Can't You Hear Me Knocking - TBR

This might be the most fun the guys have had with a cover song... Don't miss this version of Can't You Hear Me Knocking by the Rolling Stones. We see some things in this song that are new for the band, like Victor on the bass guitar, Giuliano on rhythm guitar, Mike laying down the vocal harmonies and Matt picking up the Saxophone half way through the song.

Leave Your Lites On

Last Friday night The Black Raspberries reached way back to song from 2008 (a long time ago in high school years) and played Leave Your Lites On with a new bass player, Victor. The guys added some lighting for this performance at the Gas Light Cafe, which really helped with the video quality. The Gas Light continues to invite the guys back... so you'll have another chance to see them soon, as well as up coming shows at The Lucky Dog and other venues in the Worcester area.

Kaeley on Fox 25 Boston

Kaeley on Fox 25 Boston talking about her experience in Haiti.

WBZ on Mission E4

Another video clip of the Mission E4 Team was on the air earlier tonight during the 6 o'clock news on WBZ Ch. 4. Specifically it covers Kaeley and Taran, both in Haiti during the earthquake. There is also a companion written piece at this link. Read more about Mission E4's Disaster Relief Plan.

Scott's Disaster Relief Plan

Mission E4 needs to raise $100,000 by February 1st for the people of Haiti. Scott Long is the founder of Mission E4, which serves in Haiti and had a short term mission team on the ground during the earthquake.

I've known Scott all of my life. He used to play Risk with my dad at our kitchen table until the sun came up. As a 10 year old kid, I would wake up and wonder how they could have stayed up all night long playing a board game. Fast forward to today and you can find me playing Settler of Catan until the wee hours of the morning with my friends, many of whom have been colleagues in ministry. 20 years later... I get it. I remember riding along in Scott's little Isuzu pick up truck... He was the cool 20 year old guy that bothered to spend time with the corny 10 year old kid.

I sat down at Starbucks with Scott last year. I wanted to know how he was doing personally. I wanted to get to know more about his growing organization, Mission E4. What I found, is a man and his family, who have given up on the American dream and turned their focus to God's calling here in the city of Worcester and around the world. Scott's organizational talents and leadership skills could be used to produce financial profits, but he realized that his call was different. He now leads an organization that serves here in Worcester and around the world in Albania, Kosova, Mozambique and Haiti.

Haiti is now in a struggle of survival and Mission E4 is in a unique position to get help directly to people who need it most. Mission E4 and Scott's family operate on a 'shoe string' budget. There are so many places to donate in the relief effort, most of them totally legit. However, if you've hesitated because you don't know enough about the organization, I urge you to consider donating to Scott's organization, Mission E4. Click Here to donate and to read more about their Disaster Relief Plan.

Read more here:

http://www.missione4.com/

Kaeley from Mission E4 talking about Haiti

Click Here for the full article from NECN.

E4 Team is Returning from Haiti

Holden Chapel received word that the Mission E4 Team is on their way home:

Saturday - Good News! I received word today that the E4 team is boarding a missionary plane in Haiti and flying back to Florida today. They will be bused to Miami and will catch a flight back to Massachusetts tomorrow morning! Thank you for all your prayers and concerns. Keep praying for the many, many others who are missing, injured and dying in Haiti. Lord, have mercy.

Saturday PM - E4 team has returned to Miami!

Mission E4 Update from Haiti

Click here to read an update from Scott Long: Haiti Team Updates

Mission Teams in Haiti

I am so overwhelmed after seeing the images of devastation from the earthquake in Port-au-Prince and the surrounding areas in Haiti. I'm truly at a loss for words but I did want to pass on some information about local organizations already on the ground to aid in preexisting conditions in this poor country.

One organization based out of central Massachusetts is called "Mission E4" and led by a long time friend Scott Long. He and 36 others from this area are in Haiti and were there during the earthquake. They are all safe at this time. Please pray for the continued safety, provisions of food and shelter, and that God would use them to aid Haitians in need. I'll be sure to pass along any updates as I receive them via Twitter and here on the blog.

Another organization many in the area are also very familiar with is New Mission founded by The DeTellis family. Tim DeTellis has been able to assess some of the damage done there. Everyone is safe, however they have damage to numerous facilities including a now structurally compromised medical clinic. Follow their updates at their website and Twitter page.

Also, please continue to monitor the SoulFest Facebook page for more information on "Mission of Hope Haiti" with which the SoulFest is partnering for fund raising and relief efforts. Also follow along for update on several members of the SoulFest family including Roger that have trips planned to Haiti.

Rock & Roll - TBR

The Black Raspberries recently played this Led Zeppelin tune at the Gas Light Cafe in Dudley, MA. I had the pleasure of using an Sony HD camera to shoot this video (thanks Kelly!). As you can see, the guys have been really working hard on their live performances and this has been one of their favorite songs to cover. Their new original material has been recorded and mastered and the CD will be out sometime this year! In the mean time, enjoy this version of Rock & Roll!