Cody Carnes is a lot more than “Mr. Kari Jobe.” Although he is married to one of the most popular worship artists of the day, Cody is emerging in his own power as a communicator, songwriter, and worship leader.
His new album “The Darker the Night/The Brighter the Morning” was produced with indie-pop producer Jeremy Lutito and has influences from Bon Iver, Coldplay, One Republic, and others. “I feel like there are a lot of people in the world like me that love the creative experience of seeing some of their favorite bands live and also love the spiritual experience of a worship night,” Carnes says. “I want to merge those two worlds together.”
Allmusic.com’s Stephen Thomas Erlwine writes, “Carnes first started playing music as a child, and headed his first worship service as a teenager. Throughout his teens and early adulthood he played with a number of bands, including Hit the Ground Running and Crimson Soul. He later became part of Gateway Church, which led him to a key role in the associated band Gateway Worship. There, he met his eventual wife, Kari Jobe. The pair frequently co-wrote songs together, including “Let the Heavens Open” on her acclaimed album Majestic. Carnes and Jobe released an EP called All He Says I Am in 2014. They married that year, relocated to Nashville, and had a son in 2016.
Carnes signed with Capitol CMG in February 2017, releasing “The Cross Has the Final Word” shortly afterward. By May, Newsboys reunited to record their own version of “The Cross Has the Final Word,” and by the end of the summer Carnes also released the singles “Hold It All,” “Til the End of Time,” and “What Freedom Feels Like.” His full-length solo debut, The Darker the Night/The Brighter the Morning, appeared in September 2017.”
In this episode, John Chisum caught up with Cody while he was in Cincinnati on the multi-city WinterJam Tour with wife, Kari, Jobe, and many other great Christian artists. In this fun and often funny episode, Carnes reveals deep inspiration for songwriting and an even deeper commitment to Christ and His Kingdom. Listen in and gain songwriting inspiration and insights to put into your songwriting now.
For more information, visit us at nashvillechristiansongwriters.com.
Finally have my copy writes complete for 170 songs written in prison. A singer for many years. Open to suggestions how to have Jesus’ songs heard. 614.649.4220 Thx
This is a great podcast. I really feel moved by the same musicians Cody lists here and really enjoyed listening to his different processes with songwriting. Not sure if he will read this, but I do have a question. He mentioned his heart being led when he started worship at gateway and other moments in his life where he would be in constant questioning with God, asking him to lead him in a certain direction. When do you know God is guiding your heart? I personally have been in a lot of situations, especially recently, where I think I should go one way and I’ll pray on it—but, in the past, I feel maybe my heart led me in the wrong direction (maybe there will be a future lesson to be learned to understand why things have happened the way they have). My point being, how do you know how to tell the difference of following a self serving desire vs knowing God is calling you to do something he wants?
Thanks so much!