Greetings, friends. We are pleased to announce the “What’s YOUR Story” Contest! You guys are what inspires us to do this. Some of the most moving, the funniest, and the most inspirational interactions we have ever had have been conversations with folks who have come up to talk with us before or after our shows, and we want to give you an opportunity to share those stories with the world.

To enter the contest, send us a story of some way that MMTB has impacted you, whether it’s through personal interactions, the music itself, or watching a live show. We’re looking for the funniest, most interesting, or most inspiring MMTB-related memories. If a song helped you through a tough time, we want to hear about it. If your grandma hates our music and complains when you play it, tell us what suggestions she has! In addition to the prizes, the 3 winners will have their stories posted on our blog, and mentioned on our social networks.

PRIZES/Rules

Please submit your story (no more than 2 or 3 paragraphs) to MMTBFeedback@gmail.com no later than Friday, September 23^rd. No more than 2 submissions per person.

First place winner will receive 1 shirt of their choice from the MMTB merch store, one MMTB Koozie, signed poster, and a signed copy of “Home.”

Two runners up will receive a signed copy of “Home,” and a personally-addressed, signed poster.

Why?

Why do we do the things we do?
Why do we continue doing what we should not?
There are two voices inside of us
One guiding us into light
The other into darkness

We can sleep our entire lives away
Or wake up and seize the day
I want to live for something bigger
Than the reality of my mortality

Greatness is serving

-Mikey 

We are who we are behind closed doors

Glow-In-The-Dark Cats: They're all the rave

This morning, Fox News New York reported that “medical scientists at the Mayo Clinic have combined genes from three species to produce a glow-in-the-dark cat resistant to feline AIDS.” Apparently, part of a monkey and part of a jellyfish were placed inside a fertilized cat egg, somehow producing a kitten that is not only resistant to AIDS, which may potentially lead to a cure for humans with AIDS, but more importantly, GLOWS IN THE DARK! They say that it is just coincidence that the jellyfish genes cause this illuminating side-effect, and the media seems to be focusing pretty heavily on the AIDS side of things, and rightfully so.

But if you know anything about Mike Mains & The Branches, you know that we love cats. This is not the I’m-really-more-of-a-cat-person kind of love. We’re talking about the holy-crap-there-are-glow-in-the-dark-cats-now-and-I-have-to-tell-everybody-about-it kind of love.

Now, I know that it is important that we may be able to solve the global AIDS epidemic. Totally get it. Lots of people have AIDS. That’s really bad. We should definitely fix it. But the media at large seems to be focusing almost exclusively on the disease-curing front, so I decided to take a moment to point out a few of the positive things that these rave-friendly felines bring to the table.

For instance, with these kinds of powers, families with cats will never have to invest in nightlights for their kids. Does little Johnny like Muff Muff the cat, but is afraid of the dark? Problem solved. Does your cat run away a lot? Just wait until nightfall to go looking for it. Let’s not neglect the benefit to the military either. Stumble upon a dark cave full of Taliban? Send in the cats! Whether you are marking the fire exits or decorating your yard at Christmas time, look no further than these furry felines. And the best part is their longevity; no way are these cats getting AIDS.

Whether you suffer from a previously incurable disease, or you just like kitties, it’s been a good day.

-David

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