April 22nd, 2010
So I am in a predicament and need your input!
I am currently exporting some of my soft synth/ambient/rhythm tracks from the “This Valley” protools files so I can play them live. I normally use Ableton Live to trigger my loops/tracks live, but the lately I’ve been having trouble making my loops warp to Ableton’s built in click (which I hacked and replaced with a Boss DB-90 rimshot sample). Sometimes it works, but almost any song in 6/8 won’t properly warp.
Continue reading 'Clicks in Loops'
April 2nd, 2010
Join me at Cornerstone Church in Chandler, Az for the release of This Valley! Come hear the songs and the stories behind them, and be the first to pick up a copy! April 15th, 7-9pm, FREE! Everyone welcome! Make sure to check out special guest Raining and OK … They ROCK!
Church Campus
1595 S Alma School Rd
Chandler, AZ 85286
Continue reading 'CD Release April 15th'
November 12th, 2009
Well folks, I am currently in the process of recording/producing my first full length worship album. God has taught me a lot during our pregnancy and loss, and I have condensed most of my journey during those 6 months into 11 songs. The album, “This Valley” really addresses the fact that our faith cannot be contingent upon an outcome. God is with you in the fire, whether you live or die in the flames. We lost our baby and it broke our hearts, but in that brokeness I felt the presence of God like I never have before. The title songs revolves around the idea that God is with us in the fight, in the moments when we just can’t go on. Even in the moments when it feels like we are caught in a desert or the valley, God calls us to obey, surrender, repent, and worship. Its not easy and its not always happy, but its our calling.
All 11 songs started as lyrics from a prayer journal as I began to converse with God and struggle through the reality of losing our firstborn. As a worship leader, I had to examine myself and see if I truly believed everything I said and sang on stage. Half of the album is geared towards the corporate worship setting, and the other half reflects some honest and hard personal conversations I had with God. This is the first full collection of music I have worked on that started lyrically…This may happen once or twice but normally I have a catchy tune or riff to build upon. It has been a fun challenge to craft melodies and song structures around pre-existing meters.
God has revealed himself to me during a pivotal time in my life, and I don’t want it to stop with me, so I’m putting it out in song. I hope you guys will enjoy! I will have some snippets up soon, but right now, I have to get back to tracking electric guitar!
July 16th, 2009
[audio:Love-Alive.mp3]
Love Alive Right click and select ‘save as’ to download.
“Love Alive” is a worship song I just finished in the last few weeks. It was a journey for me to write this song. In the midst of our pregnancy complications, I really felt God challenging me to look at the big picture and to soak in His grace, instead of just focusing on the day to day hardships. Through weeks of prayer I was reminded of the immensity of what Christ did for us and what that really meant to me. It affects absolutely everything I do. The more we let that amazing truth grow in our hearts, the more we have to share it…We just can’t contain something of such great porportions. I hope you enjoy this live version.
Additional Musicians:
Ashur Benjamin- Bass, Casey Block- Drums, Phil Tipping- Keys, Brett Reinhart- Guitar
January 22nd, 2009
Tonight was a good night of worship…nothing special from an outward perspective, but I felt God speaking to me. I felt a freedom in the songs, a certain level of confidence in the technicality of the music which allowed my mind to wander elsewhere and LISTEN. I was reminded that God gifts our every breath. 2 of the 4 student center ac units where down, but the stifling room didn’t stop God from moving. I could see others in the same place, and its always a good thing when you as a worship leader are able to bring others on the journey you are on. In almost every worship session I lead I find myself tuning in to a specific person…that person often serves as an instrument to help gauge the feeling in the room but on a deeper level I find myself working to lead that specific person…worshipping with them and focusing on how to take them deeper. Its just a mind game but it seems God always provides someone who has something to teach me. Tonight is was a younger man who was sitting by himself. It was his first time tonight at Camber and even though he was new to the community he was abandoning himself in worship. His tattered D’backs had was clutched in his hands as he shouted out the lyrics with an unrivaled passion. I was observing an intimate conversation between him and God. I don’t how to describe my reaction, but it put a lump in my throat and reminded me that God moves in his own way and time, regardless if we are set up or ready for it. He moves in rooms of 10 and rooms 0f 10,000. I was reminded that the living God was in our presence, and touching lives in front of my face.
The most powerful moment I remember was when I was leading at a winter camp in Mammoth Lakes, Ca. It was the last night and I glance out on the group of high school students during a song and see my brother on his knees. In the next moment, my mom, who was volunteering on the trip, with tears in her eyes, kneeled down with him. In that instant I shared a connection with my mom and brother that I can’t explain but is still with me till this day. It taught me a great deal about family, humility, and legacy. Sometimes when I am having a rough rehearsal, or am fighting off technical difficulties, I remember these people and these moments and remind myself what I am really working towards.
Pay attention to those around you…God may have a lot to say.
