Rock and Roll has lost another legend and Texas music has lost another one of its sons. Frank Beard, the steady heartbeat of ZZ Top, passed away yesterday at his ranch in Richmond at 77 years of age. A founding member of that “little ol’ band from Texas,” Frank played drums for ZZ Top for 57 years–that ZZ Top boogie don’t woogie without Frank’s shuffling beat underneath. Five years after bassist Dusty Hill’s death, guitarist and lead singer Billy Gibbons is the last man of the famed Texas trio still standing. But he’s vowing that the show will go on. After taking three days off, Gibbons says ZZ Top will perform its scheduled concerts this Friday in Eagle Pass and Saturday and Sunday in Austin, before heading to Michigan and finishing their current tour through the end of November.

Is it still ZZ Top? Or is it just a Billy Gibbons show now? I’m sure Gibbons is wanting to honor Dusty and Frank and what they all started in 1969 by continuing to play as ZZ Top. And maybe it’s a way of stating that ZZ Top is bigger than the three of them. But I’m not sure that it is. It’s not the “same three guys, same three chords” anymore.

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“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.” ~Colossians 4:2

In the middle of the sickness and disease and death, our God is healing and restoring and creating new life. Pray for it. Watch for it. And be thankful.

In the middle of all the division and discord, our God is reconciling and bringing more people together in Christ. Pray for it. Watch for it. And give him praise.

In the middle of all the violence and war and threats of war, our God is lavishing his love and mercy on all people. Pray for it. Watch for it. And exalt his name.

In the middle of all the uncertainty, in the middle of fake news and broken promises and broken trust, in the middle of the hypocrisy and lies, our God guarantees–by the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus–redemption and the forgiveness of sin and eternal life for you and for all of us together. Pray for it. Watch for it. And be thankful.

Peace,
Allan