Review by Jeff McLaughlin - Contemporary Christian Music Network International
January 29, 2005
 

What would it be like for 7 well-known Christian songwriters to sit in your living room and share their experiences and knowledge with you? That would be incredible listening to the stories from the writers who created over 350 recorded songs, over 50 dove award nominations, over 45 #1 songs, and over 85 years of songwriting experience, wouldn’t it? Well, it CAN happen! Well, maybe they can’t be in your living room in person, but a DVD produced by Scott Moore and Guy Zabka for Surge Digital could definitely be the next best thing.

I will have to be honest with you. I have interviewed several well-known songwriters myself, so you would think that I have heard it all. When I got my own copy of this DVD, I thought to myself, “Here we go. This is just another bunch of interviews with songwriters.” But, what I found is much more than that. These people pour their heart out to you. You can tell that they truly desire to help other writers with their experience and knowledge.

This DVD is packed with over 3 hours of advice and insight from award-winning songwriters. Take a look at who the songwriters are:

Sue Smith: Staff Writer – Brentwood Benson Music Publishing
Jamie Harvill: Songwriter/Worship Leader – Paths of Peace Music Publishing
Cindy Morgan: Artist/Writer – Word Music Publishing
Pete Kipley: Producer/Writer – Word Music Publishing
Mark Harris: Artist/Writer – Brentwood Benson Music Publishing
Dave Clark: Staff Writer – Brentwood Benson Music Publishing
Shaun Groves: Artist/Writer – Brentwood Benson Music Publishing

Take a look at a partial list of the topics they cover:

- Why do you write?
- Developing an Idea
- Inspiration – vs. – Discipline
- Co-writing
- Business – vs. – Ministry
- Writer/Publisher Relations
- Making a Living
- Advice to Writers
- Getting Started in the Business
- Income Sources
- Elements of a Worship Song
- Writing for Other Artists
- What makes a hit song?
- Challenges as a Writer
- Approach to Writing
- Writing with Artists
- Compiling Songs for an Album
- Impact of a Live Performance
- Focus of Writing
- Getting Cuts
- Reaching People through Music
- Describe your Music
- and much more!

Whether you are an amateur or a professional songwriter, this incredibly-priced DVD is a must have! If you would like to borrow a copy to view before buying it, you could ask for mine … but, that’s not gonna happen. I’m not giving mine up that easy. You can, however, go to their website at http://www.songexp.com and view clips before buying. Or, you could just take my word for it and buy one now! Either way, check it out. This DVD, you will love! (awwww great, not Yoda-speak again.)

My rating - 5 stars!!! My only question; When is the next volume coming out?

Jeff McLaughlin
Contemporary Christian Music Network International
http://ChristianSongwriting.com