Wooden Heart

   I usually don't have a whole lot of new, exciting things to say on here, but guess what? Today I have some exciting, new news! As of Tuesday night I officially launched Wooden Heart Jewelry. Since we tour full-time, it's been nearly impossible to find an employer willing to hire someone for a few random days a month. And regardless of what you may have heard, we aren't exactly "raking in the Benjamins" at the moment. Therefore, I needed to find a creative way of sustaining a somewhat livable income. Trust me, I would have gone and done something else with my life by this point if playing music wasn't what I wanted to do with my life. So, I thought real hard about something I could do and take with me while we travel. This is what I came up with: making jewelry.


   I feel like a lot of the jewelry I see people wearing today is so mass-produced and cheap looking. I wanted to make pieces that were unique, handmade, and had a little special flair to them. I decided to use all semi-precious stones, real gold and silver, and vintage accents (watch faces, gears, found objects, etc...). I think the key to investing into a piece of jewelry is knowing that you're wearing something that was handmade with love, care, and durable material. So, that's what I'm aiming to do: create products that you will love, which will in turn help me continue to travel and be a part of my family, Mike Mains & The Branches. For those who read this, it would mean the absolute world to me if you would help me spread the word about Wooden Heart. I've posted some samples of my work, and will continue to keep updating the store about once a week depending on how busy we are with traveling.

   With Love,
Shannon Briggs Bolanowski

   I present to you: Wooden Heart Jewelry

Consistency is Key

   I do not remember the person who actually said this but the quote goes something like, "Spiritual maturity is the consistent application of elementary principles."  This is a fitting principle to live by in every area. Consistency is something I feel like I can grow in a lot. It's the getting up when I do not feel like it, writing a blog when I am way too tired to do so, or caring more about helping someone than isolating myself and only caring about my own concerns.

    I asked a friend of mine awhile ago what she thought our generation would be remembered for. Her response was "overextended adolescence". Maybe it is because our generation at times is so afraid of taking a risk that we never pursue anything. I can be honest enough to admit it. I can dream up big dreams and write up enormous plans. Yet, what is more of a mountain to me is the drudgery of the mundane. We want to do t-shirt ministry and embrace bike rides instead of wasting resources and volunteering for our fellow man and the only way to do it is in a distant foreign land. Yet, what if the greatest place of growth and personal development is learning to embrace where we are? Instead of changing the scenery and moving, why not try to change the landscape where we are at? Perhaps the greatest feats of accomplishment come from every little step taken forward. I hope you are well, whoever you are reading this, and whatever it is that you are facing. I hope this encourages you not to climb the mountain or build some gigantic structure or write a top billboard song, but to take one more step, lay one more brick and write one more line. One day at a time.

Have a wonderful day!

- Mikey

I'm No Abe Lincoln, But...

You don’t actually believe in something huge if the impact it has on your life is small. If you claim to believe in something so important that your life should be centered around it, but you live as if it means nothing to you, you are a liar and a fraud. I know that sounds harsh. Please forgive me if any of this is offensive. But we try to be honest here, and honestly, I’m getting pissed.

I’ll try to be less vague. It feels more and more like our generation claims to believe in God, but then refuses to acknowledge his existence in their lives. To be clear, IT DOES NOT OFFEND ME TO TALK TO PEOPLE WHO DON’T BELIVE IN GOD. What offends me to me core, however, is to watch people who say they do acting with total disregard for it. I have friends who flat out admit that they don’t believe in the existence of God, that they think we’re here by chance, and that the lack of irrefutable evidence in support of a creator is too overwhelming for them to believe. I respect the honesty in that. While I may personally disagree with their conclusions, I give them credit for being honest with themselves and with others.

There is one key difference between someone who believes in God and someone who does not. A lack of belief in God requires nothing of you. A belief in God requires everything of you. So before you sign your name on the dotted line because it’s what your parents or friends did, carefully consider the fact that when you join a group of any kind, you become a reflection of that group. For instance, if I were a Communist, I would be pretty ticked if a bunch of free-market capitalists started joining the Communist party, taking on that title, and portraying ideals that are fundamentally different than those that Communism stands for.

(To clarify, I’m not a Communist.)

I’m not going to judge anyone for their actions, and I fully recognize that there are people who sincerely strive to live as God intends them to, but almost constantly fall short. I am one of them. But the key lies in sincerity. So regardless of what it is that you believe in, be honest about it, and live a life that is true to it. I’m not talking exclusively about religion. Religion is just an easy target, because religion claims to know the answers to life’s questions, and should consequently be held to a higher standard. Just live your life in a way that you won’t regret when you’re old or dead.

-David

Breakfast

Hello Friends,

I love breakfast. I would replace any meal with it. I would love to hear about all of your favorite breakfast stops (Which given the chance… I will stop at) But for now I'm going to tell you all about my favorite breakfast joints I have come across.

Golden Harvest, Lansing MI

Fruity Pebble French Toast, Milky Way Waffles, Captain Crunch French Toast. Music is cranked, The last time I was there I listened to: Run DMC, 50 Cent, Blackstreet, Sublime, Bassnectar, Matisyahu. Best breakfast in Michigan

Sarkis Café, Wilmette Il.

30 Year old griddle that has never been cleaned. Thankfully. Order a bacon loretta everything on it with a side of hash browns and can of Coke.

The Griddle Café, Hollywood CA

Right on Sunset Blvd. in Hollywood. Pancakes the falling off the sides of plates, best bacon I have ever had in my life. My favorite is the pumpkin pancakes.

If you are ever around these spots you HAVE to stop by these places you will not regret it. I’m looking forward to trying out your suggestions. J

-Nate Dogg

Zoe & Evan

This is Zoe & Evan. 

They are two of the most wonderful people in the world. I promise. 

They are getting married in less than a month in sunny Australia. I wish more than anything else right now that all us branches could have an adventure and go "down under" to attend this glorious celebration. 

Zoe & Evan are a part of our family. They braved living with us in our van for a few months last fall, and life hasn't been the same since. We laughed, cried, and danced together. Evan sold merch in our trailer on the lawn of a house in a bear suit on Halloween, Zoe always made everyone laugh, and together they had the best dance moves of anyone I've ever met. It doesn't take you long to know that they are perfect for one another- together they are one. 

They moved back to Australia for a few years which makes me a sad panda, but alas, they shall return. 

My heart swells with happiness knowing they are finally getting hitched. 

On the 23rd of September I will raise my glass and toast to the union of the cutest lovebirds:

Zoe & Evan.

I love you two with all my heart.

-Shannon

Oh, Panera Bread

   We were headed to a show in Wilmington, Ohio yesterday. Nothing unusual, just hopped off the highway and stopped by a Panera Bread. While in line I was asked for my name. The young lad working asked if I played in a band. I said I did and he asked if it was Mike Mains and The Branches. I said, "yes sir". He said he was a big fan. He ended up introducing me to just about the entire staff whom he had proselytized into MMTB fan's seemingly overnight. So, I hooked him up with a shirt and invited him to our show that night.

   He and his girlfriend came out and we got to hang some. For this young lad I hope the evening was a blast. But David, if you are reading this I want to thank you. I was having a pretty decent day. Yet, you brightened it by helping me realize something so profound: what I do is so much bigger than who I am. Even if I die tomorrow no one can take "Home" and the songs away from me or the hands of all that welcomed it.

   This record is a direct reflection of some of the darkest and most painful experiences of not only my life but our entire band's. You, my friend, have shown me that we can make an impact. The fact that simply obeying what we felt posssed to do meant playing a song that make you smile makes it all worth while.

   I hope that college goes well for you. I hope things work out for you and your sweet girlfriend. I hope your family is healthy, safe and sound. My advice to you is to never quit. No matter how high the tide or how steep the mountain. Continue putting one foot in front of the other. And finally as my dear friend Rev. Jon Moore says, "Walk in love, Walk in truth, and in forgiveness."

- Mike

MMTB Is Proud To Introduce: Nate Dogg

Hello everybody! We would like to introduce you all to Mr. Nate Wethy. You may have seen Nathan at shows with us recently strumming on the ol’ bass guitar. He has been doing an awesome job, and since he will be joining us for our upcoming tours and contributing on the blog, we thought we would take the opportunity to introduce you to him. We think he’s a stand up guy, and he has the MMTB stamp of approval!

Nate, thanks for taking the time to share with us a little bit about yourself. First off, can you tell our readers a little bit about you, where you’re from, what you do with your time, etc.?

Well I'm really into barbecue potato chips, Now and Laters, sunflower seeds and Glacier Freeze Gatorade. Now that that is settled, I am from Lansing, Michigan, which if you have never been there, you definitely need to not check out. My Mexican heritage is important to me. (1/8th, no biggie) So everyday I spend 1/8th of the day (3 hours silly) doing Mexican things. Shakin’ the Maracas, wearing the sombrero, etc. The other 7/8ths of the day I do white boy things. Sleeping, wishing I had better dance movies, making spreadsheets, working on my comb over, you know, the usual. 

I know you tend to introduce yourself by immediately acknowledging your ridiculous nickname. Can you tell us about that nickname and where it came from?

I am not sure which nickname you are a referring to, I don't recall having any ridiculous ones. But my real name, Nate Dogg, well that came from my parents, they started that one. Now all the people of the world call me that, everyone from my 75-year-old grandpa, to my 3-year-old niece, not to mention every boss that I have ever had. That being said I have the upmost respect for the late rapper Nate Dogg.

You have been known to consistently wear hip-hop-influenced jeans and flat-brimmed hats slightly off centered, and you recently sold merch for a Wiz Khalifa concert. Are you aware that Mike Mains & The Branches is not a rap group? Are you trying to use this band as a stepping-stone to launch your personal hip-hop career?

I’m just all about that swagger, my friend. My only goal as far as my rap career is concerned is to become "rap support" for some famous rapper. Nothing sounds better than waving a flag on stage behind Weezy, dropping in the occasional “whats,” “uhs,” and shout out to my home town (517, Southside till I die, that’s just how I get down.)

Oooookay. You have spent some time on the road with us now, how has the experience been, and what do you look forward to about the upcoming tours?

I’m looking forward melting the faces of the youth across the land. In addition to that, I plan to re-read the Potter series; yeah you can make fun of me all you want, just wait until I bust out the crucio or avada kedavra. In case you were wondering my patronus is a penguin. 

Do you have any good stories to share about funny or interesting things you have experienced with the band?

Well other than seeing a dead bald eagle, people getting thrown into the ditch on the highway, 2x4's getting shot through windshields and grandmas almost getting plowed over by SUVs…..? No. 

If you had to sum up the Nathan Wethy approach to life in one inspirational phrase, what would it be?

I am not a mathematician so I don't know about all that "sum" stuff but all I do is try to keep it real, don't take things so seriously, and work hard. Most of all: Do those things that the dead people can't!

Kaboom Baby