Do you remember the Christmas song Do you hear what I hear? My favorite parts are Do you see what I see and Do you hear what I hear !!
Do You Hear What I Hear?
Said the night wind to the little lamb,
do you see what I see
Way up in the sky, little lamb,
do you see what I see
A star, a star, dancing in the night
With a tail as big as a kite
With a tail as big as a kite
Said the little lamb to the shepherd boy,
do you hear what I hear
Ringing through the sky, shepherd boy,
do you hear what I hear
A song, a song, high above the trees
With a voice as big as the sea
With a voice as big as the sea
Said the shepherd boy to the mighty king,
do you know what I know
In your palace warm, mighty king,
do you know what I know
A Child, a Child shivers in the cold
Let us bring Him silver and gold
Let us bring Him silver and gold
Said the king to the people everywhere,
listen to what I say
Pray for peace, people everywhere!
listen to what I say
The Child, the Child, sleeping in the night
He will bring us goodness and light
He will bring us goodness and light
Can you imagine what it must have been like when the wise men and the shepherds were told by an angel about the birth of Jesus Christ? They had not seen Him with their own eyes but they started on a journey based on a dream or vision they had. For all they knew it could have been a disillusion. They chose to take the word they received and start their long journey to find this baby that was born to deliver them.
I can imagine in my mind that as they traveled they would begin to get discouraged and then they would look into the sky and see that North Star that was their guidance. Then they would begin to imagine the sounds of the new baby Jesus and they would get so excited about the dream of a savior coming to lead them and save them.
Just like God spoke to them about their journeys, He wants to show you the path you are to take. Take time over the next few days as we begin to celebrate Christ birth and ask God what His dreams for you are. Then listen and watch for the leading of the Holy Spirit. You will begin to hear His voice like never before. You will SEE His guiding hand in every area of your life. Let Him give you the desires of your heart.
Do you hear what I hear? Do you see what I see? I hear God and I see God!!! I hear Him in you and I see Him in you!!! He has great plans for you. Jer 29:11
I had the honor of meeting a really great man of God and song writer this last week. I have been friends with Randy Finchum on Facebook for awhile but getting to meet him in person just sealed the friendship. God is always doing those divine connections in our lives. I asked Randy if he would be interested in an interview for my blog and he said he would love to.
I hope you all enjoy this interview with Mr. Randy Finchum as much as I have.
Randy is a former Smokin’ Hit Songwriter Winner in Nashville, TN with over twenty cuts to his credit, including a recent cut by country music great Sammy Kershaw. Christian Country Artist Steve Roberson’s cut of Randy’s “Jesus was a Rebel” was nominated for the 2014 AMG Heritage Award for Song of the Year as well as recently spending four weeks as the #1 requested song on 95.5 WTVY’s “Son Country Countdown” and also being the #1 requested song for May and June 2014 on Christian Country Giant HLE Radio. Randy also co-hosts the wildly popular “Commercial Suicide Songwriting Podcast.”
How long have you been writing music?
Randy: Since I was 19 years old! Wrote a song called “Carry Me on Home.” It was about my dog….now if that ain’t country what is? lol
Seriously though, the dog I wrote that song about was in our family from the time I 4 till I was almost 18, and I wrote that song about her about six months after she died. I don’t remember all the words to it, and I know it wasn’t the most well written song I’ve ever done, but I do remember that it made us all cry. It’s making me tear up and smile right know as I think about it; that’s the beauty of music.
Who do you feel has influenced you the most in your music career?
Randy:My late father was my first loyal listener. Oh how I miss that smile on his face. Dad like all kinds of music, and passed that trait along to his boys. Growing up, you name it and we listened to it. I got my first “crush” on country music when I heard Travis Tritt’s “Help Me Hold On” on the radio. After that, I fell in love with country when someone let me borrow their Garth Brooks “Ropin’ the Wind” album, and the next to the last song “In Lonesome Dove” gently gave me my first country kiss. I also love Marty Raybon of Shenandoah. What a voice!
What was the first song you had on the radio and who was the artist?
Randy: Oh, I remember it well; it was Adam James singing “Miss America” on a station here in Nashville. My wife and I pulled over to the side of the road to listen to Adam’s interview, and when the first couple of notes started to play it was an indescribable feeling!
What would you say was the defining moment in your music ministry that you knew that this was what you wanted to do?
Randy: Music Ministry, I love those two words. I was on drugs and very lost for a few years there. It took me away from music and everything else that was truly important in my life. When God saved me from that, I remember praying “God, what should I do?” I was 38 years old and had lost everything, so I was completely starting over. But God, oh my loving God, still had plans for me. He wasn’t going to let the dream He planted in my heart all those years earlier die. Little by little, step by step, He led me back into music. First by writing a song for the DVC Ministry, the Ministry that lead me to the Lord and freed me from the drug possession, then by entering the Smokin’ Hit Songwriter songwriting contest, which I won and the prize to write with hit writer Dave Gibson. It was then we wrote “Jesus was a Rebel”, which has been a huge Christian Country hit for Steve Roberson. As for one moment, wow, I’ve had so many of those “one moments” during my second chance, born again life, that all I can say is they’ve all combined to let me know this is what God wants me to do. I so love what God has done in using my passion of making music to do what makes me feel the most complete, glorifying Him. Music Ministry, what could be cooler than that!
Do you have a funny story you can share with us of working with any particular artist?
Randy: I remember August of 2011sitting on Dave Gibson’s back deck writing, so nervous I could barely talk. I mean, here I am sitting across from one of my favorite writers actually getting to write with him! I had taken what I thought were five of my best song ideas to Dave, and he didn’t really care for any of them. Here we were 45 minutes into what was a one hour I had won to write with him, and I was scrambling to come up with something that we could write. That’s when I played him a song I had written years before that I never felt like was quite finished. It was called “Jesus the Original Rebel.” Dave loved it, and was suppose to be a one hour writing appointment became five hours. I got to share in the magic of a guy with six #1 hits and “Jesus was a Rebel” was born that afternoon. The rest is history. God had His own plan that day, and, as usual, it was an amazing plan. Ain’t He cool!
What motivates you to keep going when you’re tired?
Randy: Jeremiah 29:11, that says it all! God has something great in store for me, and no situation, human being on this planet, or satan himself can’t stop it. I know if I do my part and put my faith into action, whatever has made me tired at the time will pass.
If you are looking for someone to write you a hit song that will touch lives then Randy is your guy. Please find Randy on Facebook and make a connection. You wont regret it.
God does Above and Beyond your wildest Dreams and Imaginations!!!!!!
I am sitting here in Carol Hogner’s (2014 ICM New Artist of The Year Nominee) hotel room writing this blog. I can’t help but to think about how far my life has come over the last couple of years. I met Carol in the spring of 2012 and I knew instantly that there was a divine God connection. I have always had a pull towards Cowboy Church and music and it was just a fit from the get go.
Our journey began by simply being willing to be a servant. Carol was scheduled to sing at Cowboy Capital Felloship in Lenepah OK and her daughter Lu was not able to attend. I volunteered to assist her anyway I could. I ran Carol’s IPod and assisted with sales on her CDs , carried around her purse and just made sure things were handled so she could love on others. After this service I started driving and meeting them as often as I could. I never imagined that one day soon this would turn into a full time life changing adventure.
I had told Carol (MommaJo) from day one that I was going to make sure she got on the radio. I had no clue how to make this happen but I was determined. I emailed a couple local stations and didn’t get responses. I knew that somehow God and I were going to get this done. In September last year I researched Country Christian Stations and I contacted Hunter Logan with HLE. Hunter started playing Living Stones and from this point things started rolling. God showed me more and more stations to contact. He says in His Word in Proverbs 3:6 Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take. He did for sure one step at a time. Living Stones hit the charts in Jan 2014 on Christian Voice and began to rise up the charts quickly.
In early spring of this year Carol received a message on Facebook from Mr Gene Higgins of HMG Nashville. When Carol first received his message I was not sure it was real. I had several public figures friend me or message me that were spam accounts. My protective nature took over and I said let me call as your PR girl. When I dialed that number and the HMG office answered the phone I was so overwhelmed I almost hung up. I texted Carol while on the phone and yelled ITS REALLY MR HIGGINS!!! We knew at this moment we had reached an ABOVE AND BEYOND pivotal point in our lives and in her music.
Carol released her single Ordinary Things in May of this year with HMG and it hit the charts at 89 in June and currently has risen to 21. Watching all of this unfold has been almost unbelievable even though in fall of 2013 I felt the Lord say she will be at the 2014 ICM Awards. In my small thinking I thought at first it would be as a spectator. When she got that message from Mr Higgins I knew I had thought to small. At that moment I knew this was it. God showed me that even my Above and Beyond teaching and words I had spoken about that I still was not getting it. That when He does it there is no time frame or plans that compare to my thinking. I thought 2014 would be the year we figured it all out and learned the ropes and 2015 would be explosion year. Well guess what here we are.
I have met a lot of ICM artist and DJs on Facebook while doing PR. When we got here to the ICM Week I begin to meet them one by one in person. I realized GIRL you are still thinking too small. I have had people who I would have never imagined ask me about social media and how I do Carols PR. I currently have an artist and DJ who have asked for me to work with them which has just amazed me. When Mary Jane Holt stood and bragged on my PR and said I needed to be duplicated and they all needed one of me I’m pretty sure my mouth dropped open! Still small thinking. I have not seen myself as a professional. I wasn’t even sure how I had accomplished what I had. I looked back over the last two years while she stood there talking to Carol and I and remembered Proverbs 3:6. He has been showing me the way each step.
Tonight Hannah, Amber and myself will be attending the 2014 ICM Awards not just as spectators but with a 2014 New artist of the Year Nominee Ms Carol Hogner. We are currently sitting in our awesome rooms that God provided for us through our wonderful pastors Dave and Kathleen Simmons and basking in all God has done for all of us.
I can’t tell you what all is in store for 2015 but I can tell you it’s ABOVE AND BEYOND MY WILDEST DREAMS AND IMAGINATIONS Eph 3:20
I have had the pleasure of meeting some amazing people over this last year. I have met a great friend and Inspirational Country Artist Chris Hayle. I was able to do an interview with Chris to get to know a little more about his music and ministry. I hope that you are blessed by it as well.
Here is a bio clip from Chris’s website. You can go to his website to keep up with his schedule as well as order his cds.
http://www.chrishaylemusic.com/#!home/mainPage
From the back roads in a small town in Michigan, to the streets of recording studios in Music City, Tennessee, Chris has been singing to audiences abroad.
Chris grew up listening to the older style of Country and Pop music, but his taste includes hymns, and today’s Contemporary Country zest to give his albums well rounded flavor.
Chris began singing as a child but not publicly until he started attending church as an adult. In short time, he became song leader of the worship team.
After his experience of major depression, father’s death at Christmas time in 2001, and several back surgeries, Chris began writing down his thoughts creating the title song to his Christmas album,“A Heavenly Christmas“, in memory of his father, and also penned the song “Celebration of Life”. The Cd includes several Christmas inspirational favorites.
Our NEW project, “This Is God’s Country”, took a whole year to bring to fruition! With the help of Fans, Family, Friends & the provisions of our Heavenly Father, we are now able to bring you 10 new songs! These are a must listen! Each tune will speak to your heart in some fashion, but above all……I pray that lives are changed for God’s Glory!
INTERVIEW WITH CHRIS HAYLE
How long have you been singing Inspirational Country Music?
Chris: I have been singing Inspirational Country music for the past 12 years!
What ICM artist would you say has influenced your music the most?
Chris:The ICM artist that has influenced my music the most would be Tommy Brandt! I have learned alot from Tommy in the life of a “musicianary”!
What was your first song to hit the air waves? And which station started your adventure on air?
Chris:The first song to hit the airwaves is called “A Line In The Sand” which hit the Top 10 after 9 months on the ICM charts! Our local station, WGDN 103 Country has been a major supporter in playing our “local” music. They have a Sunday Gospel program that they include me in.
What would you say was the defining moment in your music ministry that you knew that this was what you wanted to do?
Chris: The defining moment, I believe, was in 2012 at the ICM Award week showcase. Something just clicked and happened that day, and since then our music has skyrocketed! Our big hit song, “This Is God’s Country” spent a whole year on 4 different charts! Our newest radio single is “What If Jesus Comes Back Like That” that I recorded on my very first project, but it became such high demand, we re-recorded it in 2014!
What motivates you to keep going when your tired?
Chris:The biggest motivation is God, but seeing/hearing children sing my songs…….that just does something to my soul, keeping in mind that they are the future church! Thank you Cassie and God Bless your ministries!
What single are you targeting right now and where is it at on charts?
Chris:“What If Jesus Comes Back Like That”. As far as I know it hasn’t charted yet. Was released in August through Above & Beyond Promotions.
Be sure to check out his website and find him on Facebook and Twitter.
Thank you Chris for sharing your time with me and for this great interview.
I was blessed to be able to sit down and do an Interview with Carol
Carol is a Christian Country Recording Artist and Minster. Carol has been nominated for New Artist of the Year with HMG Nashville and Power Source. She will be traveling to Nashville to attend the ICMAwards this year in November. I hope you enjoy getting to know Carol a little better.
Carol Hogner grew up in East Texas and was always singing, even if it was just her and her sisters singing songs while washing dishes. She sang in a group called The Spirituals as she was growing up. She then turned her focus to work and taking care of her 2 children Josh and Amber. As time went by she came back to singing with a strong passion for the Lord. She was singing at rodeo bible camp where her kids were attending and met Jeff Hogner. A short time later Carol and Jeff got married. Carol then gained 2 more daughters Hannah and Halee. As a family they traveled to team ropings ministering as Joshua Cowboy Ministries, for nearly 15 years. Her husband got his heavenly promotion 5 years ago. Now she continues to travel all over the United States and into Canada putting on church services and concerts. Her whitty, down to earth country personality captures all who encounter her.
INTERVIEW WITH CAROL
1. Carol can you share with us a little about your cd Ordinary Things? Well I had been wanting to do a new CD for about 10 years. A couple id know for a lot of years called me up one day. They said they had some money they’d like to sow into my ministry and they’d like it to go toward making a new CD if at all possible. If not and I needed to use it somewhere else then that was ok too. Well that got the ball to rolling. When I had what I thought was enough money to go into the studio with I called a friend of mine. I asked him if he’s be interested in helping me with a new CD. He said I’ll do better than that I’ll introduce you to my cousins in Nashville that do that kind of thing. So his cousin Mark Johnson called me and we hit it off right away. Mark is not only a great musician and Aaron Tippin’s bass player and long time road manager he writes songs too. He asked me if I would like to have some original songs to record. I said let me think about it, lol YES I would love that. The first song I listened to was Ordinary Things and I cried like a baby. My husband had passed away just the year before. Through God’s favor I believe we were blessed to put out a very well produced CD. I couldn’t be more grateful.
2. I understand you released the single Ordinary Things with HMG. How has that been going for you?
I was so thrilled when Mr. Gene Higgins called me that day. What a nice gentleman. I can say that I’m pleased with what we’ve accomplished together. Along with Ms. Darlene Fowler and my God Squad it was charting the first month. Again Thank you Jesus!!
3. I saw that you have been nominated in the top 10 for New Artist of the year for the ICM Awards, I bet your pretty excited about that?
Oh my goodness excited is putting it mildly… I am ecstatic about. I feel like it’s just another way to share God’s amazing Love!! I want to thank all the DJ’s and fellow artists for making that happen, I’m so grateful.
Well congratulations are in order for sure.
I have few more questions so your listeners can get to know you a little better here.
4. What are some of your favorite songs that you perform? Ordinary Things, Faith, If I was Jesus, Hold Us Together and Won’t Let Go are just a few I love.
5. Where did you accept Jesus Christ into your life at? In a little Baptist Church, several times actually, lol I was so afraid of going to hell wanted to be sure I was saved. I know now that once was plenty 🙂
6.Where would your life be with out your relationship with Christ? Without Christ, I am…. Absolutely nothing …
7. In your walk with Christ, what would you say the biggest miracle you have experienced is? Personally, my daughter survived a tumor in her jugular vein at age 11.
8. What’s your favorite Bible verse and what does it mean to you? Psalms 138:8
I found that scripture about 10 years ago. For me it’s the perfect scripture for any occasion. I call it my life scripture.
9. Was there ever a time in your life when you felt like you were just ready to throw your hands up and give up?
No I don’t think so. If I did it was a passing thought. I’m a fighter when it comes to giving up.
10. What hymns/gospel song would you say has impacted your walk the most? When I came back to The Lord after being out of His service got several years I heard “Pardon Me I’ve Been Pardoned”. I felt like if been set free.
11. Do you believe in the power of prayer? What has God revealed to you through prayer?
I do believe prayer is very powerful. I’ve learned if we can take The Lord at His Word we put ourselves in a position to receive His blessings.
12. When you get to see Jesus face to face what do you think you would like to say to Him first?
I think I’d just want to say thank you for all you’ve done for me Sir and I sure do love you!
13. Can you just share with us a bit about yourself that your listeners may not know about you?
I grew up in the small Texas town of Malakoff. My sisters and I use to sing together at the kitchen sink while we did the dishes. I always wanted to be a singer. When I heard my first Christian Country radio station I cried. I didn’t know there was such a thing. I love country music so it fit me to a T. I travel around to team ropings sharing my Jesus with my songs and His Word.
15. What was your family life like growing up?
I have two older sisters and a younger brother. We were a close family growing up. We were in church every time the doors were open. We didn’t have a lot of money but we didn’t realize it till we were grown. We had very loving parents.
16. What do you like to do in a time of leisure for fun or to relax?
I love being a grandma. I spend as much time as I can as often as I can with my grand babies. I love to sing, work outside at the ranch, and build things out of wood.
17. What’s one random fun thing that your listeners don’t know about you?
I can fold my tongue in half, lol
18. What’s your favorite quote?
“Should been a Cowboy”
19. Do you have a favorite childhood memory?
Going to visit my grandparent and my grandpa putting me up on his shoulders to go hunts eggs.
20. What was the funniest thing that has ever happened to you during your singing ministry?
We use to have church outside under a big oak tree in our back yard. We had a quest preacher come in to speak. I got up to sing and her dog came and sat down in front of me. He then proceeded to drag his behind on the ground… We all lost our breath laughing.
21. What was the most embarrassing thing that has ever happened to you?
I was singing the National Anthem at a team Roping in Kansas one morning. When I got to that high note a squeaked something terrible. Because of my love for that song and my country I was devastated.
22. Finish this sentence: The best advice I have ever been given is….. Seek peace
23. Finish this sentence: The best advice I could ever give is….Well I guess I’d have to say Seek peace
24. What would you say your motto for life is…… Life’s too short not to have fun!!!
I really enjoyed doing this interview with Carol. I have been watching Carol’s Dreams coming true one day at a time. I want to encourage you not to give up no matter what!!
To listen to Carol’s music and keep up with where she will be you can go to her website.
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Thank you for taking the time to read this Interview with Carol Hogner. Please share with your family and friends.
