Song Revolution with John Chisum

Latest Episodes:

ALISA TURNER: Surviving Life's Tragedies to Authentically Worship Aug 12, 2017

Show notes

New Integrity Music artist Alisa Turner is no stranger to tragedy. She lost her worship leader Dad to a sudden heart attack when she was a 20-year old aspiring Nashville singer-songwriter, was bedridden for six years with Lymes Disease, and lost her infant son, London, 71 minutes after he was born. Yet, her heart looms large with love for God, worship, and others, and her laughter and smiles are truly infectious.

In this deeply personal episode, John Chisum and Alisa dig into how she has managed to stay not only positive, but outright effervescent in the face of such losses and offer to the world an endless sense of hope despite the pain. Her worship is deep and the solid biblical foundations of her life support the profound and powerful messages in her songs.

The Integrity Music Press Release says of Turner, "Worship artist Alisa Turner sings with passion and vulnerability. Her songs capture something almost mystical, yet deeply rooted in the hard stuff of the "now and not yet" grit of the everyday. It's the lilt and innocence in her voice and the heartbreaking, but hopeful truth of her story. That story is inextricably woven throughout her self-titled EP (Integrity Music) in a tapestry of grief, suffering, hope and redemption for which there is only one appropriate response: unfettered, unfiltered worship."

An independent artist for over a decade, Alisa's debut self-titled album produced by Michael Farren is available now as pre-sale and for downloads August 25th. In this episode, John and Alisa enjoy a candid, warm, and often funny conversation as they talk about:

Hot chocolate on hot days (she's obviously a "choco-holic")
Co-writing with high level songwriters like Word Music writer Tony Wood (29 #1 songs and counting), James Galbraith, Jessica Campbell, and Michael Farren
How authentic ministry comes from tremendous tragedy and loss and how to craft songs even in the sorrow
What it's like to be "discovered" as an independent artist and find herself signed to Integrity Music
Insights into her songwriting process, melody writing, and co-writing (and why she always takes food to cowrites!)
How she thinks about writing melodies to words on the page
Why she's excited about gearing up for her radio concert tour with Greg Sykes
And more...

For more information on Alisa Turner,visit www.alisaturner.com, or connect with her via Twitter @alisaturner, Instagram @alisaturnermusic and Facebook. Turner's music is also available at iTunes, Apple Music, Google Play and Spotify.

For more information visit www.nashvillechristiansongwriters.com and join the Successful Christian Songwriters Group on Facebook!

Be sure to join NCS MEMBERSHIP today at www.nashvillechristiansongwriters.com for the finest songwriter resources, coaching, inspiration and information!

JOHN CHISUM: Dream Your Way to Songwriting Success Aug 05, 2017

Show notes

How much do you believe in your dream of becoming a successful songwriter? Have you been shut down in this dream because of discouragement, a lack of knowledge, a lack of definition around your goals for your songwriting? What does success for you really look like and how can you empower your songwriting dreams?

In this episode, John Chisum looks at the roles faith and perseverance have in making your dreams of successful songwriting come true, as well as the "bulletproof mindset" you have to maintain every day if you're going to achieve what you believe is a calling from God on your life to write great songs.

Be encouraged and empowered as John talks about:

Why seeing yourself as a songwriter releases creativity
How to enlarge your vision and stretch the boundaries of your faith to become more successful
Ways to become a student of great songwriting and why you MUST do that to reach your goals
The correlation between sports training and songwriting
How to take possession of your goals and dreams instead of leaving your fate in other's control
Effective ways to keep fear and discouragement out of your mind
Why we bring all we are to our songs and how to bring your BEST self to the writing endeavor
One valuable exercise you can do every day to sharpen your mental commitment to your songwriting success and experience powerful growth quickly
And more!

For more information visit www.nashvillechristiansongwriters.com and join the Successful Christian Songwriters Group on Facebook!

Be sure to join NCS MEMBERSHIP today at www.nashvillechristiansongwriters.com for the finest songwriter resources, coaching, inspiration and information!

STU G: Delirious? Co-Founder Stu Garrard on "The Beatitudes Project" Jul 29, 2017

Show notes

Best known as co-founder, lead guitarist, and songwriter of the British worship band Delirious? with Martin Smith, Stu Garrard helped shape the modern worship movement. Famous for culture-shifting songs like Did You Feel the Mountains Tremble and I Could Sing of Your Love Forever, Garrard helped to capture and define worship for an entire generation as Delirious? traveled the world leading millions in worship and even opening for Bon Jovi.

In this episode, John Chisum visits with Stu G around his new release called "The Beatitudes Project," a full-length record featuring songs Stu co-wrote with industry-leading artists Amy Grant, Audrey Assad, Michael W. Smith, All Sons and Daughters, Joel Houston, and many more. The album is accompanied by a book, Words from the Hill (An Invitation to the Unexpected) released in April by NavPress, and a documentary film, View from the Hill, now in production.

In this episode, John and Stu discussed not only The Beatitudes Project, but great moments in Stu's career, what it's like to co-write with amazing artists, and offered songwriting advice to aspiring writers.

About Stugiology Music: Stugiology Music is a record label formed by Stu Garrard, who is perhaps best-known as the guitarist / songwriter for the RIAA Certified Gold-selling, GRAMMY-nominated and Dove Award-winning British band Delirious?. He is also a founding member of One Sonic Society (although no longer with the band) and recorded and released his first solo project in 2013, Of Burdens, Birds, and Stars. When not touring with Michael W. Smith or adding his sonic paint to Casting Crowns, Chris Tomlin, Matt Redman, Meredith Andrews, All Sons & Daughters, Amy Grant and many others' recordings, Garrard is writing, recording, speaking, leading worship and working with JHS on a custom line of guitar pedals. He lives in Nashville with his wife Karen. For all the latest Stu Garrard news and tour information, go to www.stugworld.com.

For more information visit www.nashvillechristiansongwriters.com and join the Successful Christian Songwriters Group on Facebook!

Be sure to join NCS MEMBERSHIP today at www.nashvillechristiansongwriters.com for the finest songwriter resources, coaching, inspiration and information!

JOHN CHISUM: Five Ways to Empower Your Songwriting Dreams Jul 22, 2017

Show notes

Being an artist of any type-- painters, sculptors, authors, dancers-- requires the ability to see beyond what exists to a different realm, to use imagination, creativity, and hard work to give birth to something that didn't exist before. Be it a poem or book that transforms readers, a dance that moves an audience to tears, or a song that evokes deep worship from a congregation, each existed in the imagination first before it was experienced.

It's the same for songwriters. Songwriters are dreamers, too. They have to be. It requires imagination, faith, and a lot of time and work to "birth" songs. It begins with the desire to communicate and then works its way out by learning the songwriting tools to use, and then finally great songs can be born.

In this episode, John Chisum helps you unlock hidden creativity and tap into your imagination like never before, simply by recognizing common pitfalls writers experience and how to avoid them. He also covers five ways you can empower your songwriting dreams immediately. John shares his own brand of humor, experience, and expertise, as well as:

Why the first time music moved you is so important, even years later
The importance of reclaiming your personal power in life and songwriting
How a song brought him out of a panic attack at 2 a.m.
How intentionality can get your songwriting back on track
Five keys you can use now to empower your songwriting dreams
How to use "pattern interrupts" to get out of your mental paralysis
Why returning to your inspirational "first love" is one of the most empowering things you can do to break out of a writing slump
And much more…

For more information visit www.nashvillechristiansongwriters.com and join the Successful Christian Songwriters Group on Facebook!

Be sure to join NCS MEMBERSHIP today at www.nashvillechristiansongwriters.com for the finest songwriter resources, coaching, inspiration and information!

TOM JACKSON: Creating Powerful Moments in Live Performances Jul 15, 2017

Show notes

What does live music production have to do with how you write your songs? According to the most successful live music producer in the business for over 25 years and counting, Tom Jackson, the two are completely intertwined. He believes that your ability to think about how songs create "moments" in live shows will dramatically increase your chances of having your songs recorded and used by popular artists.

He's worked with Taylor Swift, Shawn Mendez, Jordan Sparks, Jaci Velasquez, Francesca Battistelli, LeCrae, The Band Perry, Jason Crabb, Casting Crowns, Newsong, and many more.

Connecting your songs to artists and audiences is your first priority as an independent songwriter. In his work with such artists as Taylor Swift and Shawn Mendez, Jackson understands the power of songs and how they can be used to create powerful live performances.

In this episode, John Chisum sits down with Tom and addresses topics such as:

The power of persistence in songwriting and performing for optimum success
The secrets of longevity in music
How "planned spontaneity" is key to live shows and songwriting
The philosophy for creating "moments" in your songs for live performances
Tom's four-fold method for working with artists to bring out their best performance and how you can use it, too
Why a vision for your show, service, and song is vital to success
The unspoken negative signals you're constantly sending to your audience and how to change them
Where the best ideas for performance and songs come from
Tools for singers and songwriters to interact with your audience effectively
Using dynamics to create anticipation in your songs and performance
Bringing your personality to your songs and performance through themes and characters
Why a song is like a "mini-movie"
How to give your audience permission to think and be present with you in your songs
And so much more…

Connect with Tom Jackson on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/onstagesuccess/ and check out his book Tom Jackson's Live Music Method on Amazon.com at https://www.amazon.com/Tom-Jacksons-Live-Music-Method/dp/1936417685/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1500007558&sr=8-1&keywords=tom+jackson+live+music+method.

For more information visit www.nashvillechristiansongwriters.com and join the Successful Christian Songwriters Group on Facebook!

Be sure to join NCS MEMBERSHIP today at www.nashvillechristiansongwriters.com for the finest songwriter resources, coaching, inspiration and information!

JOHN CHISUM: How to Stay Inspired and Kick Up Your Creativity Jul 08, 2017

Show notes

Let's face it… inspiration is the key to success. Without it, songwriters find themselves caught in an endless loop of low productivity and life dissatisfaction. So how do the pros do it? How do successful artists and songwriters keep themselves up enough to write, perform, and be creative all the time?

In this episode, John Chisum shares key insights you need to keep yourself inspired to get amazing songs written and to even kick off a whole new season of creativity that can affect everything in your life in a very positive way.

John shares:

Why having a creative vision is key to songwriting success
The difference between extrinsic and internal motivators and how to use them for quicker results
Ways to get real again and return to your first love
How to discover your creative process and use it to build your song catalog
Why everything in your environment affects your creativity and thus your song output - - colors, temperature, emotions, unsettled business
The importance of resourcing yourself daily for maximum creative output
And more!

For more information visit www.nashvillechristiansongwriters.com and join the Successful Christian Songwriters Group on Facebook!

Be sure to join NCS MEMBERSHIP today at www.nashvillechristiansongwriters.com for the finest songwriter resources, coaching, inspiration and information!

https://www.facebook.com/groups/SuccessfulChristianSongwriters/?fref=nf

JENNIFER MCGILL: Life After The New Mickey Mouse Club Jul 01, 2017

Show notes

Jennifer McGill was an international Disney star at age 11. As part of the cast of The All New Mickey Mouse Club for seven seasons with cast members such as Justin Timberlake, Christina Aguilera, Ryan Gosling, and Brittany Spears, Jennifer was groomed for the same pop stardom. But when her life track didn't go as planned, Jennifer went through fifteen years of searching that brought her to a breaking point.

What happened next was nothing short of miraculous, bringing about changes for Jennifer and her career that would lead her into whole new realms of life, ministry, and warring for the souls of young girls through her show Bravehearted Girls.

In this powerful episode of The Song Revolution Podcast, Jennifer McGill shares:

What it was like to be chosen for the New Mickey Mouse Club and to stay on the show for seven seasons
Her journey from being a child star to surviving the trials of adulthood and finding her own identity after the show
Overcoming the comparison to former Mousketeers and discovering what "IT" is for her at this time in her life and career
How excellence has set her free to be who she is as a singer, songwriter, and artist
The mistakes that disconnected her from God and imprisoned her real expressions of love, music, or creativity and how she broke out by rededicating her life to Christ
Why the fight is worth it and why you MUST fight your way out of your desperation
What she learned in New York City and how God moved her on into new seasons of perspective as she let go of her own passions and will to succeed
Why you're crazy to give up at 40…
Her ministry for tweens to teach them to fight fear through the show Freedom Fighters and how to develop prayer in their lives
Why "the power of us" is so important to her life and ministry as she's overcome childhood bullying and now wants to share freedom from it with young girls
How we wrote the title song to her new full-length album "Unbreakable" releasing June 16th, 2017
What a "track guy" is in a co-writing session and how to write pop songs without one
Things she's learned as a new co-writer in Nashville and how to do it well
The secret of "letting go of control" in order to write great songs
Why it's not always about "who you know" that enlivens your spirit and inspires your songs
How to connect with Jennifer and her ministry
And much more!

You can connect with Jennifer on Facebook at Jennifer McGill Bohannon and at her official website www.JenniferMcGill.com, on Instagram @theJenniferMcGill, and on Twitter @theJennMcGill.

For more information visit www.nashvillechristiansongwriters.com and join the Successful Christian Songwriters Group on Facebook!

Be sure to join NCS MEMBERSHIP today at www.nashvillechristiansongwriters.com for the finest songwriter resources, coaching, inspiration and information!

https://www.facebook.com/groups/SuccessfulChristianSongwriters/?fref=nf

JOHN CHISUM: Is Success in the Music Biz All In Who You Know? Jun 24, 2017

Show notes

If you're like most aspiring Christian songwriters, you're #1 challenge is "getting heard" and "getting your songs out there." But what if you just can't seem to get that "lucky break" and bump into Michael W. Smith at Cracker Barrel in your hometown or win some big contest to co-write with Lauren Daigle?

Is your songwriting success lying solely in the hands of fate like a chance meeting with a prominent artist, or, is there Someone else on whom your success really depends?

In this episode, Christian music industry veteran, John Chisum, pulls back the curtain on some common misperceptions about the reality of "the good ol' boy" Nashville industry and offers wisdom and biblical insight on real songwriting success.

John's insights included in this podcast:

Why the answer to the title question is both "Yes" and "No"
What success really is for Christian songwriters in God's eyes
Why true success isn't a game of "Leap Frog"
The importance of avoiding The American Idol Syndrome
The great example of "America's Hymn Writer," Fanny J. Crosby (she wrote over 9,000 songs)
How God uses those who choose to become "skilled craftsman"
Ways to claim your songwriting destiny
Why you ALREADY have access to industry leaders
Tools for fulfilling your passionate call to write great Christian songs
And more!

You can contact John Chisum at john@nashvillechristiansongwriters.com or follow him on Instagram @nashvillechristiansongwriters and on Twitter @NCSsongwriters.

For more information visit www.nashvillechristiansongwriters.com and join the Successful Christian Songwriters Group on Facebook!

https://www.facebook.com/groups/SuccessfulChristianSongwriters/?fref=nf

SUSAN FONTAINE GODWIN: Copyright & Protecting Your Intellectual Properties Jun 17, 2017

Show notes

Have you ever wondered how to protect the copyright of your songs? Where do you begin to understand what it means to actually "publish" songs and how to work with music companies or to be your own publisher? What should you expect if you assign publishing to a music company? Is it enough to mail your songs to yourself anymore or is that just an old wives' tale?

In this fun and informative episode, John visits with Susan Fontaine Godwin, Founder/Chief Vision Officer for Christian Copyright Solutions, a company established to provide licensing solutions for the Christian community, including songwriters, artists, and churches. If you are currently writing and releasing your songs on YouTube, Soundcloud, or any social media, this episode will help you learn how to protect your songs and sound recording copyrights.

In-between all the laughter and fun, John and Susan discuss many helpful guidelines to demystify the copyright process, including:

Registering your copyrights and what a "tangible method of expression" is
Affiliating with a PRO (Performing Rights Organization) and why/when you should do this
How CCLI (Christian Copyright Licensing International) works and how to get started registering your songs for church usage (important for worship songwriters)
The eight types of intellectual properties that can be copyrighted
What's happening with digital streaming licenses and royalties
Avoiding infringement of your copyrights
What to look for in publishing deals
Becoming a good steward of your creative works
Educating yourself on the business side of songwriting
How CCS is making a difference for independent artists and songwriters
And much more!

You can contact Susan Fontaine Godwin at @christiancopyrightsolutions.com, follow her on Twitter at @doingmusicright, and on Instagram at @christiancopyrightsolutions.

For more information visit www.nashvillechristiansongwriters.com and join the Successful Christian Songwriters Group on Facebook!

https://www.facebook.com/groups/SuccessfulChristianSongwriters/?fref=nf

JOHN CHISUM: Real Success in Songwriting Jun 10, 2017

Show notes

The world of songs, songwriting, and music publishing has changed. As in book publishing, television, movies, and all forms of art, entertainment, and intellectual properties, technology has forever altered the way our music is delivered, who creates it, who owns it, who controls it, and how fans are attracted to it.

The good news is also the bad news: Anyone can write a song today, no matter how good or bad, record it on their home computer, and have it uploaded on YouTube in about a half hour.

The result is a sea of mediocre to very bad songs that no one cares about.

How can you rise above it and actually stand out to really be heard? Is getting your song on someone's record or on the radio really the ultimate validation for your call to write songs?

In this episode, John Chisum unpacks the myths about real success in songwriting, releasing you to fulfill yours with greater vision, clarity, and ultimate success in God's and your eyes. This episode is a must for all worship leaders writing for their church, singer-songwriters hoping to build a bigger platform, those aspiring to be professional songwriters, and for anyone wrestling with an inner passion to write songs with no idea how to do it or fulfill their calling.

In this episode, John discusses:

His own journey in songwriting from obscurity to having over 400 songs published
What it feels like to have fulfilled a real call to impact the nations
How to define "success" for yourself and for your songs
Getting real about where you are and what it takes to get where you really want to be
The myths of chasing "the music biz" instead of authentic stewardship
How to get rid of envy in your life and what the Bible really says about your gifts
Keeping your eyes on the prize while keeping up with the daily grind
Why it's all the little things in your life that add up to the one BIG thing you're dreaming of
Practical advice for building your song catalog and why writing tons of songs isn't necessarily the right strategy
How to begin to "think like a professional songwriter" and avoid the trap of narcissism
The importance of resourcing yourself and staying in a creative flow every day
And much more…

John Chisum is Managing Partner of Nashville Christian Songwriters, a coaching and resource company that exists "to empower Christian songwriters worldwide" and the sponsor of this podcast.

You can reach John at john@nashvillechristiansongwriters.com and follow him on Instagram @nashvillechristiansongwriters and on Twitter as @revchiz or @NCSongwriters1.

For more information visit www.nashvillechristiansongwriters.com and join the Successful Christian Songwriters Group on Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/groups/SuccessfulChristianSongwriters/?fref=nf

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