Christian Music Industry Podcast

In this deeply personal and inspiring episode, Wisdom Moon sits down with Dove Award-winning songwriter Tony Wood for a rich conversation on calling, craft, and career longevity. With over 900 recorded songs and more than 30 No. 1 hits, Tony shares the story of his humble beginnings in a small North Carolina town, his leap of faith to Nashville, and the years of quiet faithfulness that shaped his songwriting ministry.

You’ll hear about:

-The early days of writing lyrics in church youth group

-What it means to be faithful in the hidden seasons

-Why the second meeting with a publisher is harder than the first

-How to create safe, Spirit-led writing rooms

-Encouragement for young Christian songwriters navigating today’s industry

Tony’s story is a reminder that the fruit of faithfulness often grows slowly, but it lasts. Whether you're a new songwriter or a seasoned creative, this conversation will encourage you to trust God with your calling and show up with a heart to serve.

This episode is sponsored by Christian Creative Mentorship, a community created specifically for Christian music creatives who are serious about growing in both their craft and their calling. Whether you're just starting out or navigating your next steps, this community exists to help you steward your music ministry in a way that honors God and serves others well. Visit https://christiancreativementorship.com/ to join for free today!

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In this episode, I sit down with David Smallbone, an artist manager, husband, father to Rebecca St. James and Joel and Luke of for KING & COUNTRY, and the real-life patriarch whose family’s story inspired the film Unsung Hero.

David shares behind-the-scenes stories from the making of the movie, including why his wife Helen insisted the film show the full truth of their journey, especially the miraculous moments that only God could orchestrate. From their move from Australia to the U.S. with nothing, to specific instances of divine provision, David reflects on God’s faithfulness in the valleys and the victories.

We also talk about what he’s learned through decades in the Christian music industry, managing his own kids, walking the line between ministry and business, and staying anchored in accountability and the local church.

This conversation is full of biblical encouragement and practical wisdom for artists and ministry leaders alike. Topics include:

-Leading from a place of humility and stewardship

-The “team sport” nature of artist development

-Keeping a ministry-first mindset in the music industry

-Doing your due diligence in partnerships

-Building a legacy rooted in the Gospel

Whether you're an artist, parent, or leader, you’ll be encouraged by David’s perspective on faith, resilience, and living a life fully surrendered to God.

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In this episode of the Christian Music Industry Podcast, Wisdom Moon sits down with singer, songwriter, and worship leader Jaime Jamgochian—a veteran of over 25 years in music ministry. From her classical and jazz roots to becoming the flagship artist at Centricity Music, Jaime shares how surrendering her dreams led to deeper purpose.

She unpacks the journey from discovering Christ through Christian music at 21 to serving in local churches and leading worship with authenticity and heart. Jaime reflects on the industry pressures of chasing numbers, staying visible, and building a platform—and how she's learned to keep “the main thing the main thing.”

Together, they discuss:

Jamie also gives us a sneak peek into her new book, releasing later this year.

This is a rich and heartfelt conversation every Christian artist needs to hear.

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In this powerful episode of the Christian Music Industry Podcast, Wisdom Moon hosts a deep dive into the world of live performances for Christian artists with Jason and Skylar from Purpose Live. Founded in 2022, this innovative company is revolutionizing how artists approach their craft, focusing not just on technical skills, but on the profound art of connecting with an audience. Through personal stories, practical insights, and a passion for transformative storytelling, Jason and Skylar reveal the secret sauce of creating performances that don't just entertain, but truly touch people's hearts—breaking down the barriers between artist and audience to create moments of genuine emotional connection.

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In this heartfelt episode, host Wisdom Moon sits down with Christian artist and songwriter Nathan Sheridan for an intimate conversation about his remarkable life journey. In this episode, Nathan opens up about his challenging childhood marked by his parents' struggles with addiction, which ultimately led to him and his sister being raised by their grandparents in Louisiana. Nathan shares the profound impact of early family separation and loss, including a particularly devastating tragedy during his formative years.

The conversation illuminates how God transformed personal tragedy into musical authenticity—a rare glimpse into the crucible that forged one of Christian music's most genuine voices. Industry veterans and fellow artists will find particular value in Nathan's candid reflections on turning pain into purpose, and how his unconventional path created a songwriting perspective that cuts through the noise of manufactured narratives. This raw origin story offers powerful lessons on developing authentic artistry that resonates far beyond typical industry formulas.

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In this episode, we sit down with Trevor Mathiesen, Senior Director of Publishing and A&R at Curb | Word Entertainment, for a conversation about his journey in the Christian music industry. From his early days as an "errand boy" for Michael W. Smith to his current leadership role, Trevor shares insights into the world of A&R and publishing, offering valuable advice for aspiring artists and songwriters.

We discuss:

-Trevor’s unconventional path to becoming an A&R Director

-The importance of co-writing and developing your craft

-How to get your music heard by industry professionals

-Balancing innovation and marketability when pitching songs

-What “success” looks like for Christian artists in today's music industry

Whether you're a seasoned Christian artist/songwriter or just starting out, this episode is packed with wisdom and encouragement for anyone pursuing a career in Christian music. Tune in to hear Trevor's story and glean from his years of experience in the industry!

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In this heartfelt episode of the podcast, host Wisdom Moon sits down with artist and songwriter Natalie Layne for an authentic conversation about faith, artistry, and finding peace in the creative process. Natalie shares profound insights about trusting God's timing in the music industry, moving away from the common cycle of desperation and extreme highs and lows that many artists experience. Throughout the conversation, Natalie's infectious enthusiasm and deep faith illuminate how finding true joy in artistry comes not from striving, but from resting in God's perfect timing.

Currently residing in Nashville, Natalie's latest independent single "Amen" has gained millions of views on Instagram (where she has 328k followers) and TikTok (where she has over 233k followers) and 3 million likes on her videos. The single follows her 2021 Castles EP that garnered attention worldwide. The music led to opening concerts for Jeremy Camp, Chris Tomlin and We the Kingdom, and sharing stages with Steven Curtis Chapman, Mandisa and Crowder. Playing in several Nashville-based R&B and jazz bands, Natalie graduated with a Master's Degree in Commercial Piano from Belmont University. Writing and producing her own music, she most recently finished 2 major U.S. tours with Danny Gokey, Austin French, Brandon Heath, and Josh Wilson. She began leading worship at the age of 12, alongside worship pastors such as Cory Asbury, Jon Egan and Jared Anderson.

In December 2022, Natalie signed an exclusive recording and publishing contract with Centricity Music. Her label debut the, "Amen" EP, has amassed nationwide radio adds, reached #5 on Independent Christian Radio Charts, and broke the top 30 on Billboard charts. From the EP, an exclusive live performance of her song "Grateful For" was just featured by the Recording Academy/GRAMMY's for their segment Positive Vibes Only. Natalie was also amongst Pandora's "Top 10 Artists to Watch" and featured on a billboard in Times Square.

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In this candid conversation, rising Christian artist Amanda Nolan shares her remarkable journey from pursuing mainstream pop music to finding her calling in Christian music at age 19. After walking through a challenging season with OCD and anxiety, Amanda discovered not only her faith but also a deeper purpose for her music - creating authentic songs that bridge mental health struggles with hope in Christ. She opens up about the inspiration behind her vulnerable song "Through Your Eyes" and discusses how she's built a thriving social media following of 129k Instagram followers while staying true to her message.

Industry professionals and artists will gain valuable insights as Amanda discusses navigating the challenges of being a young female artist in Christian music, building a genuine social media presence, and making wise decisions about industry partnerships. She and host Wisdom Moon explore the importance of maintaining artistic authenticity while reaching new audiences, and why staying connected to your original love of music is crucial for long-term success in the industry.

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Tim Robinson is a dedicated booking agent in the Christian music industry, with a career that began in the 1990s. He has a rich background that includes managing bands, running a music venue, and founding a Christian music festival in Colorado. After a semi-retirement phase, Tim was invited to join Greg Oliver Agency (GOA), where he further developed his expertise. Following the agency's closure, he established Aligned Talent Agency (ATA) to continue his mission of connecting artists with meaningful opportunities. Based in Spring Hill, Tennessee, Tim leads a small team focused on building relationships and finding gigs for artists while emphasizing the importance of serving ministries and uplifting communities through music.

WE ARE BACK!! After a longer-than-expected break, Wisdom and Rachel are finally back and share the reason behind the hiatus. And, we got to record this episode in-person! Wisdom shares a BIG life update and what's ahead for this podcast. We're excited for you to listen!

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Many Christian artists fall into the trap of simply praying over a new song and releasing it without any real strategy or promotion. But is that the best approach to stewarding the gift of music? On this week's episode, Wisdom Moon and Rachel Panasyuk unpack the importance of combining prayer with diligent action when it comes to creating and releasing music. Tune in as they provide wisdom for artists on balancing spiritual disciplines with industry best practices for greater Kingdom impact.

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On today's episode, Wisdom steps behind the curtain of the music business with Jess Loper, a seasoned veteran in the A&R and publishing world.

In this insightful episode, Jess shares her wealth of knowledge and experience, demystifying the often-opaque realms of artists and repertoire (A&R), music publishing, and sync licensing.

From scouting talent to navigating the intricate landscape of royalties and recoupment, Jess offers a rare glimpse into the inner workings of the industry. Whether you're an aspiring artist, songwriter, or simply a music enthusiast, this episode is a must-listen for anyone curious about the business side of music.

Jess Loper began her career in the newsroom serving as an Editor with Business Wire who services the Associated Press with press releases for publicly held companies. From there she took her love of words into the music industry in the A&R department at Capitol CMG/Universal Music. In this position, she was an integral part of the production process for CMG’s roster of artists (Amy Grant, Chris Tomlin, Kari Jobe, TobyMac, Passion/sixstepsrecords) while also working with business affairs, union negotiations, and film & tv licensing for the label.

In 2017, she joined the team at Gotee Records as VP of Brand Management (Gotee Records) and Publishing (Emack Music). Gotee Records and Emack Music are a record label and a music publishing and administration company started in 1994 under the leadership of artist, TobyMac and label president, Joey Elwood. In this position, she handled A&R for artists Jon Reddick, Hollyn, Aaron Cole, Joseph O’Brien, Charly Beathard, and RENEE, cultivated writer relationships for Emack writers Tyrus Morgan, Hunter Leath, Ben Shive, and Lindsey Sweat, assisted with film and tv placements (ESPN, Fox Sports, ABC, NBC & VH1) and handled administration for Man Cub Music (Bryan Fowler & Micah Kuiper).

Most recently, she launched Without Labels Collective, a company that focuses on music supervision and licensing for film & television (The Jesus Music Documentary, Trinity Broadcasting Networks, The Huckabee Show, Compassion International, and Thrive just to name a few). This new venture is also focused on educating and supporting songwriters & artists on the business side of the creative process. She serves on the Board of the CMPA and works closely with the GMA Dove Awards.

Outside of her career in the music industry, her writing has been featured in the Huffington Post & Business Week Magazine among other digital news outlets and printed publications. Her greatest role in life has been getting to be a mom to Brody (15) & Kellen (12). In the Spring of ’22, she married her favorite songwriter, Brent Loper, on the front porch of their little farmhouse in Culleoka, TN

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Does the pursuit of perfection keep holding you back from releasing your music and making progress? On this week's episode, Wisdom Moon and Rachel Panasyuk tackle the crippling issue of perfectionism that plagues so many artists.

Whether you're agonizing over every detail of your new single or terrified to post that first video, this engaging conversation will provide encouragement and insights to help you break free from the shackles of perfectionism. Don't miss this insightful episode!

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This week on the Christian Music Industry podcast, Wisdom Moon tackles the controversial topic of whether independent artists in the early stages of their career should stop releasing music on Spotify and other streaming platforms.

Joined by Rachel Panasyuk from Pure Mosaic Records, they dive deep into the rationale behind this advice and discuss practical strategies for building an authentic fanbase before investing heavily into releasing music. From leveraging social media and YouTube to gauging audience interest through covers and original snippets, Wisdom shares wisdom gained from over 17 years in the industry.

They also explore topics like finding your ideal fan, knowing when you're truly ready to launch music, the importance of consistency, and innovative content ideas for new artists starting from zero followers. Whether you're an aspiring artist or an industry veteran, this candid conversation offers fresh perspectives that could save you time, money and frustration on your musical journey.

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In the fast-paced world of the music industry, it's easy to get caught up chasing your big dreams and aspirations. You want that record deal, that hit song, that taste of success. But oftentimes, artists move too quickly, burning bridges and burning out in the process.

In this insightful episode, we explore the importance of patience, steadiness, and building authentic relationships in your journey as a Christian artist. Don't miss out on this invaluable perspective!

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In this week's episode, Wisdom addresses a recent comment from a Christian music industry veteran that there's a perception of Christian artists being the laziest artists in the industry. From improving songwriting skills to embracing marketing and audience engagement, Wisdom discusses tangible ways that Christian artists can become known as the hardest-working and most faith-filled creators in the industry. Tune in for thought-provoking perspectives from Wisdom on marrying spiritual callings with professional dedication.

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In this episode, host Wisdom Moon sits down with veteran entertainment lawyer Kevin Kookogey, who has represented hundreds of artists, publishers, labels, and more over his 32-year career. Kevin shares the fascinating story of how he broke into the Nashville scene and landed his first major client, Newsboys, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the challenges of getting established. He goes on to deliver incredibly nuanced advice catered to today's music landscape - from typical label deal structures for new artists, to copyright and royalty considerations, to best practices for how churches should handle publishing with worship teams.

With an emphasis on clear client communication and viewing industry relationships as partnerships, Kevin draws upon his decades of experience to address complex issues like registering with performance rights organizations in easy-to-understand ways. Whether you're an artist, writer, pastor or label, this is an utterly invaluable masterclass in Christian music business and legal affairs from one of the industry's most respected names.

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In this episode, Wisdom explores the difference between striving out of fear versus putting in honest hard work while trusting God's timing. Wisdom shares how he believes striving often stems from the fear of missing out or not achieving certain milestones. In this thought-provoking episode, you'll be challenged to pause and reflect on areas where you may be striving instead of resting in faith. Tune in to hear a powerful perspective on letting go of forcing things to happen and finding peace by cultivating a strong work ethic anchored in trust.

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On this episode of the Christian Music Industry podcast, host Wisdom Moon sits down with singer-songwriter Amanda Janson. Amanda shares her incredible testimony of how she went from being a Broadway theater kid in New York City to becoming a follower of Jesus and pursuing a career in Christian music.

You'll hear the fascinating story of how a random Starbucks run and a Chick-fil-A sandwich played a pivotal role in her coming to faith. Amanda also opens up about her family's move to Nashville and how winning an online singing competition hosted by Rixon Entertainment unexpectedly paved the way.

Amanda gets vulnerable about the challenges of being a Christian artist, including placing false callings on your life versus pursuing what God has truly called you to. She discusses how the worship music genre has become her heartbeat and calling.

Additionally, Amanda shares practical insights on using platforms like TikTok for authentic ministry, the pros and cons of living in Nashville as a Christian artist, and her advice for independent artists seeking first the Kingdom of God. Don't miss this inspiring and story-filled episode!

Amanda Janson is a singer/songwriter, wife and mother of 3 based in Nashville, TN. After giving her life to the Lord in 2013, Amanda began leading worship and writing songs about her faith. Music is in her DNA and she couldn't imagine using her love for music in any other way than to serve the Lord. Her greatest desire is to release music that turns the listeners back to Him.

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Get ready for some exciting changes! In this solo episode, Wisdom explains his passion for coming alongside artists to guide them beyond just marketing techniques. He covers new offerings like one-on-one consulting sessions, ongoing coaching programs, and a partnership with Pure Mosaic Collective. If you're an indie artist looking to grow your music ministry, tune in to discover how Lula Music Group can equip you to make greater Kingdom impact with your music.

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Host Wisdom Moon interviews veteran Christian music artist Charlie Peacock and his wife Andi Ashworth about their new book "Why Everything That Matters, Matters So Much", which shares stories and wisdom from their lives in music, art, food, marriage and more. They discuss the importance of vocational calling, living hospitably, embracing wisdom from elders, finding balance and rest, and valuing the small acts of service that change the world. Peacock also shares about his cinematic music podcast, Music and Meaning.

Charlie Peacock, born Charles William Ashworth in Yuba City, California is a Nashville-based, 4x Grammy® Award-winning, multi-format jazz and pop recording artist, composer and record producer. Peacock’s production credits range from Chris Cornell and Ladysmith Black Mambazo to AAA and Americana successes such as The Lone Bellow, Holly Williams, The Civil Wars, Ben Rector and Brett Dennen. 

A native Californian, Andi Ashworth has lived in Nashville, Tennessee with her family since 1989. She is a writer and diarist, Master Gardener, cook, maker of home and lover of good books. Unique to her vocation, Andi has been a companion-along-the-way to many people, sharing stories about life and its challenges over meals, walks and cups of tea. After providing hospitality to thousands of people in her home, The Art House, it is her joy to be in a new home and a more private season of life, enabling her to create comfort and beauty on a smaller scale. She loves gathering her family around the table, discussions with her book group and Scrabble games with her husband – a perk of their later years.

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Spotify playlists can offer powerful growth opportunities for new artists, but simply landing a placement isn't enough. In this special mini-episode, Wisdom attacks the question, “Is it really worth putting effort into Spotify playlisting?” He weighs the pros and cons of a playlist-focused strategy, uncovering the value of a less playlist-centered approach. For aspiring musicians and seasoned pros alike, this wisdom-packed episode reveals how to leverage playlists as springboards, not destinations, on your journey from unknown to noteworthy.

In this week's episode of the Christian Music Industry Podcast, we have worship leader Nick Day from Bethany Music in Baton Rouge, LA. Nick shares raw and transparent insights about the journey of stewarding a growing social media platform with integrity. He talks about the boundaries and mindset shifts that help him stay grounded in his calling versus getting distracted by metrics. For worship leaders and creatives managing an online presence, Nick offers wisdom about protecting your intimacy with God and not putting the main focus on pursuing platform success. His story will inspire you to create from a place of authenticity rather than trying to manufacture viral moments. We hope you will walk away challenged to keep Jesus as the loudest voice directing your impact and influence.

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In this week's episode, we are joined by veteran worship artist Meredith Andrews. She talks about the unique twists and turns of her extensive career in Christian music and the tension between building God's kingdom and pursuing personal success in the industry. Meredith transparently shares inspiring and surprising stories from her journey, including a pivotal moment early on when God spoke to her in a powerful way. She offers some thought-provoking insights for creatives trying to find community and build a career in Christian music.

Meredith also discusses the intriguing reasons she has chosen to partner long-term with the same record label despite challenges along the way. Meredith's words reveal so much wisdom gained from her 15+ years in the Christian music industry. Tune in to hear more!

Curb|Word artist, Meredith Andrews, is passionate about writing and leading songs that keep people's hearts and minds set on Jesus. The Dove Award-winning artist has been using her musical gifts, love for God, and her huge heart for His people - to teach and remind us all about the enormity of our awesome and loving Savior.

Meredith, who previously was on staff at Harvest Bible Chapel in Chicago now leads regularly at The Belonging CO, her home church in Nashville. As a gifted songwriter and recording artist, she has been a part of multiple songs sung by churches across America such as “Open Up The Heavens,” “Lamb of God,” “Not For A Moment,” and “Spirit of the Living God.” Meredith often leads worship at major women’s and/or worship leader conferences across the U.S. and has toured with Matt Maher, Natalie Grant, BigDaddy Weave, Vertical Church, Phil Wickham, and Michael W. Smith, among others.

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Join us for a special episode of the Christian Music Industry Podcast celebrating Marketing with Wisdom's 5th anniversary! To mark the occasion, we have a very special co-host, Kennedy Richardson, who was with the MwW team from the beginning and has recently returned.

Wisdom takes us through starting MwW in 2018 - the vision, challenges, risks, and lessons of building a business from scratch. He and Kennedy discuss the growth over 5 years into a thriving community for Christian artists, reflecting on key milestones and setbacks along the way.

Most importantly, Wisdom shares how faith has guided him in starting and sustaining MwW - to honor God and serve others through excellent work. Whether you've been here from the start or just joined, you won't want to miss this inspiring look at how God can work through our steps of obedience.

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On this episode, we had a great discussion with BJ Putnam from Bethany Music (Baton Rouge, LA) about his journey to becoming a worship leader and songwriter. He shares helpful tips for worship leaders about avoiding the entanglements of fame.

It was so encouraging to hear BJ's passion for composing vertical worship music that draws listeners closer to God. He provides thoughtful advice for keeping one's sight fixed on Jesus while leading and songwriting. We appreciate BJ's honesty and humility - tune in to be motivated by his dedication to selfless worship leadership.

On our latest episode, we welcome Aaron Williams from The Worship Initiative to discuss the journey of worship songwriting and leading. Aaron shares his story of growing up in a musical household and how he organically began writing worship songs. We discuss the importance of humility in songwriting, the role of community in maintaining spiritual health, and the significance of persevering through moments of burnout.

Get a sneak peek into the behind-the-scenes world of The Worship Initiative as Aaron gives insights into the team's collaborative efforts, their process of creating resources, and the balance between creativity and administrative tasks. Discover the art of staying inspired even when faced with writer's block, and the power of developing deep, lasting songs that resonate with people over time.

Welcome to the Christian Music Industry Podcast! We are excited to bring you the third coaching session interview with our special guests, Micah and Tuakah of Norden Pass, a dynamic duo with a passion for writing congregational worship music. They share their journey in worship ministry and how their friendship blossomed into a fruitful collaboration through their time serving the church together, expressing their concerns about staying up to date on social media and keeping their listeners engaged between releases. We hope this episode of the Coaching Sessions provides valuable insight for your own personal endeavors!

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In the latest episode of the Christian Music Industry podcast, we are excited to bring you the second coaching session interview with our special guest, David Klob. David is a prominent member of FAC Music. We jump right into the conversation talking about the importance of having long-term goals and a clear vision for their music ministry. David's candid response highlights the need for a well-defined purpose to drive the creative process and keep the ministry's mission on track. Furthermore, we speak about the pain points that David and his team face in their ministry. David opens up about the challenges they encounter, particularly in terms of financial resources, as they strive to spread their uplifting message through the power of music.

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On this episode of the Christian Music Industry podcast, we have a special guest with us, Jordan Gatewood, also known as JWOODZ. Jordan poses some important questions about the music industry and building a fanbase. We dive into practical steps on how to grow your audience and what it takes to become a full-time artist. As an artist in the Christian music industry, JWOODZ brings a fresh perspective to the conversation. Join us as we explore the ins and outs and provide some valuable insights to help artists succeed.

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On this episode of the Christian Music Industry Podcast, I had the pleasure of interviewing Laurel Taylor, a talented musician who uses her gift of music to share the message of Jesus. Laurel's walk with Jesus began in a Christian household, where she learned about faith and the power of prayer from her parents. However, it wasn't until January 2015 when Laurel had a personal encounter with Jesus on the side of the road in Nashville that she gave her life fully to Him.

Laurel's journey has been a remarkable one. She moved from Tennessee, where she was pursuing a career in country music, to Alabama, where she made a bold declaration to God to not touch a guitar until He put something in front of her. The Lord answered her prayer by bringing a Christian music group to her attention, and she eventually moved to Indiana to learn, write, and grow in her faith. Through it all, Laurel has maintained a personal focus on relationships and using her music as a means of sharing her heart and story. "I don't care who I play for," she says. "I just want to get the Gospel out." Her passion for sharing Jesus has opened many doors for her in the music industry. She promotes herself to radio stations, and through these opportunities, she has been able to share the message of Jesus with a wider audience. It was a privilege to speak with Laurel, and we are excited to see how God continues to use her music to spread His message of love and hope.

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In the latest episode of the Christian Music Industry Podcast, we had the privilege of interviewing Sean BE, an artist who has made his transition from rap to pop music. Sean shares his journey of moving his family from Colorado to Nashville to pursue music full-time and how intricately God worked through this process. After deciding to be all-in with music, he was invited to be on the 2023 Winter Jam tour but struggled with feelings of inadequacy and comparison.

However, Sean's perspective has shifted since then, and he now approaches his performances with confidence, seeing them as opportunities to set the tone for people to hear the message of Jesus. It is inspiring to hear how Sean has allowed God to guide his music career, and his commitment to sharing the gospel through his art is truly commendable. Sean's story is a testament to the power of prayer and trusting in God's plan for our lives.

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On this episode, we are bringing back an interview from 2021 with Jonathan Ogden, a talented musician, producer, and designer from Manchester, UK. Jonathan Ogden is an artist who has greatly impacted the Christian music industry. In our interview, Jonathan shares his journey from growing up in the church and writing songs in his bedroom to making a full-time music career, reaching hundreds of thousands of people across the globe. He talks about the challenges he faced in his career, including the pressure to create music that resonates with listeners and staying true to his artistic vision. He also shares the importance of collaborating with other artists and how it has helped him grow as a musician and songwriter.

This week's episode continues our series on The Journey of a Songwriter. We have Mike Murray joining us to talk about song publishing. He emphasizes the importance of networking and building relationships in the music industry. As a publisher, he meets with songwriters and artists to understand what they want to create and then connects them with other professionals, such as producers and writers, to bring their vision to life. This episode provides a fascinating insight into the world of song publishing and a music publisher's work. Mike's experience and industry knowledge offer valuable advice for aspiring songwriters and anyone interested in pursuing a career in the Christian music industry.

Mike has been working in Nashville with Christian record labels since 1997, serving 7 years with Capitol CMG, 5 years with Provident Label Group, 12 years with Integrity Music, and most recently has joined Hillsong Music Publishing as their Head of Creative (still based in Nashville). During those years, he has had the honor of working with GRAMMY, Dove Award and Stellar Award-winning artists and songwriters like Hillsong UNITED, Leeland, Kari Jobe, All Sons & Daughters, Benjamin Hastings, Matt Redman, Mitch Wong, Lincoln Brewster, Israel & New Breed, Ben Tan, Paul Baloche, William McDowell and more. Prior to his time with labels, Mike paid his "roadie" dues for a couple of years, touring with 4-Him and with Geoff Moore & The Distance.

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On today's episode, we talk about what it's like to work together in entrepreneurship as a married couple. Eric and Krissy Nordhoff share their journey of working in the Christian music industry, navigating the ups and downs as a couple and what they're doing to pour into a songwriting community.

On this week's episode, we are asking the question: "Should artists use AI like ChatGPT?" As technology continues to play a bigger role in the music industry, many artists are starting to experiment with AI-powered tools like ChatGPT. Some believe that these tools can help streamline the songwriting process and add a new layer of creativity to their music. However, others are wary of the implications of using AI, and worry that it could lead to a loss of authenticity in the music being created.

Join us as we talk about this fascinating and complex topic, as we discuss the pros and cons of using AI in Christian music. If you're a Christian artist and interested in the impact of technology in the music industry, this episode of the Christian Music Industry podcast is one you won't want to miss.

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On this episode, Wisdom Moon invites his friend and former colleague, Morgan Hill, for an insightful conversation around marketing your church's music releases. Morgan is the Marketing Director for Bethel Music and has worked with many churches to create marketing plans, release strategies and song resources over the years. Wisdom and Morgan worked together for several years at Integrity Music in publishing and marketing, promoting songs like "Great Are You Lord" and "We Believe" to worship leaders and churches around the globe.

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Welcome back to our series, 'Releasing Music as a Church', where we dive into the unique challenges and opportunities of creating and promoting Christian music within a church setting. In this fourth installment, we're going to be discussing the topic of marketing and how it applies to Christian music in a church context. From social media to in-person events, we'll be exploring the various ways churches can effectively promote their music and share their message with the world. Join us as we talk about the important role of marketing in the Christian music industry, and discover how your church can make the most of its music ministry.

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This week, we were excited to address some of the questions from our listeners! We talked about the significance of establishing SMART goals that align with the church's music ministry's vision, obtaining feedback from trusted sources on selected songs, identifying an appropriate producer, appointing a publishing administrator to take care of registering songs with performing rights organizations and making sure that songwriters receive the proper credit and much more! Listed below are some of the admins we mentioned. 

1. Songtrust

2. CD Baby Pro Publishing Administration

3. TuneCore Publishing

4. Music Services

5. Sentric Music

6. Lula Street Records

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We are continuing our series on Releasing Music as a Church. In this episode on building a firm foundation, we delve into identifying the purpose, creating a songwriting community, and ensuring that all the essential aspects of publishing and administration are taken care of. Building a solid foundation before releasing music as a church is crucial in ensuring that your church, and everyone involved, is protected from any unintentional issues in the future, which is key to longevity. If you want to cultivate a healthy music ministry culture, this episode is a must.

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Releasing music as a church can be a powerful way to share your message and ministry with a wider audience. But it can also come with challenges and risks that you need to consider before diving in. In this podcast, we'll explore some of the pros and cons of churches releasing music, and offer some tips for self-assessment and successful execution. Whether you're a musician, a pastor, or just a fan of Christian music, this episode will help you think critically about releasing music as a local church community and its impact on your mission.

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Sometimes Christian artists can over-spiritualize everything that has to do with their music. On this episode, Wisdom Moon sheds light on things that most artists don't think about or are aware of when they decide to pursue doing music. He also talks about the importance of stewardship and the many roles that artists have to fill.

Need help getting more organized as a Christian artist? Whether you’re currently managing everything by yourself or have a team around you, today’s episode is for you! Wisdom Moon shares 7 tools that will help you get more organized as an artist.

*Please excuse the clicking sound you may notice in the audio. Our recording software had an issue, which was not noticeable during the recording.

The tools shared on the podcast:

Are you releasing Christmas music this year? On this episode, I share 5 practical tips for releasing your Christmas music, but even if you aren't releasing any this year, most of these tips are applicable for any type of release throughout the year. Be sure to listen to this episode if you want to be as effective as possible with your new music releases.

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Christian artist and songwriter, Lydia Laird, joins me this week to talk about her social media post that I shared on the podcast a couple of weeks ago. We also talk about the importance of addressing mental health and accountability in the Christian community. Lydia also shares her insights from her experience going from an independent artist to signing to a major label and being an indie artist again.

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As a follow-up to last week's episode "Should You Quit Social Media?", I share some listener feedback and how people have been responding to the episode. I also share 5 tips for utilizing social media effectively as a Christian artist.

Do you struggle with social media? Do you feel a sense of pressure to have a huge social media following? Do you sometimes want to just quit social media or quit trying to pursue being an artist because of your frustrations with social media? On this episode, Wisdom Moon shares an Instagram "rant" post by a Christian artist about social media and shares his thoughts.

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