Tag Archives: start singing

Tony Funderburk Posted on by

As I write this, it’s quickly turning into a Friday night out there in the big, bad world. And once again I’ll be stayin’ in. No bar-hoppin’ or country-clubbin’ or dive-dippin’ again this week. So, here I sit. All I can do is sing the blues about where I’m not goin’. And who I’m not seein’. And what I’m not doin’.

I can also sing the blues about monotony of it all.

Yep. Day in. Day out. Same ol’ same ol’. Get up. Have some coffee and breakfast. And go to work. Get enough work done to take a lunch break. And then, get back to work.

I’m a solopreneur. And the kind of work I do doesn’t include a lot of telephone calls. So, that’s a plus. But then again, I basically only hear the drone of my own thoughts inside my head. Or the occasional sound of my wife’s voice when it’s time for lunch or if she requires my assistance on anything.

Yep. Day in. Day out. Same ol’ same ol’.

Get up. Have some coffee and…oh…did I already say that?

Oops. See what I mean? Now, it’s even spilling over into my writing. Was there ever a more forlorn, miserable, sorrowful, dejected, despondent, disconsolate, wretched, abject, and morose soul than me?

Actually…

What you’ve just read, heard, or otherwise witnessed, is an exercise in perspective. Because I could put that sort of spin on my life and keep myself, as they described in O’ Brother Where Art Thou, a man of constant sorrow. But I am FAR from that.

I don’t sing the blues for my life. Because those descriptions I shared with you are a big part of why I know my life is blessed beyond measure. I don’t GOT to do those things. I GET to do those things. From the coffee in the morning to the last bit of work at my desk for the day.

And I’m a solopreneur who GETS to work from the comfort of home. My ancestors didn’t have that awesome luxury. Well, unless you exclude the ones who got to live on a self-sustaining farm or ranch. They had an awesome life, too. But it wasn’t as cushy as mine. Because if they didn’t tend to the food, they didn’t have any.

Yeah, I have the luxury of thinking time.

And journaling time. Something our farming, ranching American pioneers didn’t have. And, sadly, many Americans, today, don’t have it either. But I DO. And it’s a huge reason I wrote a song that says:

So, I know I’ve got no right to sing the blues.
And I guess I’ll go put on my happy shoes.
If the dark thoughts try to tempt me, I’ll refuse.
‘Cause I know I’ve got no right to sing the blues.

(from my song, No Right To Sing The Blues)

And I don’t have to pay the dues for all the mistakes I’ve made. And that’s the biggest blessing of them all.

Stay tuned,

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Tony Funderburk Posted on by

OK, I’ll admit it. I’m human. And at least a part of me doesn’t like to be told I’m wrong. Sure, I’m the only person in the world who feels this way. Yeah, right. But the truth is…Truth needs to (and will) win out over feelings. Even mine. If and when they disagree with Truth. So, that’s why it’s crucial to be able to take criticism and rebuke. Otherwise, you get up each day and sing the song of fools. And each new verse is the same as the first.  

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Song of fools is lost in whirlpools

That’s not you I hear singing the song of fools…is it?

“Honey, I think Tony just insulted my singing.”

Not the voice. But maybe the content of your character.

No, I’m just kidding. At least for the vast majority of the people who read and listen to my ramblings and writings.

But I’ve heard there are a few of you out there…over the far horizons and beyond the bounding bends…who think you don’t need to listen to someone wise. Or that it’s just a silly idea some old white-haired guys with long beards and wrinkled faces made up a long time ago.

OK, you can think that if you want. But you’re gonna miss out on opportunities beyond your wildest, earthly imagination. Or you might, if you don’t hustle up some humility before it’s too late.

Because, like I’ve said lots of times before, it’s a limited time offer.

Sing a humble song now. Or hum a horrible tune later.

One leads to a downward spiraling whirlpool. And the other is caught up in a wonderful whirlwind.

They make the words up as they go along.
Each time they sing it, it’s a different song.
Their music follows no melodic rules.
So dissonance destroys the song of fools.

Stay tuned,

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Tony Funderburk Posted on by

Gotta be careful singing in prison

Because singing in prison could cause a jailbreak. What’s that? You think that sounds PREposterous? And you think  I’m just gonna make up a story just to get some attention. Well, have I got news for you.  

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Singing in prison and some souls are risen

Singing in prison DID cause a jailbreak.

It really did happen. And it really did actually save lives. But not just any lives. In fact, one of the lives was a man who would write some of the most important words the world would ever read.

Back around 1998 to 2000 I was part of prison ministry. In fact, I was the music part. And I remember singing for and sharing God’s word with a group of women first…followed a little later by a group of men.

I took my small sound system because it was a small room with only about 25 people at a time. And even though the amp and speaker were smaller, they could still be too loud for the room.

And yet, I never stirred up any earthquakes.

But about 2000 years before that a couple of guys named Paul and Silas “were praying and singing hymns to God“while they were in prison. And they didn’t have a sound system at all. But as they were singing, “there was a great earthquake.”

And it was a big enough earthquake to shake the prison foundations, open all the doors, and even make the chains fall off the prisoners.

Now, that’s rockin’!

And something really cool happened after that. All the shaking woke up the warden. He ran down and saw all the open prison doors. And he figured they all escaped and he knew he’d be blamed. So, he decided to kill himself.

And he was just about to do that when Paul yelled for him not to do it. He said, “We are all here.”And the warden “called for a light, ran in, and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas.”And he took them all out and turned to them and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”

Now, that’s a rockin’ prison ministry. So, the next time you’re wrongfully imprisoned, stay hydrated and warm up those vocal pipes. But don’t leave out the key ingredient…direct your praying and singing to God.

Anything else might just be noise.

Behind four walls with no way out,
Warm up your voice and twist and shout.
And if your cause is just and true,
God might break down those walls for you.

Stay tuned,

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My books are also on Amazon.com or Apple Books

Grab yourself a cool tee

Or how about some music for kids

 

Tony Funderburk Posted on by

Use Music To Connect With Kids –

Do you have a difficult time relating to kids. One of the simplest and quickest ways to connect with kids is to sing with them. This may sound over simplified on the surface, but what I mean is to sing with them on their level. And this means keeping it fun. You can even sing grown-up songs, but if you sing them from a kid’s view and keep it funny and fun, you’ll have a tuned-in audience.

It’s so cool when this happens. You can almost feel their eyes hooking onto your facial expressions”and their ears latching onto the funny words and sounds.

For some reason kids love it when you poke fun of yourself.

Or sing about things like falling off a building or into mud. They get a big kick out of adult slapstick humor. Don’t ask me why. I’m a grownup. I just know these things work. Because I’ve done “˜em over and over with success just about every time.

There’s also another great way to connect with kids using music. For new parents or grandparents this may be the most enjoyable way of all. Sing lullabies. Yep, this is a time-tested method for calming kids down and putting them to sleep. And I’m sure you’ve never felt anything as nice as a little kid falling asleep in your arms. Don’t worry about whether you’re a good singer. Your kid will love the sound of your voice. They’ve been listening to it since before they were born. It’s a comfort to them. Put their ear near your heart and start singing a song to the rhythm of a heartbeat. Bingo! You’ve got a sleeper.

I’m sure you’ve heard music is the international language. That’s so true, and it’s also the ultimate language to connect kids and adults. So use it every chance you get. Are you ready to sing?

You can thank me later.  🙂

You should jump on the The TRUTH and be part of the growing band of ne’er-do-wells who understand that life has Rhyme and Reason because God made us.

Stay tuned,

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