Hey Errbody,
Just wanted to jot some thoughts down about our recent Canada tour (and by tour I mean the two concerts in the Toronto area we just played) and the passing of our beloved drummer, Andy. First of all, NO he is NOT dead, but God has called Andy away from us, so I am lamenting that like a lost relative. The truth is, he lives about 5 minutes from me and I see him at Target and I know we'll hang out at some of the Soul Sister Sally gigs, but I'm having trouble dealing. I tend to complain a little when God brings change, and in my heart I know it would be a sad comment on my faith in Him if I wind up doing the same thing too many years from now to do anything else, but I hate change, especially if everything is going well, and everything has been going very well.
However, the sendoff was amazing. You might think we should have had a concert in Atlanta to send him off, but I doubt we could have gotten the kind of response and warm support that we received from the Toronto crowd. As for everyone, the news of Andy leaving has been pretty abrupt, so when we announced it that night, there was literally gasps from the crowd. I think that speaks volumes about how much Andy has been a part of this ministry. Well, when Mark started talking about Andy and what he meant to us, there was a standing ovation, and everyone in the house was showing love to a laughing sweaty big hearted drummer who has no trouble with talking, but had no words for that moment.
We watched the "Andy Show" from the Lifesong tour, which is kind of like watching a circus parade go by at 80 miles an hour. Andy also did his last drum solo (for me always a highlight) that was full of emotion more than the first one he ever did was full of nervousness. I think Mark asked him right before we played that night, and it has been a crowd favorite ever since. And just before the encore, Andy thanked everyone in the crowd for 6 very great years, but I think he was thanking everyone we have ever spoken to, shook hands with, heard our songs, or has been blessed by anything we have done.
Well, as for me, I have no idea who I'm going to get into trouble now. Who am I going to talk into doing things that I'm too lazy or scared to do myself? Who will keep us laughing, and on tempo? Only God knows, but as for me, Andy is my favorite Casting Crown.
Except for Melodee...and Mark
but not to leave out Hector, Chris and Megan.
Andy is definitely in the top 5 to 7
Peace
Juan
Comments
Hi just to give some encouraging words to the band and that lovely drummer that all the girls in our youth group talked about the next day in sunday service.. my 16yr old daughter was at your Toronto concert and so was the rest of the youth group and part of the young adult group. you were playing at the Queensway.. they were the ones that were ask to sit down.. in the front we love to worship the Lord with all their hearts our daughter was taught at a very young age with out God you have nothing because nothing in this world can replace what He did for you.. she was disappointed at the fact that hardly anyone got up to worship when your band was preforming she said they all stood up and she was going to tell buddy that said for them to sit down ... get real with God but she remeber what i would say to her (lol) not everyone is at the same level of walk we know that but when God moves so strongly through your music.. there has to be a response to it.just sitting and not doing anything is sad.. but all i have to say is we listen to your music and it brings back so much memories of where we been and how true some of the lines are to our lives and how we experiences it everyday.. so let me say Well done good and faithful servant.. May our Lord richely bless you and all the members of Casting Crown with His riches blessing abundantly overflowing to your lives in every area where you need it.. God Bless
I was at the Toronto show. My girlfriend and I drove up from Pittsburgh--we were in the 4th row wearing the Steeler jerseys. This was our 3rd Casting Crowns concert and this show was the best! I was so happy to see Andy on those drums! I read his blog 2 days before the show and was really bummed out thinking we would be going to an acoustical version of the concert. So seeing him up there was just awesome. The whole band rocked the place. Josh Sellers rocked the place too. Good luck Andy. We are going to miss your passion and energy and that awesome solo that is the best part of the show.
I've totally lost my train of thought while I was looking at the widgets over there change what they say!I don't much care for change either, so I can certainly sympathize with you in that area.I'm glad Andy had a great last show. I know he'll be missed dearly.
My two children and i saw the band the last time they did Madison WI. My son met Andy, who is his idol, and Andy gave him his drum stick after the performance. My son was having difficulties due to the split of his father and I (almost 9 years ago now). But Andy wrote an encouraging note and then invited us to the meet and greet and it changed my sons life. He is 10 now and doing great in school. His behavior has improved 90% (he still has self confidence issues) and he's taken up the trumpet. (The drums are on hold for now). When we rec'd our copy of the new cd, he was noticeably upset to see that Andy was missing from the band shot. After reading Juan's blog, I explained that God has called Andy to do something special for Him. I did tell my son that we don't HAVE to like the fact that Andy is gone, but we do need to keep him in our prayers so that he will complete Gods work. We cried and prayed and hope Andy will stay in touch on the blog. We will have to stay in touch more, I've been very busy keeping my job alive so I don't get a chance to "twitter", "facebook" or blog anywhere else. So know that we love your new cd and that you are all in our prayers. Your music lifts us to a higher place closer to God. Thanks and keep it up. We will definately get to the next concert in the WI area.
God's Blessings to all.
I just found out that Andy had left the band. I have been playing drums for a long time and it was good to see another drummer that loved God and the drums like I did. It seems that for me they go hand and hand. I will miss seeing him in the band. Even though I just go to concerts and I don't know him, it feels like I have lost a part of my ROCK that I can show people that drums do belong in christian song. The new drummer has some big shoes to fill.