Arthur Alligood

2010-01-18T12:47:00.000-06:00

Nice to meet ya

2009-12-04T09:38:00.005-06:00

[I wrote this one day last week. A middle school girl asked me that same day, "Do you sing..." pausing to formulate her words, "Popularly?" I answered confidently "No." The question needless to say did get me thinking.]

I am sitting at my wife's desk. She teaches middle schoolers. I'm a substitute today, not for her, but for a teacher down the hall. It's my planning period.

This is my life.

Acording to my blog, my last post was March 30th of 2009. A lot has happened since then. Tracy and I have seen our daughters grow. The twins, Elsie and Lucy, are now 1. Corban is going on 3 and 1/2. Also, in the last year I started going back to school....after nine years of being out of the classroom! I am set to graduate in May of 2010. I plan to teach middle schoolers like my wife.

This is not how I thought it would go.

How do you plan your life, so that the plan actually gets carried out? I don't think it is possible. I've always had a plan. Most people do. They may not voice it, or write it out, but they have plans and hopes, things they can see in their future. Some of these things turn out in some form or fashion, but most times it is surprise after surprise. I think God wants it this way. Life is a gift in itself and a series of moments when we each receive various gifts, whether they be spouses or occupations or children or whatever. I still make plans, but I've learned that they don't mean much. Their not set in stone. God doesn't sign off on anyone's dreams, but rather in time reveals his own. It is when we buy into these plans that our plans become a reality. This is due mainly to the fact that there really not our plans to begin with. It is easy to form a plan, but much harder to carry it out.

I had a plan once. I was going to be a successful singer/songwriter. I was going to "make it." Well, I haven't "made it." I have put out a couple of records, did some limited touring, but nothing really serious. I have cd boxes underneath my bed collecting dust. The future is still wide open though. I'm not too old for anything really. I'm thirty and that's still young by most standards. I'm a family man and a soon-to-be teacher.

My life has just begun.

I have started writing songs again. For about a year I didn't pick up a guitar. Honestly, I thought the desire had left, like some phase had ended giving way to the unknown. But it came back recently like an old friend or a lost feeling. One song lead to one more and then to another. I imagine I might do something with them (i.e. put out a record) down the road, but for now I can do only one thing: write. It is fun to write songs. Thats why I started in the first place...because it was fun and it kept me sane. I'm not sure if I'm any more sane now(especially considering the twins), but at least I have my outlet back, my release, my therapy. I've discovered that primarily I'm a writer and when I don't write I don't really live as I'm supposed to. Its good to know who you are and what you need to do. Now, I have only to stick with it.

See you next year.

Full Circle Special Edition

2009-03-30T23:09:00.007-05:00

Hello everyone! I know I never blog any more, but I had to make you aware of a semi-new cd that I am putting out.

Homemade Genuis Productions out of Greenwood, SC is re-releasing the "Full Circle" ep. They will only be pressing 200 copies so if you want one you better order up now before they're gone. Here are some reasons you might want to get this new release:

-totally new artwork done by Sarah Morris of the band Y/Our Sparkle Heart

-unique DVD style packaging

-two unreleased songs + a live version of "Hold On" -only 200 being pressed(so you can feel fortunate you got your hands on one)
-$8 plus for $2 shipping(pretty dang cheap for a recession)

We are approaching the 1yr anniversary of the ep going up on the website for FREE. In the past year, close to 700 copies have been downloaded from the site! Several people have asked me how they can support me in what I am doing. I say the best way to support me is to buy a cd. Maybe you downloaded the ep for FREE a while back and have really enjoyed the music. Now you can support the cause and in turn receive some new music and wonderful new artwork.

Thank you all for the support.

I don't blog I just post things

2009-02-12T21:48:00.001-06:00

I don't have the words any more

2008-11-25T14:53:00.002-06:00

Its been a while. Can I be demanding?

2008-09-23T00:01:00.000-05:00

View the complete Arthur Alligood tour schedule

I did it!!

2008-07-12T15:55:00.002-05:00

Yeh, so I biked 12 miles today and it wasn't really that bad. A big thanks to everyone who donated to Blood:Water on my behalf. I think the final total was close to $200. It was an honor to pedal for such a worthy cause.

Here are some pictures I took from my phone.

The starting line(Look at all that spandex!)

Along the way

the green way bridge

At the end. *Yes, I know I look like Andre the Giant with a kids bike. I promise I'm not 7'2.

Biking for Africa

2008-07-05T10:11:00.001-05:00

Hey, people! Many of you already know about me biking this next Saturday(7/12) for Blood:Water Mission. I still need donations, so if you feel inclined to give go to the following link and sponsor away.
http://www.ridewelltour.com/DONATE/SponsoraParticipant/tabid/1829/Default.aspx

Also, I am selling my mountain bike to get money to buy a nice road bike. If you're interested or have a nice road bike you'd like to trade me let me know. Below is the link to my post on Craigslist.
http://nashville.craigslist.org/bik/743343162.html

That is really all for now. Tracy is getting bigger everyday now and in three weeks we should know what we are having. I will keep you posted.

Whoa!

2008-06-23T20:54:00.003-05:00

Today happened. This is not a dream that I will soon wake from. It happened and I will never be the same.

Our first ultra-sound revealed to us a blessed surprise: We're having twins!!!!

Yes, there are two little babies kicking around in Tracy's belly. My face hurts from smiling.

I need to go by diapers.

You will hear more.

Eight questions for my old man

2008-06-15T14:56:00.005-05:00

Today is Father's Day and it is hot here in middle Tennessee. I forgot today that I am a Father, too. I guess its hard for me to put myself in the same category as my Dad. He is the finest man I have known. He taught me what it means to love people and he did it mostly with his mouth closed. I have learned this is the best kind of teaching, words spoken by a life of action, a silent sermon.

Recently, my Father went on a mission to learn more about his Father. He brought a video camera along and interviewed him asking eight questions in honor of his recent 80th birthday. At his birthday party he played the finished film for him and the rest of the family. It was a moving experience to say the least. I sat there humbled by the stories and the tears of my Grandpa. I felt so grateful to be a part of such a rich history of mighty men.

So, today sipping my sweet tea at lunch, flipping through the Sunday paper, I came across this article entitled "Eight questions for my old man." I immediately recognized the faces and knew the story by heart. I was humbled once again and praying over dinner I thanked God for my Dad and prayed that I would be like him in the coming years, that I would continue the legacy. Somehow, I feel that prayer is being answered everyday now and it brings me to tears to think about it.

Below is a link to the interview and parts of the video. I hope it blesses you as it has me.

http://www.tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080615/FEATURES01/806150314&referrer=FRONTPAGECAROUSEL

Drumroll please..

2008-05-20T13:05:00.000-05:00

At work, before we announce the student of the week and teacher of the week, the school director asks for a drumroll. The kids(none past 3rd grade) make all kinds of noises and beat on the tables like they are giant, snare drums or massive djembe's. I can hear them now even though yesterday was my last day for the year. I can see there faces all full of anticipation. "Could it be me this time?"

I am asking the same question right now. Could it be me this time? Could it be me or should I say "us" this time, again? The answer is yes it could be and it most certainly is. Let the drumroll cease with the following announcement:

TRACY AND I ARE HAVING ANOTHER BABY!!!!!!!!!

More later I promise.

How they grow

2008-05-07T12:06:00.002-05:00

Here are some pictures of Corban. She will be 2 in July! She brings us, so much joy.

Here she is pushing her purple bear around on her Cornpopper. Every time the bear would fall off she would say, "No, No." Sounds like her parents.

Ah, lounging in the bean bag chair. Bring me some food.

Here is Linus, I mean Corban. *Notice the toys everywhere.

Haricut and v-neck

2008-05-06T11:30:00.003-05:00

Yep, I celebrated my birthday this past weekend. I am 29 years old!! The staggering thought is that I am now a year away from being 30. I will enter a new age bracket then and I suppose I must finally consider myself an adult. A kid at work the other day said to me while we were playing four sqaure, "You're such a kid." You better believe it. He thought he was insulting me, but I took it as a compliment. I think I just want to be a responsible kid. One that works to provide for his family, but still knows how to have fun, to make stupid jokes and to laugh a lot at nothing in particular.

I believe the ideal is to grow up and yet keep the parts about our childlike nature that are really good and worth keeping. Most of us get older and leave every bit of it behind. For example, wonder is something that most adults have thrown away. We are not excited or surprised about anything. Nothing is a big deal anymore. The sky is just the sky, the moon just a ball of fire burning off in the distance.(Or like the rest of the intelligent, adult world knows its a big rock reflecting the rays of the sun, which is a big ball of fire.) Kids, however, see more. They stare at the clouds forever picking out images. The moon is not a ball of fire(or rock), but rather a lump of cheese. This leads me to another thing high-minded adults have lost: imagination.

Adults want to read realistic novels not fantastic, fairy tales. G.K. Chesterton said that he learned real truth from the fairy tales. But modern adults don't have the time. If its not true then why bother? As an adult I say without imagination, why bother? Without wonder, why bother? If I was without the ability to enter into the non-existent I think I would go crazy. I always think that this desire really shows my desire to be connected with love, that which I have never seen. I enjoy traveling to Narnia because I long deeply for heaven. Imagination must be sacred then and leaving it behind surely must be blasphemy.

I have no clue where this has all come from. It is good to think about growing up I think. This is what birthdays are about, to have days to think about how far you've come and how far you might go. It is good to know that I am still a kid. Apparently, even kids themselves can see it. I pray that this never be lost. I aim to die a frail child, weak from the excess of laughter and play.

Whirlwind

2008-04-19T09:46:00.005-05:00

Hello people. This week has been so wonderful. As of today, Saturday, April 19th at 9:48 A.M. I have given away nearly 200 copies of the new ep!!! I have been blown away to say the least by the response. If this pace continues my goal of 1,000 copies in three months may come a lot sooner. A big thanks to those who have sent out e-mails or called friends telling them about the music. It really means a lot. Continue to do so if you have time. There still is much road ahead.

Some of you have been long time supporters and have bought my former cds.(Brian Shilts you're the man!) If you are itching to support me financially then I would suggest buying an old cd to give as a gift. Most of my stuff is on Itunes, Emusic, etc.. and if you want to go this route you can. But what I really need to do is to get rid of the old cds that are stacked next to my bed. Once their gone, their gone and the sooner, the better. If you'd like to buy a box I can sell it to you for dirt cheap. Just let me know.

Many people have sent me emails about the new songs. All have been really encouraging. Feel free to leave comments. I would love to know what you think. Negative reviews are welcome, too. A guy named Ben from Nashville described the ep as "pleasantly dissatisfying." I like it alot!!

By the way, sorry all I have written lately are music related posts. Once this semester ends I will write more about the important things. Music is not on the top of the list.

Finally, finally

2008-04-12T11:21:00.003-05:00

The long awaited ep, "full circle" is up for FREE download. Make sure you are on a computer with a good connection speed. I have DSL and it took me about 11 minutes or so to download the music. A big thanks to Ben from Standing Small who worked on the site and will continue to make it beautiul. I owe him several steak dinners and one enormous bear hug.

As I mentioned before my personal goal is to give away 1,000 copies of the ep in three months. So, July 12th is the date to keep in your mind. I plan on telling everyone I know about the music, but my efforts alone will only get me so far. I NEED YOUR HELP. If you want to make your own banner ads go for it. Have a listening party at your Grandma's house for all I care. Its really up to you. Every little bit helps.

Let me know if you have any problems downloading or if you have any suggestions on how we could do things better.

This is a happy day for me.

It's Done!!!!!

2008-03-27T19:52:00.002-05:00

I picked up the master to the ep today. All 6 songs are available for listening over at the Myspace.

Next up is the new site and the chance to download all six songs for FREE.

Thank you for your patience. Please let me know what you think of the songs. I am really proud of them.

Hope everyone had a great Easter.

Two new songs posted

2008-03-17T13:51:00.005-05:00

So, over here I have posted new songs from the new ep, which I have recently decided will be called "full circle." Give the songs a listen and let me know what you think. I hope to eventually post the whole ep for streaming since now on Myspace you can add six songs to your profile. My good friend Ben is working on the new website and soon you will be able to download these songs from the site. For now, however, you can stream them on Myspace.

I really hope you like them as much as I do. Tell everyone and their mother to listen.

*The above photo will be the cover for the ep. It was taken on my first day of school many years ago. Look at those socks!!

Almost there

2008-03-10T12:19:00.004-05:00

Talked to Andrew this morning and mixing should wrap up today. I can't wait to give these songs away for nothing in return. It brings a smile to my face to think about it. Truly it is better to give than to receive.

Andrew says he really likes the tunes which is hopefully a sign that everyone else will. He wrote on his site last week, "Great songs. Really great songs. It’s a joy to work on tunes this good." I am flattered to say the least.

So, this here site will be changing soon and anyone who wants to will be able to download these new six songs for free. I will definitely keep everyone posted on the progress. My personal goal is to give away 1,000 copies of the ep in the first three months. If anybody is interested helping me promote online send me a comment. This is going to be totally word of mouth and I can't do it alone. I will have various banner ads to post on your Myspace, Facebook, etc... Feel free to make your own if you have such abilities.

Well, I am posting from the library because my labtop died last week. I need to go grab lunch and then scurry back to White House to pick the greatest little girl in the world up from Mother's(Fathers)Day Out. School is going well, but as usual it is really busy. I made an A on my comparison paper in Lit 2020. My proffesor chose one paper to read as an example and it was mine. She didn't tell the class though so I had to sit there alone listening to her read my own paper aloud. It was a really weird experience. Kind of like hearing one of your songs covered or hearing your music on the radio. I always get embarrassed in these moments and my hands start to sweat. I wanted to leave the class today, but I didn't.

BY the way, I compared Flannery O'Connor and Junot Diaz. The whole thing was about how to seduce a woman. Pretty funny stuff. *I have never seduced a woman.

Ok, that is all I have. Keep checking back when you can.

Could I say anything else?

2008-02-22T11:46:00.002-06:00

Ep update #2

2008-02-12T13:14:00.000-06:00

Ok, so the ep is not ready yet and for those of you who really care(all two of you!) I am sorry. Mr. Osenga is going to mix it, but he is really busy right now with Caedmon's Call and everything else. I would feel wrong rushing him, so I guess I should say that the ep will come out when it comes out, which hopefully is before the summer.

IN other news...

I am super swamped with school right now. It is all I do really. I get stressed quite often because I'm a perfectionist. Pray for me!

Thats it.

Oh, you should see "There will be Blood." Best movie I have seen in years.

Ep update

2008-01-21T12:53:00.000-06:00

So, I mentioned back in Novemeber about an ep I was planning on releasing in January. Things are still for the most part on schedule. I dropped the files off today at Sputnik Studios.(Mitch Dane's place. His business card says, "Get Mitch slapped!! Absolutely hilarious.) Andrew Osenga, who recorded and played on Under the Gray will be mixing. If you haven't heard his Letters to the Editor ep you really need to. It is available for free here He should have everything done in a couple of weeks and since I am not pressing cd's this time the music will be available really fast.

I am still toying with ideas on how to release the thing. My main idea is to release it here on my website for free. This would help in bringing traffic to the site and also hopefully help me sell my other records. My new idea, however, is to release it on Itunes and other internet download sites for a penny. Six songs for a penny. I have even considered calling the cd, "The Penny ep." I may do both. Do you have an opinion on the matter? Post a comment and let me know what you think.

Ok, so below are the songs that will appear on the new disc. *Still haven't nailed down an order yet.

Hold On
Keep your head up
Miles from your mind
My first one
Trying to find me
Long Haul

Well, that is all I have concerning music. School is going well, but really takes a lot of my time. I am having fun though. I will write soon.

Here I go

2008-01-13T21:13:00.000-06:00

So, tomorrow I start back to school. The last time I attended class was 8 years ago, so I am a little nervous. Can't wait to get back in the groove of going to class and what not. I am still going to try to blog when I can, so keep checking back. I feel I am starting on a ride. This is a long time coming.

I don't really have anything else except this picture of Corban asleep on her favorite, little pink chair. She has been sick all week and is just now starting to return to her normal, happy self. This is the cutest girl ever!

Silence

2008-01-07T23:06:00.000-06:00

"O unchanging God, let me know myself; let me know you."
-Saint Augustine of Hippo

I coasted through Christmas. New Years came without a bang and no desire for resolutions. To say I have been in a "funk" would be an understatement. I have tried to figure things out in my head to no avail. It feels like God has left the scene and now the silence is all I've got. The quiet I think can either kill you or resurrect you. Right now, it is killing me.

Tracy and I went on a date last night and talked things over. After dinner we went to Books-A-Million to look around. As always, I ended up buying a book. When I got home and started reading it I thought I had made a bad choice. I wasn't really paying attention and I thought I was buying a small book of Augustine quotes and what not. Turns out I had purchased the thoughts of a certain Donald X. Burt, former proffesor of philosophy at Villanova University. You'd think I would have got a clue upon reading the title, "Refelections upon St. Augustine." I don't suppose there is a book by Augustine reflecting upon Augustine. Like I said I have been in an overall funk of sorts.

Anyways, it turns out this little paperback was exactly what I needed. The first couple of pages did what the silence has been doing...they slew me. The first line read, "The journey toward union with God like the journey of life itself must begin in the darkness." I am in the darkness, have been for months. I can't really explain it except to say that I don't think I have been here before. I have been in the dark many times, but not this far deep. Here again is where the silence comes in. The farther you climb in a cave the farther you get away from the opening where the noise is and where the light shines. How I long for friendly voices and pure, sunlight. I have neither at the moment for I am alone with the sound of nothing.

Andrew Peterson has a song called "Silence of God" and a certain line comes to mind amidst this harsh, quiet. He says to close the second chorus(I think) "What about the times when even followers get lost? Cause we all get lost sometimes."

I am a follower that is lost.

Lord, come please and find me. Teach me in the silence how to be at peace. Resurrect me, my savior. I believe, help me overcome my unbelief.

Merry Christmas

2007-12-24T12:27:00.000-06:00

"So, this is Christmas and what have you done?" sang John Lennon. This is what I've done. Its not much and it will not bring world peace, but it is from my heart. I bought Pro tools off of Craigslist the other day and decided to record this song I wrote a while back. It is a Christmas song, but I hope it can be sung all year round. I lit the Advent candles(above) and recorded the guitar and vocals in the bathroom. The piano is an old, upright Wurlitzer that resides in Corban's room. I had to tune the guitar to the piano because the old thing is slightly out of tune. Anyways, I hope you like it. If you really take a liking then send me a message I will send you a mp3 for Christmas. San-tee Claws does e-mail!! summerofchange@hotmail.com

Ok, here you go. Its called "On his shoulders." *Please excuse my piano playing.

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Here's looking at you kid

2007-12-20T14:22:00.000-06:00

I am sitting in Casablanca Coffee in the old, White House. A grandma and her granddaughter just left the table in front of me. They are now to my left talking to the guy operating the expresso machine. Something about a guy they know who walks everywhere because he doesn't have a car. Also, present are two friends chatting about life and what not. One of them is pregnant. I can't help imagine her as Mary and the other lady as Elizabeth. There is another lady on the couch that is wired to her bluetooth and is focusing on her laptop screen. Lastly, there is a man at the bar who is slightly hunched over and looks kind of lonely. He was really wrapped up when he came in. It is not that cold, but apparently he is taking no chances. And now there is a old couple at a table though they don't look like a married couple they look like old friends. Maybe they are on a afternoon date or maybe they just met somehow by accident. They both look calm.

And all of this is happening while Switchfoot's, "Dare you to move" is playing over the speakers. I am trapped in a movie.

I have been listening to a lot of Billie Holiday lately.(Picture above) What a voice!! I mean she makes Norah Jones look like a little, sissy school girl. She sings this song with the line, "I've got my love to keep me warm." To me she defines jazz music. My pastor doesn't get jazz and I will confess that up unitl lately I didn't either. But jazz in the last month has stormed my world and I think I finally get. I can't really explain this revelation, but please know that it has come.

Ms. Holiday's voice has just enough melancholy in it to remain real, but also the right amount of joy and hope to keep me going. See, I have been going through a rather large season of doubt. Everything has been under fire, as of late. The evolutionist worldview has been on my mind a lot and I must confess that I have asked myself many times lately, "What if their right?" The whole idea scares me to death. Have I reason for living apart from Christ? If the naturalistic process is God then what reason have I to love my wife or my daughter or anybody?

I helped put on a artist retreat this past weekend in east TN. We had about 20 artists or so come and it was such a good time for me. As I heard each of their hearts I realized once again that I am not alone in my struggle. Everybody has there issues and everyone doubts this gospel we claim as truth. I came home feeling at peace and a part of a much larger community who experiences pretty much everything I do. There is probably no greater comfort than knowing you are not alone.

So, the last Sunday of Advent is approaching and our march to the manger will soon be at an end. But this cannot be the end. Christmas, the Incarnation is a daily occurence, as is the Crucifixion and the Ressurection. We have Christmas, Good Friday, and Easter with every moment and unacknowledged breath. It is a miracle to be...to simply be. So, with as much reverence as I can muster, I offer my Christmas gift to naturalism in a simple, high schoolian(?) type phrase.......

"Screw that crap."

Man, that felt good.

My friend Andrew's old band, The Normals, is now playing. Take me home, Jesus.