JOURNAL
Changing the Tires
Posted on Apr 13 2009 - 08:53
Hey Phriends!
Just thought I'd take a moment and catch you up to date. It has been a wonderful year so far. The Gaither Vocal Band is rocking every night. It is really cool to be on stage again with Mark and Bill and for the first time with Wes and Michael. We've all gotten very close in a short amount of time. We have the greatest conversations on the bus and it never fails that I think about what was said all day long. Sometimes it's about our own journeys--sometimes it's about others--but God always makes His way into the story. There is a real giving and respectful spirit among us and I think it comes across on stage as well. I can't wait each night to see what each of them is going to do.
We just finished a two-day event in Ft. Worth that was really magical. I think we all agreed that "It Is Finished" was our best performance yet. It's still overwhelming to stand behind Bill Gaither as he starts, "There's a line that's been drawn through the ages..." Their writing is truly epic.
One of the best things about being back with them is that they appreciate my dry, sarcastic sense of humor. I remember the weekend in 2000 they came on the bus and it was announced that they had received ASCAP's Songwriter of the Century award. My response was, "So what have you done this century? It's time you stop resting on past successes." Or when we all got into a rental car in Charlotte, NC. The car door alarm bell was ringing on one pitch--ding, ding, ding, ding . . . I said, "Bill, that sounds like one of your melodies--Get all excited go tell everybody that..." One time we all went out to eat a great meal. The waitress asked, "Will this be on separate checks or on one.?" I responded with, "You can put in all on one and leave it with Bill. It will be easier for you that way." Russ Taff gets the brunt of it sometimes, too. A couple of week ago, he had a lady stand in my autograph line just to ask me where Russ' table was. I told her it was probably in the men's restroom. The next couple of nights we set up a merch booth for Russ in the first stall of the men's room.
We finished the Ft. Worth weekend and instead of riding the bus home in the comfort of my bunk I drove all day Sunday. My family had been on vacation in Texas so they met me in Ft. Worth for the concerts. So I drove the family car home the next day. It was quite an interesting trip. I'm usually a driving Nazi on long trips--very few stops. I dehydrate the kids so they won't need to use the restroom and we drive through and grab quick food. But this time I resigned myself to hours in the car. We stopped at IHOP first thing. As we were leaving, a group stopped our car in the parking lot and told us how they loved the concerts and the new group. We made it all the way to Hope, AR before stopping again for gas. As I was filling up the car, a van pulled up to the next pump. They all filed out saying how much they loved the concert. I asked them if they were stalking us. We started again and got almost to Memphis before the drinks we had bought in Hope kicked in. I was coming out of the restroom when I heard, "David?" Now if someone else is coming out of the restroom and wants to shake hands I'm sometimes hesitant. But since I was the one exiting, well, why not. The guys from the Annie Moses Band were headed in. We spoke for a while and caught up. I thought, "What next?" Well, I should know never to ask that question.
On the loop in Memphis we had a blow out. We made it to the side of the road and Lori immediately asked do you want me to call Triple A? "No," I sniffed, "real men change their own tires." (Unless they are by themselves. Then they call AAA.) It didn't happen as quickly as I had envisioned, but I still got it done without a lot of embarrassment.
We finally made it home about midnight, grateful for spare tires and time off around Easter. Be sure and make time to come to one of the concerts this year--either solo or GVB. I would love to see each of you. And, if you get a chance, go visit the forums on the web site and share your story about your adventures on a family trip. Sometimes we just need to laugh.
I pray each one of you has a wonderful holiday surrounded by your family celebrating the risen Savior and the hope He gives us!
See you soon,
David
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Tour Dates
| Date | Time | city | state |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12/19/10 | 7:00 pm | Broken Arrow | Oklahoma |
Hey great blog i admire your
Hey great blog i admire your singing! By the way, if you need some editing help for your site, we absolutly can help you.
Good for you who live near.
Good for you who live near. You can see the concert any day.
For me, I live in Brazil is complicated. My dream is to one day see her concert and the GVB closely before I die.
David, I follow your work for 5 years and learned many good things, especially in music. You are a great example of a man of God. The songs are inspiring. When I hear your music feel God touching me.
GVB for me is the best quartet I ever heard. Even better than the quartets here in Brazil I know.
Singing tenor in a quartet of our city. There are several songs from GVB we use as musical reference.
Sincerely. God bless you.
Excuse the errors in language. I'm not good in English ... hehe
I keep in touch.
Regards,
Ismael
Espírito Santo - Brazil
can't wait to see you next
can't wait to see you next year when you come for the solo concert. Literally.
foreclosure las vegas
deaf ears now hear... God is GOOD!
I am about to see your concert in Denton... I cannot wait!!! I have been deaf since an infant, and I know it is no coincidence that technology finally evolved enough that they make DIGITAL hearing aids for a hearing loss like mine, and I discovered your voice. What once was just a lot of low tones that made noise is now an AWESOME range of sounds I have never heard before. God answered my prayer that I could hear music ~ and I hear your voice keeping going higher and higher... I hear the angels singing with you :) Thank You Jesus \0/
GVB in NI, Phan creationism and other ramblings!
Hey David!
I've been a huge huge Phan for years, but i'm only getting round to making an account now! Just writing to let you know that I was at the GVB concert in Belfast, NI last week, 22nd october, and thought it was phenomenal. I love the harmonies on the new album, especially Sinner Saved by Grace; spine tingling chordage throughout!
I'm a student and share a house with 15 other people, and in the build up to the concert I drove them all nuts with singing your music! I got them all converted though, they are in awe of the wonder that is 'the voice'. Two of my housemates came with me to the concert when my friends pulled out and they loved it (and you) too! I loved the new harmonies written for Worthy the Lamb, and the (I think) C5 you hit at the end of I then shall live. It was a 2 note change but it made my night, there was just such a wonderful power behind it!
I can't wait to see you next year when you come for the solo concert. Literally... can't wait!! I saw you last year in Bangor Elim and love the setup you have for the solo tours. I'm looking forward to seeing you then, and hopefully meeting you finally! I think I may have my housemates in tow as well!
Hope all is well on your side of the globe!
God bless,
Mark, 20, Northern Ireland.
Wrong Car
Hey David!
This was actually a youth group outing we had. We were driving 3 hours north to a white water rafting place. There were 3 carpools of youth and everyone was following one car. Well about 1 1/2 hrs into the drive we turned onto an off ramp following the leader. So we called our leader and asked where he was going and he said he was still on the freeway. That's when we realized our mistake. It was the exact same car..but different people in it. lol So it took us 6 hrs to get 3 hrs away! VEERRYY long trip!! Well hope you enjoyed the story! Keep singing for God and may his blessings be constantly showering upon you and your family :)
God bless,
Alexandra
1 Peter 2:9
"But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light."
Lucky her...
Hi, David my name is Candice, and I am a HUGE fan. Your voice is incredible. My story is kind of bittersweet, I guess because I'm just jealous... My family and I went on vacation in Myrtle Beach when my mom and I came to Gaitherfest about two weeks ago. We loved the concert by the way. After meeting you Friday night, I floated to our hotel room singing "He Touched Me" the whole way. My sister came in late after hanging out with her friends who were in town, and she climbs into bed, snuggles up close and whispers, "Guess what?" "What?" I asked. She replied, "I got on the escalator with David Phelps!!" I had to bite my bottom lip to keep from screaming. She told me her story of how she and her friends were looking at the tables after the crowd had cleared, and she saw you with your rolling luggage and a friend I guess. She and her friends got on the escalator behind you, and watched you walk through the club on the second floor, get on the elevator, and disappear. She almost followed you, but didn't want to seem like a stalker. I hope we cross paths again when you and GVB return to the states.
Praying for your safe return,
Candice
Psalms 96:1
Hey, David. I just wanted to
Hey, David. I just wanted to tell you a little story about the first time I met you. I don't remember the exact date, but it's been a while back. I went to the concert just because my parents were going. I heard you sing The End of The Beginning, and I was in awe. After the show, I raced to your table, I was the first one there. As I stood there waiting for you, I became extremely nervous. Then, someone put their arm around me. I looked over thinking it was my Dad, but it was you. I froze...I couldn't say anything. My Mom was there with me, and she of course did all of the talking. You signed an autograph for me, and you also signed your CD I bought. Since it was released in 2001, I had to of been 12 or 13. I am now 19, and I am still a huge fan. I got to see you a while after that, you sang Revelation, leaving me in awe again. Ever since hearing you sing that first time, I've had a completely different view on life. You are such a blessing, God bless you! Come back to Moline, IL soon!
-Ashley Ritter
Thank you
Dear David,
I enjoyed your post, but wanted to write you on a different subject. I saw you in Fayetteville, NC this past Thursday night. It was a wonderful show and my cousin and I loved the whole thing, but I only came there because of a performance of yours on GMC a few weeks ago on a Gaither special about Heaven. I was channel-surfing, and in a bad place in my life, and happened to click on the channel as you were starting to sing "No More Night". I was overwhelmed by the song and your amazing voice. I grew up immersed in Gospel music and church and loving the Lord, but several years ago allowed some very sad events in my life to plant a seed of anger and bitterness toward God in my heart. It's a very long story, but hearing you sing that song melted a wall around my heart and I am trying to listen to God's voice again. I am praying for God to heal my family as well as my heart. I am married with 2 sons who mean everything to me and I am striving to let God's love touch them through me. I have been so very sad and conveying that sadness to everyone around me and now, I am coming out of the darkness.
I bought a cd/dvd set of yours and saw you kindly autographing for people but I was too nervous to speak to you as I thought I would start crying like a crazy person!! However, I thought you should know what an incredible work is being done in my heart and home, all initiated by a wonderful song you sang who-knows-how-long-ago for a Gaither special!!
Sincerely,
Kathy Hooper
Changing The Tires
Thanks for a great post. Brought back memories of trips I used to take with the kids. My hubby was a Nazi driver, too. LOL I enjoyed hearing about your adventures. God bless you & your ministry & family.
God is good all the time & all the time God is good.
Elaine
Farm Holidays
Thanks for the post - it brings back many memories of car trips from Chicago to Iowa at holidays. My favorite was the ride back to my aunt's farm from my cousins "in-town" home. The car was packed with coolers and left-overs - and me in the back seat. No room for the coffee pot (half full - for morning!) - no problem. They put it in the back seat between my legs (so it wouldn't spill) I was 14. I am now 61 and our family parties stilll end with "now where is Jill, we have to take the coffee pot home..."
Welcome back to the GVB - love you solo and LOVE the GVB with you again! Won't they ever play in the Chicago area??? I last saw them in St. Louis (long drive).
God Bless you and your brood.
Thanks!
Thanks for posting, David! Loved you with the GVB in OKC and Ft. Worth! Love your sense of humor too - you and Lori can keep kidding me! I'm glad y'all got home safely, in spite of the flat tire! Hope to see you soon at a solo concert for The Voice! Please come back to Oklahoma!
'Cause I believe there's power in a dream
You say this faith won't take me very far
But one day you'll stop and
gaze at my shining star!
"Higher" - David Phelps
Re: Changing the Tires
Great story, loved hearing from you DP! I heard tell that you hosted the guys in your studio for a new recording.........I can't wait to see some clips from that!
Have a great time in Pennsylvania tonight!
-JayTee
Flat tire story..
Mine just happened on Good Friday..Hmmm,,somehow that sounds like an oxymoron! Anyhow,,I left work Friday with my brake light on and an appointment to get them looked at early Saturday morning. As I was pulling out of the parking lot, I slowed down for the speed-bump (neccesary evil for many of us) and at the same time turned on the cd player and heard a "pop",,not thinking too much of it since the break light was on & I had turned on the cd player the sound just left me quickly..Well,,nearly 35 miles later and after traveling most of the way at 75-80 mph (I did say it was Friday and the beginning of a holiday weekend) a gentleman in a white pick-up truck pulled up next to me in the "fast lane" yelling "You got a flat tire" and pointing at my drivers side front tire! I said "Thank you", slowed down to about 55 mph, moved to the slow lane and sent up a quick "thank you for getting me this far, please get me the rest of the way home without my rim being damaged" prayer..3 miles later, I was in the driveway, my neighbor guy put my spare on & Saturday morning I went and purchased 2 new tires. Having never felt the slightest bit of pull, or the fact that I probably should have lost control of my van going that speed on a flat tire, my only conclusion is that it was divine intervention. Oh,,and btw,,it was just that my brake fluid was low so there was no cost for that,Thank God!!
Loved the Blog
David, thanks so much for taking the time to write. It's always great to hear from you. I'm so glad you're enjoying being back with the Gaither Vocal Band. I've been privileged to see you in Huntsville, AL, and Southaven, MS, and can't wait to see you again. You guys are doing a phantastic job!!
I enjoyed reading your "sarcastic" sense of humor stories, and also reading about your drive back home. I hope you "re-hydrated" the kids when you got there.LOL
I was sorry to hear about the blow-out (what a bummer), but was very impressed that you changed the tire.:):)
I'm glad you arrived home safely, and had a wonderful Easter.
Thanks again for taking the time to share a few tidbits of your life.
Love hearing from David
Thanks for writing. Always enjoy hearing from you. I would love to see you also.
If you come to the New York/Long Island area, I will be there.
God Bless,
Patty
Great Story
My prayer for David, Lori and family is
Gentle Saviour, hold them close keep them safe
Hi David
Thanks for the story.
Family times are great, even if it is in a car, travelling for hours.
Bless you all
Ivan
My Apologies!
When I talked to you in Southhaven, MS 3 weeks ago, I said please come to PA and now you are in PA tonight!!!!!!! And we aren't there!!!!! Just couldn't make it this time. And I am soooooo sorry! See you in Carmel, IN in May!
Blessings,
Nancy & Chuck