Podcast
Song Revolution with John Chisum
Hosted by Nashville Christian Songwriters · EN
The Song Revolution Podcast exists to empower you through valuable songwriting insights, inspiration, and interviews with some of the greatest songwriters, producers, arrangers, artists, and creatives in the industry and beyond. Find out more at nashvillechristiansongwriters.com
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Episodes
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SHAYLEE SIMEONE: Honest Jesus Music
Mar 1600:55:18Tap to summarizeSong Revolution Podcast – Season 4 TITLE: SHAYLEE SIMEONE: Honest Jesus Music HOSTS: John Chisum EPISODE SUMMARY In this episode of Song Revolution, John welcomes singer, songwriter, and storyteller Shaylee Simeone for an honest and heartfelt conversation about identity, calling, and the long road of obedience in a creative life. Shaylee shares her journey from early musical influences and family harmony to stepping out on her own as an artist and songwriter. The conversation explores the tension between ambition and surrender, the process of refining your voice over time, and the importance of writing songs that reflect real life rather than performance. Shaylee opens up about seasons of waiting, redefining success, and learning to trust God with both the platform and the process. This episode is a powerful reminder that longevity in songwriting is built on faithfulness, authenticity, and the courage to tell the truth. EPISODE TOPICS Growing up in a musical family and early creative development Discovering personal identity apart from performance The tension between ambition and obedience Navigating seasons of waiting and transition Moving to Nashville and stepping into the songwriting community Writing from real life rather than image Redefining success as faithfulness The importance of vulnerability in songwriting Trusting God with timing, platform, and opportunity KEY HIGHLIGHTS Shaylee reflects on how her early experiences in music shaped both her confidence and her insecurities. A thoughtful discussion on separating identity from achievement. Insight into the discipline of continuing to write even when outcomes feel uncertain. Honest moments about comparison and the pressure to measure up. Encouragement to write songs that are rooted in lived experience rather than trend. A clear reminder that calling is often confirmed through quiet obedience rather than immediate visibility. FINAL TAKEAWAY Sustainable songwriting is not built on hype or momentum—it is built on faithfulness. Shaylee Simeone's story reminds us that when we anchor our identity in who we are rather than what we achieve, we gain the freedom to create from a place of honesty and peace. The songs that endure are the ones shaped by patience, trust, and a willingness to let God define the outcome. RESOURCES & LINKS: Check out Shaylee Simeone https://www.shayleesimeone.com/ Check out Nashville Christian Songwriters! NashvilleChristianSongwriters.com FREE DOWNLOAD - The Complete NCS Songwriting Guide: Proven Principles for writing better songs, stewarding your gifts, and building a lasting life of Christian songwriting. https://courses.nashvillechristiansongwriters.com/guide Join the NCS ONE SONG CHALLENGE! https://courses.nashvillechristiansongwriters.com/one-song-challenge Be a part of our community of songwriters from across the globe. Join NCS Community! https://www.nashvillechristiansongwriters.com/ncs-community Real people writing real songs - check out NCS Collective https://www.nashvillechristiansongwriters.com/ncs-collective/
Transcribe →AMANDA JANSON: Sinner To Saint
Mar 900:27:54Tap to summarizeSong Revolution Podcast – Season 4 TITLE: AMANDA JANSON: Sinner To Saint HOSTS: John Chisum EPISODE SUMMARY In this powerful episode of Song Revolution, John sits down with worship artist and songwriter Amanda Janson for an honest and deeply vulnerable conversation about faith, calling, trauma, and songwriting as testimony. Amanda shares her journey from a Broadway-bound upbringing and a complicated spiritual background to encountering Christ in adulthood and eventually stepping into a life of worship and songwriting. The conversation traces Amanda's move to Nashville, her growth as a co-writer, and the intense personal battles that shaped her latest album, Sinner To Saint. With courage and clarity, Amanda opens up about depression, shame, suicidal thoughts, and the turning points that led her to deeper surrender and healing. This episode is a profound reminder that songwriting can become a sacred place where pain, honesty, and faith meet—and where God brings redemption. EPISODE TOPICS Growing up with mixed religious backgrounds and no church foundation Encountering Christ later in life and the early days of faith Walking away from a Broadway career and discovering new purpose Moving to Nashville by faith and trusting God's timing Learning to co-write and build genuine community in songwriting rooms Navigating ambition, industry pressure, and comparison Trauma, depression, and confronting shame as a believer Suicidal thoughts and the journey toward healing and surrender Writing songs rooted in testimony and vulnerability The heart and message behind the album Sinner To Saint Songwriting as a tool for honesty, healing, and worship KEY HIGHLIGHTS Amanda shares her unexpected salvation story and the early curiosity that led her to faith. A candid discussion about chasing success versus pursuing God's presence. Insight into the emotional toll of industry pressure and unmet expectations. Amanda's description of a profound moment of surrender that marked a turning point in her life and faith. The story behind the song "Where the Warfare Ends" and how it was born from a moment of deep despair and divine truth. Reflections on the freedom that comes from releasing shame and embracing identity as a child of God. Encouragement for artists to tell the truth in their songs and create space for others to heal through honesty. FINAL TAKEAWAY True songwriting begins when we stop hiding. Amanda Janson's story reminds us that faith does not remove struggle, but it does invite healing, redemption, and hope into our darkest moments. When songwriters choose honesty over image and surrender over striving, their songs become more than music—they become ministry. God meets us in our broken places, and when we write from there, our stories can help others find light in their own darkness. Resources & Links: Check out Amanda Janson https://www.amandajansonmusic.com/ Check out Nashville Christian Songwriters! NashvilleChristianSongwriters.com FREE DOWNLOAD - The Complete NCS Songwriting Guide: Proven Principles for writing better songs, stewarding your gifts, and building a lasting life of Christian songwriting. https://courses.nashvillechristiansongwriters.com/guide Join the NCS ONE SONG CHALLENGE! https://courses.nashvillechristiansongwriters.com/one-song-challenge Be a part of NCS Community! https://www.nashvillechristiansongwriters.com/ncs-community NCS Collective: Check out the songwriters and artists in our collective! https://www.nashvillechristiansongwriters.com/ncs-collective/
Transcribe →JOHN CHISUM: Can AI Write Christian Music?
Mar 200:25:58Tap to summarizeSong Revolution Podcast – Season 4 TITLE: JOHN CHISUM: Can AI Write Christian Music? HOSTS: John Chisum EPISODE SUMMARY In this thought-provoking episode of Song Revolution, John Chisum tackles one of the most pressing issues facing today's music creators: artificial intelligence in songwriting. Fresh off multiple interviews at the National Religious Broadcasters (NRB) convention, where AI was the dominant topic of conversation, John unpacks the realities, risks, and responsibilities surrounding AI-generated music. From deep fakes and copyright confusion to spiritual discernment and creative integrity, this episode dives deep into what AI means for Christian songwriters. John makes a clear and passionate case: AI may be a powerful tool, but it can never replace the calling, humanity, and spiritual formation of a real songwriter. This conversation challenges creators not to take the easy way out, but to steward their gifts faithfully in a rapidly shifting technological landscape. EPISODE TOPICS The rise of AI-generated music Experiences at NRB and industry-wide AI discussions Rights, revenue, and reputation concerns in publishing AI "scraping" artist catalogs and copyright implications Spotify removing millions of AI-generated tracks Deep fakes and reputational harm Theological and spiritual questions about AI worship songs When AI can be a helpful tool versus a creative shortcut Why real songwriters still matter Growing as a communicator instead of outsourcing creativity KEY HIGHLIGHTS AI Is Here to Stay John acknowledges that AI technology will only improve. Like the digital shift of the late 20th century, we are in a major cultural and creative transition. The key question is not whether AI exists—but how we respond to it. Rights, Revenue, and Reputation AI-generated songs often "scrape" existing catalogs to mimic an artist's style, raising serious concerns about intellectual property and theft. Who owns these songs? Who gets paid? And what happens when an artist's name or likeness is misused through deep fakes? Humanity Cannot Be Scraped While AI can generate polished production and flawless vocals, John argues that it lacks pathos, testimony, and authentic spiritual experience. A great song carries one clear idea rooted in real human emotion. Production may impress, but stripped down to piano or guitar, the song must stand on its own. Prompt Writing vs. Songwriting If a creator inputs only a prompt and receives a finished song, John draws a firm line: that is not songwriting. True songwriting involves crafting lyrics, shaping melody, wrestling with structure, and allowing personal testimony to flow into the work. Appropriate Use of AI John is not anti-technology. Using AI to generate a demo of a fully written lyric and melody can be a legitimate tool. The issue is not assistance—it is substitution. Spiritual Discernment in the AI Era Can God use AI-generated lyrics if they contain truth? Possibly. Truth is truth. But Christian communicators are called to more than efficiency—they are called to communion with God. Songwriting is not just output; it is formation. Don't Shortchange the Process The labor of crafting lyrics and melodies over time shapes the songwriter. Taking creative shortcuts may produce sound, but it does not produce growth. FINAL TAKEAWAY Technology may accelerate production, but it cannot replace calling. AI can be a tool—but it must never become a substitute for the Spirit-led, deeply human process of writing songs. God called you to be a songwriter not simply to produce music, but to spend time with Him, to grow, and to communicate truth from your own heart. Do not shortchange yourself. Do not surrender your voice. Steward your gift, embrace the discipline, and create as a real human being empowered by the Spirit of God. RESOURCES & LINKS: Link to the John Piper ChatGPT clip John mentioned in the episode. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CIMZH7DEPPQ Check out Nashville Christian Songwriters! NashvilleChristianSongwriters.com FREE DOWNLOAD - The Complete NCS Songwriting Guide: Proven Principles for writing better songs, stewarding your gifts, and building a lasting life of Christian songwriting. https://courses.nashvillechristiansongwriters.com/guide Join the NCS ONE SONG CHALLENGE! https://courses.nashvillechristiansongwriters.com/one-song-challenge Be a part of our community of songwriters from across the globe. Join NCS Community! https://www.nashvillechristiansongwriters.com/ncs-community Real people writing real songs - check out NCS Collective https://www.nashvillechristiansongwriters.com/ncs-collective/
Transcribe →JACKSON DREYER: Letting Life Shape The Song
Feb 2300:37:12Tap to summarizeSong Revolution Podcast – Season 4 TITLE: JACKSON DREYER: Letting Life Shape The Song HOSTS: John Chisum EPISODE SUMMARY In this episode of Song Revolution, John sits down with singer-songwriter Jackson Dreyer for an honest and wide-ranging conversation about creativity, discipline, and finding your voice as a songwriter. From growing up outside Chicago to planting roots in East Nashville, Jackson shares how movement, architecture, relationships, and everyday life experiences shape his songwriting process. The conversation explores how stepping away from constant noise creates space for emotional clarity, lyrical depth, and authentic expression. This episode is a thoughtful look at how songwriters can stay inspired, grounded, and creatively alive while navigating both personal growth and artistic ambition. EPISODE TOPICS The connection between physical movement and creative clarity How running and solitude spark songwriting ideas Growing up near Chicago and the influence of architecture and place Finding inspiration in cities, communities, and everyday surroundings Living and writing in East Nashville as a songwriter Turning real emotions into honest lyrics Avoiding creative overload and reclaiming mental space Letting life experiences shape better songs KEY HIGHLIGHTS Jackson shares how running helps him reconnect with his thoughts and emotions, often leading to new song ideas. A discussion on how silence and mental margin are essential for meaningful songwriting. Reflections on how cities like Chicago and Nashville influence creativity, identity, and artistic perspective. Insight into how architecture and visual beauty can fuel musical inspiration. Honest thoughts on balancing productivity with presence as a modern songwriter. Encouragement to embrace real life—relationships, movement, environment—as songwriting fuel. FINAL TAKEAWAY Great songs don't come from constant noise—they come from paying attention. By creating space to think, feel, and live fully, songwriters can tap into deeper honesty and write from a more authentic place. Creativity thrives when we slow down, observe our surroundings, and allow life itself to shape the songs we write. Resources & Links: Check out Jackson Dreyer https://www.jacksondreyer.com/ Check out Nashville Christian Songwriters! NashvilleChristianSongwriters.com FREE DOWNLOAD - The Complete NCS Songwriting Guide: Proven Principles for writing better songs, stewarding your gifts, and building a lasting life of Christian songwriting. https://courses.nashvillechristiansongwriters.com/guide Join the NCS ONE SONG CHALLENGE! https://courses.nashvillechristiansongwriters.com/one-song-challenge Be a part of NCS Community! https://www.nashvillechristiansongwriters.com/ncs-community NCS Collective: Check out the songwriters and artists in our collective! https://www.nashvillechristiansongwriters.com/ncs-collective/
Transcribe →JONATHAN BROWN: Integrity Music President on Global Worship
Jul 14, 2018Tap to summarize"It can be beautiful music, but without the presence of God, there's no distinction" In this week's episode, Chisum sits down with Jonathan Brown, President of Integrity Music at their offices in the Cool Springs area of Franklin, TN. Jonathan Brown, known as "JB," is a 25-year music industry veteran who began his career at Word Records in the U.K. before taking roles with Furious Records and Fierce Distribution where he was part of the teams responsible for building and establishing global platforms for artists like Delirous?. "Releasing the indigenous worship of nations is something that's eternal" JB is a focused, passionate and highly energized marketing creative with a heart to curate and amplify worship songs and artistry. His heart's desire is to facilitate the creation of highways throughout the world on which songs can travel beyond borders and language barriers. JB is leading Integrity Music into the future and God is doing amazing things through his leadership and the people of Integrity Music. "If we want to go deeper into the lyrical content of who God is, there are expressions in other parts of the world that can give more than just one expression coming from where we live" If you're a christian songwriter looking to get your songs heard, Integrity has some amazing resources crafted with you in mind. Check out the new SongShare platform and much more at www.integirtymusic.com and www.weareworship.com. Some topics we talk about in this episode: Introduction // Jonathan Brown - 1:30 Jonathan's Background - 4:05 The Global Sound of Worship - 9:02 Cultural Expressions of Worship across the World - 13:22 The New Vision of Integrity Music - 17:28 How the Vision Will Play Out in Music - 22:42 An Opportunity for Unsigned Songwriters - 26:11 The Balance of Spirit and Commerce - 31:15 What JB is Excited About at Integrity - 32:20 Jonathan's Advice to Aspiring Songwriters - 34:45 Wrap Up - 40:00 How to get involved Join the Successful Christian Songwriters Group on Facebook and continue the discussion! https://www.facebook.com/groups/SuccessfulChristianSongwriters/ Check out all of the resources for you to become the songwriter you were meant to be at www.nashvillechristiansongwriters.com If you liked this episode, be sure to subscribe and leave a quick review on iTunes. It would mean the world to hear your feedback and we'd love for you to help us spread the word!
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