Hello from the Shenandoah Valley in Virginia.
Today is a driving day, Maryland to Tennessee. We’re making our way to Birmingham for tomorrow night’s event at Samford. After that, there is only Atlanta. The talent has taken the wheel for the first time – Zach Williams is driving and Josh Moore is his co-pilot/navigator. It’s been fun to watch these guys become friends on this tour. Mostly, they keep us laughing all day and then they move us with their story songs each night. We’re thankful for both. Denny Kolsch has been with us for the last couple days and his story has been a powerful addition to the nights. Denny has known the darkness of drug addiction and it’s been amazing to hear him talk about the power of community and how grace revealed in community has helped him find healing and sobriety.
Last few days have been great – long drives but worth the miles. Every night is different. We were in a giant ballroom at University of Maryland last night, a tiny coffee shop just outside of Philly the night before. In PA, the fire code was only fifty and atleast twice that many people showed up, so we did our best to make two shows happen at once. Zach and Josh stood on chairs outside and everyone huddled together to stay warm. Z and J had everyone clapping and singing and someone’s yell of “Write a song!” was followed by the debut of “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia Except for Tonight (It’s Cold)”. Aaron and i borrowed the chairs for the speaking, and it hit me as it was happening, just what a surprising night, and how strange it must have looked from the road, this gang of strangers huddled together in the cold, at first gathered in song and then staying for a conversation about things that most people never talk about. What a rare thing and i was thankful.
Our talented filming friend Dustin Miller was with us for DC, Brooklyn, UMass Lowell (and all the in-between). He does incredible work and we’re really grateful for this video that he made. He’ll be with us again in Atlanta and we’ll be posting another video or two next week.
For now, here’s a taste of the road…
Wish you were here, or hope to see you soon.
jamie
PS: For those of you interested in being a TWLOHA intern, we just posted our new application HERE.