Previous Thread
Index
Next Thread
Print Thread
Go To
#708037 03/08/22 12:36 PM
User Showcase
Joined: Feb 2022
Posts: 1,031
Expert
OP Offline
Expert
Joined: Feb 2022
Posts: 1,031
Years ago, my Dad heard me playing this acoustic guitar riff and said it reminded him of a swamp with alligators and water moccasins. That gave me the idea and first line for Camouflaged Christian, but every time I started to write, it came out as judgmental. So, I just sat on it for years. A few months back I was in the hospital and it was looking like I wasn't going to make it. A nurse had come in while I was pretty ill and I made an offhanded comment about my faith. He was interested and wanted to talk. I was so sick that I didn't think I could handle a deep theological debate, so I made it brief and just threw out what I believed. It turned out to be a very good and encouraging conversation for both of us. After getting out of the hospital I tried another re-write, this time looking in the mirror and seeing the camouflaged Christian as myself, something I didn't want to be. I don't know if I got it right or not, but that's what I was shooting for with this song.

Camouflaged Christian

Just like the moccasin swimmin’ in the bayou,
or the alligator on the rocks nearby.
You keep your faith concealed and hidden deep inside you.
Sometimes it’s hard to tell if it’s even alive.
‘Cause you’re staying real still and layin’ in the shadows.
It seems like you’re afraid to ever move.
If the Lord ever called would you even move at all?
You know the only place you’re hidin’ is from the truth.

And you’re actin’ like a camouflaged Christian.
Like no one’s gonna see you anymore,
but all your answers just keep leading to more questions,
like, are you really trustin’ in the Lord? No.

And you can’t go on this way, being so ashamed,
because what would people say if you followed your beliefs?
Are you more afraid of them than the consequence of sin?
Is it God or Man that you want to please?
And I see you sitin’ there almost every Sunday.
You have your favorite chair in the very back row.
You hide yourself away, so afraid that someday
the fear you feel inside is going to show.

So you keep actin’ like a camouflaged Christian.
Like no one’s gonna see you anymore,
but all your answers just keep leading to more questions,
like, are you really trustin’ in the Lord? No.

Oh you need someone to blame ‘cause you wanna point the finger.
You know that it’s a shame ‘cause you’re about to see
As I’m standing here lookin’ in the mirror,
that camouflaged Christian looks a lot like me

So stop actin’ like a camouflaged Christian.
Like no one’s gonna see you anymore.
You’ve been forgiven so start livin’ like there’s no question.
Plant your flag. Take your stand. Trust in the Lord.
Oh, plant your flag. Take your stand. Trust in the Lord.
I won’t be a camouflaged Christian anymore, no.

THE BAND:
I put everything on here except the dobro. I used the old Casio keyboard for the keys and the drums. My Spirit solid body guitar for the electric rhythm, my Breedlove acoustic for fingerpicking, my Ibanez bass, and my Gretch for the lead guitar parts. After I put the lead guitars on here it sounded a little too rock for my taste, so I used Wanda Vick and her dobro courtesy of Biab to "country-fy" it up a little more.

Because of a broken hard drive there's not much I can do to change anything here, but all comments are welcome so I can use better ideas in the future.

Thanks for the listen,

Brad

User Showcase
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 24,286
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 24,286
You are absolutely one multi-instrument ultra talented musician.

Plus you are a great vocalist and lyricist, outstanding lyrics.

Everything about this is perfect.

Loved it.


Principal: Your child always causes trouble in school.
Me: My child causes trouble at home, do I ever call you?

64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
User Showcase
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 8,443
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 8,443

Brad,

This is great. I really loved it. Awesome lyrics. I loved the story behind this too. Very inspiring.

Ok, I will get a little silly right now. Hope you don't mind. When this started I was reminded of another tune. Do you you think you can get Steve Earle to cover it???

smile


User Showcase
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 2,353
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 2,353
Hey Brad...Wow! great song and I really love your delivery...that riff is a great start to a super Christian country tune...yeah, it's very swampy but I'll leave the moccasins out of it...I hate it (and love it) mostly I appreciate it when songs step on my toes and remind of me of what the priorities should be and this number does exactly that..."As I’m standing here lookin’ in the mirror, that camouflaged Christian looks a lot like me" Ouch!! and thanks.


www.soundclick.com/firesong
BiaB 2024, Steinberg Cubase Pro 13, Wavelab 11.2, SpetraLayers Pro 10, Audacity, Steinberg UR44 Interface, Yamaha Genos, Roland FP60 and FP10, Windows 10

You are who you are because you do what you do because of what you believe.
User Showcase
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 8,142
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 8,142
Hi, Brad.

      like, are you really trustin’ in the Lord? No.

Ha! laugh

I understand the problem you're trying to address by not being accusatory. I think you did an excellent job addressing it here:

      As I’m standing here lookin’ in the mirror,
      that camouflaged Christian looks a lot like me


But... I think you could do this without changing the POV, along the lines of:

  • Are you really trustin’ in the Lord? No, and I should know!
  • I can see through your camouflage because that used to be me
  • I invite you to join me in stepping into the light

Just a thought. Sorry about your hard drive. Hopefully you've now got regular backups? (I say this not having done a recent backup myself).

As others have said, you're clearly a talented musician, writer and singer, and it comes through in this song.

I really liked the song! smile


-- David Cuny

My virtual singer development blog
Vocal control, you say. Never heard of it. Is that some kind of ProTools thing?

BiaB 2025 | Windows 11 | Reaper | Way too many VSTis.
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Go To

Link Copied to Clipboard
ChatPG

Ask sales and support questions about Band-in-a-Box using natural language.

ChatPG's knowledge base includes the full Band-in-a-Box User Manual and sales information from the website.

PG Music News
Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Windows Special Offers End Tomorrow (January 15th, 2026) at 11:59 PM PST!

Time really is running out! Save up to 50% on Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® upgrades and receive a FREE Bonus PAK—only when you order by 11:59 PM PST on Thursday, January 15, 2026!

We've added many major new features and new content in a redesigned Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®!

Version 2026 introduces a modernized GUI redesign across the program, with updated toolbars, refreshed windows, smoother workflows, and a new Dark Mode option. There’s also a new side toolbar for quicker access to commonly used windows, and the new Multi-View feature lets you arrange multiple windows as layered panels without overlap, making it easier to customize your workspace.

Another exciting new addition is the new AI-Notes feature, which can transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI. You can view the results in notation or play them back as MIDI, and choose whether to process an entire track or focus on specific parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®.

There's an amazing collection of new content too, including 202 RealTracks, new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two RealDrums Stems sets, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!

Upgrade your Band-in-a-Box for Windows to save up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade packages!

Plus, when you order your Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade during our special, you'll receive a Free Bonus PAK of exciting new add-ons.

If you need any help deciding which package is the best option for you, just let us know. We are here to help!

Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® Special Offers Extended Until January 15, 2026!

Good news! You still have time to upgrade to the latest version of Band-in-a-Box® for Windows® and save. Our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® special now runs through January 15, 2025!

We've packed Band-in-a-Box® 2026 with major new features, enhancements, and an incredible lineup of new content! The program now sports a sleek, modern GUI redesign across the entire interface, including updated toolbars, refreshed windows, smoother workflows, a new dark mode option, and more. The brand-new side toolbar provides quicker access to key windows, while the new Multi-View feature lets you arrange multiple windows as layered panels without overlap, creating a flexible, clutter-free workspace. We have an amazing new “AI-Notes” feature. This transcribes polyphonic audio into MIDI so you can view it in notation or play it back as MIDI. You can process an entire track (all pitched instruments and drums) or focus on individual parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's an amazing collection of new content too, including 202 RealTracks, new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two RealDrums Stems sets, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!

There are over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®.

When you order purchase Band-in-a-Box® 2026 before 11:59 PM PST on January 15th, you'll also receive a Free Bonus PAK packed with exciting new add-ons.

Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® today! Check out the Band-in-a-Box® packages page for all the purchase options available.

Happy New Year!

Thank you for being part of the Band-in-a-Box® community.

Wishing you and yours a very happy 2026—Happy New Year from all of us at PG Music!

Season's Greetings!

Wishing everyone a happy, healthy holiday season—thanks for being part of our community!

The office will be closed for Christmas Day, but we will be back on Boxing Day (Dec 26th) at 6:00am PST.

Team PG

Band-in-a-Box 2026 Video: The Newly Designed Piano Roll Window

In this video, we explore the updated Piano Roll, complete with a modernized look and exciting new features. You’ll see new filtering options that make it easy to focus on specific note groups, smoother and more intuitive note entry and editing, and enhanced options for zooming, looping, and more.

Watch the video.

You can see all the 2026 videos on our forum!

Band-in-a-Box 2026 Video: AI Stems & Notes - split polyphonic audio into instruments and transcribe

This video demonstrates how to use the new AI-Notes feature together with the AI-Stems splitter, allowing you to select an audio file and have it separated into individual stems while transcribing each one to its own MIDI track. AI-Notes converts polyphonic audio—either full mixes or individual instruments—into MIDI that you can view in notation or play back instantly.

Watch the video.

You can see all the 2026 videos on our forum!

Bonus PAK and 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®

With your version 2026 for Windows Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, Audiophile Edition or PlusPAK purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons for FREE! Or upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK for only $49 to receive even more NEW Add-ons including 20 additional RealTracks!

These PAKs are loaded with additional add-ons to supercharge your Band-in-a-Box®!

This Free Bonus PAK includes:

  • The 2026 RealCombos Booster PAK: -For Pro customers, this includes 27 new RealTracks and 23 new RealStyles. -For MegaPAK customers, this includes 25 new RealTracks and 23 new RealStyles. -For UltraPAK customers, this includes 12 new RealStyles.
  • MIDI Styles Set 92: Look Ma! More MIDI 15: Latin Jazz
  • MIDI SuperTracks Set 46: Piano & Organ
  • Instrumental Studies Set 24: Groovin' Blues Soloing
  • Artist Performance Set 19: Songs with Vocals 9
  • Playable RealTracks Set 5
  • RealDrums Stems Set 9: Cool Brushes
  • SynthMaster Sounds Set 1 (with audio demos)
  • Android Band-in-a-Box® App (included)

Looking for more great add-ons, then upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK for just $49 and you'll get:


  • 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums with 20 RealStyle.
  • FLAC Files (lossless audio files) for the 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums
  • MIDI Styles Set 93: Look Ma! More MIDI 16: SynthMaster
  • MIDI SuperTracks Set 47: More SynthMaster
  • Instrumental Studies 25 - Soul Jazz Guitar Soloing
  • Artist Performance Set 20: Songs with Vocals 10
  • RealDrums Stems Set 10: Groovin' Sticks
  • SynthMaster Sounds & Styles Set 2 (sounds & styles with audio demos)

Learn more about the Bonus PAKs for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®!

Forum Statistics
Forums57
Topics85,750
Posts795,753
Members39,950
Most Online25,754
Jan 24th, 2025
Newest Members
BB Wilbur, anonymously, TinaLBZ, Guitarzan26, Metro6
39,950 Registered Users
Top Posters(30 Days)
MarioD 167
DC Ron 113
Noel96 111
rsdean 105
dcuny 99
DrDan 95
Today's Birthdays
Planobilly
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5