What advice would you give to young people who are earnest about pursuing creating music for the glory of God? More specifically, advice about being within both the Christian and secular music markets?

Alex,

A little clarity might help. I'm not exactly sure what you mean about being in both the Christian and secular music markets.

Thanks for asking!

I really have a desire to make music that Christians will be able hear and be able like or enjoy or relate to (ETC.) the lyrics because of an underlying Christian worldview. At the same time, I wouldn't want my listening audience to be confined to just Christians, I want to be able to have a positive impact on lost people and a mostly Godless market. My heroes in that respect are Switchfoot, they are the ones who really got me thinking about this. Thanks for responding, it means a lot to me.
Alex

Alex,

That's a really good question, and I'm not sure if I have a really good answer. To me it seems like the solution is to bring together great music and great lyrics. The music is really important because that's what is going to catch the ear of the non-christian listener. But if we really want to see them come to Christ, they must hear at least some element of God's truth as well.

But God is the one who will truly make a song succeed in the secular market. "I Can Only Imagine" is the prime example I can think of. Great question!

Thanks for taking the time to talk with me. It really does mean a lot to me.
Let me bother you with one more question.
What advice do you have for songwriting in general?

My son listens to heavy Christian music, such as Under Oath, The Chariot, A Life Once Lost, and Norma Jean. I like a bit lighter. We're going to Brand New, Thrice, and MeWithoutYou in November. Tons of unsaved kids mix with Christians. You should see the mohawks, chain pants, tattoos, black clothes, pierced faces... It's amazing and so cool that the message of Jesus is available and appealing to all people.

Alex,

A couple suggestions:

1) Be prayerful. God is the one who gives catchy melodies and good lyrics.

2) Be diligent. You just need to sit down and do the hard work of writing songs.

3) Listen to tons of music. If you want to write good music, you've got to listen to good music.

4) Read solid Christian books. Read John Piper, CJ Mahaney, Charles Spurgeon, etc. These books will be fuel for lyrics that honor God.

Thank you so much sir. I'm in the process of writing a song now, and I am finding that it is very challenging. But it appears that if this is meant to be that I'm on a good road because I have two people in my life right now who are really helping me along with identifying and making good music.
One being my youth pastor and the other my guitar teacher.
Again, thank you very , very much. I haven't really spoken with anyone about my desire yet, so to be able to speak with a professional is quite encouraging for me.
Do you ever find it interesting the different artists you see as influences in writing your music? It was amazing to me, in one song I could see how, Nickle Creek, Switchfoot, Rush and Lynyrd Skynyrd have all had an impact musicaly on me. Music never ceases to amaze! A wonderfull gift of God.
Thanks again,
Alex