Jimi Calhoun

Every culture on earth has at one time or another danced. From tribal times forward people have danced to socialize, express themselves creatively, and promote societal unity. The borders that separate us came much later in human development. It is time to return to our roots and dance, dance, dance. That is because dance has the unique ability to unite a person's mind, body, and soul. In his capacity as a touring bassist, Jimi Calhoun witnessed thousands upon thousands of people lose themselves in dance. Suddenly, ethnic, racial, and religious differences disappear. Borders, on the other hand, divide religious communities, races, and nations. Human conflict is perpetuated by these boundaries. What is written within these pages will show you ways to dance across divisions by means of a choreography of altruism. This is a book that invites you to dance to the rhythms of grace that result in true harmony and unity.

Every culture on earth has at one time or another danced. From tribal times forward people have danced to socialize, express themselves creatively, and promote societal unity. The borders that separate us came much later in human development. It is time to return to our roots and dance, dance, dance. That is because dance has the unique ability to unite a person's mind, body, and soul. In his capacity as a touring bassist, Jimi Calhoun witnessed thousands upon thousands of people lose themselves in dance. Suddenly, ethnic, racial, and religious differences disappear. Borders, on the other hand, divide religious communities, races, and nations. Human conflict is perpetuated by these boundaries. What is written within these pages will show you ways to dance across divisions by means of a choreography of altruism. This is a book that invites you to dance to the rhythms of grace that result in true harmony and unity.

Funk is an African American musical genre that causes the average listener to have an uncontrollable desire to move their feet and dance. Funknology is a synthesis of ideas designed to cause the average reader to have an irresistible urge to move their heart. As we battle the complexities of race, and the impact poor race relations have had on society, this book will prove to be a timely read. Regardless of how much thought you have given to recent racial tensions--or how active you have been in working toward solutions for them--this book will inspire you to find ways to move your feet and your heart in the direction of a Funknology of Hope, meaning long-lasting reconciliation.

The book you are holding results from years of research carried out as I traveled the world as a rock musician followed by living abroad as a minister. Did you know that all the music ever created in the West has its origin in just twelve sounds? From rock to bluegrass, to gospel to the intricate arrangements of classical, it all came from only twelve notes. That happened because musicians found an infinite number of tonal combinations to use within the twelve-note scale. What today's social ills have in common with music is that they exist because of a failure on our part to have a similar vision for the Ten Commandments. That vision is one of limitless applications for them. This book approaches the Ten Commandments in the same manner that musicians approach the twelve-note scale--with a desire to create something fresh, building on what has come before. This book uses the ""ten sounds"" to create a different melody to sing in the areas of racial injustice, disability, gender inequality, and to bring healing to the wounds that linger on in some communities because of unjust activities engaged in by some of our forebearers.

The book you are holding results from years of research carried out as I traveled the world as a rock musician followed by living abroad as a minister. Did you know that all the music ever created in the West has its origin in just twelve sounds? From rock to bluegrass, to gospel to the intricate arrangements of classical, it all came from only twelve notes. That happened because musicians found an infinite number of tonal combinations to use within the twelve-note scale. What today's social ills have in common with music is that they exist because of a failure on our part to have a similar vision for the Ten Commandments. That vision is one of limitless applications for them. This book approaches the Ten Commandments in the same manner that musicians approach the twelve-note scale--with a desire to create something fresh, building on what has come before. This book uses the ""ten sounds"" to create a different melody to sing in the areas of racial injustice, disability, gender inequality, and to bring healing to the wounds that linger on in some communities because of unjust activities engaged in by some of our forebearers.

From Saturday Night Rockin' to Sunday Morning Reconciliation Before becoming a pastor, Jimi Calhoun performed alongside many world-famous musicians, including: Jimi Hendrix / Etta James / Hank Williams Jr. / John Lennon / Elton John / Mick Jagger / The Four Tops / Martha and the Vandellas / Rare Earth / Parliament-Funkadelic In A Story of Rhythm and Grace, Calhoun weaves together engrossing stories about racial differences and reconciliation from his life in the music world and his life in the church. Reflecting on how he has often found more racial harmony on the stage and in the recording studio than in the pews, Jimi shows what religion might learn from rock and roll. ""As an African-American growing up in the 1950s and '60s, Calhoun knows firsthand about the effects of racism. His personal anecdotes about this period are eye-opening, heart-wrenching and exciting. . . . His historical and sociological insights about racism and the civil rights moment are fascinating. . . . Those looking for an unusual perspective on one of the most turbulent times in recent U.S. history will be intrigued."" --Publishers Weekly ""I love Jimi's heart. He's written the right book at the right time. This book is a great read "" --Dr. John, musician ""Musician and pastor Jimi Calhoun has accomplished that all too rare achievement--he wrote an absolutely unique book that fills a true need. Artists, especially musicians, have always led when it comes to bringing racially divided people together. May God use this book to open our arm and hearts to the rhythm and grace of the whole of humanity."" --Charles Peacock, recording artist, producer, and author of A New Way to Be Human ""Jimi Calhoun is a rare combination of storyteller, sage, artist, and pastor. Reading this warm-hearted, encouraging, and challenging book is like sitting down with Jimi for a dozen leisurely lunches and talking about what it means to be human beings with different skin tones and different histories. I hope and pray that this book will infuse hundreds of thousands of pastors, small group leaders, neighbors, and coworkers with new rhythm and grace."" --Brian McLaren, author of A New Kind of Christian Jimi Calhoun is Lead Pastor at Bridging Austin, a Reconciling Community in Austin, Texas. He is a gifted storyteller, a popular conference speaker, and has presented in seminaries and colleges both domestically and abroad. Jimi is an internationally acclaimed musician having been a member of Rare Earth, Parliament-Funkadelic and the Dr. John Band. He is co-chair of Community Dreams, an Austin-based nonprofit serving urban youth, and a member of the Austin Interfaith Inclusion Network that serves people living with disabilities. He is on the boards of the Interfaith Arts Council, Humanitarians in the Arts, and the Exnihilo Art Center in Deadman's Cay, the Bahamas.

From Saturday Night Rockin' to Sunday Morning Reconciliation Before becoming a pastor, Jimi Calhoun performed alongside many world-famous musicians, including: Jimi Hendrix / Etta James / Hank Williams Jr. / John Lennon / Elton John / Mick Jagger / The Four Tops / Martha and the Vandellas / Rare Earth / Parliament-Funkadelic In A Story of Rhythm and Grace, Calhoun weaves together engrossing stories about racial differences and reconciliation from his life in the music world and his life in the church. Reflecting on how he has often found more racial harmony on the stage and in the recording studio than in the pews, Jimi shows what religion might learn from rock and roll. ""As an African-American growing up in the 1950s and '60s, Calhoun knows firsthand about the effects of racism. His personal anecdotes about this period are eye-opening, heart-wrenching and exciting. . . . His historical and sociological insights about racism and the civil rights moment are fascinating. . . . Those looking for an unusual perspective on one of the most turbulent times in recent U.S. history will be intrigued."" --Publishers Weekly ""I love Jimi's heart. He's written the right book at the right time. This book is a great read "" --Dr. John, musician ""Musician and pastor Jimi Calhoun has accomplished that all too rare achievement--he wrote an absolutely unique book that fills a true need. Artists, especially musicians, have always led when it comes to bringing racially divided people together. May God use this book to open our arm and hearts to the rhythm and grace of the whole of humanity."" --Charles Peacock, recording artist, producer, and author of A New Way to Be Human ""Jimi Calhoun is a rare combination of storyteller, sage, artist, and pastor. Reading this warm-hearted, encouraging, and challenging book is like sitting down with Jimi for a dozen leisurely lunches and talking about what it means to be human beings with different skin tones and different histories. I hope and pray that this book will infuse hundreds of thousands of pastors, small group leaders, neighbors, and coworkers with new rhythm and grace."" --Brian McLaren, author of A New Kind of Christian Jimi Calhoun is Lead Pastor at Bridging Austin, a Reconciling Community in Austin, Texas. He is a gifted storyteller, a popular conference speaker, and has presented in seminaries and colleges both domestically and abroad. Jimi is an internationally acclaimed musician having been a member of Rare Earth, Parliament-Funkadelic and the Dr. John Band. He is co-chair of Community Dreams, an Austin-based nonprofit serving urban youth, and a member of the Austin Interfaith Inclusion Network that serves people living with disabilities. He is on the boards of the Interfaith Arts Council, Humanitarians in the Arts, and the Exnihilo Art Center in Deadman's Cay, the Bahamas.