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- [00:04]
A
Welcome to the Lead Worship World podcast. My name is Christian. I'm your host for today's episode. Today's special guest needs no introduction. The one and only Chris Tomlin. We recorded this conversation the day after Chris opened and led worship at the Charlie Kirk Memorial service. So of course I took the opportunity to ask him about his reflections on that day and also what's going on in the wider spiritual climate in America right now. Chris also shared his hopes and dreams for his new project, as well as much of the inspiration behind the themes and also some of the surprises that you'll find in that new album. It's a great conversation, full of wisdom and encouragement. So please sit back and enjoy this conversation with Chris Tomlin. Well, Chris Tomlin, thank you so much for joining me on the podcast today.
- [00:57]
B
Oh, so good, so good to be with you, man. Thank you so much. It's great to spend a minute just chatting and talking about work, worship and all the things already. It's good to catch up.
- [01:07]
A
I'm so honored to do this. I was saying just before we press record, I first was introduced to you late 1999, 2000, somewhere in that window at a festival in the UK and I think I've been doing this podcast for seven seasons and we finally managed to find time to get you on, which is great.
- [01:23]
B
And you're in Austin, Texas. And that's how I used to live and that was a big party. I planted a church there and so that's a good part of my life was in where you are now. So yeah, our paths have crossed a couple times now.
- [01:35]
A
They have lots of of mutual friends along the way, which is amazing. So yeah. And most of them would have a similar accent to mine and not yours, but there we go.
- [01:43]
B
Hey, now that you're in Austin, you need to come come my way with the accent.
- [01:48]
A
My children are already there, particularly my eight year old daughter. We were speaking to friends.
- [01:52]
B
You're like, please God, no, no.
- [01:55]
A
We were speaking to friends at the weekend. Oh my goodness. Kaya's accent has fully migrated. But another mutual friend of ours, Matt Redmond, I was talking to him and they actually pay their children an annual bonus if they retain their English accent at the end of every year. So mad I thought this is a great idea.
- [02:13]
B
I can't give in, which is great.
- [02:15]
A
Well, Chris, thank you for your time today. I know you've had a really busy weekend. I want to start by asking you about yesterday and for anybody that hasn't seen the news and social media this morning, you had the privilege of opening up the Charlie Kirk Memorial yesterday. How was that for you? Tell us a little bit about your experience yesterday.
- [02:31]
B
Yeah, thanks for asking that and really happy to talk about it. Honored to be a part of that. Honor to be a part of that moment. I feel like there's an awakening moment in our nation. I feel like there is around the world, really. There were some moments heard around the world yesterday that I think will reverberate for a long time. And, you know, walking into that, honestly, I kind of look a lot of fear and trembling. I mean, I was. I didn't know what, you know, it's kind of kicking off the memorial, opening the memorial, and that was my position. And Erica Kirk had reached out to our team and said, you know, how great is Our God? Was one of Charlie's songs, and we want to sing that song. And I thought, what an honor. I was like, well, yeah, I'll get there. I was out. I was on tour the night before across the other side of the country. I said, yeah, I'd love to. I'd be there. I'd be honored. And so I'm walking into this, you know, can imagine into the stadium, really not knowing and how this is going to go. I don't know how the memorial is going to go. I don't know the tone of it. I just know that my. What I was there to do is to point people to the reality that Charlie's in at the moment and the reality that all of us have to be reminded of, that there is a greater kingdom that we're a part of, and to be able to stand there and to sing these words, you know, above all thrones and powers and positions and dominions in a place where the most powerful people in the world are literally sitting in front of me and. And to point people to the name above all names, you know, And I just had that moment of clarity where I thought, you know, I just want to speak that scripture over this place. And so I just shared. And God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name as above every name that at the name of Jesus, every knee will bow. And I was. I was thinking that's what I. That's my job here, is to point people there. So for me, it was the honor of a life, you know, to like, to be able to stand that moment for my nation and for around the world. And then when Erica, I mean, everybody. I was floored at how many people were just boldly proclaiming Jesus. Like, you probably, like Many people like, what is happening? Is this real? But just sharing Jesus over and over and over was so not politics. It was so Jesus. And I was like, yes. And then for Erica to say those words, I forgive the person who shot my. Killed my husband. I've been saying it. That's the word, that's the words heard around the world. That is spoke more than anything anybody could ever say. And that was like the. This is what the essence of. This is the essence of the gospel. This is the essence of what this is all about, is only the spirit of God can do that through her. That's not man made. That's not a human can't do that in their strength. Right. And to be a part of it is honestly, you know, talking from worship leaders to worship leaders. I. You walk into things, you're like, I don't know how this is going to go, but all I know is I got to represent. I need to point people to Jesus. And that's what we do. Right? That's what the place that God's given us to do as leaders. And you take whatever moments come and walk into them. And it was so. I was just so honored.
- [05:43]
A
Yeah, I love your reflection on that. I think we talk about this in the break room this morning with a couple of my friends, and I think there's times as worship leaders where you're asked to lead worship in different environments and you're not always sure of the approach or the tone or how to posture yourself for leading. But just that idea of, well, it's scriptural, isn't it? Like, when I'm high and lifted up, I'll draw all men onto myself. And that promise is almost like the essence of exactly how you led that moment yesterday. Are you sensing something really pivotal happening at the moment in the nation through events like this and for moments?
- [06:18]
B
Yeah, I am. I really haven't. We did the con. We've been doing concerts this past week. We started our tour and everybody is so different.
- [06:26]
A
Right.
- [06:27]
B
I mean, I just felt so, like, I think it's. Obviously, it's very raw in the nation right now, but it's. People are just, I feel like, so wanting to connect with God in such a more powerful way and in such a more real way. I just feel that. Just sense it as leading. So there is a. There's a shift, there's an awakening, and we. There's so many that are, you know, listening to this, that have been praying for that for so long. There's so many pastors out there, so many Men and women of faith who've been on their knees praying for awakening in our nation around the world. And it just felt like a spark, man. It felt like a shift. It felt like this is. These are days of boldness. That boldness just come. That's just happened. Like, what is this? And that was a brief story, quickly. Just the day before, the night before, you know, I was on tours in Richmond, Virginia.
- [07:17]
A
Okay.
- [07:18]
B
And I got an Uber. And I'm pretty normal Uber guy. I don't talk. I don't talk. I just get in the back, take me, take me where I'm going. And the guy just starts talking to me, you know, and he starts telling me a story. And I could tell. He just, you know, tell. He's a bit. Maybe he had a rougher life, you know, just felt that. And he just said how he'd done a lot of service, military, been military, and was ex military now, retired and out of it and been in a lot of battle things like that. And I was. We just talking a bit, and then he got to the question, what do you do? And I said, well, I'm a singer and what kind of music? And so, you know, I was like. I said, this is what I sing about. And he looked. Turned around, looked at me, and he's like, man, I'm getting baptized this Sunday. And I was like, really? It's not what I thought was coming, you know, I said, really? It's awesome. I said, man, so good. And the next thing I was mouth, he goes, yeah, man, that. What happened to Charlie really woke me up. Oh, my goodness. And of course, I said, hey, I'm going to play at this. I had any connection to that. And it was just. Just going around, you know, it's just. It was one of those moments. It was really amazing timing for me, getting on a plane that was going to fly through the middle of the night to do this memorial, you know, And I just talked to just a guy on Uber who had just given his life to Christ because I was like, okay, you know, God's working in people's lives.
- [08:40]
A
Yeah. And the kindness of God, just to place that person as your Uber driver, just almost as your personal encouragement of, like, this is what we're doing and this is why we're doing. And that's the moment that we're leaning into. Amazing. Amazing. Well, Chris, I want to congratulate you on the new album, the King is Still the King. It feels like such a timely message, even in context of what we're talking about now. This is album number 18 for you.
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B
18.
- [09:04]
A
18. Amazing. How does this album feel? Do you get tired once you get to album number 18? How do you find the freshness in this? And what does this one mean that other albums haven't meant to you?
- [09:15]
B
It feels so fresh.
- [09:16]
A
Okay.
- [09:17]
B
It feels so fresh. I can't believe it. You know, I think it's the longest I've gone. First of all, it's the longest I've ever gone a stretch without putting out new music. And I think, fortunately, because God allowed me to have a song like Holy Forever, where he just can't. I can't put in anything else because no one cares. It's like, you know, some of. Wait, it's been three. It's been three years since we released Holy Forever. It's like, okay, so I've been working on this new music. I've been writing songs, and I felt just a real fresh approach at this. I wanted, you know, there's. It's so intentional. Everything's intentional. And then this song that kind of became the anchor of the record, which is called still the King, that has this line in the song that just says, for the blood is still the blood, and the king is still the king. And I thought, that's the whole story, man. That is. That's it. And so when you look at the. So everything is kind of wrapped around. That's kind of the anchor of the album and building the album around that line. The blood is still the blood, and the king is still the king. Even the. Oh, if you look at the COVID of the record, it's not too. The background is the kind of a montage of the world. It's of the landscapes of the world. It's the ocean. I thought, well, I'd like to put together. It was like a montage of the earth and like the ocean, the mountains, the forest, the trees, the highlands, all these beautiful river and the desert and smash it all together. And then I had this idea of this crown. I've never seen this before, but I thought, I'd love to have the crown of thorns wrapped around the crown of King of Kings. And I thought, that's. The blood is still the blood, and the king is still the king. And what if we don't put the king is still the king on the album cover? Just that. Just that crown that says that. And when Jesus is on this earth, right? Jesus really wore two crowns. He wore a crown of thorns of mockery, of shame, of the shedding of blood. The reason we have forgiveness, the Reason that we have any hope in this world because what Jesus did on the cross, which is, I always say the centrality of worship is the cross. We can never go too far in our worship sets without bringing people to the cross. This is. It's always the essence of it all. And then. And yet today he wears the crown of King of kings, right? And so I wanted those. Those crowns to be kind of represented together and that kind of telling the whole story of the gospel. And so there's so much intention in this record and so I could. I mean, I have stories of every song, but just from the start of it to how. From how good it is opening with the psalms, just a song of the psalms, just singing those. Psalm 92. How good it is to praise the name of the lord in Psalm 113. From the rising of the sun to the setting of the same. The name of the Lord shall be praised. All those beautiful psalms that call to praise. To ending the album with this is my Father's world and saying the very last thing we're saying is he reigns, he reigns forever on the throne he reigns, he reigns. This is my Father's world. That's the king is still the king, right? Every moment is intentional from this album's got songs that are titled with emojis to. With these musical pieces that are connecting the dots of the music throughout the record that were very intentional how this marries into this next song. And so I know people don't listen to records start to finish, but if they do, it's intentional in that way. And so those kind of things made it just. I just can't. It gave me a fresh approach, gave me like an excitement about, okay, you know what? I feel like you can get to record 18. You're like, I think I've written everything I can write, you know, and like I say it or. But then God gives you fresh wind and new songs and new ways of saying it. And so I'm very excited for people to discover this because there's so many different. Little different ideas of songs in there.
- [13:08]
A
It really is. I think that's a unique skill of worship leaders and songwriters that can put together an album that takes you on a whole journey. And yes, you're right. People listen to individual songs and will grab. Especially like worship readers who are going to grab resources. But there is something powerful and special about listening to the journey of an album and following it through the way that that art was created. And I think this is one of the albums that do that so well. That you need to experience it that way as well.
- [13:35]
B
Yeah. Thank you. You know, and there's so many songs on there that I've always said, and I love that the people we're talking to today are my people. Right. This is like, this is what it's about for me. But it's always been about trying to write songs that are really simple for the church to sing. Like, I want to find those songs that you can just easily, quickly grab onto. I think about Jesus Saves, that song has been. Bro, you talking about surprise. You know, you get out there this last week and you got there and you think you can know the songs that are going to resonate. And then you play a song and you're like, oh, my gosh, Jesus Saves has been the one. I thought. And honestly, it's between us talking and everybody else who's listening, I guess. But I'm like, I thought, that's a good song. I like it. It's a nice song. There's parts of it I really like. You know, it's not change the World. And then I get out there and I'm like, I think this may change the world. I sing it and people just. When we get to that. He did what I could not do where there was. Yeah, they just. They start shouting it down. I'm like, no one has heard this song. Not anybody in this place has heard it.
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A
Right.
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B
And yet they're just shouting it down. I'm like, okay, what is happening? And you get those moments and simple like that. You know, he has done great things. That song is just Psalm 103. And I just thought, I want always one of those songs where I just grab a guitar and I don't need a band and I don't need a production and I just need a guitar or a piano and I can just sing this in my congregation. Always look for those songs. Yeah, that's one of those to me on this record. And yeah, so, so many. We can get into so many of the different ones, but a lot of special moments.
- [15:06]
A
So let me ask you this before we get into some of the. The unique songs and the stories or journeys behind them. I love that imagery. And you talk about God's creation, mountains, oceans, highlands. And I read this line from you. In looking at the album, you said, sometimes we over complicate things with pedals, plugins, and. And all the gear. And most of us listening to this love all the gear. We love the plugins, we love all the puzzles. And then you said, but for this one, I went Back to the beginning. And I used the sounds that God made. Wind, rain, thunder, waves, birds. Tell me about the intentionality of that. And tell me about. Is there any irony in the way that you then use technology to record and create those moments? I want to get into.
- [15:43]
B
You got to have a lot of the great gear to get that out.
- [15:45]
A
Yeah, right. Yeah.
- [15:47]
B
But people know what I'm saying. Sometimes it's just. Yeah. I just had this thought, especially with My Father's World, and I was thinking about that. I love that.
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A
Yeah.
- [15:54]
B
And I was thinking about that lyric. It really just moved me. It's the very most moving song on the record for me. And as I ended the album with this song for a reason. It's one of the great hymns of our faith. Right. And when you read those lyrics, especially as a songwriter, you're like, oh, gosh, I don't need to be writing songs. That is a song. I mean, just the way it's so beautifully written of the. Speaking of my father's world. And so I thought, what if we create some music that really speaks to that and what is my father's role? What does it sound like? So we just went in there over and over and edits and after edits and trying to figure out, how does this mash together, Putting the thunder and the rain and the wind. And you want. I wanted to hear. I wanted to hear little birds every once in a while. And just like, what, you know, people go, what is it? Was that a bird? I think that was a bird. And like, maybe just a gentle ocean, Not a big wave, but just like a general ocean wave rolling in. It kind of comes across the music sometimes, you know, just like. Oh. And people may not even notice it, but it's in there, you know? And just like that, this is my father's world. This is a world that God made. This is what the guy who wrote to him, this Presbyterian minister In the late 1800s, he would say this. He would go on walks, and he would take a walk, and he would tell his wife, hey, honey, I'm going out for a walk, and I'm going to see my father's world. Wow. And he would write in his journal what he would think when he'd go on these walks. And after he died, she found this journal. And it was 16 verses of this hymn that we sing today. We only sing four or five verses, but it had 16 verses of things like that he wrote, like, this is my father's world. And to my listening ear, all music sings and all nature Sings and round me rings the music of the spheres. Where do you think Coldplay got. The Music of the Sphere is titled? From this hymn, this is my father's World. You know, it's like he's just speaking to man. God's creation, you know, and that I think, like most people, I'm really moved, personally. My own relationship with God when I'm in is when I'm really detached from the technology of this world and moved into the reality of this world of G. Of what God has made. And that's what I was kind of saying in some of that.
- [18:09]
A
And again, it's one of those songs that you and your team have crafted that if you. There's listening to music and there's listening to music, right? There's the kind of laying down, eyes closed, fully engaged in listening to music. But it so surrounding. It's so all encapsulating. You get drawn and you feel like you're right in the middle of the music and the song, that you experience it as much as you listen to it. How did you. How did you pull that off? How did you do that?
- [18:33]
B
Speaking of tech. Speaking of tech geeks out there, speaking of going back to text and pedals, if you love Atmos, okay, And you listen to Atmos, we do it an extreme mix for this, for Atmos, which will be coming out later. Like, for that one, My Father's World, there's Atmos mixes that people, like, listen to, but then there's. We did, like, an extreme one where you feel like it is. It's raining on top of your head. Wow, the wind is coming behind you. All the things I wanted people to, like, experience that. And so, yeah, we just kind of went after it and just. Just like. Even the normal mix you hear when you're streaming it, it's like, it's. It's beautiful and it captures you in. But, yeah, I think the lyric moves you so much and gives you such a picture. You know, when we talk about songwriting, you're trying to help people see, really more than they sing. I always say the more people see, the more they sing. Right? The more you can help people see it.
- [19:23]
A
Yeah.
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B
And that lyric, you just see it. I mean, it just so beautifully written that, like, your heart, your mind, you're open to seeing the glory of God. And I think that's what probably moves you more than the music. You know, the lyric is so written so beautifully. And I can say that because I didn't write a word of it, except. Except. Except the little refrain he Reigns, you know, And I'll just say it, too. It's fun to say on this interview. You know, I get that all the time on. On hymns. You know, most of my records, I've put a hymn on there. I've always had this little thing of. From the wonderful cross to Amazing Grace to other things, just. I don't know, just adding this little refrain to it. And I've gotten lots of hate mail over it in. In my life, but it's just something I've loved. And so with my father's world, I was just thinking of that, and I was right. And I was sharing that with my buddies, Reuben Morgan, which a lot of people will know, and. And Ben Fielding.
- [20:14]
A
Yeah.
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B
And Jason Ingram. We were writing some songs. We're writing other songs. And I just brought that idea. I was like, you know, this hymn, and we just started just worshiping God, just singing that he reigns. He reigns for everyone to throw it. And, like, that's. That's why. That's what. That's why the record ends that way.
- [20:29]
A
I think that's been a hallmark of your contribution to the church as well, Chris. It's not just been a writer of great songs, but a carrier of great songs. And I think you've exposed songs that maybe people wouldn't have heard or wouldn't have encountered if you hadn't have leveraged your platform to carry songs. And I think there's obviously. There's obviously something there where you've been able to champion other songwriters and other songs. When you hear something, you go, that's special and that deserves traveling more, and you've been able to do that. Tell me about that a little bit.
- [20:57]
B
Yeah. Thank you for saying that, man. Because, I mean, every record I have tried to put a song on there that I have really nothing to do with songwriting. I love writing songs, but I'm always. There's always these songs that kind of find me. I was. I'm not really looking for it, but I'm like, okay, this is okay. I'll give a few examples. I'm playing in. In Ireland and playing to O2 in Belfast way back in the day. You know, I talk about those early days, and this band is opening up for me, the name Blue Tree. And I'm like, that's a funny name. You know, I just, like, I don't know and I don't know. And they're opening. They're open the night, and they start singing this. You're the God of this city. And all I can think is what Is this. And I know we're going on a world tour with passion coming up. And I'm thinking, I want to sing this in every city. I don't know what this song is, you know? And I ran to mouthed them backstage, grabbed them backstage, like, whatever song that was. Can you send me a demo of that? Because I want to sing this wherever we're going, around this world. My wife sends me a text one day on my own tour, and she's like, chris, you need to hear this song. My wife's never sent me a song ever. She sent me one song in her life. She sent me a text, and she goes, you need to hear this song. I think it'll mean a lot to you. And I was like, okay. I get home, and we. And she said, did you listen to that song? And I sent you. I was like, no, babe, I forgot. I totally forgot. She goes, well, you. Let's do it right now. And she plays it, and it's good. Good father. And it's. It's Pat Barrett singing this nice little demo of it. And she goes, yeah. So this bible study. And somebody played it. And I was like, what is that? And they. And she goes, I wanted to send this to you. And I called Pat immediately, because I didn't know. I was just listening to demo. I didn't know he was singing it. I found out was Pat. I called. It was like, bro, what is this song? Yeah, this is going to help people all over the world. And then I was singing it to my girls every night, and then I thought, I want to record this. I want people to hear this. I wanted. And I called Paz, like, can I record this song? He goes, man, I goes, the timing of this is crazy, because I would love for you to record this. And as like, every. Every record I can go down the line, Indescribable was a song. I did not write that.
- [22:55]
A
Yeah.
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B
Which they. A friend of mine said, listen to this. And I was like, oh, my goodness, is there people I want to. And so on this record, still the king is the song I did not write. And I heard it.
- [23:07]
A
Yep.
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B
From this church, Seven hills.
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A
Okay.
- [23:09]
B
Leading. They're playing a lot of new songs. And they sing for the blood is still the blood and the king is still the king. And I'm, like, knocked out. And I'm like, if that knocks me out, that's going to knock other people out. You know, if I feel it that way. And I've never heard this song. And it just hits me like a lightning bolt. I'M like, I'm. I'm. And so I went to those guys and I was like, hey, that song's special. Working on a new record. Could I think about recording that this kind of be that song for me that comes from a different place. And so. And every one of those I've recorded, I've always thought it means so much to me. If no one else gets it, that's fine. But it really, really hits me my heart in such a special way. And then with the hymns, have always tried to find. Bring those hymns. Hymns have always been important to me. I grew up on the hymns and I've always wanted that to be something that's in my music. And so always finding a hymn that I can put out with people that can put that forward again for people who. Especially younger generation who might listen to my father's world and think, wow, Chris is a great songwriter. You know, I didn't know he could write lyrics like that. Well, I can't. I can't. And so trying to find songs that are like, whoa, you know, and. And yeah, bring them to. Bring them to. Again to maybe people who are listening to me or bring it into bringing into worship music, you know, new. Maybe new to the church. And like, wow, what are these songs, right. That are so rich? We have such an incredible. What other other genre of music has this kind of history of music? Nobody. Right. We're talking. This is too. I mean, there's a song on this record called the first hymn. It goes back to the 200, 1800 years ago. It's the earliest known hymn with. With musical notation. It's the earliest known song ever found in the church. It's in a vault in Oxford. It's scrap of paper. This theologian came and historian came and said to me and Ben Fielding, would you help me resurrect this song? It's the earliest known song of the church outside of the psalms, and it predates the doxology. And we have that kind of history of songs in our faith. And to think that we're singing a song on this album that 1800 years ago, some band of believers, and obviously they sang a different melody. The melody was really strange to our ears, but singing the same words, wow. I mean, that's. That's an incredible thing that we have in our faith. Right.
- [25:39]
A
I was having this conversation with someone the other day, and I can't remember who, so I won't credit it correctly, but that they have noticed as they tour and as they lead worship that there's a Hunger for new songs. But there's a real yearning for familiar and for old and for digging back into the richness of. And whether it's those songs of marked moments in people's life that there's a connection to them or whether it's. There was something in the returning to those songs. And they were saying that a lot of their set lists at the moment are this flip flopping between something brand new and something that is treasured and familiar. Are you noticing that as you go?
- [26:14]
B
Oh my goodness, yes. And that's what anchors people, right? I've always tried to do that. I've always been mindful of that. I feel like that's something when I lead and I put together a night of worship, when I put together set for church. I've always trying to anchor in something that the whole place is like, okay, this is, this is. We can anchor here and introduce some new things but always bring big. Because what we get to put before people is what they know of God and what they learn of God. And it's important, it's responsibility that we're putting the songs before people that obviously are so rich in helping people understand who God is and teach people the whole story. But what incredible responsibility. And I think that's. I think it's right on. And it's amazing I've been even going back in my. This is not that old. But like on my. On this record I put you are my king. Amazing love. You're my king. Yeah, I mean the record is called the King is still the King. Right. And I thought I'm going to dig back to OG in my world. And it was one of the first songs I started leading when I was in. Just in college and a buddy of mine had written that song then in Texas. And this is a. Came out of. You know, it came out of Texas and we were doing these little youth camps and things like that. And it's a simple little song. And I was leading it. I started leading it Passion when passion was early days. And I thought I want to go back to that song. Because one night I walked on stage in the encore and I don't know, I just felt like I wanted to sing it. And I said I don't know if anybody remembers this, but I'm going to. And I started I'm forgiven. But I mean it was a whole nother level. There were no words on the screen. There was no. And then people just started singing Amazing love. How can it be? And it was a moment and I thought, okay, this is touching something. This is touching something deep in people. And this song still stands up. And this is. Obviously, this is not one of the old hymns, but it's now. I mean, this is. You know, for a lot of people, this is way before they were born that are listening to this. You're my king, you know, Amazing love. And so reaching back into that is really powerful.
- [28:18]
A
I think there's songs that have been written that bookmark significant chapters in people's lives. And even as you say that, I can think back to the time in my life when I was grabbing onto that song and using that song. And there's a sense of kind of thankfulness and nostalgia, but also just the story of God's faithfulness as you look back over your life. And songs can do that and can bookmark. And you can remember moments where that was just like an anchor for you, appointing your faithfulness.
- [28:47]
B
Think about shouts of the Lord, what that did around the earth, right? It's a marking moment, right, of like, in the church. And you go back and play that song now, and it feels almost brand new, you know, and it's. And because it's not because people know it, but yet it's been. It's not sung as much. And then when you sing, it's like, yeah, whoa. You know? You know.
- [29:09]
A
Yeah, yeah. And that's. That's another one I've seen cropping up in a few places recently, which has been amazing. Chris, I want to be really respectful of your time. I know you've had a busy weekend. I want to ask you two more questions, if that's okay. You mentioned this in your description, but I'm fascinated by the use of emojis as album titles because that causes a tech company bit of headaches. And how do we catalog that and where do we put that on our website? Tell me about the use of emojis.
- [29:30]
B
And it's hard to say. Electric, play the crown emoji. Yeah, it caused them. It's caused some problems, but, you know, I thought it was musical pieces, basically. And I had these musical pieces that we've always loved to make in the studio, but I've never really put them on a record. I made an album called the Maker and the instrument that just. That was just all instrumental. But I've never really made in. In the album these little pieces of music. And one is like, my piano player. He's so good, and backstage, he's just playing one day, just something on the piano, and I'm like, what is. I just grabbed my phone and hit record and put it on his piano. And I'm like, what is this? He goes, I don't know. Just playing. And it was like. It was like heaven. And I was like, and that's. That's one of the emojis. And so I thought, well, so I thought, what do I title this? And I thought, well, Selah, you know, maybe that's what people would expect from the Psalms. Or maybe I call it Zamar, which is the Hebrew word for instrumental praise. I thought, oh, that's interesting, these instrumental pieces. But then I thought, I don't know, just had this thought. I was like, the crown, a crown. I'd like to make it a crown. The king is still the king. Everything's this crown. Can I put crowns as these musical pieces? And they're like. So I went to my team. They're like, that's a cool idea. But you can't just put a crown, because if you just put a crown, it doesn't know which crown to play. You know, the computer, the algorithms. If you just say, you know. And so if you just hit crown, which one is it going to play? Then I was like, oh, yeah, that's true. Then I got to put a crown in a. So put a crown in a bird. A crown and a cross. A crown and a. You know, a crown and praise hands. Something that, like, would just, like, distinguish each. Each one. But, yeah, they're just like musical pieces that kind of connect the songs. Yeah.
- [31:04]
A
And it. It just throws back to the whole imagery. I think you said that at the top, like the imagery in the album. Imagery from the album title. Yeah, in the album cover and then even in the titles there. But you've got this kind of, like, creation, digital creation, modern, kind of just juxtaposition between the two is fantastic.
- [31:20]
B
Thank you, buddy.
- [31:21]
A
So much fun. I'm going to ask you one more question to end our time, and I want to take us back to where we started the conversation, if that's okay. So the listeners of this podcast are worship leaders around the world that are the faithful guys and girls that are getting up every Sunday morning, leading their communities. They're listening to resources like this and taking songs and taking tools to do their job with excellence. And we have a mission here at Multitracks that we create resources so that people can focus on what really matters. So in the current climate, in all that you've experienced on tour with the memorial that you're part of yesterday, what's your encouragement to worship leaders as they lead their communities right now, in this unique period of history, and what's your encouragement and your prayer for those guys and girls?
- [32:06]
B
I'm so encouraged, you know, be encouraged. This is our moment. This is our moment. God is waking up people, and people are hungry. People are hungry. I'm talking to, like, you heard me earlier. I'm talking to Uber drivers who are. I would never dream. Are just hungry for God. They're waking. He. I remember. He's like, it just woke me up. They're. They're awakened to, like, whoa. This moment where you have parents, right, that. It's like when you tell your kids something and they never listen. Then somebody else comes and tells them, you know, and they go, oh, yeah, yeah. And he's like, I've been telling you of that for years. This is our leader of worship. This is our worship leader moment of that, right? We've been saying this for years now. People are like, oh, I'm listening. Okay. This is what we've been saying. So walk into that and just know that people are looking to connect, longing to connect. This is stirred in people's soul, a rawness, a sorrow, and also a renewed hope and a renewed boldness. And people. A lot of people are walking in with questions. A lot of people are walking in for the first time, too. And those people are walking in the first town because they're stirred by what is happening. So just be bold and proclaim this. God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name above every name. Proclaim that. Keep proclaiming, people. There is a higher name. That's what I would encourage people with.
- [33:19]
A
Chris, thank you so much for your time today. Huge honor for me to get to talk to you. You've had a lasting impact on many people's lives, mine included, both through your model of worship leading and the songs that you've written and being in the room sometimes when you've led worship but from a distance. Just felt like you've been a key part of my spiritual formation. So it's been a huge honor for me to get to meet you and talk to you. Thank you.
- [33:41]
B
Thank you. And thank you for having the time with you and taking this much time to talk about the music. It means so much to me, and I just want to encourage all the. And say to all the worship leaders, you know, out there that I'm cheering you on. This. I'm part of your team. We're all part of the team together. This is my community. This is. It's always been like for me to lead, need people to worship God and just grateful for everybody.
- [34:05]
A
Thank you so much, Chris. God bless. Thank you so much.