Song Revolution with John Chisum

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LION & BEAR: Finding Beauty In Brokenness Sep 24, 2020

Show notes

BEC Recordings' artists Andrew Enos and Michael Landingham ("Lion & Bear") have suffered more than their fair share of loss and tragedies. The young California natives, actual brothers-in-law, have adopted the theme of lament for their music. And rightly so.

Michael and his wife lost their twin sons within days of their birth. It was their first pregnancy. Then Andrew and his wife lost a son to stillbirth. Michael's sister later lost her battle with cancer and Michael, a worship leader, found himself caught up in an alcohol addiction that was only broken as God brought new music, and new opportunities, to the duo.

In this powerful conversation with John Chisum, they discuss how the unusual blend of grieving and creativity brought them together to begin their band named after the two animals David slew before conquering the giant Goliath. Michael, through tears, texted a poignant verse and chorus recorded on his cell phone to Andrew that became the catalyst of their first single "Held By Your Love."

"There's just nothing that can prepare you to be holding your lifeless child, but I think there are beautiful things that come from tragedy," says Andrew. Showcasing the heart of both a lion and a bear, the duo's self-titled debut from BEC Recordings serves as a fitting introduction to the pair's experimental sonics, boundless creativity, and thoughtful lyricism, revealing they're not afraid to wade into the pain with people.

"Lion & Bear bring a fresh sound and message to the BEC Recordings roster," says Brian Ortize, BEC's A&R Director. "Not only is the music powerful and emotional, but there is personal story of hope and healing behind every lyric."

Andrew and Michael's belief that "lament and comfort can exist in the same song" is echoed in every track. Every listener will find healing and comfort for their own distress and loss. Listening to the music of Lion and Bear feels like tapping into the heart of the psalms, those sometimes agonizing laments and exclamations of sorrow mingled with hope and praise.

Host John Chisum says of the interview, "The band is new, but the depth of these guys is amazing. Our conversation was all about how the pain is real, yet, somehow on the other side of it all, God shows you that He's been with you in it all along. He's big enough to receive your lament in the hard times and your songs of praise in the good times."

ELLE LIMEBEAR: GMA New Artist of The Year Nominee Sep 11, 2020

Show notes

You will enjoy getting to know the endearing Elle Limebear, a brand new GMA Dove Award Nominee for New Artist of The Year. In this conversation, John Chisum discovers Elle's passionate heart for reaching others with hope through her music and songwriting process. They also discuss what it's been like for her to grow up as the daughter of a Christian Rock Star.

Elle grew up watching her father, Martin Smith , minister as the frontman of the groundbreaking British worship band, Delirious?. She found herself at home in front of thousands of fans at festivals or in the smaller setting of their local church.

Elle's love for Jesus naturally compels her to love, love, love people! She actively serves as a Youth Pastor and Worship Leader in Brighton, UK, while creating music that is already speaking to listeners around the world through her recordings, the self-titled EP, Elle Limebear and her new CD Lost in Wonder.

The future looks bright for Elle Limebear. Her tenderness towards God is authentic and transparent. Her sweet humility and even the surprise of all that is happening for her in music is beautiful and engaging.

You can follow Elle on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. You can also sample her new music at Elle Limebear Music

We've loved having you as our guest today! To hear other insightful conversations with the artists you love , please subscribe to Song Revolution with John Chisum right here on AccessMore . You can also share our podcast with friends by using the convenient social media icons on this page.

MATTHEW WEST: Hitting the Reset Button Aug 28, 2020

Show notes

The 5-time Grammy nominee, Matthew West, is hitting the reset button! He has found himself in a brand new season of leadership to younger artists and producers and a flood of productivity after a self-described "desert season" that has finally come to an end.

With a whole new attitude and new young producers, Matthew has crafted a fresh sound on his new album, Brand New, co-produced with 20-something producer/keyboardist A.J. Pruis. Along with a new podcast, there's a new studio, and his brand new Story House Music record label with Provident Label Group

If you've been a Matthew West fan in the past with songs like "Hello My Name Is," "Do Something," "Grace Wins," "Mended," and his early 2020 Covid-inspired hit single, "Take Heart," you'll love this up-close-and-personal interview with show host John Chisum.

John digs into what's most important to Matthew at this point in his long career and how he's paying it forward by encouraging and mentoring a younger generation. Matthew shares candidly about the moment he realized that his story wasn't as important, or as interesting, as the thousands of tragic stories his fans were sharing with him and how he's turning the microphone around to the crowd more than ever through his ministry called "popwe nation."

You can find a lot more information at matthewwest.com and follow Matthew on all social media platforms.

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KIM WALKER-SMITH: Letting God's Love Rewrite Her Story Aug 14, 2020

Show notes

Few churches have had the global impact that Bethel Redding and it's spin off ministry of Jesus Culture Music have had over the past dozen years.

Kim Walker-Smith, one of the original Bethel worship leaders, helped launch a movement of worship and intimacy with God that has touched the nations and spearheaded ministry through the wildly popular Jesus Culture movement... and she's not slowing down.

John Chisum has a candid conversation with Kim about worship, the struggles of leadership, managing family and ministry, and the traumas of her childhood that have made her a deep-feeling worshiper. Kim shares openly about childhood abuse and trauma and the miraculous healing journey God has led her through from her book, Brave Surrender: Let God's Love Rewrite Your Story (Zondervan: 2019).

Celebrating the release of her new solo album Wild Heart, Kim says, "My last record, On My Side, was a collection of songs written from a desert season of my life. I was processing grief, anger, and pain. God met me in the desert and brought life and healing. Emerging from the desert, ushered me into a season fresh with new life. This new album is a strong declaration of freedom and who God is. On the other side of a desert season is growth, deeper connection to Jesus, and a new authority. In the desert, all my doubts and questions came to the surface. I wondered if God was truly as good and as faithful as He says. I asked if He could truly bring the freedom I longed for and the healing I needed. He met me in that place and not only proved His faithfulness, but taught me in greater measure who He is."

If you love Bethel Worship and Jesus Culture, don't miss this powerful conversation with iconic worship leader and songwriter, Kim Walker-Smith.

SAL OLIVERI: Faith in Mainstream Music Making Jul 31, 2020

Show notes

This episode is a must-listen to anyone seeking an insider's look into how a hit-making Nashville producer can maintain his faith while producing top mainstream artists. When you look beyond this amazing list of production credits you will discover that Sal Oliveri is an outspoken Jesus follower who carries his humble, authentic faith into every session.

Country/Americana: Chris Stapelton, Carrie Underwood, Garth Brooks, Kenny Chesney, Keith Urban, Sheryl Crow, The Band Perry, Brett Eldredge, Lee Brice, Randy Houser, Parmalee, Haley & Michaels, Ricky Skaggs, Faith Hill, Jo Dee Messina, Lee Ann Womack, Charles Kelly (Lady Antebellum), John Paul White (The Civil Wars), David Nail, Lori McKenna, Kip Moore, High Valley, Leigh Nash

Pop/Rock/Urban: P!NK, Billy Joel, Emily West (America's Got Talent 2014 #2 finalist), Brooke White (American Idol), David Cook (American Idol), Dia Frampton (The Voice), Jack Antonoff (FUN, Bleachers), Dan Wilson (Semisonic, Adele), Stan Lynch (of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers), Daniel Powter, Lucie Silvas, B.Reith, Room for Two, Jaren Johnston of "Cadillac Black", Andy Davis, Kevin Griffin (of Better Than Ezra) David Hodges (Evanescence)

Raised in the shadows of Manhattan, Sal Oliveri developed a diverse musical background. Before long, he was performing as musical director and keyboardist at Harlem's famous "Cotton Club" and hitting the NJ/NY studio scene. Soon after, Sal relocated to Nashville where his musical efforts quickly earned him a co-written #1 single and a Grammy Nomination. Sal has earned multiple Billboard and iTunes #1's, with over 13 Million streams in 2017 alone.

John Chisum visited with Sal in his amazing Grand Central South Studio, frequented by clients such as Kathi Lee Gifford, Nicole C. Mullen, and mega country writers Allen Shamblin ("I Can't Make You Love Me") and Tom Douglas ("Love Me Anyway"), as well as many aspiring artists looking for his production help.

John and Sal Oliveri talk about the Pink/Chris Stapleton duet "Love Me Anyway" (Douglas/Shamblin) and how a writer's demo became a hit song years after the production was done. Singer-songwriters and up-and-coming artists in any genre get an inside track to Sal's musical influences and perspectives, particularly in how he coaches artists to reach their best performances.

Sal shares from his deeply biblical outlook how he believes great music happens and why, giving songwriters and artists many powerful insights into how they can "show up" as themselves instead of being an imitation of what others are doing.

JILLIAN EDWARDS: Finding Herself In Heaven's Eyes Jul 17, 2020

Show notes

"Tell me again a million times,Who I am in heaven's eyes," sings Jillian Edwards, a native of Texas now pro singer-songwriter living in Nashville with husband, Will Chapman, and daughter Willow Faye.

With songs placed on episodes of Nashville, Grey's Anatomy, Pretty Little Liars, and Citibank Ads, Edwards is in her fifth year as a signed songwriter to mega- publishing company Concord Music Group.

Her 2014 album, Daydream, topped iTunes' Singer/Songwriter chart and landed at No. 6 on Billboard's New Artist chart.

Her new album "Meadow" was executive-produced by five-time GRAMMY® Award-winning artist, Steven Curtis Chapman, who happens to be Jillian's father-in-law. "Meadow" features newly co-written songs with other amazing songwriters; David Leonard, Jonathan Smith, Peter Groenwald, Josh Bronleewe, Tony Wood and Jessie Early.

In this episode, John Chisum and Jillian talk about the challenges of being a touring musical family (her husband, Will Chapman, is the drummer for indie rock band Colony House), whether or not the intimacy with God portrayed in her songs is a constant in her life, and how Jillian stays creative despite the demands of songwriting, touring, and building a family as a young wife and mother.

"Jillian is delightful," shares Chisum. "This episode will give any aspiring singer-songwriter a bird's-eye peek into what it's really like, even for someone as successful as Jillian and the Chapman family. I love this interview and I know it's going to be encouraging to a lot of people who hear it."

Jillian Edwards is a rarity you don't often find... a pure heart, a fresh voice, and someone who's transparent enough to share the real struggles behind making music as a career.

You can find Jillian Edwards on iTunes, Spotify, and at jillianedwards.com.

PHIL JOEL: Choosing Family Over Fame Jul 03, 2020

Show notes

Phil Joel, bassist and vocalist with the iconic Christian band Newsboys for over a dozen years, solo artist, author, and frontman for the band Zealand has sworn off social media.

No Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, Youtube, Qzone, Weibo, Reddit, Flickr, Tumblr, Meetup or Odnoklassniki, which, by the way has 71 million active monthly users.

Joel can't be found on any of them. Zip. Nada. None

How can anyone who hopes to connect with listeners and fans as a musician possibly ignore all social media, and further, WHY would they choose to not participate in the billions of daily Tweets, memes, and posts that fuel the social frenzy of our collective cultural experience?

Well, the answers may surprise you, or, you may find yourself questioning your own obsession with likes and shares once you hear them from the totally Christ-centered and family oriented Phil Joel, a classy guy from Down Under New Zealand who says he's definitely not "anti-social media," but who has made a solid choice to trust God to be his best press agent and promoter.

Phil Joel's had the same blond dreads since he was 17 and he's not lost his youthful zeal for the Lord despite millions of miles and millions of fans.

We talk about so many great things on this episode - - we have some laughs and go deep, as well, into his new book and Zealand's new album Liberated. I know you're going to really love this chat with my new friend from Down Under, Phil Joel.

DARLENE ZSCHECH: 25 Years After "Shout to the Lord" Jun 19, 2020

Show notes

In this episode, host John Chisum sits down with Darlene Zschech, iconic Australian songwriter of "Shout to the Lord," a song introduced in 1993 that is still sung weekly by millions of people worldwide.

In this powerful interview, Darlene shares how "Shout to the Lord" came to her during a time of trial and why she feels she can take no credit for the song, how it passed through her, and personal stories of how God has used it in her life.

Darlene is a dedicated wife, mum, author, songwriter, and together with her husband Mark, pastor to thousands of believers through Hope Unlimited Church, now in 11 cities internationally, with a church planting and relief organization called Hope: Global (https://hopeglobal.org/) serving thousands of people in the neediest areas of the world.

0:00 The impact of Shout to The Lord

3:01 John asks Darlene: So all these years later, what would you say to the shy young Darlene, maybe really about ministry and leadership... What would you say to her? 6:00 "I want to be invisible here while I, you know, just give glory to God. And if he allows me the privilege of having any influence, that is a great privilege. But actually my goal is that He be seen and He'd be known and His presence being counted"

10:00 Recording Way Maker

15:05 Early days of Hope Unlimited Church and how God has grown the ministry to have a lasting global impact

23:30 "If someone had told me pastoring, a church could be this much fun. I would have done it long time before."

28:42 John asks, "you've described your life as just a series of yeses. What are you saying yes to right now? And what might you be saying no to?"

MIKE WEAVER: Songs of Deliverance in Times of Trial and Loss Jun 01, 2020

Show notes

"My entire theology is a Man, it's Jesus," says Mike Weaver, frontman of Christian music's powerhouse band Big Daddy Weave. "I'm telling you, He is with you and He's with you in the most real way."

With robust faith and authenticity, Weaver shares through this warm and often funny episode about being a big guy from South Alabama who stumbled into a Christian rock band career now spanning nine albums and multiple tours.

Despite a few years of loss and sorrow, their new album "When the Light Comes," produced by band member and songwriter Jeremy Redman, is an album filled with joy and life despite tragedy and even death.

Highlights from this episode: * Mike's prophetic calling to write music * Why isn't it Big Daddy "WeaveR" * Finding hope in the midst of tragedy and sorrow * Operation Restored Warrior and Mike's brother Jay's struggle with loss and suicide * How do you find creativity to write in the midst of struggles? * Mike's words for the person dreaming of being a songwriter * The career Mike will pursue if Big Daddy Weave ever falls apart

Find out more about how you can become an amazing songwriter at nashvillechristiansongwriters.com.

MIKE WEAVER: Big Daddy Weave Finding Beauty in the Ashes May 18, 2020

Show notes

Mike Weaver is one of the most recognizable and loved voices in Christian music. The success of the band on Christian radio is deeply appreciated, as you'll here in this fantastic two-part interview, but ministry to their listeners is front and center for this southern rocker and his dedicated teammates.

Mike Weaver, his brother, and their band have suffered what seems like an overload of tragedy the last two years, yet the light of their ministry and the hope they bring through their music is burning brighter than ever.

You'll not only be entertained through this episode, but moved to tears as Mike shares from his heart the ups and downs, tragedies and triumphs of the real life stories that have brought the ministry of Big Daddy Weave to mean so much to so many.

NCS President John Chisum is joined in the studio by co-host, Tina Keil, for an intro to this very special episode. Thanks for listening and we hope you'll share it on your social media to spread the love.

Show notes:

* The heart of Big Daddy Weave (4:31) * Big Daddy Weave's story of brokenness and redemption (7:38) * Mike's music influences (13:04) * The biggest challenge Mike has faced (18:39) * The process of redemption and growth (21:57)

Mentioned in this episode: Don Moen Paul Baloche Paul Wilbur Operation Restored Warrior

Be sure to check out all that Nashville Christian Songwriters offers to empower and encourage Christian songwriters at nashvillechristiansongwriters.com.

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