came to see us in Miami, Indianapolis and Philadelphia/NJ last weekend. Next weekend we'll be in Chattanooga TN, but we actually have Memorial Day Weekend off! Since it's a slow news week, I thought I'd give you a little time capsule in regard to ApologetiX and Memorial Day Weekends through the years.
1. MEMORIAL DAY WEEKENDS THROUGH THE YEARS
I started going through the archives to see where we'd been over the years on Memorial Day Weekend, and I found out it's been a pretty significant time of year in the history of ApologetiX. Here's a year-by-year synopsis of what we've been up to the past 15 Memorial Day Weekends:
Last year, we were in Fonda NY on Memorial Day Weekend, although Memorial Day Weekend was actually a few days earlier than it falls this year. Technically, a year ago this weekend, we were in Las Vegas NV. We took all of our wives and kids to the Vegas concert and made a week out of it. The funny thing is we spent so much time at the hotel swimming pool and the local IHOP, our kids think that's what Vegas is all about. My oldest daughter, Janna, goes to a private Christian school, and they asked each student where his or her favorite vacation spot was, and she said, "Las Vegas!"
Two years ago at this time, the band was on a brief vacation, because my wife, Lisa, had just given birth to our second daughter, Heather. We brought her home the Saturday of Memorial Day Weekend. Our world has never been the same!
Three years ago, we took another vacation. I don't know why, but I'm sure it was a welcome break.
Four years ago, we played two concerts in Pennsylvania and one in Cincinnati, which is ironic, because out of the four new concerts added on this week's schedule, two are in Pennsylvania and one is in Cincinnati.
Five years ago, we were in Newport News VA (near Virginia Beach) and Lorton VA (near Washington D.C.).
Six years ago, we were doing concerts in the greater Pittsburgh area.
Seven years ago, we enjoyed yet another brief respite. What a bunch of slackers!
Eight years ago, Memorial Day Weekend kicked off our first great "tour" -- one concert in Lorton VA, three concerts in Atlanta GA, one concert in West Palm Beach FL, two concerts in Orlando FL and one in Gaffney SC.
Nine years ago, we played our first big concert out that required travel beyond our local PA/WV/OH area, Herndon VA.
Ten, 11 and 12 years ago, we were playing concerts at the Paradise Club in Irwin PA, the coffee house where we first got our start. The concert 12 years ago was technically our second concert ever, unless you count a dreadful little presentation we did for a class at local middle school.
Thirteen years ago, we were playing in a basement in Pleasant Hills PA without a name or any foreseeable future.
Fourteen years ago, Karl and I had just met, and I think that might have been the first weekend we ever played guitars together. I know that two or three weeks later, we would play our first ever "live" performance at Karl's sister Krista's wedding. The groom, of course, was future ApologetiX bass player, Keith Haynie.
Fifteen years ago, I was with my old Bible study buddies at a picnic, playing volleyball and swimming, with no clue what God would have in store for me. Think about that the next time you think God's never going to use you. And, while you're at it, ponder this Bible verse:
Ephesians 3:20-21 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
2. NEXT FRIDAY: CHATTANOOGA TN
Friday, June 4 - ApologetiX Headline at 9:00 PM
Gates open at 6 PM
with Jonah 33 and others
Luis Palau Livin' it BMX & Skateboard Team and featuring some X-Gamers
Tickets: 1-day $10.95 or 2-day $19.95 passes,
which include J-Fest on Saturday Currently, tickets can be purchased by phone at J 103 or
beginning in April visit Whitewing Christian books in Cleveland, TN
Major Credit Cards are accepted
Tent camping available $2 per person, RV Camping is $15 per vehicle
Sponsored by J103 Radio J-FACTOR
Camp Jordan Exit 1 (last exit in TN before you hit Georgia) Chattanooga, TN
CONTACT: 423-892-1200
WEBSITE: www.j103.com
3. TWO WEEKS OUT: MILWAUKEE WI
Saturday, June 12, 2004
18th Annual FISHERMAN'S FESTIVAL
FREE Event
7801 W. Acacia Street
Milwaukee, WI 53223
WEBSITE: www.fishermansfestival.org
4. UPCOMING CONCERTS (INCLUDING NEW ONES IN OH, ME & TWO IN PA)
This list adds concerts frequently, so stay tuned for more info. For the full details on all of the concerts below, please go to http://www.apologetix.com/tour.html and scroll to the bottom.
To inquire about booking a concert, please contact
Kathleen Burke
booking@apologetix.com
Burke Communications
949-770-3001 (9 a.m. to 5 p.m. PST).
Jun 04 - Chattanooga TN Jun 12 - Milwaukee WI Jun 26 - Manlius IL Jun 27 - Springfield IL Jul 10 - LiFest '04, Oshkosh WI Jul 16 - Sonshine '04, Wilmar MN Jul 18 - Kimberly WI Jul 23 - Beaver Springs PA (NEW) Jul 24 - Bensalem PA Jul 29 - Richmond VA Aug 01 - Ludington MI Aug 04 - Kingdom Bound '04, Darien Center NY Aug 07 - Greensburg PA (NEW) Aug 21 - Calhoun LA Aug 27 - Ellsworth ME (NEW) Aug 28 - Cincinnati OH (NEW) Sep 05 - Erie PA Sep 10 - 12 West Linn OR Sep 18 - Alton IL Oct 09 - Peachtree City GA (Atlanta)
5. WHY ARE WE CALLED APOLOGETIX?
Our band name, ApologetiX, is a deliberately misspelled variation of the word "apologetics" (and everybody uttered a collective "Duh!") Yeah, we realize you probably knew that already, but I realized lately that I have a knack for starting our news items with the phrase "As most of you already know ..."
Here's a nice definition of the word apologetics from Steve Tsoukalas, a Christian apologist who is a good friend of our friend Dave Barnett:
'Christian apologetics is the science of the systematic defense of the Christian Faith in response to attacks. The word comes from the Greek noun apologia ('defense') and the Greek verb apologeomai ('I defend myself; I make a defense'). The noun is used in 1 Peter 3:15 and Philippians 1:16."
Steve Tsoukalas 'Knowing Christ in the Challenge of Heresy" 1999, University Press of America
When a person is called an apologist these days, he could be an apologist for basically anything. If you like soccer and you're trying to convince me that soccer is a great game, you could be called a "soccer apologist." But the original apologists were the early Christians who were trying to defend their faith to outsiders (the Romans, for example) who thought they were a cult and were spreading uncircumstatiated rumors about them.
Anyway, we originally came up with that name at an Eat n' Park restaurant in the Dormont section of our home turf, Pittsburgh PA, in early 1992. The name was a good fit, because Christian apologetics was really important to us. Although I went to 12 years of religious school (Grades one through 12) and attended church faithfully, participated in choirs, etc., before I became a born again Christian, I didn't have a clue as to exactly "why I believed what I believed." When atheists or agnostics or cultists wanted to debate with me, I'd run away. Then I started reading the Bible and really, really researching things, and I discovered that there is a whole lot of evidence to back it up.
There's a whole lot more to the story, but the point is that I wanted to be able to help others know "why they believe what they believe" and that was one of the prime reasons I began writing Christian parodies. The other band members were also very big into apologetics, so we chose the name ApologetiX, with the "X" on the end to make it look more modern and to ensure we had a name that nobody else had ever used. We liked the name because it could be used with a "the" in front to make it sound like a '60's/'70's vocal group (i.e. the Stylistics, the Dramatics, etc.) or a without a "the" to make it sound like a modern rock group (i.e. Anthrax). Furthermore, starting with an "A" put our name near the top of the alphabetical lists of bands, somewhere between ABBA and Audio Adrenaline :)
So there you have it! Have a great Memorial Day Weekend!
God bless you!
Apologetically,
J.
-- J. Jackson Lead Singer/Lyricist ApologetiX (That Christian Parody Band) www.apologetix.com j@apologetix.com
1 Peter 3:15
"But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect."
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