Church Music – Crowder Style

It’s that time of year when the lives of your favorite Christian music artists are winding down a bit. Sure, maybe there are a few Christmas tour dates, but then it’s all about much-needed R&R with their families. Well, unless you’re David Crowder.

When it comes to creating music, Crowder has always been one of those artists who seems to be in perpetual motion. In fact, Crowder told Gospel Music Channel in a recent interview that he’s already got his next—not one—but two projects planned.

“We are currently working under the banner of ‘church music’ and plan to explore its history,” Crowder says. “We’ll be pulling bits of inspiration from each era and making it sound current—or at least that’s what we’ve got planned at the moment.”

While he says he and the rest of the Crowder band won’t begin recording “for a good bit,” they’re currently writing and doing pre-production, which “might be my favorite part of the whole thing,” he says.

One thing Crowder won’t be pursuing, however, is acting. After seeing his “Remedy Live Tour” which featured high-definition footage and was shown in a few multiplexes around the U.S., he says he simply “couldn’t cope.”

“I’ve never felt that awkward in my entire life,” Crowder confesses. “You’re watching you with people watching you watch you, and it’s just weird. That will probably be my first and last project like that. I don’t know how actors do it.”

For more information on what Crowder is up to, check out his frequently updated website at davidcrowderband.com.

Worship with a Side of Sadness

With the proliferation of worship music this past decade, it’s easy for some great artists—and fantastic albums—to fall through the proverbial cracks. One such standout effort (in my humble opinion, of course) is Charlie Hall’s The Bright Sadness.

And while the idea of “sadness” and “worship” don’t exactly sound like a great combination for congregationally friendly music, Hall says the idea of a “bright sadness” is actually meant to be an encouragement for believers.
 
“The Bright Sadness is the accepting of the brokenness in myself and in the world around me but always intertwining the overarching thought of Christ’s closeness, His free fellowship, His redemption and compassion, His Brightness,” Hall explains.

“Sadness, trial and the aching of this earth are not detached from the bright, resurrecting hope of God. These two ideas actually hold hands very easily and should walk together intertwined always, shamelessly,” he continues. “There are many awe-inspiring moments on this broken, beautiful planet, but there are also moments that whether we create or are created around us make us feel out of control and weak. These ‘out of control’ moments do not detach us from God and in fact may in a deeper sense knit us to his heart and life. Christ is the brightness in every ounce of life. He is the greatest power in this universe and will fill us to walk through every moment.”