Crushed and Created- Caitlyn Smith

I may be late to the train as this song was apparently one of the background songs on this past season of MTV’s Real World, but I stumbled across it today and wanted to share it with you. The song is called “Crushed and Created” and is performed and co-written by 21-year-old Caitlyn Smith. Look for an acoustic YouTube performance and the lyrics at the end of the post.

This song really struck me today because it comes from such an honest place. It is a song not just about adversity but about growth. So many songs simply stop with describing the pain, but this is a song that is both honest about pain and brokenness as well as proclaiming that there is hope. I recently saw a video in which a well-traveled indie artist complained that songs of faith might just be getting boring to God. I am not ready to leave behind Hillsong United or some of the stuff from the Passion community, but I understand where he’s coming from. He talked about the fear to really say things that matter. We hide behind our comfortable language and we end up with the empty praise that Isaiah railed against. Obviously, this song would not be a congregational praise song, but we need artists who have the ability to communicate their faith in fresh and honest ways for the rest of the week. You will find this in the music of Jon Foreman (especially his 4 season EPs) or Mute Math.

Honestly, this song for me is resonating in much the same way as “Happiness” by The Fray. That song will be released on their new album. They are artists of faith, and while much of their music can be called “general love songs” there are moments when they reach deep and pull out something more. In the song “Happiness” it is my opinion that they communicate the perils and heartbreak of chasing and desiring happiness. That is a fruitless and tiring search. True peace, joy, and satisfaction does not come from happiness alone. In the same way, Caitlyn and her co-writers communicate that growth does not always come easy. Growth is not always the result of books, lectures, Bible studies, or conversations over coffee. As the song says “where one thing dies, something else can be created.” Sometimes growth comes through pain. Yet, in that brokenness, there is hope- “my eyes are brighter.” The words of the famous Psalm 23 come to mind- Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for You are with me.”

I haven’t had a chance to check out anything else by Caitlyn, but I am really impressed with this song. She has a few albums on iTunes from her teens with the most recent sounding the best. It is this album, “Face Over Heels,” that includes the studio track. Again, look below for the YouTube acoustic performance and lyrics.

Peace
Dan

Crushed and Created
By Caitlyn Smith/Sara Groves/Gordon Kennedy

Looking back on the things that found me
Places I would never choose
The same things that both haunt and heal
My demons and my muse

We are crushed and created
Melted and made
Broken and built up in the very same way
What I thought I could handle
What I thought I could take
What I thought would destroy me
Leaves me stronger in its wake

And there are times that I’ve underestimated
Both the grief and goodness found in something new
Where one thing dies, something else can be created
And though it’s truth you find, it’s innocence you lose

I’m not the me that I started with
My friends say my eyes are brighter
I’m not the me that I started with
I’m freer, and I’m wiser, and I’m stronger…

It leaves me stronger

(Lyrics from her MySpace blog)

Gary Busey on Business

I know this is really an ad, but I was an advertising major, so anytime I find really good/funny viral ads or videos, I don’t mind passing them on. Here’s one in a string of about 30-40 videos from Gary Busey on business.

Peace
Dan

New Tim Tebow Desktop Wallpaper- Tebow Returns

In anticipation of Tim Tebow’s return to the helm at UF this fall, I have created a new desktop wallpaper. The photo was taken by Cliff McBride with the Tampa Tribune. You can find more of his photos and some other Tebow desktops at: http://www2.tbo.com/static/special_reports/tbo-special-reports-tebow-wallpaper/

Enjoy and anticipate greatness!

Peace,
Dan

EXTREMELY IMPORTANT: As with my last set of Tebow and UF Heisman winners wallpapers, I would ask that you please DO NOT sell this image (digitally or printed- especially on eBay). It was created from a copyrighted image by Tribune photographer Cliff McBride and is not meant for resale. I appreciate your help with this.

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The Autumn Film- The Grey EP

The Autumn Film is back at it again- making great music and giving it away from the price of one email address. These guys and gals are from Colorado, and I found out about them on Virb. I actually clicked on their profile because the album and profile art looked really interesting (so if you’re a band out there, don’t underestimate the power of the design!!!). I recommend that you check them out, and you can click the banner below to get 4 free demos of unreleased songs. All you have to do is give them an email address of a friend. Also, be sure to check out their full length release on iTunes- the song “This is Love” is my personal favorite.

Peace,
Dan

 

If you see Jim Cantore… run

I live in Florida, so I have been through my share of hurricanes, tropical storms, and severe weather. That also means that for these next 3 or so months, we Floridians become more frequent followers of the Weather Channel. With the hurricane season officially beginning, I figured I would give a little bit of a public service announcement.

If you see Jim Cantore… RUN!

Jim is often times the reporter on the scene for the landfall of the biggest storms. So, if Jim Cantore rolls up in your town, its probably a good idea to start packing. I mean, he seems like a really cool guy, and I would absolutely love to have lunch with him, but that would sacrifice what few precious hours I have left before the carnage begins.

Now you know.

Peace,
Dan