thesurrendersound

We got this song done in the first take. It was so awesome! Got to write with Emily this beautiful cold morning. Time slows down for Emily during the Christmas season; it also brings joy with family and friends. This song is a good look at what she enjoys about Christmas. What does Christmas mean to you this year?

Merry Christmas! Song Three.
It started feeling like Christmas (w/Emily Kate Cammarata)

It started feeling like Christmas
as the cold came rolling in.

It started feeling like Christmas
as we bundled up again.

It started feeling like Christmas
as the family is on its way.

It started feeling like Christmas
as joy comes out to play.

Rosy cheeks walking down the street.
Lights up in the front yard.
Giving in the hearts of everyone
spreading the good cheer.

Joy!

People out, coming and going
giving smiles to everyone they see.
Make sweet memories that will last a life time.

Joy!

Joy to the world
Let earth receive her king
Let every heart make room
Heaven and nature sing!

What can I say JD is sick talented, be on the look out for this guy in the future. JD and I got to collaborate right after one of his finals that he said, “he aced.”  It was cool to hear from JD that Christmas wasn’t just about the birth of Christ, but the beginning of God with us, Emmanuel. What a gift He has given us! What Does Christmas mean to you this year?

Merry Christmas!Song Two.

What a joy it was to write a new Christmas song today with Simon & Richard. We meet up at their new house the “BFC” and wrote “The Joy You Bring” right in the living room. This song was a product of what Christmas meant to them this year. Understanding that the birth of Christ meant the beginning of freedom and the washing away of our sin. What does Christmas mean to you this year?

Merry Christmas! Song One.

The Joy You Bring

The Angels sing woah (x4)

Oh the joy you bring.
Glory to the new born king!

The heavens open wide
let your star shine bright!

Little savior to wash away our sin.
In response we will sing woah!
Little savior to wash away our sin.
From our hearts we will sing woah!

Yes a savior to break the bondage of sin.

-josh, simon, richard

We did it – and I can’t tell you how grateful I am to have you along for the journey. Thanks so much for your support and encouragement along the way.

We pushed through and created seven songs in seven days – what an adventure! I’m always up for a challenge, so I was really excited to do something like this. It’s tough to write a new song every day – you really have to get past the idea of perfection and just create. So a word to all of you creatives out there – don’t worry about success. Just get out there and enjoy and create, and find new and exciting ways to express yourselves. Provision comes from the Lord, so we don’t have to worry. Every good and perfect thing comes from above.

As for this blog and my songwriting – there’s plenty more to come, and I’d love for you to stick around. Just click here to subscribe to my email list, and I’ll keep you posted with where we’re headed and some exciting ways you can get plugged into what we’re doing. Sound like a plan?

7in7 Day Seven: “Quiet”

Verse 1:
In the whisper of the dawn,

There’s a beauty all around.
In the stillness of creation,
There’s a calm beat pushing on.

chorus:
Pushing on, I can see,

All the grace God has around me.
I will be still and know that He is in control.

Chorus tag:
I don’t have to worry,
Everything is perfect in the Fathers love.

Verse 2:

In the dark clouds over head,
I will sing out just like I did,
When all thing were calm & bright.
I’ll keep pushing on through the night.

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This morning, I found a diamond on the ground while I was out getting coffee. After looking at it, I realized it had come from some small piece of jewelry, like an earring, because it wasn’t all that big. It made me sad to think someone lost something so small and expensive, this got me thinking about how everything breaks eventually, right? On the other hand, things are also lost and found by others, but ultimately, everything will perish and return to dust. I decided to write today’s 7in7 song about it.

Oh – and I really did end up keeping this little diamond. It’s funny how we hang on to things that we think have value, but really don’t and will only sit and collect dust. I think I’ve got another song in me – so make sure to come back tomorrow to find out. You can also subscribe to my email list, and I’ll keep you posted about other songwriting I’m doing after 7in7.

7in7 Day Six: Everything Breaks

Verse 1:
I found a diamond on the ground.
It’s sad to think,
That everything breaks.

Verse 2:
Time takes its toll on all things.
Its cruel but gravity,
It doesn’t care much.

Bridge:
All these things will have an end.
All this treasure will be lost.

Chorus:
Everything we see, everything we make,
Everything we hold, will return to dust.
Return to dust.

Verse 3:
It’s sad to think,
I think I’ll keep it.

7in7 is Almost Over – Join the List for More to Come:

Whoa – we’ve only got two more days of this 7in7 journey. Can you believe it? I really appreciate you sticking around – and I think you’ll enjoy today’s song…

I thought it would be cool to tell a story about a man who is walking, and each time he would see a stone, wishing it were gold., would pick it up and put it in the sack he had on his back. But eventually, the sack grew so large it overwhelmed him and blocked his vision. Because of this, he fell right off the flat earth he was walking. The truth is – we all get distracted and make mistakes, but it’s important to keep our eyes focused on the Lord, because He is our provision.

I’d love to hear what you think of today’s song – and of course, you can check out the rest of my 7in7 songs right here. If you haven’t subscribed to the email list, either, now’s a great time. Still giving away a free track from my last album, “Clarity, Humility and Peace”. Check it out – and check back in tomorrow.

7in7 Day Five: Rocks and Gold

Verse 1:
This old man has been walking for days.
The sun on his back, the road in his face.
He’s been searching for answers,

But each step of the way, he keeps adding the weight.

Verse 2:
Another stone up ahead is mistaken for Gold.
It increases the weight, God bless his soul.
He lifts it up above his head, will He ever see?
Now it’s up to his weary knees.

Verse 3:
Money on his mind, it’s there all the time.
He has a one track mind, a one track mind.
Racing to the top, with a sack full of rocks,
Will he ever stop?

Verse 4:
This walk started looking like a crawl.
A baby he came, now a baby he’ll fall.
He was blinded by his wants, he made it all the way,
To the edge of the earth, then fell off.

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I’m going to be real with you all right now…

I’m really tired. Sundays are long – as I know most of you who lead at a church in any capacity can understand – but after three services, two rehearsals and today’s 7in7 song, I’m wiped.

Still, I’m excited to share this one with you. Have you taken a listen to my other 7in7 songs so far? You can do that by clicking here. Don’t forget to subscribe to my email list, too, and I’ll keep you updated with 7in7 info – plus, I’ll give you a free download from my latest record, “Clarity, Humility and Peace”. Sound fair?

Now for the song – and some sleep.

7in7 Day Four: Today

Verse 1:
The sun rises, to the sound of creation,
Calling out Your Name hallelujah.
Sing praise hallelujah.

Chorus:
Oh, oh you are worthy.
Today, today we’ll sing Gods praise.

Verse 2:
Humbled in your chapel,
Underneath the shadow of Your Cross,
Calling out Your Name, hallelujah.
Sing praise, hallelujah.

Verse 3:
All up in Your sweet embrace.
There’s no place I’d rather be today.
Calling out Your Name, hallelujah.
Sing praise, hallelujah.

There’s Still More 7in7 – Get Updated along the Way!

Getting today’s 7in7 song online deep in the heart of Aggieland. I had to make a trip to College Station today, and ended up getting to co-write and track with this guy. Would you believe he laid down a drum track with a kitchen utensil?

I got the idea for today’s song, which is called, “Captivity”, while I was on the road early this morning. I thought it would be cool to write a song that is story-based. Watching the sun come up, I thought it was interesting how such a small speck of light can push away large amounts of darkness.

Can anyone else believe we’ve made it through three days of 7in7 already? If you haven’t caught the other two songs I’ve posted, you can click here to take a listen. Also – there’s still time to subscribe to the email list to get updates on 7in7 – plus other songwriting I’m doing. Seriously, just click this link and fill out the short form, and I’ll even throw in a free song from the record, “Clarity, Humility and Peace”.

7in7 Day Three: “Captivity”

Verse 1:
Darkness all around,
With no hope in sight.
Born a slave,
To the night.
So dark the lost,
Can’t be found without a light.

Verse 2
Will we ever see,
Your spark again?
Wasn’t it the best thing,
You’ve ever seen?
Than I soon realized,
This was no mistake, I held this light inside.

Verse 3:
This is the light that set us free,
Breaking us from captivity.
Now the lost can be found,
I’ll share this light all around.
La la la la.

Put Your Details in the Boxes – and I’ll Send You Stuff:

This song all started on a napkin – and with a little inspiration from my friend, Dustin Malmberg. The word, “intimate”, came up in our conversation, as we talked more about how intimate our relationship is, and can be, with God. So, I tried to go in and construct a song around Gods intimacy with us, and how this is something that is always growing. We desire to be close and connect with God, and He always pursues us.

There’s still plenty of time to tag along my 7in7 journey. Just click this link to subscribe to my email list, and I’ll shoot updates your direction throughout the next week. Thanks for checking in – and I’m hoping there will be a special guest on tomorrow’s song…

7in7 Day Two: Intimate

Verse 1:
You know every thought inside our head before we dream it.
The atmosphere around, the very fiber within us,
Holds together in your intimacy.

Verse 2:
Your creation is waiting, the return of Your glory.
You call us sons and daughters every morning.
With every breath we take, a new moment.
Life pieces together in Your intimacy.

Verse 3:
You hold us close, just like a new mother.
Deserving of fear, we take advantage of Your mercies.
We turn our backs so easily.

Still with out fail, He pursues us intimately.

There’s Still Five More Days – Follow My 7in7!

What a day to start 7in7! I had a checklist for the church that was a full page long, which needed to be completed today. But – sitting down and cranking out a song helped me find the momentum to knock out the entire list.

This is what gave me the inspiration for today’s song, which is titled, “Victorious”: Amongst the trouble and fear of failure God lifts us up to be victorious. Interesting way to kick this thing off, eh?

It’s definitely nerve-racking to have a song done in a single day – and just to think, there are six more days left. I’m up for the challenge, and hope you can join me along the way. Subscribe to my email list – and you can follow my 7in7 journey AND get a free song from my latest record, “Clairty, Humility and Peace”.

7in7 Day #1: “Victorious”

Verse:
Praise God in our days of trouble.
He hides us in the shelter of his arms.
He is all we need.

Let God be magnified.
He is bigger than our fears combined.
He is all we need.

Chorus:
God lifts us up victorious, making peace in the blood of His cross, His Son.
He lifts us up victorious, holy and blameless.
Let our faith rise up in Him.

Verse 2:
He lifts our heads from the dust with gentle hands embracing us.
He is all we need.

Now we stand bold and free, because His overflowing love is rescuing.
He is all we need.

Ending:
He is all, all we’ll ever need by faith we’ll stand unshifting.

I’m seeing this notion more and more lately, where “church famous” and “local-church famous” worship leaders and artists are getting together and writing new songs for the Church, essentially creating an “it’s all who you know” worship circle. This has caused me to wonder: Is this co-writing trend about “working the industry” and establishing fame, or is this the direction songwriting is headed in the “genre” of praise and worship music? I’m not some loudmouthed cynic who says all co-writing is inherently bad or ill-motivated. But I do think it’s important to consider a few things and gauge our hearts as we compose songs for the Lord.

In this day and age, young worship leaders are often blinded by some perception of glamor they assume accompanies worship leading. They take the stage and assume the “worship rockstar” role. The desire of the heart must be Christ as we go out and make a living for His name, and I believe it’s important for more seasoned worship leaders and pastors to echo this sentiment relentlessly. This isn’t to say we should refuse the Lord’s blessings of creative and financial provision in our lives. There’s a certain feeling that accompanies a well-written and positively received song. But are we writing to be a blessing – or to be blessed? It’s a question I wrestle with each time I put pen to paper.

The task of writing and composing is certainly a daunting one. Honing one’s ability to craft songs which honor the Father and are attainable to listeners is a constant pursuit. It’s reasonable to attribute the blessing of compensation from songwriting to the Lord, and while it is, indeed, exciting and rewarding, should the financial incentive be our desire? This often makes me think of Mark 10:17-25, and even Matthew 21:12.

What are the desires of my heart when I sit down with my guitar and notepad? What are my motives when I schedule a co-writing session? Will I flee from the worldly definition of a successful songwriter in order to solely pursue the Lord’s calling for these lyrics and melodies?

Tommy Walker’s, “He Knows My Name,” says this: “He knows my name, He knows my every thought.” The desires of my heart are no secret to the Lord. It’s important for us to remember all songs come from Him, and more importantly, can be used to bless Him. But the desires of our heart are what we must filter through as we strive to develop our craft and diligently create music which furthers the Kingdom.

What Do You Think:

1. How can Christian songwriters guard themselves from submitting to the worldly viewpoint of success in the music industry?

2. What benefits do you see coming from the latest co-writing trend?

If you haven’t seen the official music video for “Listen to Your Heart”, head over and take a look. Another huge thanks to our good friend, B.K. Garceau, for the phenomenal work and mad creativity.

Don’t forget – you can also score a free download of the track by subscribing to our email list. All you need to do is fill out this short form – and we’ll send you a download link.

It’s been almost an entire year since we released “Clarity, Humility and Peace”, and I’m still hearing such encouraging words about the tracks and stories behind the album. One of the songs I hear an overwhelming amount of positive comments about is “Listen to Your Heart”, and it’s why I’m so excited to share this with you.

A hefty word of praise and gratitude to the impressive skills and talent from my good buddy, B.K. Garceau. Many of you will recognize B.K.’s work, as he’s also the mastermind behind this and this. The video does a fantastic job at capturing the emotion and power behind such a personal song – and that’s what I wanted to talk about today.

BEHIND THE SONG: Listen to Your Heart

In the early part of 2010, my family got word my aunt had been diagnosed with cancer. As you can certainly imagine, this led to an overwhelming amount of emotions, and because of this, it made it difficult to find the words to say to my aunt. I didn’t even have the guts to call her because the words just wouldn’t come to me.

All of the updates on my aunt’s progress came through my Mom, so I remember quite vividly when I heard her repeat these words from my aunt one night: “I’m not giving up. It’s not over yet.” Despite the odds, the prognosis, the medical community’s statistics and figures, she had the courage to continue fighting.

It was a jolt of encouragement. These words filled me with joy and hope. It was as if I had just returned from a nice visit at my aunt’s house. Both humbled and encouraged, it was this short but powerful statement that gave me the words for this track, “Listen to Your Heart”.

It’s my desire that my aunt’s song, as well as her charter, will be a source of hope for those who are battling illness, fighting disease or boldly pushing to defy the odds. Remember: Live every day to the fullest, as we aren’t always guaranteed another.

You can see the official music video for “listen to Your Heart” by clicking here. And – as a special bonus – there’s an opportunity to download a free MP3 of the track here.

I’ve been in Nacogdoches for a few months now and it’s quite obvious – this college town needs a bit more live music. Wouldn’t you agree? Being the gentlemen and guitarist that I am, I’ve taken it upon myself to gather a few of my closest comrades, both old and new, to throw a funky little shindig down at Java Jacks next Saturday.

Who is Invited?

If you’re reading this – you’re invited. But, since I’m the new dude in town, I’m really hoping you’ll help me out and tell your friends about this musical get-together. If you live in the Nacogdoches area, I’d be grateful if you’d upload this show flyer as your Facebook cover image to get the word out to your local pals.

How Much Will it Cost?

Absolutely nothing. No – seriously. It takes a ton of effort to put a live music event together, but me and my buddies want to put on a show for you, so consider it a freebie this time. Now, if you’d like to throw some change in a bucket set up by the door, it’s going to help fill gas tanks for those heading in from out of town to play the show with us. Have you seen the price at the pump lately? Scrounge under the couch cushions  on your way out the door and spare some spare, okay?

Who Will Be Playing?

Originally, my good friend, Pat with The Cries Of, wanted to set this thing up with me. He recommended a guy named Dustin Prinz to share the night with us. A local friend, Emily, also mentioned a buddy of her’s, Zach Maberry, that was gearing up for a tour, so she thought he’d be a good fit for the lineup. Pat had to bail last minute, but the rest of the crew is ready to rock and roll. It’s going to be laid back and fun, and the venue will be a cool place to host live music.

What Time Does This Thing Go Down?

We’ll open the doors at around 6:30PM on Saturday, May 19th at Java Jacks in Nacogdoches. Show is scheduled to start around 7:00PM. We plan on wrapping up around 9:00PM. It’s going to be about two hours of music – for free. What else could you want?

Don’t forget – if you’re coming, I’d be quite honored if you’d download the show flyer and upload it as your Facebook cover image. I want to see you and your friends at Java Jacks next Saturday. Nacogdoches is a small town – don’t make me come and find you.