I did not want to work on a record that was the "same ole' same". I am a rocker, I would not do good at compiling songs that are hookless and simple with poorly constructed lyrics and watered down musical parts. I did not want to spend my time doing a record that sounded second rate. I can go on and on about why I was reluctant to work on a worship project... However, I am now crazy excited and fired up about this worship record because once again God has proven to me that He is way bigger than my small view of Him. Let me explain...

Please understand that I am not saying every worship record out there in the wide world of music is lame, just most of the ones I have heard. I know there are some great worship leaders out there and some great records; however, my experience has been the following: I go and see "said" worship leader, he or she rocks my face off live and then I buy the record, I pop the record in, crank it up and it is so weak sounding that I wouldn't even share the record with my 5 year old cousin. It's embarrassing! Artists and producers spend their time dumbing down tracks so that they can be received by a larger audience and in the process the track winds up sounding like crap. No connection, no power.

"Oh, your just over reacting," some one might say back to me. Really, what would you rather listen to - Audioslave, Muse, Rage Against the Machine, AC/DC, Justin Timberlake, The Eagles, Coldplay, Counting Crows, Keith Urban, (insert favorite band/singer here) - or - a worship record. Whether you answer it truthfully or not, I know the answer. Yes, worship music has awesome meaning. And yes, there is no greater person (God) or thing (life with God) that we can sing about, but why does it have to sound so bad?

So, in our search for something different, Lee and I ran across a producer named Jason Hoard. He accepted our plea and is in the process of creating tracks that will hopefully connect. Our studio time with him has been awesome and I look forward to the 2 remaining weeks. So, this blog goes out to all of the worship guys and gals that are "bringin it". The folks that are not afraid to put themselves out there, take a chance with passionate music. The worship leader that spends their week laboring over that one song that will pierce through the heart of a listener. The producer that doesn't care what the Label says, instead would rather risk his or her job to put "the more passionate" part on the record. To all the Steve Fees, Hillsongs, and Kristian Stanfills out there, you know who you are, Thanks. You have challenged me to push harder.