Scott wants to sing at Carnegie

Scott needs help to get to Carnegie Hall and sing with Big Daddy Weave.

I'm Scott from NW Connecticut.
First let me say thank you for even checking my proposal, and special thanks to all who can assist.

     How and why am I trying to get to Carnegie Hall you ask? Well......I'll explain what's going on, and then get to the details of the why.
 
    Some of you have felt God directing or urging or sometimes pushing you to take a specific action. Whether you fully understand why, you trust in God and believe that He has "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." (Jer29.11). Did you fight this,  or did you allow God to direct you? What challenged you in following His plan? Attitude? Abilities? Confidence? or as for me...financial issues?

    I felt this 'push' to be more in line with the musical ability that God has gifted me with so I have committed to this 3-4 day trip in January 2018, which culminates by being part of a large background choir at a concert by Big Daddy Weave. Who is BDW you say (http://bigdaddyweave.com)? They are and have been for over 10 years, one of the top contemporary Christian music groups in the country. More on them later. The trip involves 4 days and 3 nights in New York, rehearsals, the concert, dinner cruise with the band and a Sunday church service at the Brooklyn Tabernacle.

Now the why....this gets long, and I apologize, but it's a part of my testimony and I wanted to explain it all.

Music has always been in my life. From junior choir in Jr. High school, Torrington Men's Choral Club, a couple of on stage parts (under duress) and then the choir here at Bakerville UMC (https://bakervilleumc.org) for public performances. Informal gatherings would frequently end up in song. 

A series of God-incidences over the last 15 years has led me to something different.

My mother introduced me to contemporary Christian music (Casting Crowns - American Dream) soon after they found a house in Florida. That changed my listening habits for a while. Then I got involved with Tres Dias (http://www.tresdias.org) and increased my involvement at church.

Then about a year ago, my sister mentioned KLOV radio (http://www.klove.com/), and how it showcased most of todays contemporary Christian music. After some months, I found a group called Big Daddy Weave that had some 'to the point' songs that struck at my heart. One in particular, 'Redeemed' led me to further research and I found a YouTube video where the lead singer (Mike) gave his testimony regarding the source of inspiration for the song (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=maG-oVULdgQ). His story of having issues with self acceptance was like a big bang going off in my heart. I finally had an answer to a lot of the issues that had been plaguing me. God finally found the right 2x4 to wake up me with!

So....during the summer while I visited Big Daddy Weave's website, I saw a notice about their concert at Carnegie...and they were looking for 200+ people for a choir as background. This was the latest God-incidence. I could feel a push to take advantage of the possibility, and here we are today.

The package deal is around $1500.00 and doesn't include meals (except for the aforementioned dinner cruise). I also need to acquire a complete black outfit of clothes, family is pushing me to acquire a cell phone of some sort for the trip(yes, I'm one of those), and I'd like to have a digital camera, nothing new or fancy, just enough to take all the pictures I'll want to share. Transportation to and from NYC has been researched and should only be about $20 each way. 
That's where the money is needed. I have had some help already but felt that with God leading me on this trip, I should explore all avenues of sponsorship. 

    (The long part of the story)
I had started watching more videos of Big Daddy Weave, and Mike had one where he explains the transformation of the whole band in relation to the song Redeemed. The fans at their concerts were responding to the new knowledge that they/we were all redeemed from their/our past. But the band realized that it's not only being redeemed from, we are also redeemed FOR something. I knew that God was telling me something. All of this revolved around MUSIC. I knew I could sing well, and I enjoyed doing it, but I was reluctant to 'show-off' in the spotlight so to speak. I never had the need or ego to go there. Part of what I'm realizing now is that God didn't give me this talent to keep to myself; He had a purpose for it, to share it with other people. Just as I had always been moved by music and songs, there were other people who could be reached that way also. So I'm starting to listen to God, and not be so reluctant to sing when I can.

    Again I want to thank all of you who got even part way thought this lengthy explanation. If you feel led to offer a donation...God bless you. If you feel led to pray for this to be a success, God bless you. If you feel led to give me a hug, God bless you. If I can figure out all the technology, I will find a way to thank any and all of you for your support.

God Bless y'all.