EP and Ben are in the studio working on Eric’s next record, and you can help make it happen. There are still patronage spots available, but you don’t want to miss out because you’re waiting! And hey, with Christmas approaching … maybe you can tell someone who’s looking for a gift for you that, “Hey, don’t just give me a gift … give one to Eric, too.”

As a reminder, here’s what you get for helping Eric make the record:

• 2 autographed CDs
• 2 tickets to a show near you or in your town
• A photo of you holding those precious CDs posted on my website
• Your name (and thanks) in the album liner notes

I’ve helped make it happen. Have you?

We’ve posted this elsewhere, and chances are that you’ve seen it, but if you haven’t … like last summer, Andy O has put out a for-free EP where he solicited his fans for ideas for the songs. And yes, Virginia, you can download it for free. But we ask that you give a donation to Andrew if you like it [and we're pretty sure that you will]:

Eric writes about progress on his next record:

Ben and I drove the two minutes it takes to get to nearby Portland Brew where we hashed out budget stuff, and then whittled the song list from 14 down to 10 (maybe 11) songs that we feel are the strongest of the bunch. I have no idea what I’m doing by telling certain songs that they’re not up to snuff and are being cut from the team. [I'm an LSU football fan, so, voila, there's your sports analogy. Down, set, hike.] We compared calendars and got a general idea of nailing down some work days. Tracking (drums and bass) day looms near. That means I need to get these songs in really good shape before then.

Remember, if you want to help make this record a reality, donate towards making it happen and receive a lot of cool stuff in return. Side benefit of helping make Eric’s record happen: he’s gonna wanna play near you if he can. He might even email you for ideas. I don’t have a recent progress towards the goal, but I know that he’s sold a goodly number of these. If you’ve been hesitating, best not hesitate much longer—don’t want to miss out!

AP, in conjunction with christiansupply.net, has done a podcast about Resurrection Letters, Vol. II. You can download stuff and hear the whole record. I’ve got my MP3 copy [from Centricity, in exchange for pitching ideas for marketing], and I can tell you that I really like it so far.

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.

Several of you have asked, “What’s up with Goodgame’s site?” Well, it’s being re-done. Presumably, this supports the new record, which Randall mentioned briefly on a Facebook status the other day.

We’ll write more when we know more …

If you’re like me, you probably woke up this morning thinking, “I wonder when Eric Peters is going to start working on his new record?” Well, wonder no more. Last Tuesday, Eric joined fellow Square Peg Alliance member Ben Shive, who is producing the record, in the studio, and they started working out arrangements and laying down acoustic guitar parts and scratch vocals. So far, they have the basic tracks recorded for four songs. They’re taking a break this week, while Ben is recording the rhythm tracks for the new Sara Groves Christmas record he is producing, but hopefully will be back at work soon. Eric has started a new blog, The Middle of the Storm, where he will be posting updates every recording day, if things go as planned. There are already a couple of posts up, so check it out.

Who is this Ben Shive, you ask? He’s not a Square Peg, right? Well… according to Andrew Peterson on The Rabbit Room, he is now. If you’ve listened to any of Andrew’s stuff over the years, or been to any of Andrew’s shows, you’ve probably heard Ben’s lyrics and his amazing piano skills. Which makes the title of Ben’s upcoming record all the more appropriate: The Ill-Tempered Klavier. (If you’re a music person, you’ll get the joke. If not, AP explains it on the RR post I linked.)

Ben’s songs’ awesomeness have long been praised but have, to this point, rarely been heard. That will end come June 17th when the digital download will be available via the Rabbit Room store. It’s not clear at the moment whether the pre-buy is for an actual disk or just for the downloads, though from the price ($10) and the fact that they’re not charging any shipping, I’m guessing it’s just for the download. The pre-order is for the digital download only, but is priced reasonably ($10). Ben might actually print some up in the future, but for now, digital is what you’ll get. And believe me, it’ll be worth it. (Thanks, AP, for clarifying in the comment below.) If you pre-order in the next month you’ll get two bonus tracks plus some sort of special “digital booklet” when the download is available.

I’ve ordered mine… you should do the same. Visit the Rabbit Room Store to get it.

Randall Goodgame just posted this bulletin on his myspace page:

Hey ya’ll,

So I’ve been thinking, it’s time for two things:
1. a new record (which is coming soon, we might start next week, Amen!!!)
2. a string of shows

This is where I need your help:
Some of you have already sent me some ideas, thank you! But I need a few more, is there a church or ministry in your local area that would like to host me for a show. I’ve got my long lists I’m working through on places, but I want to play where ya’ll would like me too, and yes, I’m recruiting your help…

So here’s the deal, if you have any ideas, shoot them to me here: booking@wintonelliott.com

Sincerely with great thanks in advance,
RG