Hey, guys! Went to the Oct 10th concert in Wylie, TX at Rita Smith Elementary and just wanted to give y’all a review of the awesomely talented, incredibly amazing one-man band that is... Mitch McVicker. (I know this is pretty long, but I wanted to hopefully share the whole concert experience with those who have not had a chance to hear Mitch live yet...)
When my nieces, Brittany and Katie, and I first got there and looked up at the stage, we saw a table set up and filled with all sorts of objects and wondered what it might be for...
A little after 7pm and after an introduction from Rick Moore, Mitch finally came out and the long-awaited-for and much anticipated concert began. Mitch started things off and got the crowd going with “Eenie Meenie.” Then, he went right into “The Lemonade Song,” which was really fun because at the end of the song there was what Mitch called “a participatory situation,” and he had us all snapping and singing “I got all I want” with him... and then we got to sing it backwards, “Want I all got I.” So much fun, but have to admit, it took me a little bit to get the backward part, though my nieces never skipped a beat. :) After that, Mitch sang “Upside Down” which I was so very happy to hear (honestly, I had already decided to request this one if Mitch happened to ask for any requests at the end of the show.) Oh ,and yes, this is where our I wonder what that table’s for? question finally got answered... Mitch used all the various objects from the table to beat on and create his background music. It was really amazing to watch him go through the process of adding all these sounds from all these objects you never would have thought of using as musical instruments, letting them “marinate” as he said, and then to hear the incredible end result. For this one, he used a can and a lunchbox among other things. “Layers” was next on the list and I just have to say I really love the mathematical equation bit at the end of this one, “Who I am is who I’ll be, minus who I’m not, plus who You see / Who I am is who I was multiplied by what You’ve done...” Beautiful. Then, we again watched in awe as the combined sounds of a beat on a can, a quiver of a sheet of metal, the honk of a horn, and even a tap on the stick of a mop turned into “Rocks Cry Out.”
After this, he took a moment to share his testimony and speak of the accident almost 12 years ago that took the life of his friend, Rich Mullins, and wound up severely injuring Mitch. During a long rehabilitation, Mitch said that he faced a lot of fear and doubt and the questions that arose from that like Why was Rich taken? He said none of it made any sense, but then again, God has never been terribly concerned with making sense. He then went on to remind us that we are always being made, always being constructed and we’re always going to face troubles, but we have a choice - do we become consumed and devoured by trouble or do we use it? Mitch added that God is as faithful and consistent as the rising sun and hope always remains, that deliverance is coming and will come. We then got to join him in singing “My Deliverer.” I can’t ever describe the feeling of hearing the whole audience sing those words and joining in on the chorus, but it is so deeply moving.
Before the next song, Mitch let us all know what good-singer people and good-snapper people he thought we were - and that he was keeping track. :) He then sang “Plastic Horses” where he sat down and used a box as his drum and even popped his cheeks for some background. The fun part was yet another “participatory situation” where we got to do the “rou-e-yow-e-yow-e-ound” bit with him. Mitch then explained how with an 18,000 mile tour, we might have noticed he was just slightly frazzled , and how he’s got the whole six-pack up there, really - he just doesn’t have that little plastic thingy that holds them all together. (LOL!) He also shared a hilarious little story about a phone call to his mom, but I don’t want to give it away here - it’s just one of those stories you have to hear Mitch tell in person for the full effect. :)
After that, Mitch pumped things up again with “Take the Wheel.” Sounds on this one included, of all things, a set of false teeth and also a child’s walk-and-roll push toy - you know, those little toys with the handle that looks like a vacuum and makes the little tinkly noise when it’s rolled... yep, that’s the one... ;) For the next song, Mitch picked up his ukulele and shared the story of how his 4-year-old daughter Brooklyn had pretty much claimed it because it’s her own “just right size” guitar. During one of his phone calls with Brooklyn, she had asked him if he was playing her guitar, to which he replied, “Why, yes, I am... not as good as you, though... but thank you for letting me borrow it...” (Too adorable!) This led into “Closer” which I had so been waiting for because of the kazoo... and let me tell ya, Mitch can play a pretty mean kazoo! Next up was “15 Minutes” with the beautiful reminder “It don’t matter if the sun is shining, it don’t matter if it rains. Don’t you worry about the weather ‘cause just 15 minutes it’s all it takes and it’ll change, so let Him change you.”
Mitch then related another phone conversation with his daughter in which Brooklyn, out of the blue, made the matter-of-fact statement, “Jesus puts toots in our booties.” Mitch was so funny here... we’re all laughing and he just stands there for a while, rubbing his chin quitely with this deep, contemplative look on his face... which just made us laugh harder. After quieting down a little and allowing us all a moment to soak up the honestness and deeper truth of this statement, he finally responded with all seriousness, “Yes... yes he does...” He went on to say how wonderful it is to have that child-like faith, to remember that God gives us everything, to rejoice in that and embrace it... sometimes we get caught up in the details of our lives and forget that and try to change things around us, but just remember, God gives us everything... and if we just live out the call and live out love, we change things... it’s not rocket surgery.
Mitch continued with the heart-stirring “Precious Blood” - this time with his backup music being created by the beating of a hubcap and a plastic lawn flamingo, knocking a plastic bowling pin on his head, and - I’m not sure here, but believe - the squeaking of what looked like a rubber chicken... This was followed by three of my favorites. First was, “Honest of Heart,” then came “Stargazer” (btw, he used a watering can and a Hershey’s syrup bottle on this one!), and then he sang “Collide”... so very, very beautiful and so very, very happy he sang it here for us. Mitch said later after the show that it was the first time he’d performed it in concert... Cool.
Mitch then spoke about Compassion International and the young boy he sponsored through Compassion. He explained how he once got the chance to meet the young boy and how the boy surprised him by pulling out an old, warped guitar and singing a song about God for Mitch in his own native language. After that, Mitch closed the concert with “Goodness.”
We had such a wonderful, fun time! After the concert, we got to say “hi” to Mitch, he signed my cd cover for me, and then let us take a picture with him. Mitch’s humbleness, openness, and honesty never cease to amaze me. He shares his heart and doesn’t shy away from letting you see some of the scars you might find there as well. Thank you so much Mitch for being who you are, for doing what you do, for sharing the Truth, and for always pointing us toward Jesus with your music and words. Peace of Christ to you and hope to see ya again soon!
And to all you Mitch fans who have actually been able to read my 2,000 word report up to this point... Take care and God bless! And as always... stay “peculiar!” :)
Tracy