Bio -- Wes King
"Jesus told parables to convey the truth. I think He used stories since that's what we all relate to-we're drawn to stories, because our life is a story." This premise is the conceptual driving force behind A ROOM FULL OF STORIES, the...
Updated Aug 09, 2001
"Jesus told parables to convey the truth. I think He used stories since that's what we all relate to-we're drawn to stories, because our life is a story." This premise is the conceptual driving force behind A ROOM FULL OF STORIES, the fifth album and Sparrow debut from recording artist Wes King.
A widely acclaimed Christian singer/songwriter, Wes wrote or co-wrote the 10 songs comprising A ROOM FULL OF STORIES. Esteemed for his lyrical artistry, Wes has chosen to reveal his desire to know his Creator daily through study of His Word, while affirming listeners in their own life experiences.
"While my last album, COMMON CREED, was a theological response of sorts, A ROOM FULL OF STORIES is like a journal; each song is an entry and each entry is a story," explains the Winder, GA native.
Now in his early thirties, Wes began his scholastic study of the Bible at Covenant College and has continued his education under the mentorship of Pastor Scotty Smith at Christ Community Church in Franklin, TN. Wes, who began playing guitar at the age of 14 and writing songs at 16, strives to be an artist whose work will increasingly impact our culture in an uplifting fashion.
With A ROOM FULL OF STORIES, Wes renders his most personal recording to date. The centerpiece of this vulnerable setting is "Thought You'd Be Here," a ballad which will no doubt serve as a standard of excellence throughout his career. With a gentle intensity Wes serenades the child that he and his wife long to someday have. "When I wrote this song, I never intended for it to be on the album," he confides. "My wife and I have been praying for a child for quite some time, and publicly revealing this struggle is both difficult and uplifting. Friends communicated that this song needed to be heard, and I think they were right."
Recent events in Wes' personal life have only served to increase an other-centered approach to his music. "I think as I become more aware of the compassion that's been extended to me by God, I'm becoming a more compassionate person," he says. "The past couple of years have been difficult. From changing business relationships, to some extended family problems back home, I've had to confront my limitations. The struggle has done something to sharpen me like iron. I think God allows us all to go through hardship, and often just to the edge of our endurance, to break us-to make us realize that we're not so invincible."
"I tried to rethink everything with the songs for A ROOM FULL OF STORIES- I really wanted this record to be passionate," remarks Wes. "I wanted to write from my heart - out of a place of struggle - not worrying about different marketing issues. This desire carried into the studio, where we successfully captured the heart and the emotion that happened when I wrote these songs."
Produced by Ben Wisch (David Wilcox, Marc Cohn) and Wayne Kirkpatrick (Amy Grant, Michael W. Smith), A ROOM FULL OF STORIES is what Wes refers to as his "most artist driven album." He reflects, "Oftentimes a producer will take your songs and produce a record. I think that Ben and Wayne produced me."
From the fold instrumentation and pop rock of "Simplify" to the classical-influenced melody of "Who But God," A ROOM FULL OF STORIES draws listeners in to Wes' world of organic pop. In a subtle twist of irony, The Story's acclaimed vocalist, Jonatha Brooke, appears as a guest on three selections, including the colorful acoustic pop track, "Good News," clearly one of Wes' most innovative efforts.
In the song "Cover to Cover" Wes celebrates the reading of Scripture, and the personal impact of each individual story in the Bible. Says Wes, "The Bible is God's history of redemption_I have something in common with everyone in Scripture - even Judas and Herod." Wes' focus on Biblical study also generated "Remember," the first single from his Sparrow debut. "If someone happens to be reading the Bible from cover to cover, then they'll notice a recurring theme - `remember' - in the first four books," explains Wes. "Remember everything God's done and is doing for you_Salvation is a miracle and gift."
Long regarded for his songwriting and vocal skills, Wes has also become one of Christian music's finest guitarists - his raw talent shines on this album. "I know I'm a better player than the average guy, but my standard_well, my standard is Phil Keaggy," explains Wes. "I view myself as an artist on guitar - my love is to write the songs and then play them. I enjoy making the instrument accompany the vocal and dress the lyric. I get embarrassed by any comparisons to the skillfully elite, because players like that are a light year or two beyond me. They are in another category altogether."
With numerous hits over the past eight years, including five #1 AC songs and several Dove award honors, Wes King has more than established himself as a premier artist. A ROOM FULL OF STORIESs is a clear expression of creativity from the seasoned musician who is willing to intimately explore new territory. "A lot of my songwriting has been done because I felt the need to express myself or understand something that has moved me deeply," concludes Wes. "Sometimes words along can't explain, but words with music can."
A widely acclaimed Christian singer/songwriter, Wes wrote or co-wrote the 10 songs comprising A ROOM FULL OF STORIES. Esteemed for his lyrical artistry, Wes has chosen to reveal his desire to know his Creator daily through study of His Word, while affirming listeners in their own life experiences.
"While my last album, COMMON CREED, was a theological response of sorts, A ROOM FULL OF STORIES is like a journal; each song is an entry and each entry is a story," explains the Winder, GA native.
Now in his early thirties, Wes began his scholastic study of the Bible at Covenant College and has continued his education under the mentorship of Pastor Scotty Smith at Christ Community Church in Franklin, TN. Wes, who began playing guitar at the age of 14 and writing songs at 16, strives to be an artist whose work will increasingly impact our culture in an uplifting fashion.
With A ROOM FULL OF STORIES, Wes renders his most personal recording to date. The centerpiece of this vulnerable setting is "Thought You'd Be Here," a ballad which will no doubt serve as a standard of excellence throughout his career. With a gentle intensity Wes serenades the child that he and his wife long to someday have. "When I wrote this song, I never intended for it to be on the album," he confides. "My wife and I have been praying for a child for quite some time, and publicly revealing this struggle is both difficult and uplifting. Friends communicated that this song needed to be heard, and I think they were right."
Recent events in Wes' personal life have only served to increase an other-centered approach to his music. "I think as I become more aware of the compassion that's been extended to me by God, I'm becoming a more compassionate person," he says. "The past couple of years have been difficult. From changing business relationships, to some extended family problems back home, I've had to confront my limitations. The struggle has done something to sharpen me like iron. I think God allows us all to go through hardship, and often just to the edge of our endurance, to break us-to make us realize that we're not so invincible."
"I tried to rethink everything with the songs for A ROOM FULL OF STORIES- I really wanted this record to be passionate," remarks Wes. "I wanted to write from my heart - out of a place of struggle - not worrying about different marketing issues. This desire carried into the studio, where we successfully captured the heart and the emotion that happened when I wrote these songs."
Produced by Ben Wisch (David Wilcox, Marc Cohn) and Wayne Kirkpatrick (Amy Grant, Michael W. Smith), A ROOM FULL OF STORIES is what Wes refers to as his "most artist driven album." He reflects, "Oftentimes a producer will take your songs and produce a record. I think that Ben and Wayne produced me."
From the fold instrumentation and pop rock of "Simplify" to the classical-influenced melody of "Who But God," A ROOM FULL OF STORIES draws listeners in to Wes' world of organic pop. In a subtle twist of irony, The Story's acclaimed vocalist, Jonatha Brooke, appears as a guest on three selections, including the colorful acoustic pop track, "Good News," clearly one of Wes' most innovative efforts.
In the song "Cover to Cover" Wes celebrates the reading of Scripture, and the personal impact of each individual story in the Bible. Says Wes, "The Bible is God's history of redemption_I have something in common with everyone in Scripture - even Judas and Herod." Wes' focus on Biblical study also generated "Remember," the first single from his Sparrow debut. "If someone happens to be reading the Bible from cover to cover, then they'll notice a recurring theme - `remember' - in the first four books," explains Wes. "Remember everything God's done and is doing for you_Salvation is a miracle and gift."
Long regarded for his songwriting and vocal skills, Wes has also become one of Christian music's finest guitarists - his raw talent shines on this album. "I know I'm a better player than the average guy, but my standard_well, my standard is Phil Keaggy," explains Wes. "I view myself as an artist on guitar - my love is to write the songs and then play them. I enjoy making the instrument accompany the vocal and dress the lyric. I get embarrassed by any comparisons to the skillfully elite, because players like that are a light year or two beyond me. They are in another category altogether."
With numerous hits over the past eight years, including five #1 AC songs and several Dove award honors, Wes King has more than established himself as a premier artist. A ROOM FULL OF STORIESs is a clear expression of creativity from the seasoned musician who is willing to intimately explore new territory. "A lot of my songwriting has been done because I felt the need to express myself or understand something that has moved me deeply," concludes Wes. "Sometimes words along can't explain, but words with music can."
Originally published August 09, 2001.
