This is a video I recorded on March 4, 2010 while touring Trinity Cathedral in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. We were very fortunate to hear the cantor and chorus rehearsing the deggua or “church song” in the cathedral. The video also shows the beautiful stained glass windows and the tomb of Haile Selassie.

The sacred music of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church is very old. The hymnary is attributed to Saint Yared, a scholar who lived in Aksum in the 6th century. This is perhaps the most astonishing thing about our journey toward adoption because Deacon’s “finding place” was in front of Saint Yared Music School in Addis Ababa in 2006. I don’t think it was a coincidence that my profession/livelihood/calling happens to be church music and that is where Deacon was found! That news was an epiphany for me. Just as God had used music in my life to bring me into the faith and into a relationship with Him as an adopted son, God used a music school to make me a father and teach me about faith, love, and hope.

Learn more about Trinity Cathedral HERE. Learn more about Ethiopian Orthodox Liturgy HERE.

RSVP on the Facebook event page too!

Floyd & I had an enjoyable time playing at Warehouse Live on Sunday. Here are a few of the songs:

http://tinyurl.com/7cdtg5z

http://tinyurl.com/7jez5lg

http://tinyurl.com/7hnvpbz

I’ve got a short set with my friend Floyd Morris at Warehouse Live (Studio Room) on 1/30/11. Come out for a fun night and good music. Get your tickets here: http://tinyurl.com/7j8eks4

Save $3 with this PROMO CODE: CLAYTON883

The Wayfaring Stranger

The song “Amazing Grace” from Sunday 8/8/10 – featuring Clayton Faulkner (acoustic guitar/vocals) and Floyd Morris (electric guitar).

I’ve been organizing this benefit show for Living Water International for several months now, and it’s happening next week! If you’re in or near Houston, I hope you’ll come see us, hear some great music, and support a worthy cause.

DATE: Saturday, July 17, 2010
TIME: 7:00 pm
VENUE: Church of the Holy Trinity, 211 Byrne St., Houston, TX 77009 (MAP)
TICKETS: $10 in advance, $12 at door

Some really talented and wonderful folks are helping out: Randall Goodgame and Ross King.

Your support in any way is appreciated. Here are some ways to help:

• download the flyer, print it out, pass it around, post it at church or where you hangout (DOWNLOAD FLYER)
• blog about it, write a post, link to ShareTheWellConcert.com
• follow us on Twitter (@wellconcert), RTs are appreciated
• RSVP on Facebook, invite your contacts to attend, share the event on your wall

Thanks for the support – together we can improve the lives of others with clean water.