Quincy Jones' Prayer

Got this prayer first from Tom Geddie, who perhaps got it from this source in Austin. It’s the oldest version I can find online. It’s worth repeating.

This text comes from music writer, Michael Corcoran, who says this:
“At the end of his two-hour keynote address, Quincy Jones asked those in the packed ballroom to stand and join hands. And everyone did. The Love maestro has that effect on people. Then he asked them to repeat the following words:”

“On this day…
I will mend a quarrel.
I will search out a forgotten friend.
I will dismiss a suspicion & replace it with a trust.
I will rather say, “I’m sorry I did” than “I wish I had.”
I will write a letter or an e-mail or a text or a tweet to
someone who I miss.
I will always approach my creativity with humility and treat my
success with grace.
I will fight against the dumbing down of our culture.
I will encourage a young person who has lost faith and hope…
…And constantly remind him or her to stop stealing music.
I will keep a promise.
I will forget an old grudge.
I will fight for a principle.
I will express my gratitude to God every day.
I will tell someone I love them.
And tell them again, and again, and again.
And again. And again. And again.”

This is Michael’s review of the speech, which is also a good read. Among my favorite quotes is Cochran’s last sentence:

“We’re all crazy or we wouldn’t be here,” he said. “But if you think you’re more than a terminal for a higher power, you’re kidding yourself.”

Homestretch, the Movie

Some months back, I told you all about my friend, Sheri Bylander’s incredible movie about racehorses and prisoners, called “Homestretch.”

Last Fall, Sheri had a showing of the film here in Dallas at the Magnolia, and we got to see this fantastic film first hand.

The really cool news is that PBS has picked up the film, and is now planning to offer it to local affiliates, starting in April.

Below is an email I got from Sheri today about all the times that are already confirmed...

Here are the PBS/ETV broadcasts announced so far. Feel free to call your local station to see if they are airing it. The show is billed as Homestretch: Racehorse Rescue and is available to all PBS/ETV stations starting April 18. All dates/times will be posted on the Homestretch website as they come up.

Sunday, April 26 at 9 a.m. – MPTV – Milwaukee Public Television
Monday, April 27 at 4 am - KET1 – Kentucky ETV
Thursday, April 30 at 9:00 pm - WYCC-TV20 PBS station in Chicago
Friday, MAY 1 AT 8 P.M. - ETV’S South Carolina ETV
Saturday, May 2 at 8 p.m. – UEN-TV – Utah Education Network
Sunday, MAY 3 AT 2 P.M. - ETV’S – South Carolina ETV
Sunday, MAY 3 AT 6 P.M. ON ETV HD – Southern Lens Series
Tuesday, May 12 at 1 am – OPB – Oregon Public Broadcasting
Thursday, MAY 14 AT 9 P.M. ON ETV HD – Southern Lens Series
KACV – Amarillo, TX - Time/Date TBD
KLRU – Austin, TX –Time/Date TBD
--
Sheri Bylander
www.homestretchthemovie.com

This really is a remarkable film. Here’s the trailer for the film:



It’s such an amazing film about redemption for both the horses and the prisoners. I’m so pleased for Sheri, and I hope that if the show is on in your area that you’ll be sure and watch. And if it’s not on in your area, call your local station and request it!

$50,000

Well, another incredible show Saturday night. And a true milestone for Connections Band. We passed the $50,000 threshold for funds raised for our two beneficiaries. This was also the first show for me to attempt to record it straight to my "precious," the new Mac Book Pro, and you can find clips on the Connections website.

First a few thoughts about the show...

It was another great crowd....somewhere between 275 and 300...the exact number being tough to count because they kept bringing in more chairs and eventually folks were just sitting on top of each other.

But the total for the night was $3,250 for Nothing But Nets. We want to thank all the good people of Coppell, because this is one of our top five fundraising nights, in our 20-something show history.

That means 325 mosquito nets for Africa...which means, literally, an entire village saved from the scourge of Malaria.

We switch gears completely in April, turning to our "Doobie Brothers/Elton John" show on April 17th in Sachse. Make plans now to be with us....as we begin to make the climb toward $100,000!!!

Final Show Reminder

Hey Friends: Just a last reminder about the show tomorrow night in Coppell:

Connections Band
Tribute to James Taylor and Carole King
March 7, 7 pm
FUMC Coppell

Maps and more info here.

Our beneficiary for the night will be "Nothing But Nets," an agency that provides mosquito nets to people in Africa to prevent Malaria.

If we have a good-sized crowd, we'll do two amazing things tomorrow night:
1) Raise enough money to save an small village in Africa,and
2) Push Connections over the $50,000 mark in total funds raised!

Wow!

We'll do all the songs you hope to hear:
-- Jazzman
-- So Far Away
-- You Make Me Feel Like Natural Woman
-- Fire and Rain
-- Shower the People
-- Country Roads
-- You've Got a Friend

The first set is Carole King music, with our fantastic women members taking the center stage. Lisa Rucker, of FUMC Coppell, will be wailing on the tenor sax for much of this set.

The second set is JT, and you'll feel like you're at one of his great summertime shows.

Don't miss it!
See you there....