So people have been emailing and commenting, asking us to talk about what a day in the life of a crew guy is like. Well, when we are home with a lot of time between shows, we all have to find ways to pass the time. Usually its taking care of those “honey-do” lists like yard work or house chores, or for some its spending time with their own kids. For me, its spending time with friends and family; fellowship at the coffee house, or lunch with someone different every day, and then at night its working out or playing basketball or going to the ball game.

HOWEVER, for the last three weeks….and three more to follow……. my wife and i have been attending a “Prepared Child Birth” class for two hours every Tuesday Night. I know I have mentioned it before, but we are expecting our first boy to come into the world in June…….WOOOO HOOOO.
So the “guy” in me says that THIS IS THE BIGGEST BEATING EVER……..they didnt do these classes 100 years ago and babies were still born! Why in the world do we have to spend money for some nurse to tell us that my wife will feel pain, that I will pass out, and that ultimately a baby will be born!?!?!

Well, I always try to not be a typical “guy” in my marriage, and even though I did go into this thing with a negative attitude……..it has been absolutely AWESOME! Very informative. Very helpful. We actually look forward to the advice from the nurses, pediatricians and other parents in those classes……..not to mention the “yoga” like breathing techniques that relax me to the point of nearly falling asleep.

So, how many parents out there have the most ground breaking advice they can give to a first time dad????? Love to hear from ya!

Hanging at “The Petting Zoo” on an old Russian troop transport , from the Cold War era. Thanks to the Air Force for all you guys did for us while we there……even though it fails in comparison to what you all do EVERY day around the world for our freedom.

After the show on the base, we went to Mirage Hotel to see the Cirque Du Soliel show LOVE. It was one of the most incredible displays of acrobatics, art, production….and of course the MUSIC! Love the BEATLES!

wes

Well folks, we are back on the road today in Hoffman Estates, IL and are starting a three day run that will take us to Wisconsin and Iowa. I should be excited about getting back out there serving and helping to make it easy for the guys to lead the Body in worship…..but sometimes its hard. Especially on a weekend when you know your family is off of work and sitting at home wishing you were there to hang with them. You miss home and miss the community of people that are around you. Sometimes you also miss important events at home, like your best friend getting married tomorrow. But, we know why we do this and we know that we have been called to be apart of something bigger than us. Realizing that makes it easier to go back out on the road.

Please pray for us crew and our families at home. Pray that the Lord speaks thru the band and changes lives at these three shows this weekend.

wes

More job perks. We love baseball and have come across some players that are big MM fans. For some reason, they are even enamored with what we do as crew. This is a photo of some of the pitching staff of the Detroit Tigers.

I love baseball season!

Happy GREATEST DAY OF THE YEAR to you all!Yes, today is better than the first day of Spring, or better than the first bit of snow we may get each winter. Maybe even better than Christmas morning……..maybe. Opening Day for Major League baseball is upon us people. The great game is here!

If your senses are in tune…..if you pay close attention, you may just be able to hear the crack of the bat, the ball hitting the mit, or the smell of fresh grass, or hot dogs with relish. What a day……what a day. The cathedrals that are baseball parks are open and ready for business.

Everyone’s team is undefeated. Everyone’s team is in first place, if only for a day. The uniforms are clean, the hats are new and need breaking in…….even mine. (see pic) No matter how bad your team was last year or may be in a couple of months, all is right at this moment. This is a great day!

So put on your favorite hat, open the windows and enjoy the Spring weather, grab a glass of iced tea and kick back on the couch……..ITS BASEBALL TIME IN AMERICA. Can it be a more perfect day? A submit to you that it cannot be.

GO RANGERS!

wes

Anybody out here on the road would tell you that the hardest part of this job is leaving your family at home while you travel. I have a wife (Natalie) and a 3 year old daughter (Ella). My wife made a calendar for Ella to look at. It shows the days I will be away and the days I will be home. The days colored green are days that I’m away. The pink days are days when I am home. Ella wakes up in the morning and asks Natalie if today is a “pink day” or a “green day”. They both make their way to the kitchen and check the calendar to see what color day it is.

Hopefully it’s a Pink Day!

- Ryan

1st installment of “Interesting Band Facts” features Barry on stage, and takes a look at why his guitar amp faces backwards every night.

wes

This job definitely has its perks!

Ryan and Wes haning with Albert Pujols of the St. Louis Cardinals last season.

A lot of people have expressed interest in what type of instruments the guys use on stage each night. This is the first installment of Mercyme’s “gear.” Feel free to comment with more questions. Blessings,

wes

In this photo you cn see the second of two power crash cymbals that Robby uses.
In the upper part of this photo you can see his 18” Paiste cymbal, and on the left
side is his 14” Paiste high hat setup.

Robby’s snare is a custom made Yamaha Anton Fig model and uses a DW snare
as a backup. The first day of every four day run, each of the toms and snare get a fresh Remo
drum head. The snare gets a Coated Ambasador Contolled Sound head and the
toms both get Coated Emperors.

Robby uses all Paiste cymbals. He uses a 20” heavy ride cymbal which is seen
on the left side of this photo. The cymbal on the right is a 19” power crash Paiste.
Robby only uses two DW toms on his kit which can be seen on left (12”) and the
right (15”) of this photo.

Robby’s kick drum is a 20” DW with Remo Poker Stroke 3 drum head.

The throne is a Roc-N-Soc. He uses 5A and 9A Regal Tip sticks.

These are just some photos of the finish on the kit.