Unless you’re familiar with the Reformed University Fellowship and Indelible Grace Music, you may have missed the incredible gift that is Sandra McCracken. The quintessential independent artist, Sandra hasn’t gone the way of being signed to a record company, but has released twelve recordings to date and has garnered a loyal following the world over for her folk-driven music rooted in Gospel hymnody. She’s also had songs recorded by All Sons & Daughters, Caedmon’s Call, Audrey Assad, and used on ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy.
In this informal, but profound conversation, John Chisum delves into the spiritual, theological, and musical motivations behind Sandra’s soulful, organic sound and many valuable insights into her life, ministry, and songwriting process, including:
- Discovering deeper worship in the dorm rooms at Belmont University
- Her resistance to “commercializing” the Gospel in music distribution
- Her part in starting a national university movement called the Reformed University Fellowship that has spawned a record company that promotes depth of theology in music called Indelible Grace Music
- The importance of music being shaped by a Biblical worldview
- The sacredness of all of life and how this influences her songs and songwriting
- Why sacred music was never intended to be held within the four walls of a church
- The wealth of hymns lost on the world that must be revitalized through current melody writing
- The challenge of “me-ism” in contemporary worship songs that are self-centric and how to go deeper in exalting God in music
- Finding “sabbath” as a songwriter and how to tap into a deeper well of words, theology, and the Holy Spirit
- Not settling for “transactional relationships,” but transcending the culture to become an important songwriter
- Why technology shortchanges our ability to be filled up and nourished by God, thus affecting our creativity and relationships
- Who she’s reading now and the authors she returns to time and time again for inspiration and great song ideas
- Her new CD/DVD called “Steadfast” recorded at Art House (Nashville) with the film version produced by Zach Prichard and featuring Gospel vocalist Liz Vice, as well as Leslie Jordan and David Leonard (All Sons & Daughters)
- Why songs are new each time you play them, no matter how familiar they may be
- How God can use suffering to increase our courage as artists and songwriters
- How “disruption” contributes to creativity and how you can use it to boost yours
- The “emotional leads” that put her in the songwriting zone and why historical hymns continue to speak to her heart
- Writing out of “emphasis” and the needs in specific communities, especially in an era desperate for social justice
- How to be the “unfiltered version” of yourself as a songwriter to discover your true voice and songwriting style
- And more…
Sandra’s “Steadfast” press release says of her, “Sandra McCracken’s prolific contributions as a songwriter, modern-day hymn writer and record producer has brought grace and clarity to her soulful, folk-gospel sound.Whether in a theater or in a chapel, she is a dynamic performer who blurs the lines of what church music sounds like, captivating and inviting audiences to sing along.While many of her songs like “We Will Feast In The House Of Zion”and “Thy Mercy My God”have settled into regular rotation in Christian worship services internationally, she has also had songs recorded by All Sons & Daughters, ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy, Audrey Assad, BiFrost Arts, Caedmon’s Call and others. She is further a founding member of Indelible Grace Music and Rain For Roots (children’s music) and has been a guest writer for Art House America, She Reads Truth,The Gospel Coalition, Christianity Today, RELEVANT Magazine and more.”
Forall the latest information on Sandra McCracken, including her touring, free chord charts and more, go to www.SandraMcCracken.com, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
For more information visit www.nashvillechristiansongwriters.com and join the Successful Christian Songwriters Group on Facebook!
