Here’s what’s new:

• AP in Albany, GA on 4 Oct

Here’s what’s new this week:

• AG in Tomball, TX on 30 Jul. By the way, Gully’s looking for another show in Houston later that week. If you’re in the area and want to book him, get in touch.
• DW in Souderton, PA on 17 Aug.

Here’s where we’ve spotted new Peg tour dates this week:

• AO in Nashville on 20 Jul. Yes, yes, I’ll be there.

I’m a firm believer in the notion that art matters. At the close of a chapter in his book Through a Screen Darkly, a friend of mine, Jeffrey Overstreet, writes, “God heals us through creation and art.” There has been more than one night when I’ve been lost and at a loss for words, and listening to Eric sing his song Tomorrow does just that, heals me, or at least points me towards home, towards a better truth.

wake me up when today is over
for I cannot bear the noise
put me to sleep in silent whispers
inside of God’s own voice
is this the feeling of redemption
or the shoulders of despair?
and since I fear tomorrow
please come and meet me there

angel of tomorrow
say a prayer tonight
when I find myself alone
afraid of being known
and holding on for life

Eric has begun working on a new album, and he just posted this message on his website, letting those of us who are thankful for his work know how we can play a small part in this next project:

As you may already know I have started recording a new album with friend and fellow Spike Jones appreciator, Ben Shive, at the production helm. Progress will be slow the next month or so as I will be out of town, but the work, at least, has officially begun. I wanted to try something a little different this time around by inviting folks to get involved early on in the process, rather than later. Briefly alluding to this in an earlier post, I figure now is as good a time as any to get the ball rolling on the experiment, this patronage of the arts if I may be so bold. Fundraising, on a larger scale like this, is something I have never done, but now with a bona fide family of three to support this time through the indie record-making gamut, I have been encouraged to put the call out and to let the people of earth help, invest and contribute what they may. Here’s my proposal:

The Goal: $15,000
300 people x $50/each

Click here to read the rest of Eric’s proposal and to make your contribution.

As of ten minutes ago, Randall Goodgame’s new site has officially launched. There’s a lot of great stuff up there, including some great photos. Check it out at http://www.randallgoodgame.com.

Here’s some info about his next project from the “About” page:

Four years have passed since the release of Randall’s last album “War and Peace,” and now he’s writing again for album number five. Well-versed in folk music as a frequent writer for the group Caedmon’s Call (INO Records), Randall is putting down his guitar and going back to the instrument he grew up on – the piano. “The songs I’m writing,” said Randall, “are what happens when I’m writing on the instrument I’m most comfortable with.” What you will hear is a representation of Randall’s musical past blended with his real-life experiences in the present. “Reverie,” a new song written about his wife of seven years, is the mark of Randall’s maturity as an artist, how the past four years have molded him and, in a way, reveals his true musical identity. From the smooth, soulful vocals to the rich and captivating piano melody, “Reverie” invites the listener to celebrate love and devotion with a joyful innocence. A whole new chapter begins to unfold through the infectious, piano-based melodies he is creating, once again letting all that surrounds him become a part of the song and a part of the story that is Randall Goodgame.

• AO in Nashville on 7 Jul [like, Monday, y'all]

Michael Terry IM’d me the link to Randall’s channel on YouTube, and I thought that I’d share it with you.