Confirmed: Shane and Shane are the best ever!

Last Saturday, Nov. 15, I went to see Christian/acoustic duo of Shane and Shane perform at Mount Vernon Nazarene University and I don't even know where to start.

I saw them play at the youth leaders convention a few weekends ago, but this time was different - way different.  At the convention, they only had time to play four or five songs, while everyone was standing at the front of the stage. This was the opposite.  Now usually I would be all for standing at the front of the stage, but given this recent concert was in a sanctuary, there really wasn't a concert-type stage as one would imagine.

So into the church we went, (myself and nine others) and three of us ended up sitting second row, about thirty or forty feet away from the two Shanes.  It was so relaxing to just be able to sit and listen to them play.  We didn't have to worry about tired legs or seeing over anyone (being 6'3" always helps me in that respect).  And there acoustic sound doesn't really call for standing and jumping around.  It was such a great time to relax, listen to great music with even better lyrics, and be reverent to God all at the same time.

What was interesting is that I could kind of tell that the guitarist, Shane Bernard, was having an off night.  He had trouble tuning his strings to begin and there were a couple other spots where it was obvious he was just having a rough time.  But the great thing - it made no difference at all.  He was just up there having a great time, singing and praising God.

In most concerts, it is just song after song after song, but in this situation, there was time when the two Shanes were conversational with each other and with the audience which goes to show that it's not just some routine for them.  Each concert is genuine.  Shane Bernard even took several minutes to share the Biblical story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednigo and the fiery furnace and how they refused to bow before the king, even knowing it would cost them their lives.  This then transitioned into their song "Burn Us Up."

I could write for days on how amazing these guys are - their voices, their harmonies, their modesty, their genuine attitudes.  I just hope this wasn't the last Shane and Shane experience I have.