zero360/music press life’s edges into song

Perception-Reality-TruthPosted by Angelo Melendez on March 30th, 2008

When I woke up this morning, I sensed (very strongly) God had something different in mind for this Sunday morning. I found the church where Don Poythress leads worship, Abundant Life, in Mt. Juliet. It’s a modest building with a small congregation, one seemingly surrounded by several large churches I saw along the route in. Their sign says they are an “interdenominational” congregation.

Worship was well so done. Seems several of the church elders are on the worship team, quality musicians and everything sounded as one would expect this close to the heart of Nashville. At one point during worship, a woman asked to speak, and shared a phrase she’d had laid on her heart some time ago, she felt this was the moment to share it:

Perception is reality, but not always truth…

I don’t know if she knew that one of the guitarists, Jim LaVerde, an elder, associate pastor and assistant leader of the worship team, would be filling in for the senior pastor today. But her prophetic word really set the stage for the context of the rest of the service. Don had shared (somewhat apprehensively) before service started that today’s service would be very much out of the ordinary. Truth is, I believe this service could be the main reason God brought me to Nashville this week.

Jim embarked on engaging the congregation in dialog around the “American Church”. He started out with accounts of personal experiences with religiosity, and national averages for church attendance. With Don and one of the other elders flanked to his right, he then began asking questions of the congregation regarding the level of fervency, if not urgency, that appears to be absent in many congregations across the country.

The responsiveness, and genuiness of the congregation was humbling and convicting, and what I thought most cool about it all, is that while there are struggles and our passions may waver and wane, there is a lot of good work in progress, quiet servitude, based in love… for God’s glory.

Who knows if I’ll ever set foot in that building again, or ever come back to Nashville. I do know this, the challenge before me is much greater than any dream about music or writing. Hearing and seeing what I was privileged to witness today lifted my spirits and has me thinking about my focus and priorities. It’s time to bow in thanksgiving and ask the Lord to help me find my way into and through places I didn’t know I could or should go. It’s time to get beyond perception by trusting the compass of his word, which leads to truth. The key here is to trust when I don’t understand, and have faith for the outcome.

Johnny Cash ParkwayPosted by Angelo Melendez on March 30th, 2008

Today I briefly got to see the northeast side of the Nashville area as I made the quick jaunt to the Write About Jesus one day workshop. I only wish I’d left earlier to get a look around, but once I pulled into the Community Church of Hendersonville (on Johnny Cash Pkwy) where the event was held, I never got out to scope the town… that is, beyond the Starbucks just down the street.

The day was a blessing in so many ways, from the writers in attendance to the really cool groups of instructors assembled by Sue Smith to lead the sessions. The fact that these folks are all believers working in the music business in perhaps one of the last true havens for songwriters is a testament to the work for which God wants us to use our gifts. I feel the level of sincerity and care expressed in the instruction was different – refreshing and enlightening.

I’ve many favorite moments, from the teachings, interactions, and the songs shared by five writers at the end of the day. First, from a teaching perspective, while the attitude was light and inviting, the instructors came to teach, and teach they did. The panel on co-writing triggered the revelation that I’m ready, ready to take my writing to the next level through co-writing. Of course this is way easier said than done because I don’t live in Nashville, and I’m currently not in any writing relationships in Charlotte. Not to say there isn’t the potential for building these relationships (in Charlotte), that’s something I’ll need to work at. Bottom line: the quite successful writers on the panel made it very clear, going it alone is a tough road, co-writing increases potential for success in commercial markets.

Second was the Dave Clark session on how to go from “good to great”. Here’s a man with tons of experience in the business as a writer and publisher with a clear message –we’ve allowed our listening habits to infect the quality that goes into crafting songs. He talked about “emotional equity” and how investing in the emotional framework is the difference between settling and driving out a powerful song that’s general enough to touch the hearts of a broad spectrum of listeners.

I audited a critique session and had one song critiqued. The level of expertise and honesty was humbling yet easy to swallow. Again, a grace filled example of what the WAJ community is about. I met a couple of young writers, one of which appears to be on the fast track to a pub deal. Of the songs I heard, most of which were gospel or inspirational genre, the quality was way above average, a couple of them very close to cut-table, at least this was the sense I got from the critiquers.

Lastly, the songs Brian White, Molly Reed, and Don Poythress in the round, followed by individual performances by Scott Krippayne and Kyle Matthews put the sweet icing on a very rich cake. I’m not kidding myself into thinking the challenge isn’t great or the prize potentially unattainable… it’s about faith and seeking out God, and whether it’s His will or a winter wind I’m chasing remains to be seen. Time to pray, listen, and obey.

I’m overjoyed that my wife encouraged me to make the trip and invest the money to attend the workshop. In the morning I’ll further process the whole thing, and, Lord willing, draft out a lyric that I can turn into song by Monday or Tuesday. For now I’ll ready for bed and spend some quiet time thanking God for his hand in all this, from the provision to make this financially possible, and the servants he equipped to share and impact those of us that attended the one day WAJ worshop in Nashville – what a blessing!!!

Road-iePosted by Angelo Melendez on March 28th, 2008

The drive from Charlotte-Nashville went well, especially once I realized I was getting to town in Central Time. The best part about getting there “early” was I got to see Jane Godfrey, who was in town to record a podcast that never happened due to technical difficulties. We hadn’t seen each other for some time, so though ever so brief, we had an enjoyable chat. As she departed, I realized I need to eat, and made a beeline for the local Food Lion, in the rain, Friday rush hour, interesting to say the least.

As my frozen dinner microwaved into existence, I booted up and got surfing. Couldn’t get the schedule for the Write About Jesus workshops to save on my PC so I went retro with pencil and paper and wrote it out. For the best, at least this way I’ll actually look at it and make some choices. Pretty amazing lineup of sessions, it’s going to be hard to choose, for sure.

To say I’m weary is kidding myself, I’m beat. My grandiose notion of making it out are all but extinguished, not even a quick jaunt up the street to watch the Davidson-Wisconsin game, which I’ll surely kick myself for in the morning. The trick now is to stay awake long enough to a reasonable hour in high hopes of a solid 7-8 hours of  sleep… OK, do I hear 6-hours?

7:00 AM is the target for getting around and heading out for some semblance of breakfast, surely a good cup of coffee. According to the schedule, we jump with both feet into the teaching at 9:00. There are open critique sessions every hour, I’ve got 2-3 songs, but will likely keep it to two because there are some really good, and unique, sessions I want to take. I think I’ll go for Belinda Smith’s, “Finding Creativity When You Don’t Feel Creative” session first, because this is definitely an area where I struggle. At times the wear and tear of corporate jousting is a valid excuse, but it comes down to being able to get over the hump because the day job has no end in sight. 10:00 is going to be tough because there are two sessions of interest, neither repeats. One a Co-Writing Secrets panel, the other titled “His Words, Your Words”… I’ll have to play this hour by ear.

This list goes on, I’m thinking I’ll most likely hold off till the afternoon on a critique, but ultimately, I want the day to be low key for me. I just want to soak up all I can enjoy… wow, Davidson is doing a number on Wisconsin, could it be?

Over the next couple of days I’ll scribe out thoughts on what I learned and impressions of the one day event in Hendersonville. Can’t wait to see and hear what God has in store for everyone that attends. I pray a special blessing for all those traveling distances, and for the instructors as they impart their God given wisdom to make us better writers and artists, not for the sake of music or the industry, but for the sake of the Gospel.

Good OnesPosted by Angelo Melendez on March 10th, 2008

When I read the news this morning of the passing of a co-worker this weekend, it took my breath away. He’d battled cancer for almost two years, yet even the last time I saw him in the elevator in early February, his pain and fear was laced with care as he asked how I was doing, the same attitude he’d shown me since we first met. As I processed the news, I had to guard my heart against anger.

Why take the good ones, Lord?

Todd Burleson’s five children are similar in age to mine, though Todd was eight years younger than me. In Todd’s wife’s blog entry the day after Valentine’s Day, she spoke of how they’d shared what lied ahead with each of their children. His only daughter asked, “… who will walk me down the aisle?” The five different accounts didn’t hit me so hard the first time I read them; but now Todd’s gone, and the children’s questions and reponses resonate loudly in the chasm of silence left behind by his death.

While I didn’t know him closely, I can say with assurance his life’s focus was to glorify God in all things. Every time I thought of Todd today I sensed his calming presence reminding me he’s in a better place and free of pain. There’s grace in God’s plan for each of us. Todd touched many lives, and his life touched mine. I’m grateful for his kindness and the unmistakable faith that always shined in his eyes. My prayer is that others who may not yet understand the root of Todd’s faith, be impacted by the outpouring of love this coming weekend at the celebration of life being held to honor Todd, and come to know the peace of God’s love.

I’m heart broken, and don’t understand. We’ll miss you, Todd… thanks for being one of the good ones.