March 30, 2009

A few days after I believed on Jesus in December 1976 a guy who I had never really meet stopped by my house and dropped off a few records. I had never heard of the artists but they soon became my life line to another world, a better world for sure. Who were the artists? Paul Clark and Phil Keaggy.

Last week I was invited to jam with both Paul & Phil two of my all-time favorite musicians. I was blessed and stressed at the same time. Bless to be invited and stressed because Phil is in my opinion one of the greatest guitar player alive!!! WOW. But I found both these men to be great men of faith and honor. I had a blast.

During sound check Phil walks over and says “hey Jimmie, you ever do this”? He’s giving me a guitar lesson on the spot. Needless to say I came home and have been practicing that riff and you know it will show up someplace in my playing.

Paul is one of the best songwriters in not only Christian music but in my mind all of music. He for sure has spoken to my life.

One of the lessons I have learned from being around successful people is that almost all of them have this really outstanding attitude. They are kind, gracious, encouraging and willing to give. I think it is the coolest thing. Being around people like that makes me want to try harder and be better.

Anyway, I heard there was going to be some bootleg YouTube clips leaked out and when they do I will for sure let you know.

Peace,
Jimmie

PS, if you don’t know who Paul Clark & Phil Keaggy are here are their links.

I’m in Green Bay, WI the next two weekends helping my friend Mark Gungor with a series of messages titled “How to Beat the Blues”. This week I’ll be doing a couple of tunes and next week I’ll be preaching and I want your help.

So, How do YOU beat the blues?

Make some comments and if I use you’re I’ll send you some free stuff!!!

Jimmie

Love Marriage & Stinking Thinking debuts on TBN today and Dish Network Tuesday!  Jimmie wrote all the music and he and the band perform LIVE on all the episodes. Hosted by pastor, marriage and relationship expert– and very funny guy–Mark Gungor.  Throughout the series, Mark exposes the true source of marriage problems and the flawed notions -or stinking thinking- that shape our expectations of marriage.

Co-Hosted by actress, author Nancy Stafford who engages Mark in a lively discussion from a woman’s perspective.

Jimmie leads a killer house band.  Mark answers the question so many have, “why do you have a blues band on a show about marriage?” the answer “Because it’s a show about marriage”

So tune in every week, and get ready to Laugh and Love your way to a better marriage!

***Set your DVR to record the show every week!***
TBN
Thursdays
9:30pm PST
11:30 PM CST
12:30am EST

Sky Angel 2 on
Dish Network [266]
Tuesdays & Thursdays
7:00pm EST
8:00 PM CST
4:00pm PST

I received this story a couple of days ago, “Just wanted to let you know how much my wife and I enjoyed your concert last night!  We heard about it from a co-worker and friend of mine that is a member of the church.” Somebody invited a friend to a concert and they were ministered to. That’s how it works, the kingdom at its essence is a relationship. Someone tells the story, someone hears it and miracles happen.

We are so thankful for your help, without it we would not be able to do all that we do. We are always pressing on and I wanted to share what is about to happen and ask for your help if you’re able.

We have in front of us a huge opportunity. This opportunity will allow more people to hear our story than ever before and what that means is more people will hear the gospel and know Jesus, why? Because they will know who I am and hear our story. But I need a whole lot of help to make this happen.

So, we are hiring a professional storyteller to help us, Lynn McCain president of McCain & Associates a Nashville based public relations firm whose forte is telling stories. She has done it for many years and is considered by many to be one of the best storytellers in the music industry. This is a huge step of faith for us but after prayer, Sherri and I both feel it is the right time for us to take this step. But we need your help.

The campaign will start February 2nd and run for six months. The monthly cost of the campaign will be $3,000.00 per month. OUCH, I know it is a lot of money but how much is one family worth, one couple that hears our story and their marriage is restored, one life that is saved?

Here is a link to our on-line contribution form. If you would like your contribution set up on a monthly debit system please email my assistant Amanda jatrux AT gmail.com. Look it over, pray, give and help tell the story.

For the harvest,

Jimmie

Well in a few days I’m going to be on TV!!!! On February 5, the Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN) will start airing the show I am on “Love Marriage & Stinking Thinking”. It comes on a little late for us central time zone folks 11:30 PM every Thursday. They tell me that there is a possibility that they will re-broadcast it on TBN the following day, when I know for sure I will let you know.

I don’t have exact details of when but I do know the show is also airing on Sky Angel, which I think is part of the DISH Network on Tuesday’s, I think 6:30 PM CST.

We watched a couple of the shows recently and MAN do they ROCK… Mark Gungor is one funny dude with something to say, Nancy Stafford is one fine lady and the band and I hold nothing back. For the first thirteen weeks my band is Dave Autry on drums, Denny Autry, Dave’s Dad on keys, Landy Ewing on bass and Joe McGlohn aka “Smokin’ Joe”.

The format of the show is like a Letterman/Leno kind of a talk show with a live band. For the first thirteen shows there are no guests just us, Mark & Nancy. The open song or theme song for the show is “Lord Make Us Funky” from “The Electric Rev.” the closing song while the audience dances, that’s right a bunch of Christians dancing to “I Love My Baby” from RED. In about half of the shows we do a song or part of a song. Some of them are, Bad Religion, Three Chords, When the Blues Come, and others.

I know that the content of each show will help marriages in a big way. I also know that some of the “super spiritual” may get all riled up but hey. A pastor friend of mine taught me this saying “let the dogs bark cause the train rolls on”.

Email me if you get to see the show….

Peace,
Jimmie

December 15, 2008

We just got word that the Man! It’s Christmas video is airing on “Gospel Music Channel“, “JCTV” & “TCT” Network. We are thankful for everyone who helped us make this happen. Be watching for the video and email me if you see it.

Jimmie

December 20th Sherri and I are going to party and we want you to come. It will be our 32nd anniversary and we would love for you to be with us as we celebrate. The event will be at Antioch Church in Overland Park, KS and will start at 5:00 PM make sure and note the start time. We will also be filming a LIVE DVD of the Christmas concert that evening that will include tunes from Man! It’s Christmas, The Electric Rev. and some new songs as well.

It would be wonderful if you could come and hang with our family and us as we celebrate our anniversary. No presents necessary just your presence is requested.

Found my Bible again today, covered in dust there it lay
Maybe I should wipe it off open it and read?

Leather cover, paper page, and life’s living inside
Think I’ll dust it off open it and read?

If I read then I can change to the image Jesus gave
I believe I will pick it up open it and read.

Worked hard today it’s time to sleep another day I didn’t read
Tomorrow I will take the time open it and read.

Found my Bible a month away, covered in dust there I lay
When will I pick it up open it and read?

Jesus forgive, what can I say, covered in dust years away
Wish I’d dusted it, open it and read.

Jimmie Bratcher – Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Cleaning my office listening to Kelly Joe Phelps sing Cyprus Grove

© 2008 Ain’t Skeert Tunes