It's as if I stood at the tippy top of a humongous iceberg, lit a match, and watched to see if it would melt.  A drip formed.  A single, lonely drip in 365 days of holding that lit match.  I realize as I roam throughout the rows and rows of music out there that I didn't even begin to melt the iceberg!  And that's okay.  My hope for the experiment ended up happening.  I exposed people to music I love and they exposed me to music they love.  I gained some new-to-me artists that are now staples on my playlists and I now am tuned in for continuing to broaden my playlist.  Like the other night on Facebook one of my besties, Stephanie, posted a song by The Head and The Heart (whom I have never heard of) and as I type this out I am listening to their music right now.  They never made it on the 365, they missed it by one day, but now that I'm tuned in they are gaining a spot on my playlist.  (Yes.  CHECK THEM OUT!!)  365 days sounds long but it was the quickest 365 I've

Here's the data in numbers.  Pure, raw numbers.  (Yeah I have no idea if what I just said made sense but just go with it okey dokey?)  Actual number of songs to make an appearance on the 365?  461! How many times did any one musician appear?  11 (Can you guess who it was?!?) How many new-to-me artists were featured?  58 How many times was the most represented letter of the alphabet on the 365?  45 (T) Number of ex-Porn Stars featured on the 365?  1 :)  (WHAT?!?  Yeah check it out here .) How many contributors were there to the 365?  45 How many of those were unknowing contributors?  20 How many times did I unknowingly repeat a song?   1 (Matthew West "The Motions" September 28 and December 15 ) How many instrumentals appeared on the 365?  18 How many songs had the same exact title but were by different artists?  5 How many songs started with a number for it's title?  3 That's it for stats, all these numbers are making my head

I think it's fitting that I end the year of music in a similar way as I started it, with God's Amazing Grace .  Yes, today's song isn't a hymn per se.  But it prompts the same thoughts, feelings, and action that hymns do.  And, after all, the definition of the word "hymn" is a song of praise to God and a song of praise or joy so really today's last song fits right in with the hymns I have been featuring the past year.  His grace still amazes me.  And actually it amazes me more and more as I age.  As I physically age and as I spiritually age I cannot really stand in awe of his amazing grace but rather it brings me to my knees in gratitude and humility.  The grace of God is the only way I know of, the only thing I have seen, the only covering that gets the job done when we are in need of covering.  It is deeper, stronger, wider, and higher than anything our minds could come up with for comparison.  His grace.  It IS amazing indeed.  Amazing amazing grace. 

Decyfer Down is a great band.  They are the best of hard rock and lyrical content.  Their songs crossover the boundaries of Christian music and reach out to the secular.  Best I Can is a ballad that verbalizes the struggle we all have to live our lives the best we can.  And a lot of times we strive to live the best life we can while regret hangs over us.  Regret will hold us back from living the best we can every time and the only way that we can get rid of the regret completely is to lay it all down at the feet of the One who can bear the burden of it in our place.  So in this song Decyfer Down works through that process and the conclusion is that the only way we can live the best we can is if we align ourselves with God.  Want to do the best you can?  Then give yourself over to the One who can be your true strength.  Since Best I Can is a slower, ballad style song and I wanted you to hear what Decyfer Down can do I also included a heavier song from them, Fading.  Both songs have go

Jeremy Camp is a fave and this isn't the first time he's appeared on the 365.  I was listening to his most recent project the other day which happens to be a worship album and this song really struck me.  It's not the first time I've heard the song but you know how sometimes something you read or hear that is familiar suddenly impacts you in a new or fresh way?  So it was/is with this song and I wanted to squeeze it in on the 365 before we ended, which incidentally is only 3 (including today) days away.  In today's culture it has become rather unpopular to state so definitively that you are a Christian, believe God's word is infallible, believe that Jesus is truly the ONLY way, and seek to live according to the standards God lays out in the Bible.  Oh I'm sorry, I should have said "in today's CHURCH culture" because that is where it has become, ironically enough, the most unpopular to be/say/do those things.  Today's song goes against that

I'm 362 days in and JUST NOW getting to Van Halen?!?  What is WRONG with me?!  I love Van Halen!  Okay, I love Sammy Hagar Van Halen to which my hub is like, "Ew."  He loves David Lee Roth Van Halen and there are differences.  Pretty significant ones actually so today is a Van Halen special with a song by both Van Halen's.  :) So back in the day, after Roth left Van Halen, Hagar stepped in and that's when I first heard Van Halen.  This explains why I like the Van Hagar (ha!) better, it's what I grew up listening to.  Plus I thought David Lee Roth was ugly.  Hey, I was in Middle School cut me some slack.  The first album I heard of Van Halen was "OU812".  Don't judge.  It was the album that came out and once I realized what the heck that meant I was like, "EW!" but still listened to the music.  Now you all know I'm a big lyrics girl BUT with Van Halen I am not.  In fact I'm hard pressed to find a song lyrically from either Van H

Kerrie Roberts is new on the music scene.  If by "new" I mean the past couple of years...and I do!  She's got a good voice and she will make a few albums.  Does she have sustainability in the big sea of talent?  Time will tell.  In the meantime we will enjoy her music.  I really like this song because it should be true of every person who says they love and walk in God's ways.  Note that I said "it should be".  Unfortunately it is not.  But that's a different blog because that's a big soapbox for me to climb up on to!  Roberts sings about being an outcast, the right kind of one, in this world.  Go against the flow of culture and reach for the higher standard.  We aren't reaching for the higher standard, or any standard at all, when we blend in so seamlessly to the culture that nobody can tell if we love Jesus or not!  This song encourages Christians to be outcasts - be different, be Godly, be Holy, be sanctified (which means SET APART).  It isn&

Barlow Girl is an "oldie" fave here at the Peninger home.  A group of sisters, these women have talent coming out of their pores.  They are the singers and the musicians.  We love Barlow Girl for a few reasons.  1) We are, obviously, all about girls in this home - Lanny is really outnumbered but he'd have it no other way!  2)  They sing a message that is important for my girls, and all girls, to hear and take in.  3)  They have talent! Listen a person's heart may be good but if you are gonna say you are a musician then you'd better have the talent to back it up when you are on a stage or in the studio.  You know?  The oldest redheaded wonder tuned in to Barlow Girl at a pretty young age so we have their first 3 album's and we have worn them out listening!  Today's song is a favorite because of it's message (and it helps that they sing it beautifully).  The mirror is a co-conspirator with our minds and together they lie to us about the reality of what

One of my besties, whom I call Sunshine, tapped into Josh Wilson and his music this summer.  And through her I became introduced to him as well.  :)  I love it how that happens!  So Sunshine went on a 7 week mission to our beloved Kenya (she and I have gone together twice) and this song really impacted her.  In fact she's saying it's now on her "soundtrack of life" and I can easily see why.  If you have ever traveled to a third world undeveloped country AND allowed it to truly impact you then you'll get this song as well.  You come back from wherever God had you and you say to yourself two things.  1)  I'm never going back to things just being okay and 2)  I refuse to not do anything any longer.  This song is about the 2nd statement but really about the 1st as well.  It is NOT enough to write a check and send money.  You'll note that God never called us to just that.  He called us to put one foot in front of the other and GO.  Get out of your cushy chair

Well once again I picked a hymn obscure enough to not have any sort of play on YouTube or anywhere else except for Cyber Hymnal.  :)  As with other hymns, I don't remember ever singing this one but that doesn't mean I didn't!  Looking at the lyrics of today's song/hymn seemed to fit today very much.  Today is the 10th anniversary of 9/11.  I doubt that there isn't an American who isn't aware of what today is and means.  The impact of 9/11 wasn't contained to a couple of months or even a couple of years.  The impact of what happened that day still runs incredibly strong and powerful ten years later, and I'm going to guess even 20 years after the fact.  It was a horrific day on American soil.  It was one of those days that you say, "I remember I was _______ when I heard the news" much like back in the 50's people could (and still can) tell you exactly where they were and what they were doing when they heard JFK had been shot.  Today's h

I had to do it.  HAD TO.  Reality compelled me to put this out there for those who haven't witnessed the train wrecks of Walmart.  C'mon.  It's funny because it's so unbelievable that people actually think this is okay to go out into public like *this* .  It all started with a few pictures snapped of some outrageously horrid outfits, or lack of in some cases, walking through the doors of Walmart.  It ballooned into this huge thing, having cult like following on the site. Face it, laughing at someone else's ridiculousness makes us feel pretty good about ourselves.  My brother watches Jersey Shore because it makes him feel like he is awesome compared to the idiots running around on that show!  And I confess.  When I go into Walmart with flip flops on, sweat shorts and a shirt thirteen sizes too big for me I'm thinking I'm pretty normal compared to some of the people who grace the aisles of the store.  Fess up, you've thought it too.  It was inevitable that

My friend, Eric, without hesitation mentioned this song to me as a favorite!  I love it when someone mentions a favorite anything without any hesitation, that tells you that they truly LOVE that thing!  This is such a silly song, perfect for a Friday when I'm feeling a little goofy myself! :) It makes not a whit of sense and that's just fine.  The Kingston Trio does a great job of singing it in Spanish and then translating.  Eric, upon sending me this song suggestion, also sent along some old Polaroids he had scanned of he and a buddy dressed up in their Mexican gear - sombrero hats and all!  Fun times!  In Spanish culture Coplas is traditionally a verse or stanza in a folk song.  Thus today's song is Coplas!  Have fun on this Friday!  Coplas

I love this song.  I'm not sure when I first heard it but it might have been in the Benny & Joon movie (which The Proclaimers video shows clips from) or it might have been before that.  It doesn't really matter because the point is I LOVE THIS SONG!! 500 miles is a fun song. It's got a great beat, it's fun to bop around to and the lyrics make all women swoon hoping they can land a man who will promise to be the man for them.  :)  It's a great song.  It happened to be a one-hit wonder with The Proclaimers but it turned out to be a huge hit with everyone else!  It has been done and re-done more times than anyone may be able to track.  It popped into my head this morning as I was reviewing in my mind, and heart, a recent convo with a friend going through a divorce.  There's no judgement coming from me at all, the question entered my mind, "When do you suddenly stop walking those 500 miles toward the other person?  Is it when you realize they have stopped

My bestie, Jodi, loves Whiteheart.  I texted her just now and said, "Quick!  Your most fave Whiteheart song ever!"  And her response became today's featured song/band.  :)  Whiteheart was a Christian rock band from back in the day.  They formed after Stryper had had their heyday and Petra had been around for awhile.  My hub loved Whiteheart too.  Me?  I was never into them as much.  I certainly know their music though because back in the day there was a limited amount of decent Christian music and so Whiteheart got played a lot!  Sometimes I think back (way back - haha!) to when I was in High School and the Christian radio station was basically elevator music with some Smitty and Amy Grant thrown in from time to time.  (Smitty would be Michael W Smith...) So you can imagine that when groups like Whiteheart hit the scene lots of high schoolers who were forbidden to listen to that devil music played on the secular radio stations heaved a huge sigh of relief!  :)  Powerho

Happy "Monday" of this work week!  :)  My friend, Gary, thought this would be a good Friday song but I think actually it fits Monday better because in my experience people generally on Monday's feel a little "growl-y".  :)  Seems that people are trying to cage their inner monster that is protesting being back at work after a weekend AND in the case of 3 days weekends like we just had it seems even worse!   I've featured Skillet before on the experiment.  Our family loves Skillet, especially my rocker hub and the youngest redhead who is obsessed with one of their older tunes, "Whispers in the Dark".  Skillet blows the idea of cheesy Christian rock to bits.  This ain't Stryper people.  :) They are legit in their talent and their hearts.    Monster is a great calling people out kind of song.  It's gritty, edgy, and dead on in its message.  It's about that inner Monster that most of us have.  Sometimes the monster resembles Cookie Monster

There are a lot of songs I could have chosen for Labor Day but Dolly Parton is a classic and she hasn't made a showing yet on the experiment and deserves to!  I confess.  I really, really, REALLY like Dolly. I like her singing, I like her laugh, I like her acting.  I just really like her.  She's smart, down-to-earth and one of the last good ones left.  In 9 to 5, which became a movie, she co-stars with another great actress (her singing really leaves much to be desired - ha!) Lily Tomlin.   9 to 5 is about that day in and day out grind of a work day, just trying to make enough to get by while living for the weekend and 2 days off.  I get that but it makes me sad.  It's too bad that more of us can't find jobs that feed us as people, that energize us, that use our giftings.  It's sad that it is so rare to find a job like that.  Nothing bugs me more than to hear people on Monday counting down the days to the weekend coming up.  Especially at a workplace where we are

As far as I can tell I haven't done this hymn yet and I'm shocked.  It's one of the classics.  One of the BEST.  I love this hymn.  I mean LOVE IT.  Jesus. His name causes more controversy; His name causes more relief; His name causes more assurance;  His name causes more discomfort than any other name.  People have emotional and physical responses to the name of Jesus.  No matter the response you can see that his name, it is above all other names.  Nobody else has their name spoken so often and with such a great response.  What is YOUR response to the name?  When you hear "Jesus" what kind of emotions rise up in you?  What kind of physical response do you have?  If your responses lean toward the negative I'm so sorry.  I respond with freedom to the name of Jesus.  I love his name because of what it represents to me and my life.  His name has compelled me to look to God and I have found freedom in Christ.  I am grateful for what Jesus did for me to find t

GO BLUE!  WE. ARE. WOLVERINES!  Today kicks off Blue's 2011 football season and I for one am excited!  Hailing from the great state of Michigan my family and I are loyal to U of M and their football team.  And lucky for me this year at work there is quite a "large" contingency of Wolverines, totally outnumbering the (hissssssss) Buckeyes!  :)  Haha, I love having fun with it.  In fact I wore my U of M tshirt to work yesterday and represented.  So today's song is by a group called Pop Evil.  I have NO idea.  I have never heard of them, something tells me that I wouldn't be too keen on any of their other music.  The only reason I am featuring this song is because it is Michigan!  This year we are playing our first night game in OUR house against Notre Dame.  It promises to be a big match-up.  The Big House seats 120,000 and my friend at work, a fellow Wolverine thank you very much, told me that 150,000 tickets were requested!  That means about 30,000 are possibly

I love me some Ska music!  I love Ska bands because they have talent that just oozes.  You have to have talent in order to have the big band sound.  You can't fake big band.  Coming from a family that loves and appreciates music I have a great appreciation for Big Band.  In fact swing, ska, big band are some of my most favorite genre's of music.  Unfortunately ska is a hidden gem in the sea of musical tastes.  It enjoyed a brief surge in the early 2000's but drifted off the scene.  Along with The O.C. Supertones and Five Iron Frenzy, The Insyderz (a Detroit based ska band - woop!) have been disbanded since 2005.  BUT rumor is they are reunited and working on a new project - YAY! Today's song, from The Insyderz, is a sample of why I love ska.  The horns are blowing and the tempo is upbeat, it takes me back to Big Band and makes me REALLY happy. Beside the fact that it is Friday so I'm happy about that, this song makes me happy - actually this song reminds me that wh

'Ol Blue Eyes.  If my memory is working I haven't yet featured Frank Sinatra.  *GASP*  How could 'ol blue eyes NOT be on this 365?  There have been a few good ones in the history of music and Sinatra is one of those few.  Part of the famous "Rat Pack" he spent his time with the likes of Harry James and Tommy Dorsey (Swing era) and moved on to Tony Curtis, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr, Peter Lawford and Joey Bishop in the 1960's.  Apparently the term "rat pack" came from Lauren Bacall after her husband, the famed Humphrey Bogart, spent a long night drinking and gambling with Sinatra and some others. Spanning music and cinema, Sinatra made a name for himself although that's not to say that he didn't have low periods in his career where nobody wanted him or his music.  But I believe the high periods made up for the low ones and he is one of the most loved artists of our times.  Happy September 1!  18 more days of this 365!  I can't believe

It just so happens that I decide to do "Dad" for the experiment after doing "My Little Girl" yesterday.  :)  It's how the chips fell my friends.  Today's song, and artist for that matter, is courtesy of my friend Rick.  Yes, he's contributed many a song to this 365.  Skip Ewing is an artist that I have NEVER heard of.  And I truly mean never.  This is what I love about doing the song 365, I am being at least clued in to so many new-to-me artists!  So this song is about the title, Dad!  It's a tribute to Dad, it's a wish for more time with Dad, it's a realization of not enough moments spent with Dad.  For all the bad Dad's we hear about in this world there a million times more good ones.  If you have a good one count yourself blessed and make sure you tell him!  If you have a bad one I am so sorry.  I hope you know that you do have a good Dad in the One who created you, he is in fact your Abba.  Dad

"Daddy's Girl" is a real thing.  I know.  I'm one and my redheads are ones as well.  :)  There is a special relationship between a Daddy and his little girl (who, btw, will ALWAYS be little in his eyes and heart - just ask my Daddy!  I'm 37 but I'm his little girl).  I think the relationship is unexplainable.  A little girl brings out emotions and behaviors in a Daddy that I think takes most Daddy's by surprise!  All of a sudden shotguns are considered, memories of being a teenager are forgotten, and mistakes made as a teen boy serve as projections for how to parent her.  Admittedly some Dad's handle being a Dad way better than others.  My hub, Lanny, is a fantastic Daddy.  He waited a long time to have a family and his personality is well-suited to girls rather than boys.  He would agree with me btw.  :)  Anyone who knows Lanny knows how much he loves his little girls.  True, his little girls are 13 and 11 but not to him.  I have to remind him pret

This is Royal Tailor's second appearance on the experiment.  Pretty good considering they are brand spanking new on the music scene.  I featured their other popular song "Make a Move" earlier this summer.  I actually heard today's song first.  It played on the radio as I traveled home from work one night and I thought, "That is a great song!"  If you know me well then you know why I thought so...the lyrics, of course!!  :) If you want the background on Royal Tailor then click here and pop over to my previous entry about them.  "Hold Me Together" is that cry to God that we sometimes hear ourselves saying out loud.  C'mon.  You know there are days that you need someone or something to hold you together because you are just at the end.  Like today was for me.  By 7:30 am my day had gone to hell in a hand basket and I was so over the day!  Problem was it was just getting started!  I definitely needed some holding together by Mercy.  I was wonde

So I'm getting hard pressed to find hymns on YouTube, or otherwise, that well...are done decently.  I'm sorry but hymns are kinda a thing of the past and YouTube can only offer so many!  Today's, for example, is kind of karaoke style.  The words are highlighted for you as the piano plays the song.  Just go with it, okay?  :) I picked the hymn because one, I have no recollection of ever singing it myself (this, of course, does NOT mean I never have back in my Baptist days) and two, the message of the hymn is great!  Psalm 40:2 talks about God being our lifter.  He lifts us up out of the miry pits we find ourselves in.  Whether we tripped and stumbled into the pit or whether we dived in of our own free will, God is there to lift us up and out - all we have to do is reach out our hand to him.  He is the greatest lifter of our heads and hearts.  Will you allow him to lift you up and out of the pit you are mucking around in?  All you need to do is look up and then reach your h

So we are closing in on the end of my experiment and I'm obviously slowing WAY down on getting these out every day, funny how life has interfered GREATLY - actually funny how a dead laptop brings my online life to almost a complete halt!  :)  I know.  Steven Curtis Chapman "just" made an appearance on this blog about 21 entries ago but you know what?  My blog so I can do what I want!  :) This is one of my absolute favorites from SCC.  It's not a well-known one.  As far as I know it never got radio play and it's kind of hidden on an album of mostly remakes of his other works.  But I love it.  I have been known to put just this song on repeat and play it over and over and over.  And then repeat the repeat! This song should definitely go on the soundtrack of my life.  I am found in him.  I'm built, no I'm CREATED to be found in him because he is the one who created me.  In my experience what causes me and others to doubt our place in Christ is when we come