Song Revolution with John Chisum

"The process of discovering a song, is that it comes together. It may just be a thought, or an idea, or a line. As you move forward, though, it will unfold before you." In this episode of the Song Revolution Podcast, John Chisum sits down with one of Nashville's most influential songwriters and artists, Cindy Morgan. Cindy is a two time Grammy nominee, and the recipient of 12 Dove Awards. She has...

"Surround yourself with people that challenge you, and pray for you, and can see more clearly, and help you know the direction you should take in your music." In this episode of the Song Revolution Podcast, John sits down with Pat Barrett. Pat is the lead vocalist of the band Housefires, and co-writer of the song, "Good Good Father." He is the debut artist on Chris Tomlin's Label, Boyer & Bow, and...

"My biggest thing, since I was a kid, has been authenticity. I think you can write a song that means something to just you, and that, most of the time, will end up relating to most people. They might not have lived that story, but they can relate it to something in their own life. " In this episode, John sits down with Grammy-nominated artist, Rhett Walker. Rhett is a down-to-earth family man, who...

"There's a difference between a dream and a fantasy. A dream is something you're willing to take some steps towards... you just cannot help but go hard after it." In episode 76, John tackles the burning question on the mind of nearly every songwriter who desires to reach a larger audience in the music realm. John gives a brief background of his own journey with songwriting, publishing, and career...

"Let the excellence of your work be your protest"   In episode 75, John sits down with veteran songwriter, author, and Bible scholar, Michael Card. Michael has recorded over 37 albums, authored over 27 books, hosted a radio program, and written for a wide range of magazines. While he has penned such favorites as "El Shaddai", "Love Crucified Arose", and "Immanuel," He never imagined writing over 1...

"This isn't about what I want to say or what I think, the song has to be about what people want to hear"   In Episode 74, John Chisum sits down with veteran songwriter, Sue C. Smith. Sue has written 15 #1 songs, including "Mourning Into Dancing" (The Bowlings) in March 2017, and "I Choose Christ" (Karen Peck and New River) in July 2017.  In 2017 she was named Absolutely Gospel Music Songwriter of...

"It can be beautiful music, but without the presence of God, there's no distinction"   In this week's episode, Chisum sits down with Jonathan Brown, President of Integrity Music at their offices in the Cool Springs area of Franklin, TN. Jonathan Brown, known as "JB," is a 25-year music industry veteran who began his career at Word Records in the U.K. before taking roles with Furious Records and Fi...

"Allow time for a discovery period at the beginning of a co-write"   You rarely see a song these days with just one writer. Especially in Christian music and the world of corporate worship. In Episode 72, John goes in depth into the process of co-writing, what it looks like in Nashville, and how you can use it to write better songs.   "Don't go into a writing room empty-handed. Walk in with at lea...

"Write what you know. Be as honest as you can and use your experience. Don't try to be someone else."   In episode 71, John Chisum sits down to chat all things artistry and songwriting with Josh Wilson. This Texas-native started playing piano at nine years old, then took up guitar and drums when he was 10.  From there, he never looked back. During his high school years, he continued to hone his mu...

"When we are writing songs that connect people to God, part of that process is pushing fear out of the way"   In episode 70, John sits down with Worship Leader and Songwriter, Chris McClarne y. Chris grew up in the church as the son of a Youth Pastor and met Jesus at a very young age. When he was 14, he began leading worship for a small group, which led to full-time ministry in local churches and...

"Write from your heart because we all have a story that we can tell"   In episode 69, John Chisum sits down with songwriter, worship leader, actor, and composer, Jesse Pruett. Jesse is currently on staff as Worship Arts Pastor in Lake Havasu City, Arizona and when he's not there, he's rubbing shoulders with some of the biggest names in the Film and TV industry through acting, film scoring, and wri...

"This whole art endeavor that we're involved with as songwriters is an amazing combination of your whole life. Bring all that you are to your songs"   In episode 68, John wraps up a 5 part series on "Writing Hit Hooks" with one of the most important, yet difficult to master keys to songwriting. Simplicity is found in every great song or hook. John shares multiple examples of famous songs that have...

"We are an online platform that connects creators with investors as a way of helping them raise money..."   In episode 67, John chats with Antony Bruno from Royalty Exchange. If there are two main areas that can be difficult for songwriters to navigate and understand, it's royalties and finances. How do you make money as a songwriter? How do you keep everything organized so that you're actually ge...

"Most often, the Holy Spirit gives inspiration that you can then take and, with the other gifts, talents, and tools that you have, craft it in a way the entire world can embrace"   In episode 66, John dives back into writing hit hooks. This is the 4th episode in this series and today, we're talking about "Universality".   "The quality of your song will never exceed the quality of your hook"   What...

"It's the Lord that does the work. You are only responsible for being a child of God"   In episode 65, John sits down with Christian Artist and Songwriter, Dara Maclean. Dara's debut album You Got My Attention is earning her the attention of many. Growing up in a ministry focused family, leading worship was something that was almost inevitable for Dara. "I grew up singing, dancing and acting, and...

"Music reaches beyond the thinking of the mind and goes straight into the heart and soul level"   In this week's episode, we're continuing our series on "Writing HIt Hooks." Today, we're talking all about emotion. What does a specific song make you feel? If you're like me, as soon as you hear a song you immediately go back to a memory or a time when you felt something similar. Songs have the power...

This week, we went back into the archives to share a past episode with you. Here's the thing... Each of these episodes have SO MUCH GOLD in them that it's hard to digest it all in one listen. So, today we're jumping back to our conversation with the amazing Audrey Assad.  Audrey Assad is, by her own admission, a very opinionated person. Of Middle Eastern descent, yet raised in a small cult-like ex...

Not only has she been nominated for five Grammy® Awards, one Emmy®, and won three Doves, but singer, songwriter, recording artist, author, and actress Bonnie Keen is one of the most-loved talents in Nashville. One-third of the classic CCM trio First Call with Marty McCall and Melody Tunney, Bonnie began her Christian music career when her neighbor, Mike Blanton, asked her to sing backing vocals fo...

Why do some songs leave you flat while others stick in your head forever? What are the key ingredients in a song's basic theme and "hook" that make it stay with you days, even years, after you've heard it for the first time?   In Part 2 of the Writing Hit Hooks series, industry leader John Chisum shares some of the most important ways to make your song stick with listeners no matter what genre or...

When tenth-graders Chris Rohman and Mark Graalman started making music together in their parents' basement in a small Ohio town, they could not have imagined that they would one day look back after 22 years of touring to see multiple industry award nominations and wins, 24 radio hits, over 750,000 albums sold, and thousands of loyal fans who've followed their ministry from the beginning to this da...

Do you ever wonder how hit songs are written? You've probably heard of "formula songwriting" and maybe even learned about song form, hooks, and melody writing. But what does it take to write a truly great song?   In this episode, music industry veteran John Chisum takes you to a deeper understanding of the key equation that professional songwriters use time and time again to write songs that consi...

Katie Gustafson Hill is that rare and exquisite blend of musician, singer-songwriter, and healer. Suffering an eating disorder as a child, Katie knows the long road of recovery and seeks to help others, especially women, find their true selves and greater power through her counseling practice in Nashville.    Katie comes from a strong Christian family that is quite musical. Her Dad, Gerrit Gustafs...

Drakeford (Drake & Lucy-Jayne Lanier), embody the most romantic notion of today's singer-songwriter lifestyle, though they would be the first to tell you that it has its challenges and drawbacks. Newlyweds who met on the mission field, the singing duo have grown accustomed to a nomadic lifestyle of coffee shops, universities, home concerts, and occasional church gigs as they share their own unique...

Ask Don Moen what he does, and the answer might surprise you. He won't say he's a songwriter even though he's written more than 100 songs. He won't say he's a worship leader even though he's led worship on every continent but Antarctica and recorded numerous albums.    He won't say he's a businessman or producer even though he has produced and directed hundreds of successful projects. If you ask D...

Does God really "give" you songs? Is it possible to just "receive" your songs from God and not have to work on them anymore? What's it like to "sing in the Spirit" and write "prophetic" songs?   In this episode of The Song Revolution Podcast, John Chisum interviews International House of Prayer (Kansas City) worship leader and songwriter, Jon Thurlow, as part of The NCS Song Power Week 2018. Jon s...