Inside Joke

A little bit about the new release "Christmas Presents"...

I had a few Christmas songs in the bag. A couple of songs previously appeared as bonus tracks and I even had recorded a few new ones over the years that have sat idle on my computer. At the end of last year, I made a goal to release a full-length Christmas album in 2019. I love Christmas music, after all, and it only seemed right that I release a Christmas classic for families to enjoy—as many have longed for Inside Joke music that can blast all 12 months of the year. (We all know that only Christmas music is allowed to be played October through December).

As the year churned, I had nothing. I had some great concepts from brainstorming sessions with Cassius Clay, but no songs to show for it. I even had music. Over the years, I would occasionally find a sound that seemed Christmasy. I had managed to compile several tracks that were perfect for an Inside Joke Christmas album, but I had nothing that seemed very funny or clever lyric-wise. Time was ticking.

In my alternate universe known as real life, our family was met with a surprise. Child number six was on the way! Not long after learning this news, we found that our unborn daughter, Wylie, had a genetic disorder known as Trisomy-18. Uncertain if she would live, we headed to the UK Children's Hospital to welcome her into this world on May 8th.

Live she did! She exceeded all expectations. After a couple of months in the NICU, we were home for five wonderful weeks with her before she started to struggle with breathing. We headed back to the UK PICU where we would stay for over two months. During this time, Wylie had multiple procedures and open-heart surgery to repair three tiny holes in her tiny heart.

In the PICU one night, I felt as though the Joy of life was being sucked out of me. As quickly as that realization came over me, I remembered Paul’s words in Colossians 3:1-4:

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

As I was pondering this, my mind wandered off to a Christmas song idea from a year or so ago that centered on the idea of Joy and the failure of Christmas presents to provide real lasting Joy. Perhaps Beau's obsession with a Christmas present he wanted this year (yes in the middle of summer) had something to do with it, too. I sat down and after a few minutes on my laptop, I had a new Christmas song, "Joy."

Over the next several days at the hospital, the floodgates opened and several new songs emerged during late nights typing on my laptop next to Wylie. Those times were true moments of relief from the intensity of Wylie’s situation. I was able to squeeze in some time to record the songs while at home. My friend Kevin Schuer coming over to record his vocals provided me with some of the hardest laughter I have had in months ("Keep The Receipt"). Recording myself telling Karla to “fix me something to eat” on Christmas Eve while decked out in some ridiculous Christmas pajamas makes me laugh even now ("Christmas PJs"). I got a few hard laughs out of challenging Nate to be more dramatic as he performed his Spanish lyrics ("La Misa Del Gallo"). As always, Clay cracked me up hard while lending his vocal talents to several tracks (“Fruitcake,” “Butter Dem Rolls,” and “Yule Log”)! I think Karla even had enjoyed the comedic relief recording improv on "Cardboard Christmas (Intro).”

So today is the day that I had planned to hit the "send" button and officially release these Christmas Presents to the world (and I use the term “Christmas” loosely). Yet, last night while finishing things up, we had to return to the hospital after Wylie had her first experience with seizures. As I write this, I’m back on the hospital floor where I was before with Wylie when God reminded me of the Joy that comes only from Christ—only from setting our minds on the things above and looking beyond the sadness and absurdity this world… even the absurdity that has become “Christmas” these days. I’m reminding myself of this great truth again as I hit the “send” button officially on yet another collection of foolish songs. And to be sure, the joy of Christ is not the same as being able to laugh at funny stuff. But the joy of the Lord may be the only means by which we can laugh in the middle of pain.

Christmas Presents is dedicated to Wylie and the UK Children's Hospital staff, who has saved her life on multiple occasions…including last night! She is our Christmas present! I prayed she would be home for Christmas this year and, as I type today, I still have the faith and confidence that will happen! She is the gift from God who has reminded us of His real power to heal, to save, and to even deliver real joy in the middle of the most difficult of times. I look forward to laughing with her this Christmas at home as we try to break through into the mystery of Christmas and celebrate the God that made her perfect in His image! Yes, the God that came to earth as a lowly baby, grew up to display the love, grace, and joy of God to a broken world. I’m not sure if you will get any of that out of these goofy satirical songs (it would be stretch to do so… I’ll admit), but if laughter is the best medicine, then perhaps they will bring a little healing to you and your family this Christmas!

The Destination Is the Journey,

Inside Joke

(a.k.a. Gavin Duerson)

November 4th, 2019