I am the husband of one and the father of nine. I was created to sing, to worship, to encourage, and to be steady. I am the Owner & Executive Director of Trinity Arts Center, a multi-disciplinary Arts Center in Eastern Tennessee, and the President of Trinity Arts Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization focused on funding arts education and performance. I've been involved with four music projects in my life -- Hot Pink Turtle, Spin Radio, Stand Like Stone, and of course, Jamin Rathbun.
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music
So... I've posted stuff from Hot Pink Turtle and Stand Like Stone. Here's the only other "official" project that I've recorded, called Spin Radio.
Spin Radio was a collaborative effort between Eric Peterson and myself, with each of us writing about half of the material. Jason Sarino (who also played on the Stand Like Stone project) and Todd Neimeyer played drums and bass respectively. This is an acousti-rock project that we put together in 1997 so... it's a little dated but -- still some pretty decent stuff. Spin Radio has been reinvented a couple times, with Eric at the helm. His current stuff is definitely worth a listen if you like what you hear. = )
Notes: This is one of my favorites from this project. In fact, Eric and I have resurrected it on several occasions for special music at church or an impromptu jam. It's one of the first times we sang together and our voices just kind of clicked. I especially like how the vocals switch parts halfway through the chorus.
Lyrics: Oh Lord please hear my cry. Let the words of my soul rise softly to you and return to bring me hope. Lord take me to a place where I can see the sky. I know that by your grace, I will not be denied. And in this quiet place where I can be alone and feel the shelter of your wings pull me toward home. Pour out your love and faithfullness upon us all. Bring each one of us one step closer to the throne. Lord fill me with the strength of prophets of the past that I may count your grace, as countles as the sands. Quietly, comfort me Lord. Silently, safe in your arms. Shelter me, pull me toward home. Bring me in, safe from all harm.
Notes: This is the first song that we (Eric, Jason, and I) wrote together. Eric and Jason wrote the music for a previous project. At some point, they mailed a copy of the music to me. I dropped a new melody over the top and rearranged a couple things -- voila! Spin Radio. = )
Lyrics: Every day I pray for peace and I often pray for wisdom but it's rare when I receive the things which I request. For the God of all creation knows my needs and my desires and He always gives me more. And I know the time is right for a change in my perception. Even though I know the truth, it seems I always hear the lies. And with all the things around me that influence my desires. I just pray He'll make me pure and I pray He'll give me hope. Oh the one thing that I know. Oh I know the Father's waiting. And in all the time I've known Him, He has never let me down. And though every day's a struggle just to keep my head above it. I can feel the hands of love reaching down to lead me home. And now everything has changed. And the answer is so simple. To accept His gift of grace is the only thing we need. For the God of all creation knows our needs and our desires and He'll always give us more.
Notes: This is a simple song (isn't everything I write?) but -- I always liked it a lot. It really represented the turning point I talked about in my testimony.
Lyrics: Driving faster in my car. It seems things always get the best of me. Some things that I won't soon forget. I'm praying Father please forgive me. My old habits dying hard. And so I speak them low in whispers. Promises I've made before. I'm praying Father please forgive me. Oh yes. And I'm feeling close than I've ever been. The soothing silence of a healing heart begins. I know the morning brings the storms again but I'm feeling closer than I've ever been. I am broken, I am tired. I am weakened by the effort but it's brought me to this place where I pray Father please forgive me. Many things here in the dark that I have listened and believed in. I just got lost along the way. But now I'm turning back to Jesus.
Notes: This is a song written by a buddy of Eric's named Dave Ortinau. Anyway -- it was of Eric's favorites so we recorded it here... The first of two cover songs. = )
Lyrics: Eleanor Roosevelt once said no one can hurt you without your consent and so I'm letting go, getting free from this bitterness. Trashing my dark lens of critical sentimentality. I'm banking on the good in all things. And I'll not take offense. Get those chains off of me. I'm free. I used to see things only up on the surface and from that I would classify, not knowing the pain of the heart that spoke them. Find a handle for love and understanding to turn the hardest hearts. And look for the good in all things.
Notes: This is another one of Eric's songs. Although our writing styles are pretty different, it's funny how our lyrical content contains similar themes. Probably part of the reason we got along so well (except for that Mac vs PC thing). = )
Lyrics: And I will pray to you every night and I will say all my words just right. And I will do these things just for you. Then I won't do anything I said. There's no time. I've got to get to bed. Then I break promises made to you. Then laughter turns to those cries of regret. And from the treetops looking up at heavens door, we'll start laughing, we'll cry no more. See that side of your life through the open door. And from the rooftops down to the general store. We'll stop laughing, we'll cry some more. Turn this aching heart into something more. Then you see I love you anyway. You forgave all the mistakes I made. Wrap your hands around my heart once again. Carry me through all my troubled days. Give me strength to keep promises I made. Soak my fear in the depths of your love.
Notes: Another one of Dave Ortinau's tunes, I believe, written with Eric for a different project. Really unique lyrical perspective. I don't know how he came up with this topic but it turned out pretty cool. = )
Lyrics: I can hear the sound on the horizon, it's the abundance of rain. So we climbed to the top of Carmel, put our knees down on the ground, put our heads between our legs Hey Elijah, what's going down? Is it gonna rain or what? Hey Elijah, what's the big deal? Come on and tell me what's up. The fervent effect of prayer for the righteous man availeth much. All I can see is a small tiny cloud about the size of my fist. I can hear the sound on the horizon, it's the abundance of rain. The sky grew black and the clouds rolled, a heavy rain is coming on. The power of God hit Elijah and now we're stuck in the mud.
Notes: I always liked this song but it is really long. Part of the reason for my affection for this song is because it was my first song written "drop d" (the first of many, as you'll hear with the Stand Like Stone stuff. = )
Lyrics: And the days go quickly by. I don't pretend to know all the reason why. And a thought runs through my head, I don't understand how your plan includes me. And I feel like time is short and I need to know all of the answers now. But you share with me a word. That will come in time. All you need to know is I'm here and I've been here from the start, and I'll be here to the end. Spin around, there is no way I can understand it all and there's no way I can be everbody's friend, though I try, I just can't. All these unassuming things that leap up in front of me like a brick wall. And the only peace I see is to give it all the one who knows why. To the one who paints the sky. Cause He knows why the rivers run and trees will grow. The mountains climb and winds will blow, they're made with His own hands. I am a frightened little child that finds comfort in my Saviors outstretched hands. I take my greatest bit of comfort knowing nothing in this world escapes His plan. I can just look and feel around me all the wonders and impossibilities. I am in awe and fascinated that He takes the time each day to talk to me. Yes He takes away my fear and He takes away my pain. I am wonderfully made. And so I go on with my day for a minute or an hour and a half or half the day. And I start to think and question all the answers I was given yesterday. Then around and all around this endless cycle of myself and all my thoughts. But I always come around and I realize all I need to know is He's here. And He's been there from the start and He'll be here to the end. I don't know why I ask for answers when the answers are all way above my head. There is no way I'd understand them. They just cause a puzzle, friction in my head. I can just look and feel around me all the wonders and impossibilities. I am in awe and fascinated that He takes the time each day to talk to me.
Notes: I don't remember how this came up but -- I was experimenting with a new rif and it just kind of fit this old hymn. Jason starts playing a beat. There you have it. = )
Lyrics: All to Jesus I surrender. All to him I freely give. I will ever love and trust Him. In His presence daily live. I surrender all. I surrender all. All to the Thee my Blessed Savior. I surrender all.
Notes: This song. based on Titus 2:7-8 and Titus 3:5-7, just just has something. Sometimes you come across a message or lyric or truth that just carries a weight with it. I'm not sure how to describe it but these passages definitely have "it" for me. It's just the plain truth of the Gospel, spoken clearly, with no poetic clutter. It just resonates with the soul somehow. Makes you want to cry and makes your heart ache within your chest a bit. Maybe I should sing about it more often.
Lyrics: I have learned the truth about my laws. I've been taught the truth about the love of Jesus Christ. I have been a fool in many ways. I've justified my actions by the grace of Jesus Christ. Now I will be the one to stand and do what is right. I will show integrity that they cannot bend. I will set an example of how Jesus Christ changed my life when... When He poured on us through Jesus Christ, so that having now been justified, we might have the hope of eternal life. I want you to speak of these things. All of you who trust in Christ. Do what is right. Through His grace we have been justified. And through His grace we've been taught self-control to do what's right. To do what's right while we wait on this our blessed hope, the glorious return of our Lord, Jesus Christ.
Notes: This song didn't have a name until we started having difficulties during recording with the thunder and rain outside coming across the microphones. A few minutes later, we stuck a mic outside the window and made it part of the song. We couldn't have planned it any better. The whole vibe just fits so well with the lyrics... even a couple little birds chirping at the end. God is good. = )
Lyrics: Now is the time and this is the place it happens for me and I pray the time has come for you to let it soak in and let it sink down. The questions inside come out in the words and something that stirs inside. And now in the quiet of the day, just let it all go and let it resolve. For Christ has died for me and I have been set free. Though the demons come and they tell me I don't deserve the gift that he's given, the depth of His love.
© 2006-2010 Jamin Rathbun & Superdink.com. All rights reserved.
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