Jesus Freaks

I like my God and world together on one plate. Mixing and swirling the sacred with the shit. And everything in-between. Why would I even try and separate something that Jesus ordained. Speaking of Jesus, let me tell you a little about my weekend.

It's called Cornerstone. And for those of you out of the loop, it is only the largest Christian music festival on the planet. Started by a bunch of hippies in 1984, (http://www.jpusa.org/), it is a Mecca of pierced punks, long hairs and hard edges, body painting and tattoos. All camping on 526 acres of open farm land in Bushnell, Illinois every 4th of July weekend. All with 2 things in common. A love of God and a love of music. It's like Woodstock without the drugs and alcohol and hedonism. Truly. You would never believe it unless you've been.

I hadn't. So this was my first taste of Cornerstone, and it was a bit overwhelming.
First, it was hot. And I don't do hot. That's why I live in Chicago and stay in the house during the summer time.
Second, it was dusty. And I'm not just talking about a little dirt. These are miles and miles of dirt roads, which you must traverse, trail blazed by golf carts and rvs and about 20,000 people. I was covered. I leaned into my cart to get something and my knee made a permanent spot on the upholstery. If they were going for the realism of Jesus' time, like walking the streets of Galilee and all - mission accomplished. It was recreated all over my body. I only wish we had scheduled foot washings like they did back then. Mine are currently stained black. I don't think this stuff is ever coming off.
Third, there were a lot of good bands, but after 4 days of the stuff you begin to feel like you never want to listen to music ever again. I am so exhausted with the melody of it all.
And finally, we have to sleep in tents. On the hard ground. With granddaddy long legs and other assorted spiders crawling over your loins and face as you try to sleep. Lulled with the sounds of hardcore punk bands still playing at 3:00 in the morning. Some of them sounding like demons ushering you into hell.

For fear of putting someone off, please know that there were many cool things about Cornerstone as well.
For instance, the kindness of a thousand strangers.
The strong feeling of community.
The freedom of the outdoors. (My girlfriend, in fact, has cried since we arrived home - the sacrifice of the great outdoors for the city was not something that she was prepared to do just yet. Especially when she had to go back to her Hollywood job with Vince Vaughn and the kid from A Christmas Story the next day.)
The distance. (I am really glad I only had to travel 225 miles to get there, as opposed to the 2000 - 3000 miles that some people went.)
Plus there were some really great sights. Kids everywhere. Giving away free hugs and body washes. Asking you to kiss their platypus or play limbo in the street. Babies with blue mohawks and parents trying to connect with their Goth offspring. Inspiring speakers and film premieres.

I discovered some great new bands while I was there as well. And when my ears stop ringing, I'll get some of their music for my own collection:

The Myriad: http://www.themyriad.net/

John Davis: http://www.johndavismusic.com/main.php

Roper: http://www.roperisdumb.com/

The Wayside: http://www.thewayside.net/music/index.cfm

Celestial Static: http://www.celestialstatic.com/

So, you ask me whether I'd do it again, and I tell you, yes. I mean, it was so great to get home (well my temporary home) and take a shower (which I didn't do for 3 days) and sleep in a soft bed and eat a freaking Caesar salad with a big hunk of salmon on it, but give me a year. I'll be back.

The long hair in me yearns to experience Woodstock. To go back to the sixties and be a part of that whole culture-changing experience. But then again, I might be tempted to walk around naked and get involved in some free love with a nubile hippie chick while taking LSD. At least at Cornerstone, I don't take that risk. I mean, there is some free love going around. It's just packaged a little differently.

http://www.cornerstonefestival.com/