something starving in my soul feel it burning in my bones
burning in my bones
burning in my bones well I hear that we so blow got my
well I hear that we so blow got my
well I hear that we so blow got my ticket in my hand packed up everything I
ticket in my hand packed up everything I
ticket in my hand packed up everything I oh dude you’re chugging full steam ahead
oh dude you’re chugging full steam ahead
oh dude you’re chugging full steam ahead like a locomotive I’m gone and it’s all
like a locomotive I’m gone and it’s all
like a locomotive I’m gone and it’s all alright traveling down these tracks
alright traveling down these tracks
alright traveling down these tracks alone but I’ll be alright
alone but I’ll be alright
alone but I’ll be alright can I get sour on my back rocking like a
can I get sour on my back rocking like a
can I get sour on my back rocking like a rolling stone that’s just the train I’m
rolling stone that’s just the train I’m
rolling stone that’s just the train I’m on
on
on [Music]
[Music]
[Music] [Applause]
[Applause]
[Applause] good morning good morning first of all
good morning good morning first of all
good morning good morning first of all just want to say it’s a pleasure and
just want to say it’s a pleasure and
just want to say it’s a pleasure and it’s an honor to be here anytime I get
it’s an honor to be here anytime I get
it’s an honor to be here anytime I get the opportunity to share my story I get
the opportunity to share my story I get
the opportunity to share my story I get excited about it because I’m a
excited about it because I’m a
excited about it because I’m a passionate person and I’m passionate
passionate person and I’m passionate
passionate person and I’m passionate about my story and and what it’s done in
about my story and and what it’s done in
about my story and and what it’s done in for my life and hopefully it can affect
for my life and hopefully it can affect
for my life and hopefully it can affect some other people’s lives kind of my
some other people’s lives kind of my
some other people’s lives kind of my topic or my theme is rise and shine and
topic or my theme is rise and shine and
topic or my theme is rise and shine and I’ve probably heard that phrase before
I’ve probably heard that phrase before
I’ve probably heard that phrase before in your life at some point in time I
in your life at some point in time I
in your life at some point in time I know I used to hear it a lot when I was
know I used to hear it a lot when I was
know I used to hear it a lot when I was a kid growing up and I would usually
a kid growing up and I would usually
a kid growing up and I would usually hear that term right before either my
hear that term right before either my
hear that term right before either my mom or one of my older brothers would
mom or one of my older brothers would
mom or one of my older brothers would drag me out of bed to get ready for
drag me out of bed to get ready for
drag me out of bed to get ready for school
school
school sometimes rising and shine is not the
sometimes rising and shine is not the
sometimes rising and shine is not the easiest thing to do in the morning to
easiest thing to do in the morning to
easiest thing to do in the morning to get up and get going especially for me
get up and get going especially for me
get up and get going especially for me being a musician this is still not even
being a musician this is still not even
being a musician this is still not even my getup time this is not rise and shine
my getup time this is not rise and shine
my getup time this is not rise and shine time for me and so uh but so it makes it
time for me and so uh but so it makes it
time for me and so uh but so it makes it hard sometimes but then you when you
hard sometimes but then you when you
hard sometimes but then you when you equate that that particular theme or
equate that that particular theme or
equate that that particular theme or phrase to life sometimes it can be even
phrase to life sometimes it can be even
phrase to life sometimes it can be even tougher than that I’m just going to tell
tougher than that I’m just going to tell
tougher than that I’m just going to tell you a little bit about my story my rise
you a little bit about my story my rise
you a little bit about my story my rise and shine moment like he said earlier
and shine moment like he said earlier
and shine moment like he said earlier I’m from originally from Hickory North
I’m from originally from Hickory North
I’m from originally from Hickory North Carolina okay nobody from Hickory North
Carolina okay nobody from Hickory North
Carolina okay nobody from Hickory North Carolina’s little ways down the road up
Carolina’s little ways down the road up
Carolina’s little ways down the road up we were known for textiles and furniture
we were known for textiles and furniture
we were known for textiles and furniture when I was growing up there and I’m from
when I was growing up there and I’m from
when I was growing up there and I’m from a blended family of 12 children I was
a blended family of 12 children I was
a blended family of 12 children I was raised by my mother who even to this day
raised by my mother who even to this day
raised by my mother who even to this day can’t read or write but for some reason
can’t read or write but for some reason
can’t read or write but for some reason in some way found a way to put food on
in some way found a way to put food on
in some way found a way to put food on the table clothes on my back and make
the table clothes on my back and make
the table clothes on my back and make sure I got to school and wrote rise and
sure I got to school and wrote rise and
sure I got to school and wrote rise and shine every morning to get to school and
shine every morning to get to school and
shine every morning to get to school and do what I needed to do but growing up in
do what I needed to do but growing up in
do what I needed to do but growing up in the projects of Hickory North Carolina
the projects of Hickory North Carolina
the projects of Hickory North Carolina there was a lot of things that I was
there was a lot of things that I was
there was a lot of things that I was noticing about the environment and where
noticing about the environment and where
noticing about the environment and where I was at and two of those things that
I was at and two of those things that
I was at and two of those things that were major influences in that was all I
were major influences in that was all I
were major influences in that was all I was seeing was death and destruction see
was seeing was death and destruction see
was seeing was death and destruction see at the age of 14 I lost my first one of
at the age of 14 I lost my first one of
at the age of 14 I lost my first one of my older brothers and then later I would
my older brothers and then later I would
my older brothers and then later I would lose another brother to the streets and
lose another brother to the streets and
lose another brother to the streets and then later I would lose two of my
then later I would lose two of my
then later I would lose two of my younger brothers to incarceration and so
younger brothers to incarceration and so
younger brothers to incarceration and so this is what I was seeing day in and day
this is what I was seeing day in and day
this is what I was seeing day in and day out you know I grew up in a family where
out you know I grew up in a family where
out you know I grew up in a family where selling drugs and violence and those
selling drugs and violence and those
selling drugs and violence and those things were just as common as you you
things were just as common as you you
things were just as common as you you know turning on the television in your
know turning on the television in your
know turning on the television in your home and I remember thinking to myself
home and I remember thinking to myself
home and I remember thinking to myself that uh that was my options in life you
that uh that was my options in life you
that uh that was my options in life you know I was either going to end up dead
know I was either going to end up dead
know I was either going to end up dead at a young age I was going to end up
at a young age I was going to end up
at a young age I was going to end up incarcerated but something amazing
incarcerated but something amazing
incarcerated but something amazing happened and it’s one of the three
happened and it’s one of the three
happened and it’s one of the three points I want to focus on here today in
points I want to focus on here today in
points I want to focus on here today in the rise and shine a journey of life the
the rise and shine a journey of life the
the rise and shine a journey of life the first thing was I discovered the creator
first thing was I discovered the creator
first thing was I discovered the creator of all good things you know I discovered
of all good things you know I discovered
of all good things you know I discovered the grand designer of this world of who
the grand designer of this world of who
the grand designer of this world of who I am as a person and the giver of
I am as a person and the giver of
I am as a person and the giver of purpose and this at a young age happened
purpose and this at a young age happened
purpose and this at a young age happened for me through the Salvation Army it was
for me through the Salvation Army it was
for me through the Salvation Army it was a church organization that during the
a church organization that during the
a church organization that during the holidays when my family couldn’t afford
holidays when my family couldn’t afford
holidays when my family couldn’t afford food on the table or clothes or clothes
food on the table or clothes or clothes
food on the table or clothes or clothes or Christmas presents they helped make
or Christmas presents they helped make
or Christmas presents they helped make that possible and not only that it was a
that possible and not only that it was a
that possible and not only that it was a church organization where I started
church organization where I started
church organization where I started attending and learning more about God
attending and learning more about God
attending and learning more about God and this particular discovery in my life
and this particular discovery in my life
and this particular discovery in my life was to me the most important thing that
was to me the most important thing that
was to me the most important thing that ever happened in my life it gave me a
ever happened in my life it gave me a
ever happened in my life it gave me a new focus a new vision a new outlook on
new focus a new vision a new outlook on
new focus a new vision a new outlook on possibilities in life see before that
possibilities in life see before that
possibilities in life see before that all I saw and all I knew was death and
all I saw and all I knew was death and
all I saw and all I knew was death and destruction but then I started reading
destruction but then I started reading
destruction but then I started reading words in the Bible that would say trust
words in the Bible that would say trust
words in the Bible that would say trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean
in the Lord with all your heart and lean
in the Lord with all your heart and lean not to your own understanding and all
not to your own understanding and all
not to your own understanding and all your ways acknowledge him and he’ll
your ways acknowledge him and he’ll
your ways acknowledge him and he’ll direct your path and then I would hear
direct your path and then I would hear
direct your path and then I would hear words like for I have plans for you to
words like for I have plans for you to
words like for I have plans for you to prosper says the Lord plans to give you
prosper says the Lord plans to give you
prosper says the Lord plans to give you hope in the future and not to harm you
hope in the future and not to harm you
hope in the future and not to harm you and so I was hearing these words but
and so I was hearing these words but
and so I was hearing these words but when I walk outside of my my door every
when I walk outside of my my door every
when I walk outside of my my door every day and sometimes even in my own home I
day and sometimes even in my own home I
day and sometimes even in my own home I was seeing just the opposite so you can
was seeing just the opposite so you can
was seeing just the opposite so you can see how there can be a little
see how there can be a little
see how there can be a little conflicting for somebody growing up and
conflicting for somebody growing up and
conflicting for somebody growing up and seeing these things but I continue to
seeing these things but I continue to
seeing these things but I continue to read and grow and study and learn more
read and grow and study and learn more
read and grow and study and learn more about God and another tool that came
about God and another tool that came
about God and another tool that came very important my life was the Boys and
very important my life was the Boys and
very important my life was the Boys and Girls Club which I’m alumni of and I
Girls Club which I’m alumni of and I
Girls Club which I’m alumni of and I grew up I remember when I was growing up
grew up I remember when I was growing up
grew up I remember when I was growing up in the projects there was this big white
in the projects there was this big white
in the projects there was this big white bus that used to come down into our
bus that used to come down into our
bus that used to come down into our projects and just scoop up a bunch of
projects and just scoop up a bunch of
projects and just scoop up a bunch of kids and whisk off and I was what you
kids and whisk off and I was what you
kids and whisk off and I was what you call a latchkey kid I don’t know if
call a latchkey kid I don’t know if
call a latchkey kid I don’t know if anybody knows what that is but during
anybody knows what that is but during
anybody knows what that is but during this time it’s like my mom would work I
this time it’s like my mom would work I
this time it’s like my mom would work I was supposed to take the key go inside
was supposed to take the key go inside
was supposed to take the key go inside do my heart and do not open the door for
do my heart and do not open the door for
do my heart and do not open the door for anybody but I remember looking out the
anybody but I remember looking out the
anybody but I remember looking out the window and seeing this big white bus
window and seeing this big white bus
window and seeing this big white bus pick up all these kids and whisk off I
pick up all these kids and whisk off I
pick up all these kids and whisk off I didn’t know where they were going
didn’t know where they were going
didn’t know where they were going I don’t know but everybody looked like
I don’t know but everybody looked like
I don’t know but everybody looked like they were super excited to be leaving
they were super excited to be leaving
they were super excited to be leaving and I wanted to do that so pivotal point
and I wanted to do that so pivotal point
and I wanted to do that so pivotal point came in my life where I had to choose
came in my life where I had to choose
came in my life where I had to choose wasn’t gonna listen to mom stay at home
wasn’t gonna listen to mom stay at home
wasn’t gonna listen to mom stay at home or was I gonna get on this big magical
or was I gonna get on this big magical
or was I gonna get on this big magical fairy bus ride to this magical place I
fairy bus ride to this magical place I
fairy bus ride to this magical place I saw these other kids going and I
saw these other kids going and I
saw these other kids going and I disobeyed my mother and I hopped on that
disobeyed my mother and I hopped on that
disobeyed my mother and I hopped on that bus one day figuring I could get back
bus one day figuring I could get back
bus one day figuring I could get back before she gets off work and I and it
before she gets off work and I and it
before she gets off work and I and it was introduced to me to the Boys and
was introduced to me to the Boys and
was introduced to me to the Boys and Girls Club and this place became a place
Girls Club and this place became a place
Girls Club and this place became a place of refuge for me it was where I made the
of refuge for me it was where I made the
of refuge for me it was where I made the second discovery in my life is what my
second discovery in my life is what my
second discovery in my life is what my passion and my gift was and that’s where
passion and my gift was and that’s where
passion and my gift was and that’s where I discovered music I was sitting there
I discovered music I was sitting there
I discovered music I was sitting there for hours and continued to write poems
for hours and continued to write poems
for hours and continued to write poems and and my feelings down on paper and
and and my feelings down on paper and
and and my feelings down on paper and those pawns became songs and those songs
those pawns became songs and those songs
those pawns became songs and those songs became things that I would sing and so
became things that I would sing and so
became things that I would sing and so after I had this great discovery of God
after I had this great discovery of God
after I had this great discovery of God and His Word and the things he was
and His Word and the things he was
and His Word and the things he was telling me and then also this gift and
telling me and then also this gift and
telling me and then also this gift and this passion to play music I felt like I
this passion to play music I felt like I
this passion to play music I felt like I was ready to take on the world I was the
was ready to take on the world I was the
was ready to take on the world I was the first one in my immediate family to
first one in my immediate family to
first one in my immediate family to graduate from high school and I remember
graduate from high school and I remember
graduate from high school and I remember thinking that was a huge accomplishment
thinking that was a huge accomplishment
thinking that was a huge accomplishment but it also triggered something in my
but it also triggered something in my
but it also triggered something in my mind it’s like you know what if I can do
mind it’s like you know what if I can do
mind it’s like you know what if I can do that maybe I can do more
that maybe I can do more
that maybe I can do more so I mean unfortunately back then we
so I mean unfortunately back then we
so I mean unfortunately back then we didn’t have Google or you know GPS and
didn’t have Google or you know GPS and
didn’t have Google or you know GPS and that kind of thing but I just knew from
that kind of thing but I just knew from
that kind of thing but I just knew from watching television this is we used to
watching television this is we used to
watching television this is we used to turn a television with your hand like
turn a television with your hand like
turn a television with your hand like that online remember the good old days
that online remember the good old days
that online remember the good old days but um I remember looking on television
but um I remember looking on television
but um I remember looking on television and thinking if I wanted to become a
and thinking if I wanted to become a
and thinking if I wanted to become a big-time musician on big-time
big-time musician on big-time
big-time musician on big-time entertainer I needed to go to Hollywood
entertainer I needed to go to Hollywood
entertainer I needed to go to Hollywood California now keep in mind I had never
California now keep in mind I had never
California now keep in mind I had never been outside of Hickory North Carolina
what I did was I worked that summer
what I did was I worked that summer after I graduated from high school saved
after I graduated from high school saved
after I graduated from high school saved up a lot of money and got me a one-way
up a lot of money and got me a one-way
up a lot of money and got me a one-way but a Greyhound bus ticket to Hollywood
but a Greyhound bus ticket to Hollywood
but a Greyhound bus ticket to Hollywood California I didn’t know was going to
California I didn’t know was going to
California I didn’t know was going to take two and a half days to get there
take two and a half days to get there
take two and a half days to get there and I remember stepping off the bus when
and I remember stepping off the bus when
and I remember stepping off the bus when I got to LA and I had just a bag with me
I got to LA and I had just a bag with me
I got to LA and I had just a bag with me of my clothes and money in my pocket
of my clothes and money in my pocket
of my clothes and money in my pocket and I was pretty confident you know you
and I was pretty confident you know you
and I was pretty confident you know you have that that young blissful ignorance
have that that young blissful ignorance
have that that young blissful ignorance I like to call it that I was going to be
I like to call it that I was going to be
I like to call it that I was going to be able to take on the world and of course
able to take on the world and of course
able to take on the world and of course I was going to be able to because in my
I was going to be able to because in my
I was going to be able to because in my wallet at $400 everybody knows that’s
wallet at $400 everybody knows that’s
wallet at $400 everybody knows that’s enough to make
enough to make
enough to make la and I but I found out really quick
la and I but I found out really quick
la and I but I found out really quick after a few days time $400 was not
after a few days time $400 was not
after a few days time $400 was not enough money the April Fool’s joke was
enough money the April Fool’s joke was
enough money the April Fool’s joke was on me and so after that time I found
on me and so after that time I found
on me and so after that time I found myself homeless in LA for the next two
myself homeless in LA for the next two
myself homeless in LA for the next two years I would find myself sleeping in
years I would find myself sleeping in
years I would find myself sleeping in squats abandoned buildings out on Skid
squats abandoned buildings out on Skid
squats abandoned buildings out on Skid Row another organization called the
Row another organization called the
Row another organization called the Covenant house was instrumental and just
Covenant house was instrumental and just
Covenant house was instrumental and just keeping a roof over my head and I
keeping a roof over my head and I
keeping a roof over my head and I remember doing this time thinking man
remember doing this time thinking man
remember doing this time thinking man what about all these words that I was
what about all these words that I was
what about all these words that I was reading and I almost fooled myself into
reading and I almost fooled myself into
reading and I almost fooled myself into believing that death and destruction
believing that death and destruction
believing that death and destruction wasn’t the path for me and I was like
wasn’t the path for me and I was like
wasn’t the path for me and I was like maybe I was wrong about them but it was
maybe I was wrong about them but it was
maybe I was wrong about them but it was doing this low point in my life that
doing this low point in my life that
doing this low point in my life that those words that I remember from from
those words that I remember from from
those words that I remember from from God’s Word started ringing true to me
God’s Word started ringing true to me
God’s Word started ringing true to me again I started seeking those out and
again I started seeking those out and
again I started seeking those out and also made the second biggest discovery
also made the second biggest discovery
also made the second biggest discovery in my life which was what my purpose is
in my life which was what my purpose is
in my life which was what my purpose is see rise and shine the thing for me
see rise and shine the thing for me
see rise and shine the thing for me comes from why do we get up every day
comes from why do we get up every day
comes from why do we get up every day what is our why in life why do we
what is our why in life why do we
what is our why in life why do we continue to get up and we go to our jobs
continue to get up and we go to our jobs
continue to get up and we go to our jobs or we take care of our families and we
or we take care of our families and we
or we take care of our families and we do the things we do which is this
do the things we do which is this
do the things we do which is this y-component and I finally figured out
y-component and I finally figured out
y-component and I finally figured out what that was and if for a moment I
what that was and if for a moment I
what that was and if for a moment I thought it was music but I just realized
thought it was music but I just realized
thought it was music but I just realized music was going to be the gift and the
music was going to be the gift and the
music was going to be the gift and the tool that would take me into my wife my
tool that would take me into my wife my
tool that would take me into my wife my why was people I love people I love
why was people I love people I love
why was people I love people I love interacting with people I love
interacting with people I love
interacting with people I love encouraging people and I and I know
encouraging people and I and I know
encouraging people and I and I know there’s been people along the way who
there’s been people along the way who
there’s been people along the way who constantly spoke positivity in my ear
constantly spoke positivity in my ear
constantly spoke positivity in my ear when I was seeing negativity all around
when I was seeing negativity all around
when I was seeing negativity all around and it changed my life and I wanted to
and it changed my life and I wanted to
and it changed my life and I wanted to do that to somebody else I wanted to do
do that to somebody else I wanted to do
do that to somebody else I wanted to do that for other people I wanted to be
that for other people I wanted to be
that for other people I wanted to be what I would call somebody’s hero
I guess you can say I am afraid of men I
I guess you can say I am afraid of men I haven’t been I guess you may feel that I
haven’t been I guess you may feel that I
haven’t been I guess you may feel that I had anything real just hiding from
had anything real just hiding from
had anything real just hiding from everything by the way all the world is
everything by the way all the world is
everything by the way all the world is waiting on me so I’m wearing my heart on
waiting on me so I’m wearing my heart on
waiting on me so I’m wearing my heart on my sleeve because I was meant to fly
my sleeve because I was meant to fly
my sleeve because I was meant to fly meant to shine gotta find the better man
meant to shine gotta find the better man
meant to shine gotta find the better man me before I die even if he just gotta be
me before I die even if he just gotta be
me before I die even if he just gotta be somebody’s hero so I started thinking in
somebody’s hero so I started thinking in
somebody’s hero so I started thinking in my mind that my gift and my purpose were
my mind that my gift and my purpose were
my mind that my gift and my purpose were lining up to be that for somebody else
lining up to be that for somebody else
lining up to be that for somebody else throughout my life places like the
throughout my life places like the
throughout my life places like the Salvation Army the Boys and Girls Club
Salvation Army the Boys and Girls Club
Salvation Army the Boys and Girls Club God and what I’ve learned through his
God and what I’ve learned through his
God and what I’ve learned through his word have been heroes in my life places
word have been heroes in my life places
word have been heroes in my life places of refuge and it took those moments
of refuge and it took those moments
of refuge and it took those moments where I felt like death and destruction
where I felt like death and destruction
where I felt like death and destruction were only my options and it obliterated
were only my options and it obliterated
were only my options and it obliterated that it gave me new outlook new purpose
that it gave me new outlook new purpose
that it gave me new outlook new purpose a new way to get up every day and so I
a new way to get up every day and so I
a new way to get up every day and so I my two years stay in LA I kind of
my two years stay in LA I kind of
my two years stay in LA I kind of gathered myself a regroup and I made my
gathered myself a regroup and I made my
gathered myself a regroup and I made my way to get a Nashville Tennessee
[Music]
[Music] love is a burning thing it may be safari
love is a burning thing it may be safari
love is a burning thing it may be safari about my waterside I fell into ring fire
about my waterside I fell into ring fire
about my waterside I fell into ring fire I fell into a burning fire went down
I fell into a burning fire went down
I fell into a burning fire went down down down the flames with high burns
down down the flames with high burns
down down the flames with high burns burns luring fire pouring fire
burns luring fire pouring fire
burns luring fire pouring fire [Music]
[Music]
[Music] [Applause]
I’ve got a lot of you did not expect to
I’ve got a lot of you did not expect to see that a lot of different reasons so I
see that a lot of different reasons so I
see that a lot of different reasons so I make my way into Nashville Tennessee and
make my way into Nashville Tennessee and
make my way into Nashville Tennessee and if you ever get to Nashville Tennessee
if you ever get to Nashville Tennessee
if you ever get to Nashville Tennessee you see no second Avenue and Broadway
you see no second Avenue and Broadway
you see no second Avenue and Broadway people out there sitting on the side of
people out there sitting on the side of
people out there sitting on the side of the street with their guitar cases and
the street with their guitar cases and
the street with their guitar cases and what we call busking just playing for
what we call busking just playing for
what we call busking just playing for money on the side of the street and I
money on the side of the street and I
money on the side of the street and I remember when I got there I was thinking
remember when I got there I was thinking
remember when I got there I was thinking okay well this is my first gig this is
okay well this is my first gig this is
okay well this is my first gig this is what I need to do and so when I was out
what I need to do and so when I was out
what I need to do and so when I was out there playing I was singing and this guy
there playing I was singing and this guy
there playing I was singing and this guy kind of walks by a gentleman with a big
kind of walks by a gentleman with a big
kind of walks by a gentleman with a big old black cowboy hat and handlebar
old black cowboy hat and handlebar
old black cowboy hat and handlebar mustache which describes about 1/3 of
mustache which describes about 1/3 of
mustache which describes about 1/3 of Nashville and he walks by and he kind of
Nashville and he walks by and he kind of
Nashville and he walks by and he kind of stops and he listens and he takes $100
stops and he listens and he takes $100
stops and he listens and he takes $100 out of his his wallet and throws it into
out of his his wallet and throws it into
out of his his wallet and throws it into my guitar case and so I see $100 and so
my guitar case and so I see $100 and so
my guitar case and so I see $100 and so I’m pulling out all the stops now and he
I’m pulling out all the stops now and he
I’m pulling out all the stops now and he kind of stops and listens and we we
kind of stops and listens and we we
kind of stops and listens and we we converse go back and forth he grabs the
converse go back and forth he grabs the
converse go back and forth he grabs the guitar we jam for a couple hours and
guitar we jam for a couple hours and
guitar we jam for a couple hours and then he says I want you to come hang
then he says I want you to come hang
then he says I want you to come hang with me you know I got some friends of
with me you know I got some friends of
with me you know I got some friends of mine we play at this place inside called
mine we play at this place inside called
mine we play at this place inside called the pub of love and you don’t have to
the pub of love and you don’t have to
the pub of love and you don’t have to sit on the street people would listen to
sit on the street people would listen to
sit on the street people would listen to you you know you have you have a give
you you know you have you have a give
you you know you have you have a give you have talent I didn’t know who it was
you have talent I didn’t know who it was
you have talent I didn’t know who it was at the time but I later found out it was
at the time but I later found out it was
at the time but I later found out it was a gentleman by the name of John Rich
a gentleman by the name of John Rich
a gentleman by the name of John Rich from a country duel called big and rich
from a country duel called big and rich
from a country duel called big and rich and uh and my career took off from that
and uh and my career took off from that
and uh and my career took off from that moment he introduced me to his counter
moment he introduced me to his counter
moment he introduced me to his counter partner mr. big Kinney and Gretchen
partner mr. big Kinney and Gretchen
partner mr. big Kinney and Gretchen Wilson James out of the whole music
Wilson James out of the whole music
Wilson James out of the whole music mafia clan which is why I have this big
mafia clan which is why I have this big
mafia clan which is why I have this big old blinding blingy ring on my finger
old blinding blingy ring on my finger
old blinding blingy ring on my finger today but it was it was a group of
today but it was it was a group of
today but it was it was a group of musicians who were all about music
musicians who were all about music
musicians who were all about music without prejudice and just promoting
without prejudice and just promoting
without prejudice and just promoting good music and it was kind of like a
good music and it was kind of like a
good music and it was kind of like a brother and Brotherhood and I remember
brother and Brotherhood and I remember
brother and Brotherhood and I remember that happening for me and it totally
that happening for me and it totally
that happening for me and it totally taken my life on this rollercoaster ride
taken my life on this rollercoaster ride
taken my life on this rollercoaster ride from that moment on you know I would
from that moment on you know I would
from that moment on you know I would secure my first publishing deal back in
secure my first publishing deal back in
secure my first publishing deal back in 2004 and I’ve done nothing but music
2004 and I’ve done nothing but music
2004 and I’ve done nothing but music since then I was signed to Warner
since then I was signed to Warner
since then I was signed to Warner Brothers with a country trio called the
Brothers with a country trio called the
Brothers with a country trio called the farm I able to go on tour with John
farm I able to go on tour with John
farm I able to go on tour with John Legend and countless and countless other
Legend and countless and countless other
Legend and countless and countless other artists and I say all those things not
artists and I say all those things not
artists and I say all those things not to boast but just to show you the
to boast but just to show you the
to boast but just to show you the process of the rising shine when you
process of the rising shine when you
process of the rising shine when you discover the giver of purpose when you
discover the giver of purpose when you
discover the giver of purpose when you discover what your purpose is and then
discover what your purpose is and then
discover what your purpose is and then you live that purpose out the it’s
you live that purpose out the it’s
you live that purpose out the it’s limitless what you’re capable of doing
limitless what you’re capable of doing
limitless what you’re capable of doing and the possibilities in life and and
and the possibilities in life and and
and the possibilities in life and and I’ve seen it firsthand just coming from
I’ve seen it firsthand just coming from
I’ve seen it firsthand just coming from the situations where I came and where I
the situations where I came and where I
the situations where I came and where I am today and so I continue to use this
am today and so I continue to use this
am today and so I continue to use this tool of music and
tool of music and
tool of music and this ability to go back in and spread
this ability to go back in and spread
this ability to go back in and spread the good news that no matter what your
the good news that no matter what your
the good news that no matter what your situation is no matter where you come
situation is no matter where you come
situation is no matter where you come from no matter what you might have been
from no matter what you might have been
from no matter what you might have been through there’s always hope in the fact
through there’s always hope in the fact
through there’s always hope in the fact that there’s a creator that loves you
that there’s a creator that loves you
that there’s a creator that loves you and wants the best for you plans for the
and wants the best for you plans for the
and wants the best for you plans for the price for you to give you hope in the
price for you to give you hope in the
price for you to give you hope in the future and just as a sidebar just case
future and just as a sidebar just case
future and just as a sidebar just case you didn’t know I went to seminary as
you didn’t know I went to seminary as
you didn’t know I went to seminary as well so it’s not like it’s like then
well so it’s not like it’s like then
well so it’s not like it’s like then that this this good good good father
that this this good good good father
that this this good good good father wants nothing but goodness for us and he
wants nothing but goodness for us and he
wants nothing but goodness for us and he has created us each for purpose and when
has created us each for purpose and when
has created us each for purpose and when you live in that purpose and you walk in
you live in that purpose and you walk in
you live in that purpose and you walk in that purpose you are shining and the
that purpose you are shining and the
that purpose you are shining and the cool thing about shining a lot of times
cool thing about shining a lot of times
cool thing about shining a lot of times it can be a scary thing but what it does
it can be a scary thing but what it does
it can be a scary thing but what it does it liberates other people to shine
it liberates other people to shine
it liberates other people to shine there’s a quote by a lady named Marianne
there’s a quote by a lady named Marianne
there’s a quote by a lady named Marianne Williamson that kind of paraphrase it
Williamson that kind of paraphrase it
Williamson that kind of paraphrase it says our deepest fear is not that we are
says our deepest fear is not that we are
says our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate but that we’re powerful
inadequate but that we’re powerful
inadequate but that we’re powerful there’s a power that lies in each one of
there’s a power that lies in each one of
there’s a power that lies in each one of us and when you tap into that and you’re
us and when you tap into that and you’re
us and when you tap into that and you’re not afraid of that you shine and by
not afraid of that you shine and by
not afraid of that you shine and by shining you liberate other people to do
shining you liberate other people to do
shining you liberate other people to do the same thing I just the other day I
the same thing I just the other day I
the same thing I just the other day I watched a young man play for a high
watched a young man play for a high
watched a young man play for a high school basketball team who had no arms
school basketball team who had no arms
school basketball team who had no arms and can shoot three-pointers ten times
and can shoot three-pointers ten times
and can shoot three-pointers ten times better not good but seeing that
better not good but seeing that
better not good but seeing that liberated meet it’s like well what is my
liberated meet it’s like well what is my
liberated meet it’s like well what is my excuse when this person is able to step
excuse when this person is able to step
excuse when this person is able to step out and do this and go above and beyond
out and do this and go above and beyond
out and do this and go above and beyond it liberates you to do the same thing so
it liberates you to do the same thing so
it liberates you to do the same thing so I like to close with this song that’s
I like to close with this song that’s
I like to close with this song that’s called shine and rise and shine the
called shine and rise and shine the
called shine and rise and shine the theme of what I want to speak about
theme of what I want to speak about
theme of what I want to speak about today is just saying no matter what your
today is just saying no matter what your
today is just saying no matter what your circumstances no matter whatever you’re
circumstances no matter whatever you’re
circumstances no matter whatever you’re going through what things might appear
going through what things might appear
going through what things might appear to be walking by faith and not by sight
to be walking by faith and not by sight
to be walking by faith and not by sight when you can grow rise above that
when you can grow rise above that
when you can grow rise above that occasion shine and liberate other people
occasion shine and liberate other people
occasion shine and liberate other people to do the same
to do the same
to do the same [Music]
rain it’s just one not those things
rain it’s just one not those things somedays got it but hey oh hey is only
somedays got it but hey oh hey is only
somedays got it but hey oh hey is only his because somebody taught it see how
his because somebody taught it see how
his because somebody taught it see how can you learn the lesson of love if you
can you learn the lesson of love if you
can you learn the lesson of love if you choose to hide in the dark shine so
choose to hide in the dark shine so
choose to hide in the dark shine so everybody can try to get I’ll be your
everybody can try to get I’ll be your
everybody can try to get I’ll be your heart either way you know how to be
heart either way you know how to be
heart either way you know how to be afraid it’s in you it’s in you too right
afraid it’s in you it’s in you too right
afraid it’s in you it’s in you too right how you for the great happy yeah and
how you for the great happy yeah and
how you for the great happy yeah and with a little bit of night you can make
with a little bit of night you can make
with a little bit of night you can make it brighter he Oh
so everybody shines like Sun on
so everybody shines like Sun on everybody shine ha ha ha ha everybody
everybody shine ha ha ha ha everybody
everybody shine ha ha ha ha everybody shines light on shine on everybody shine
shines light on shine on everybody shine
shines light on shine on everybody shine shine on Sun on everybody sad
you
you [Applause]
”
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