2018 faculty bios
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LEE BLACK
Lee Black can’t afford a P.R. person to write this bio for him. And since he has started writing it and hit the delete button about 15 times, realizing how much he detests talking about himself in third person, he will switch to first person… and tell you a little bit about me. I am the husband of Melissa and the father of Maggie, Reese, Elijah, and Anabel. I love them dearly and could go on and on for days about them. But, if you’re at/or coming to a songwriting workshop, you probably want to hear more about songwriting and music stuff. So here goes… I spend the bulk of my time doing song demo and session work, preparing for and leading worship, and writing songs… lots of them… some of them get recorded by other people. Most of them don’t. But this year I’ve enjoyed cuts by Brian Free and Assurance, The Booth Brothers, Joseph Habedank, Karen Peck and New River, Larnelle Harris, Michael English, Triumphant Quartet, Ernie Haase and Signature Sound, 11th Hour, The Talleys, The Kingsmen, Gold City, and I even had my first #1 song in bluegrass by IBMA Hall of Fame member Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver. My musical For The Sake Of Love was released by Daywind and LifeWay for Easter this year. Daywind Music Publishing (aka the best publisher in the history of the world ever) has been my songwriting home for a little over a year now, and, though I don’t know why people use clams as a measure of happiness, I truly am happy as a clam there. Oh, and I’m looking forward to spending a GREAT WAJ weekend with you! Return to Faculty Page GINA BOE Gina is a songwriter, artist, teacher, wife, mom, lover of songs, and a developer of people. She has over 25 years experience in the music business including 10 independent recordings, a Dove award, song of the year nominations, cuts by artists such as Mandisa, The Martins, The Talley Trio, Carl Cartee, Brian Free and Assurance, and many more, as well as several musicals for both children and adult choirs. As the Chief Creative Office for EnCorps Music, Gina also writes and produces a variety of projects for organizations who use music to communicate their message. She recently released the first project from Kids Corps Music whose mission is to raise up an army of songs for kids. Return to Faculty Page JEFF BUMGARDNER Jeff is in his 25th year of ministry and serves as Worship Pastor at FBC North Augusta, SC. As a songwriter, Jeff has always focused on writing for the churches where he serves. His most recent choral project, YOUR WORD, features his church choir with various soloists, including Taranda Greene, and is available through Lifeway Worship, Fall 2017. Jeff is the winner of 3 GMA Dove Awards. Though his heart and passion is writing for the church, Jeff has also had over 200 songs recorded by artists in country, CCM, gospel, bluegrass, southern gospel, and even Christian Rap. He and his wife, Jody, have been married 20 years, and have 4 children; Caleb, Abby, Ella & Ava. In October 2016, Jeff and Jody lost their daughter, Ella, to a ruptured brain AVM. In the year that has followed, they have been very real and vocal about faith, grief, and the gift of organ donation. He and his family share their story about grief and grace through a blog at www.forella.org. Return to Faculty Page DAVE CLARK Dave’s songwriting credits include hits that cross musical boundaries from contemporary Christian music to southern gospel, including songs recorded by Larnelle Harris, Sandi Patty, Steve Green, 4HIM, Al Denson, Point of Grace, Phillips, Craig & Dean, Glen Campbell, CeCe Winans, and many others. Twenty-six of his songs have reached the #1 spot in the country on the Christian music charts, and his song "Pray Now," cut by Karen Peck and New River is his first southern gospel #1.. He is Director of Creative Development, A&R and Publishing for Lillenas Publishing Company. In 2009 Dave was awarded the prestigious ASCAP Living Legend Award. Return to Faculty Page JASON CLAYBORN Worship minister/singer/songwriter Jason Clayborn is finding a new level of notoriety in the industry after writing 2016’s massive Hezekiah Walker hit, “Better,” which was #1 on the Billboard chart for 20 weeks. This year he is Dove nominated for Ricky Dillard’s cut on the song "I Survived It." He is also a Grammy Award and Billboard Award nominee, and has won a Dove Award, a Stellar Award, and a BMI Award. Jason began his professional music career in the Dove and Stellar Award nominated Christian hip-hop group, The Righteous Riders and has three independent projects, Rhythm and Praise Vol. 1, MusicWordTieology, and The Heart of the People. He has traveled with Pastor Ron Kenoly and Bishop Hezekiah Walker. A prolific songwriter, Jason has had songs cut by Vashawn Mitchell, Dexter Walker and Zion Movement, and many others. Return to Faculty Page JOE DAN CORNETT Joe Dan, a Nashville native, is currently Creative Manager at Daywind Music Publishing where he serves the staff writers and works within the Southern Gospel, Mainstream Country, and Worship/CCM markets. He has worked in several different facets of the music industry, which range from major market rock and country touring to the Film and TV department at BMI. He also serves as the Worship Pastor at his church. His heart is to serve others and to help guide “creatives” towards their goals and aspirations. Return to Faculty Page DENNIS DEARING For over 25 years, Dennis Dearing, a two-time Dove Award nominee for production, has invested his professional life in the music industry in Nashville, TN. After graduating from Belmont University with a Music Business degree (BBA), Dennis began touring as a guitar player with various Christian and country artists. His days home were filled with studio sessions where he performed on numerous #1 singles over the years that eventually led Dennis to the other side of the sound board. In 1996, Dennis opened his own recording studio, Menace Music, in Franklin, TN, becoming a sought-after producer, engineer, guitarist and performer. Working in a variety of genres, his name has appeared on dozens of projects by major labels, and he has worked and performed directly with notable artists and Grammy Award winners like Natalie Grant, Mathew West, Mandisa (American Idol), Hillary Scott (Lady Antebellum), Jay Demarcus & Gary Lavox (Rascal Flatts), Joy Williams (The Civil Wars), Sara Evans, Kathy Troccoli, Travis Cottrell, Nicol Smith Sponberg, Todd Smith (Selah), Lisa Bevill, The Martins, and David Phelps. Return to Faculty Page CLIFF DUREN Cliff is the worship pastor at The Church at Station Hill, a regional campus of Brentwood Baptist Church in Brentwood, TN. Before joining the Brentwood Baptist team in 2012, Cliff served for 7 years as the Staff Arranger & Contemporary Worship Leader at First Baptist Church of Woodstock, GA. Cliff writes, arranges, orchestrates, and produces music resources for various church music publishers while also producing various artist recordings each year. He is very grateful for this opportunity to fulfill his passion of creating resources for the local church. He also just completed his first film score for the faith-based film “Champion,” which hit theaters nationwide in May of 2017. Cliff became a Christian at 17 and soon after pursued a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from Shorter University in Rome, GA, and a Master’s Degree in Church Music from Lee University in Cleveland, TN. In the past 9 years, he has been nominated for 12 Dove Awards. In March of 2002, Cliff married his college sweetheart, April. Cliff, April, and vocalist Heather Richardson recently released “You Reign Forever,” their 4th trio release, under the group name “Overflow.” Together, Cliff and April enjoy leading worship and ministering at various churches, conferences, and workshops. They reside in Spring Hill, TN with their 4 children: Mac, Sydney, Elijah, & Emma Kate. Return to Faculty Page |
MICHAEL FARREN
Texas native Michael Farren has spent 16 years as the lead vocalist of the worship band Pocket Full Rocks, leading worship at venues nation wide. Pocket full of Rocks released three albums with Word Records (Song to the King, Manifesto, and More Than Noise), garnering three Dove award nominations; Worship Album of the year, for both Song to the King and Manifesto, and New Artist of The Year. As a songwriter, Michael's work has been recorded by artists such as Michael W Smith, Natalie Grant, New Life Worship, Jackie Velazquez, Big Daddy Weave, Aaron Shust, Tricia Brock, Aaron Crabb, Brian Free & Assurance, Karen Peck & New River, and Phillips Craig and Dean. He is also the writer of Finding Favour's current single, SHAKE THE WORLD. With worship hits such as "Let It Rain" (Michael W. Smith) and "Let the Worshipers Arise" (Phillips Craig and Dean), Michael's art has found a place in congregations worldwide. With "Every Time I Breathe", co-written with Mike Weaver of Big Daddy Weave, Michael enjoyed his first #1 single on Christian radio. Michael's accomplishments have also made their way to the big screen with the song "It's About Love," recorded by Wynonna Judd for the VeggieTales movie "Lord Of The Beans." He also appears as an ear of corn singing his song "Rock On Larry Boy" in the Veggie Tales movie "Larry Boy And The Bad Apple." No joke. In addition to his writing and recording credits, Farren has produced projects for Dustin Smith, Jennie Lee Riddle (People & Songs Opus 1), Finding Favour, Shelly E. Johnson, Krissy Nordhoff (writer of YOUR GREAT NAME), John Waller, Hearts of Saints and country artist Rob Harris. During his 16 years with Pocket Full of Rocks, Farren and the band were honored with Dove Award nominations for New Artist of the Year and Worship Album of the Year, and Farren received an ASCAP Christian Music Award for EVERY TIME I BREATHE. "I love writing across all genres... CCM, country, southern gospel, etc.," says Farren, who serves as worship pastor at Gateway Church in Franklin, TN. "But writing songs for the Church is what I'm most passionate about. Throughout the writing process of every worship song, I'm constantly running every lyric and melody through the filter of, "Would I lead this song on Sunday?'." Michael and his wife of 19 years, Alisa, live just south of Nashville, TN with their two daughters. Michael works as a writer/producer, while also serving as a worship pastor for Gateway Church in Franklin, TN. Return to Faculty Page SIMON HAWKINS Simon Hawkins is an award-winning songwriter/producer and an Amazon best-selling author, based on the south coast of England. Simon was initially signed with Brentwood Benson Music Publishing/Universal CMG, where he now has some 200 songs in his catalogue, having had cuts with Vince Gill and Sheri Easter (Livin’ in the Rain, #2 SOGO charts, long-listed for a Grammy), Mandisa (Truth About Me), Abandon (Known), Avalon (Destined), Gold City (Never Too Broken, #1 SOGO charts). Simon also received a Dove nomination for the musical LifeSong: The Musical, written with Sue C Smith. In 2014 Simon wrote the modern hymn "He Is God" which won www.weareworship.com Search for a Hymn 2015, which Simon recorded with Integrity/Thankyou Music. Simon now has his own publishing company, Great British Music, to represent his own work and to offer writers in the UK access to opportunities in the US. Last year Simon published his first book, “Song Maps - A New System to Write Your Best Lyrics”, which immediately became #1 on Amazon’s store internationally. Return to Faculty Page DONNA KING Nashville singer, songwriter, producer, and music artist, Donna King, is quickly becoming one of the most sought after producers in Nashville. She has been working full-time in the music industry for over twenty years. She was awarded Producer of the Year in 2013 by the esteemed Absolutely Gospel Music Awards. She writes and produces Christian Music, Country, Pop, and a handful of other genres. She and her husband, Zane, known as Zane and Donna King, perform around town on many writer's rounds, and in churches and concert venues across the country. It's a long way from the Motor City (Detroit), where she was born and raised. Donna is a classically trained vocalist who is now known as a demo & BGV (back ground vocals) singing "chameleon," able to perform a variety of styles on demos and for artist's projects. She has a golden ear for detail and nuance. in addition to her talents as a performer, producer, songwriter, and vocalist, she has proven to be an excellent music industry strategist who understands marketing and commercial radio. She’s worked with major labels in radio promotion as well as PR and has a solid understanding of what works as a radio single and in live performance. She is committed to keeping the songs she works on fresh and current in today's ever-shifting music world. So, if Donna's not in the songwriting room, she's in the studio doing demo work, producing a new project for an artist, singing demos or bgv overdubs, and so on. Her energy, positivity, work ethic, musical intuition, and LOVE for her calling make a difference in every endeavor she's a part of. Return to Faculty Page ZANE KING Zane is a multi-talented instrumentalist, producer, and songwriter. He’s been called the "Man Of Steel” by the steel guitar community. Zane moved to Nashville in 1994 after attending Harding University in AR, then the renowned Berklee College of Music in Boston. At Zion Music Group, he worked with Christian groups such as the Crabb Family, Ivan Parker, Anchormen, Heaven Bound and many others. Next Zane was named A&R director of Homeland Entertainment Group’s roster of artists, including The Cathedrals, the Hoppers, the Bishops and others. At Homeland, he developed a new label. As the president of Journey Records, he wrote songs and/or produced recordings for Terry Terrell, Jessica King, Skyline Boys, Chosen Few, Russ Lee, N’ Harmony, and many more. On the songwriting side, Zane has written hits like ”Keep Me In Your Will,” "Help Me Get Down On My Knees,” “Go Close The Windows.”More recently he’s written songs with his wife for their duo Zane & Donna King. Their most recent hit is “It Takes Jesus" which they wrote with Sue C. Smith. These days, Zane's full-time job is as Artist Relations Manager for Compassion International. In his off time, he and Donna write Christian and country music, produce and record, and play in churches and various events sharing hope and love with their audiences. JOEL LINDSEY Joel Lindsey is one of Christian music's most enduring songwriters, with over 25 #1 songs, 16 Dove Awards and over 1500 songs recorded in a career spanning 25 years. He has received 4 Platinum Records, 7 Gold Records and 11 Platinum Videos. His songs have been recorded by such artists as Selah, Point of Grace, Todd Smith, Gaither Vocal Band, Ernie Haase & Signature Sound, Cana’s Voice, Avalon, The Talley Trio, Sandi Patty and many, many others. In addition to writing songs for artists, Joel also writes musicals for church choirs to perform. His Christmas musical, Emmanuel: Celebrating Heaven's Child, is the highest selling musical in the history of Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing Company, selling over 100,000 books in its first year of release alone. A three-time cancer survivor, much of Joel's spare time is spent raising money for various cancer research charities and relief organizations. Conducting songwriting seminars and mentoring aspiring songwriters are some of his favorite ways to combine his passion for songs with his passion for cancer research. Joel is an exclusive songwriter for Word Entertainment, a division of Warner/Curb. Return to Faculty Page |
PHIL MEHRENS Phil loves to lead God’s people in worship and mentor musicians, singers, and songwriters for the Kingdom. He has been a worship pastor for over 25 years. He has led worship at many conventions and conferences in the states and overseas. Phil is a past grand prize winner at Write About Jesus and a staff songwriter for Sunday Best Music, Nashville, TN, with over 30 songs released in musicals by Lillenas, Brentwood Benson, and Word. His songs have also been cut by the Nelons, The Old Paths, The Guardians, Steve Ladd, Ashes to Fire, Southern Salvation, and The Dixie Melody Boys. Return to Faculty Page JAMES TEALY As a professional songwriter, James Tealy’s growing list of cuts includes a BMI award winner, three #1’s at contemporary Christian radio and songs on several Dove Award and Grammy Award winning projects. His songs have been recorded by Kari Jobe, Lauren Daigle, Josh Wilson and a hundred others. Tealy's songs have also been featured in both film and television globally and he maintains a busy calendar writing with a diverse group of pop, gospel, and country artists. Tealy has taught Songwriting and Worship Ministry courses at Truett-McConnell College, Trevecca University, Belmont University and Lipscomb University. Return to Faculty Page KRISSY NORDHOFF Songwriter Krissy Nordhoff is also co-founder of Brave Worship endeavors to call out the boldness in those with a heart for worship — whether leader or writers.. She has had 3 Dove Award Nominations, and also won the Dove Award for Worship Song of the Year in 2012 for the song “Your Great Name,” which has impacted the church worldwide. Her songs have been recorded by many artists, including Natalie Grant, Mandisa, Darlene Zschech, Lauren Daigle, Dustin Smith, Aaron Shust, Anthony Evans, Meredith Andrews, Charles Billingsley, Todd Agnew, Anthony Evans, Kerrie Roberts, Lacey Sturm, Joseph Habedank, Corey Voss, and Michael Farren. Return to Faculty Page BELINDA SMITH A Dove Award-winning songwriter, Belinda has seen hundreds of her original songs recorded by renowned artists in the Christian and Gospel genres, including several number ones (a few include “In Time, On Time, Every Time” by Gold City, “I Stand Redeemed” by Legacy V, “Over and Over” by Jeff & Sheri Easter and “I Know Enough” by The Bowlings) and numerous award-nominated hits. She landed the Dove Award for Bluegrass Song of the Year for “So Many Years, So Many Blessings“ by the Lewis family. Additionally, she’s penned the Christmas musical “Once You’ve Seen the Star” along with having numerous placements in various other print and productions. She’s presently signed as a staff writer for Daywind Music and owns 7th Row Music, a publishing company. Belinda also mentors aspiring songwriters through her company BelindaSmithCreative.com. Return to Faculty Page HOLLY WARD Holly is Vice President of Publishing for Essential Music, working with such writers as Brandon Heath, 2009 Dove Award winning songwriter and artist, and Dove Award winners Jason Ingram, Mia Fields, and Chuck Butler. She was Creative Director for Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing for eight years, and before that the Membership Director for the Gospel Music Association. Return to Faculty Page KENNA TURNER WEST Kenna is a Dove Award-winning songwriter and five-time Songwriter of the Year, co-writing hit songs such as “Say Amen,” “Revival,” and “Small Town Someone.” With over 70 “Song of the Year” nominations, 18 “Song of The Year” wins, and six BMI Awards to her credit, Kenna has also co-written over 30 national #1’s. Her songs have been recorded by artists such as Jason Crabb, Hillary Scott (of Lady Antebellum), Michael English, The Isaacs, The Martins, Finding Favour, The Booth Brothers, Karen Peck & New River, Brian Free & Assurance, Jeff & Sheri Easter, The Collingsworth Family, Joseph Habedank, The Blackwood Brothers, The Oak Ridge Boys, Marty Raybon of Shenandoah, and many more. She has also penned six musicals, two of which have garnered Dove Award nominations. For over 30 years, the author and board-certified counselor has blended music, devotional teaching, and humor into a ministry that has reached across the nation and around the world. Whether she is writing songs or ministering alongside noted Christian leaders at venues ranging from The Pentagon to NASCAR chapels to the local church, Kenna’s life has a singular call: to creatively communicate the living hope found in Jesus Christ. Kenna and husband Kerry live near Nashville, TN, with roots that run deep in the music industry. Kenna’s father, Ken Turner, sang bass for many years with the Grammy Award-winning Blackwood Brothers Quartet. Kerry, a sound engineer who has toured for over twenty-five years with country music entertainer Ronnie Milsap, is the son of the late Dottie West, who will be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame this year. Their son, Graham, attends MTSU where he is currently working on a PhD in computational science. Return to Faculty Page TONY WOOD Tony (Instagram and Twitter: tonywood_exit71) is a Dove Award nominee for Songwriter of the Year and writer of 29 #1 songs. He has recently been on radio as writer of FEARLESS by Jasmine Murray, GOD IS ON THE MOVE by 7eventh Time Down, BREATHE by Jonny Diaz and HERE HE COMES by Joseph Habedank. Artists recording his songs include Matt Redman, Selah, Michael W. Smith, Francesca Battistelli, Mandisa, Chris August, Colton Dixon, Point of Grace, 4-HIM, Avalon, Jason Crabb, Hawk Nelson, Group 1 Crew, Sandi Patty, Larnelle Harris, Reba McEntire, Gaither Vocal Band, Booth Brothers, and many others. Tony is a staff writer for WORD Music Publishing. Return to Faculty Page KIDS WRITE ABOUT JESUS TEAM NICK AND ALLIE LAPOINTE Nick and Allie have been songwriting for over two decades and have taught youth songwriting workshops for the past five years. They’ve both had multiple songs published for print/choral as well as special compilation projects. The Lapointes began attending WAJ together in 2004 and continued for the next 14 years in various roles. Allie wrote for Dave Clark at Lillenas and Lifeway for several years, and also served as a WAJ clinician. As the Lapointe‘s three kids grew and began making music of their own, Nick had the idea to extend the WAJ workshop experience to the youngest generation of songwriters. Thus, KWAJ was launched! The Lapointes live in Iowa and enjoy supporting all five family members’ musical endeavors: Dad songwriting and coaching younger writers, Mom songwriting hymns and folk songs and critiquing songs for WAJ pro services, Grant (15) composing jazz piano tunes, Miles (13) writing poetry, rap, and worship songs with guitar and vocals, and Gloria (9) noticing and articulating the small wonders in life to inspire the rest of the family. Return to Faculty Page AMBER GUDERIAN Amber has been songwriting since the age of 9 when she performed her first song at church under the tutelage of WAJ clinician Gina Boe. Her songs have since been sung at weddings, graduations and other events across the Midwest. After college she moved to Kansas City where she met and began writing and performing with Grammy nominated artist Brandon Estelle. She is happily married to her sweet husband Dave and was blessed with 3 children; Clara, Corban and Caleb who is in the loving arms of Jesus. Return to Faculty Page ALISEN WELLS Alisen loves writing songs and encouraging aspiring young songwriters. Her latest project to hit the market, a children's Christmas musical called "The Really, Really, Really Good News", was co-written with Nick Robertson and Anna Clark. Alisen enjoys writing songs for all genres including country, pop, contemporary Christian, gospel, and children's music, and teaches a songwriting class twice a year through her local church. In addition to writing songs, she also enjoys singing, serving as a worship leader at church alongside her guitar playing husband, and leading worship for area churches and youth organizations. Although a native of Texas, Alisen currently makes her home in Nashville with her husband and two boys. Return to Faculty Page |