Does anyone write christian based songs?

  • Thread starter Thread starter George Parler
  • Start date Start date
George,
You sound like just the person I need to ask this question...I trying to decide between Cool Edit and Cakewalk. However, I'm need to dig recording, so I'm talking about Cool Edit 2000 and Cakewalk Home Studio (hold your laughter), not the Pro stuff. Any thoughts? Sounds like you like CEP?

Thanks...
 
Hi George!

I'd like to answer your original question. I am a Christian songwriter, and I'd like to get advise from you or anyone else who like to reply. I've written over a 100 songs and have sung them in the churches I've planted. I'd like to make them more accessible to Christian Musicians who'd be interested in recording them. The problem is, as a pastor, I don't have the time to actively recruit publishers, musicians, etc. Any suggestions?
 
Hello Sinjin,

As I posted earlier, I do tend to lean toward CEP as a personal preference though I also own Cakewalk Pro Audio 9. And the learning curve between the two was a factor. Keep in mind that I am not an expert in comuter recording. I use it for laying down original drafts and demos. Its great for what I do. But don't snub your nose at Cakewalk. They have great software.

There are some great threads that can probably be a little more in depth than the info I'm posting. Check out the Cakewalk and the Cool Edit Pro forums in this site. There is some good stuff there.

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George
 
Hi Charles,

Most major recording artist do not accept unsolicited material. And believe it or not, even in Christian music. But you have to look at from their point of view. If you make a name for yourself in the music bussiness then everybody and his brother has wrote a song meant just for you. And your office is flooded with tapes, CD's, and telephone calls. So most have other agencies to do the work for them. They just tell them what they're looking for and they do the screening.

So where does that leave the songwriter? If your lucky enough to have connections in the music bussiness, thats a plus. But most do not have that luxury.

The other is to contact the angencies that do the screening. One such company that I've heard about is "TAXI". I've checked them out online before. They list the types of songs they're looking for. You can subscribe to the listings and submit demos, for a fee of course.

So much for the business end. What style of Christian songs do you write?

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George
 
Hi George........ and to all who read this thread on purpose or in passing,

I just wanted to "stand and be counted" among the fellowship of believers and recievers in Christ. I am getting in on this thread late; as today is the first day I have loooked in the songwritres forum. Song writing as an art form seems to be such a personal thing of expression and I aggressively try to avoid ANY influences that recomend or tell you how to write a song "correctly".

There are too many closed minded industry exec's even in Christian Music that will tell you a song has to be in some specific format ie verse chorus verse chorus bridge chorus and out in under four minutes or what ever for comercial reasons. While I like to write with other musicians (and since I can't sing it is a neccessity for vocal music) I have a hard time imagining how to discuss song writing problems/solutions. The technical side of recording your stuff seems much easier to discuss and find solutions for and share discoveries.

That being said I am glad George started this thread though. Many may not understand why writing from a Christian perspective changes your perspective and inspiration as we saw with the first response to the thread starter. Anyway was glad to see a few names that I have participated in discussions from other threads with and wanted to be known as Christian to those who want to know.

Peace and blessing to all

Scott
 
RE: Writing from Biblical stories...

Good idea, George! I never really stopped to think of the implications of that particular story, but I'll bet it made for a great song!

The one story I've found has inspired me more than most is Jesus's parable of the prodigal son. It's something that a lot of people I know can relate to, and something I have experienced personally (and not just on a spiritual level). I've already completed one song based on it (although it's admittedly more about my own experience than the parable), and there's one I keep going back to that retells the story through the eyes of the brother. Can't seem to finish it, though...

If you'd like to hear it (the finished one), I have a rough mix of the song at http://www.ampcast.com/andrewt - it's called "Welcome Home."
 
Song: Welcome Home

a_street,

GREAT! SONG!

Also liked your idea. Never thought of the angle through the eyes of the prodical's brother. I've thought a few times of writing about that story, but went after stories that not many, if anyone, ever wrote a songs about. One story that I have been putting my meditator on is the story of Simeon, the Preist to whom God told would not see death until he saw the consolation of Israel.
And while yet an infant, Joseph and Mary brought Jesus to the temple to be circumcised and blessed. On that day Simeon held
the Salvation of the world in his arms.

I hope to write one of the prodical son one day, but until then I have to write where I feel led.

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George
 
Scooter B,

Welcome to the thread,

I'm just a sheep in wolves clothing, trying to be as wise as a serpent and as harmless as a dove, while discussing not how a song should be done but about the many, many colorful ways there are to do it, and why I do it the way I do.........Man!....try to say that three times real fast.

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George
 
Hi, Scott.

Welcome to the thread. What's the CCM scene like in OK? I'm from Memphis, thus the moniker, but the lead singer and primary lyricist for my band is from OK. Examples of our songs are posted on the web-site. http://www.teleo-rock.com A little bit of what's going on here can be found at http://www.memphischristianmusic.com . Another place to look to get some help on getting your stuff published is through the National Association for Christian Artists and Songwriters (http://www.nacas.com ). They might be able to direct you to agents or publishing companies or entertainment lawyers (a necessary evil in the music business).

But whatever you do, MAKE SURE YOU HAVE THE COPYWRITES. Poor-man copywrites are OK. (That's where you send a sealed registered package to yourself that contains either electronic or paper copies of your songs.) But the problem is once that package is openned you cannot reseal it and you could loose any future copywrite infringement rights. Proper copywrite information is available through the Library of Congress, I think. It costs a little bit, but it's worth it in the long run and the advantages are numerous. There are probably more qualified people to speak on this than me. Seek them out.

Peace <><
 
Memphissound and George,

Thank you for the welcome,

As far as the local scene for local musicians goes - my experience recently in this area (outside of playing at my local church) is limited. I have played in two local Christian bands in the past that did 99% original and it was very hard to find places to play. At the time there were no Christian coffe houses or "clubs" for band to play in and we could not afford our own PA so .....

We enjoyed playing for youth groups but most local youth ministries are wary of a band calling up looking for opportunites to play. Some of of the local radio stations sponsored some battle of the bands but it was mostly people singing to tracks etc with one or two real bands and then they styles of music were so different ...they just were not well put together for a band they were put together for a radio station needing to do a live remote and add some excitement. I don't want to sound bitter as I am really not but when you work so hard at developing something artistic, valid and of exccellent quality you hope to have opportunities to be effective. When good opportunities don't come you settle for less than good matches for your vision or calling wich results in more disapointment.... I am not actively playing right now but focussing on writing and learning to make some good home demo's. I would like to do some casual stuff on and off again as far as playing live putting out some CD's but it has to be the (HIS) right timing, people etc or I aint going there know what I mean? No more beating my head up against a brick wall.

Scott
 
Scooter B,

I since a depth in your songs that I listened to, that I know comes from one place, His anointing. There are good songs that are entertaining and then there or those that go beyond the ear and straight to the heart.

You know in the bible King Saul was oppressed by demons. They sent for young David, who as he played and sang, King Saul would have a moment of peace. This was the same man that God said was a man after His own heart. There is just something that takes place beyond ourselves when that which we do, we do as unto the Lord. We become vessels of honor that He can fill and pour out of us, Himself, into that which we do, be it songwriting, playing, or singing. But the goal is always the same, glorify Him in the calling in which we where all called. The ministry of reconciliation.

Okay,...... I'm back now.

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George
 
Question: What was the most memorable compliment you have ever recived for a song you have written?

Now I know that you don't do it for vain glory. But you do hope someone is touched, helped, or encouraged by your songs. Don't you?

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George
 
It wasn't one that I wrote, but we had just finished a show in Tupelo, MS. We had a rough set early, but it got better as we went. We weren't feeling the best. But as we were tearing down a lady came up and told us that our music had really touched her. She was going through a tough break-up with her husband and said that a number of the lyrics in our music had ministered to her heart. We took the time to pray with her right there in the parking lot. It made the whole trip worth it.

Peace <><
 
Twila Paris

Wow. Loooong time reader, first time posting! I've been looking everywhere for the song 'Never Ending Love' (or something like that) by Twila Paris. I've had little success. Does anyone have, or would anyone be willing to sell me a cd copy or tell me where I can download an mp3 of this tune? Thanks!
 
..........most memorable compliment ?

Our first CD project had been out for about 3 months. A woman came into a clothing shop, of a relative of mine, and noticed the CD cover on the counter. She told her she had a testimony concerning that CD. She went on to say that she was in Shrevport, LA at a big christian book store, which was about a hundred miles north. While she was shopping a woman entered the store and immediately everyone could not help but notice her. She looked as though she had been in a terrible car wreck and had just been released from the hospital. About the time she reached the center of store, she collasped to the floor, sobbing uncontrolably. Everyone went to her immediately thinking she may have ran into something or had fallen causing more pain in her injuries. When they finally got her to stop crying so she could tell them what had happened, she said "Who is that? I must have that song?" The woman giving the testimony said, she was talking about the song that was being played over the stores sound system. That song was one of the songs that I had written for that project called "Just One Touch". The song I had written about the woman with the issue of blood from the bible. That made every penny and hour spent on that project worth every cent and every minute. To me its a very humbling experience to have something you put your hands to used by God.

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George
 
Praise & Worship Direction

Friends,
I'm new to this "threadnology". Looks like lots of good stuff happeneng. I want to address the issue of direction in Christian music. Someone asked about a "third" aspect of lyric from the Lord as well as "to Him" (vertical songs) and about Him, (horizontal songs.) I regularly experience "songs from the Lord" in the midst of worship that are spontaneous. Often they seem like words from God to bless the gathered people. I believe that God actually sings over people, so I say yes... some songs come "from" the Lord and compliment the music that is about Him and to Him.
 
Good point Booter,

That example may cause some disagreement depending on ones beliefs in "prophetic spiritual gifts". I grew in a denomination that will remain un-named that definitely banned that sort of thing and we only sang out of hymnals.

I have experienced and been blessed in worship services that operated in the way you described as the spirit lead and some worship leaders/ministers seem to have a special annointing in this area. :)

Scott
 
Christions Musician's Guild

I wanted to let you all know about an organiziation a friend of mine is moderating called the Christian Musician's Guild. He sends out occasional news letters and heads up news about opportunities for unsigned artists. There is also a web page with discussion forums for aspiring Christian artists. Check it out if you want, I don't think he has been able to devote as much time and effort as he wants to but it has lots of potential. You can subcribe at;

chritiansmusiciansguild@egroups.com
 
Scooter B,

Thanks for the tip on the Christian Musicians Guild. I checked it out a while ago. Very intresting.

<><
George
 
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