Honestly, I'm not sure it was the keytar either

Sorry for the fews days without posts - a busy weekend, an annoying head cold...  well, you understand.

Thanks to Erin B who brought the pictured hot keytar-related item to our attention.  I (Orin) will be sure to wear it next time I'm stuck in the bathtub.  (That's an inside joke, that bathtub bit there.)

NCCYM 2008 Promo Video

The NFCYM has also just posted a promotional video for the NCCYM (adult conference) this December in Cleveland.  Both members of Oddwalk (along with many of our friends of course) make brief appearances.  View the whole video at this page.

The music underscoring most of the video is a live performance at the last NCCYM by Matt Maher of "Your Grace is Enough."  In the middle of verse 1, just after "... keep us apart" we get an extreme closeup of Shannon's already slightly-larger-than-normal head.

Ironically, at "... all God's people sing along" one is able to view a brief action clip of a wigged-out Orin "Jammin' with Jesus."

Lots of other photos, clips, friends, music and such are featured in the quick video.  Check it out!

Shrine Youth Day Pics

Here are a couple pics from the Shrine's Youth Day Celebration the end of September:

Orin, who was also singing in a choral concert Sunday, wore his tuxedo for a special performance of "Just Because You Can."

Mike Patin joins in a performance of "Jesus is My Friend" - coincidentally, our YouTube video of that song (a different performance) is now well over 5,500 views, and is being viewed more often than ever, now one view every 5.5 minutes...  Sheesh.

Orin's new favorite keytar action shot.

Notice how the pants are completely unripped.

For more photos, visit our facebook group page, where Erin B has uploaded a number of shots from the weekend.  Thanks to all Happy Shriney People for a great weekend!

We may end up using this line

Another post thanks to Mike Patin! We had already noticed the comic strip Toothpaste for Dinner, mostly becuase of this keytar-themed panel:

Today Mike alerted us to this recent panel, below.  The band looks vaguely familiar, and we may have to start using that line at our appearances:

Mad Keytar Skills

Somehow this TV ad for Monday Night Football slipped past Orin's Keytar-Radar. Thanks to Mike Patin for the heads up!

Not exactly a keytar

Orin's friend David introduced him to this quirky comic strip, and made sure he noticed today's panel (above).  For those wondering, those are Biff's eyebrows.  I don't know.

Another Convert

Apparently Ben Folds has hopped on the keytar bandwagon too (video).

What hath God wrought?

Erin's Birthday Weekend

Orin's wife Erin celebrated a birthday on the 18th. Here are a few pictures of the celebrations.

The night before her birthday, Orin and Erin stayed at HoteLumiere, which is not the new hotel Erin is sadly pointing at in the picture.  We thought it was, but oh well.  We did have a good time though!

On Sunday, Erin planned a big bingo extravaganza.  Earlier in the afternoon, Many folks came over to prepare by eating lots of food and decorating bingo bags.  Here's Erin and Elise.

Guess who made this bag.

Then later it was off to bingo at St. Stephen's in Caseyville, IL.  We took over two tables with 18 or so people.  No one one, though Katie did have a "wait" (being one number away) on the final game, a cover-all with a $500 prize.  At the above table was Orin (taking the picture) and Br. Ricky, "Aunt" Peggy, Mom Pam, Jennifer, Jason, Br. Ray, and Emily.

At this table were Pete, Danielle, Katie, Megan, Brad, Jolene, The Birthday Girl, Erin C, Elise, and Stefanie.  A good time was had by all (we think)!  Happy birthday Erin!

Can a day get any better?

Today Orin (& Erin) purchased two items.

A red, Roland AX-1 keytar!

and

Two iPhone 3G's! (though we won't be using them until the end of the month)

Ask, and ye shall receive

Since Shannon asked...

Anyone else care to try?

Festival of Faith Pictures

The Diocese of Orlando, Fl Festival of Faith a couple weeks ago brought in 3,100 8th-12th graders, and 30,000 people overall! They posted a few pictures of us in a slideshow at their site, here they are, as best as we can show them:

Young people streaming into the convention center - even though word had gotten out by then that we were there.

We think that's us on stage.  That appears to be Shannon's large head on the comparatively small jumbotron, anyway.

Orin about to embark on the "squirm around on the ground" portion of his big keytar solo.  No pants were harmed (this time) in the making of the big keytar solo.  Theo looks amused.

The big keytar solo comes to a fitting end - note the video camera which appears to have gotten the perfect shot.  We're not sure if he or the palm trees enjoyed the solo as much as Theo.

Keep Practicing, Son!

Once again, more proof that Noah Cerneka is a Keytar Superstar in training (Erin Hammond and her mom Pam help with conditioning while friend Elise Ainsworth-Bryson looks on):

(Taken at the Oddwalk Christmas/CD release Concert, January 2008)

Catholic Schools Week 2008, Immaculate Conception, Columbia, IL

Oddwalk performed a concert Thursday night (as the snowstorm began) in Columbia, IL. Thanks to Oddwalk fan Nick who took these photos (and more) of our appearance!

Here, Shannon surprises everyone with the big solo in the middle of "Just Because You Can" - usually, that's Orin's job.

Orin strikes one of the classic "Wanna Be A Rock Star" Keytar Solo poses.  The pants remained intact – this time.

The concert ended with a usual "Matilda the Gorilla" Oooh-Oooh-Ah-Ah-a-long.

Thanks again to all who braved the weather to come out last night, and for all the folks we saw over Catholic Schools Week: Jefferson City MO, Troy MO, O'Fallon, IL, and Columbia, IL!  O'Fallon MO, sorry we missed you today, but we hope you enjoyed the snow day, and we'll catch up soon!

Keytar Paradise - Update!

Well!  Mari, who created the keytar rap for us at NCYC forwarded to us the lyrics!  Watch the video again, and this time, sing along!  (Unfortunately, the video starts about half-way through...)



The Keytar Gangsta Rap
(to Gangsta's Paradise)

As I walk Port Dis 'covry
And I look at the booths
I find Oddwalk Ministries
And realize they're very smooth

They play the keytar
And even sing
You know you love keytar
It's the coolest thing!!

Been spendin' most our lives
Livin' in a keytar paradise
It's all fun and worship time
Livin' in a keytar paradise


Enjoy!! and God bless!!!
~Mari

Rock the Rock

Leaving the Comedy Club at NCYC a week ago, a young person threw a shirt at Shannon.  Orin was racing ahead and Shannon was in a hurry too as we had another concert appearance to get to right away.

Anyway, when we examined the shirt later, we discovered it had a picture of St. Peter on the front posing with a keytar!  Saturday was Keytar Appreciation Day after all!  The back has the LifeTeen logo and the parish of St. Peter's in Hoover Alabama printed on it.

The shirt is most awesome.

Thanks to whoever threw this shirt at us in celebration of Keytar Appreciation Day, especially all the young folks in Hoover, AL!

UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE!

Oddwalk sent a thank you message to the folks in St. Peters and heard back from their Youth Minister almost immediately.  Her message, like the shirt, is also most awseome!

Orin -

glad you are enjoying the shirt...the teens were really excited when they saw the keytar come out b/c we're probably the only youth group in the world that has a shirt featuring one! our youth group motto is "rock the rock"...and, from that idea we developed the idea that st. peter is The Rock and that he ROCKS! so, he ended up with a keytar b/c he holds the "keys" to heaven and the keys that rock heaven is obviously a keytar!

i'll pass on the message about your blog...the teens will be THRILLED!! thanks for all you do...keep it up!

peace.

Rebecca S. Rosko
LifeTeen Youth Minister
St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church

More NCYC 2007 Pics

More pictures from Columbus, OH - Thanks to Erin C and family!

The display for Oddwalk's new CD at the GIA booth

Orin tries to convince folks that keytars are cool.

The Oddwalk booth set up for a festive Keytar Appreciation Day

Noah forgot his spandex, but still rocked the keytar

The proud winner of the air keytar (also pictured: a shirt made just for the day)

Memories of NCYC 2007

Just before leaving, Orin got to visit his Ford Escort one last time and reclaim the license plates.

Orin's new car achieved 1,000 miles just before arriving in Columbus, OH.

The proud buyer of Walk Away Different CD #1! Oddwalk got to see the CD in person for the first time at NCYC.

GIA exec Michael Cymbala at the GIA booth just across from Oddwalk's. We have another picture we promised we wouldn't publish. Let's just say Michael was exploring his vocation options. Also, note the large Oddwalk CD hanging in the back.

Another GIA friend, Andrew at the booth.

Several participants posed for some pictures with the Oddwalk Keytar!

Best hairstyles of the conference!

Oddwalk friend Will from Omaha helps celebrate Keytar Appreciation Day




Another young lady even wrote us a rap for Keytar Appreciation Day, we think titled "Keytar Paradise" - Thanks!

If we get anymore pictures, video, etc. from NCYC 2007 and Keytar Appreciation Day, we'll be sure to let you all know! Check back here!

Keytar Appreciation Day 2007!!

Well, it's Keytar Appreciation Day 2007 - the first one ever! Oddwalk has been gearing up for it by giving away lots of stickers and fliers, and signing people up to win an inflatable keytar at our booth. Today, we have two big performances at NCYC, both featuring one of our Oddwalk keytars.

What are your doing to celebrate (we're looking at you, Marianne) - post it in the comments below! Happy Keytar Appreciation Day everyone!

PS - One way to celebrate would be to visit our new page, keytarsuperstar.com!

Oddwalk at NCYC

The Oddwalk caravan successfully arrived at NCYC in Columbus, OH earlier tonight. It was a long day - Orin got a chance to say goodbye to his beloved Ford Escort and watched his new Mazda 3 clear 1,000 miles (pictures of both to follow) among other things.

We'll have more updates as the days go by, but for now, we're tired, so we'll sign off. Stay tuned for more pictures, maybe some video, and all the excitement of NCYC 2007, especially Saturday, Keytar Appreciation Day!

November 10, 2007: Keytar Appreciation Day!

Oddwalk is proud to announce the nation's newest holiday - Keytar Appreciation Day, to be celebrated for the first time on Saturday, November 10, 2007.

No, we're not sure we can declare a holiday like this, but on the other hand, no one has told us we can't...

We'll be in the thick of things all weekend at NCYC as the holiday passes - how will we celebrate? We'll need your help:

• Get your picture taken with the Oddwalk Keytar!

• We're giving away one inflatable "air" keytar - Free!

• Free Keytar and Oddwalk Stickers!

We're also performing twice on Saturday:

Comedy Club: God! You Crack Me Up!

GCCC: Hall C, 2:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

and

The “Discover” Concert

GCCC: Battelle Hall, 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

With Paul Melley and Chris DeSilva, sponsored by GIA.

Our newest CD, "Walk Away Different" with GIA publications will be released that weekend as well! It promises to be a great inaugural celebration - so don't miss it!