Tonight I am writing from the Tuckaleechee Retreat Center in Pigeon Forge, TN. Quite a random place to be on a Tuesday night, I know. This week marks the 3rd annual artist retreat put on by Jimmy’s manager. We are here along with a few other bands: Echoing Angels, Rush of Fools, Chasen, and Rhett Walker… along with all their respective wives and children. When you add in Jimmy’s manager, his family and staff, that brings the total to 60 people! And 17 of them are young kids!

It has been such a joy to be in the company of other believers who are in the same industry and understand the joys and struggles of being in the Christian music industry. These wives deal with the same things I do: spending nights alone at home while their husbands travel, taking care of their children and working other jobs. We understand each other by default of our husband’s calling. And something about that is so refreshing.

We have also had a lot of fun since arriving here. Last night was the songwriting competition in which everybody, wives included, is involved and split into random groups with people from every band mixed together. Just to give you an idea of what kind of competition this was, some of the categories were “Most movie titles used in a song” and “Most Bible verses.” I think some of these videos might end up on youtube… =)

It has been a blast hanging out with such wonderful people! If you aren’t familiar with any of these bands, please check them out. They are all very grounded, Biblically-minded people who loves Jesus and love music. Remember to pray for their wives and children who are always holding down the fort at home and bear the burdens this industry brings with joy.

Here are the band’s websites:
Rush of Fools
Echoing Angels
Wives of Echoing Angels Blog
Chasen
And keep an eye out for upcoming artist, Rhett Walker.