The first time I walked in our house, I eyed the sunken living room with wide steps on two sides, then looked at my husband and said, “If we buy this house, I want someone to come play the guitar in the living room. And I want for people to sit on those steps and sing. DO YOU THINK AMY GRANT AND VINCE GILL WOULD WANT TO DO A SHOW HERE?”
And we laughed because, well, I am insane.
But a few weeks ago, Emma Kate forwarded me an email she’d received from Trent Monk. Trent was hoping to line up some “living room concerts” in between bigger shows, and Emma Kate immediately asked him if he might like to play at her church instead. She was ecstatic when he said yes.
After I read EK’s email, I could not stop thinking about the whole living room concerts deal. And I also kept thinking about my love for Monk & Neagle, my iPod that is chock-full of their songs, and my deep desire for someone to play the guitar and sing in our living room. So I made the biggest no-brainer decision ever and emailed Trent to see if he’d like to do a show at our house.
(After talking with my husband, of course.)
(Because as a general rule it’s probably not a great idea to stage a real-live concert in one’s home unless all family members are on board with that particular proposition.)
So Trent said yes and David and I were thrilled and LO AND BEHOLD, about three weeks later, Trent showed up at our front door with his road manager Danny, and I promptly escorted them into the kitchen and fed them lots of lasagna. Then they set up everything they needed, and some people came over, and WE HAD OURSELVES A SHOW, Y’ALL.
WHILE I SAT ON MY LIVING ROOM STEPS AND SWAYED.
THE DREAMS, THEY DO COME TRUE.
It took Alex a little while to make sense of the fact that the guy on the Monk & Neagle CD in my car was the same guy who was sitting in the corner of our living room playing and singing his heart out, but once that five year-old mind put all the pieces together, he was ABSOLUTELY FASCINATED by the whole experience.
I’m telling you: his smile was approximately six miles wide.
In fact, after Trent finished the first song, “Into Orbit,” Alex apparently decided that he wanted to make the very most of his concert-going experience, because he raised his hand, stood up, walked into the middle of the living room and said, “Monk? Monk? Will you sing ‘Beautiful You,’ please?”
And Trent Monk did exactly that. While Alex sang along.
I totally cried.
A few songs later, Trent sang “More Than That,” and it was pretty incredible, my friends.
We had such a good time.
The day after the show Trent and Danny rolled out of their respective beds around the crack of noon, and they drank some coffee and checked their email and watched that week’s episode of “The Office” with us. Afterwards we sat around and talked a good bit about life and faith and grace and whathaveyou - then Trent and Danny loaded the truck so they could drive to their next concert.
We were sad to see them go. They were, in a word, delightful.
If you’d be interested in having Trent do a living room concert at your house or church, you should definitely get in touch with him (email me if you’d like contact info). He’s fitting in these kinds of shows wherever he can, and all you have to have is 1) some space where people can sit or stand 2) a bucket to take up a love offering (we used an Easter basket because we are very fancy) 3) a small table to set up some CD’s 4) another small table for Compassion packets and 5) a place for Trent and his road manager to stay.
And if you can help round up a crowd of folks to hear Trent play his music, all the better.
No doubt about it: you will have a blast.
Promise.
Jai says:
My sister and I were JUST talking today about being “hospitalable” .. First Peter 4:9 and what we can do with the blessing of our homes to bless others and shine the light of God!
House missionaries, open up for bible study, share in a living room concert series …. :)
No really, this was a marvelous idea!!!
Confirmation .. confirmation!
May 1st, 2008 at 3:01 pm
Jai says:
And also Hebrews 13:2 “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it.”
May 1st, 2008 at 3:04 pm
Kelly says:
AWESOMENESS!!!!! All of it. AWESOMENESS!!! I’m wondering if I can talk Scott into letting him come to our house. Or even more fun to call him and say “honey, come straight home tonight. We are having a concert in our living room. Surprise!”
May 1st, 2008 at 3:05 pm
Lisa@take90west says:
No Way. ‘Beautiful You’ in your living room?? I would’ve have passed out cold on the floor.
That is more than awesome.
May 1st, 2008 at 3:09 pm
Mary B says:
You are like the coolest person I have never met :) If they ever come north (yes it has warmed up a bit) we would love to have them.
No dream is too big for you Boomama, I learn about listening and obeying by your example.
May 1st, 2008 at 3:11 pm
Blogaroni and Dees says:
A live show in my living room…what a dream!
May 1st, 2008 at 3:36 pm
Dnksmommy/ Lorrie says:
that is absolutely cool!!!!!!!! How awesome that your dream actually came true!
May 1st, 2008 at 3:40 pm
Jenna says:
That’s like the coolest thing I have ever seen and heard in all of my years. TOO FUN.
May 1st, 2008 at 3:49 pm
Tamara says:
That is just about the coolest thing evah!
I’m new to Monk & Neagle, but I’m just loving them!
May 1st, 2008 at 4:03 pm
Tina Vega says:
I would have cried too!!
May 1st, 2008 at 4:25 pm
motomom says:
I’d offer to let my husband come fill your living room with music. However, his latest project is Sweedish Symphonic Metal and I don’t think that is quite the sound you are looking for.
I’ll just have to endure him playing in my living room for now. I really miss the old band, now THAT was something you would have liked.
May 1st, 2008 at 4:26 pm
Overwhelmed With Joy! says:
Wow! That is so cool! I wish we had the house space to do something like this.
Good on ya for making that happen!
May 1st, 2008 at 4:55 pm
BrownEyedGirl says:
How exciting! What a once in a lifetime opportunity! So… was it better than AG and VG being there??
May 1st, 2008 at 4:57 pm
Megan(FriedOkra) says:
Girl, you live a life of wonder, you do.
May 1st, 2008 at 4:59 pm
Michelle says:
Wow!! That is beyond cool!
May 1st, 2008 at 5:08 pm
Roxanne says:
In the words of the Princess Diaries gal,
“SHUT. UP.”
That is just way cool.
May 1st, 2008 at 5:35 pm
Heather S. says:
Oh my goodness, VERY cool!! We love their CD!! My girls adore “Hallelujah Jesus” and I just love to hear my 4-year old singing at the top of her lungs, “Ha-way-woo-ya Jeeeee-zuuuus” It’s one of the sweetest things ever.
May 1st, 2008 at 5:59 pm
Merritt says:
So, I guess it just wasn’t good enough for you when I sang on your fireplace that time.
May 1st, 2008 at 6:01 pm
d says:
Isn’t it amazing how God fulfills even the smallest desires of our hearts no matter how random they may be. I’ve never hoped for a concert in my living room but God never ceases to amaze me with his blessings. So cool!
May 1st, 2008 at 6:17 pm
Kim says:
GOODNESS GRACIOUS are you serious!
That is so awesome!
I would love to do that and have them come to our church or house :)
I am afraid if we had it in our house though that my littlest one would try to out sing him however b/c well he is loud like that!
So send me some info and I will see what I can do :)
God bless
Kim
May 1st, 2008 at 7:05 pm
heather m says:
SIGN ME UP!!! Although I’m sure they will be NOWHERE near the edge of existence where I live (the sunny Rio Grande Valley of Texas)…
~Heather~
May 1st, 2008 at 7:07 pm
Holly Smith says:
How. very. COOL!
Was your furniture moved before or after this wonderful moment in time?
I “almost” had a picture of him singing the very same song in our living room. Then I thought, “That would be crazy!” But who knows? I like crazy!
May 1st, 2008 at 7:41 pm
Linda says:
Fabulous! I can’t imagine what that moment felt like when Alex’s request was granted. Total mommy coolness. Despite your incredibly strong recommendations, I have been lazy about checking out Monk and Neagle, but I will download away this weekend just because they made your dream come true!
May 1st, 2008 at 7:44 pm
Natalie Witcher says:
OK, I love living in OK, but when tornados decide to come on thru, everyone watches…meaning, becuase I don’t have cable…I CAN’T WATCH THE OFFICE BECAUSE THE MESO-CYCLONE IS TOO DANGEROUS AND THE HOOK ECHO LOOKS TOO SCARY!
whew. I guess it’s more important to be safe than watch Michael…hmmm
May 1st, 2008 at 8:23 pm
Lora Lynn says:
I hated to miss it. Nothing but a trip back to Virginia to see my peeps could have kept me away. Maybe next time?
May 1st, 2008 at 8:37 pm
PJ says:
How utterly wonderful!!!! Oh my. What an idea!
May 1st, 2008 at 8:40 pm
Mary Kat's Mom says:
It was a great night! You are the best hostess and we have a great memory! I think Trent is adorable and we have played the three CD’s we bought non stop!
Do it again, Boomama, do it again! And I want more pound cake please! This time I will have two pieces because I will let my southern lady manners go to the wayside for your pound cake. Dreaming about eating it two days later lets you know how much I enjoyed it! Love ya!
May 1st, 2008 at 9:29 pm
Erin says:
SHUT. UP.
May 1st, 2008 at 9:35 pm
Melissa May says:
Aw, BooMama! I am so happy for you! I remember you talking about the livingroom guitar playing and thinking how I would love to come play guitar in your living room (if I didn’t live on the other side of the country, but hey! Maybe that will be my dream come true someday!) but having one of your favorite PROfessional musicians there? What a gift from God to every one of you. Trent too.
May 1st, 2008 at 9:43 pm
bee says:
How stinkin’ cool is that?!
May 1st, 2008 at 9:56 pm
Lisa @ The Preacher's Wife says:
As much as I’d love these guys to play in our living room, something tells me having to sit on top of the gigantor Barbie play house may hinder the worship atmosphere just a bit.
But can I just say how cool you are? :)
May 1st, 2008 at 11:35 pm
Genni says:
W.A.Y. C.O.O.L. (because I haven’t any words.)
May 2nd, 2008 at 6:06 am
Mama D says:
SIGN ME UP! Way cool. I could just invite the entire youth group…what a good time we would have.
May 2nd, 2008 at 7:21 am
Tara says:
I’m in the stone ages and have not yet that I know of heard a Monk and Neagle song. I know. Dial up doesn’t much support listening online and private school teacher salary doesn’t much support buying new CDs. But really? I know they’re famous and all. And they were in your living room! And they sang a song your baby asked them to sing? Woah. Precious.
May 2nd, 2008 at 7:38 am
Emily says:
How cool is that? If they’re near Atlanta, let me know!
May 2nd, 2008 at 7:42 am
Sunshine Crawford says:
Hey there, BooMama! I plan on giving Trent’s info to our music minister at church to see if we can’t have him come and do a concert for us at our church in Little Rock, AR. Would you mind giving me Trent’s contact info? Thanks for passing this along. His music is awesome!!
May 2nd, 2008 at 8:20 am
Andi the weevilmaw says:
That is more than totally awesome. What a blessing. I wouldn’t be able to sleep or talk in a normal tone & cadence for probably two weeks, I would be like the squirrel in Over the Hedge. Probably wouldn’t need two Dr.Peppers to get me going in the morning either. Isn’t it amazing how God brings the most random and amazing things together for us?
May 2nd, 2008 at 9:25 am
Kim says:
How Fantastic!!!!
I have to admit that just hearing you tell us about Alex asking for Beautiful You gave me tears. Awesome.
May 2nd, 2008 at 11:13 am
GiBee says:
Oh, you totally KNOW I want that contact information…. please, do share!! I won’t move from my computer until you do…
And for added effect, I’ll hold my breath.
May 2nd, 2008 at 12:26 pm
Kim @ SunflowerSeeds says:
That is so stinkin’ cool that I can’t even think of a clever comment!
May 2nd, 2008 at 1:18 pm
Miss Grace says:
That is so much cooler than anything I EVER do at my house!
May 2nd, 2008 at 1:18 pm
cindi weber says:
ok, i was going to send you an email re trent, et al’s contact info, but then i read your email disclaimer and decided to contact you thru the comments instead…wd you let me know how to get in touch with him, pls? thanks!
May 2nd, 2008 at 2:27 pm
megan says:
What an awesome opportunity for you & your family!
May 2nd, 2008 at 11:29 pm
Charity says:
This is just too much for me to handle. :)
May 3rd, 2008 at 3:24 pm
groovyoldlady says:
Groovy studies the wall behind the desk. Clearly it will be necessary to KNOCK DOWN THE WALL so we have an even larger concert worthy space…
Hey wait a minute, Mulletman and I do music. Maybe WE could do the concerts…
In our own home…
Talk about low overhead!
May 3rd, 2008 at 5:41 pm
fabthemayor says:
Is he coming to Atlanta anytime soon??
May 4th, 2008 at 1:39 pm
Theresa says:
How very cool. Do you think God was laughing when he arranged all that? God is awesome and the way he does things to make us happy… he cracks me up!
Glad you were open to the whole thing. It’s something you’ll remember forever!
May 6th, 2008 at 4:44 pm