Unique Songwriter’s Retreat – Hymnish

We’ve had a lot of you ask if/when we’ll be hosting the All About Worship Retreat this year. While we really enjoyed hosting the worship leaders retreat the past two years, this year we sensed the Lord’s leading to hosting a different kind of retreat…a retreat for Christian songwriters…

We are very excited to announce that we’ll be hosting our first ever songwriter’s retreat! We’ve decided to call it “Hymnish”, a term made popular by our good friend, Michael Farren, at All About Worship Retreat 2011. (No, it’s not a hymn-writing retreat!)

“Hymnish” will be hosted by Wisdom Moon (of All About Worship), Michael Farren (of Pocket Full of Rocks), and Jennie Riddle (writer of the popular song, “Revelation Song”).

This retreat will be different from any other Christian songwriter’s retreat or conference, in that you will get the chance to write with one of today’s best Christian songwriters; an opportunity you probably won’t have otherwise!

The retreat will be held May 10-12, 2012, in Franklin, TN (near Nashville). This will be a small retreat with just 25 spots available! We are now accepting applications for those 25 spots. You can read all the details at HYMNISH.COM. Here is some of the key information:

Speakers:

Michael Farren

Jennie Riddle

Mike Murray (Creative Director, Integrity Music Publishing)

Chad Green (Creative Director, Word Music Publishing)

During the retreat you will write with one of the following professional songwriters, in a group of 4:

Carl Cartee (Staff writer for Brentwood –Benson Music Publishing/Universal Music. Artist in Residence at Fellowship Bible Church.)

Chad Cates (Writer for Essential Music Publishing. Six #1 songs and five Dove Award Nominations. Songs recorded by Casting Crowns, Bebo Norman, Brandon Heath, Rebecca St James, Mandisa, and others.)

James Tealy (Staff writer for Centricity Music. Over 30 songs recorded by artists in a variety of genres including: Kari Jobe, Abandon, Matt Papa,  Alvin Slaughter, and others.)

Jennie Riddle (Writer of “Revelation Song”, top 100 CCLI songwriter, songs recorded by Jesus Culture, Newsboys, Kari Jobe, Rebecca St. James, Phillips, Craig & Dean, and others.)

Kyle Lee (Former member of Pocket Full of Rocks. Worked as a producer with artists like: tobyMac, Mandisa, and Nicole C. Mullen. Songs recorded by Michael W. Smith, Audrey Assad, Phillips Craig & Dean, Travis Cottrell, and others.)

Michael Boggs (Former member of FFH.  Writes for various artists; garnered multiple top 10 singles as well as a featured song in the major motion picture release - Facing the Giants.)

Michael Farren (Lead singer of Pocket Full of Rocks, staff writer for Word Publishing, writer of “Let it Rain”, “Alive”, and many others.)

Tony Wood (Multiple Dove Award Winner, 22 #1 Songs, staff writer for Sony ATV Music, songs recorded by Michael W. Smith, Natalie Grant, Lincoln Brewster, Paul Baloche, and others.)

Cost: $300 per person

DOWNLOAD THE APPLICATION: as a PDF file or DOC file
Click a link above to download the application. Deadline is March 15, 2012.

You may email your complete application (preferred) to: allaboutworship[at]gmail[dot]com
OR
mail to All About Worship, PO Box 3082, Olathe, KS 66063

Feel free to send us an email if you have any questions!

Sponsored by:

Word Music Publishing

Integrity Music Publishing

TSC Podcast Featuring an Interview w/ Kutless – Show Notes

This episode we feature an exclusive interview with Kutless guitarist and songwriter Nick DePartee.  Nick shares the journey that took him from guitar tech to band member, his thoughts on the benefits of co-writing, and the songwriting journey behind their current single, “Carry Me To the Cross”.

We also…

• Share the theme of our February song challenge
• Discuss the role of your pastor in the songwriting process
• Drop hints about the forthcoming songwriting retreat, Hymnish (perhaps we will explain the name in a future podcast…)

Quick Links

• nickdepartee.com
• facebook.com/nickdepartee
• twitter.com/nickysixx
• kutless.com
• Subscribe to the podcast via iTunes
• Subscribe to the podcast via RSS Feed
• TSC on Twitter
• TSC on Facebook
• TSC on google+
• Host Dan Thomson’s blog
• Dan on Twitter, google+
• Joe on Twitter, google+

As always, we would greatly appreciate you taking a moment and leaving a review of our podcast on iTunes.

Copyright Q&A 2/16/12

Here is a couple of the questions we received for our new Copyright Q&A feature. Answers are provided by the CopyrightSolver.com Team. Feel free to email us your questions to copyright[at]allaboutworship.com or tweet them to @allaboutworship w/ hashtag #copyright

1. Can we photocopy out of a book we own to make pages bigger or smaller for our accompanists?

As a general rule, for each purchased product you have it is within your rights to create a single functioning convenience copy. This is also sometimes referred to as an archival copy. This copy can feature larger print, highlighted notation, or simply an individual line or part. However, only a single convenience copy can be made for each purchased product. In order to create multiple copies from a single purchased product you will need to obtain print licenses from the song’s author or their publisher. CopyrightSolver’s PERMISSIONSplus service can help you obtain print licenses.

2. Is using Google images for a sermon Power Point presentation infringing on copyright?

The use of any visual content in a new product (like a PowerPoint presentation) requires the expressed permission of the content’s owner. NOTE: visual images, like photographs, illustrations and paintings, are one of eight types of works of authorship that can be copyrighted under the US Copyright Law. Online this can be very difficult to obtain. A Google Image Search provides volumes of search results gleaned from all over the web. In most cases it can be difficult to identify the actual owner of the image.  In order to remain compliant, it is important that you have absolute clarity regarding the owner of each image and have obtained permission for its use.

Many online companies provide royalty free images, or “stock” images, that are licensed for use in new products when they are purchased (e.g. iStockphoto, gettyimages, shutterstock, etc.). As a general policy, it is much safer and more prudent to use visual images that you have created yourself, or purchased from a royalty-free image service.

The CopyrightSolver answers provided are information, not legal advice. For more information and resources, including fact sheets, videos and idea kits, visit www.CopyrightSolver.com. Use promo code “ABOUTWORSHIP” to receive 10% off the PERFORMmusic and WORSHIPcast licenses and the PERMISSIONSplus service.

AAW Podcast Episode 83, featuring an Exclusive Interview w/ Sean Hill

This episode we welcome songwriter, worship leader, and producer Sean Hill to the podcast as our feature interview.  Sean discusses the leap of faith that led to the founding of Uphill Studios, the story behind “Sing for You” (appears on AAW Collective Volume 2), and his thoughts on the producer’s role in the song creation process.

What Else?

-Wisdom and Ben continue their patronage of Applebee’s
-We introduce a new feature on our website: a weekly Q&A regarding copyright related issues
-We discuss the efforts of Seeds of Hope, the charity that benefits from donations for AAW Collective, Volume 2

Quick Links
www.uphillstudiosonline.com
seanhill[at]uphillstudiosonline[dot]com
facebook.com/UphillStudios
twitter.com/Uphillstudios

Stay connected with us:
twitter.com/allaboutworship
facebook.com/allaboutworship
comment line: 913.735.4229
allaboutworship[at]gmail[dot]com

A special thanks to Christian Copyright Solutions for sponsoring this podcast. Be sure to use promo code, AAWPODCAST, on CopyrightSolver.com to receive a special 10% off the PERFORMmusic and WORSHIPcast licenses and the PERMISSIONSplus service.

UNITED’s Live In Miami – Album Review

I’ve lived my life to the soundtrack of Hillsong United. I applied acne medication and sported my Old Navy tech vest to the likes of “King of Majesty”, “More Than Life” and “To The Ends of The Earth”. I gained my freshman 15 (more like freshman 20) with the accompaniment of tracks like “The Stand”, “From the Inside Out” and “Salvation Is Here”.

I calmed my wedding jitters with “Found”, waited for our son’s arrival to The I Heart Revolution, and prayed for God to save my city with “Tear Down the Walls”. It is this kind of history, emotion and meaning attached to every song that ultimately make room in my heart, and millions more, for Aftermath: Live from Miami.

Just one look at the track listing, and it’s evident that this album is going to deliver every ounce of the passion, excitement and raw hunger for God synonymous with Hillsong UNITED.

To over-simplify, I’d break this album into a few categories:

1) All-time classics that feel a bit like “bonus tracks” on the project: “Mighty to Save”, “Hosanna”, “The Stand”, “All I Need is You”, “Take it All” and “From the Inside Out” – How can you not love these!

2) High-Octane praise, louder and more energetic than ever before: “Go”, “Nova”, “Freedom is Here/Shout Unto God” and “Yours Forever”. Again proving that UNITED is unrivaled in their ability to glorify Jesus while jumping up and down.

3) Intimate moments, showcasing the softer side of the team: “Bones”, “Oh You Bring”, and “Like an Avalanche”. So creative and compelling… songs that belong in a prayer playlist for sure.

4) Epic, “stadium” moments with all eyes on Jesus… The title track, fittingly performed by its creator Joel Houston, was even more powerful than the studio version. “Take Heart” was close behind. But, surprisingly enough, I can’t stop listening to the song that’s been on about 8 Hillsong albums over the past 5 years. Nothing like joining with thousands upon thousands, “With Everything” before God!

In summary, if you loved the studio version of Aftermath, and you’re one of the multitudes of Hillsong UNITED fans across the globe, then you’ll have this on repeat from now until their next highly anticipated release. It’s long, in all the right places, live in all the right ways and loud in the fullest, most vivid sense of the word.

-Joe Cameneti, Jr.
(review copy provided by the label)

How I’ve Cheated on My Wife

It may be hard to believe, but many pastors, including worship pastors, cheat on their wives. The woman entices the pastor with attraction, affection, and attention. The woman is very attractive to the pastor’s eyes. She is very affectionate towards him, especially when his wife is not around.  She gives him a lot of attention and demands a lot of his attention.

Her name is Ministry.

I know from personal experience that it is extremely easy to devote much of your time during the week to Ministry, and neglect your wife. Most of us that feel called by God to ministry are passionately in love with Ministry. She gets us excited! If you’re married, you need to be careful that she does not become your idol or your passion that comes before God or your wife.

A Christian leader once told me that if you do God’s work, He will take care of your family. In essence, what they are saying is put Ministry first and foremost and your wife can get whatever is left over. She’s in God’s hands because you’re doing His work, so don’t worry about her.

Ministry does not come first. Your relationship with God comes first and foremost. Then, your relationship with your wife, whom He has called you to love and cherish. Then, your kids (if you have any). Then, ministry.

Don’t let Ministry distract you from your primary calling. I am not here to judge anyone, but to challenge all of us. I would be the first to admit that I get it wrong often.

I work for a parachurch ministry full-time, manage and oversee everything that goes on with All About Worship & The Songwriter’s Café, provide marketing/social media consulting for Christian companies and artists, write songs, AND serve as a volunteer worship leader/guitarist at my church.

I gotta be honest, it’s an everyday challenge trying to balance it all and at the same time not neglect my wife and kids…making sure I am giving them my time and attention. I’ve learned, and am still learning, that I have to say “NO” to 99.99% of ministry opportunities that present themselves.

I’m learning that I can’t reply to every email, text, and Facebook message that demands my attention. That would completely consume my time. I have to say “NO” to many good, ministry-related things so that I can say “YES” to my wife. And, I can say “YES” to my 3 little ones when they ask me to play hide-and-seek with them.

What does this look like in YOUR life?

-Wisdom Moon

5 Ways to Own Your Time & Not Let It Get the Best of You

One thing my kids have taught me as I’ve gotten older, is that time only speeds up. I remember as a kid, days that seemed to last for weeks.

Now as a parent and pastor (and I’ll use the term ‘young adult’ sparingly) I’d kill to have an extra hour somewhere. Time flies by and if you are not careful, it can get away from you real quick.

Time management isn’t something that comes easily or naturally for me. And for most creatives, artists, and left brain people we have a hard enough time remembering what day it is, not to mention, how to manage our time.

If you aren’t the best at managing your time throughout the day or week, let me offer a few suggestions to get you started.

5 Ways to Own Your Time & Not Let Your Time Own You:

1. Be the Early Bird – One of the best ways to start controlling your time is by starting early. If you have to, get to bed a bit earlier. By starting your day in the wee hours, you can set the tone, get centered, and think clearly…before the distractions start pouring in.

2. Schedule Everything – Write down everything that you have to get done. Everything from meetings to study time to menial tasks. Once this is done, put them on the calendar and give them a priority. Next, assign them to the appropriate days and times you’ll work on them, and get to work.

3. Plan Ahead – Get out your calendar and start looking ahead. You can either start with the day at hand and move through the week up to the next month, or you can reverse it. But looking at your calendar in a broader perspective will help you see what needs to be done and what meetings you have scheduled.

4. Avoid Interruptions – Easier said than done right? Wrong. When you really need to focus and get things done, turn off your phone, close out of your email, and logout of Facebook. Tell your secretary, receptionist, or whoever you need to, to hold your calls. Let them know you are unavailable.

5. Use a Task Management App – I love going analog (written journal, etc) but cross platform apps are a extremely helpful. There are a many to pick from but I personally use Wunderlist, Evernote, and Reminders with iCal. You can set up lists, tasks, dates, priorities, etc. These are great for checking things off your list and help keep you on task.

You simply cannot afford to be unorganized. Time is a huge resource that you must master or it will master you. Hopefully, by following a few of these suggestions, you can start controlling your time and take your productivity to a whole new level.

What is your biggest struggle with time management?

-Rob Rash

Rob Rash is a worship leader and blogger currently finishing his first e-book on leading fantastic worship rehearsals. You can follow him on twitter (@robrash) or check out his blog on worship (robrash.us).