The Rockalot Blog

Day One Of Skiing

The first day of skiing was AWESOME!!  All of the kids did great.  Meagan and JB were in the same ski school class and caught on very fast.  Spencer was in a different ski school and also did extremely well.  They said he is a "natural."  Booba took a private lesson and skiied with no fear.  He is also a "natural."  I skiied a little bit after finally getting everyone fitted for boots, skis, hats, gloves, goggles, etc.....whew....skiiing requires a bunch of gear with 4 kids, but I loved every minute of it.  ~:)> 

The youth service last night was INCREDIBLE!!  God showed up in a HUGE way.  I know that sounds cliche"ish" but it's true and I can't think of a better way to describe it.  I can't wait to see what He has in store for us tonight since we started off so great last night.  I am really enjoying spending quality time with the students and my family and the views from the lifts are abosolutely breathtaking. (yes I said breathtaking Debra....only you and Elaine know what I mean by that.)  They really are amazing.

Here are some pics of the kids on the slopes....Love to all......J

We Are Going Skiing!!

Merry Christmas everyone!  I hope everyone has a very relaxing and restful day today.  ~:)>

I have the incredible opportunity to lead worship at our Youth Summit this week up in Utah.  We leave tomorrow and get back on New Year's Eve and the whole family is coming with me!  We are going to be skiing all week!!  I haven't been in about 5 years, and none of my kids have EVER been.  I can't wait for them to experience it for the first time.  Spencer and Harrison have never even seen or felt snow!!!  This is going to be soooooo much fun!  I am really looking forward to connecting with the high school group and seeing what life changing moments God has in store for us.  But I'm equally looking forward to spending time with my kids, teaching them to ski, building snow men (yes multiple), and having snowball fights.   Utah here we come!!

I'm Praying For You

Well....I'm in my office (very early this morning) before our slew of Christmas Eve services and I find myself praying for all my Worship Pastor and Senior Pastor friends out there who are sacrificing there Christmas eves at home with there families to minister and serve their congregations.  I pray that all your tech issues would go smoothly, all your teams be healthy, that you would have much stamina and energy throughout all of your services, and that God's Spirit would consume your church and it's people today bringing many people to a saving knowledge of our Lord Jesus (I'm also praying that for Coast Hills). To God be the glory for the great things He is going to do today within our services.

Setzer NOT Seltzer!

I saw the Brian Setzer Orchestra last night at the Gibson Theatre in Universal City in Holly wood.  IT WAS AMAZING!!  A good friend of mine (Steve) got tickets for us and we watched the show from 4th row.  His orchestra is a jazz big band consisting of 6 saxes, 5 bones, 5 trumpets, drums, stand-up bass,  two incredible back-up singers, and of course Brian Setzer on guitar.  I have heard a lot of big bands in my time (Count Basie Orchestra, Woody Herman Orchestra, etc.) and this was definitely in the top 3.  I also had no idea that Brian was such an incredible guitar player.  He was ridiculous!  And yes, I forgot my camera.  Dang.....I never do that.  So, this time no cool pics.  You will just have to use your imagination.  ~:)>  If you get the chance to see this show DON'T MISS IT!  Thanks Steve!

Justin "Sinatra" and the Blue Note Trio

This is the middle part of the show where we did a jazz trio with Christmas classics "Rat Pack" style.  This is definitely a different sound then the normal "Rockalot" style.  I hope you enjoy hearing it as much as I did singing it.  ~:)>

I had to split it in two videos because the file was too large.  Here they are:

Nothing Says Christmas Like "Cuban Pete!"

We just got finished doing a week of set-up and rehearsals for our 5 Christmas concerts this past weekend.  It was an original program set in the 1940's.  The concept was a 40's radio show broadcast LIVE from a dinner club called "The Blue Note."  We put together a big band for all the music, had church actors do actual radio commercials broadcast back in the 40's, and was complete with all the sights and sounds of a 1940's dinner club.  IT WAS AMAZING!!  Today is the first of several video posts helping you get in the Christmas spirit and to experience a small taste of what we did.  So this is the song originally written by Desi Arnaz and then later updated by Jim Carrey in the movie "The Mask."  The one that I did was somewhere in the middle.  ~:)>

New Rockalot Pics

I had two new custom Sir Rockalot pics made (of course they were inspired by the "dream guitar").  And yes, Kristi, I will send you one of all three (becaue I promised and haven't done it yet...and because I love you).  Send me your address and I'll get them out to you pronto!

The First Rockalot Video Blogsong Dedication

And it goes out to MFMIL.  She knows who she is but since the rest of you probably don't, that stands for My Favorite Mother-in-Law.  Her name is Patty and she is absolutely one of the sweetest and most precious people to me in the world.  She asked me last time we were in KS visiting if I would sing the song "Give Me Jesus" at her funeral.  Stunned, I said, "Yes, but you are no where close to dying."  She just wanted to make sure that I would promise her that I would do it.  So I did.  Well....I sang "Give Me Jesus" this past Sunday for services and I want Patty to hear it this side of eternity.  So the very first Rockalot Video Blogsong dedication goes out to MFMIL, Patty. 

I love you more than you will ever know Patty.  --Justin

My Dream Guitar Is On It's Way!

I went back to the G&L factory in Fullerton, CA Wednesday morning to walk through the factory again but this time to tell them what I want my dream guitar to be and have them start making it.  For those of you gear nuts (like me) go the the G&L website to get an idea what body, color, style, and hardware I will be using.  Keep in mind that this is completely original (one of a kind) and they will never make any others like this one.  Let's start with the body style; I picked the Legacy body style with 2 single coil pickups in the neck and middle position and a Seymour Duncan humbucker in the bridge position.  The single coils are Alnico pickups and the humbucker I am having hand customized to be hotter than normal.  It registers about 9.00 for hotness so they are hand making me a 9.25 and a 9.50 so I can try them both and decide which one I like better.  The color is Cherry Burst.  My color will be a little different because I specified a particular fade I liked.  The woodgrain under it will be what they call a "flame top."  I picked the blank I wanted to use the they are designing it with a new technique to make it completely unique.  A REALLY cool feature to this guitar is that the headstock will also be a cherry burst flame top to match the body!  It will look amazing! It will have a mother of pearl pick-guard with white pickups.  I had them put an extra switch on the body so I can split the humbucker into a single coil when I want that classic Strat sound.  It has a normal five way switch for the all the pickups, regular volume and tone knobs, a tremolo bar, and all gold (yes I said gold) hardware.  The neck will be birdseye maple with a gun oil finish with BLACK PEARL inlays!  You have to see those to believe them.  They are incredible!  I looked through several necks to find the one I liked best.  It is a "C" shape that they are shaving down to fit my hand.  Well.....I think that's about it......I was so overwhelmed with the whole experience I am sure I left something out but you get the picture.  They said it would be ready in about 3 weeks.  EVERYONE at G&L has been incredibly kind, helpful, and over-the-top generous!  I would personally like to thank Rob Risutto (the owner of G&L) and Effraim (the guy personally overseeing the making of my guitar).  This has been an unbelievable experience and one that I don't take for granted and I won't soon forget.  And finally, I want to thank God for showering me with this blessing and all the MANY blessings He gives that I'm not even aware of everyday.  I know that this didn't happen because of anything I did.  I know it's God lavishing complete unmerited favor on me.  Thanks God.  You know how much this means to me.