FAVORITE SONGS - 2024

Hello Luna at Kingdom Come Festival

 This is the third song list I have, and like last year I'm making it a top 20. A lot of good songs. Once again, I'm putting them in alphabetic order.

Before I start, I will comment that I've discovered a lot of good bands and singers I was unaware of until 2024 - ten of them, to be exact. A couple were introduced to me on Glenn Remsen's Lithoscry broadcast, and several more via my connections with Always 1 Ministries which puts on Kingdom Come Festival. However, there's also one "old-timer" who made it on the list. I'll let you figure out who that iconic band that's joining more recent groups on this list.

Allow me to mention some highlights with the performances. I had the honor of seeing two of my favorite drummers to watch on Saturday morning: Mark McKowen of Divine Martyr and Christian Dunkel of Undefeated. These two bands and I Am The Pendragon, Reclaim the Day, and True Revival put on a great show as usual. There were great times of worship led by With Lifted Veils and BRVVE, But the show that blew me away was Hello Luna.

So here's the list of songs that blessed me this year. I'll put asterisks by the artists I've just been introduced to this year. I'll also include a link to my list on Spotify.

• "Above All Names" by Mr. Weaverface.*
• "Absolution" by Divine Martyr
• "Buried On The Inside" by Hello Luna*
• "Come To Forever" by Counter*
• "Cost Me Nothing" by Steph Andrews*
• "Enter The Light" by Counter
• "Fight, Fight, Fight" by Worhol
• "Help Us See Jesus" by Sovereign Grace Music
• "Life Inauthentic" by Worshipwired*
• "Lighthouse" by Crystoria
• "My Path To Walk" by David Pataconi. This one is my favorite of the year. The more I hear it, the more I'm moved, especially knowing the challenges Pataconi is facing. By the way, while this is the first time you've seen Pataconi's name on the list, I'm not including an asterisk because he's part of a band that made last year's list, and coincidentally (I promise) that band is the next entry on the list.
• "Overthrow" by TheoTerran
• "Paper Kingdoms" by Steph Andrews
• "Rise" by Undefeated
• "Rumble" by Tierra Vacia;* They also have an unplugged version; I'm including both on the playlist link.
• "The Declaration" by End of I,* featuring Deshiel Lynn*
• "Time To Go" by McKenna*
• "When We Were Kings" by Stryper
• "You Raise Me Up" - AL-TIRAH*
• "You Won't Ever Abandon Me" by Allie Crummy*

As said, here is the link to the playlist if you want to be blessed... I mean, if you want to hear the songs on my list.. Also, I'm waiting to see which songs I listened to the most this past year, and will be sharing that early next year.

INTERVIEW WITH MUSICIAN DAVID DIXON, AKA RIDDLE ME THIS?

 

JR: My all-time favorite fictional villain - be it of movies, TV, comic books, or novels - is Frank Gorshin's Riddler on Batman, so of course I’m intrigued by your name. How did you choose that name, and what is the relation between the moniker and your music?

DD: Im a Big Batman Villains Fan and the Riddler is one of my favorites. He even becomes a good guy in one storyline. So Riddle Me This came from my own salvation story. Asking the important questions instead of relying on my own intellect and reasoning. Is there really a God? Who is He? Parables are also a kind of Riddle but one in which Jesus gives us the answers to.

JR: How did you come to know Christ, and what got you into music?

DD: I grew up Baptist and went to church off and on throughout my life. I didn’t really care one way or the other for Jesus but I absolutely hated Christians. I believed in a God just didn’t care too much about Him. Then I discovered the world of Lucifer: Mild Devil Worshipping, Ouija Boards, Ghost Hunting, etc. During that time and completely unbeknown to me I became a Minister for Satan, ordained and sent out to the world just like a Disciple of Christ is. I wasn’t aware that I had become a Satanic Minister, but that’s how it works. People most of the time have no idea the work they do for Satan. At the bar where I worked, I was a DJ so I got paid to party and go home with women. I had a great life. I was a celebrity, a small town Rockstar. Go to Church? Why? They were all bigots and hateful self righteous jerks. Why would I ever want to go there? 

So I’d be at the bar and hear someone mention going to Church or talking about Christianity or Jesus and Bam! I was all on them, “Hey let me tell you about real freedom”. “Come with me, I'm fun, we’ll have a great time. Jesus isn’t real let me tell you why. etc.” I had no idea that this is exactly what a Satanic Evangelist does, but there I was out there ministering. 

Long story short I met a girl, Wanted to break up with her, she was way too good for me. Good also meant very boring to me as well. Ended up staying (that's a whole story too lol); I knew she was a Christian and always told her why that was wrong. I was going to prove that Christianity isn’t real and it's the worst religion. I get on You Tube and see some Bible prophecies that I remember coming true. I did something I never thought of before and simply asked God who He is and if He’s real. I told Him if He’d tell me in a way that HAD to be Him and couldn’t be explained away by anything rational, then I’d follow Him forever. 

Next thing I know I leave my living room and I am in the presence of Jesus Christ. It’s just black I can’t see anything, but I know I am in the presence of God. He showed me who I was, all the wicked vile and evil things I had done against Him and His Children. I'm crying, I see it. I feel what I've done but then I feel something I can't even describe just Love. I tell Him I’m so sorry I didn’t know. I tell Him I’ll follow Him. He tells me I'm forgiven and that I'm gonna minister for Him now. I never even had to ask “Who are You?” I didn’t know the verse correctly then but It just hit me as all this is happening, “My Children know My voice.” The actual verse is “My sheep hear My voice and I know them.” 

That entire encounter felt like a really long time but it probably was only about 30 seconds to a couple minutes. When I felt myself kind of come to back to my living room I’m a Christian. Its so surreal how 30 seconds prior to that I hated all Christians and now I am one. Truly the old man was put to death and I arose in Christ a new creature. If people would only seek Him out, just ask Him. One simple question was all it took. He will reveal and prove Himself, and after that surrendering your life to following His will doesn’t seem so crazy. In fact just the opposite, you realize that there really isn't any other way. 

As for the Music. I have been playing music since I was a kid. I have always loved music. Singing came later on but once I realized I can sing it started to turn me into an arrogant egotistical rockstar in my own head. Now that I write and sing songs for Jesus it makes it more fulfilling and purposeful. Following Him and learning to be more like him and less like me puts the ego to bed. Its not about me, never has been, never will be. Everything is His and for Him. 

I will say the Music journey for me as a Christian has been hard, emotionally stressful and draining at times, it's not been easy. Having to step down from platforms that would catapult my fame and career. Going from touring the USA in a Tour Bus and playing on stage with some of the bigger names in Christian Music, to being the cleaning guy at a tiny church. It was like going from Green Day to Janitor. I have to follow HIS will though and not my own. Thats what I’m being taught and it's been painful at times, but this is the life of a Follower of Christ. Just because the world says you can have all the money and fame, it's right there for the taking. It’s been offered over and over, but you don’t want it. Not like that. Christians don’t need money, clothing, food, etc. We need God’s favor and blessing, we need HIM. If we follow HIM he will provide everything we need and more, but that my friends is easier said than done. READ YOUR BIBLE!!

JR: Could you tell us about your latest release?

DD: Sure. The latest release is "Go Out and Tell Them" and can be found on my youtube RiddleMeThis?BandOfficial or find me on facebook Riddle Me This Band.

JR: It’s not often I ask an interviewee about other organizations, but on your Facebook pages, I’ve seen a mention of two different items I’ve heard of else where: Broadhead Music group from several artists on Glenn Remsen’s Lithoscry Podcast and the Whosoever Church, which Amy and Seth Olsen from the band Counter mentioned. Would you be interested in letting us know more about them?

DD: Sure!! Broadhead Music Group is the record label I am signed to. There are I think 10 artists signed, maybe more, maybe less not really sure how many. Whosoever Church probably shares its name with several Churches and Organizations, but the Whosoever that I am affiliated with is just my very small Hometown Church located in Nahunta, GA. Although it does have a rather big online following.

JR: What are some of the biggest concerns you have for today’s world and/or today’s American Church, and how do you think God may use you for his glory in times like this?

DD: I think there are a lot of concerns happening within the American Church. I think the biggest problem is that the Gospel is not being Preached or Taught in the vast majority of American Churches. Apostasy is rampant everywhere with a lot of Churches ignoring scripture to accommodate sin and sinful lifestyles. We all like the salvation, forgiveness, love, and Heaven side of the Gospel; we start talking about Sin and Hell, though, and feathers start to get ruffled. Gotta be the WHOLE Gospel though otherwise Salvation makes no sense, What are we being saved from? I could go on for days about the lack of TRUTH and The Gospel in churches but this about sums it up along with Teaching what True love is and how to love like Jesus. I’m not saying we need more inflated religious Bible Bashers or Hell spewers and fear mongers either. Love like Jesus. Stand firm in Biblical Truth, but be gentle. Show love and compassion, the fruits of the spirit. 

JR: Thank you for your time. How can we keep in touch with you and your music? Any final thoughts you’d like to share?

DD: You can follow me on Facebook either David Dixon or Riddle Me This Band. We are living in serious times. It’s time to be serious about our walk with Christ. We won’t make it without him. It’s a dangerous and cold dark world out there. It’s getting colder, darker, and more dangerous; especially for us. There is only one light to follow and it’s up to us to follow HIM as close as we can, so that we can lead others to HIM as well. Hatred, Emptiness, Violence, and Death is all the world has to offer. There’s a lot of fun in Sin, but it’s not for us and it’s not worth it. When you sin, Repent and lean on him more. We are so weak, but being in fellowship with God is worth more than all the gold in the world. My Encouragement to everyone…READ 1 John it’s a short book but it helps in our walk with him, it also helps us to really understand why as well. 

Thank You, Jeff, for taking the time to interview me and thank all of you readers for the support and love!! For those that I am meeting for the first time, Hi I’m David Dixon Singer/Songwriter of Riddle Me This Music Ministry. Thank you and nice to meet you!! Thanks again Everyone!! I love you guys!! Keep your eyes on Jesus!!

INTERVIEW WITH AMY AND SETH OLSEN OF THE BAND COUNTER

Counter, left to right: Travis Whisnant (bass), Michael Fox (lead guitar), Amy Olsen (vocals), Seth Olsen (rhythm guitars), and Eli Roscoe (drums).

Late winter/early spring is the time of year that I get acquainted with new-to-me bands. I have the honor of interviewing Amy and Seth Olsen (referred to as A&S in the interview) of the band Counter. 

JR: Welcome to the blog! How did the band get started, who's all in it, and why the name "Counter?"

A&S: Hi, Jeff - thanks for having us. The initial band concept started a few years back (around early 2020/2021) when Seth started messing around with some initial song ideas/demos. Initially, Seth was working on more worship songs for my church band that I play with once in a while - but soon realized he was driven more to write heavier songs - for people who may never come to church.

As far as the name - Counter's name means "go against" which comes across lyrically in our music as we highlight upbeat/positive themes through down tuned heavy riffs, pounding drums and soaring catchy vocals hooks that lyrically go against the hate and derision in today’s world. We believe in going into the darkest places and bringing light and hope to others. 

JR: Would you like to tell us about your latest single? 

A&S: Our latest track is titled "The Darkness." This song was produced by Ricky Rodriguez and initial song structure was a collaboration we did with Colt Crevar - the guitarist of the band Forever May Fall (Charlotte metal core band) who works with many bands in the region. This song has done really well on streaming - one of our most popular - we are really proud of how it all came together in the final mix. The song’s message is that no matter how dark of a place you either end up in (or try to put yourself in on purpose) you can never hide from the Light, that the shadows still shine because the Light is near so you are never alone, and when you open yourself to that Light and accept it, you can begin to move out of that dark place and towards where (and who) you were meant to be.

JR: Looking at your web-page, you got your start during the middle of COVID. What were the challenges of trying to get established in that era, and how did you see God use that situation?

A&S: Covid was an interesting time: good in some ways to start a band who really had no original music. Venues were pretty much shut down - so we really had time to work on music and try to develop the sound and style along with finding the right members and work on a set list. We are focused on playing original music in our sets, so sometimes that is a challenge as many places are still more into cover type bands that will play the “hits” of a certain style and genre.

We still have challenges in setting up shows, but we have worked to partner with other bands to play shows with them which makes a difference. We really enjoying making new connections both with bands and venues. We think God is still using us in many ways including helping us create powerful music that people enjoy and in reaching out to new audiences and new bands - we are happy to offer hope and a helping hand to anyone.

JR: What would you say is the vision of the band?

A&S: We would say the vision or the mission is really the great commission and reaching out to others with love and mercy and showing them the Way. We are very much aligned with The Whosoever’s movement (same as Lacey Sturm, P.O.D. [Sonny Sandoval], Life & Death [Brian Head Welch] etc.) in reaching out to those in need - let them know they matter and that the Lord wants to meet them where they are and make their lives better.

JR: How can we pray for Counter? And are there any praise reports?

A&S: We are hoping to put together a large music fundraiser event this summer with bands on a similar mission to us. Be praying that it can all come together as we would like so that we can meet unexpected people in an unexpected place with an unexpected message of hope and mercy, especially those suffering under strongholds of addiction. Also pray that this show is something not where we may want to play and perform, but rather it is something the Lord wants that can be used to reach those looking for answers  but in the wrong places. Praise reports for us really are that the Lord has put the right people in our path to form the band (and all on the same mission) - the band initially was just us. Especially since we are based in a small town - not typically where a hard rock band may typically start from.

JR: What's on the agenda as far as touring and recording? How can we keep up with what's going on with the band?

A&S: As far as keeping up with us - really easy to follow us on Facebook or Instagram (where we are active) along with our website, www.counter.rocks For 2024 - we are playing around 1 show per month which can be found on our Bandsintown page and for recording we are going into the studio soon to work on our next single which is already fully developed. We are more into releasing singles (versus albums or EPs) and hope to put out a few this year but don’t have an exact timetable on that - plus we are self funded - not on any label - so takes some time to put funds together. Thanks again for having us - be sure to follow us on our Main Link Page, Instagram and Spotify!!

JR: Thank you for your time. Are there any other final thoughts you’d like to share?

A&S: One of the main things is we want people to know this is all real: Christ is real and He has real plans for their lives; that is is not about Churchianity or keep up with others expectations, but rather a true connection with a Savior who loves them and only wants the best for each person's lives. He is the one that can break chains of addiction - both things like drugs & alcohol - as well as things like social media comparitiveness where people are continually judging themselves to others and becoming more despondent and divisive, chained down by a vanity cycle loop that is all imaginary.