Last month, while I was out in California, I got to take a break from the project I was working on (Arden Cho's debut album - I'll blog about that next week :)) - and I flew up to Northern California to see my good friends Lynne, Candy, Charlie, and the rest of the East Bay gang - and ALSO to collaborate with my new friends - TIM BE TOLD!

Lynne is a dear friend of mine from the East Bay area who has often raved about Tim Be Told, and spoke about them so much that it felt like I already knew them. Back in October, I went to watch Tim Be Told w/ Lynne for the first time and was blown away by how amazing each musician was in this band! I literally sat there and thought - "Seriously, what does an old 'has been' like me bring to the table when these guys who are almost a decade younger than me are way more talented than I'll ever be? I should just quit now while I'm ahead" - How many of you artists can relate?

After the show, I was about to head out, but Lynne insisted that I stay a little longer to meet the guys. They were surrounded by fans, and I didn't want to cut in line, so I said "Next time - they look busy!" - but Lynne insisted yet again, and then proceeded to tap the guys on the shoulder and pull them away from their fans for a moment so I could meet them.

*Humble brag alert* :)

When they saw me - to my surprise, their faces lit up, and the first thing Tim said to me was "Dude, I listened to you before I even started doing music - you're a trailblazer!". Ha! I warned you about the humble brag :) But in all seriousness and honesty, I share this part of the story because those words meant more to me than those guys can ever know. I really did almost ALL but give up on music at one point, and to hear those words come from these talented young guys that I instantly admired really was a bit of healing for the self-deprecating/doubting soul. The next day we all went out for frozen yogurt, laughed a lot, talked about music and mutual friends and talked about possibly collaborating one day to do a show. In less than 2 months after that discussion, we kept good on our word!

Andrew picked me up from the airport in Oakland, and suggested that we perform the song "Listen To Our Hearts" for youtube, and told me about a cool guitar arrangement he had recently come up w/ for that song. Immediately I loved the idea and wasn't surprised at all by the fact that Andrew also grew up on Steven Curtis Chapman and Geoff Moore. Don't get me started on Steven Curtis Chapman though - I can probably write a book on how much that guy inspires me!

So not only did I get to share the stage w/ Tim Be Told for a Christmas Concert that weekend, but now we also get to have an amazing keepsake in our little rendition of "Listen To Our Hearts". It was the perfect way to end 2012. The only way it would have been better is if Caleb (TBT's drummer) was there too!

Special shout out to Lynne and Candy Tsugawa for bringing us all together and for introducing us! Charlie Fujikawa, thank you for spontaneously taking on the job of videographer and editor for this video - you did an amazing job!

Tim, Andrew, and Caleb - so inspired by you three and I'm excited to hear more music from you guys (can't wait for the new album!) - but more importantly I hope our friendship will grow over the years as well. Thanks so much for the reminder to keep on keepin' on, and for the impeccable timing with which you delivered that message.

Steven Curtis Chapman / Geoff Moore - if you guys ever end up watching this, please know how much this song still means to us - y'all are our heroes!

Without further ado, enjoy "Listen To Our Hearts" - and Tim, I forgive you for singing better than me on my own YouTube channel :)

::CREDITS::

Vocals by Tim Ouyang and Guitar by Andrew Chae of TIM BE TOLD
Arrangement for "Listen To Our Hearts" by Andrew Chae

TIM BE TOLD:

Website - http://timbetold.com/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/timbetold
Twitter - https://twitter.com/timbetold

Subscribe to them on Youtube:
http://www.youtube.com/user/timbetold
http://www.youtube.com/user/andrewchaemusic

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