I got to play a charango! My time at Camp Electric

Posted On July 18, 2022

My sister and I just got back from a week of music camp in Music City itself. On a college campus with a great view of the Batman Tower, I got loads of exercise lugging my very heavy guitar (Raymond Fender the First) and walking miles a day to get to my different classes.

At one point I thought my arm would fall off because it hurt so bad. I joked that I’d come home with giant muscles in my right arm.

(How much does that guitar case weigh? 30 pounds?!?)

I’m so thankful we had the opportunity to go. So many people supported us as we were raising money, and everything worked out even when it looked like it wouldn’t.

It’s so cool to see God working in our lives.

We had a great time. There were concerts every night — We Are Messengers, CAIN, Riley Clemmons, Coby James, Katy Nichole, and more. Now, there’s something you ought to know about me… concerts are great and everything, but I don’t really love crowds. 😂 So, staying up late every night surrounded by 800 very loud teenagers was a little draining.

One night was dubbed “Star Wars night”, and everyone dressed up. There were some really insane costumes. A friend of mine dressed as Kylo Ren. Several girls dressed as Rey or Leia. One girl even dressed as R2-D2.

I wore my brother’s Mandalorian helmet. Funny story, another ‘Mandalorian’ saw me take off my helmet and said sternly, “You have broken the code!”

I put it back on, and he said, “This is the way.”

The guitar classes and clinics were really cool – all my teachers were professional guitarists who worked with people like Taylor Swift, Mandisa, Casting Crowns, TobyMac, and other artists. It was so inspiring to get to learn from them!

And, okay, I need to geek out for a minute. Have you ever heard of a charango?

…No?

Let me enlighten you. It’s this amazing little stringed instrument that looks like a fat ukulele, and Josh Garrels plays it on his songs Pilot Me and Words Remain. After seeing his documentary The Sea in Between I absolutely fell in love with charangos. I’ve wanted to play one for a long time now.

Well.

When I walked into my guitar class with Juan Devevo (guitarist for Casting Crowns) my mouth fell open.

He was holding a charango.

If I were an emoji, my eyes would have turned into little hearts. And, it turns out he’s a fan of Josh Garrels, too.

All that to say, I was extremely thrilled when Mr. Devevo not only let me play his charango but taught me the intro to Words Remain. Talk about a dream come true!!

I also got to take a short songwriting class and hear other young musicians play original songs – it was amazing.

I’d have to say one of my favorite parts of camp were the spontaneous jam sessions that popped up everywhere. You could walk down a sidewalk and there’d be 20 groups of kids with guitars, singing worship songs or writing their own songs together.

I kept thinking how Nashville-y it felt. I mean, it’s called Music City for a reason! I loved it!

Honestly, it was beautiful. Everyone was united despite their many differences, coming together to pour out their hearts in song to the Lord. There were quite literally people from all over the country, even the world. And not only were they making music, but they sounded amazing! (That’s Nashville for ya!)

I loved soaking it all in. And I think Jesus loved it.

It was hard coming home, in some ways, because it was jumping headfirst back into life. But I’m excited, too. There’s more seeking the Lord to do, more songs to sing, and life to live.

Thanks for reading, y’all! Let me know in the comments below what you think. What’s been the highlight of your summer thus far?