2017 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 CARL CARTEE Carl Cartee wrote his first song at the age of 7, considering music more of a second language than an acquired skill. His catalog of songs and studio albums have garnered him a Dove award as well as tracks on the albums of artists including Elevation Worship, Laura Story, Aaron Schust, Selah, Jaci Valesquez, Big Daddy Weave, The Martins, NewSpring Worship, Finding Favour, LifeWay Worship, The Gaither Vocal Band, Rory & Joey, The Oakridge Boys, FFH, Travis Cottrell and over 150 songs cut by other artists. A life that started playing music and leading worship in the local church fostered a deep affection the Church and for writing songs for her to sing. No matter where the road leads, it’s never far away from a place to serve and give in the body of Christ. Carl has written and recorded thirteen albums over the last 18 years and performed with artists Third Day, Mercy Me, Steven Curtis Chapman but is most grateful to lead and serve on the staff of Fellowship Bible Church in Nashville, TN as Director of Worship Development and to found the Inspire Worship Conference, an annual event that trains and equips church worship leaders. 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 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 JOSEPH HABEDANK Daywind recording artist Joseph Habedank is a multi award-winning and Dove Award nominated singer/songwriter. Joseph has a unique and equally powerful testimony that has been featured on FoxNews.com's Spirited Debate, TBN’s Praise the Lord, and in such publications as Billboard Magazine, CCM Magazine, and Glenn Beck’s The Blaze. For ten years, he served first as baritone, then as the lead singer for one of Southern Gospel's favorite family groups, the Perrys, and shared his songs in some of America's greatest churches, including the Brooklyn Tabernacle and Charles Stanley’s First Baptist Atlanta. On the heels of his critically-acclaimed debut solo release, Welcome Home, he was awarded Singing News Magazine’s New Soloist of the Year in 2014. Additionally, he was awarded Young Artist of the Year in 2009 by the fans of Gospel Music and Songwriter of the Year at the Absolutely Gospel Music Awards in 2011. His songs have been recorded by such artists as: Reba McEntire (“Sing It Now”), Brian Free & Assurance, Karen Peck & New River, The Hoppers, Ivan Parker, Jeff & Sheri Easter, and many more. He has helped write two nationally charted #1 songs and in 2010, "If You Knew Him" (written with Rodney Griffin) was nominated for Southern Gospel Song of the Year at the GMA Dove Awards and won the Singing News Fan Award for Song of the Year. He was also nominated for Singing News Magazine's Male Vocalist of the Year, Lead Singer of the Year and Songwriter of the Year for three consecutive years. Welcome Home featured two Top 5 singles (“Never No Never” and “Beauty of the Blood”), as well as two Top 10 singles (“Big Enough” and “Welcome Home”). Joseph currently resides just outside Nashville, TN with his wife, Lindsay. 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 BRYAN WARD Bryan is a music business veteran of 25 years and has held positions at Sony as VP, Marketing and EMI/Capitol Christian Music Group as Director, Artist Development, working with Steven Curtis Chapman, Hillsong, Third Day, Amy Grant, Mathew West, Mandisa, & TobyMac to name a few. Currently, he is an Artist & Brand Manager with Proper Management (Casting Crowns, I Am They, The Afters, Selah, Matt Hammitt, Vertical Worship & more). In his ‘side job’, he has performed on stage beginning at 5 years old trying to impress his elementary school teachers all the way to performing with Amy Grant in front of 60,000 people trying to impress his parents. Return to Faculty Page KENNA WEST Kenna Turner West is a Dove Award-winning songwriter and three-time SGM/AGM "Songwriter of the Year." With twelve "Song of the Year" wins and fourteen #1's to her credit, she has co-written chart-topping hits such as "Say Amen," "Revival," and "Calvary’s Cry." For over thirty years, Kenna has blended music, devotional teaching, and humor into a ministry that has reached around the world. These days, the author and certified counselor spends much of her time writing songs that have been recorded by artists such as Jason Crabb, The Isaacs, The Booth Brothers, The Martins, Karen Peck and New River, Brian Free and Assurance, Finding Favour, Jeff and Sheri Easter, Marty Raybon, The Talleys, The Blackwood Brothers, The Oak Ridge Boys, The Collingsworth Family, Wes Hampton, Legacy Five, Tribute Quartet, Joseph Habedank, and many more. She has also penned three musicals, including the 2015 Christmas release, “Joy! Unspeakable Joy!” Kenna has been married to husband Kerry for twenty-three years. Their son, Graham, recently graduated from Trevecca Nazarene University with a bachelor’s degree in both physics and mathematics. 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 HOLLY ZABKA 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 KIDS WRITE ABOUT JESUS TEAM LAURA BLANKENSHIP Laura is a wife to her amazing husband, Josh, and a mom to her wonderfully, rowdy little boys, Lincoln and Jackson. She hails from Kansas City where she spent several years in full-time ministry leading worship, directing the children's choir, and leading a community group of songwriters. After several years of being in full-time ministry, her family's recent move to the middle of (nowhere) Kansas has slowed the pace of life. Laura fills her days as a songwriter, piano teacher, MOPS Leader, and PTA mom. Return to Faculty Page ANNA CLARK Anna Clark has celebrated many exciting events in 2016. From graduating high school, to the release of her first children's musical "Really, Really, Really Good News", to writing an Easter choir anthem, she has stayed busy accepting every opportunity God gives her. She is thrilled for the chance to be working with the WAJ kids this year! Anna can be found frequenting Chick Fil A or singing 4Him songs at the top of her lungs. Return to Faculty Page MARCY EACH Marcy Each is a singer/songwriter from Cedar Rapids, IA. In 2009, she won the WAJ songwriting competition which launched her songwriting ministry. She is an Immerse artist/writer of the year winner and Dove award nominated writer/artist. Marcy writes songs, teaches kids, and cleans toilets for her local church. She also cleans toilets for her husband and three kids. 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 |