Somewhere in the Middle

Posted by Jonny | Filed under All

I have a song I wrote called, “Somewhere in the Middle.” It’s actually one of my favorite songs I’ve written. It talks about how at 25 years old (yes, I just turned 26, but the song still works) I often feel like I’m stuck in this awkward middle stage. I don’t fully feel like a man yet. There’s still so much I have to learn. But, I definitely don’t feel like a student anymore. Every time I hang around college students, I’m just reminded of how old I’m getting haha. Here’s the lyrics…

CAN A YOUNG MAN GUITAR IN HAND
CHANGE THE WHOLE WORLD WELL I HOPE HE CAN
CAUSE THAT’S MY AIM AND I’LL SETTLE FOR NOTHING LESS

BUT SOMETIMES AT ONLY TWENTY-FIVE
IT SEEMS THE WHOLE WORLD CAN PASS YOU RIGHT ON BY
EXPECTING APATHY AND LAZINESS

HERE I’M STANDING IN THE MIDDLE
I’LL ADMIT THAT IT’S A LITTLE INTIMIDATING AND FRUSTRATING
MUCH TOO OLD TO NOT SEE PROBLEMS
MUCH TOO YOUNG TO TRY AND SOLVE THEM
SOMETIMES LIFE CAN BE A MYSTERY SOMEWHERE IN THE MIDDLE

AND THOUGH I SING THROUGH A MICROPHONE
I FEEL I HAVE NO VOICE AND I STAND ALONE
LIKE MY WORDS ARE JUST FALLING ON DEAF EARS
SO I HIT MY KNEES AND I PRAY EACH DAY
THAT YOU WILL GUIDE MY PATH AND YOU’LL CREATE
A MAN WITH WISDOM FAR BEYOND HIS YEARS

SOMEWHERE IN THE MIDDLE OF THIS LIFE
SOMEWHERE IN THE MIDDLE OF MY TIME
SOMEWHERE IN THE MIDDLE YOU STILL SHINE IN ME
SOMEWHERE IN THE MIDDLE OF YOUR HANDS
SOMEWHERE IN THE MIDDLE OF YOUR PLANS
YOU MAKE ME COMPLETE

When I wrote this song I had no idea that it would also work to describe my current state as a musician. I very much feel “Somewhere in the Middle.” Last week my song hit the top 25 for Christian music. It was also the fastest growing song in the country!


These things are super exciting, and hopefully indicate that my music (and message) will continue to spread across our country. However, when it comes to getting playing opportunities, I feel kinda stuck in the middle. I can’t go to a small youth group and play for free. I really wish I could. However, every concert I play involves expenses on my part and (most importantly) time away from my wife. I have to be wise about what I choose to do. On the other hand, I can’t simply play shows that pay thousands of dollars like some Christian artists are doing. There is a simple reason for this… no one is willing at this point to pay that much for me haha. So, here I sit, with a relatively slow summer schedule, feeling somewhat stuck in the middle.

So here’s the deal. Every time I ask “where should I play?” I get tons of responses saying, “You should come to _____________!!” I love the enthusiasm, but I can’t come unless I’m invited by the people in charge (and paid too). So I’ll ask some other questions:

Would your church, student group, or event like me to come play in concert?
Does this place have the budget to bring me out? (less than $1,000 for everything I promise)
Do you have connections with the people in charge of bringing me in?

If you answered yes to all 3 questions… I want to hear from you. Let’s set something up!!!! Email me directly at jonny@jonnydiaz.com.

Permalink | April 13th, 2009

6 Responses to “Somewhere in the Middle”

  1. Ginger Newingham Says:
    April 13th, 2009 at 12:02 pm

    I don’t know if this is the best way to contact you about the possibility of you playing a show. You (or an agent) can always use my email to contact me as well. My husband is the youth minister at a country church in central IL. We are fans of yours and have gotten our youth students and many of the adults turned on to your music. A couple years ago, our church purchased 5+ acres of property to be the future home of our church. We are wanting to use this land to host an outdoor festival/kick off sometime late summer or early fall. Would you be interested in playing outdoors? Tiki torches and all? :)

    Our town is also the home of a Christian Radio station, which would be very useful for publicity. (Actually I heard that you visited recently during a phone-a-thon – WIBI in Carlinville, IL.)
    I really do believe that our location could be a great place for a concert, and having your band come, would totally boost our outreach effort.

    Please have someone contact me if this is at all a possibility.
    Reflecting a light from within,
    Ginger Newingham

  2. David Says:
    April 16th, 2009 at 3:18 pm

    I enjoyed this song when it was featured on the Boundless podcast a couple weeks back. Any work on when the new CD will be available through iTunes?

  3. Jennifer Houghton Canady Says:
    April 20th, 2009 at 1:18 pm

    We used “More Beautiful You” in sixth grade Bible today as we talked to our girls about seeing themselves through the eyes of their Father. It made a huge impact on them.

    When I asked the girls how God sees them after listening to the song and reading the lyrics, they said things like, “God thinks there’s nothing He would change about the way we look.”; “He thinks we’re beautiful because we’re made to fit the purpose He has for our lives.”.

    We’re excited about what the Lord is doing through you in the lives of our middle schoolers.

    Thanks so much for your ministry.

  4. Kati Ford Says:
    July 1st, 2009 at 10:58 am

    You just amazed us with your voice here in Palm Harbor, Fl. at New Purpose Church. My two daughters, Cassidy and Madison who walked up to you in church, wrote a book about their experience at your concert. My 10 year old, Madison, wrote that the best thing was that we were worshiping God together. We got your CD and your are so truly talented. God Bless!

  5. SergeyNikolaev Says:
    July 30th, 2009 at 12:49 am

    Hey, if I were currently immersed in writing a book explaining set theory, it would have sounded like that to me too, I’m sure.

  6. Eric Says:
    January 11th, 2010 at 10:36 am

    I heard this song the other day in the Boundless podcast and I loved it. I’ve been trying to find a copy for my iPod, though, and I can’t seem to find it anywhere. Is “Somewhere in the Middle” available as an MP3 download anywhere?

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