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.

TSC Episode 12: Sky Terminal Interview – Show Notes

On this episode, we feature a special interview with Marcel Preston of Sky Terminal, a Toronto, Canada-based Christian band and gain some insight into his song creation process, including the song “Tonight”.  

Also on this espisode, Dan and Joe:

• Introduce the focus of the podcast for the 2012, specifically trying to dig deeper into the craft of songwriting,
• Explore the question, does God give people songs?
• Announce the release of the All About Worship Collective, Vol. 2

Quick Links:

• Subscribe to the podcast via iTunes
• Subscribe to the podcast via RSS Feed
• TSC on Twitter
• TSC on Facebook
• Host Dan Thomson’s blog
• Sky Terminal on Facebook, Twitter, and MySpace
• Dan on Twitter, google+
• Joe on Twitter, google+

Get connected with us:
twitter.com/songwriterscafe
facebook.com/songwriterscafe

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

Interview with Canadian Worship Leader: Chris Bray

Dan Thomson, of the All About Worship Team, recently had the opportunity to interview Canadian worship leader and songwriter, Chris Bray:

For those who may not know you, can you share a bit about yourself and where you’re from?

I’ve been married for four and a half years. My wife Katie and I have two little girls, Molly, who is two and a half years old, and Norah, who just turned one. I originally grew up in farm country in south-western Ontario. When we got married, we decided to settle in a small town close Katie’s roots.

What motivated you to become a songwriter?

Peer pressure. I just wanted to play electric guitar in a rock band. I had no aspirations to sing or write music, but it was something that was encouraged, and eventually led me to grow in that. The more I started song writing, the more passion I realized I had for it. In the last 8-10 years, I’ve really felt a calling to writing songs that people can relate to and use as a tool to aid them in their spiritual journey closer to Christ.

I understand you’ve had the opportunity recently to co-write with other professional songwriters in Nashville. Who were they and how did that experience help you as a songwriter?

This spring when I was in Nashville I had some writing sessions with a couple of guys from the Word/Warner music group. The first was Michael Farren from Pocket Full of Rocks and the second was Paul Alan who has a song on Point of Grace’s latest album. Both guys are very talented song writers, and it was exciting and humbling working with them.

I could relate well with Michael because of his heart for worship and sharing his experiences ministering to people on the road for so many years. I also appreciated Paul’s discipline in business and his commitment as a husband and father, taking care of his family, while still being open God’s plan for his life with respect to music.

I felt like I had developed my song writing skills on my own as much as I could and that I had plateaued. So many songwriters stay in that rut, and write the same kinds of songs over and over again. Forcing myself to write with others (especially more talented writers) was like flexing my writing muscles, introducing new ideas that challenged me, allowing me to get stronger and nurture the gifts God had given me. I personally think it’s something that needs to be done continually.

You are an independent artist and songwriter. How do you manage to get your music into the marketplace and have the opportunities that you’ve had to open for major artists such as Matt Maher and Point of Grace?

I’ve realized along the way that nurturing relationships for both business and ministry is extremely important. When you look at most circumstances in life, the choices you make are usually based on the recommendation of someone you trust. If you need a plumber, you go ask your neighbour who they use. If you need a dentist, you ask a friend. As a musician, a recommendation from someone who can influence the decision makers can go a long way. Even more especially in Church and ministry. A pastor doesn’t want just anyone coming in front of their congregation introducing concepts that may not align with the churches beliefs, etc.

I’ve been blessed to have a wonderful management team to help me develop as an artist, take some of the burden off of me so I can focus more on ministry, and to facilitate the relationships I wouldn’t normally be able to on my own.

Being based in Canada, with a lot of the gospel music industry being based out of the United States, how do you go about releasing your music and how has the Canadian marketplace embraced your music?

Christian radio in Canada has been so welcoming, and I’ve been blessed to have the opportunities that I have. Stations have fewer and fewer spots for “new” music and the few spots available are extremely competitive to get, just because there’s so much great music out there. Promoting a new record and a new single is a lot of work, but it’s worth it. I know so many artists that spend the money to make a great record, and then don’t remember to budget for promotional efforts. Then I start to think, what was the point of spending all that money if no one knows about your music and you have 950 of the 1000 copies you got pressed sitting in your closet still?

Christian radio and retail distribution have taken my music from “the local worship leader” to a more national level. Even today, beyond my belief, my music is reaching and ministering to people across the continent, and that’s an amazing opportunity I feel honoured to have.

What would you say to encourage other songwriters or worship leaders who may want to get their music heard?

I think it’s important to recognize that there are various methods to distribute your music and by not getting radio play or retail distribution, doesn’t make an artist’s song less effective. A recent example I have with my own music is a slow melodic ballad I wrote with another local artist called, “Pursue Me”. I never intended it to be a “radio” song; it was more of a prayer to God. But a friend of mine led it in worship during a youth pilgrimage to Medjugorje . He said it turned into their theme song by the end of their mission trip because it spoke to them and allowed them to worship God effectively.

First off, I was honoured that a song I had a hand in writing was able to be used for that purpose. Secondly, I don’t feel that song is any less effective because it didn’t chart on radio. It served a great purpose and additionally, that song was nominated for “Inspirational Song of the Year” for this October’s Canadian Gospel Music Association Covenant Awards.

Artists—share your music every way you can (YouTube, MySpace, Facebook, worship events, radio, television, retail, iTunes, etc.). But personally, the songs I’ve been most touched by aren’t the ones I’ve heard on the radio. It’s the ones I’ve seen live, where the artist shares the story about the circumstance in their life that inspired the song, being able to relate to it myself and leave feeling touched. It’s the songs I’ve had an “encounter” with.

Something that I’ve had to learn along the way is to forget about the accolades, the awards, and the charts—because there is always going to be someone better. Work towards creating opportunities for people to encounter your songs. Keep focused on Christ and His plan for you.

When you travel and lead worship, you also speak for Compassion Canada. How has being an advocate enhanced your ministry?

My wife and I always “talked” about how it would be a good idea to get involved, but it took us a long time to put those words into action. When we finally did, our eyes were opened. We realized how good we really have it here in North America. How many people around the world suffer and go without. We realized that in our cushy lives, some days our biggest burden was getting our pizza delivered and they forgot the extra sauce, or ordering an ice cream cone, and they ran out of sprinkles. We didn’t know what it meant to go without like so many in our world do today.

We sponsored Marianna from Columbia and we instantly saw a change in our family. We started to see interest from our girls to write letters and draw pictures for her, to pray for her, and we were excited that we had the opportunity to bestow those values in our children at such a young age.

We really felt called to share that with others, which is why we have partnered with Compassion—to free more children from poverty, give them the opportunity to learn about Christ and to help folks that have been blessed, experience the graces received from giving and sacrifice (even though it is a relatively small sacrifice).

A question that we ask at the end of all All About Worship interviews: if you weren’t able to be involved in music, what would you be doing?

God only knows. If you would have asked me that question in my pre-teens, I would have said an action hero—most likely Superman, but I would settle for Batman.

3 Apps that Make Co-Writing Easier

As we begin 2012, I wanted to take a moment and share some resources that may be helpful for those of you who are interested in co-writing, especially those of you planning on participating in our Monthly Songwriting Challenge. Here are three free tools you may want to add to your toolbox in 2012 if you haven’t already. 

1. Skype: An app that allows you to video chat with anyone around the world using your computer or smartphone. I’ve interviewed tons of artists and worship leaders via Skype and recently started using it to co-write with friends around the country, whom I’ve never actually met in person. Skype is a great tool for co-writing…the next best thing to writing together in the same room.

2. Google Docs: An app created by Google, of course. It’s an app in the cloud, which means everything is saved and accessible via the Internet. You just need a free Google account to signup for it. It is a great tool for co-writing. It allows multiple people to view and edit the document simultaneously, in real-time! You can actually see the other person’s cursor and see them type, as they type! A great tool that makes it easy to write and edit a song together.

3. Dropbox: Another free app that can help in co-writing. It’s an app that gives you 2GB of free storage in the cloud. You can add the app on your computer and/or smartphone for easy access, or access all your files by going to the website and logging in. The great thing is that there is no limit to how big a file can be, just an overall cap. It’s a great way to share mp3s of rough recordings, pdfs, documents, etc. (If you signup using this link, we’ll both receive an additional 250MB for free.)

What free apps help you in co-writing? Leave your thoughts in the comments section below!

A New Monthly Songwriting Challenge for 2012!

Those of you who have been a part of this online community know that January of this year (2011) we launched a new resource called The Songwriter’s Cafe. TSC includes a monthly podcast featuring interviews with various songwriters, tools and inspiration shared through social media, and a monthly songwriting challenge!

In 2011 we challenged each other to write at least one song per month. I hope this challenge helped you write more regularly and grow in your discipline of songwriting. Most of us probably didn’t reach the goal of writing one song every month, but most likely wrote more songs than if we did not participate in this challenge.

In 2012, starting in January, we have a new challenge for you! Here it is:

Write one song a month
1. with someone else (co-write)
and/or
2. on a topic or a phrase we announce

1. Our online songwriting community is all about encouraging each other on this journey as we all grow and learn from each other. One of the great ways we can really grow as songwriters is to co-write with others. So, we encourage you to do that as much as you can in 2012. Whether it be in person with a friend or online via Skype or FaceTime with someone in our online community (or whoever else it may be).

2. Another way we can challenge ourselves in songwriting is to write on a certain topic OR write a song that contains a certain line that’s given to us. Every month we’ll give you a topic or line. We’ll announce it in our online community as well as Twitter & Facebook. It will be a lot of fun to share, in our private online community, the songs that we end up with using that topic or line.

If you’d like to participate in our monthly songwriting challenge, all you have to do is become a Plus Member. Signing up is easy and you’ll have access to our private site where you’ll be able to post your song each month and receive feedback from others in the community. You’ll also have access to worship leading/songwriting training videos by folks like Jared Anderson, Chris McClarney, Matthew Reed, Sarah Reeves, and others.

Check out the Songwriting Challenge Guide 2011 HERE

We are very excited about this new monthly songwriting challenge and we hope you’ll join us! Let the songwriting begin!

-Wisdom Moon

An Open Letter to Worship Songwriters, Part 1 (Please Stop)

This is an open letter to worship songwriters, from the ones that make a living writing worship songs to those that are just starting to write, and everyone in between.

PLEASE STOP regurgitating what’s already been said in a hundred other worship songs. We don’t need another song that says the same thing as “How Great is Our God”, “Mighty to Save”, and “You Never Let Go”. Write something fresh.

PLEASE STOP using the same chord progressions (i.e. A – E – F#m – D). Try something new and exciting. It’s okay to explore.

PLEASE STOP writing about things you haven’t experienced personally. Write out of your own experiences with the Lord and out of deep convictions of your faith. If you don’t like to dance during worship, you probably shouldn’t write choruses that say, “Dance, dance, dance before the Lord!”

PLEASE STOP writing songs with the goal of getting it on the top 25 list on CCLI. It’s an oxymoron to write “worship” songs with the motive of wanting the song to be popular and/or get radio play. If it’s truly a worship song, then it shouldn’t matter if anyone ever hears it. It’s your worship to the Lord.

PLEASE STOP writing feel-good love songs that have no way of distinguishing themselves from secular love songs on the radio. If you’re writing about your love relationship with God, the creator of the universe, it should sound different than someone writing a song to his girlfriend.

PLEASE STOP watering down the gospel in your songs. If your songs have deep theological truths and communicate the gospel clearly without compromise, expect them to be offensive to non-Christians (and even some Christians). Proclaim the Truth of God in a powerful, but creative way. That’s what we need more of, not touchy-feely/Jesus-is-my-boyfriend songs.

PLEASE STOP trying to be the next Chris Tomlin, Matt Redman, Paul Baloche, John Mark McMillan, David Crowder Band, Kari Jobe, Hillsong, etc. You will be accountable to God for who He called YOU to be, not who he called Tomlin or Redman to be.

Be yourself. Use the uniqueness God gave you. Use your own creativity. Write for God and God only, out of the place of intimacy with Jesus. Don’t let dollar signs or the spotlight blind you and fool you into thinking it’s okay to write worship songs to make your own name famous. God is NOT okay with that. Either do it all for Jesus or all for yourself.

In the words of a wise old Jedi…“Do or do not; there is no try.”

-Wisdom Moon

Songwriting Q&A Webinar w/ Daniel Bashta

Monday, October 17th, 8:30pm CST (on the web)

During this one hour webinar, participants will have the opportunity to video chat with Daniel Bashta as he shares about his songwriting process and answers questions from participants.

Daniel Bashta is one of the key modern day songwriters/worship leaders who is spearheading a new worship movement.

Daniel’s debut album, The Sounds of Daniel Bashta, was co-produced by Bashta and longtime friend and fellow New Orleans native Jason Morant. The project includes “Like A Lion,” which was recorded by the David Crowder Band and also by the Newsboys for their upcoming album set to release in November. Sounds also features a duet of Bashta and Morant on the stand-out track “Potter’s Wheel” and features guest vocals by Mac Powell on the song “Heaven” and Kim Walker-Smith on “Pursuit.”

The son of missionary parents, Bashta grew up traveling the world and ministering in a variety of environments and cultures. As an adult, he attended the Bible Institute of London and has served as a worship leader for New Life Church in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and for Church of the Highlands in Birmingham, Alabama. He currently serves as worship pastor at RiverStone Church in Kennesaw, Georgia, just outside Atlanta.

In addition to his role at Riverstone, Bashta continues to minister abroad through his non-profit GoMotion Worldwide. Thefather of an adopted son, Bashta is also a passionate advocate for adoption, working with Bethany Christian Services to raise awareness for adoption-related issues and to raise funds to assistother adopting families through Project Gift.

==
Space is limited. Proceeds of this webinar will go to support the ministry of All About Worship and enable us to continue to provide resources for worship leaders and songwriters, like this one.

All About Worship Plus members may attend for free.

Scholarships are available for this webinar. Email allaboutworship@gmail.com if you can’t afford to make a donation.

Upcoming Training Webinars!

We are working hard, here at All About Worship, to share resources and encouragement with worship leaders and songwriters worldwide. One of those resources that we are really excited about these days are training webinars! These are 1hr training workshops that you can attend from the comfort of your own home, just using the Internet and a webcam.

Consider joining us for one or both of these coming up:

Worship Songwriting – Webinar w/ Dave Fitzgerald
Wednesday, July 27, 2011 from 8:30 PM – 9:30 PM (CT)

Webinar w/ Matthew Reed: Effective Worship Team Auditions & Rehearsals
Thursday, August 04, 2011 from 8:30 PM – 9:30 PM (CT)

Both of these are donation-based. Registration for webinars like these are typically around $30-$50, but we’ve intentionally made our webinars donation-based, so that the cost will not be a hinderance to anyone.

Hope to see you there!

-Wisdom Moon

Announcing Our Songwriting Contest w/ Michael Farren, Darrell Evans, & Others As Judges

We are excited to host our very first Songwriting Contest AND to give away over $3,500 worth of prizes! Below are the details. If your questions are not answered below, feel free to email office[at]factor7agency[dot]com.

CONTEST PRIZES
1st Place Prizes: $2,650 Value
-One full day of recording session at BMG Studios (Warren, OH). Includes access to studio instruments, musicians (as needed), an engineer/producer, tracking, production, and mastering. (Travel & lodging not included.) ($2,000 value)
-$150 cash (USD)
-A 60 minute one-on-one song review session (of any of your songs) with Dave Fitzgerald via Skype. ($200 value)
-Song featured on the All About Worship Podcast and The Songwriter’s Cafe Podcast. ($300 value)
-5 Minute interview on The Songwriter’s Cafe Podcast.  ($50 value)

2nd Place Prizes: $637 Value
-$80 cash (USD)
-A 60 minute one-on-one song review session (of any of your songs) with Dave Fitzgerald via Skype. ($200 value)
-Song featured on the All About Worship Podcast and The Songwriter’s Cafe Podcast. ($300 value)
-God Songs by Paul Baloche (book - $20 value)
-Diamond On The 1 by Jonathan Riggs (handbook – $7 value)
-Free Song Submission to Worthwhile Worship ($30 value)

3rd Place Prizes: $407 Value
-$50 cash (USD)
-Song featured on the All About Worship Podcast and The Songwriter’s Cafe Podcast. ($300 value)
-God Songs by Paul Baloche (book – $20 value)
-Diamond On The 1 by Jonathan Riggs (handbook - $7 value)
-Free Song Submission to Worthwhile Worship ($30 value)

THE JUDGES
Michael Farren (of Pocket Full of Rocks)
Darrell Evans
Chris Kuti (of Chris & Conrad)
Dave Fitzgerald
Tom Brock (Worthwhile Worship)
Cindy Wilt Colville
Joe Cameneti (All About Worship)
Dustin Smith
Wisdom Moon (All About Worship)
Joe Brookhouse (All About Worship)
Barry Westman (All About Worship)

We guarantee that the top 5 entries will be personally reviewed and judged by: Michael Farren, Darrell Evans, Chris Kuti, Cindy Wilt Colville, and Dave Fitzgerald.

THE CRITERIA
Each entry will be judged based on the quality of the song and lyrics, not production. You are welcome to enter home quality songs just with vocals and one instrument OR a studio-quality recording with a full band. You must submit your song as a mp3 file (with lyrics). Songs of any style are welcome.

THE DEADLINE
Wednesday, June 1, 2011 at Midnight

THE ENTRY FEE
$30 for one song; $60 for two songs; $80 for 3 songs (3 songs max)

For all the details or to enter, go to our official Songwriting Contest page.

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