New Tunes

I just added some new songs to THE MYSPACE PAGE. This record is WAY more pop than I’ve done in the past. I’m extremely proud of it but nervous too. I kept it cheap and did most the production, engineering and mixing myself. That leaves me feeling a bit self-conscious about “The Hardest Step to Land.” There’s no one to blame but me! The lyrics on this record are really important to me and I’m stoked to share them with you.

“Known” is a challenge to the way we posture and pretend. It’s a call to shine some light on “all the hurt and shame you carry, all the tears and pain you’ve buried, every broken dream and every doubt.”

“Hands” is a response to some quotes that stunned me. Oswald J Smith said “We talk of the Second Coming; half the world hasn’t heard of the first.” Currently more than 56% of the world’s population has little or no access to the story of Jesus. Crazy! Jim Elliot said “He is no fool who gives up what he can not keep to gain that which he can not lose.” Love is the language the whole world speaks!

“Teach Me How to Pray” is one of my favorites on the new record. As a professional wordsmith, I am so often left wordless when I pray. I think I’m learning how to listen.

“To The Nations” is a rich worship tune I’ve been using for the last few years. My friends, the Espy brothers gave birth to this simple gem a few years back and it remains my anthem. “Send us to the nations, to the broken. Lead us to surrender. We will go.”

So I may rotate out the songs as I get a clearer sense of what you want to hear but I at least have started with a few of my favorites. I’m still aiming to have product at shows by June 2nd. That seems less and less likely with each passing day but I’m still trying! HERE’S THE LINK AGAIN.Enjoy the new tunes and spread the word.

The Hardest Step to Land

Wow, I’m really overwhelmed by how many of you voted for the name of the new record. Actually more than just the votes, the number of well thought out reasons for your vote were the big surprise. So in the end with a vote count of 52% the title of the new record is “The Hardest Step to Land.” I’m aiming to have copies in my hand June 2nd but the actual release date will inevitably have to be later.

ALSO, a blog I’ve written about life on the road has landed on Soul-Audio. You can read it here at SOUL-AUDIO.COM. Spend some time looking around their site and you’ll find a great source for music news and reviews. I have great respect for these guys and what they’re trying to do so show em some Tealy Luv.

We have started mixing songs today and we’re shooting the band sequence for the first video starting at dusk tonight. I’ll try and post some pics from all the fun. The pic to the right is from the studio. Dave and Toby contemplating the deep relevance of the song “Slipping Away.”

Smiles! Four-part smiles!

Making me proud! This video is of my Dad singing with the Music City Chorus. It’s a Barbershop Chorus…traditional four-part stuff but sung by a bunch of guys instead of four…and tuxes instead of vests and straw skimmers. My pop is the tall guy in the middle of the back row. Merry Christmas!

New Songs

We’ve added some new songs to THE MYSPACE SITE. The first two are from the new worship EP called MAKE IT LOUD available soon. The last is Dakota’s Song (the bunny song). It’s a simple Garageband version recorded here at the house. You’ll have to add in your own “hop-hop-hoppin” background vocals.

Summer Worship Sets

Hi everybody. I keep getting requests for links to some of the songs we’ve been using in worship this summer. They aren’t all available on iTunes but I have created an iMix for the ones that are. Just click on the cover art to the left or JUST CLICK HEREand the iMix should open in iTunes. You can purchase whatever songs you’re looking for there. Hope that helps. See ya along the road.

Peace,
James

BTW, this pic was taken by Brian Williams. He’s a great friend and a remarkable photographer. Check out BRIAN’S SITE HERE and his PHOTOGRAPHY BLOG HERE.

A Song for Sichuan

The Nashville CBS affiliate has run a story about my trip to China. You can read the story and watch a clip HERE. I’m certain I will be talking about and singing about this trip for years to come. Their news coverage will give you a taste. The full version of the song they are referencing is on THE MYSPACE PAGE. I wrote it with good friends Belinda Smith and Maurice Carter. Hopefully I can record the Chinese version soon during a break between summer camps.

I’m in West Virginia this week with the students from First Baptist Nashville. Next week I’ll leave for Macedonia and then a couple of weeks in Orlando. Hope to see ya along the road.

Peace,
James

Floating to the Surface

A blog I’ve written just showed up at SOUL AUDIO. I really like these guys and their unique perspective on the intersection of art and faith. CHECK IT OUT HERE. Also, another Tealy cut has surfaced.CLICK HERE to check out the song “Tell Me Again” on iTunes from the new Alvin Slaughter record, Overcomer. I really like this guy and his unique take on the song. Throw your $0.99 down and pick it up. When you’re listening to the song, don’t turn it off too soon. The producer apparently couldn’t get enough of the groove so after the end the rhythm sneaks back in for an extra minute of vibey R&B goodness.

I leave Friday for a few weeks out of the country. If you’re one of the few who really understands that whole “unspoken prayer requests” thing then now would be a great time to say a prayer for me and my friends over the next few weeks. Just watch what the King of the Universe can do!

New Review Lands at Christianity Today

Christianity Today has posted a review of “Redeeming the Days”. “Tealy reveals himself a truly creative talent with this inventive alternative pop EP that’s intelligently crafted both musically and lyrically.” Read the full review HERE.

Dakota’s Song

I’ve finally uploaded Dakota’s Song (the bunny song) to the Myspace site. We’ve made it a limited time download exclusively in the snocap store on the page. That’s the only place on the planet you’ll find a copy. Those of you who have bought bunny shirts along the road in the last few weeks, post a cool picture of you wearing your bunny shirt as a comment on the myspace site and we’ll send you an mp3 of the song for FREE. See ya along the road.

New Video Blog

I’ve posted a new PaperWalls Video Blog from the road. Find it HERE. Enjoy!