More Cowbell Please: CCM Stories

The Newsboys have filed a sweeping 204-page federal antitrust and defamation lawsuit in Nashville — and the defendant list will stop you in your tracks. Wes Campbell and the Newsboys are suing The Roys Report, journalist Jessica Morris (a previous guest on this podcast), MercyMe and all five band members individually, Micah Tyler, World Vision, and a Netherlands-based private equity firm called Wa...

What does it take to mix five number one records on one album — without ever moving to Nashville? Nick Rad has been doing exactly that from Milwaukee, Wisconsin for over two decades. He started as the drummer in Christian punk band Hangnail on Tooth and Nail Records — touring with Stavesacre and Ghoti Hook, recording at the legendary Blasting Room with Bill Stevenson, and watching a young Aaron Sp...

(Reposted - spotify issue!) Was Steve Taylor the greatest lyricist contemporary Christian music ever produced? We think so — and in this episode of More Cowbell Please, we make the case. We attended a recent Steve Taylor concert and came away convinced this man never got the tribute he deserved. So here it is. From his origins as a preacher's kid in Northglenn, Colorado — forbidden from listening...

Was Steve Taylor the greatest lyricist contemporary Christian music ever produced? We think so — and in this episode of More Cowbell Please, we make the case. We attended a recent Steve Taylor concert and came away convinced this man never got the tribute he deserved. So here it is. From his origins as a preacher's kid in Northglenn, Colorado — forbidden from listening to secular music until his m...

Stu G, legendary guitarist of Delirious?, joins More Cowbell Please for a raw, heartfelt conversation. From wiring houses as an electrician to co-writing worship anthems like “Did You Feel the Mountains Tremble,” “Obsession,” and “History Maker,” Stu opens up about:The early Cutting Edge youth events that birthed a movement. How U2 and Queen shaped his career. How Delirious? broke boundaries in wo...

The lawsuit nightmare. Running out of money. Almost homeless with a young family. And the miraculous “eagle” vision that carried him through. Jess shares how God turned the darkest season into a comeback—writing worship anthems for Chris Tomlin, Passion, John Reddick, TobyMac w Forrest Frank, and more. From pop highs (Backstreet Boys, David Archuleta) to Nashville heartbreak and redemption—this is...

Hit songwriter, Jess Cates takes us into the realities of the craft in both LA and Nashville. From mega hits with Backstreet Boys and American Idols, to worship hits with Elevation, Passion, Matt Redman, and the who's who of CCM Christian Music. From millions in sales and billions in streams, to being broke and almost homelessAt one point finding himself needing to sue his non paying publisher...

I name the top 5 the most radical Christian music artists in the recorded music era and what they did that shocked the business. And the church. Were they right? Did they go too far? Forrest Frank has posted radical stands lately - Dropping out of the Doves, slamming AI music, refusing to listen to non christian music. It reminded me of those in the past that have done even more radical things, Sa...

Join Me as I share a personal life update. And LEGAL issues!. I'm also taking to opportunity to give a life story of my journey from Australia to India, opening a Christian music venue, to mixing Grammy-winning tracks for For King & Country and Matt Redman! Discover the heart behind the podcast, inspired by faith, struggles, and stories from CCM legends like Danny Duncan, John Mays and Jackie...

Prince Mulla is a Christ follower working in the Bollywood movie industry as a producer and musician. From leading 500,000 in worship to crafting Bollywood hits, Prince shares his journey as a pastor’s son, navigating faith in a 1.4 Billion people nation where conversion is illegal. Hear stories of his viral song “Zinda” impacting Pakistan persecution, and “Gal” healing loneliness. He's producing...

Nathan Nockels. Producer. A master class in how to make a record. Picking great songs, being an authentic creative. After 18 years producing for Passion including Chris Tomlin, Matt Redman, Crowder, Laura Story and annual conference records, he tells us about his current work - some of his most sucessful yet. But not for the reasons you may think! He's produced hits like the ICONIC 10000 Reasons (...

Matt Armstrong is a songwriter behind hits like Chris Tomlin’s “At the Cross” and Casting Crowns’ “Always Enough”! From his Buffalo roots to Nashville’s CCM scene, Matt shares wild stories—spilling Dr. Pepper with Ashley Judd, surviving a dog funeral saga, and finding faith through music. Now an A&R pro at Story House Collective, he mentors new talent like Cade Thompson. Next up: Nathan Nockle...

Our epic chat with Gary Smith, a veteran Christian music promoter in Europe! Behind the scenes stories of booking Rebecca St. James’ first UK tour to Skillet’s loud shows and for KING & COUNTRY’s international debut, Gary shares wild stories—like a whale-chasing crowd in the Faroe Islands and a 900-ticket sellout in an Austrian village. Hear how faith and ministry drove his work with, Thrid Da...

This week I chat with veteran CCM podcasters, the brothers Jacob and Jesse Priddy of the 'Christian Music Guys' podcast, a heartfelt music conversation, with music insights from the fans perspective. As lifelong fans as well as being pastors and worship leaders, they dive into the songs and stories that shaped their faith, from nostalgic CCM classics to today’s emerging artists. With over 200 epis...

Ainslie Grosser dives deeper with Aaron Shust on his indie artist journey, balancing family with his son Michael’s special needs, and learning to “be still” in faith. From tour pranks to biblical truths, this episode inspires! Aaron talks about the power of his song ZION, His journey as a parent of a special needs boy with Downs Syndrome, Autism Subscribe for more! #MoreCowbellPlease #aaronshust #...

Aaron Shust shares his life and music career story. From being a worship pastor in an Atlanta Mega Church, to having #1 hit songs in CCM Christian Music. The challenges of being a christian artist on a secular label. He trace shis journey from a small Pennsylvania church to CCM stardom with “My Savior My God.” Hear how childhood piano struggles, a hymn discovery, and faith shaped his #1 hit. Part...

Its Matt Hammitt, former Sanctus Real frontman, on his journey from Grammy-nominated hits like “Lead Me” to prioritizing family after his son Bowen’s heart condition. Matt shares raw stories of faith, fatherhood, and songwriting, plus his bold take on the Michael Tait allegations. Survivors, you’re seen. Subscribe for Aaron Shust’s story next! #MoreCowbellPlease #MattHammitt The documentary : Bowe...

Jessica Morris, the journalist behind the Roys Report’s explosive Michael Tait exposé. From her Australian roots to shaking the CCM world, Jessica shares her journey, faith, and 2.5-year investigation into Newsboys’ and DC Talk former frontman. We unpack the allegations, the industry’s response, and hope for reform. Read the articles linked below first! Survivors, you are seen. Subscribe for Matt...

Chris gets honest about career challenges. We talk Carrie Underwood hit, Gloria Gaynor producing, Shakira writing, RV'ing, His  @moodyproducer  Identity on Instagram and TikTok. He also talks about what Christian Music is. #chrisstevens #ccm #christianmusic Chris won 5 Grammy Awards and 15 Doves!🎧ALL EPISODES:.https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLBt6FZ88v_g64fr3KfLjQgPIM0vUYRZy9 PODCAST:Listen...

5x Grammy-winner Chris Stevens joins More Cowbell Please to share his wild journey from crafting gaming sounds to producing hits for TobyMac, Sanctus Real, and Mandisa! 🎹✨ Hear about his early days with a Moog synthesizer, the making of I’m Not Alright, and heartfelt Grammy moments. And bonus - an early CCM fail with Audio Adrenaline Subscribe 👉 https://www.youtube.com/@MoreCowbellPleasePodcast...

Keith Everette Smith blows us away! Grammy-contributing trumpeter, TobyMac’s live music director, and producer for Tasha Layton’s #1 CCM hits. From Elvis with Baz Luhrmann to arenas with TobyMac, Session stories with Phil Ramone, Dolly Parton, Jack White Subscribe for Chris Stevens in Ep. 15! #KeithEveretteSmith #TobyMac #TashaLayton #ccm Chapters 00:00 Welcome to Keith Everette Smith! 01:24 Greet...

Joel Smallbone of for KING & COUNTRY bares all in More Cowbell Please Ep. 13, Part 2! 🙏 🇺🇸 From wrestling criticism to a faith crisis over Christian music, the Unsung Hero movie’s emotional premiere, and hilarious “Two Pair” undies gaffe, Joel’s journey inspires.#JoelSmallbone #forKINGandCOUNTRY #CCM #USA🎧ALL EPISODES:.https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLBt6FZ88v_g64fr3KfLjQgPIM0vUYRZy9...

Joel Smallbone wanted to be a solo artist. He did the hard work for it, but for King and Country was his life's path. How did that happen? Hear an exclusive unreleased demo of one of the first songs he wrote at age 16, his early songwriting fears, and a hilarious take on 1990s America as a seven-year-old Aussie—think Wild West chaos! Also some inside stories about the movie 'Unsung Hero'. This is...

Join us for Episode 12 of More Cowbell Please with Sean Moffitt, a three-time Grammy-winning mix engineer behind hits for Keith Urban, Lauren Daigle, TobyMac, and more! From his roots as a drummer to mixing 'How Can It Be' and surviving stage-four cancer, Sean shares untold stories of faith, burnout, and the CCM industry. Host Ainslie, dives deep into Sean's journey and nerdy mixing tips. Subscrib...

Discover untold stories from Christian Music music icons like Luke Smallbone & Paul Mabury! Subscribe to More Cowbell Please for exclusive CCM insights that inspire. 🎙️✨ Interviews with well credited Producers, Writers, A&R, Engineers, Artists and Executives. The people behind such artists as Lauren Daigle, Hillsong United, for King and Country, Skillet, Mercy Me, Toby Mac, Colton Dixon,...