recording grace

The excitement is building on this end as we begin the actual recording process for my first solo recording in nearly ten years. I was in the studio earlier this week beginning the tracking process. In case you aren't really sure what tracking is, the first step of actually recording only comes after weeks and sometimes months of preplanning that includes negotiating contracts; praying for creative and message direction; putting out feelers to song writers; selecting a producer; writing, gathering and choosing song material; creative meetings; booking musicians, studios and engineers; and arranging music. Now we are ready to make some noise.

This week I was at Masterfonics Studio Six in Nashville with my producer Woody Wright, engineer Pete Green and his assistant Chris Carroll and musicians Gary Prim on the piano and keys, Paul Leim on the drums and percussion, Mark Hill on the bass guitars and Biff Watson with Jeff King on the guitars. There are several more instruments to add before the music is finished. We had a blast!

I am really so anxious to let you hear the music we made. But there is still a lot more that has to be done. We have the basic rhythm tracks and a few lead instruments down now. But the additional instruments, along with some great background vocals and guest voice appearances to record will make it a super project. The record won't be ready for consumption until late spring next year, and waiting is gonna be a booger. As a matter of fact, Woody and I were talking yesterday about our excitement to finish the recording. I think we're both feeling really inspired right now.

This record is all about grace, mercy, love, forgiveness and acceptance. I think at first there were some who were a little concerned that I wanted to keep the message so singularly focused. They were worried that people would get bored with ten songs that basically say the same thing. However, I think those folks are going to be really happy with our decision to make this project so message driven. Grace covers a lot of ground, and there is a lot to be said about it. I think you'll be thrilled with what you hear too. How can anyone ever get too much grace?