True Tunes Re-Booted – YEAR ONE IN THE BOOKS! 

 

We re-launched True Tunes a year ago last week! Wow. What a year it has been.

And we are just getting started…

 

 

10,000 PODCAST DOWNLOADS!

 

This is exciting. We are about to pass the 10k downloads line with the True Tunes Podcast. New people are discovering it all the time. And we have some amazing stuff in store for this next year. But we have a long way to go, here. The good news is that all of the episodes are still as relevant and fresh as the day we posted them, so we are still working to bring new people into the conversation all the time. You can help! Please write your reviews, especially on the Apple Podcast page, and post about the show on your social media channels. But mostly, think about your friends, and personally invite the ones you think would get the most out of this conversation. I’ve heard from several folks who, especially during this Caronavirus season, have used the podcast as a jumping-off point for small group discussions or even one-on-one chats with friends. That’s what it’s all about! Help us get the word out, and then keep talking.

 

300 FOLLOWS ON THE MIXTAPE!

 

Yes, it’s just a number, but we are excited to have passed the 300 Followers mark on the Spotify Mixtape. And yes, we know there are many more people that listen but don’t actually “follow” it. Here’s the thing, though. WE WANT MORE! The weekly mixtape is actually a critical component of this True Tunes vision of “listening to better music, and listening to music better.” It is a tool that helps our community discover new music, reconnect with classics, and respond to events of the day spiritually. And if someday we are able to gather together in person, this mix will have helped the tribe know who they want to see perform at something like that. If you’ve been listening this year you may have discovered new, or new-to-you artists like Hannah Miller, Apollo LTD, Liz Vice, or Roemer. A couple of younger listeners just discovered The 77s for the first time! And yes, there’s also the value of listening to a mix that combines so many different genres of music, and music that is definitely and clearly coming from a spiritual – or even specifically Christian perspective – with new tracks by Psychedelic Furs, Sia, or Beyonce that contain thoughtful, spiritually provocative lyrics and perspectives that might challenge you, shift your perspective, or give you something fresh to talk about with a friend or co-worker.

 

So – check it out, please. And if you follow – listen. If you listen, follow. Listen while you run, while you work, while you drive, while you work out, or while you sit in your basement building model cars and motorcycles like I did when I was a kid! And – if you have suggestions of artists or songs we should be featuring LET US KNOW! We have added several new tracks this year thanks to suggestions from the community. I even turned the WHOLE LIST over to a listener once!

 

Thanks again for all of your support. We should be announcing something about a new Patronage program soon. You’ll be the first to know. J

 

The Electric Jesus Record Giveaway! 

Congrats to Brian McCaskey, winner of the first “Commando For Christ” 7″ single. We took the first 5 people to email me back with the answer to a question, which they would only know if they were following the True Tunes Gallery Stage Spotify Mixtape – and were randomized to win. This is the first song released from the soundtrack, written by writer / director Chris White and Daniel Smith (Danielson.) Only 316 copies of this record were made, and they are numbered – so when I say this is rare, I mean it. Oh – you can see the video HERE. (or see below) It’s been fun watching folks react to it today.

 

More will be given away in the coming weeks and months, along with other fun stuff. So watch your email.

 

If you missed the “Behind The Scenes” videos that were posted to the Electric Jesus Facebook Page last fall, they have posted them to YouTube now. You can see one that has an overview of my work as Music Supervisor, and one that takes us on-set to tour “Erik’s Bedroom” – a set that I helped decorate and that was inspired by my own bedroom back in 1986. And no, we still don’t have a release date for the movie, but it’s getting closer every day!

 

• JJT