Recording Session 1

Today we got set up in Neils basement to start recording some tracks to the song I Believe. It was a simple set up with just two guitars, keys and drums. The basic point today was to get at least the drums close, if not complete for this track. That way later you can add instruments and even redo some of the guitar parts. I will add bass guitar later when the drums are all tracked. Tomorrow I'm gonna meet with Mike and try to lock in some keyboard/organ parts. Being in the studio is definitely a foot in front of the other type of thing. This album is not about writing the next cool worship song or trying to get my name out there. I've had the vision for some of these songs for a long time so they have developed in my mind for some time now. The point is to try and capture that vision, all while staying true to any kind of anointing that may reside on the song in general. I'm putting my heart out there and letting the listener in on my journey thus far. Like when you put your heart and soul into a painting that is representing who you are. I want this album to represent who I am and what I aspire to be. But not only that, I want it to be something that is a worthy offering to God. So making sure that we are not only playing through the songs but we are worshiping God at the same time. Sounds simple enough but you can get so wrapped up in wanting the song to come off right that you lose your focus on why you wrote the song in the first place. If our hearts are not in the right place while recording the songs then it will definitely sound dry. Oh, I got to play and record with a Martin today and it felt real nice. It was like the Lord was like "I know you really like Martins(the grocery store to, but in this case the guitar) so for your first recording session, I'll let you play this one". And boy was it nice. But in dramatic Eric fashion, I played to hard and broke a string. Ahhhh. Oh well, it's just a string. I want to list the different guitars that are used, you know basses and drums and stuff. It's the musician in me. All in all I feel like I am creating art and I just found the colors that I needed. And I pray that it all goes smooth and that there is purpose in all of it. This is my chance to capture a moment in my life. A diary of sorts. I'm gonna take my camera and try to capture some pictures to show ya'll what the sitch looks like. On that note, here are the lyrics to the first song

I Believe:

I believe, You are who You say
I believe, Your the Truth, the Life, the Way
I believe, You didn't die in vain, I believe

I believe, my sins are washed away
I believe, You've taken all my shame
I believe, Your healings’ for today, I believe

Though the trials by fire, burn me deeper everyday
Even when I can’t see, when Your right in front of me
I believe,

I believe, You've risen from the grave
I believe, Your coming back again
I believe, That all will be made clean, I believe

Though the trials by fire, burn me deeper everyday
Even when I can’t see, when Your right in front of me
I believe,

I believe in You Jesus, I believe Your the Son of Man
I believe in You Jesus, Lion and the Lamb

In the times when I feel like, I will never become free
All I do is remember, when You first said You love me, I believe

I believe in You Jesus, I believe Your the Son of Man
I believe in You Jesus, Lion and the Lamb

*Yes, I do say I believe 21 times in this song but that's the point.

Back In The Studio

Well my Dad has lined up some studio time for me in the basement of Neil Kyle. Yes, Mike and Neil will be helping me on this project as well as my Dad. This is good because I feel the Kyles get a good sense of my musical style from our little stint with Jubal Forest. I will be recording some old and some new, eventually creating a good sounding studio Cd. So far this is where I'm going with the song selection

I Believe
Thunder In Me (Worthy)
You Alone (King of Kings)
My Everything
You are Good
Falling

Here are some that I would like to do if possible, to round out a full album
Arise O Lord
Remain
Capture Me

Plus I have some that I'm currently writing which I hope to have done during this time. Also a lot of the songs need to be reworked in places and lyric tightened up a little. It's all part of the process but I'm looking forward to it. We are meeting this Monday so I'll be sure to post, not only to journal the experience for myself but to let you all in on the process. Which it is a long one. Please keep me in your prayers. This is something I've wanted to do for a long time and with the right people. So God is definitely lining it up.

Steve Thompson For President

My friend Ryan called me up and told me to check this out. He regularly attends MorningStar and told me that the video people there decided to have some fun with editing. He said they ran it at the church and everyone got a kick out of it. I thought it was hilarious, especially the Rick Joyner parts. Leonard had me cracking up to.

Jeez

I woke up this morning to find that the wind had blown in such a correct manner to catch the tarp covering my motorcycle. Needless to say, the wind knocked it over. When I looked out my front window I was kinda in disbelief. Luckily there were only a few minor scratches. I decided to put the bike on my back porch so the wind could not catch a full gust, strong enough to knock over a motorcycle anyway. I haven't posted in a long time and I don't feel bad about it. Usually I do, but this time I don't. I've been really trying to understand where God wants us to go, as a worship team and congregation. Our Sunday mornings have been good (with a few snags here and there, musically). People seem to be drawing closer to God and there is an excitement and a refreshing that comes along with it. But more about that in another post. This one is just to catch up. My friends "The Scheids" are coming home in late May and I am eager to hang and seek and play music with my friend Kris again. Plus having Jean and the kids back makes for an exciting summer for me, my wife and family. I'm looking forward to the warm weather this year like never before. I'm just ready to open the windows and really enjoy spring. I sure by the time it gets really hot I will long for fall. But, that's why I live here. The changing of the seasons is awesome. But the older I get, the more I long for a consistent temperature. You know, like 77 - 87 degrees, all year around. Well I'm gonna bail now. The day is full of things to do and places to rest.