Trinity Baptist Martinez

Unspoken: 12/7/22 “You won’t typically catch me at a Christmas concert, as custom goes I settle into hibernation throughout December while stockpiling up on tickets for the following year’s shows. However Unspoken warrants an exception! It’s been way too long since we last saw the band in 2017 and I couldn’t let that happen again. ‘Again’ because the last two events I’ve had tickets to see the band didn’t happen (4/16/20 front row at the Miller Theater GA due to the pandemic, and 2/24/21 at Bon Secours Arena due to Chad testing false-positive that day). There is some history behind Michele & I seeing the Nashville band LIVE more than any other artist with humble beginnings going back to a 2009 Celebrate Recovery concert. When the band returned to our home state later that summer I fB messaged them that if they needed a place to stay overnight they could crash at our lakeside cottage. That’s exactly what they did (and not only one time), messaging back for directions after the show! We’ve all come along way since their meager traveling van was parked street side in front of our home in Wolcott CT to today! Billed as the ‘Awkward Family Christmas Tour’, I was looking forward to meeting the newest additions to the band, Zachery Smith (guitars) and Matt Calloway (keys). It was a Wednesday evening in Martinez GA just outside of Augusta, the first date of an 8 city mini-tour. The doors opened for general admission ticket holders at 6:20 and I hustled in for third row center seats (good view, good sound). The concert start time was slated for 7 p.m. however Daniel Mulkey worship leader for the host church was already in full swing performing with the auditorium filling fast. Daniel with his 2022 debut CD ‘Real’ proved an unannounced first rate opener collaborating on guitar with support from Tanner (last name unknown) for some impressive playing. The sold-out mostly local audience were one hundred percent engaged! …Continued in comments… …Continued from Caption 1… I caught a glimpse of the setlist as it was being taped on the stage floor just prior to the scheduled artist slots and I zoomed in with my camera for a pic. The thing I feared the most didn’t happen, the artists would each begin with a non-Christmas set much to my delight. The lights went down for opener Iveth Luna from Mesquite TX who took the stage for a three song set. With a strong voice and youthful energy she set the tone for the main event that would include multiple mini sets: Iveth first, then Jason Crabb (regular set), comedian Mickey Bell, Unspoken (regular set), Mickey Bell again, Unspoken (Christmas set), Mickey Bell, Jason Crabb (Christmas set), and rounding out the evening all artists together on stage. Jason Crabb quickly identifying with the audience via a ‘Go Dawgs’ shout drew from a variety of songs highlighted by his 2022 single ‘Good Morning Mercy’. Mickey Bell was a pleasant surprise, surveying the audience by denominational affiliation he brought us all together by finding humor in both our differences and our similarities. There was a serious side however as Mickey used the platform for a means of telling his own story. Bell one time dismissed as a Pastor of a Baptist church in Alabama had sunk into a deep depression that only the restoration God could provide brought him through. It was now Unspoken time! The band which has undergone numerous personal changes over the years boasts the core trio of Chad Mattson (vocals), Jon Lowry (bass), and Ariel Munoz (drums). Joel Rousseau formerly of the band ‘Carrollton’ filled in for Zach as he attended to his father’s health care needs. The 8 song regular set began with ‘Hard Times’ from their forthcoming anticipated July 2023 release. Chad took time to assure us how we as ‘Children of God can see the provision and the love of God sustaining us through all the hard times we go through!’ …Continued in comments… …Continued from Caption 2… The lead singer who will be celebrating 21 years of sobriety this coming February reflected back on his personal journey reading through a passage from the book of Ephesians. Back to the music, the hits built one upon another, ‘Higher’, ‘Good Fight’, ‘Start A Fire’, ‘The Cure’, all leading up to the #1 ‘Reason’! The band members celebrated their individualities in both their birth states and their ages: Maine, New Hampshire, Puerto Rico, DC, and Atlanta were represented. Each member chose a holiday song representing their decade of music and sang a chorus. Chad’s choice was from Mariah Carey (sung in her original key), Joel chose Springsteen’s version of ‘Santa Claus Is Coming To Town’, Jon’s was ‘You’re A Mean One Mr. Grinch’, and Ariel’s… well the ‘Macarena’ of course! The sound and lighting at times seemed overwhelming for the church setting and more suited to a theater. A number of times the audio ran a sustained 80-90’s on my decibel meter app —it was a must have earplugs evening for a seasoned concert attender such as I. Microphone issues also wove their way throughout the evening but were overcome as artists shared the mics amongst themselves. Mickey Bell consistently made the best of it improving jokes whenever the gremlins came calling during his sets. Early in the evening Michele had texted Jon that we were in the audience, he replied back that they would be hanging around after the show. We were able to catch conversations tracking down Ariel, Chad, and Jon at separate times and places. After five years and five months not seeing the band we were finally able to reconnect thanks to a special Christmas star bringing us back together —i.e. the bright and Morning Star Himself!” Review and photo by DAve (Concert #730)