When I visited my alma mater last week, I ran into an old friend from Truth, Alicia Williamson Garcia, who is now teaching there at the University of Mobile. She feels her contribution to students who pass through the very popular worship leadership track is to inform them how very important theology is when leading a worship team and/or writing songs. I think she is going to be very effective–the church will benefit as much as the graduate.

I have been asked over the years by many Christian song writers to listen to their song demos. Usually, my biggest critiques have been in the areas of song style and theology. (I am a lyric hound., and a big area of concern for me is in this area, but I won’t bore you with details about lyric writing here). As to style, I am surprised how many writers are copying musical styles from 15 or 20 years back. I ask them if they listen to the radio or some sort of Top 40 format, just to keep in touch with listeners. I am not surprised when they say, “No.” What? If you are gonna be a writer, then read! And if you are gonna be a songwriter, listen to music! When it comes to theology, Its imperative that every thought , assertion and teaching is in-line with Scripture. We must strain every lyric we write through the filter of the Word of God, otherwise, we are being irresponsible toward God, the Church, and ourselves as artists.

Its mind-boggling how many poorly written songs make it into church worship services. If we are allowing artists, song writers. publishers and record companies to be the purveyors of truth in our churches, we are foolish. With every song that we consider for our worship services, it is our responsibility, as worship leaders and pastors, to look over every lyric and scrutinize the accuracy of the message before we take it to the next step and introduce it to our congregations.

The advantage of many (not all!) great hymns is that they have stood the test of time with their timeless melodies and Truth-based lyrics. Just because a great artist sings it, the music is killer and we really like the way it makes us feel, doesn’t mean we should use it. Is it based on the Bible, or is it just a great rhyme?

ATTENTION SONGWRITERS: a song isn’t written, it’s re-written! I am not impressed with someone who says they wrote a certain song in 15 minutes. Edit a song until it has no holes in it. Then, and only then, should you demo a song. Even at that point, it should be open to changes.

Have you noticed the killer guitar tracks coming from TV shows like Pawn Stars, Storage Wars and many other similar reality shows? The soundtracks from these shows are more interesting than much of the music released by many groups these days.

For fellow guitar players, it is a veritable tone library of different amps, guitars, pedals and styles. I am so impressed with these 10-second ditties that are jam-packed into each show; there is a ton of creative guitar riffing going on. Since I’ve written and recorded my share of theme music and jingles in the past, I am very impressed with this work!

Thanks to Google, it only took a minute to run down one of the production houses from which many of these TV soundtracks are procured. The company, Jingle Punks, supplies the opening theme music for Pawn Stars. If you need theme music, and have a ton of money to pay for licensing, you, too, can work out a deal with a company like Punks.

A few months ago I caught a marathon showing of back-to-back episodes of Sons of Guns. The opening theme was so incredible, I did a Google-search on the song. I quickly found that Buddy Miller–the Nashville guitar picker, singer and artist–wrote this song, Shelter Me, for his Universal United House Of Prayer CD. When I heard Miller’s version online, it wasn’t the same one. But with some searching around, I found that the “Guns” theme song is covered by blues artist, Tab Benoit.

The state of the electric guitar is riding strong these days, and the soundtracks to so many TV shows prove it. Now, if these riffs, tones and this craftsmanship can be applied to some of the music released by artists nowadays, maybe the music industry will someday see an up-swing in sales. I’m just sayin’…

The University of Mobile turns 50 this year. In just a few weeks, the school will celebrate this landmark through what is called Project Serve–a university-wide day of service that celebrates the school’s culture of service. On Sept. 16 the entire student body, faculty and staff will volunteer throughout the Mobile, Alabama area. The event will build on the university’s ongoing commitment to Christian service as a visible reminder of the call upon each person’s life to be God’s hands and feet in a lost world.

Looking into my hazy future as a young man in the summer of 1985, coming off of a six-year road gig as a traveling musician, I knew it was time to face the “education” question. Actually, I was convinced of the necessity to finish my college degree, a journey that halfheartedly started in 1978. My road experience, albeit rich and rewarding, was a young man’s game, and I didn’t want to be living on a bus for the rest of my life! Although I loved playing music, I needed a sturdier foundation on which to build a family. Brenda Ramsey, a beautiful girl from Mobile (whom I’d met in September, 1983, at a chapel service while with Truth), was “the one” I wanted to marry. I also knew that ministry was in my future. So, a college education was a necessity for all of this to happen. With help from Roger Breland, I enrolled in what was then called Mobile College in the fall of 1985. Not only would I be taking on a four-year degree, but Mobile, Alabama became my new home.

I graduated in 1989 with honors. Brenda was by my side, and by that time, Josh and Betsy were toddlers. We were as poor as could be, but I had a full scholarship and student loans didn’t bog us down after graduation. We would struggle financially for a few more years until I co-wrote a little song named Ancient of Days with Gary Sadler in the summer of 1991.

I visited the campus yesterday, barely recognizing the hallways and buildings through which I traversed for four years. I was a religion major and a music minor, so the trails I made over my tenure there were restricted mostly to a small cluster of classrooms and labs. I was reminded how I adapted to school-life quickly back then–my future depended on it! Memories were stirred as I walked around with my son, Josh, and niece, Megan (currently a student).

Some may ask me, “Why did you need college degree to be a songwriter?” I know it’s possible to make it without one. But the richness of my studies in theology, writing and practical ministry have prepared me to be a better artist in the church. I am dedicated to serving God’s people as a minister as well as a musician.

My days at Mobile College, now the University of Mobile, are a rich part of who I am. I would love to sow back into the students there someday, if at all possible. I am proud to be a graduate of U of M!

I was blessed to be featured as an alumni in the Spring 2011 issue of the University of Mobile Magazine. Check it out!