Drexel Rayford: News

It's been a little long in coming, but "Cherokee Road" is now available through this site on iTunes. You can also go directly to iTunes and purchase all or part of the album. Since this kind of marketing is something rather new to me, I haven't done a very good job pushing the CD. So, if you'd go to iTunes and spend a few dollars and submit a review, it could very well help me get my music out there a little more.

Beginning this year, I get the privilege of serving for five years along with about 20 other people from around the world on the Baptist World Alliance Peace Commission. Our next meeting will be in July of 2011 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, a trip to which I really look forward. The Peace Commission dialogues with entities and governments around the globe in order to determine how the international Baptist community might contribute to resolving conflicts in various regions internationally. The Commission includes members from all continents and should prove to be quite an education for me. As time transpires, I'll reflect more on my experiences with the committee and the lessons I'm surely to learn.

Once again, critics have determined that the Grammy Academy will remain totally unaware of Drexel. When reached at his church office regarding this development Drexel was quoted as saying, "I've gotten used to this kind of treatment. I don't really expect anything from them, so why should I feel disappointed?"

This week, a surprise arrived in the mail. Bart Starr himself sent Drexel a signed photograph of himself standing over center. Drexel's agent had sent Starr a CD encouraging him to listen to "I Wanna Be Bart Starr" and the former Green Bay quarterback wrote Drexel and said that he and his wife had really enjoyed the CD. The photo is signed, of course! (Incidentally, Drexel's sister is his agent.)

The Economic DRB played to an appreciative crowd in Ashland, Virginia this past Sunday night. Despite the six broken ribs, Drexel seemed to enjoy the performance. The crowd responded especially warmly to Eric Lawson's awesome keyboard solos. All agreed that it was good to be back on stage.

We rarely mention Drexel's athletic prowess on a bicycle, but Drexel has been an avid cyclist for 25 years. Five years ago, though, there was the "Goose Incident" in which Drexel was hit by an errant Canada Goose which waddled out from some foliage while Drexel descended a hill at around 30 mph. That resulted in a mild concussion and one funny story. Today (August 2), Drexel had an awesome crash worthy of the Tour de France. In the middle of his closing sprint, the chain broke, Drexel hit the asphalt at about 25 mph and now proudly claims 6 broken ribs and a punctured lung. The worst part of it is having to cancel his concerts on August 3, 6, and 7. Stay tuned for reports on his soon-to-be rapid recovery. For a photo of D in an actual cycling event, click on photos and scroll to the bottom.

Well, the 2007 Mountain Stage New Song Contest Regional Final at Jammin Java saw Sara White win the competition. But all the contestants had a blast. Let's put it this way: Drexel finished in the top eight. Okay, okay -- there were only eight contestants present.

The National Public Radio show, "Mountain Stage" has conducted a song writing contest for the last seven years and this year, Drexel has been selected (along with nine other artists) as a Mid-Atlantic regional finalist with the song "I Wanna Be Bart Starr" (see the Music section to hear a clip). The various artists selected will perform their songs at "Jammin' Java" in Vienna, Virginia on July 15 at 7:00 pm (go to www.jamminjava.com for directions). Drexel will be there to sing the song, and hopefully advance to the BIG show! For more information go to www.mountainstagenewsongcontest.com.