“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. Photo by Laura E. Partain I came to Nashville four decades ago to take a job that fell
Welcome back to Song Revolution. Happy new year! 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
One of the most common questions aspiring Christian songwriters ask is, “Why should I pay for song coaching? Doesn’t God just give me my songs?” Here are a few thoughts to consider if you want to excel as a Christian songwriter. ARE YOU CALLED TO WRITE AT A HIGHER LEVEL?
Take action now to make sure that 2024 is your breakthrough songwriting year! Have you ever heard that insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, but expecting different results? That’s the way a lot of Christian songwriters get frustrated and even quit–they just don’t have the insight
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
One of the first Christian worship songs I remember being written directly out of the Word is Karen Lafferty’s “Seek Ye First.” It’s a classic song that’s known around the world and it’s still being sung by millions of people today. But writing from the Word of God is nothing
Greetings, wonderful folks! Welcome back to Song Revolution. Today’s episode is a special treat as we’re joined by the incredible Phil Joel and his equally amazing wife, Heather Joel. Now, you probably know Phil as the enduring force behind the Christian rock band, Newsboys. But here’s the scoop—his talents extend
One of the most common myths about Christian songwriting is that, if you just learn enough tips, tricks, and hacks, you can somehow bypass the hard work of learning how to craft powerful songs people will love. I believe that tips and tricks are no substitute for having a rich
We’re all busy. There’s hardly time to do all that must be done for work, school, and family, much less cram in songwriting, no matter how called you feel as a Christian songwriter. But, if God has called you to use your talents for His glory, can’t He help make
NCS Songwriter of the Month The love for Spanish and for the Latin world began with her nanny, Lupe, who first taught her the beauty of the language and the people who speak it. “My parents owned an art gallery and they were always hosting artists from all different parts
Can’t finish your songs? Unsure how to connect with listeners? Here’s how you can start writing your best songs now! Writing Your Best Songs Now If you’re struggling to find great ideas or finish your songs, odds are it’s not a lack of inspiration. Being a Christian songwriter means you’re
A Christian Songwriter’s Answered Prayers “I had been praying for a very long time because I’ve always had this desire inside of me to do something more,” says Canadian Christian songwriter, Brenda Wurtz, NCS Songwriter of the Month. “It was through NCS that the songwriter in me was just kind
With 2020 slowly fading in the rearview mirror, it’s time to turn our focus to the opportunities God is bringing us in this New Year. We thought some fresh songwriting tips might be just the ticket for you to get things off to a great start! The global hardships, pandemics,
Shutdown again by that nagging voice inside that says you’ll never be good enough? If you’re a serious songwriter who keeps getting blocked by a critical inner voice, you’re in good company. A lot of songwriters struggle with negative internal dialog that keeps them frustrated and fruitless. But it doesn’t
“When I came to the Song Revolution [Workshop], honestly, it was a pretty life changing experience for me,” says Maryland songwriter, Mark Boucot. “I learned some fundamentals of songwriting that I really didn’t have down, even in my time as a secular writer.” Boucot, a senior executive for two five-star
“My church fellowship loves good hand clapping, rousing songs,” confesses Tamera Perry. “They like some of Paul Baloche’s faster stuff like ‘Today is the Day’ and ‘Because of Your Love.’ These are their favorites. They like to clap!” Writing rousing hand-clapping worship songs for her church in Silver City, New
Continuing in their mission “to empower Christian songwriters worldwide,” Nashville Christian Songwriters has launched a new self-directed online course entitled “Your Best Songs Now” written and led by NCS President and veteran songwriter, John Chisum. “When it comes to songwriting,” says Chisum, “process is everything. Whether songwriters realize it or
Daniel Chigwidden is probably the coolest teacher at Sydney Secondary College’s Leichhardt campus near Sydney, Australia. He’s got the Aussie accent, the stylish man bun/beard combo, and is now writing killer worship songs for his praise team at Petersham Assembly of God after completing NCS Coaching. “I think it’s definitely
Songwriting dreams often start at a young age. Tucson worship pastor and NCS Songwriter of the Month, Brian Goodall, recalls, “I remember laying in my bed as a middle schooler and pretending I was conducting symphonies that I composed. I didn’t know that that was abnormal.” Brian would later complete
What a Beautiful Name It Is Hillsongs’ “What a Beautiful Name” by Brooke Ligertwood and Ben Fielding took the worship world by storm a couple of years back and even won a Grammy. We still sing it a lot at our church and I bet you do, too. It’s hanging
Three years and a lot of dedication are beginning to pay off for songwriting hopefuls, Shirley Nagel and Jaclynn Huse. With over twenty compositions between them already signed to publishers and more on the way, the two cowriters met through NCS Coaching. “Shirley and I were in [NCS] Boot Camp
A passion for giving back and serving others is what inspires the music of our NCS Songwriter of the Month, Missy Ducharme. “It is an honor and a blessing to be able to share music that brings hope, joy, strength, and healing. It can help create some of your greatest
Songwriter Success Story Carol Chisolm suffered with alopecia, a skin disorder that causes extreme hair loss. Embarrassment and shame were her constant companions. She hid beneath wigs and told no one of her condition, refusing to let even her family see her uncovered balding head. But Carol had no idea
Do you ever feel like you’ve got great songs locked up inside you with no way to get them out? Are you missing key songwriting skills and wondering how to get your songs out there? Maybe it’s time you considered these 10 benefits of coaching & mentorship for songwriting success.
Pastor, Singer-Songwriter, Trevor Graves Music has been an integral part of life for Kentucky pastor, Trevor Graves, for almost as long as he can remember. Growing up as a pastor’s kid, he began to sing at the age of 4. “I practically cut my teeth on a microphone,” he jokes.
At first glance, David Michael Watson appears to be just another California surfer dude. But get to know his music and you quickly discover that he’s a deep-thinking, deep-feeling, and deep-hearted worshiper who has a message to bring to the world through his thoughtful modern worship approach. Deep-Hearted Worship Releasing
Writing Song Lyrics Your calling to write great songs for Jesus is real, but sometimes it’s difficult to put this passion into words and know just how to write song lyrics. You feel so strongly about sharing the love you’ve felt from God and you want to draw others into
Songwriting Ideas Where do great song ideas come from? Are they crouching behind bushes just out of sight like crafty little leprechauns or hidden under rocks like salamanders waiting for you to turn them over to discover them buried there? Actually, neither is the case. While it may seem like
Ever feel like you’re being too hard on yourself? Afraid to show your songs to anyone because of the possibility they won’t like them? Do you hear yourself saying things like, “I’m really hard on myself,” or, “I’m always my own worst critic?” Well, great news! Here are three ways
Nigerian/Canadian songer-songwriter Bunmilola named NCS Songwriter of the Month
Music is in Shalom Mukamuri’s blood. Born and raised in Zimbabwe by musically gifted parents, he realized in high school that music would be his life, too, and it was then that he threw himself into the worship team and choir at church, school talent shows, and other competitions. After
Great songwriting is all about mindset. Yes, we need talent, skills, and a great reason to write, but how we think about songwriting, or anything else in life, is what drives the results we get from our efforts. If we think songwriting is arduous and difficult, then such it is.
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
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
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
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
