Between the Grooves

Another day at Kingdom Bound! James Kurtis talks with Darren Mulligan from We Are Messengers about the importance of balancing his professional life with his personal life. Darren shares some of the antidotes he's learned over the years and how mental health plays a big part! Episode Links Between the Grooves: @betweengrooves Have a question, comment, or a music project you want to promote on Comm...

On the road again! As music festivals have started to make a comeback James Kurtis takes a trip down to Kingdom Bound to talk with Colton Dixon about how the pandemic affected his life as a musician. Colton shares some of the lessons he learned during his time at home and how those lessons inspired him to create music that will help others facing similar hardships. Episode Links Between the Groove...

Have you ever wondered what goes on behind the music scene? James and Ayiesha talk with Cade Thompson about his journey through the music industry from songwriting camps to artist riders, being an independent artist vs. a signed artist, and how scripture has influenced his lyrics. Episode Links Between the Grooves: @betweengrooves Have a question, comment, or a music project you want to promote on...

Overcoming temptation is easier said than done. Although it is a continuous battle, it is not something one must face alone. James and Ayiesha chat with Ben Fuller about how his relationship with faith, and John 6:68 has helped guide him through his darkest times. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Being able to take a worship song and blend it seamlessly with songs on the Top 20 chart is not something you see often -- enter youth worship group Elevation Rhythm, who found these types of mixes were exactly the rejuvenation worship music needed! James and Ayiesha sit down with Elevation Rhythm members Davide and Madison to learn about the importance of inspiring today’s youth through worship a...

Getting the perfect soundcheck has never been an easy task.  Getting the perfect soundcheck for a live-stream early on a Sunday morning in the middle of a pandemic? That feels nearly impossible! In this episode, James and Ayiesha talk to Destiny Worship's Jake Smith about how adapting to COVID protocols changed the way worship centers provide Sunday service. Learn about the struggles of finding th...

Picture this -- your bathroom is being renovated, and you hear the angelic country twang of the contractors drifting through the hallways. No need for imagination. as this week invites The Singing Contractors to the show! James and Ayiesha sit down with Aaron and Josh to discuss they're rather unique position in the music industry. Episode Links Between the Grooves: @betweengrooves Have a question...

This week welcomes the incredible Kim Pratt to the show! She shares about her journey in music, spoken word, production, radio, television -- she stops at nothing to bring the good words to the world! Episode Links Between the Grooves: @betweengrooves Have a question, comment, or a music project you want to promote on Community Corkboard? Email betweenthegrooves@faithstrongtoday.com See omnystudio...

This week Evan Craft joins James and returning guest co-host Ayiesha Woods to share what God is doing in Latin America! Evan truly felt a calling to serve these nations. Hear how he decided to translate and perform English lyrics into Spanish and how Evan now shares his experiences with the rest of the world. Also, as newlyweds Evan and wife Rachel are realizing they now need to find ways to suppo...

James Kurtis welcomes back guest co-host Ayiesha Woods - GRAMMY® nominated singer, songwriter and musician. They look at the unique challenges the pandemic created for artists with small children, and connect with Jodi King from Love & The Outcome to talk about balancing home life while making ends meet when regular touring hasn’t always been an option. Jodi and her husband Chris Rad...

This week welcomes the incredible Jon Reddick to the show! He shares with James and Ayiesha about worship leading, and what it's like to come from a long paternal line of pastors! This leads into an explanation behind the writing process of his latest track "God Turn It Around", before the conversation takes a philosophical turn. Pandemic life, making mistakes, "deconstruction", and more are all t...

This week's guest has been around music since childhood, beginning with a deep love for country music and CCM! James Kurtis invites Richlin to the show, where he shares his passion for music, friendship, and his home state of Oregon. He's made many friends in the music industry, and attributes much of his success to such relationships. Richlin describes his Dove award nomination, his work with Got...

It all began with a cup of coffee. This week welcomes Ayiesha Woods to the show! She's a  busy Christian artist juggling family, career, and worship. Where most would start with worship leading,  then  move on to music, Ayiesha did it a bit backwards by starting with music. It's "not always peaches 'n' cream," as she says, but one can find inspiration in everyday life. Ayiesha and J...

This week welcomes the incredibly talented Doe Jones to the show! Doe got her start in the music industry at a young age, writing and performing with her family (and first band) Forever Jones. She has since begun a solo career, with her latest album Clarity dropping just last week! She shares with James about growing up in a musically-talented family, the segue into her solo career, the changes sh...

All the way from Las Angeles, this week welcomes Tommy Walker to the show! He shares with James about being a blessing to his Church, the start of his career, and how the two intertwine. He firmly believes in encouraging musicians to write music and be creative in their own Church -- to be more of a "creator" and less of a "consumer"! He's been a worship leader at Promise Keepers events in support...

This week welcomes the legendary Rebecca St. James to the show! Beginning with a prayer, she explains to James Kurtis about her career, her (brief) retirement, and her incredible family. She started in music at the age of 16, with younger brothers Joel and Luke Smallbone from For King & Country by her side! For Rebecca, music is truly a family business, and it's great to see her continuing tha...

Faith Strong Today presents the Between the Grooves Christmas Special for 2021! Put on your cozy Christmas socks, grab a cup of hot cocoa, and curl up next to the fire as we bring back some of our favourite guests from the past year to talk about  their  most memorable Christmas moments! Episode Links Between the Grooves: @betweengrooves Have a question, comment, or a music project you w...

This week welcomes Ryan Ellis to the show. He shares with James about his writing process -- his motto? Keep it simple! This leads into a greater discussion about "worship moments," as he shares some of those goosebump-inducing experiences either on stage or in church. He's regularly leading worship at rehab centers in his community, and has a heart for charity. Hailing from the sunny streets of C...

At 27, she has a resumé most of us could only dream of. This week welcomes the incredible Baylor Wilson to the show! She shares with James her transition from country music to writing "Jesus songs", including her hit single "Jesus Happened." She was a contestant on the 29th season of Survivor, she found faith in an auto repair shop -- you don't want to miss this conversation! Episode Links...

This week features GMA / Dove Award winning artist, Aaron Shust. He shares with James Kurtis his journey as an independent artist, what it's like to return to touring, and how he leads worship differently. Episode Links Between the Grooves: @betweengrooves Have a question, comment, or a music project you want to promote on Community Corkboard? Email betweenthegrooves@faithstrongtoday.com See omnys...

This week welcomes the dynamic duo All Creatures to the show! Good friends Ben Thompson (also known as Neon Feather) and Chris Cron discuss the origin story of All Creatures -- meeting each other, deciding on a name, and partnering with DREAM Records. This shifts into a greater conversation about being in the Church, and the state of Christianity in North America. Episode Links Between the Grooves...

This week welcomes Southbound's Seth J. Elbe to the show! He shares with James what it's like to work your dream job with your best friends! He touches on travelling, moving houses (he's moved 39 times!), his passion for cooking, and how he developed an ear for music at a young age. Episode Links Between the Grooves: @betweengrooves Have a question, comment, or a music project you want to promote...

The pandemic changed everyone's day to day life, and that certainly remains true for musicians as well. This week welcomes Mac Powell to the show, where he discusses his unconventional experience as a singer / songwriter in the last 20 months. Between drive-in concerts and writing music on webcam, he describes what it was like to keep moving forward through a tumultuous season. Episode Links Betwe...

This week welcomes Dave Frey of Sidewalk Prophets to the show! He shares with James about finding his voice, the creation of Sidewalk Prophets, and about the different "seasons" of being a recording / touring artist. This leads into a discussion about touring (or lack thereof) in the past 20 months, how he's kept busy, and the exciting plans he has for the future! Episode Links Between the Grooves...

This week welcomes Brett Perkins of Journey Worship to the show. He shares with James about growing up in the church, and how he began worship leading at a young age. He then shares some of his experience working with the church during COVID, and how this current season of life has drastically changed his community. Episode Links Between the Grooves: @betweengrooves Have a question, comment, or a...