Song Revolution with John Chisum

Hope Darst is a Fair Trade recording artist and a worship leader at the Belongingco church in Nashville alongside the likes of Natalie Grant, Mia Fieldes, Meredith Andrews, and many more well-known worship leaders and artists. But a record deal and commercial exposure were a long time in the making for Hope. It was a dream she had all but given up on. Hope felt from a young age that she was destin...

BEC Recordings' artists Andrew Enos and Michael Landingham ( "Lion & Bear" ) have suffered more than their fair share of loss and tragedies. The young California natives, actual brothers-in-law, have adopted the theme of lament for their music. And rightly so. Michael and his wife lost their twin sons within days of their birth. It was their first pregnancy. Then Andrew and his wife lost a son to...

You will enjoy getting to know the endearing Elle Limebear, a brand new GMA Dove Award Nominee for New Artist of The Year . In this conversation, John Chisum discovers Elle's passionate heart for reaching others with hope through her music and songwriting process. They also discuss what it's been like for her to grow up as the daughter of a Christian Rock Star. Elle grew up watching her father, Ma...

The 5-time Grammy nominee, Matthew West , is hitting the reset button! He has found himself in a brand new season of leadership to younger artists and producers and a flood of productivity after a self-described "desert season" that has finally come to an end. With a whole new attitude and new young producers, Matthew has crafted a fresh sound on his new album, Brand New , co-produced with 20-some...

Few churches have had the global impact that Bethel Redding and it's spin off ministry of Jesus Culture Music have had over the past dozen years.  Kim Walker-Smith, one of the original Bethel worship leaders, helped launch a movement of worship and intimacy with God that has touched the nations and spearheaded ministry through the wildly popular Jesus Culture movement... and she's not slowing down...

This episode is a must-listen to anyone seeking an insider's look into how a hit-making Nashville producer can maintain his faith while producing top mainstream artists. When you look beyond this amazing list of production credits you will discover that Sal Oliveri is an outspoken Jesus follower who carries his humble, authentic faith into every session. Country/Americana: Chris Stapelton, Carrie...

"Tell me again a million times,Who I am in heaven's eyes," sings Jillian Edwards, a native of Texas now pro singer-songwriter living in Nashville with husband, Will Chapman, and daughter Willow Faye. With songs placed on episodes of Nashville, Grey's Anatomy, Pretty Little Liars, and Citibank Ads , Edwards is in her fifth year as a signed songwriter to mega- publishing company Concord Music Group....

Phil Joel, bassist and vocalist with the iconic Christian band Newsboys for over a dozen years, solo artist, author, and frontman for the band Zealand has sworn off social media.  No Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, Youtube, Qzone, Weibo, Reddit, Flickr, Tumblr, Meetup or Odnoklassniki, which, by the way has 71 million active monthly users. Joel can't be found on any of them. Zip. Nada. None...

In this episode, host John Chisum sits down with Darlene Zschech, iconic Australian songwriter of "Shout to the Lord," a song introduced in 1993 that is still sung weekly by millions of people worldwide.  In this powerful interview, Darlene shares how "Shout to the Lord" came to her during a time of trial and why she feels she can take no credit for the song, how it passed through her, and persona...

"My entire theology is a Man, it's Jesus," says Mike Weaver, frontman of Christian music's powerhouse band Big Daddy Weave. "I'm telling you, He is with you and He's with you in the most real way." With robust faith and authenticity, Weaver shares through this warm and often funny episode about being a big guy from South Alabama who stumbled into a Christian rock band career now spanning nine albu...

Mike Weaver is one of the most recognizable and loved voices in Christian music. The success of the band on Christian radio is deeply appreciated, as you'll here in this fantastic two-part interview, but ministry to their listeners is front and center for this southern rocker and his dedicated teammates.  Mike Weaver, his brother, and their band have suffered what seems like an overload of tragedy...

Our world has been ravaged and turned upside down by Covid-19, but you're still called to write great Christian songs, right? In this special edition of the Song Revolution with John Chisum , John and co-host, Tina Keil, explore specific ways you can utilize the upset routines more creatively and capture even more song ideas than ever before. John & Tina discuss three ways you can go deeper in you...

Are you wanting to "up level" your songwriting in 2020? Are you a singer-songwriter ready to take your craft to a much higher level to impact even more listeners? In today's show Nashville Christian Songwriters President John Chisum and our podcast producer, Peter Hartzell, sit down in the studio to take a look back at some highlights for this show and for Nashville Christian Songwriters in 2019,...

Don Moen is one of the most beloved worship leaders, songwriters, and philanthropists of our time. Perhaps best-known for songs like God Will Make a Way, I Just Want to Be Where You Are , and Give Thanks , Don's ministry stretches to the four corners of the globe as he ceaselessly travels to Africa, Europe, Asia, and across the United States leading worshipers of all ages into a sweet sense of the...

John Chisum enjoys a compelling conversation with Dr. Mike Harland, Director of LifeWay Worship. LifeWay is one of the world's largest Christian resource ministries offering a full range of music, Bible studies, research, events, and more. Mike has been LifeWay Worship Director for almost a decade and a half, bringing his wealth of songwriting knowledge to the publishing world, and he has stewarde...

Becky Nordquist is walking in a calling she wouldn't have asked for. An aspiring singer-songwriter, she would love to be on top of CCM charts, but for now, Becky knows she's called to use her music to encourage those who've experienced infant and child loss. Becky has experienced five miscarriages and the stillbirth of their son, Niklaus, so the grief is real for her and her new single "Before We...

Have you ever wondered who was behind all the music you've known and loved through the years?  Well, today our guest is someone you may not have heard of but who has quietly shaped the face of Christian music for fifty years - and still going strong today. Meet Stan Moser. Stan was CEO of Star Song Media in Nashville, working with groups like Petra, Newsboys, the Gaither Vocal Band, Twila Paris, P...

Few Christian Songwriters have the privilege of sharing their songs on the international stage, and Christian rock band Tenth Avenue North is privileged to continually find themselves at the top of the list. Through thoughtful and intentional songwriting, they are tackling tough topics like addiction, suicide, depression, religion, and faith - effectively unveiling the stigmas that hold people bac...

In this installment, John Chisum and Ross King dig deep into the nitty gritty of what it takes to write quality songs in the changing music landscape. From writing on your own, to writing "top line" with producers and musicians in the room, this show will help give you valuable perspective on what you can do right now to grow your songwriting craft. You can connect with Ross King at: www.rosskingm...

In this special 2 part show, John Chisum had a fantastic conversation with Centricity Music's own - Ross King - one of the most authentic and honest songwriters in Nashville. Ross has built a multi-faceted career producing, writing and performing as an independent artist, developing sync licensing content for TV and Film, writing and placing songs for other artists, and co-writing with some of the...

In Part 2 of our conversation with world-class guitarist and artist Phil Keaggy and Nashville producer and guitarist Rex Paul Schnelle, we pick up the conversation about the new album "Illumination", find out that Phil is the master of puns, and find out what's next for Phil and Rex.  John Chisum was deeply impressed throughout this interview that these two would much rather talk about Jesus than...

Phil Keaggy is known as one of the world's greatest guitarists. He's recorded over 50 albums since beginning his career in the late 1960's and he's not slowing the pace, even at 68-years old.  Recently releasing a collaboration with Nashville producer and guitarist Rex Paul Schnelle called "Illumination," the duo have recaptured the fire of early Keaggy classics and penned some new ones especially...

Have you ever thought or said, "I just want to get my songs out there" or "I just want to get my songs heard" or "I just know God has something bigger for me and my music"? If you have, you're not alone. Thousands of aspiring songwriters are right where you are. In this episode, veteran songwriter and publisher, John Chisum, unpacks a few of the myths about self-expression and why your songs might...

Nashville Christian Songwriters prides itself in covering the full spectrum of musical and songwriting styles, and today hard rock gets the spotlight. Random Hero has been slinging heavy rock since the early 2000's and are excited to announce the release of their new record "Tension" (out June 23, 2019). John Chisum sits down with the guys to talk through their process, and learn how these songs c...

What is the #1 secret songwriting tool you need to become a successful songwriter?  Could it be knowing how to play the guitar or keyboard? Could it be having a stellar radio voice to sing your songs and record great cd's of your music? Could it be knowing the right people in Nashville or L.A. or New York?  Or is it something else entirely that could be the #1 thing that could really set you up to...