Andrew Peterson Live on Stageit.com

Andrew Peterson decided to try an experiment. He was going to play a show from his home and broadcast it to his adoring fans using a website called Stageit.com. But would it work? How would it sound? Would the video look good enough? I joined in Andrew's first cyber concert, or whatever you would call it, to see how it played out.

The countdown was going in the chatbox and 0 came aaand... standby... and then Andrew Peterson by himself with guitar in hand. He started out with a song from his new album, Light for the Lost Boy, called "Rest Easy". 

I had my laptop connected to my TV via an HDMI cable and the sound was fine. The video was a bit choppy, but I figured it was my wireless connection. There must have been a lot of complaining because after a few songs Andrew stopped and changed a setting which made the video much better; no chopping or lurching. 

I don't remember the exact order,and I may forget a few songs, but along with "Rest Easy" he played "Little Boy Heart Alive", "Just As I Am", and "Fool With a Fancy Guitar". An interesting moment came when he played "Dancing in the Minefields". That was the very room he wrote it it so it was touching to hear him play it there.

After a few songs on the acoustic, Andrew moved to a piano. There he played "Invisible God", "Canaan Bound", and "Hold Me Jesus" by Rich Mullins. My wife got excited when he went the piano hoping he would play "Let Me Sing", but that will have to wait until next time. 

Andrew closed with "High Noon" and then gave us some exciting news. He will be working on a Rich Mullins tribute album, along with close friends Ben Shive, Andy Gullahorn, and Jill Phillips. He said it won't be Rich's greatest hits but songs that inspired them. I'm looking forward to that.

This cyber show cost us a mere $5 to join and we were able to send tips. Andrew is sending all of the tips to Show Hope, an organization that helps people finance adoptions. The highest tipper got one of three proofs of a vinyl copy of Light for the Lost Boy. I'm not sure exactly how much was raised but Andrew said several hundred dollars. 

Did the experiment work? From my point of view I would say absolutely. I love to see Andrew play with the Captains Courageous, and even better when he has a guest with them like Jill Phillips, but this was fun in it's own way. We were able to interact with Andrew before, during and after via the chatbox, giving requests and making comments.

Half way through, his family came home from his son's baseball practice and his kids popped in for a quick, "Hi." It was a more intimate, personal time. Andrew was his usual humble, affable self and it helped to pass the time until we can see him at a local venue. 

So will there be another of these internet, cyber, concerts? I hope so, I really do.