What??? You've Never Heard of Jim Brickman!!!!

I would like to introduce you to my all time favorite artist. This girls, is Jim Brickman. (Sorry for the narrow picture, but you know how I am with the techie stuff and I was doing good to copy, save as and insert.)

Anyway......Meg commented in my Monk&Neagle post that she hadn't heard of Jim Brickman. My heart almost stopped. Can this be? I thought that there might others who haven't been captivated by America's Romantic Pianist, so I thought I'd do a little bio on him.

We should start with some really cool career highlights.
2003 Grammy Nomination – Peace,
Best Instrumental
Gold Records:
By Heart
Picture This
Destiny
Platinum Record:
The Gift
SESAC Songwriter of the Year 1998
SESAC Songwriter of the Year 1999
Dove Award - The Gift (Best Vocal/Instrumental Duet)
Canadian Country Music Award – Your Love

Now, aren't you impressed that I know all of this stuff! You should be even more impressed that I found all that info on his website. (Go HERE and read more!) In other words, the man can flat out write.

He has teamed up with such artists as Martina McBride, Michael W. Smith, Kenny Loggins, Carly Simon, Herb Alpert, Collin Raye, Pam Tillis, Michael Bolton, Donny Osmond and Olivia Newton-John and another one of my favorites Ginny Owens.

The first time I heard his name was from my Mother-In-Love "B". I believe it was one of her assistants, who is related to Jim Brickman, asked if she had heard of him. Susie said no, this assistant said well you will. That Christmas, my husband stuffed my stocking with one of his CD's. I was addicted.

Chad has used concert tickets several times as birthday or valentine gifts. They are always my favorite gift. The first concert we attended was the Holiday tour December of 2000. I was pregnant with Emma and not feeling real great about myself. Our tickets were in the balcony and I was a little disappointed about that until I realized they were FIRST ROW balcony at the Tivoli Theater in Chattanooga. That means you feel like you are on stage. It was awesome. Donnie Osmond, Anne Cochran and Tracy Silverman joined him and put on a fabulous show. (I've probably misspelled last names, if I did sorry!) We, or I walked away inspired, refreshed and ready to sit at my piano.

Here is a "God Moment" that includes Jim. A couple of years ago, when we were still in Chattanooga, we had been to one of his concerts and as usual, I was in awe. The next day was Sunday. Since my part of the worhip ministry was to play piano, I was all inspired and on a high. But I was sick, very sick. Fever, chills, sore throat I felt more like crawling into bed than sitting on the piano bench! I forgot that Sunday evening was communion. I would be playing for 10-15 minutes straight. I found a hymnal before the service and picked out a couple of old hymns that I could play around with during the serving of the elements. I prayed "God help me make this pleasing to your ears and let it minister to the hearts here tonight." I made it through and cannot tell you what I played or how it sounded.

The next day our worship pastor and good friend told me that one of our church members told him that while I was playing she closed her eyes and felt like she was back at the Jim Brickman concert. Talk about a compliment. God answered my prayer and showed off a little for me too!

Jim's music to me is soul stirring. Probably because for so long everything I played was on a keyboard and with a rhythm section (which I LOVE to do) but there is something about sitting down to play solo piano. When I pop in one of his CD's it takes me to that place in my heart where music starts, where a melody is conceived and lyrics are first spoken.

Can you tell I'm a fan? Check out his website and see what I'm talking about. I think you'll like him.