2 nights ago I worked on the set of a TV film Pilot for FOX called “Outlaw Country.” We were shooting in a remote area in Watertown TN. Basically out in the middle of nowhere. It was a ton of fun though. The production on a Pilot like this one is pretty darn amazing. We were out in the country wilderness surrounded by Trees, but because the set was so well lit, it felt like we were in a stage set.   I can imagine the location is usually pitch black when a massive Film crew is not inhabiting it. Without giving out details pertaining to the scene I will say this, I was asked to be smoking a cigarette as a prop. After about 5 takes, I was tired of puffing that darn cigarette.  I think the last time I smoked a cigarette was in High School…It tasted just as bad as I remembered it would. It was one of the longest night shoots I have been in. I left my apartment at 5pm and got back home from the shoot at 530am. The life of a dedicated & aspiring actor, functioning on 3hrs of sleep.

My EP process is moving along. 4 songs have been tracked and there is 1 more to go. My good friend Jeremy Larson has done an amazing job writing and composing Live strings. The EP vibe will be quite simple yet complex…at least I think so.  My acoustic guitar, my vocal and an ocean of live strings behind them. 1 track out of the 5 will have a totally different vibe then the rest! You’ll just have to wait to listen to it… You’ll dig it, I promise! We’re looking at a Fall release date. Details coming soon.

Jesse Santoy0 LIVE. I’ve started to do a few live shows in town and testing out my EP songs. Thanks to the world of social networking I met Erika Hastings. Erika is a talented Cellist here in town. We met thru mutual networks and within a day or so from our initial contact, we were already rehearsing together. We’ve managed to put a few shows under our belt already and plan on doing some more & a potential tour next year. The chemistry is been very natural. The songs sound awesome with just an acoustic guitar and Cello. It’s made for a unique  & eclectic experience thus far. Our plan is to continue rehearsing together, sharpening out the details and really crafting out these tunes.  You should definitely plan on being at our next show.

When Reina and I moved to Nashville the 1st thing on our to do list was to find a church community we could connect with. It’s always difficult with so many churches and so many options. Kind of like the menu at the Cheesecake Factory. That probably wasn’t the best example.  We knew about Cross Point Church way before we lived here. So when we arrived to Nashville we gave it a shot a few times and The Santoyo’s felt like this was a community we wanted to be apart of. Cross Point is a pretty big church, so for a while it felt overwhelming and we felt lost in a sea of white people. It felt like we were probably the only Latinos at Cross Point for sometime. Nevertheless we enjoyed it and our boys did too. Within a few months of making Cross Point our home we started a community group and that was the best thing we could have done. The church we knew as a huge multi site church now became a small community of people just like us. We’ve made some great friends in the process.

After being at Cross Point for about a year I was asked to serve as a Campus Coordinator and help launch the new Downtown campus at Rocketown! So now I wasn’t just attending and volunteering, I was actually part of the staff! It has been a journey I could have never orchestrated on my own! We took on the role and did our best to help create a Cross Point Community in Downtown Nashville for College students.  From day one of the launch to taking a summer break, it has been an amazing learning experience and journey. The friendships we made?  priceless! The young community in the making? Beautiful! First time  Christ followers & baptisms? Amazing! The Cereal Bar? kick Ass!

With every new and fresh opportunity comes a tough decision.  During the summer break was when I felt in my heart the need to transition out of the Downtown Campus Coordinator position.  A decision that was insanely tough for me. I love the church, I love the staff, I love the DNA of community, but I felt I needed to refocus on the direction I was taking my personal journey & our family during this season. For weeks  I battled on making the decision but I knew it had to be done sooner then later. Working for Cross Point church was a huge blessing for our family on so many different levels, we can’t thank them enough for making us part of that season. I don’t know if this was a good decision or a bad decision…Maybe both…But at this point and time it feels right. I never thought I’d be working in Churches. With Cross Point being the 2nd ministry job, it totally reconfirms alot for us as a family and our future in full time ministry. I am start prepping for it!  The Santoyo’s are so grateful for Jenni Catron who’s been an amazing leader and support as we made the decision. Special thanks to Justin Davis for helping us fall in love with Cross Point when we knew no one.  We are not planning on leaving Nashville nor leaving Cross Point. Cross Point is our Casa and we’ll continue to devote our time to serving the Nashville & Downtown community.

Since my trip in 2009, my heart has been locked to return to the country of Cambodia. After countless hours of sharing the story of Cambodia with Reina, she’s fallen in love with a place she has yet to see. When she finally see’s it I know it will surpass any expectations she currently has! We are passionate about music and art and are finally in the works on finalizing a collaborative effort with a Nashville organization in Cambodia. We’ll give you the scoop on them very soon!!! Reina and I have established “The Anthems Project.” A movement of art & love for the people of Cambodia. Everything starts with movement! We’re taking our talents and efforts and working  on making a difference in beautiful country  We’ll have details very soon, and how you can get invloved with us too

Thanks for Reading!

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