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The song for Episode 15 came together in under an hour (though a lot of time was spent to record the vocals). “I Can” was inspired by my wife Kim’s verse of the day which happened to be Philippians 4:13 (“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” The chorus has a call and […]

Episode 14 features the classic hymn, “Blessed Assurance.” This began as a choral number, but I chose to release it in a solo form to (finally) get a song out for this week. Once the arrangement is done and recorded, you’ll get the full version as a future bonus episode. *** LYRICS “Blessed Assurance” Blessed […]

Episode 13 has an original song that’s very appropriate for Easter. “Bigger Than You” is a bluesy and soulful number that goes out to anything that might make you spend time worrying. Happy Easter! *** LYRICS “Bigger Than You” Lost in the darkest night I know I’ll be alright. I’m not alone there – that […]

Episode 12 features another arrangement of a traditional hymn (“What A Friend We Have in Jesus”) and features guest vocalist (and listener of the podcast), Grace Blackford. I’ve been able to watch Grace grow up in our church (Emanuel Lutheran) where I directed her in the youth choir and I couldn’t be more honored to have […]

Episode 11 features a track from my 2006 album, Verse by Verse (which was recently released in digital format for purchase on bandcamp). I hope you enjoy my arrangement of “Let Us Break Bread Together” with an accompanying scripture reading by Pastor Mark Schuring of Emanuel Lutheran Church. You can stream the entire album to preview before you buy […]

Episode 10 features a cover of the hymn, “Give Me Jesus.” Following a difficult week, I was quickly humbled and reminded how blessed I truly am. During this week (or any time, really), I’d encourage you to focus on the positive aspects of your life and what you really “need” compared to what you think is […]

Episode 9 brings another song from RESOUNDworship’s 12 Song Challenge. Each month, Joel and Sam from The RESOUNDworship Songwriting Podcast give a challenge to write a praise and worship song with specific guidelines. February’s song guidelines were: 1) Songs about and for the church community 2) Strict range limit: C up to Bb 3) Accessible melody […]

Episode 8 is here with a new song and a special story. My cousin Kevin and his wife Gretchen are parents to a beautiful baby boy named Cayden. As of this episode’s release date, Cayden is 335 days old – almost ready to celebrate his 1st birthday. Unfortunately, his celebration won’t be the same as […]

This week is another first – a choir! I wrote “Still” in early 2013 in response to the violence and fear gripping the world at the time. It was first performed with a choir at the Marion Palace Theatre for a concert put together by my good friend, Ryan J Ratliff. The recording in this […]

Gratefulness is this week’s theme with a song I wrote a few years ago called “I Am Blessed.” While it’s an older song, this really is its debut because I’ve never performed this one. It’s an uptempo song somewhat in the style of Lost and Found and I never felt comfortable playing it for anyone. But […]

In this week’s episode I debut a brand new song, “Great and Marvelous.” This praise and worship song was written as part of the 12 Song Challenge being presented by Joel and Sam at The ResoundWorship Songwriting Podcast. January’s challenge was a Scripture Song, with lyrics pulled directly from (and only consisting of) certain scripture […]

Today’s episode features my cover of a traditional hymn (“The Church’s One Foundation”), a brief story about my reason for choosing that particular song, and some of the history behind the well-known hymn itself. If you’d like to learn more about the project and sign up for the email list, visit YearofPraise.com. LINKS Emanuel Lutheran Church BenSound.com […]

On this episode, I debut a praise and worship song (“Forever Will I Sing”) written for a children’s choir. If you’d like to learn more about the project and sign up for the email list, visit YearofPraise.com. LINKS Emanuel Lutheran Church BenSound.com (INTRO & OUTRO MUSIC)  

On today’s episode I thank everyone for the response to Episode 1, debut a communion song (“Given For You”), and talk about the role of listening in my creative process. If you’d like to learn more about the project and sign up for the email list, visit YearofPraise.com. LINKS The Craft of Christian Songwriting by […]

On this episode I release my first song (“Be Not Troubled”) and discuss the inspiration and motivation to originally write the piece. If you’d like to learn more about the project and sign up for the email list, visit YearofPraise.com. LINKS Be Not Afraid by Craig Courtney (SHEET MUSIC) Isaiah 43:1-2 (SCRIPTURE) The All-Ohio State Fair Youth […]

  I welcome you to The Year of Praise Podcast, share what the project is all about and why I started on this Christian songwriting challenge. If you’d like to learn more about the project and sign up for the email list, visit YearofPraise.com. LINKS The Awakening by Joseph Martin (SHEET MUSIC) Joseph Martin (OFFICIAL SITE) The story […]