Derek Sandstrom

My new promo

Thought you might like to see this.  I will send this to churches to promote the fact that I am coming to play at that church.  Is it any good?  Please share!

I'm so proud, I couldn't resist sharing!

Trapped on the Mountain!

We were driving on Route 74 from Perry County south toward Carlisle, PA.  That is meaningful only to local folks, I realize.  What you other folks should know is that there is a mountain that separates the two counties.  A lot of things are said in jest about Perry County, usually involving dental issues, indoor plumbing and the like.  Truth is that Perry County is very up to date.  Most of the outhouses have electric lights and everything.

Anyway, we're coming down the mountain, which by Pennsylvania standards is steep, and we see two colors of smoke coming from just off the road ahead.  Black and gray.  The black is always the color of smoke that worries me.  You know that black smoke means there's something burning that SHOULDN'T be.  And then the traffic stopped.  Hmm.  How long would this take?  It was all four Sandstroms in our minivan, and being stopped with the boys is never fun.  As if I weren't impatient enough, trying to keep myself calm and to keep two bored boys from killing each other is never a picnic.  Fortunately we had Sheri's quick thinking to keep us from creating any other clouds of smoke on the mountain that day.  So we sat.  And we sat.  And then the fire trucks started arriving.  This is a remote area without hydrants, so the trucks were the tanker kind.  We knew it wasn't a good situation.

You know that feeling, even if the circumstances are different.  Can't go on.  Can't go back.  Foreign territory.  It's not exactly like we were Lewis and Clark, but it felt a little like that, I guess.  Out there where we didn't know the area, and stuck.  Just plain stuck.

After quite a while of sitting, a fire police guy, who didn't seem too well acquainted with running (it had been a while since high school gym class, apparently), ran up the mountain to tell us we would need to turn around and go back.  Well, we don't really know the back roads of Perry County.  Our GPS did, but unfortunately it had just shorted out.  Sheri said, "it smells like model trains."  Great.  So we had to try to get directions or feel things out ourselves.  Me, with directions, is often no better than trying to feel it out ourselves.  Me trying to feel things out...let's just say it's a good day when I can make it out of the driveway without Sheri pointing for me.

So we were a little concerned.  Fortunately we got a little cell phone help from Sheri's dad who has personally spent some time over there hunting and making a careful study of all the little restaurants in the County.  Restaurants with names like The Sportsman, or Jimmie Joe Jack's Possum Shack, or The Bloated Groundhog.  Tasty.  So we got where we needed to go.  Very late, but at least not never.

Do you know that feeling of being stuck?  There appears to be no good option.  Forward is blocked, backward is no good, and finding a new way to get to your destination is hazy at best.  It doesn't feel good, does it?  You feel disoriented, confused, frustrated, out of control.  Maybe even a little panicky.

Here's the good news.  We have a God who sees more than just the snapshot we see.  He knows the end from the beginning, the Bible says.  That means before He even created Adam he knew we'd be on that mountain that day.  He also knows about the crossroads we face in life.  Things do not take God by surprise because He is not limited to time.  He knows what happened, what's happening, and what's going to happen to us.  Not only that, but He sees the millions of details that affect us and are themselves affected by all our decisions.  So, why is that good news?  Because He is also kind and loving, and He wants our best.  If we ask Him what to do, He will show us somehow.  And He knows the best time frame for us to know.

We are all facing some uncertain times.  There's smoke ahead and the territory to plot a course is unfamiliar ground.  We can get to feeling lost.  But God is not lost, and He has our best in mind.  "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose."  Romans 8:28.  A loving God who knows all and works things out for our best.  That's really good to know.  So if you want to know where to go, I suggest you ask and expect an answer.  It will come at the best possible time.  And in the meantime you can choose to relax and trust in God's will and timing.  While you're waiting, you might head over to Jimmie's for some possum stew.  But maybe you better not.

You Have To Try This!

This may sound a little strange to you, but it's hard for me to find time to pray.  

What!  You're a fulltime Christian singer/songwriter!  It's, like, part of your job, isn't it?

The truth is that, even for me (ESPECIALLY for me!), life collapses in around our time, like those holes in the sand that you dug when you were a kid.  The waves come in and soon you have a mushy, wet pile where your hole with the nice, sharp edges used to be.  My time goes that way.  I have a nice plan in my mind or on paper, and soon life comes in a mushes up the time.  And what usually gets squeezed out?  Devotional time.  Sad but true.

So I share the following.  This has been working for me really well, and I've really been enjoying it.  I take morning prayer walks.  This required a decision to start doing this, because I AM NOT A MORNING PERSON!  But I saw the need and decided I would do it.  And the rewards have been well worth it.  

1. I get up.

2. I get shoes and coat on and go outside.

3. I start walking.

4. While I walk, I pray.  Out loud is how I do it, because I'm so distractible.  Everything gets me off the track.  If I mumble my prayers out loud, I stay more focussed.  

5. We have a circle of roads we walk in our neighborhood which is 1.6 miles.  That takes me about 30 minutes.

At the end, all my problems aren't solved, exactly.  But I have connected with God in a way I am not good at doing here at home.  Home has SO many distractions.  Outside does, too, but they're things like trees, birds, grass, flowers.  They wind up pointing me TO God rather than away.

So, anyway, I challenge you to try prayer walking.  I predict more peace for the beginning of your day.  Sound good?

I need your input...

Greatest Hits.

I've always thought that greatest hits albums were sort of lame.  I mean, if you're a fan, you probably have all the albums that contain those songs anyway, right?  But then as I have grown up I realize that I don't have the money to buy all the albums even from the bands I like.  So, the greatest hits album is a way to get the best songs in one shot.  Makes sense.

A friend of mine has suggested that with three CDs already out that it might be a good time to think about releasing a greatest hits CD.  But I don't want to do so without your input.  So I ask you to please answer three questions for me.

1. Is this a good idea?

2. What should it be called?

3. Would you buy one, or do you think other people would?

4. What songs should be on it?  List as many of your faves as you wish.

Here's my list of faves.  Of course, I'm biased.

1. I Know The Plans

2. Worthless

3. So Much More

4. Tear Down The Wall

5. Today

6. A Simple Faith

7. Rest

8. The Father Knows

      

Our Trip To Austin, TX

My family just had a wonderful trip to Austin, TX.  In fact I'm on the airplane right now heading to Detroit (??) and then on to Harrisburg.  I don't make the flight plan, I just ride.  Anyway, we had a great time.  And yes, I did play while we were there.  They say if you want to play in Texas you gotta have a fiddle and a band.  I was allowed to perform with only my iPod and the piano at the church.  I guess they waived the requirement for a Pennsylvania boy.

The crew

Here are some of the highlights.

The city of Austin is very cool.  There are many places to eat, and many places to hear live music.  If you want to hear the music, weekends are best, but not a requirement. We went downtown on a Tuesday night to hear my sister-in-law's band Acoustalyn play.  They are mellow, Acoustic musicians who were booked at a heavy metal bar.  It was a little weird, but they did well and sounded great.  And they weren't the only ones out playing on a Tuesday night.  For shopping with attitude, head down to South Congress.  Lots of quirky, fun places to see.  We were also "privileged" to see Leslie, the Queen of Austin, who is a famous, cross dressing man with a beard and long hair.  For us he was sporting a cheerleader outfit with portions cut out so that we could see his choice of undergarments.  There's a slogan in town that goes, "Keep Austin weird," and Leslie is certainly doing his part.

Austin is also a very beautiful, natural area.  There a park called Zilcker Park, which had a botanical gardens, nature center, and a large natural pool which is fed by springs.  Beautiful stuff.  You should definitely check it out.  We learned that all of Texas only has one naturally occurring lake, but there are lakes that have been created by damming of rivers.  We saw one called Lake Austin, which we enjoyed by climbing the cliffs overlooking the lake.  Gorgeous.  We also went out to Lake Travis, which likewise is lined by tall cliffs overlooking the beautiful lake.  There are many luxurious homes positioned around the cliffs.  The owner of Dell Computers has a home there, and it is a palace.

Natural pool at Zilcker Park

Mr. Dell's house.

We also took a couple field trips while we stayed in Austin.  One was to Fredericksburg, an old, German Texas town.  Now it's mostly shopping, but the old, German influence remains.  On the way there we saw Wild Seeds wildflower farm and gift shop.  It was amazing.  Definitely a highlight.  The other field trip we enjoyed was out to San Marcos, a town which featured a glass bottom boat tour of their "lake."  Very cool.  You can also tour their wetlands which were manufactured by damming of a river in town.  It's very trendy, apparently, all this damming.

Wildseeds.

I was able to play at two churches, while in Austin.  One in South Austin and one in Cedar Park.  It is always great when I can get out and sing God's praises anywhere.  That includes Texas.  Hmm.  I wonder how many states I have performed in.  Here's the list off the top of my head.  PA, NJ, NY, MD, VA, NC, GA, FL, OH, WI, MN, TX, and Ontario.  Not too bad.  I'll keep working on building that list.

A Blast From The Past!

Sometimes people like to know what I did before I went out on my own in Christian music ministry. Well, actually I was in a band. We were called Punch. We practiced for a few years in the York, PA, area. We did a handful of gigs, mostly for free. Although I think we were pretty good, we did a bad job at creating the kinds of sets that would get us into most clubs. So I present to you the following clip for your amusement. If you like it, maybe I'll post more. 

Click on comment and share your thoughts. 

Bon appetit!

"A Whole World Waiting"

Welcome to my new website!

Welcome to the new website!  This new format here on Typepad will allow me to update much more easily.  Hopefully that means more frequently, too.  I hope to be able to blog more often, and I hope to give you beta samples of new music.  I might fire up my iSight camera, for example, and give you a private advance performance to new songs as they get written.  So stay tuned and visit often.  If you subscribe to the RSS feed, you will be alerted when I update the site with any new content.  I would invite you to do that so you can stay informed.  You can also still browse the old blogs and learn about things like the disturbing Road X, the Killer Gourd From Outer Space, Water Disasters involving our camper, Silly Songs we have written for our kids (complete with sheet music!), and much more.  Browse and enjoy.  It's all here!

What's New With Us

What's new with us?

 

You know, I usually only post these bloggish entries when we're on tour or something.   I guess I must not think our normal life is interesting enough for you.   Except when I'm burying the neighbor's cat, that is.   But I get asked all the time about how things are going.   So maybe it's time for me to share.

 

You would think, as I did, that being a fulltime musician would be a peaceful life, full of practicing and creativity by day, being Dad and Husband in the evening, and performing on the weekend.   And believe me, I'm not complaining.   The idea that I could even try to make a living doing what I love is such a blessing.   But what I've found is that the days are spent on the phone or computer, trying to get opportunities to play.   It's worth it when it works out.   I love to go play for people and share my story with them.   Love it!   It just involves a lot more telemarketing than I thought it would.   That, and I teach one day a week.   Strangely, that doesn't allow much time for creativity.   I wrote more songs when I taught fulltime!   But I want to get back to creating new music, and I will do that.  

 

To complicate things further, our home is sort of out-of-order at the moment, and has been for two weeks now.   You see, five years ago when we added an addition to our house for Morgan's bedroom, we bought hardwood flooring for his room.   But because it was such a good deal at this particular place, we bought enough for our room, too.   It sat in our basement, waiting for the right moment.   We decided that the right moment was this month.   I have learned a lot about ripping out carpet and installing flooring.   And we have had professionals do the finish work.   I didn't trust myself with a power sander.    So all the contents of our room are out in the living room.   There's a chaos theme we have going on, and it's taking its toll on us all.   Sheri and I are sleeping in Carter's room, and Carter and Morgan are in Morgan's room.   When it's time to get dressed, it sometimes requires a short tour of the house to get to the dresser, the closet (couch), and the bins where are shoes are temporarily residing.   It's all a little confusing.   But we're nearing the end of this all, and it will be a relief to get things back to normal.   If there is such a thing as normal.

 

Another project I have going on is a new cafe ministry at our church in York, which will have its grand opening on March 28.   I'm very excited about it!   I'm learning to delegate.   That's new for me.   I usually just dream about a project and then try to pull it off myself after a lot of procrastinating.   This is just too big for that.   I am learning a lot about trusting others and also keeping in touch with them.   I know these are elementary skills for working in a group, but I am usually more of a lone ranger.   This is probably good for me.

 

Also, it's arranging season.   You may know that marching band is a big part of my past, and I have stayed peripherally connected by arranging music for bands.   ‘Tis the season for arranging to begin, so I am looking forward to doing some writing.   It's always fun to dream the sounds up in my head and then find a way to put them on paper so that a band can bring them to life.   And then it's fun to follow the band's progress and root for them to bring home a trophy.   Bringing home a trophy used to be ALL music was about for me, but if you've heard my story you learned how that all panned out.   God gave me a major attitude adjustment when I was right out of college.   Now I see music and music teaching a lot differently, and want to serve God and others with my music.   But a trophy once in a while doesn't hurt, does it?   :-)

 

Then there's the yard.   We cut down a bunch of live trees this fall to get more light into our yard.   We're pretty woodsy here.   But, as usual, this project has dragged waaaaaaay out.   I still have a garden piled high with branches of all sizes, a few big logs that still need to become part of my firewood pile, and a big, dirt pile that needs to be corralled and made into a little garden.

 

How will I get all these things done?   With God's help, that's the only way.   He can give me strength to accomplish what's too big for me.   He can give me the focus that I lack.   He can give me the direction to let me know what to do when.   And He can give me the resolve to say “no” when the next thing I shouldn't agree to comes along.   And it will!   So, say a prayer for me.   And if you don't see me for a while, I may be trapped under that brush pile.   Send help, please!

Silly Songs for My Kids

I am a musician.   I'm good, but not the world's best musician in any category.   I sing, I play sax, and keyboards, and I write my own music.   I am also a music teacher.   I'm not the world's best partly because I was lazy about my music when I was young and had the time to actually practice and develop my skills.   But, even so, I have had the chance to sing lead for some good bands, earn a Master's in my field, direct choirs, and develop a Christian music ministry that is reaching a lot of people, thanks to God.

 

Even though I'm not the world's best, I think I have a musical brain.   I almost always have music going on in my head, no matter what I'm doing, and I understand music when I hear it, if it's a type I'm familiar with.   I can also create music.   I've created some serious music, and some crazy music.

 

Some of my most insane music has been for my kids.   I think I'm not alone in this.   I think many of you sing stupid songs for your kids, too.   I wanted to share some of my stupid songs with you.   Maybe it will help you feel that you're not so much of a freak after all, or possibly just that I am one.

 

Song # 1.   “Morgan.”   Written in the shower to keep my first son from fussing.   Should be sung with a peppy Swing beat.   Shouldn't all music be sung that way?   No, it shouldn't.

 

 

Song #2.   “Bathtime for Morgan.”   Created on a camping trip.   This one is Country.   I hate Country, but what are you gonna do?   Both variants of the song are included.

 

 

Song #3.   “Look At My Belly.”   Probably the most insane.   This is to be sung quasi-opera style.   I impersonate a lyric soprano in my best falsetto.   The song evolved because, for a while, after every meal our son wanted to show us his belly that was so full.   Obviously (to him) we would see how full it would be, and we would be impressed.   Little did he realize that a big, round belly is not highly prized after all.   This went on for a mind-numbingly long time, and a lovely piece of classical music is the result.   Well, it's definitely a piece of something.

 

 

Song #4.   “Water First and Then Juice.”   We're a little health obsessed in our house.   One of the things we consider important is getting our kids to drink water and not just juicy punchy stuff.   So this song evolved to enforce and remind of our house rule.   Rules are so much easier to follow when sung to a peppy, Swing beat!   I think people in criminal justice should think about this.   Tax fraud, arson, assault…we'd be so willing to forsake them all, given the right theme song.

 

 

Song #5.   “Bartlett Pears.”   This is the latest in our collection.   Our second son enjoys eating squished up pears.   The jar calls them Bartlett pears so we think they carefully hand select the fruit before mashing it into a paste.   They're Bartlett pears, you know, not random pears of any variety.   I just hope there aren't too many rat claws ground up in there, too.   But sleep deprivation and a love of cheesy 50's style commercial jingles gave birth to this.

 

 

So, there is our collection of insanity.   I don't know if you have the means to display your own works of art, but I hope you enjoyed ours.   If you are able, I would love to see what you have created for your own children.

 

And don't even think about stealing these.   That means you, Mariah Carey.   These are MY songs!   Mine!