I will attempt to put into words and pictures the experience I just had last night and over the last 6 weeks or so being a part of Midwest Meets Manhattan. My heart is so full right now.
History:
10 years ago, Dave and Chad had their last concert as CO3. They were a nationally recognized Christian band with songs high on the Christian charts. They were on TV, toured and played huge venues. Their band broke up for a variety of personal reasons as God worked in their hearts. Dave continued to sing and Chad continued to write music and both continued to dream and grow in their faith. Dave became a Pastor of TRU church. Chad Pastored a church also and grew his leather business and creative team. Two years ago, the two started talking again and Midwest Meets Manhattan was born. Earlier this year, Dave and Chad went to Nashville and recorded two original songs, Restored, and The Place. Their producer has 7 Grammies and produces for some really big names. We were so excited for them. In September, they pulled their band together and played a small concert in Arkansas. We made the trip and loved every minute. Dave scheduled the concert here in Manhattan at the Wareham.
Meanwhile, Scott and I continued to lead worship with Dave and grow even closer in friendship to him and to the TRU band whom we love so much. We are so honored to be a part of this group of people. Then Dave started talking about me singing back up. Dave is a dreamer and a talker (we love him) so about the 3rd time he said it, and when he said he had confirmed with Chad, it started to sink in. Then his original band backed out and he hired the TRU band to play with him.
Garage Band:
Dave started working with me on vocals and sent the playlist and I downloaded the songs and started working on my own. I always rehearse in the car where I can hear really well and also set up in the living room with my music stand and little beat box. It was hard work to hear the harmonies.
Rehearsing in the garage was such a blast. The band practiced in Travis’ garage. It was cold and dusty and loud. The guys drank beer with hot sauce in it and neighbors would stop by. We all laughed a lot and cussed a little ( I love Jesus but I cuss a little:) and sang and played and worked. It was gritty and real and so much fun.
The band set up a group in messenger for communication and joking around. Everyone has nick names and I found out last night my nickname all along has been “Dirty Diane”. Not sure exactly what it means but somehow it fits so well! Dave and I got quite a bit of teasing for being divas.
Josh, Bobby, Darryl, Travis
The Weekend:
The weekend itself had so much anticipation and excitement and it finally arrived. Friday I went down to the mall and got my nails done and had a chair massage. Friday night we went to KC for Dad’s 90th birthday celebration and got to see the grandkids and Leah and Dave, the nephews including Tim and meet Jon’s baby. When we arrived home, we officially met Chad for the first time. We already felt like we knew him from FaceTime conversations and all that Dave has said. To meet him in person was awesome. Scott was taking mom home and Chad was strumming Scott’s guitar when I came in. Dave knew how anxious I was feeling about singing with Chad so I hadn’t been in the house for 5 minutes when he had us start singing. He started with Be Still which is my favorite. Chad leads it so I get to sing the high harmony by myself. I gotta say it myself; we sounded so great together! His assistant recorded it. Chad said it was good!
Chad’s assistant, Bobbye stayed with us. We loved getting to know her, also. Such a special person.
Rehearsal:
Saturday’s rehearsal had been scheduled for evening but was moved to morning. I was so grateful as my anxiety was off the charts. I was really worried about singing harmonies with Chad. The band sounded so amazing. Rehearsal went well. Yes, I was doubling up on harmonies on a lot of songs, but both Chad and Dave reassured me. With Rehearsal out of the way, excitement replaced anxiety.
Day on the Town:
Saturday was fun and special, getting to know Chad and Bobbye, showing them around Manhattan, hanging out with Dave and Mel. Chad’s cinematographer, Cody, also a great person, joined us. We ate at Bluestem and shopped at Acme gifts and walked to the corner of campus for pics then drove them out by the stadium. Then Dave and Chad did a live segment in front of the Wareham. Then back home for rest.
Party at the Clarks
Saturday evening we had Dave’s family and the band over for BBQ. We had such a great time. Scott’s friends Jon and Anna joined us. We laughed and sang and ate and bonded. At one point we were all gathered around the kitchen island, Chad strumming Scott’s little beginner’s guitar and singing old ridiculous country songs. Scott knew every word. Chad and Scott’s grins are forever stuck in my head.
Sunday morning
The TRU service is a blur. I love worshipping with these guys and this morning we added Chad up there. It was special to have Scott’s friends Jon and Anna there for the first time. We did the worship songs from the concert set.
Attack of the Bad Attitude
I hate to include this but whenever I’ve had a really great God experience, Satan loves to attack my joy. When we went to the Wareham for our early afternoon sound check (which we waited around for and it never happened but it was cool to watch them setting up the sound system and stage), Dave told Scott he was going to be up there and sing back ups. I was filled with resentment that I had worked all this time and had to share the spotlite. I hate to even admit that I could be like this. I almost ruined the day for Scott. I gave it to God which is why I am including it in here as I will never put on a mask or pretend I’m not real. God ended up changing my heart as He always does and having Scott up there ended up being one of the most special parts of this experience. It was such a nifty trick. Dave was worried about his voice giving out. So when he struggled, he glanced back at Scott and Scott sang along. He sounds so much like Dave that no one knew. We got introduced as a couple.
Preparations and Primping
I was so excited to finally put on the dress I bought for the performance. I work hard to look good and it paid off. Bobbye did my makeup and Amy did my hair. We all ran around the Wareham and did sound checks and encouraged each other and took pics and just let the excitement build. As our friends came, we got to interact with them. It meant so much to me to have our close friends and family there to be a part of this. Dave and Chad got their hair done and I got to tell Scott that Amy was also going to do his hair. So funny.
The Performance
I got to hang out back stage with Dave and Chad while the opening act played. By God’s grace, I wasn’t even slightly nervous. Just ready. Excited but also sort of a surreal feeling. I waited side stage and Scott prayed for us. Jason was right there on the sound board. Then it was time. The video played and we stepped up and the band started. Huge sound and lights. Boom! Dreamer was the first song. Earlier this week I woke up singing Dreamer. I texted Dave and he had too. The lines of the song say, “Dreamer keep on dreaming, Singer keep on singing”. The sound was amazing. My voice joined the others and billowed out over the whole place. It was dark in the audience but I could see the faces all looking at us with joy and anticipation. My Homestead girls were in the front giving me signals and smiles and encouragement. I can’t even put into words what a blast it was. My all time favorite songs to sing were “Be Still” and “Love Will Keep Us Alive” because I feel the most confident on them and I get to sing my own harmony part and the harmonies are killer. I also really love the message of Be Still. I sing it every day on the way to work.
Go to the Midwest Meets Manhattan facebook page to hear more recordings of the concert.
Hearing the girls from Homestead give their testimonies and watching them hear the songs “She’s on Her Own” and “Restored” was really special. They did such a great job. It can’t be easy to get up in front of people and be so real. I feel like the concert was really affirming for them. Proceeds from the concert went to Homestead. It made the concert so much more special.
As the concert went on, I started to feel sad that it was going to end. And it was cold up there! I knew it would be over so quickly and it was. Then going out to the audience afterward and hugging everyone was awesome.
The Night Doesn’t End
We ended the night at IHOP eating and fellowshipping with the band. We listened to some of the recordings and laughed and chatted more. I don’t know when I’ve felt such a belonging. This is what TRU strives for and what God calls us to and creates us for. This, being a part of this band with these people, this is what made this whole experience so incredibly special for me. Knowing it doesn’t end, that I get to continue to sing with them each Sunday and that there could be future concerts and road trips, makes me so very happy. And all with Scott. My heart is full.
dianegclark 