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All Because I Wanted Their Picture

By Amy Wolter 1 Comment

I remember the feeling. Too amazing for words really.

Our band was invited to play in Sao Paulo, Brazil at a huge festival. The driver threaded his way from our hotel past scores of buses that lined the streets for miles leading up to and around the soccer stadium.

People had come from all across Brazil for this 2-day event. Arriving near the venue, we were then led through what seemed liked miles of underground rooms and tunnels. Finally we climbed a stairway that opened up to the bright lights of the huge stadium.

In front of us were 110,000 people. Word was that there were another 10,000 not able to get inside. My heart raced – half adrenaline, half fear. How was I going to get through this? Your mind tells you that you just have to go out there and do what you always do. [Read more...]

Where Am I Going Wrong?

By Amy Wolter 1 Comment

During a recent Tom Jackson Webinar, we got this question from Angela:

“Any thoughts for those of us who perform to super conservative “critical” audiences? I’m in ultra conservative churches each weekend and have had to weather lots of criticism. How do you stay creative and confident?”

I feel your pain, Angela! I was raised in a pretty conservative church, and for most of my life there [Read more...]

Paper Jamz and Big Fun at Christmas!

By Tom Jackson 1 Comment

A couple of years ago, I met Kevin David and Tim Yates of Valley Church, West Des Moines, Iowa. They came to one of our Nashville Expressive Worship Workshops.

They really took to heart what we talked about that weekend, and Kevin has been studying my Live Music Method ever since!

So recently, when he tagged me on Facebook [Read more...]

Relationships Up, Down and Sideways

By Tom Jackson 2 Comments

During the Christmas season, I think a lot about my relationships with family, friends, and neighbors. I’m reminded that, whether I am speaking at a worship conference, working with an artist, or out shopping somewhere, I need to keep this proverb in mind:

“A good name is more to be desired than riches.” (Proverbs 22:1)

When I interact with people I want them to be honest with me, respect me, and even show a little kindness on top of that. So I need to follow the same standard with them!

That kind of relationship building with others can [Read more...]

Celebrate Your Uniqueness

By Mary-Kathryn 2 Comments

The great 20th century French painter, Henri Matisse, is quoted as saying, “It has bothered me all my life that I do not paint like everybody else.” Thank God he didn’t. His use of color was so unique that it ended up making him stand out from the rest.

Being a singer/songwriter, I’ve met so many singers/recording artists over the years who have wished desperately [Read more...]

Owning It

By Amy Wolter 2 Comments

We’ve probably all had people in our lives telling us to ‘own up’ to something or other. Or to ‘own’ something – meaning, ‘make it yours!’ Grab on to it and TAKE it!

I’m often telling artists while rehearsing that they need to own it. After we make changes and map out a song arrangement and walk through what the song should look like, they then need to really make it theirs and perform the song with confidence. This basically comes with more rehearsal and getting totally comfortable with what they are doing.

I love this [Read more...]

Going For Moments With God

By Tom Jackson Leave a Comment

As a Live Music Producer, I work with artists and bands on their live shows, helping them to capture and engage their audiences and create special moments for the people who come to see them.

But when I’m working with Christian/Gospel artists, or even with worship teams, I have to deal with the stigma of it being wrong to “entertain.”

Creating a moment sounds a lot like “entertaining.” Is that wrong? [Read more...]

Somebody to Love

By Amy Wolter 11 Comments

There’s a lot of buzz right now about Marc Martel.

His YouTube audition for a Queen tribute band has gone viral and as I write this it is edging close to 4 million views! And that will probably jump substantially with his appearance on Ellen.

What you may not know is that [Read more...]

Music – It’s a Powerful Thing

By Leann Albrecht 4 Comments

I am often amazed at how much music affects the way I feel in any given setting.

I was shopping with my friend, Linda, recently. As we wondered through the aisles of clothing, I was conscious of feeling negative and dark. When I took a minute to analyze the source of irritation, I realized it was the music the store was playing. [Read more...]

Be the Somebody

By Tom Jackson Leave a Comment

Eighteen years ago my wife and I went to Kenya. We had been invited to come and see the work an organization was doing there.

Of course we did the “touristy” things – went on a safari trip, took an overnight train ride, experienced the Indian Ocean. But the thing that had the biggest impact on me was an 8-hour trip we made on dirt roads to a little village.

I’ll never forget the pride those villagers had when they showed us how they had planted crops, dug a clean well for themselves, and had built schools and churches made out of dung (literally!).

When we saw all the needs there were in the area and how much of a difference could be made with the right help, I thought “Somebody has to do something about this!” That’s when I decided to [Read more...]

Going For Moments With God