Words and Music Archives - Tony Funderburk

In 2008, I was part of a pro life group in Colorado that actively advocated for the abolition of abortion. And, believe it or not, that’s not the general consensus in the “pro life movement.” Typical pro life organizations have become compromising cash cows. And their policies have created complicated schematics for how to kill unborn children. Because they forget that unborn chi...

A fairly impressive milestone slipped by me this past week. And that’s even though I told myself to not let it slip past me. What was the milestone, you ask? Well, thanks for asking. Right here, on my humble little website…my humble little blog…there are over 2000 posts now. And I was gonna make some sort of a special deal. But it’s too late now. So, I’ll just share 2...

If you’ve been following along with me here at TonyFunderburk.com for a while, you might recall that I spent a year in Nashville. Yeah, the one in Tennessee. Elgielene and I went there, after a couple of years on the road, because I wanted to make the songwriter rounds. And, as it turned out, Nashville had (and probably still has) a lot of what they call “songwriters in the round.&#822...

I’ve mentioned before how I enjoyed superhero comic books when I was a kid. And I mentioned how I didn’t dive into them nearly as much as other guys I knew back then. And I bring it up, now, because it’s really something how comic book superheroes pop up even when you’re not looking for them. For example, I was looking up some hawk and dove information, today, and *pop*&#82...

Life. Love. And freedom. Hope. Bread. And water. Joy. And a rock-solid promise. Yeah, I’ve definitely got something to sing about. And when I say “sing,” that’s how I cheer. Because, for me, singing is the best form of celebration. So you might ask, “Well, what IS this something to sing about” And I might answer, “Well, well, well…I’m not goin&...

Elgielene and I were driving down the highway the other day, and we saw a small herd of longhorn cattle. And we both commented on how healthy they looked. We could tell it was at least partly because they were grazing in greener pastures than other cows in the area. But that didn’t stop one of the cows from poking its head way through the fence to graze on the other side. And that made me th...

“It’s not what you know, it’s who you know.” You’ve heard that more than once I bet. And it sure applies to Christian doctrinal differences. Because I see it more and more, with each passing year, how Christians put words and actions into God’s mouth and hands that He didn’t (and doesn’t) do and say. In other words… There’s a ton of what...

Oh, the dreadful misery. The likes of which the world might never see again. And it’s a miracle anything or anyone survived it. Of course, I’m talking about the Dark Ages of the world of art. It was the time of Homer. And the fall of Troy…say it ain’t so, Ma. And the golden Mycenean culture had basically faded away. Innovation did, too. Or so they (and who are they?) say. B...

They sure had some silly lyrics in the hits from the 50’s. For the most part it was one innocent song of love after another. Love Is A Many-Splendored Thing – You Make Me Feel So Young – When I Fall In Love – I Only Have Eyes For You – Those are just a few of the top 100 hits from the 50’s. Of course you had the occasional less than innocent song, too. After all...

Do you speak Psalms? And how fluent is your Hymns? Or what about Spiritualese? What’s that you say? You don’t speak any of those languages? And you don’t even believe they ARE languages. Well, I guess, technically, they aren’t languages. But you could speak to me in any one of them if you’d start with a melody in your heart. But you can’t speak to me that way if...

Ode to Joy is a musical and spiritual alloy. Even if Ludwig didn’t mean it that way. And of course, I’m talking about Beethoven’s Symphony #9. Or at least a section of it. If you wanna give your brain a revitalizing vacation, listen to the whole symphony: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t3217H8JppI  Or you can go to the Ode section here: Imagine composing an Ode to Joy when you&#...

Yacht rock. Of course, I had no idea I was listening to music from that genre. And that’s mainly because it wasn’t called yacht rock at the time. Plus, to be completely transparent on this matter (as is the odd trend these days), I never heard of that term until this morning. Yacht rock is supposed to be the “West coast” sound of the 70’s and early 80’s. And app...

Yesterday was that day. Today is that day. And tomorrow will be that day. And by “that day” I mean the day somebody was talkin’ about when they said they’d do, be, or try something. You’ve said it. I’ve said it. Most everybody has. Does it sound familiar? “Someday I wanna try (fill in the blank). Or how about, “Someday he/she will be sorry.” Ye...

Even if you’re not familiar with the world of copywriting, you probably read some every day. Because copywriting is the act of using words to sell. That’s the simple definition. And a guy I’ve been following for over 30 years, Bob Bly, wrote the book on copywriting. Several books to be more accurate. He and I connected on a business social network. And this morning I saw a post,...

Which is more important? More essential? And more vital to human endeavors? Peace or liberty? If you chose peace, go sit down in the back of the class and think about what you just did Mr. Man. Or Missy Miss. Because when, in the course of all human events, did peace throw off the shackles of tyranny? Now, it would certainly be primo if we didn’t have to choose between peace and liberty. But...

One of my biggest honors was sharing the stage, at a pro-life event in Denver, Colorado, with Alan Keyes. In case you’re not familiar with him, he’s the former ambassador to the UN under former president, Ronald Reagan. Mr. Keyes gave his speech through my Bose sound system. And I sang some original music before and after the dinner. Yes, meeting him was one of my biggest honors. But n...

Horse songs tend to have catchy rhythms. I guess it’s because of the hoofbeats. *rimshot* Thanks folks. I’ll be here all week. Be sure to tip your bartender and waitresses. Yes, I said waitresses. Don’t git yer stirrups all tangled up, pawtnuh. So, here’s the reason I brung up horse songs. Yesterday, Elgielene and I watched a video of Kristi Noem speaking. Regardless of how...

It’s true. We Christians have a different perspective on life. So, we think different thoughts from the rest of the world. And that’s because we know ideas can have eternal consequences. So, we should think a different way. With a clear head. And with wisdom. Because it’s for sure that so-called “intellectuals” are constantly on the lookout for ways to trip us up. Way...

Even in this ridiculous and weird time in history, dreams come true. Not all. But enough of them that it still counts when somebody says “if you work hard, you can still achieve your dreams.” But right now you might be making someone else’s dreams come true. And that’s OK if you’re serving your fellow man. Because when you serve your fellow man, you can pursue your dr...

We just watched an old Joel McCrea western last week. And that’s for one reason. Because there are no new Joel McCrea westerns. Joel moved on to that big ranch in the sky many moons ago. But that’s not actually the reason we watched the movie. It’s because we like his movies. And we like the good ol’ westerns. Because they remind us of how awesome America used to be. And co...

The good ol’ American can do attitude. Remember that? If you’re only a couple of decades old (or less), you might not. But it’s what truly made America a force to be reckoned with. Because when you have a nation of people who believe most anything, do-able, is possible, watch out. That’s why it’s so sad, to me, to look around and see so many people so scared of life....

At some point of the year in 1990 or 91, my wife and I lived in Tulsa Time for a couple of weeks. Tulsa, Oklahoma to be exact. And that’s because I was booked in a snazzy hotel to provide live music. It was a very pleasant stay. Because the people were so nice to us. In fact, there was a nice, retired couple, Tom and Norma, who came in several nights, during the booking, and danced. And they...

I’m able to change my mind. And you read that and probably think something like, “Wow. That’s so deep, Tony.” But it IS deep. Because it means I’m not a robot. There’s no one pushing buttons making me do what I do each day. Good stuff or bad. I can choose to do bad. And then turn right around and choose not to. Whichever way I go, it’s my choice. And you c...

Time flies. And time drags. And yet it’s all the same 24 hours every day. But circumstances are what can make those hours feel like they last forever. Or pass by in the blink of an eye. And events can happen to help you remember the day. Or cast it out of your head forever. It was 12 years ago, today, a little two year old girl lost her battle with cancer. And I didn’t know her. Didn&#...

Laughter and love. Could there be anything better than those two things? And that’s a rhetorical question of course. Because they both are awesome examples of human connection to God. But before you click away, or stop reading and listening to what I’m talking about, try this… 15 seconds of laughter…and love how it feels. But don’t do it in public. You’ll look l...