MattyB + Christ Centered

6-10?

2010-07-21T20:37:00.001-04:00

While my last post was meant to highlight the Charlie Wilson concert, I got me thinking more about my favorite vocalists. I figured I'd do you a favor and make it a top 10 list.

Previously mentioned

1. Fred Hammond

2. Stevie Wonder

3. Charlie Wilson

4. Anthony Hamilton

5. Will Thompson

And....

6. Wanya Morris (Boyz II Men)

7. Brian McKnight

8. Tiffane Raulerson

9. Michael Jackson

10. Phil Collins

UNCLE CHARLIE!!!

2010-06-26T17:00:00.000-04:00

A list of my favorite singers:

1. Fred Hammond

2. Stevie Wonder

3. Charlie Wilson

4. Anthony Hamilton

5. Will Thompson

Until last night, I had seen everyone on this list live in concert (I lived with one of them, guess who...) except for #3. Baltimore's Pier Six Pavillion is one of my favorite concert venues due to its location and ease of access. One of my best friends, Chu, happened to be in town that weekend so we met up for the show. Will Downing was the opening act and did a great job. "Uncle Charlie" came on next and put on one of the best shows I've ever seen.

Chu and I waiting for the show

Will Downing

Charlie Wilson

California Love

2010-06-26T16:25:00.000-04:00

Here are some pictures and video clips of our visit in Southern California.

Oh, baby...

2010-06-13T20:56:00.000-04:00

So a couple of months ago, we saw this...

And a few weeks ago we saw this...

Our little child is due at the end of this year and we can't wait to meet him or her!

Take my hand

2010-03-03T20:40:00.000-05:00

To write a blog about what Fred Hammond's music and ministry has meant to me would take a year's worth of blog entries...

Here's one of his newest songs which I'm in love with.

Top 10

2010-01-23T22:11:00.002-05:00

After you look over the list, you'll notice a few things.

1. I'm inspired by a wide variety of music
2. There's probably a good number or artists you have never heard of
3. There is no "explicit" music on here

Here are my 10 favorite & most influential songs

10. Rich Mullins - Elijah

9. 4th Avenue Jones' - Take Me Away

8. Fred Hammond - When The Spirit Of The Lord

7. Christopher Cross - Back Of My Mind

6. Anthony Hamilton - The Truth

5. Michael Jackson - Man In The Mirror

4. Stevie Wonder - Ribbon In The Sky

3. dc Talk - In The Light

2. Fred Hammond - Please Don't Pass Me By

1. Commissioned - Find Myself In You

20-10

2010-01-11T20:32:00.003-05:00

I'm very excited about this year. I am excited about completing the District Connection project and am still working on getting its message heard. It has been getting great response thus far and its message is reaching people in all sorts of situations, which is my main goal for it.

I'm also excited about beginning to work on my solo music. I have a LOT of music that I've collected over the years and am thrilled about being able to finally write to it and record it. I will definitely keep everyone posted and promise this will be the best music I have ever done!

When I started this blog, my intent was to do much more than just share - or plug - my music, but to let my readers know more about the person behind the music. One way to do that is to give a list of my favorite 10 songs of all time. However, making a list for this turned out to be much more difficult than I thought it would be. So I ended up making a list of 20. While the top 10 will have explanations for each song, I will list 10 others as an "honorable mention".

I did not include any "Praise and Worship songs". They will have a seperate list.

20. Linkin Park - In The End

19. 4th Ave. Jones' - U Know

18. Take 6 - Sunshine

17. Michael English - Mary, Did You Know?

16. Marvin Gaye - God Is Love

15. dc Talk - Jesus Freak

14. Kirk Franklin - Imagine Me

13. Gospel Gangstaz - Change

12. Anthony Hamilton - Pass Me Over

11. Stevie Wonder - All I Do

If you haven't heard any of these, I highly recommend looking them up. Stay tuned for the Top 10 next week...

God bless,
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95 North

2009-11-26T11:24:00.002-05:00

My solo song off the District Connection CD

Monumental is here!!!

2009-11-23T13:32:00.004-05:00

District Connection's MONUMENTAL is available

On iTunes

http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/monumental/id340735787

CB Baby

http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/districtconnection

District Connection is

Shamel Shiloh - MattyB - seanISrael

with appearances by

Cy - Andale' - Chalwell - Frontline Movement - PROlifik - Michael Trotter Jr.

and production by

Tony Stone - Juice 2020 - Mister KA - Rugged Cross - J Fuzion

http://www.myspace.com/districtconnection

NEW MUSIC!!!

2009-08-04T12:33:00.002-04:00

Helping Worship Leaders Lead Well

2009-07-02T22:09:00.001-04:00

My little brother, Jamie is the contemporary worship leader at The Falls Church. He has started a page which is extremely helpful to anyone involved with leading worship in any way.

http://worthilymagnify.com/

Round and round we goooo...

2009-05-19T23:08:00.004-04:00

Sarah and I had a much needed vacation. First off, we had to see the family in South FL.

My cousin, Kelly, had twin girls last year and we finally got to meet them!

Sarah is incredible with babys and is going to be a great mom one day. Maybe in a few years?...

I loved watching my grandma "Nonnie" in action, feeding Kayla...

Kayla and Braelyn have me wrapped around their finger!

_____________________________________________

Now, off to the cruise....

Elegant night 1

Elegant night 2

Here we are in Belize, one of the 3 stops our boat made

Enjoying our last night, before packing everything back up

So greatful to take some time off and see my incredible family and have an incredible trip with my incredible wife. Now it's back to the grind!

-It's Here!-

2009-05-04T16:49:00.005-04:00

The first single off the forthcoming "Monumental" project by DISTRICT CONNECTION

http://www.myspace.com/districtconnection

Finally

2009-04-22T20:39:00.002-04:00

05-05-2009

New Music by

"DC - District Connection"

Shamel Shiloh, MattyB, seanISrael

www.myspace.com/districtconnection

In the studio

2009-04-13T15:51:00.002-04:00

www.myspace.com/districtconnection

Welcome to heartbreak

2009-04-08T14:52:00.005-04:00

I like some of Kanye's music. I'm not a big fan of his ego and disagree with most of his subject matter. However, recently one of his songs really hit me.

Welcome to Heartbreak is pretty much him sharing how, despite his riches and fame, he still feels empty and lonely. Here are some of the words:

My friend showed me pictures of his kids
And all I could show him was pictures of my cribs
He said his daughter got a brand new report card
And all I got was a brand new sports car

Dad cracked a joke, all the kids laughed
But I couldn't hear him all the way in first class
Chased the good life my whole life long
Look back on my life and my life gone
Where did I go wrong?

My God, sister getting married by the lake
But I couldn't figure out who I'd wanna take
Bad enough that I showed up late
I had to leave before they even cut the cake
Welcome to heartbreak...

Matthew 16:26 - What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?

Everything we see around us gloryfies excess riches, loose sex, and power. Yet, none of these things complete us because we are made with a longing that can only be filled in Christ.

Rappers glorify Scarface, the Godfather, etc. Yet they forget that the story never has a happy ending. Today's music, TV shows & movies, promote sleeping with whoever you choose, but ignore the wounds that come from these relationships and mistakes, nevermind the growing rate of teenage pregnancy & STD's.

In case you weren't aware, the world is wrong. Believing its lies will get you nowhere. Praise God for the truth.

Matthew 16:19-21 - Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

One Year

2009-04-05T12:14:00.004-04:00

Today I give thanks to God for the memory of the most special day of my life. On April 5, 2008, I was blessed to marry Sarah Lindsey.

Allow me to reintroduce myself

2009-03-31T16:51:00.006-04:00

Before we move forward, I'd like to go back for a while. I'll let you know more about myself, my influences, lessons learned, etc.

"Do not despise these small beginnings" - Zechariah 4:10

Ever heard of Clewiston, FL? Try google mapping it, but you'll have to zoom in a lot to see it. This is where I was born and spent the first few years of my life. I don't remember much about it. I do remember our bassett hound, marie. I remember playing outside in the hot sun and brushing off ashes that would blow in from the sugar mill. I remember going to a highschool football game with Dad and Tim. I also remember the grand opening of a K-mart. It was quite the event for that little town. I think the mayor was even there to cut the ribbon.

Here I am with my parents in 2005 outside of the room I was born in. A year after I was born, they shut down that unit of the hospital. Can't say I blame them.

We then moved to Ocala, FL (2 1/2 years)

Kissimmee, FL (8 1/2 years)

Panama City, FL (2 years)

Then we moved to Fairfax, VA in October 2000. I've been back and forth between FL and VA since then but have now settled in VA for the time being.

Here are some random Florida pictures:

Me looking back at our old house in Kissimmee

(2005)

Jamie reflecting at our old middle school in Kissimmee

(2005)

Me with my youth group in Panama City while I was Youth Pastor at Grace Episcopal

(2004)

The beginning

2009-03-30T20:37:00.004-04:00

I'm going to try updating randomly on various things on my mind or going on my life. I may find that this allows me to be better connected with those I can't see a lot. Maybe, no one will even read this but I will find it theraputic.

My wife and will be traveling at the end of this week but I hope to find time to share with you some pieces of music projects I am working on. This past weekend, I was able to have a few friends come and record. I'm really excited about the music and am blessed God is allowing me to do this. I can't wait to share it with everyone.

For now, watch my boy Lamont getting down in our recent studio session.

God bless
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