John Chisum – Nashville Christian Songwriters

Anya Lee has the rare distinction of having died and come back to make her music.

I’ll share Anya’s story later in this post, but first I want to to tell you that I found out this week that one of our dearest friends has dementia so badly that she can no longer care for herself. I’ve been heartbroken about it. She’s one of the most musically gifted and kindest persons I’ve ever known. She’s traveled the world singing at women’s events, made albums, led worship at her church for decades, and she’s been an inspiration to so many people, maybe even millions, all told. But no longer. “That’s what happens to old people,” I hear you thinking. But here’s the thing–she’s not old. She’s still in her fifties. Dementia has taken her early.

“Time and tide wait for no man,” wrote Chaucer. When we lose a loved one to death or dementia, it sets this truth in sharp relief. We feel shocked, jolted back into the reality that mortality is a thing, after all. As thick as our denial is, however, the truth remains that “it is appointed unto men once to die” (Hebrews 9:27). Death itself is a changeless fact that we often lose sight of, though it should be our greatest motivation for living a full life for Christ and for reaching our highest potential as songwriters, artists, and humans.

Memento Mori

Stoic writer Ryan Holiday reminds us that the contemplation of death dates back to Socrates and to many other Stoic philosophers, specifically in the discipline of Memento Mori, remembering death daily in order to live a free and full life. “To practice death is to practice freedom,” wrote Montaigne in his Essays. “A man who has learned how to die has unlearned how to be a slave.”

Lest you think all this talk of death and dying is unbiblical, consider Paul’s words “For you have died and your life is now hid with Christ in God” (Colossians 3:3), or “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I that live, but Christ lives in me” (Galatians 2:20a). Few of us live as if we have already died. We’ve sanitized death to the point of extreme denial in our culture. The result is that we Christians can be as consumed with momentary consumption, success, greed, and power as the next Hedonist.

Living each day as if it were our last puts everything in a biblical perspective that causes us to align our values and actions with eternity in mind. We’ll be there a lot longer than we’ll be here. Jesus’ entire Gospel is about bringing heaven to earth now. That only happens when we value heaven, that timeless realm of existence when we’re dead, above this brief, momentary life. It’s not morbid to meditate on death. It actually makes life more precious and motivates us to do our best now.

I’ve lost three of my best friends in the last two years, one of them with no warning, so death has been a topic for me in my life and in my songwriting. I wrote a song called “Oh My Saints” I’ll be sharing soon about losing those guys and how it’s hard to process their loss, even though I know they’re pretty happy where they are now. You can follow me on Spotify and get notifications, if you’d like!

Don’t Die With Your Music Still In You (like Anya Lee did…)

Anya Lee, an artist now part of the new NCS Collective, has the rare distinction of having died and come back to make her music. Miraculously revived from being frozen to death on the Appalachian Trail in 2019, Anya Lee knew that God had given her a second chance to make her music. She had put it off for years, afraid she wasn’t good enough, afraid she could never afford it, and afraid that it could never happen for her.

But something radically changed when she stared death in the face. Putting off making her music was no longer an option. She took steps of faith to come to NCS for song coaching. God has met her each step of the way. Now you can experience the joyful R&B-influenced pop styles God birthed in Anya Lee that we almost missed out on HERE.

Thoreau is often cited as saying, “Most people lead lives of quiet desperation and die with their song still inside them.” While it’s a beautiful sentiment, he actually only wrote something close to the first part in Walden. The second part has been added as a kind of coda taken up by writers, poets, and shade-tree philosophers like me to emphasize the travesty of not bringing out your best art while you still can.

How many of David’s psalms didn’t make it out of his heart onto the scroll? How many world-changing songs swim around in the hearts and minds of songwriters that never make the journey from imagination to studio production? How long will you wait? Memento Mori, indeed. My sweet friend had no idea dementia would strike. Anya Lee could not have predicted her death and miraculous resurrection, much less a second chance to get her music out of her soul to the world.

NCS provides many ways to help you. Check out NCS COMMUNITY and consider joining dedicated Christian songwriters around the world as we journey together to share Jesus in our music. Don’t get dementia or die yet. Jump on the chance to get started today. We need you. We need all God wants to bring through you. Stop looking for free Christian songwriting contests and wasting your time. Time and tide are too busy to wait for you. Tomorrow is promised to no one. Carpe diem.

Do you ever feel lonely as a Christian songwriter?

Does it feel like you’re having to figure out how to fulfill your calling in a vacuum?

I want to share some things that might help.

There’ve been long seasons in my songwriting journey in which I felt quite alone and, frankly, very lonely. Sometimes I would even question God why I felt so strongly about putting His love and words in songs but had to do it all by myself. Isn’t this supposed to be fun? Why does Christian songwriting have to be a solo sport? Where’s the love and support to honor God with my gifts and talents?

After these four decades of successful Christian songwriting, I’ve learned a few things about loneliness, belonging, and community that might help you on your journey to songwriting success.

We All Go Through the Desert (But We Don’t Have to Go Alone)

If you love the Book of Psalms like I do, you already know that loneliness and isolation are common themes. Even Jesus on the cross quoted Psalm 22’s famous words, “My God, my God, why have You forsaken me?” But the truth is that God never forsakes us. We’re never completely alone even when it feels like we are or when no other human is in our immediate vicinity. God is with us. That’s the meaning of the name “Emmanuel.” It means “God with us.” And He always is.

We all go through “desert” experiences. We face trials, temptations, and “dark nights of the soul” as St. John of the Cross so aptly said. But I don’t think the isolation and loneliness we can feel as Christian songwriters is as dire a situation as spiritual angst and perturbation. St. John was kidnapped and imprisoned by his fellow monks for trying to reform his branch of the church, beaten daily, starved, and imprisoned in a closet-sized latrine until he was near death, but somehow managed to escape. Now that’s a dark night of the soul of the magnitude we will probably never experience.

With modern-day connectivity, you never have to feel like you’re the only Christian songwriter out there trying to get people to pay attention to your songs. We’ve addressed this problem directly with our new NCS Community. Now you can meet dedicated Christian songwriters from all over the world, share your songs, get feedback on how you’re coming across musically, and tap into a rich supply of songwriting resources and publishing opportunities, even if you are feeling a dark night coming on.

Learn to Resource Your Intellect and Build Great Song Skills

Many songwriters I know and have worked with through these years in our NCS Pro Song Mastery experience have never learned to resource their intellects. Because we write about spiritual themes like the love of God, redemption, the cross, heaven, and worship we tend to think we know all we need to know to write great songs on those topics. I find that these writers feel very deeply about their relationships with Christ, but that they assume that’s enough to fuel their songwriting. It’s not.

Successful Christian songwriting doesn’t come from entering free Christian songwriting contests or finding Christian songwriting conferences alone. Becoming a great songwriter in any genre requires an intentional process to develop yourself in the several skills that make songs appealing to the largest number of listeners. People won’t love your songs just because you love Jesus. We all love Jesus, but that doesn’t make us great Christian songwriters.

Learning to resource myself is the single greatest “trick” or “hack” I’ve ever found in my successful career with over 400 published songs to date. Honestly, it’s not a hack to be a resourceful person. It’s an intentional discipline that you can develop to add skills and success to your songwriting, even starting now as you read this blog. Failing to resource your intellect and build great songwriting skills means you’ll always be writing on empty, rehashing the same worn out phrases and melodies that will fall as flat as the last eighty-seven songs you wrote. Don’t be a lazy songwriter. Step up. Tap into a world of resources waiting for you right here.

What I’ve Learned About Loneliness and How I’ve Overcome It

Loneliness in songwriting (and in life) is a self-imposed situation. It comes from a deep-seated need to feel unique, special, and victimized by society, life, and even God. We most often blame loneliness on others. It’s always someone else’s fault that we feel like we do. We place all blame outside of ourselves and cherish the petty and delicious payoffs of victimhood. It’s the politicians, the pastors, the people around us, never ourselves. We have a highly developed sense of separation that keeps us from fully entering into the community God has placed us in, whether that’s our neighborhoods, churches, schools, or businesses.

Once I learned to give up my sense of separation, even repenting of it as unbiblical and certainly unhelpful, I’ve begun to enjoy the people around me more. I’ve lost the need to wag a bony finger at society and its leaders. I’ve learned to take responsibility and have therefore gotten more done in my life and career. Fun fact: We’re conditioned in our particular society to celebrate victimhood at every level. It’s completely unbiblical and unhealthy. Not saying there are no victims of injustice. There most certainly are, but often fewer than we think. We’re not always the victims we make ourselves out to be, either.

When we’re living out of a sense of separation and victimhood, we always postpone our own success. Losing lonely songwriter syndrome means growing up, taking more responsibility for ourselves and for how we invest our time, tithes, and talents. There’s a vast number of Christian songwriters all over the world you can connect with, people looking for connection and community just like you are now. NCS Community is a great place to start.

Take Action to End “LSS”

Ultimately, your songwriting success is in your hands. How you invest your time and money to accomplish your goals and fulfill your calling is your decision. Writers I talk to often put the responsibility back on God and His will, but I think if He’s put the desire in you to write for Him, then you already know His will. Why wouldn’t He “will” you to be successful at drawing others deeper into His love and worship through your music? Doesn’t make sense to me that He wouldn’t unless you’re comparing your level of success with others. That’s never healthy, for sure.

You can take steps to end “LSS” today. Join our new NCS Community. Start a songwriting community at your church or at your house. Learn to co-write with others. The Bible promises God will direct your steps (Proverbs 3:6), but you’ve got to be stepping to give Him something to direct. Don’t be passive and victimized by your own thinking. Like Jesus, be about your Father’s business. Take responsibility for healing your own “LSS” and do something for yourself, and for God, today.

John Chisum "Mercy Made Mine" single cover art

“I used to make every mistake in the book when it came to writing Christian songs…”

Here are three critical mistakes you must avoid if you want people to love your songs.

I came to Nashville four decades ago to take a job that fell through. My young bride and I had $40 to our name and no place to live. I got a paper route making $60 a week and she got some part time work, but we were couch surfing long before that was a thing. I don’t recommend it.

I’d always wanted to get a song published, but I was clueless about how that happened. Like most aspiring Christian songwriters, I didn’t know much about the mechanics of songwriting. I just wanted to glorify God with my talents and get my songs out there. Little did I know that my songwriting education was about to begin and that everything I thought I knew about songwriting was about to be turned on its head.

I thought people would love my songs because I loved Jesus. They didn’t. And they still don’t. They love my songs because my songs meet a need in their lives. My songs help them feel the love of God, or maybe bring healing and encouragement. But they love my songs for their own reasons, not mine. One of the first things I had to learn from my mentors, Bill & Gloria Gaither, Gary McSpadden, and the many co-writers who took me in, was that I needed to stop writing out of my intuition—what I thought songwriting was—to writing with powerful commercial skills that would make my songs sticky and useful to people all over the world.

It wasn’t easy at first. I thought people would naturally understand my words and know immediately what I meant. They didn’t. I had to get out of the way of what God was wanting to communicate through me. I had to get crystal clear on how to say things through the title and lyrics that were married to a great melody. It took a while, but that was over 400 published songs ago and a 40+ year career. I live (or die) by the lessons I learned and they form the basis of my teaching and coaching to this day.

So, here are three ways I used to screw up my songs and how I learned to be a successful Christian songwriter.

I used to spend hours writing what I felt in my heart. I am a deeply feeling person, as you most likely are. Yet, no matter how deeply I felt about God, it took me a long time to understand that the strength of my song depended on the strength of my title. A weak title equals a weak song. I didn’t get that at first. I sincerely thought that my heartfelt emotion about God would carry the day, but people rarely felt what I did as I was writing it. That’s a songwriting failure.

When I was able to understand that a killer hook could help me write a killer song that people would actually love, I started upping the ante on the song title/hook before I spent time writing it. I learned to discern what makes for said killer title/hook and how to recognize them more often. Now I never spend ten minutes writing anything I don’t feel is a title worth writing. That’s set me and the writers I coach apart and brought the success we longed for.

Anyone can make up words and put them to a melody. Kids do it all the time. It took me a year or so to pick up from my coaches and co-writers that every song I wrote needed to be situated in a particular genre of music. While it’s possible to set any amount of words to a melody and plunk out guitar chords to sing them, if they failed to fall into an established genre, people would most likely have zero to no response. People like their genres. They love their Southern Gospel music. They love their Pop/CCM or Inspirational music. They have the musical lanes they like to stay in and most people have narrow listening habits, in case you haven’t noticed. I didn’t know that at first.

Once I understood that every song I write needs to be targeted, it made my songs cut through better. When I became a music publisher, it became my responsibility to help the writers I managed “cast” their songs in the proper genre so I could pitch them to artists, producers, and record company personnel. I got really good at it. Our company won dozens of awards from ASCAP, BMI, and other folks because we learned to target so well. If your songs aren’t targeted, they’ll most likely sound amateurish and not find a home on anyone’s playlist except your Mom’s.

Every song you love creates an emotion in your heart. That’s why you love it. “What A Beautiful Name It Is” evokes worship. “In Christ Alone” evokes worship, too, but it also evokes a sense of greater faith as the words help you give voice to Christ’s supremacy and once again rehearse His promises in your life. But a song like “Happy” by Pharrell Williams does something completely different. Have you thought about which emotion your songs evoke in your listeners?

Praise and worship are emotions. The words we choose will either evoke a response from our listener’s hearts or leave them flat. “Amazing Grace” brings out gratitude and humility. “Auld Lang Syne” is sappy and nostalgic, should we bother to sing it on New Year’s Eve. The point is that failing to think about which emotion we’re trying to summon from the souls of our listeners is to miss a grand opportunity to have our songs hit home. What’s your favorite song right now? Why? What does it make you feel? Now, what song are you writing right now and what are you trying to help your audience feel?

Successful Christian songwriting rarely happens without deliberate effort. You can tell me all day long that God gives you your songs. But is He giving you good ones? Are people really feeling them or are you being a lazy writer who’s screwing up your songs like I used to do by not paying enough attention to these three things? Is it possible that more work on your songs could open up more listeners? Are you open to being coached and improving your work for the benefit of your future audience? If not, get ready for less-than-awesome responses to your work.

My new single “Mercy Made Mine” releases this week on all streaming platforms. Co-written with NCS songwriter, Candi Broes, this song celebrates the sacrifice Jesus made for me in a very personal way. “Like pieces of a puzzle/All the pieces of my broken heart/Were lying scattered in the ashes/Of a life that fell apart” is the way it starts. This isn’t talking about all that happened before I met Jesus. Sometimes life falls apart after we know Him and we’re left wondering where He was when it happened. You may have felt that too, like me, but let me assure you that He’s always there even when life gets messy.

Hey everybody! Welcome back to Song Revolution. It’s an absolute joy to be here with you once again, bringing you fresh inspiration and encouragement to help you live a better life.

Today, we have a captivating duo in our midst – Seth and Nirva Ready. Nirva, once a dancer and singer for Toby Mac, brings a wealth of behind-the-scenes stories, while Seth’s journey from his Mississippi roots led him to share the stage with gospel legends such as Kirk Franklin and Donnie McClurkin.

Stay tuned as we dive into these captivating stories, offering a glimpse into the life of artists who are not just creating music but are also shaping the spiritual landscape through their work. Thank you for joining us today, and let’s dive into the heart of our conversation.

Stay connected with us on Song Revolution – where music meets faith and creativity sparks change.

The Song Revolution Podcast exists to empower you through valuable songwriting insights, inspiration, and interviews with some of the greatest songwriters, producers, arrangers, artists, and creatives in the industry and beyond. Find out more at: https://www.nashvillechristiansongwriters.com/song-revolution-podcast/

Welcome to a brand-new episode of the Song Revolution podcast with John Chisum, brought to you by the NRT network. This episode features George and Carol Godwin, co-directors of the Ezra Worship Initiative, hailing from Decatur, Alabama. The conversation revolves around the unique and transformative experiences offered by the Ezra Worship Initiative – an internship program designed for college-age, bi vocational worship leaders. The program not only focuses on the musical aspects of worship but also incorporates theology, leadership, audio, technology, and musicianship, providing a holistic approach to spiritual and professional growth.

Listeners will get an insider’s view of the program’s structure, from the initial week of warm welcomes to the intensive 10-week schedule filled with practical learning, leadership training, and hands-on worship service experiences. The highlight of the program is the life-changing mission trip to the Dominican Republic, where interns get to experience and contribute to multicultural worship settings.

This episode is not just about imparting musical skills; it’s a deep dive into nurturing a love for the church, understanding its diverse needs, and building long-lasting relationships within the Christian community. Whether you’re an aspiring Christian artist, a worship leader, or simply someone passionate about music and ministry, this episode of Song Revolution is a treasure trove of insights and inspiration. Tune in to discover how the Ezra Worship Initiative is shaping the future of worship and how you or someone you know can be a part of this incredible journey.

Welcome to a new episode of the Song Revolution podcast with John Chisum, presented by the NRT network. In this 2024 episode, John, alongside his right-hand man Bryant Ulrich, kickstarts the New Year with a focus on songwriting and community building in the Christian music world. Celebrating their ninth year as Nashville Christian Songwriters, they share their journey, the growth of their podcast, and the evolution of their programs.

This episode delves into the past seven years of Bryant’s journey in Nashville, from his arrival with aspirations in music production to his key role in starting and growing the podcast. They reminisce about how a chance meeting at a coffee shop led to a partnership that has significantly impacted the Christian songwriting community. As they reflect on the successes and the growth of their listenership across the globe, they also highlight the importance of continuous learning, community engagement, and the evolution of the music industry.

John and Bryant discuss various offerings from Nashville Christian Songwriters, including the Pro Song Mastery program and one-on-one coaching, emphasizing the importance of not just talent but also calling and dedication in songwriting. They touch upon the new artist development track and the launching of the NCS Collective, a Boutique record label. This episode is a blend of reflection, inspiration, and forward-looking strategies for aspiring songwriters and artists, providing a roadmap for success in the ever-evolving world of Christian music. Tune in to be part of this exciting journey into 2024, where songwriting meets purpose and community.

Join us in this special Christmas edition of the Song Revolution podcast with John Chisum, where we delve into the art and soul of Christian songwriting.

In this episode, John shares his insights and personal journey in the world of music, emphasizing the importance of continuous learning and growth in songwriting. He discusses the transformative power of songs in living a better life and connecting more deeply with God’s love, regardless of whether you’re a songwriter or not.

Special highlights include a retrospective of the year’s best episodes, insightful interviews, and the impactful story behind John’s first Christmas single, “O Night Divine” co-written with NCS Pro Song Mastery student LeeAnn Shade.

This episode is a treasure trove of inspiration for aspiring songwriters and artists, offering practical advice, spiritual encouragement, and a reminder of the endless possibilities in Christian music. Tune in to get inspired and learn how to harness your talents to make a difference in the world through songwriting.

ABOUT THE SONG REVOLUTION PODCASTThe Song Revolution Podcast exists to empower you through valuable songwriting insights, inspiration, and interviews with some of the greatest songwriters, producers, arrangers, artists, and creatives in the industry and beyond. Find out more at: https://www.nashvillechristiansongwriters.com/song-revolution-podcast/

I came to Christ out of a broken childhood people now call “dysfunctional.” But, for us, it was just life in the turbulent 1960’s and ‘70’s. We didn’t know someone would eventually give a special name to what we were living through, but somehow Jesus intervened in my life.

I experienced a dramatic transformation when someone helped me connect with the indescribable love of Jesus for the first time.

My life was turned upside down in an instant. It’s this same love that’s sustained me for over fifty years through all the ups and downs, the triumphs and tragedies, and the good things too. My testimony is that the trajectory of my life was forever changed when I felt God’s love for the first time at eighteen-years old.

It’s the reason I’m still here. It’s the reason I do what I do. It’s why I’m a Christian songwriter and try to help you write songs that can express this amazing reality. It’s the core value of Nashville Christian Songwriters and all of our podcasts, videos, blogs, and coaching programs exist to share the love of Jesus for everyone on this planet.

So what’s your testimony?

Maybe you felt God’s love in church as a kid or you came to Him as an adult out of addiction or you were broken by a tremendous loss of some kind. I’ve spoken to so many Christian songwriters interested in our coaching programs who’ve suffered great loss or abuse or divorce and who wanted to learn how to express their pain and how God sustained them through it. James Finley says, “God spares us from nothing, but miraculously sustains us in everything.”

We all go through this life and taste the best and the worst of it all. But how do we capture our testimonies in great Christian songs? I’ve got three tips for you that I hope will help you think through how to best capture your testimonials in ways that listeners will love and find comfort, healing, and hope.

First, try to find a common thread in your story a lot of people can identify with.

Everyone knows what loneliness is or feeling lost sometimes. Giving people a way to identify with your story is the best way to invite them into your song. We need to hear the thread of our experience in yours somehow. We need to be able to fill in the blanks with our own story in order to fall in love with yours.

If nothing in your story grabs us and reminds us of something we’ve dealt with, we’ll tune out. Our friend and NCS alum, Becky Norquist, went through five miscarriages and one stillbirth. Her songs and ministry are focused on grieving families, but she’s also weaving in enough broader themes in her songs that anyone who has experienced loss of any kind–all of us– can find something to identify with and stay plugged into her songs.

I first heard prolific songwriter and publisher, Dave Clark (Lillenas Music), say that and I’ve never forgotten it. That may sound contradictory from the first point, but it’s not. The first point is to find a common theme (think emotion) to write your song around. This second point is to avoid reciting unnecessary details in your song that are unhelpful to your listener. If you get too deep in the weeds of location, time, dates, names, or other details you run the risk of losing me.

By finding the common thread and common emotion in your story that I can relate to, you invite me into your song. If your details don’t match mine it can put me off. It sounds impossible, but it can be done. You can learn to strike the balance of just enough or too much detail to center on how you felt during the trial and then turn it towards the redemptive part of God’s intervention for you.

So just be aware of the details that are so specific to you that we can’t see ourselves in your story. It can help to find models of the kind of song you want to write and see how the writers invite listeners into an emotion instead of reciting details.

If you’re still bruised and hurting from a terrible event in your life it’s hard to write a true testimonial song about it. Bleeding through your lyrics often comes across as self-indulgent unless you’re writing a cryin-in-your-beer country song. If that’s what you want to do, you do you. Go for it, but just realize that’s not a testimony. That’s a sad country song.

If you think about your audience first, you might realize that they probably have enough of their own pain to deal with. If you’re just dumping yours on them they may not listen long. That’s why God created therapists and journals. Their job is to be the dumping ground of your dysfunction and hurts. Consider the effect of your lyrics on your listeners. What space are you inviting them into? How will they feel after hearing your song?

I think Brandon Lake and the Elevation Worship crew have done a great job with their upbeat praise song “My Testimony” in capturing a generalized Scripture-based message. You might consider not writing a story song about your childhood, but maybe finding some very positive Scriptural themes that demonstrate the healing power of God over all the negative stuff. There are myriad ways to capture your testimony, so explore a few other ways before you pour out your pain on us.

CONCLUSION

In the end, a testimonial song is one that shows how God triumphed in your life. Catharsis is important, even vital, to your emotional health. Maybe you should write those songs for yourself too, but remember that there is a difference between the two types. Catharsis is dumping. Testimonials celebrate God’s triumph over the bad things you went through, His ultimate victory in your soul no matter how you get there.

We dig into testimony songs and so much more in our eight-week online coaching and mentoring experience NCS Pro Song Mastery. A lot of people just want free Christian songwriting courses and webinars, but if you’re ready to go further in your songwriting and feel a strong call to build your ministry, use this link to set up a free, no obligation phone call to see if this program is right for you. Schedule your free call here.

Welcome back to Song Revolution. Today’s episode is a special treat. Join us for an inspiring conversation with Dara Maclean, a visionary artist at the intersection of music and ministry. This episode takes you behind the scenes of Dara’s latest album, “River.” It delves into her artistic journey, exploring the depths of her music that aims to ignite internal revival and pursuit of wholeness. From discussing the nuances of songs like “Love Over Religion” to sharing her experiences with Gateway Worship, Dara’s insights offer a refreshing perspective on spirituality and creativity.

Don’t miss this engaging discussion that transcends traditional boundaries of artistry and faith. Dara shares her personal experiences and philosophies, and delves into the critical aspects of artist development and the importance of authenticity in creation. Her passion for nurturing a legacy mindset in the industry and fostering collective creativity is uplifting and thought-provoking. Tune in to this episode for an enriching journey through music, spirituality, and the power of authentic artistic expression.