Funknology

Funk is an African American musical genre that causes the average listener to have an uncontrollable desire to move their feet and dance. Funknology is a synthesis of ideas designed to cause the average reader to have an irresistible urge to move their heart. As we battle the complexities of race, and the impact poor race relations have had on society, this book will prove to be a timely read. Regardless of how much thought you have given to recent racial tensions--or how active you have been in working toward solutions for them--this book will inspire you to find ways to move your feet and your heart in the direction of a Funknology of Hope, meaning long-lasting reconciliation.

Funk is an African American musical genre that causes the average listener to have an uncontrollable desire to move their feet and dance. Funknology is a synthesis of ideas designed to cause the average reader to have an irresistible urge to move their heart. As we battle the complexities of race, and the impact poor race relations have had on society, this book will prove to be a timely read. Regardless of how much thought you have given to recent racial tensions—or how active you have been in working toward solutions for them—this book will inspire you to find ways to move your feet and your heart in the direction of a Funknology of Hope, meaning long-lasting reconciliation.

This autobiography of legendary New Orleans piano man Dr. John--"the hippest, fonkiest cat to come down the musical turnpike" (Library Journal)--is one of the most original, colorful, and acclaimed music books ever. Photos.

Music historian Craig Harris explores more than five hundred years of Indigenous history, religion, and cultural evolution in Rise Up! Indigenous Music in North America. More than powwow drums and wooden flutes, Indigenous music intersects with rock, blues, jazz, folk music, reggae, hip-hop, classical music, and more. Combining deep research with personal stories by nearly four dozen award-winning Indigenous musicians, Harris offers an eye-opening look at the growth of Indigenous music. Among a host of North America's most vital Indigenous musicians, the biographical narratives include new and well-established figures such as Mildred Bailey, Louis W. Ballard, Cody Blackbird, Donna Coane (Spirit of Thunderheart), Theresa "Bear" Fox, Robbie Robertson, Buffy Sainte-Marie, Joanne Shenandoah, DJ Shub (Dan General), Maria Tallchief, John Trudell, and Fawn Wood.

Every culture on earth has at one time or another danced. From tribal times forward people have danced to socialize, express themselves creatively, and promote societal unity. The borders that separate us came much later in human development. It is time to return to our roots and dance, dance, dance. That is because dance has the unique ability to unite a person’s mind, body, and soul. In his capacity as a touring bassist, Jimi Calhoun witnessed thousands upon thousands of people lose themselves in dance. Suddenly, ethnic, racial, and religious differences disappear. Borders, on the other hand, divide religious communities, races, and nations. Human conflict is perpetuated by these boundaries. What is written within these pages will show you ways to dance across divisions by means of a choreography of altruism. This is a book that invites you to dance to the rhythms of grace that result in true harmony and unity.

The Great Commission is to make disciples. Renowned church planter and pastor Ralph Moore shows leaders why a focus on making disciples is the essential next step once a church is planted. This biblical, practical handbook will guide churches of any size to focus their ministries around Jesus's command to his followers to make disciples of all nations. Making Disciples offers a model of church ministry that sees every member as a minister, and it will become an indispensable resource for equipping a new generation of disciple-makers.

The book you are holding results from years of research carried out as I traveled the world as a rock musician followed by living abroad as a minister. Did you know that all the music ever created in the West has its origin in just twelve sounds? From rock to bluegrass, to gospel to the intricate arrangements of classical, it all came from only twelve notes. That happened because musicians found an infinite number of tonal combinations to use within the twelve-note scale. What today's social ills have in common with music is that they exist because of a failure on our part to have a similar vision for the Ten Commandments. That vision is one of limitless applications for them. This book approaches the Ten Commandments in the same manner that musicians approach the twelve-note scale--with a desire to create something fresh, building on what has come before. This book uses the "ten sounds" to create a different melody to sing in the areas of racial injustice, disability, gender inequality, and to bring healing to the wounds that linger on in some communities because of unjust activities engaged in by some of our forebearers.

In The Art of God, pastor and musician Jimi Calhoun suggests that the master artist, God, programmed diversity into every aspect of the natural order. Today more of us than ever live in closer proximity to people once viewed as different. The multicultural conversation of the recent past has proven to be inadequate to address the present intercultural reality in which we live. The question then becomes, how will we live together? Quite often the presence of difference results in the avoidance of the other. Many accept this as simply a natural occurrence, but in the world of art, difference does not always trigger division. Art encompasses multiple disciplines and forms. Art welcomes diversity within its borders. This book traces the evolution of art and music, then extracts principles from a musical motif to encourage the development of an artistic worldview that recognizes the beauty residing in everything and everybody. ""Jimi Calhoun, master musician, pastor, and scholar, has given us an enormous gift here. His book is on one hand an encyclopedia on the history and dynamics of music, as well as his personal diary on the art of music. On the other hand it is a book about multiculturalism, again from an informed and academic base and a personal base. . . . Jimi's book is a must-read not only for musicians, but also for anyone who is interested in knowing about the art of God."" --Paul D. Kraus, author of Pastoral Care ""Calhoun takes us all on a journey we might think we know, only to discover the depths of insight we lack. Jimi's voice is personable, knowledgeable, and clear with a life of lived experience to sustain all the wisdom The Art of God holds. Do yourself a favor and read this book. In the end, not only will you appreciate more the craftsmanship of yourself and others in being created human, but you will view the bigness of the master artist in ways you have not yet imagined!"" --Randy Woodley, author of Shalom and the Community of Creation ""Jimi provides an in-depth look at the way human artwork was designed to interact via our relationships with each other. The brilliance of this book is that as the author weaves a tapestry of art history, philosophy, the physics of music, and cultural issues, he simultaneously infuses a message that overflows with irony. While this book is steeped in the relevance of art in its entirety, Jimi lovingly and masterfully points out a large blind spot in our appreciation of some of the greatest works of art ever created. Read this book. You will never view art in the same way."" --Thomas Doyal, musician, Boca Raton, FL ""It is so enlightening to learn lessons from a field that I know little about. The Art of God teaches lessons about God and diversity using music as a pedagogical tool. It is written in such an accessible manner that even a music neophyte like me can enjoy it. We badly need the lessons in this book and Jimi Calhoun has found a great medium to deliver them."" --George Yancey, Professor of Sociology, University of North Texas, Denton, TX Jimi Calhoun is Lead Pastor at Bridging Austin, a Reconciling Community in Austin, Texas. He is the author of A Story of Rhythm and Grace (2009). A gifted storyteller, he is also an internationally acclaimed musician. He is co-chair of Community Dreams, an Austin-based nonprofit serving urban youth, and a member of the Austin Interfaith Inclusion Network, which serves people living with disabilities. He is on the boards of the Interfaith Arts Council, Humanitarians in the Arts, and the Exnihilo Art Center in Deadman's Cay, the Bahamas.