Hey Fans, Friends & Fam...

My brother, Micah Nightingale, lives in Nashville and fronts a band called "God's Lonely Man." Check them out at their Myspace page or their official site. They're a GREAT band, and they're in the running to be able to perform at Cornerstone this summer. Would you please vote for them? Head to this page and vote... THANKS! I would really appreciate it.

Oh, and don't forget about me... Ugur and I are playing out locally and looking to book more gigs this summer! Also seeking a drummer, so if you know of a cool Bay Area drummer, lemme know!

Cousin Daniel had a birthday party yesterday, so we thought it would be a good opportunity to do something we've talked about for a while... send the big boys on a plane by themselves. They're in Simi Valley with their grandparents until Tuesday. It was a little strange, but Southwest made it really easy for us. We were able to take them all the way to the gate and then they pre-boarded them, so it was really smooth. Grandma and Grandpa were able to meet them at the gate on the other side. So far, so good. The flight was great, the party was fun, they watched Harry Potter IV today with Uncle Dominic and Aunt Lisa... Good times.

On our end, it's just so easy. Something about having only two kids... Yesterday we actually went on a bike ride to Key Market and bought butter. Tonight we went out to Max's after Sunday At 6. It's just calm and simple. One kid per adult. Maybe that's the winning ratio. Zach and Emmy certainly are enjoying the extra attention. We kept them up super late tonight. I'm hoping that they'll sleep in a little bit tomorrow.

Welcome to the world, my newest little niece! It's really a wonderful place, full of ice cream and mountains and butterflies and sunshine and puppies and kisses and all kinds of great things. Sure, sometimes things are rough, but you have a great mommy and daddy, an awesome big brother, and a sweet big sister. Most important, you have a God who is crazy about you and will walk with you every day of your life. Follow Him, Sweetie, and you got it made.

Look who's back... I remember a crazy month when I was trying to blog literally every day. I think I've blogged 3 times in the last 6 weeks. Sheesh.

Part of what's kept me away is the sneaking suspicion that I have nothing to say. But that's just my inferiority complex speaking. In reality, I have far too much to say. How can I whittle it down to something readable? Do the words I type really make a difference, or am I just an exhibitionist, revealing my life for cheap thrills? Who cares? Who reads this thing anyway? My thanks to the few who have emailed and wondered where I'm at and what's going on. I appreciate your interest.

OK, to start: It's Wednesday morning in Redwood City, California. I'm sitting in my favorite plush chair in the Woodside Rd. Starbucks. My beautiful new (church-issued) Dell Latitude D610 laptop is, appropriately, atop my lap. I'm plugged into iTunes and listening to a random assortment of songs. Currently playing: Tara MacLean "Hold Me Jordan" from the "Lilith Fair: A Celebration of Women in Music" album. Upcoming artists include Lone Justice, Sarah Masen, Sufjan Stevens, Jeff Buckley, the innocence mission, Michelle Shocked, Kevin Max, Jane Siberry, Evan Dando, k.d. lang, Sam Phillips and Ryan Adams.

Music... That seems to be what I keep circling around to. That seems to be the whole point of this website and my whole calling and passion. SO, music: If you look in the concert listings secion of this site, you'll notice that there are SOME SHOWS LISTED! Yes, my loyal readers, Matt Nightingale is going on the road. It's cool when God shows up and provides something you've really needed in a really perfect way.

Oh man... I love this song. "I'll Cover You (Reprise)" from Rent. Original Broadway Cast.

So, back to MN in concert. I'm partnering with a cool guy named Uğur Taner. (Say it with me, everyone... "OOOO-wer." Leave out the "g.") He's a great guitarist who really gets my music and brings a lot of his own style and passion to it. I'm excited to be working with him. If you Google him, you'll find out what his other passion has been over the years... He's awesome. So join us sometime... Hear the music live. It's always a cool experience to hear it breathe a little bit. I'm proud of the recording, don't get me wrong... Just love the freedom of performing live.

Speaking of performing live: Luanne and I got to see the Manhattan Transfer in concert Friday night at the Fox Theater in Redwood City. I have loved this group since I was in junior high and discovered their "Vocalese" album at the library. They really are amazing singers and performers, and it was an honor to see them after being such a huge fan for 20+ years.

What else? I have a budget meeting in about 40 minutes, so I gotta wrap this up.

The kids are great. Josh and Jake are heading to Simi this weekend. On a plane. By themselves.

Oh yeah, two very important and big things...

I'M AN UNCLE AGAIN! My sister Sarah is the proud mommy of her third child, Lydia Rose Gingrich, born yesterday morning. Congrats to Andy and Sarah, big brother Alex and big sister Maddie!

My brother Micah has a band called God's Lonely Man. They're really great, and they just released their latest EP. Please check them out here or here. The music rocks. Micah is a stud.

Okay, enough for now. I'll see if I can do this more regularly. Peace out.