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Audrey Assad

She held us like putty in her hands. When someone really has a special gift, when a musician has some offering to make, the best thing she can do is invite you along. And that's what she did. There's a magic that happens when you trust a musician; there's a special friendship between audience and performer where it doesn't matter what they sing and play; you'll go with them, and them with you. It's more than being a fan, but it's not less than that.

It was mostly new material, but the thing is, it didn't feel like new material. It felt like we knew this, like we understood where it came from. It was a very intimate setting, no band, no guests, no big production. It was Audrey, a piano, and us, her new friends.

And I think I understand that you have to earn the right to ask the audience to sing with you. She earned it. And the thing we sang was off-the-cuff, she said. We sang: "Lord, I need You/Oh, I need You/Every hour, I need You/My one defense/My righteousness/O God, how I need You!"

She pulled it out of us. You're living in a moment, and you realize, "I'm supposed to sing this, right now, right here." Not because someone told you to sing it, but because your heart is already singing it. That's what we call a moment.

The truth is, I am a huge fan. But everyone has those people in popular music. You get it. You feel like they get you. It's a wavelength, and it just works. New, old, doesn't matter. Audrey is one of those people for me. Like George Strait. [You just compared a semi-famous Christian singer to a legend of music.--ed.] Yes, I did. Because she's that good, for one, and because the bond between performer and audience doesn't need outside validation.

Then, I met her. I think I said, "I love your music, and thanks for coming!" I was worried at first what I would do. But my friends all said I played it cool, like I've done this before, which I have. Still, inside, I was going crazy. I don't think she realizes how much good she has done, and how thankful we are for her musical creations. She was genuinely surprised that we came. What? Are you serious? I haven't listened to someone this much since Rich Mullins. And I need to remind you that I hate Christian music.

What a great night! I'm feeling hopeful again, and my love-affair with music is proven once again vindicated.

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