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ApologetiX GMA Update from Karl Messner
Tue., Apr. 23. 2002 1:59pm EDT
Hello Mother Hello ApologetiX Freaks Greetings from Camp Gospel Music Week!
Karl Messner, lead guitarist and producer for ApologetiX (That Christian Parody Band) here.
Having a great time in Nashville. I didn't get in the door of the hotel when no less than 4 people approached me and my ApologetiX artist all access pass, and asked "are you IN the band!? Are they HERE?!" with more and more people instead, recognizing me and just saying "Hey, KARL, how's it going?" I've never been to Music City, USA, but I'm finding out that lots of people have been talking about ApologetiX this week even before we got here!
Also, I got to do interviews and "liners" ("Hi this is Karl, and when I'm in....")all day today and yesterday. I did several VIDEO liners for shows that show videos, and even recorded a message that will be projected on the big screen to an audience of hundreds of youth at a convention in the Philippines! While getting my make up on, I got to hang with the guys from Parachute, and then later the guy from Audio Adrenaline.
Also, got to make buds with the guys from Among Thorns. We talked for a while, and I gave them a CD.
Today, a TV crew from the show "Bridges" on CTN came to my room and set up shop- lights with umbrellas, stacks of TV monitors, two cameras, the host, the producer and two camera men. (plus me and Kathleen- all in one room!) They filmed enough interview footage for an hour-long show on ApologetiX.
I got to talk with a lot of the other cool bands out today. I chatted with Peter Furler from the Newsboys, and later with Phil Joel for a while. He was checking out the progress on a portable Jumbotron two-story tall TV screen that was running a loop of a Newsboys video. When we wrapped up our conversation, I patted his shoulder and pointed up at the immense tv screen across the street, and said "Hey, now THEY rock." and he laughed and said in his New Zealand accent, "Yeah, I'm thinking about maybe buying an album."
Last night, I got to take part in a worship service that was lead by Michael W. Smith and many other artist. The "We Are the World" style choir was made up of many artists that I recognized, including the awesome, Rock and Roll Worship Circus, and (I THINK) Steven Curtis Chapman.
I also got to talk with my friend Dave from Sonicflood, and Dan Michaels from The Choir. Tonight, I shared a few minutes with Bob Carlisle ("Butterfly Kisses") about his earlier work with the group the Allies.
Then, after recording some video for the band One Bad Pig's DVD, I met with a couple magazine guys: Lee Haley, advertising coordinator for Hard Music Magazine, and Bruce Adolf from Christian Musician. Both of which have either ads or articles on ApologetiX this month.
The guys from Among Thorns came up to me and were saying "DUDE, we listened to your CD this morning when we got up. WE LOVE IT!" They went on and on.
After that, I went to dinner with a radio promotion guy who's probably going to help let more people hear our new CD, "Grace Period" (coming this Summer) than have ever heard us before! AND, while eating some awesome fresh home made tacos at the San Antonio restaurant, we were joined by Reliant K, who shared with us stories of the first time we played together a while back.
Also got to bump into Superchic[k], Crystal Lewis, Skillet, and many of our other friends in Christian Music.
Tomorrow, I'm doing a couple more video interviews in my room, and other recordings, and later this week, I'm going to visit John and Dino Elephante's studio, the Sound Kitchen, which is considered the best in Nashville. They may be doing something with our new CD.
Believe it or not- that's all in the first day and a half. Not getting much sleep, but having a great time. Thanks, to all our great friends and fans who really allow us to this labor of love. I've brought my Titanium PowerBook and every morning I load in my emails, and whenever I'm sitting in line to go in to be interviewed, or whenever I get 10 minutes, I get to answer our fan email.
I hope to always be able to answer every email quickly. To me it's a respect and gratitude thing. God's not into ministry- he's into PEOPLE. And our fans, friends and supporters are the reason ApologetiX exists. As long as I can humanly do it, I will answer every email personally and in a timely manner (usually the same day, some take a couple days)
But it's getting to be an awesome challenge! I'm up to almost 200 new emails a day.
Apologetically,
Karl -- Karl Messner Lead Guitarist/Producer ApologetiX (That Christian Parody Band) karl@apologetix.com
So, I covet your prayers for stamina, and your patience until I get back to that email reply you may be waiting on ;)
Karl
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