Posts Tagged ‘God’

By: Rob Brayl
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

Felt appropriate.

To those celebrating:

HAPPY EASTER!!!

By: Rob Brayl
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

This woman’s my hero!

With the just-announced news that Dolly would be touring this summer I found myself listening to old records and watching clips of her online. And I stumbled upon this gem of a photograph, as well as some touching points made when Dolly was interviewed last year by Larry King. Can’t wait to see you on the road this summer, Dolly!

When asked about her loyal gay fans:

“I have a lot of gay fans, female and male. A lot of people feel like they’ve grown up with me. As you know I’ve always been outspoken, I’ve always been pretty outrageous. I’ve always believed that a person should be who they are and you should be comfortable being who you are and people should leave you alone to be who you are and how you are. So I think I’ve always been accepted in the gay community because I accept them. I have so many fans who’ve always loved to come to the shows and they know that I’m not judging them. I think people are who they are. We’re supposed to love each other for what and who we are.”

When asked about anti-gay bullying:

“I don’t know the reasons why people act the way they do about other people. I just think we need to dig down a little deeper and try and be a little kinder to one another and accept each other for who we are. You can’t tell me that people are any way other than how they’re supposed to be. I don’t think gay people are trying to be different just to make other people miserable. I think people are being who they are. I think we should be a little more tolerant and a little more accepting and understanding.”

[Dolly, in an interview w/ Larry King]

Check out a recent interview below + Dolly’s version of Shine following. (The lyrics felt appropriately matched to the message of this post.)

PS: I’ve gotta get back to Dollywood! That place rules my face!

[Related Post: Dolly Returning To The Big Screen w/ Queen Latifah]

By: Rob Brayl
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

Dude! I really didn’t set out to be preachy today, but with the Courtney Love post below mentioning God and this one mentioning church, it’s become a straight up revival up in hurr.

No, but in all seriousness…

I find it really impressive that Jennifer Hudson uses the word “church” in her new single slash just-released video. The fact is that most pop stars on Hudson’s caliber of success would never use the word “church”, let alone even hint at the idea of seeking a man who is on a spiritual path. (Granted, this hot thug in the video lies about going to church, but still! Pretty cool.)

Hudson braved the blustering cold winter in Chicago to film the video which premiered last week. This is the first Hudson video to premiere since the 2009’s smash If This Isn’t Love.

Hudson’s sophomore album, I Remember Me, is due in stores on March 22.

Watch the Anthony Mandle-directed video below.

By: Rob Brayl
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

Just sayin’!

And on a serious note, the video you’re about to watch is poetry in motion. The raw truth that it encompasses is painfully alluring. The video was clearly taken when the rocker was still battling her well-known addictions. Even if you cannot stand Love, you cannot deny the guts she pours out when she tackles a stage.

This video found its way in front of my eyes a few days ago (I had seen it previously), and I felt moved by it all over again. And it left me with the desire to share it with you. Auto-Tune and buckets of money can buy you a hit, but it takes someone who’s been through the ringer to create something as honest as this.

Watch the pre-sober performance of Letter to God I’ve been speaking of + a more current, clean Love performing Pacific Coast Highline, following.

[Related Post: Crazy/Beautiful Courtney Love]

By: Rob Brayl
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

A student named Anna recently performed Cee Lo’s breakup smash F**k You in sign language as a final project for her college course on the same subject. The result? An A+ kick ass, feel good slap to the face. Via Anna’s Youtube page: “I am not deaf and still learning sign language and encourage others to learn sign language as well!”

Sweet!

And speaking of sweet. While listening and working on a write-up on Brandon Heath’s Your Love a little while back, I stumbled upon Keefer’s version in sign language and immediately felt moved. Growing up with a deaf father made it that much sweeter. For the record — unlike Anna — I do believe Keefer is deaf.

Please subscribe to their Youtube channels and show these two some love!

Check out Anna’s awesome performance of F**k You (NSFW), followed by Keefer’s sweet performances of Brandon Heath’s Your Love and Dave Barne’s God Gave Me You below.

By: Rob Brayl
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

Let’s have a Brandon day, shall we?

I’d be lying if I said I didn’t play Brandon Heath’s Your Love on a giant spool of a loop today. The minute I turned on my iPod and got on the subway, Brandon came pouring through the speakers. I noticed that the minute I stepped off the train at the end of the day, the same song was playing.

Known for his genuinely positive and often gut-wrenching anthems which expose the heart of humanity, Heath’s music has certainly left its mark on the world. To get personal for a minute, I remember how I played his beautiful I’m Not Who I Was on repeat after I came to the realization that alcohol was damaging my life (quitting shortly after).

I think I speak for countless others when I say that his music has been a beam of light, especially when blinded by life’s dark spots.

Your Love is a testament to the fact that God’s love is much larger than the messes we create in our own lives — that love is the only thing that can fill the holes in our hearts.

Check out a sneak peek at the making of Brandon’s new record (Leaving Eden, due out 01.18)/listen to Your Love + rewind to watch two of his biggest hits: I’m Not Who I Was & Give Me Your Eyes following.

By: Rob Brayl
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

“Why did God give me this life? Sometimes it’s overwhelming. Why did God give me my talent, my gift, my family? I know you’re not supposed to question God, so I’m grateful for the life he’s given me. I’m so grateful. I’m alive and I’m living a dream. I’m living my dreams. Wow.”
-BK
[Taken from the I Am World Tour DVD Documentary]

By: Rob Brayl
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

Sending love.

Bryce took to The Rocket Summer’s Facebook fan page and sent the following message to fans: “My grandfather suddenly passed away this morning… He was a Godly, loving man who enriched people’s lives and will be greatly missed. I was blessed to be off tour and with him when he went to be with the Lord. Take a moment to tell the people in your family that you love them today…”

Our condolences go out to Bryce and his family during this difficult time.

By: Rob Brayl
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

This weekend, for one reason or another, I found myself in an old skool Britney Spears kick. Specifically, I landed on Lucky and played it on repeat. Yes, I’m serious.

The single was released in 2000 and ten years later, I can’t help but to feel a sense of realistic truth and eeriness to the song, especially with all that Britney has endured since its release.

I genuinely think that Britney stomps pop in a way that no one else can. Aside from her music, I appreciate her realness when she isn’t on stage. Yep, every time I see Britney drinking Starbucks or orange soda in sweats with her tracks hanging out, I smile. I think her down-to-earth attitude about herself is non-pretentious and cool. There’s nothing more annoying than a pretentious musician or celebrity. Can I get an Amen?!

On a more exciting note, Britney Spears’ manager, Adam Leber, took to Spears’ twitter to check in with followers yesterday, and mentioned that Britney was heading to the studio with Max Martin and Dr. Luke. He wrote:

“Brit is recording a big big BIG new song on Friday with #MaxMartin & @TheDrLuke. I’m pretty sure its a smash! -Adam, Manager”

Can’t wait to hear the new material!

In the meantime take a trip down memory lane and listen/watch Lucky + listen to the heartfelt track entitled Britney from Contemporary Christian singer Bebo Norman. Strikes a chord, huh?

By: Rob Brayl
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

Yo Erin, I want that headdress! Seriously.

Stetson has teamed up with Erin McCarley to showcase the newly revamped Fall/Winter 2010 line. And now, Erin is teaming up exclusively with BTB to deliver some signature goodies to you, our kick ass readers (see contest rules below)!

Erin recorded a video for her Hank Williams’ cover of I Saw The Light to spotlight some of the new merchandise from Stetson. Check out the new video and download a free mp3 of I Saw The Light at Stetson Looks – you can also enter to win Stetson merch featured in the video!

Erin was kind enough to offer a limited edition tote bag, autographed by Ms. McCarley herself.

To enter to win, please do the following:

You must click here to become a fan of BTB via Facebook.
Once you click “like” then submit your name/age to robbrayl@robbrayl.com.
Winners will be notified by 11/01/10.

Good luck!

By: Rob Brayl
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

[Photo: Rob Brayl (Me), Maria Ciezak, Caitlin Hoffman -- BTB Staff]
Yo kiddies & parents & any soul who is reading,

I suppose I should start with the purpose of this letter. I wanted to do my part in partaking in the Love Is Louder / It Gets Better projects that have been circulating the media and infiltrating the internet. If you read BTB, you know that I have posted videos on the cause – celebrities and musicians who have brought awareness to the issue – and although I appreciate these voices of power, I also felt like no one had mentioned what I’m about to mention and that is why I knew I had to do this.

I’m not a YouTuber, and I don’t ever make vlogs but I did record a video for this project. After watching it though, I realized that I’m unsure if I feel comfortable posting. I got a bit too emotional in the video, to the point that I just have issues with putting that out there right now. This could change, but as of now, I’ve decided to write instead. I’m a writer after all.

I can only speak on personal experience, so here goes…

To me, the biggest bully in my life, wasn’t necessarily a person (although a few individuals come to mind). The biggest bully in my life was an organization, one whose intention isn’t meant to demean or to spew hatred, one whose purpose is actually to do the polar opposite, but for me, as unfortunate as it was, this was not the case.

The biggest bully in my life growing up was The Church.

I want to state that clearly not all churches are bullies – there are some wonderful churches in the world – but for me, growing up in the environment in which I did, the church was a devastating part of my existence.

To give a brief back-story: I grew up in the South, in a town of 4,000 people. Dirt roads, farms, Wal-Mart, rodeos, football – it’s most likely everything you’re thinking of and more (basically, think Varsity Blues for reference). I don’t want to say that I was a target of a particular church or that it was solely the reason I was led down such a dark road because there’s deeper issues there and deeper issues at play. Issues I do not wish to disperse openly in this format. Underneath, I realize that there are so many other factors that you have to take into consideration, but this is my truth and this is how the church left me feeling completely alone and tortured.

I remember being around ten years old when I heard what so many of you have heard. There was a distant relative in my family who I had never met, and one time when my family had guests over for dinner, he became the topic of conversation. I was playing with Legos, being a kid, when I overheard something that felt like a bullet. This relative was gay. He died of AIDS. And what I heard was that he would never get into heaven. I remember crying myself to sleep that night, because even though I had no clue how to verbalize who I was, I knew that I was somehow like this man. I cried myself to sleep, praying.

My prayer: I begged God to fix me.

This is just one example. There’s more personal issues I do not wish to tell, stories that probably have been told before. But what lies underneath that one moment in which is shared has to deal with The Church and how so much fear and hatred is poured into the potion of God. And I find it to be painfully sad that the church often dilutes God’s love.

The Church made me constantly question my own creation. I battled with the idea of why God would create me, if all I would ever be viewed as is flawed. There were times when I literally hated myself. I felt ugly and unlovable, to the point that eventually when I would look into the mirror, I would not even question it, for the weight of the feeling of ugliness had already found its home on my shoulders.

No one should ever feel this way.

I carried that weight around for years and years, until I finally realized that maybe my colors were a little too bright because God was going to use the palette of all that I was to paint a visual that only I could create. The same can be said for all of you, every single person who finds this, who stumbles upon this. You were meant to read this and your colors, the insane mixture of colors that swirl inside of you, were hand selected. You were born an original. Why set on being a copy? God didn’t just create black and white, he also created rainbows. And colors that the eyes can’t fully digest, so do you really think that if his design and genius was this intense, this wonderful and magical and complex that he would only create one single idea of what is right and one hue of sexuality?

It would take me forever to count and to present to you the ways in which God has never left me along the way, through all the struggles I’ve faced and still face. It’s made me come to one conclusion: God effing loves me.

I want you to know that God loves you, too. I realize that may sound like some summer camp cheesefest but know this is coming from a genuine space and that I’m real, that is the truth and nothing but the truth. God loves you and you are exactly who you were created to be. I know it can be hard and that high school sucks balls but I promise you, that if you focus on your mind, and you stay positive and hold onto faith, that you will develop into something beautiful.

I want to note that my family is loving and supportive of me and all my colors. That story of the distant relative has a lot to do with the time period and the place and the culture of where I grew up. It just goes to show that not everyone really knows what they’re saying and how those words can be used as weapons. Often, it’s the ones who love us the most who leave the deepest wounds. And often, it’s because they are blissfully unaware, which is why these projects are necessary.

I want to end this sappy situation with one of my favorite quotes by the awesome Zach Galifianakis. When asked his views on the Bible here is what he had to say:

“Well, it is hard to argue the teachings of Jesus – whether you believe or not. But the jerks at the Southern Baptist Convention and the freaks at Focus on the Family have completely hijacked those teachings of Jesus. The Sermon on the Mount is all about turning the other cheek. I think if Jesus were to come back he would more likely hang out with low-lifes and perhaps be in a really bad cover band, but do his good work.”

My thoughts exactly.

Your buddy-o,
Rob Brayl
#loveislouder
#itgetsbetter

The Seven – MTV Shows

Since I used Zach’s quote + for comic relief, and since I love how he mentions his daily reading of the Scripture, I thought I’d throw the clip above into the mix.

By: Rob Brayl
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

“It’s really important to maintain and keep close to people that really love you. And if you ever feel taken advantage of or bullied, turn it off, and go towards God and people that love you. Make sure that you hold onto them. Anyone else, get them the f— out of your sphere.”

-Alicia Keys, advice on those dealing with bullies/cyber abuse

To learn more visit The Trevor Project & MTV’s A Thin Line.

MTV Shows

By: Rob Brayl
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

The music that really turns me on is either running toward God or away from God. Both recognize the pivot, that God is at the center of the jaunt.

-JLennon

By: Caitlin Hoffman
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

Another living legend that’s gotten intimate with the darkest forms of the human conscience. Another hardcore rocker that fell right into the truth. Another talented person who forgot his self-worth, forgot self respect, and somehow managed to get it all back.

Let’s give a moment of respect to Brian Welch, ex-Korn guitarist, who went from Ground Zero to Cloud Ten after a life-altering moment when he took Christ into his life, and vowed to be a proper father and turn away from drugs. I’m not just trying to paint over this message with glory and cuddles because he’s now a born-again Christian; even those who don’t want to focus on the spiritual aspect have to admire his determination to find the truth behind the fake world he was living in, and to find the reason behind all the waste. With his heavy-laced dreads and ink-kissed skin, you may not think Welch would be the kind of person to be singing God’s praises. But that’s the beauty of God: no judgment on stereotypes for all are welcome inside, as is.

Brian has been doing really well for himself the past few years. Not only has he kicked some dirty addictions, but he’s taken those experiences to breathe intense life into new creative projects, including his very own single act. It seems he’s finally found his eternal niche, the place where his mind can go to play and soul can sit to rest. After making love to destruction and holding hands with death most of your life, you can really understand the heaviness of your decisions, as well as understand the preciousness you almost threw away. Playing a game of hopscotch with The Grim Reaper isn’t just some fleeting fancy — even if you survive, you may never be the same again. This is true for Brian Welch, but in the positive sense.

The thing is, when you’re caught in a manic-depressive roller coaster whirlpool of hatred and lies, you start thinking there’s nothing else you’re made for. But when you somehow crawl out of that horror unscathed, you begin wondering if maybe something or someone wants you to do something better.

As Welch explains it best: “I feel like I was created to do what I’m doing right now. Everything I learned in my life before I changed it all over, it set me up for what I’m doing now. That’s the satisfaction. That’s the peace in knowing, without a doubt, that you’re on the road you’re supposed to be on. There’s nothing more content than that.”

Those are the words of a man who has his life in order, and is proud of it. This new-found life philosophy has done nothing but improve his musical skill, the edge to his sound is as sharp as a razor blade. You seem to find something honourable and core-shaking in his music, like the ballad of a soldier. After all, he’s beaten the largest battle within.

By: Rob Brayl
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

[Photo by Chris Polk/Getty Images North America]

Let me state for the record that I’ve never fully been on the GaGa bandwagon. I know, can you believe it?! A gay dude who doesn’t think GaGa is the coolest thing since sliced bread? Well, it’s true. And no, I am not a hater. I repeat: I am not a hater. I actually admire GaGa for her drive and passion — specifically with wanting to ignite change — but at the end of the day, I’m not on board with the behavior that surrounds her image, nor am I certain I ever will be.

I’ve gotten in numerous discussions over why I have resisted the newly crowned pop icon and it always comes down to hysterics/aesthetics. For instance, I sometimes feel as if she truly contradicts herself. IE: If you are not attention-seeking as you once claimed in an interview with Barbara Walters, then why show up late to a Mets game and then flip the paparazzi the bird? So there’s that. Not to mention, showing up to airports in underwear and Armadillo heels. The attention-seeking aspect of her “art” really annoys me if I’m being completely blunt and simply comes off as being ungenuine and phony.

As far as music goes — yes, I can get into Bad Romance just like the next person but I just didn’t feel any sort of connection to her debut record, The Fame. Perhaps it’s because, to me, a majority of the music GaGa has released thus far seems to be shallow gay dance music. I don’t mean that as an insult as I see nothing wrong with shallow gay dance music — it has a purpose and there’s tons of mindless pop that I enjoy on the dancefloor. But the fact of the matter is that for me, once the lights come on and I leave the club, I don’t take that music to bed with me. Bottomline: I always have a hard time clinging to shallow gay dance music.

Do I think GaGa is talented? Of course. I’m just anxiously awaiting a delivery from GaGa that doesn’t feel like it has been dipped in an ink of contrived thought, an ink that’s too superficially pop. I honestly feel like The Fame is not the type of music that GaGa truly loves the most. Nor is it the type of music that fits her sound/vocal ability the best, either. It seems to me that it was a record that her label knew would sell and make an impact commercially. After all, labels (especially huge mainstream giants) are businesses and businesses thrive on money. Even the most creative talents often lose a sense of their identity when signing major record deals.

I simply wish GaGa would do a more piano/rock Elton John-esque record in the vein of her You & I performance — a record that showcases her seemingly deep nature and sensitive heart. The same sensitive heart that delivered this speech last night. Although I have resisted her before and most likely will again, I will say that she never fails to win me over with her humility and tender touch in interviews (I actually love this about her). And from the emotional little snippet she belts, I have a feeling GaGa may eventually win me over as an official little monster on her next release, as Born This Way sounds like a song that is everything but shallow gay dance music — a song I would certainly take to bed with me.

Check out GaGa’s beautiful acceptance speech, below.