Everybody has one. It's what Karaoke and American Idol are made of - not to mention Guitar Hero. So I'm in Ventura at an elder's retreat - already sounds great doesn't it? We've spent the last two days in deep discussions about visions and values and strategies and bylaws blah blah blah..... Great stuff really lest I sound unenthused. But regardless - at some point enough is enough and it's time to let your hair down so to speak. At dinner last night Dave and I realize that several elders have never seen or heard of Guitar Hero - scarey I know. So we determine that tonight following our long day of church stewarding - and a great dinner - that needs to change. This isn't a group that tends to play too hard. It's typically business when we're at these things. And we're talking several lawyers, financial advisors, engineers, etc.... and mostly 50 plus - though that's not as old as it used to be. So Dave makes a run home to grab his x-box and one ups Guitar Hero with Rock Band instead. We have a projector and a large screen in the conference room - we're just missing audio. So I run to Target to buy the biggest jam box Sony makes - with full intention of exercising their return policy tomorrow - and we get it all set up. A group of very reluctant elders entered the conference room after dinner to a rock and roll stage and dimmed lights. After several minutes of uninterested comments and threats of early bedtime - little by little one would dare to take a guitar in their hand and try a few notes. Before long there was a willing bass player and slowly Dave and I would surrender our instruments to their curiosity. The first half hour or so went without vocals until finally someone stepped up to the mic to give Eye Of The Tiger a shot. By now more guys were beginning to want in and you could see the sparks of boyhood dreams ignite. For a solid two hours we had standing room only, wait your turn, School Of Rock, let me try drums, guitar, vocals, 50 plus chairman and elder board members rocking Nirvana, Talking Heads, Billy Idol, Bon Jovi, Journey, Metallica and more. It was awesome to watch the dream come alive. To hear these guys screaming monotone lyrics two octaves too low and playing what seemed more whack-a-mole than drums - but living the dream nonetheless- if only for a moment in a hotel conference room in Ventura. Finally the gig was over and we packed our gear just like any lounge band - only I'll return the PA to Target - then off to the rooms for a good night's sleep. There will be many great rock and roll dreams tonight - but none greater than the one Dave and I lived as we watched it all unfold. I think we've reached a whole new level - next time there will be video.
5 comments:
Oh JD...your laugh is echoing in my ears. The laugh that makes me feel so happy inside because it is of pure joy. And you were bound to have thrown in some "This is Great" comments here and there...which makes it even better! I wish I could have been there.
In other news, you might be on to something. I had particular elders in mind at our church that could use a little loosening up "guitar hero style".
Oh, to see a room full of grown men, most of them 50+ years old and all of them without a head full of 80's long & teased locks, fighting over the guitars, drum sticks, and mics. . . Now that is a great vision! I bet they are all asking their wives for Rock Band for Christmas.
I would've paid a lot of money to be in the audience. Well done Husband, way to loosen up the Elders.
that. is. awesome! Way to take a risk with the (not as old as we used to think) 50 somethings....
Thats greatness! Everyone needs to unleash their inner Rock and Roll star. At our last staff meeting, Jeff tells us that we need to change rooms because he had some team building activities planned for us... I was thinking oh great!!! We go into one of the larger rooms and they had guitar hero set up on one TV and a Wii set up on another. It was the best staff meeting I have ever been to!
Good job, and I agree with Kristi, I can see you saying " this is great"
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