R is for Redemption

The Quote of the Day that inspired my A to Z Blogging Challenge theme -
A Word for the Day that takes on many meanings.

Quote of the Day: A writer lives in awe of words for they can be cruel or kind, and they can change their meanings right in front of you. They pick up flavors and odors like butter in a refrigerator. John Steinbeck


Word of the Day: Redemption

Definition of Redemption according to freedictionary.com:

1. The act of redeeming or the condition of having been redeemed.

2. Recovery of something pawned or mortgaged.

3. The payment of an obligation, as a government's payment of the value of its bonds.

4. Deliverance upon payment of ransom; rescue.

5. Christianity Salvation from sin through Jesus's sacrifice.

I had cofee this week with my dear friend Erika. She is a Lutheran Pastor, and I love talking religion with her. I told her I had considered the word Religion for R day. Religion is a tough word. Some people cringe when they hear it. It brings with it feelings of guilt and sin and messages of not being good enough. Erika says she'd rather think of Redemption. When I looked it up, my eyes zeroed in on rescue. Have you ever felt like you're going through the dessert in life's journey? Your heart and soul are dry...dry bones, dem dry bones...is running through my head. You're craving a cool drink of water, something that quenches your thirst and gives you hope. Music, art, and writing do this for me, and in the company of loving people, my well is filled.

We are priveleged here in the Brainerd lakes area to have two renowned Gospel musicians coming to our town. The rest of this post is a bit of an advertisement with a redemptive message.

Robert Robinson

A soul stirring gospel and folk performance in an old sweet church. Gospel singer Robert Robinson and singer songwriter Brother Timothy (Frantzich) will perform a concert, “Heaven on a Saturday Night” May 5 at 7:00 p.m. in Brainerd at the First Congregational United Church of Christ, 415 Juniper Street.

An internationally adored singer, Robert Robinson has performed with the likes of Prince, Aretha Franklin, playing some of the country’s most prestigious music halls. Robinson may best be recognized in this area from his vocal performances with pianist Lori Line and subsequent appearances across the United States on PBS. Robinson was voted “Best Male Vocalist” by Mpls. St. Paul Magazine, and “Minnesota’s Master Male Vocalist” by the Star Tribune. Currently, Robert serves as Executive Artistic Director of the Twin Cities Community Gospel Choir. www.robertrobinsonmusic.com

“I think music is a way of watering the dryness of an individual drought.”  Robinson says. “If I’m able to do that with my music-if I’m able to do that in a church or a bar, if I can do it in a theater, if I can do it in a prison-wherever there’s an open door of people that need it and want it, then I’m willing to go there.  Because I feel that people everywhere, no matter our status or color or anything, we’re all dry and dying from something.”  Judging from the multiple ovations he has received over his singing career, the thirst has been quenched. 

Brother Timothy Frantzich

Robinson will be joined by Brother Timothy Frantzich, a singer, songwriter and native Minnesotan.  Brother Timothy has traveled extensively throughout the United States and United Kingdom and has been a guest on Garrison Keillor’s Prairie Home Companion and thousands of Pubs and Churches. Frantzich released his latest cd, “My Lost and Wild Daughter” in March which features Robinson on vocals.  “I first worked with Robert Robinson on a recording 10 years ago. I was in the control room of a swanky studio in Minneapolis. Every time he sang it made my knees weak,” says Frantzich, “He is a force of nature, simply amazing. Doing this concert in Brainerd is pure joy. Heaven... On a Saturday night.” www.brothertimothy.net.

I'm listening to this cd while writing, and I have both a peaceful feeling and new energy. I am so looking forward to their concert and immersing myself in their river of song.

Go. Create. Inspire!

Journaling Prompt:  What quenches your dry and thirsting soul?

R is for Ruby Boots

Letter of the Day:  R

R is for Ruby Boots and a guest post by my friend Dawn Timbs, a writer and sing/songwriter.  I saw her first when she sang at a concert at a local church.  I thought she was amazing.  She visited that same church on the last Sunday that I played piano there.  I'd had a terrible experience that could have crushed my music making spirit, but as I walked out of the church, I found myself walking with Dawn and her husband (the guy I call the man with the fabulous fingers - he's amazing at the keyboard), and I told her that I'd loved her singing when she was there.  She thanked me for playing that day and said, "You play with such feeling."  Those words lifted me up and helped me get back on the piano bench and play to my heart's delight.  Thank you, Dawn.

Here's her story and a lovely photo of Dawn and her sisters in Ruby Boots.

R is for Ruby Boots, a folk/country/gospel band with Minnesota roots.



Consisting of three sisters - Dawn, Andrea and Heather - Ruby Boots performs select concerts each year, singing songs about life and love, heartache and inspiration.


They've been singing together since they were kids and part of the family gospel band The Schimpps. Vocally, the sisters have a blend that can only be found in family ensembles.


Their music has been featured on public radio stations across the country; and they were guest performers at a live broadcast of Minnesota Public Radio's Morning Show.


Dawn is the songwriter of the group. By day, she is a reporter with the Staples World, an enjoyable job which has put her in contact with a wide variety of people and events.


Currently, she is working on a new project...songs inspired by stories found in the local newspaper. She hopes to have the band record them sometime this year.


The name Ruby Boots comes from a line in Dawn's song, The Man from Alabama. It tells the story of when she first met her husband, a musician from the south who played a "smokin' hot" piano and wore red boots.


Mr. Ruby Boots (aka Gary Timbs) plays a major role in the band's recordings as well as live performances. A Grammy and Dove-nominated performer (with various gospel and country groups), Gary has wowed audiences across the country with his rich baritone voice and "Southern-fried" keyboard skills.


This summer, Ruby Boots will take the stage at Nordic Fest in Decorah, Iowa, where Andrea lives with her husband and three kids.


For more information about the group, check out their website at http://www.rubyboots.com/; or http://www.cdbaby.com/.

Dawn and I had lunch together this week.  I'm hoping we'll have a chance, someday, to collaborate on a project.  Thanks for writing a guest post today, Dawn.  I can't wait to hear your new creations!

Go. Create. Inspire!

Journaling Prompt:  Do you know someone that you'd like to work with on a project?  What would your creative team look like?