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....that boy can sing!

Paige Greene - June 23, 2008

I have had the adventure of knowing Travis Cottrell (worship leader for Deeper Still and Living Proof Live) since 1985 when he was a ninth grader and I was a freshman in college at Appalachian State University in Boone, NC. We met in the Blue Ridge Community Theatre production of Oliver. I was the mean servant wench and he was the Artful Dodger. Yes, its true...but even back then it was remarkable how that boy could sing! So confident...sooooo skinny! We have come a long way since then by the grace of God, and our worlds are colliding all over again on a different stage of ministry to women....so different than Oliver!

So this big sister, sometimes pesky younger brother friendship has endured more than 20 years, several more productions (including Peter Pan, where he was a dancing pirate and I was Wendy (note original hair color). See photo below...viewer discretion advised.

YES that is travis far right with the midriff showing. Remind me to tell you about how he tried to mess me up on stage in a live performance of The Pirates of Penzance. Otherwise, it is a joy to be his, Angela's and their three kids' buddy. Trust me, you don't want to shop with this family. It is a wonder to behold. Trav and Ang are a force of nature in a department store; and around their kitchen table with coffee and sweet, fun, funny kids I adore.

Even after knowing Travis all of these years and hearing him in performances and worship sessions too numerous to count, he never ceases to amaze me. A month ago I had the privilege of being in a choir of thirty people to sing parts on his upcoming Christmas album and I was amazed yet again. Not only did he orchestrate stunning (only adjective that works for this) vocal parts for us on several songs, he also directed us and sang his lead vocals?! COME ON?!! STUNNING! It is almost too much to stand. GIRLS, that is going to be one incredible, BIG Christmas album. RUN! don't walk to get it this fallt. I would give you this advice if I didn't know Trav from Adam. honest.

At a Living Proof Live event we had in Vancouver this past February, Travis and I walked past an older man who worked for the arena as an usher. He was there with some of his fellow staffers and as we walked by he said, "@#!$% that boy can sing!" Travis graciously smiled and I said. "Yes, yessir, he sure can."

And sing he will. At Deeper Still this weekend Travis will lead 19,000 women before the throne in a powerful time of worship to our King! It is what God put him on earth to do, worship Jesus with everything he has got...and not in a pink and burgundy pirate costume. At least I hope not. The adventure continues!.....