OCTOBER 26, 2009... Dear Sue and All of our WAJ family,
Words cannot begin to express what we are feeling at this very moment! We have never felt so loved, cared for, protected or thankful than we feel right now!
When Wilson fell from that roof the homeowner was outside and said he fell from the ridge. So we know he fell approx. 20 ft on his head. The paramedics were called and tried to revive him...he wasn't responding. They looked at the homeowner and said. " I don't think he's going to make it". My sister and I pulled into that yard not long after the paramedics arrived, not knowing that anything had happened. My sister ran up to Wilson and started screaming out his name. The second time she called out he moved his leg. They asked her to continue talking because he recognized her voice. They airlifted him to a hospital about 20 minutes from Philadelphia. In the meantime we headed to Wilmington to the hospital. On the way we prayed and prayed and in between prayer we called on everyone we knew who would pray for us. We began living a miracle from that moment!
We were greeted by a sweet Nun who said that he was on life support to help prevent him from aspirating and that he had what she referred to as "brain trauma" but they did not know to what degree. They began running all kinds of tests expecting to find brain bleeds, broken bones. There were none! He became the talk of the hospital. Dr's were shaking their heads in amazement...One came in the room and said..."That's one lucky man". I said, "oh sir...that is one Blessed Man". He agreed. A nurse came from a different part of the hospital because she said she just had to come and see for herself and talk to the man who fell so far and was going home without so much as a memory loss!
In just under four days we brought him home. He has a severe concussion and though he can't always walk or talk straight his recovery has been miraculous and we are believing that it won't be long until he's totally recovered!
We know it was a result of prayer and many of those prayers came from you, our WAJ family!
To say "Thank You" seems so inadequate! For all the e-mails, messages, phone calls, prayers and now for this offering of love you have poured out on us we say "Thank You". We look forward to the day that we will bless others as you have blessed us today! I wish I could hug everyone of you right now, but I will hug you in prayer and in the spirit of the God we serve!
You are loved!
Karen & Wilson Gillespie
APRIL, 2009... Sue asked me to write about my Nashville trip for the meetings that resulted from the Write About Jesus competition. I drove up to Nashville from my home northwest of Atlanta on a Tuesday night a few weeks ago. The meetings were scheduled for Wednesday through Friday of that week. It’s about a three and a half hour drive. I arrived at my hotel in Franklin at about midnight in pouring rain, but that was OK. I knew I was going to be having a blast over the next few days.
My first appointment was on Wednesday morning with Rick Shelton at Daywind. When I walked in, Rick was listening to Come Revive, the song I had put into the WAJ competition. We talked about the song some, then we talked about WAJ, about my writing journey and my role in my church’s music ministry, what Daywind is doing, the Christian music market, etc. Rick then listened to several of my songs. He gave me some great constructive input on them. He really liked Come Revive and another one called You Are God of All, and he felt they could possibly use them. So we agreed to talk again before the end of my trip.
I headed back down to Franklin and grabbed some lunch in the Cool Springs Galleria area. After lunch, my next appointment was with Dennis Dearing at his studio. Of course I had met Dennis at WAJ, but it was great to hang out with him a little while and get to know him better. Eventually our conversation turned to doing a demo. I didn’t really have a song ready to demo; I already have demos for the songs I’ve completed recently. So Dennis listened to a worktape I had for a song that’s getting pretty close. He really liked it and so we talked through how I was hearing it. We agreed that when I had it ready to demo we would get together again.
Then it was over to the Brentwood-Benson offices. I got a chance to say hello to Don Poythress as I was waiting in the lobby. My meeting was with John Andrade of greatworshipsongs.com, but as it turned out, John had to leave early due to a family illness, but the B-B folks were really nice and instead I met with Eric Hurt in the creative department. Eric showed me around, introduced me to lots of people, and then we talked for a little while. He listened to a couple of my songs and really liked them, and he said he would talk to John about them.
That night I met my friend John Swaim for dinner. John is a Nashville musician, singer and songwriter who grew up in my hometown in NC. It was great catching up with him and we discussed a song we had started a while back.
The week had started out stormy, but on Thursday morning the skies had cleared a little so I went for a run before breakfast. I spent the rest of the morning working on some song ideas in my hotel room. That afternoon I wrote with John Lemonis in one of the Brentwood-Benson writing rooms. I truly enjoyed meeting John. We talked a lot about our churches and how our music ministries have changed and grown. Tony Wood popped in to say hello and chat with John a couple of times. We started working on a worship song based on one of the ideas I threw out, and then interestingly John ended up pulling in another idea I had mentioned. It’s an upbeat, guitar-driven worship song. We didn’t finish the song but it’s well on its way. We agreed to get together again soon to finish it.
John Andrade had called me earlier in the day and asked me to stop by and meet with him when I finished my writing session with John Lemonis. When I left the writing room, I found John’s office and met with him for little while. Like my meetings with Rick and Eric the day before, John and I talked about his company, he listened to couple of my songs, we talked about my goals, etc. He was interested in Come Revive also, and he said they would discuss it.
I have to say that all the publishing people I talked to during the week (Rick, Eric, John, and others I was introduced to) mentioned how much they loved Sue and what a great community of writers Write About Jesus has become. They were all just so incredibly nice and welcoming.
On Friday, I wrote in the morning with Lee Black and Kenna West at Word Music’s offices. I knew Lee from when he worked with Integrity Music. I had met him at worship songwriting conferences that Integrity used to host. I hadn’t met Kenna before but she’s one of those people you just know you’re going to like a lot when they walk into the room. She’s just a joy to be around!
After grabbing a cup of coffee, we settled into the writing room. Lee had an idea he wanted to explore so we jumped right on it. We made a lot of good progress on the feel, the melody, and the first verse and part of a chorus. But we changed our ideas for the verse a few times and eventually ran out of time because Kenna and Lee had a staff meeting at 11. We have a date set to finish the song in a couple of weeks.
After lunch at Panera Bread just down the road, I headed back to Word for my afternoon writing meeting with Sue. Sue has already blogged about this part, but I told her about one idea I had for a song and she really liked the idea. Just as we were getting started on it, Lee Black stopped in to say hello to Sue, and we invited him to join us. I was just blown away being in the room with both of them as we wrote that song. Wow. The song was completely finished during that session and Sue recorded a worktape. Brentwood-Benson demo’d it the following Monday in their studio and the result was just beautiful. I love that song.
Being in writing sessions with pro writers is an education all in itself. I think the most eye-opening difference between these co-writes and others I’ve had is the pace. The pro writers can really whip out good lines and good melodies quickly. Obviously that’s what you have to do as a staff writer, but still, it’s impressive to witness it in action. Then the other thing is how well crafted that stuff is, even though it was developed so quickly. That’s what you get when you combine true gifting with a LOT of experience! The week really inspired and encouraged me to write, write, write.
After that last session on Friday, I checked my messages. Rick Shelton had called to let me know that he did indeed want to publish Come Revive. That was a great ending to a wonderful week. I was blessed with several new friendships with people I truly enjoyed being with. I was able to spend time with Sue, Dennis and Lee and get to know them a little better. I am so thankful that God brought this opportunity, and so deeply appreciative of all Sue did to arrange everything.
Darryl Johnson
4/18/09
JUNE 12, 2008... Steve Marshall and WAJ clinician Marty Funderburk have the number one southern gospel song on SoGospelNews.com and American Gospel Countdown. It’s “I Believe God,” cut by Brian Free and Assurance. Steve also has a song co-written with John Rowsey (“God’s About To Do”) on the new Christ Temple Church choir project. Way to go, Steve, Marty, and John!
JUNE 4, 2008...Tim Wheeler and songwriter Mitch Townley co-wrote a song for Mitch’s daughter’s wedding last year. Mitch danced to the song with his daughter at the reception. When Tim’s daughter also got married recently, he got the chance to have a father-daughter dance to the song, “In His Arms.” The morning of the wedding, Tim received an email telling him that the song had been selected as Song of the Month on Songramp for June. Congratulations, Tim!
APRIL 24, 2008... Gina Boe is the first Write About Jesus alumnus to win a Dove Award. Gina’s first WAJ workshop was in 2002. In 2006, she signed an exclusive songwriting agreement with Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing, Inc. and Write About Jesus Music. Gina’s Dove was for Youth/Children’s Music of the Year for the musical “Praise Rocks!” Sue Smith was a co-winner with Gina, along with Barb Dorn, a writer from Gina’s church in Nebraska, and arranger Brian Green. WAJ alumnus Lisa Qualsett and WAJ clinician Chad Cates co-wrote many of the songs in the musical with Gina, and WAJ clinician Marty Funderburk was a writer on one of the featured songs.
Congratulations to WAJ clinicians Wayne Haun for winning a Dove Award for Traditional Gospel Album of the Year (Past and Present; Lillie Knauls).
To see a complete list of Dove Award winners, go here:
MARCH 6, 2008... WAJ alumnus Sean Smith was the guest soloist on a recent broadcast of the Hour of Power from the Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove, CA. The telecast was seen around the country on March 1st and 2nd. Congratulations, Sean!
Jamie Purewal’s song “Let It Be Me” took 2nd place overall in the AC/Inspo category at GMA’s Music in the Rockies. Her other three songs also made the top 20 in three different categories... AC/Inspo, Rock/Alternative, and Praise and Worship.
Deb Bailey’s song “What Will I Wear?” has been cut by southern gospel artist Kim Hopper on her new solo project.
Donna Brooks’ song “What Faith Does” (written with Marty Funderburk and Scott Wilemon) has been cut by Legacy V.
FEBRUARY 16 2008... The song “You Sweep Me Off My Feet,” which won the grand prize at Write About Jesus in 2006, has been recorded by an artist in Holland. Writers Karen Gillespie and Helga Kaefer have gotten great feedback from the artist Susanne, who says she never gets tired of singing the song. Helga got four cuts on the project!
Karen Gillespie had two cuts by Chosen Ministry... one is called “Praise Him.”
In the past year, Karen has signed 7 single song agreements with three different publishers! You can listen to some of Karen’s songs at her Shoutlife page.
FEBRUARY 14, 2008... Congratulations to the following Wajonians who have received Dove nominations:
Clinician Ronnie Freeman for Inspirational Song of the Year - God Speaking
Clinicians Joel Lindsey and Twila Labar for Southern Gospel Song of the Year - Orphans of God, The Talley Trio
Clinicians Belinda Smith and Sue Smith for Southern Gospel Song of the Year - Over and Over, Jeff and Sheri Easter
Clinicians Joel Lindsey and Wayne Haun (with Cindi Ballard) for Bluegrass Song of the Year - I Will Find You Again, Little Roy Lewis, Earl Scruggs, Lizzie Long
Registrant Lyn Rowell (with Caleb Collins) for Bluegrass Song of the Year - The Key To Heaven, The Lewis Family
Clinician Don Poythress (with Brian White and Barry Dean) for Country Song of the Year - James White, Little Roy Lewis, Earl Scruggs, Lizzie Long
Clincian Wayne Haun for Southern Gospel Album of the Year - Sounds Like Sunday, Janet Paschal
Clinician Wayne Haun and Kevin Ward for Bluegrass Album of the Year - Lifetimes, Little Roy Lewis, Earl Scruggs, Lizzie Long
Clinician Wayne Haun for Traditional Gospel Album of the Year - Past and Present, Lillie Knauls
Clinician Wayne Haun and Kevin Ward for Contemporary Gospel Album of the Year - Bridges, Calvin Hunt
Clinicians David Moffitt and Sue Smith (with Travis Cottrell) for Musical of the Year - All Bow Down
Clincians Gina Boe and Sue Smith (Barb Dorn) for Childrens Musical of the Year - Praise Rocks!
These friends of Write About Jesus are also nominated:
Mandisa for Female Vocalist and New Artist of the Year
Marcia Henry for Southern Gospel Song of the Year - Last Night, Karen Peck and New River
Cindy Morgan for Country Song of the Year - How You Live, Point of Grace
Barry Weeks for Southern Gospel Album of the Year - Real Faith, Brian Free and Assurance
Travis Cottrell for Musical of the Year - 3:16 The Number of Hope
For a complete list of the nominees go here. The Dove Awards will be presented on April 23 and will be telecast live on Gospel Music Television.
FEBRUARY 2008... Allison Lynn has released her latest cd “Real Big Fan.” It has three songs written by Allison, and also has songs by WAJ faculty Joel Lindsey, Wayne Haun, and Tony Wood. Find out more about Allison and how to get her cd here.
JANUARY 2008... 2007 cinician Daniel Kirkley’s new single is “Sacred Moment,” written by WAJ clinician Tony Wood, Chad Cates, Guy Zabka, and Daniel Kirkley.
John Gillespie is featured as a "Staff Pick" on IndieHeaven. You can hear his songs and purchase them for download at http://www.indieheaven.com/artist_main.php?id=80201&f=12.
Sean Smith is nominated for two IndieHeaven Momentum Awards in the Male Vocalist of the Year and Inspirational Artist of the Year categories.
Ken Lang is nominated Contemporary Aritst of the Year in the IndieHeaven Momentum Awards.
Tery Wilkins is nominated for Southern Gospel Artist of the Year in the IndieHeaven Momentum Awards.
Ericka Harvey's song "Awaken Me," recorded by the band Rough Draft, was played on Total Access on Way-fm recently. A fan of the Colorado band had their Hot List chosen and Ericka's song was on the list.
Ericka Harvey and Twila Labar have a cut ("Scarlet Ribbon") on Kirk Talley's new cd.
Steve Marshall, Maurice Carter, and Sue Smith wrote the the title song on the new Christ Church Choir cd ("He Still Leads")
Allie and Nick Lapointe's song "The Dogwood and the Willow Tree" placed 19th overall for 2007 in the American Songwriters Magazine lyric contest.
Nick Lapointe has finished his latest cd. It's available here.
JULY 20, 2007... Several songs by Write About Jesus registrants and faculty were featured at the Christ Church Choir concert which premiered their upcoming project. The choir opened with "Send Up Your Praise," written by Twila Labar and Jamie Harvill. "Good News Bad," was written by Twila, Sue Smith, and Johnathan Crumpton. Their closing song was "He Still Leads," written by Maurice Carter, Steve Marshall, and Sue Smith.
JULY 27, 2007... The Perry's (Southern Gospel Group) are cutting TWO songs written by Write About Jesus writers! "Second Opinion" by Joel Lindsey, Ed Stivers, and Tery Wilkins and "The Potter Knows The Clay" by Marcia Henry and Allie Lapointe
JULY 10, 2007... A band that sings one of Christopher Kai's songs won the GMA's "Hear It First" National Independent Battle of the Bands. That means that they'll be singing his song at GMA's Music in the Rockies... Here's a link to the James Lavender Band.
JUNE 26, 2007... "Bless Me Father," written by Donna Brooks and Marty Funderburk has been recorded by the Kings Heralds. The group will be featured at the Southern Gospel Convention this year!
JUNE 26, 2007... Stacey O'Hara will be featured in the CRW (Christian Radio Weekly) Magazine with her song "Back On My Feet." The song is on a CD with other various artists and the CD (an S-Disc) is sent out with the CRW magazine.
JUNE 23, 2007... Stacey Ingram WON the JOY-FM radio (St. Louis) iSing competition on June 23 at Six Flags. As part of her prize, she got to open for Third Day that evening. Stacey entered with her song "How Many Times," and that is part of what got the judges' attention, making her a finalist. There are pictures on Stacey's myspace page.
JUNE 20, 2007... A song by Karen Chronister and Jeff Nelson has been cut by an indie group called Logos. The song is called "Say The Word."
JUNE 18, 2007... Sean Smith, whose CD has been featured in all Lifeway Christian Stores, got this great review of his appearance at the Bluebird Café in Nashville. Sean was on the bill with Michael O'Brien, Morgan Cryar, and Brad Reynolds.
If you've not heard of Sean Smith yet, I guarantee you that you will soon. This Cumming, GA artist is the whole package...great singer, excellent songwriter, humble heart. He was a heart-grabber, with songs like "A Lifetime's Worth", written for his wife, and "If Sierra Can Smile" about a child with leukemia. His album, "Real", is excellent--one of those you just know when you listen to it that you're hearing something special. Sean has already won a few independent artist awards for this album. I predict we'll see him on the stage of the Dove awards before long.
APRIL 1, 2007... Deborah Bailey and Marty Funderburk's song "What Noah Knew" has been recorded by The Collingsworth Family. The project was produced by Wayne Haun and their song was arranged and orchestrated by Jason Webb. The Collingsworth Family is a fan favorite on the Gaither Homecoming concerts.
MARCH 8, 2007... Two of Kiersten Venezia's song will be featured on a new radio program “The Spirit of St. Louis” on St. Louis’ KXEN 1010 AM. The weekly show will feature Christian music, artists and bands from the St. Louis and surrounding area. Listen for Kiersten's songs “Good Promises” and You Are Love” to be featured on the show.
FEBRUARY 11, 2007... A team from Chris Pitonyak's church and another PA church had the opportunity to join together to write Conference worship materials for the Easter-Pentecost 2007season. A couple of Chris' songs are available on the magazine's website (under Worship Resources). You can view the sheet music and lyrics and hear an MP3 at by clicking HERE.
OCTOBER 10, 2006... When Brian Littrell sang recently on the "Hour of Power" broadcast, he performed a song written by three WAJ clinicians. "My Answer Is You," which is one Brian's "Welcome Home" cd, was penned by Tony Wood, Guy Zabka, and Sue Smith.
.
OCTOBER 2, 2006... Steve Siler isn't one to stand still! In 2006, Steve has had a single by Larnelle Harris (I Will Pray) which is also the theme song for Pray For Your Pastor month. Another cut by Larnelle ("Look At Your Hands") went to #3 during the summer. "Carry Me" is a single for The McPhersons. Steve has a new song ("Largo") on Travis Cottrell's latest project. Ronan Tynan released his new CD last week and "Twenty-Three," a song by Scott Krippayne, Tony Wood and Steve is on it.
Music For the Soul has re-released "More Beautiful," a song for breast cancer survivors and their loved ones. It includes a music video with a new song by Steve and Corey Emerson entitled "Wildes Ride On Earth."
OCTOBER 2, 2006... "Between the Lines and Spaces: Christian Artists Share the Stories Behind their Songs," features the true stories that inspired the songs of Steven Curtis Chapman, Mark Schultz, Margaret Becker, several other Christian writers and artists, and WAJ's own Marty Funderburk.
The artists invite readers to use their reflections to experience a new dimension of the power of Christian music.
Marty's song is one written for southern gospel legend Jake Hess. It's called "I Have Never Walked Alone" and was co-written with Daryl Williams.
You can order your copy at christianbooks.com.
OCTOBER 2, 2006... The newest clinician added to the roster of Write About Jesus is Don Poythress. Don is a noted songwriter, having songs recorded by Willie Nelson, Tim McGraw, Darryl Worley, and many others. In 2004, he penned the Dove Award-winning Song "The Promise" as sung by The Martins. It was awarded top recorded song in the Southern Gospel Category.
OCTOBER 2, 2006... Joel Lindsey has joined the world of blogging, journaling about his writer retreat on Cape Cod during the month of September. You can read his thoughts and inspirations here.
OCTOBER 2, 2006... Sue Smith taught a one-day songwriting workshop for Northeast Artists Guild (NEAG) in Laurel, New Jersey, September 23. Sixteen songwriters from New Jersey and Pennsylvnia attended. NEAG is the creation of Dave and Jen Wenz-Walker.
SEPTEMBER 7, 2006... Two new clinicians scheduled to teach at Write About Jesus this year come from Universal Christian Music.
Michael Puryear, as a songwriter, Michael has had songs recorded by Glen Campbell, Larnelle Harris, Diamond Rio, Aaron Tippin, Gaither Vocal Band, Jessy Dixon, Dallas Holm, Point Of Grace, and many others. He was presented with a Dove Award by the Gospel Music Association for his #1 Bruce Carroll release, “The Peace Of The Rock." As a publisher, he guides the writing careers of people like Kyle Matthews, Ginny Owens, Dwight Liles, and James Thiele.
James Tealy is a Universal Christian writer who has collaborated with award winning writers Steve Siler, John Tirro, Lisa Aschmann, Chad Cates, Dwight Liles, Kyle Matthews, and others. In addition to his songwriting, Thiele travels as a speaker, teacher, and author with youth and college ministries across the US and abroad.
SEPTEMBER 7, 2006... Joel Lindsey's song "New Day Dawning" is nominated for Song Of The Year at the Singing News Fan Awards. Joel currently has four songs on the charts - "Orphans of God" by Avalon, "If It Takes A Valley" by Brian Free & Assurance, "Bright New Day" by Hope's Call and "He Didn't Have The Heart" by The Old Paths Trio.
SEPTEMBER 7, 2006... Joel Lindsey and Sue Smith's song "If It Takes a Valley" is currently number one on the U.S. Gospel News chart. The song was recorded by Brian Free and Assurance.
AUGUST 30, 2006... Sue Smith will be teaching a one-day workshope for the Northeast Artists Guild on Saturday, September 23. Contact Jen Wenz-Walker if you are interested in attending.
AUGUST 30, 2006... Kevin Stokes has been nominated for Song of the Year in the Singing News Fan Awards. The song is "Healed," writtten with Joel Guiness and recorded by Brian Free and Assurance. The awards are September 14 during the National Quartet Convention in Louisville, KY.
AUGUST 6, 2006... Dave Clark once again coordinated the songwriting track for the Gospel Music Association's Music in the Rockies week. Sue Smith attended to judge some of the songwriting competition and teach classes. Dave taught Write With a Pro, Building a Great Lyric, and Developing the Idea For Your Song. Sue taught Co-writing: Sometimes It Takes Two and Finishing Skills: Rewriting Your Song.
JULY 17, 2006... Congratulations to WAJ clinician Tony Wood. His song "Find Your Wings," co-written with Mark Harris and singled from Mark's "The Line Between The Two" cd is now number one on the ccm charts.
JULY 17, 2006... Sue will be teaching an online class at songu.com on Thursday evening, July 20. The class is called "It Takes More Than a Hook to Write A Great Christian Song" and begins at 7:30 p.m. To find out more about how you can be part of Song U, check out their web site.
JULY 17, 2006... The latest project from WAJ clinician Steve Siler is Music For the Little Soul, a comprehensive songbook of the Old and New Testaments, teaching dozens of the best-loved Bible stories in song. Also included are lullabies, Christmas songs, and lots of great new Praise & Worship just for kids! This 164 song set - the equivalent of ten full length albums - comes with instrumental tracks to all of the songs so that your Sunday school or home school group can perform them. Go here to order them.
MAY 31, 2006... Joel Lindsey and Sue Smith will be teaching a one-day songwriting workshop in St. Louis on June 24. The day is being sponsored by Melissa Bishop and the St. Louis Songwriters Group and will include in depth classes in Lyric Devices and Development, Songpainting, and Co-writing Strategies. Much of the afternoon will be spent on critiquing songs.
Registration is limited to 20, so if you are interested in attending, you can contact the St. Louis Songwriters Group by emailing writeaboutjesus@mac.com.
MAY 31, 2006... Dave Clark, Joel Lindsey and Sue Smith will be teaching songwriting at Crabbfest in Owenboro, KY, July 7-8. The songwriting track is part of an Academy of Gospel Music Arts being hosted by the Gospel Music Association. For more information, visit their web site, and for information about Crabbfest, July 6-9, visit here.
