Q is our drummer. We've been playing together since before I could play guitar. He's been with me the whole time, through good times and bad, and I can't think of a better friend.

The reason I post this is because apparently his name is missing from some of our stuff on our website, as it is still a bit incomplete and he was feeling left out. I love you, Q!!!

Anyways, I'm thoroughly exhausted and I probably shouldn't be writing blogs when I'm like this, but oh well.

Chris

Just want to remind all 3 people that read this that our concert is tonight at 7:00. Actually, it's Mitch's concert, and he has been gracious enough to allow us to open for him.

Pray that we are effective tonight, and that the Lord will be blessed in all that we do, because if it's not pleasing to God, then it's just noise.

Pray that we will humble ourselves and let God move through us. Pray that we will do more than just entertain, but we will stand aside and allow the Holy Spirit to speak to His people, move them to a greater Faith through action and will move them to draw nearer to God.

That being said, this will be a really awesome show, I'm convinced. Why will it be an awesome show? Glad you asked!
1: We came off of our worst concert ever. Don't ask.
2: We've got some folks coming with us that like to get rowdy. We like to rowdy and we like rowdy people to get rowdy, so there's going to be a lot of energy.
3: Did I mention Mitch is going to be there? He's got a lot of new stuff, so if you hate the way we sound, we'll only be playing for like 30 minutes max, and then you can listen to him.

Hope to see you tonight, and after the show, log on to http://www.xtremitymusic.com/forum/phpBB2/index.php
and talk about it.

Thanks,
Chris

I would like to take this time to thank some people for making this an awesome experience. Here goes

Thank you:
Bryan Stator: You're a good man and a good friend. You have a servant's heart and humble spirit and I'd like to thank you for just filling in where ever you're needed. The world needs more people like you.
Ryan Furr: This guy is doing pretty much all of our media and manages to play in two bands. Thanks for your support and patience.
William and Lynelle Payne: These guys are hardcore servants. I love you both and thank you so much for your support of this band.
David Stator: This guy is awesome. If you even get chance to meet him, you'll never forget him. He comes to almost all of our concerts and throws in where ever he can.
Corey Auen: He filled in for us at Spartanburg and did an awesome job. It was a pleasure sharing the stage with you again.
Manny and Bryant: Thank you for coming and worshipping and helping with the setup and tear-down. You guys need to come with us more often.
John Beauchamp: This guy is the hardest working person in this crew, hands-down. His spirit and playing have taken us to whole new level along with Ryan.
Justin Snyder: Thank you so much for just being yourself. You're a blessing to us all and taking time out of your schedule for us says more than any words could.
Nate Furr: Thank you so much for helping us out with sound. I had a good time hanging out with you and hope to do some gigs together in the future.

I'm sure I've forgotten some folks, but know that you're greatly appreciated.

To the fans; we've got some new t-shirts coming out on the 23rd of this month, and we have new leather armbands. But the best news of all is our Sampler CD! Yep, that's right, you can drive your co-workers or fellow students crazy for only $5.00 We have ordered 100 of them, so get in touch with us when you get a chance to get one of these gems. :D

You guys are awesome, and have made this short journey an amazing one. God continues to bless us every day and cool stuff just keeps coming our way.

Chris

Hey all,
Just thought I would update this for the 7 or 8 people that actually read it. We are getting very, very close to having a CD ready for you. It should be a 6-7 song EP with all original Xtremity stuff. We're also working on a worship album and have already started recording on our second album, but don't ask me when thats coming out.

We'll also have some new t-shirts for sale too, so if you're wanting to stock up on new Xtremity stuff, check us out at our next concert. When is this concert you ask? Well, it just happens to be at Spartanburg Christian Church in Spartanburg, IN at 7:00 p.m. We should have some new music to present there as well.

Without going into too much detail, God is moving me to do some rediculous stuff, so pray for me personally. I'm currently enrolled at Cincinatti Christian University (CBC) and just getting into the word recently has prompted me to action that I'm certain God has been telling me for a long time. I'm excited and nervous, but God is faithful.

If you want to schedule a concert with us, email me at chrisp@xtremitymusic.com and we'll put you on the schedule.

Pray that we continue to seek His face and His success.

In Christ,
Chris Payne

So where do I start?
Let's go with Roster changes.
Xtremity parted ways with the very talented dynamic guitar duo of Clay Asher and Andy Fisher. We wish them the best of luck in their new endeavors. Jeromy Bilbrey stepped up to the plate and helped us out in Knoxville, TN for the youth treat, and we are forever grateful to him. He stepped down to focus more on Sunday morning worship at CrossPointe.

Allow myself to introduce.....not myself. Ryan Furr and Jon Beauchamp (pronounced bo-camp) are Xtremity's newest guitarists. I cannot say enough good things about these guys and thier desire to worship with the stringed instruments.

Ryan comes to us from Of The Son, a hardcore Christian metal band that is well on it's way in the hard rock scene. He is lending us his melodic lead guitar lines coupled with the hard edged crunch normally found in the metal genre. He's also all over the stage and front few rows, so be on the lookout for him. He's a neat addition and I think everyone is really going to like what he brings.

Jon is a newcomer on the Chrisitian music scene, but not a newcomer to Christ or good rock music. His desire to worship and his intense focus on learning new music and improving his skills really translates to a pure musical worship experience.

These two guys really are humble servants of Jesus and also happen to be talented musicians. To all of the Xtremity fans out there: You guys are in for a real treat, so keep an eye out for us in your local area, and come prepared for God to move!

You can catch us next week at:

July 30th: First Church of the Nazarene, Richmond, IN. 10:45 a.m.
July 30th: First Church of Christ; Fairborn, OH and I think this starts at 6:30 p.m.
August 12th: Holton Chrisitan Church, Holton, IN 7:00

Prayer list:
We're getting rid of the RV for financial reasons. If you know anyone, or think you might know anyone who wants one, have them email me. We're going to lose about $10,000 on it, but I know that God will provide, even when we make dumb decisions.

Church Member Sue Walls brother is dying of Cancer. Keep him and his family in your prayers. It seems his soul is prepared, so I guess pray that his family will see God in this situation.

I'm going back to School, starting a Sunday night worship service in Scottsburg, leading worship at CrossPointe on Sunday morning and working full time. Pray that God adds 13 more hours in my day, LOL. Seriously, though, pray that I stay focused and continue on the path that He's laid before me.

Pray for CrossPointe and it's leadership. We humbly seek to stay in the will of God.

I think that's it. I hope to see everyone who reads this soon (that means all 3 of you).

Email me or check out myspace and leave a comment,
Thanks,
Chris

Has anyone see the tassles for my loafers?

So, how many people are not doing anything on February 11th? That's what I thought. You need to come check us out at First Baptist Church in Columbus at 6:30 p.m. We're going to playing there, and if you've only seen us there before and not lately, we've got some (what I think, anyways) great new music. Some new original stuff and some worship music that you probably haven't heard yet.

Oh and did I forget to mention we'll be playing at the Underground on the 16th!!!! Big thanks to Bob (who is indirectly responsible for just about every huge event we get to play) and Larry Stone for sticking out your neck for us. It will be a CIY event put on by the good folks at CCU.

Now, some downers. Our drummer Q, has been playing drums for us for the past 4 months with two partially fractured feet. We'll be taking some time off (about 4 months)after our concert at the UG to let his feet heal and we'll also be getting our CD ready for release, as well as starting on our second album. If you'd like to book us within that time frame, we may be able to make special arrangements or do an acoustic style set.

Also, we have some really cool new T-shirt designs, but we probably won't release them until after the yearly mission trip because fundage is tight already, and since we won't be doing any concerts we would have spent the money intended to fund the mission trip on T-shirts that will be sitting in a box. What I'm trying to say here, is that if you've been waiting to buy Xtremity T-shirts, now is the time to do it. We will have them at the baptist church and we'll have them at the UG, so scoop them up so we can afford to do this trip.

Okay, now it's sharing time. I've had these concepts floating around in my head but I'm not really sure where to go with them. I'm pretty sure they'll be on our next album, but I'm just not too sure where they'll fit in. Here are the concepts in no particular order: If any of this speaks to you, send me a note to how it affects you and what it means in your life, and perhaps I'll write a song about it.

[Inside Chris's head] There are no shadows, no dark corners because there is no sun, there is no light, only a partially blinding fog. Nothing's wrong, nothing's right, nothing's black and nothing's white. There's no more peace, but there's no more fight. I feel nothing, and nothing feels me, I see nothing and nothing sees me. [/inside Chris's head]

{different thought}
Has the world stolen joy from the hand of the father above? Or did I slowly forget how to smile, how to laugh with the ones that I love?
Where's the child I remember, light as a feather, with never a care in the world? Where's the kid in the trees, with the scars on his knees, and his bicycle propped on the swing? Where's the teen who's in love, with the father above, who's heart was as frail as a twig?

Can we realearn how to love one another? Can we forgive with the heart of The Father, learn to love just like Jesus did, turn our cheek even when the heaviness of sin has weighed us down?
{different thought}

That's what's been going through my head last week, so shoot me an email if it speaks to you, cause it's been speaking to me.

Film at 11!

Chris

It's crazy! After I posted yesterday, I've gotten 2 gigs set up already. I that whole "ask and it shall be given" thing just may be working.

Anyways, we'll be at CrossPointe in Columbus on the 10th with some super cool bands. One, is Zion, and we saw them play at The UnderGround in Cincinnati. Lots of energy good music, and they just rock. The other is a Hardcore band called Of The Son. These guys will melt your face, and they're super good guys too, from what I hear.

December 5th, we'll be at an event in Evansville, and after that there may be some good things happening with your favorite band(hey, I can dream, right?), Xtremity. I don't want to go into details, but just keep us in your prayers.

It is way too early for coherent thoughts or spelling.
Chris