April 13th, 2011

“This Valley” album review in Worship Leader Magazine

“Acoustic-driven anthems and ballads with a touch of electronica that sings the melody of the hurting and healing.”

Here’s is a link to web version of an album review that will be published in the next edition of Worship Leader Magazine. Check it out HERE.

October 6th, 2010

The Songwriting Process

“Almost without exception, every great songwriter whom I know personally or that I’ve heard of or read about, uses a specific technique: Some free-associate on legal pads for hours and then pare lists of cross-referenced words or phrases down to related components that can by used in lyric lines. Continue reading 'The Songwriting Process'

June 2nd, 2010

Ryan Axtell EPK Is Here

Ryan Axtell EPK from Ryan Axtell on Vimeo.

It’s finally done! Chris Loope did an amazing job putting this EPK together. It does an amazing job of sharing the heart and the story behind what I do what I do! Hope you enjoy and let me know what you think!

April 22nd, 2010

This Valley on iTunes

You can now buy “This Valley” straight from iTunes! Click HERE! Make sure to leave a comment. Let’s pump those ratings!

April 16th, 2010

CD Release- Thank You

Thank you, everyone who came out to the CD Release show tonight. I can’t express how much your support means to me. What a fun way to wrap up this last season of my life! Its amazing to see these songs used in a way so much bigger than I could have imagined.  Here are a few pictures you guys posted on twitter. Tag me in either twitter and facebook and I’ll post more pics. Comment and let me know what you guys thought of the show! Let me know you were there!

All of you who watched online, I’ll come to your city next!

April 2nd, 2010

CD Release April 15th

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'

February 9th, 2010

New Life on April 15th!

Save the date! April 15th will be the official release date of This Valley and the new website…which is much needed! I can’t wait to share these songs with you guys!

I will be holding a CD Release Show Thursday, April 15th, 7:30pm at Cornerstone Church in Chandler, Az…and you are all invited!

November 12th, 2009

Album in the Works

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!