Well today is the day to kick offKickn It Java Style with Cassie. I am still learning the system and had a couple of issues. However after re doing it 4 times I said GO FOR IT!!! I know it can only get better from here!!! So here it is Kickn It Java Style with Cassie 3-7-15.
This weeks episode is brought to you by Amazing Grace Photos!!! Check out their website. They do amazing photos. You will see some great ones of my kiddos and myself. They have taken our family photos, senior pictures for kids, engagement photos for my daughter and SOON wedding shoot for her.
Click Here for Amazing Grace Photos
THIS WEEKS LINE UP
“Let Me Ride” Diana Williams
“The Broken One” True Heart
“Keep on Riding” Mo Howard
“Secret” Carol Hogner
“If it Satisfies You Lord” Wyatt Nations
“Sweep the Golden Street” Taylon Hope
“Jesus Hold My Hand” Chris Hayle
Featured Artist of the Week
Chris Hayle
Click Here for Chris Hayle Music
KICKN IT JAVA STYLE WITH CASSIE
I hope you enjoyed this weeks KIJS.
If there is a song or artist you want to know more about; email me at [email protected]
I am really excited about this interview with Bart Fortenbery. I have been reading Bart’s website information, listening to him minister and listening to his jams…Loving what I am reading and hearing.
Check out this Video of Bart Ministering on Living to Please God
BART FORTENBERY
In 1993 Bart gave his life to Christ. Since then, he knew that God had a special plan for him. Bart has always had a love for music. Once he discovered Christian music, he knew that was where God wanted him to be. Bart’s mission, is to help the lost get saved but also help the saved stay encouraged in their walk. With the message in his songs and his testimony of money struggles, going through a divorce, losing a home, yet never giving up; most people can relate to his life. Bart says, We often try so hard to do what is right and yet, Satan keeps trying to wear us down. Personally I have wanted to give up many times. Through the love and encouragement of others I have continued to follow Gods will. That is the same thing I want to send to others.
In Roman’s 13:10 ;Love does no wrong to anyone, so love satisfies all of God’s requirements;, and Ephesians 5:1-2 ;Therefore be imitators of God as beloved children, And walk in Love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God;. Bart says that we need to show more love and understanding towards each other and to be that reflection of Jesus Christ, so that others will want what we have , as Christians.
Bart is from the small town in Cherryville, North Carolina. He has 2 kids who is grown, daughter graduated from Sacramento State in California currently going for her masters at Appalachian University in NC and son who graduated from UNC Asheville and married living in Gastonia NC.
TO READ MORE OF BART’S BIO PLEASE CLICK THE LINK BELOW
What artist would you say has influenced your music the most?
Steven Curtis Chapman and I was introduced to Christian country by listening to Del Way
What was your first song to hit the air waves? And which station started your adventure on air?
My first song released to radio was “The Power of Prayer” which went to #1 on the Inspirational Country Music Charts in May of 2003, which was written about a little boy who was dignosed with Spinal Bifada. And how The Lord has healed him through prayer. And station I am not sure.
What would you say was the defining moment in your music ministry that you knew that this was what you wanted to do?
It has not been one thing but a list of things that the Lord has placed me in and the learning experience has been overwhelming. Like, started leading praise and worship in a few churches, then started a youth band that went to different places and played, and then was offered the position as Youth Pastor at a church and I am still doing that and loving it, and was asked to fill in as a pastor and turning out to be a 4 month long event bringing the message every Sunday and leading praise and worship, and then being asked to speak in this church and that. I feel that The Lord was working in my life to do this, even without having an education to be a pastor. The pastor of the church where I am the Youth Pastor, has guided me and gave me advice along the way. And it helps when he is also a teacher at Gordon Conwell Seminary in Charlotte NC, a school that Billy Graham had a part in starting. And through the response from all the places that I have sung and spoke has reassured me to follow this calling.
What motivates you to keep going when your tired?
Just knowing what God has done in my life and used me in the life of others keeps me going even when the thought of giving up occurs.
Do you have any projects in the making?
I just finished a project, but am working on a Bluegrass project and Contemparary Project, and will be next year before those are complete.
What’s your current single on the air waves that we might hear?
“He’s working on Making it Better”
Do you write any of your own songs?
I write all my songs,
What is your personal favorite out of all the songs you have recorded or sung?
I would have to say The Power of Prayer since it was my first release and #1
Can you share one of your funniest memories of Singing on stage or while recording?
I was not on a stage but I was singing in a Nursing home and the nurse had rolled a sweet ole man close to me as I was singing and he started coughing and he could not stop. As I was singing he coughed and his teeth come bouncing across the floor and I motioned for the nurse and never missed a beat singing. But afterwards it was a good laugh.
Can you tell us about Apple Lane Music Group?
I started this a few years ago, trying to learn about the song promotion part of the industry so I could help those starting out. I know how hard it was for me to come up with the money that some ask for, which is fine and they have done a great job for me in the past but it is hard to come up with alot of money. So I am learning as I promote myself. And my son had gone to College at UNC Asheville for Music production and he is helping me getting the studio up and running. I also give music lessons to students and used to have a music store.
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT APPLE LANE MUSIC CLICK LINK BELOW
What is your favorite scripture and what does it mean to you?
That one is easy, and it is Galations 5, 22-23. If everyone had love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control, this would be such a better place to live!
Thank you Bart for this interview
This has been one of my favorite songs so far. Recently I have been helping another artist on a project that has made my heart so tender towards our soldiers.
I have been listening to Tommy Brandt for awhile now. I have always loved his music. Tommy is one of the top Christian Country artist out there. His music has a true sound of Country Music with Lyrics of Christ Love.
I had been following Tommy on social media for awhile when I got to meet him this last November at the ICM Awards Week. You know sometimes we anticipate what someone will be like in person when all we know is the media side of them. I can tell you that Tommy’s heart is big and full of God’s Love. I attended a Session at the ICM week where Tommy and a few other artist talked to us about how to remain a Christian with what we face in this world of Ministry today. I watched Tommy share from his heart of situations where he faced hurts in his ministry. I watched as he spoke and all I saw was a real man with a heart after God. More than ever in today’s world these are the kind of role models we need out there in the music industry
Interview with Tommy Brandt!!
Tommy Brandt is a gifted singer/songwriter who has spent the last twelve years touring the country spreading his down home message of faith, hope, and love through music, testimony and stories about his own life. In that time he has become a leader in his field winning multiple Inspirational Country Music Awards including “New Artist of the Year” in 2004 and “Male Vocalist of the Year” five times. He also was honored by the Christian Music Hall of Fame in 2010 with a “Visionary Award” for his contributions to Christian Music using Inspirational Country Music with lyrics that encourage Faith, Family and Country. This Florida boy has the unique distinction in his genre to have had his first 16 singles top the Christian Music Charts. Tommy’s newest album was just released and is receiving great reviews nationally. His latest project titled “Praise Hymn” speaks for itself.
How long have you been singing Country and Inspirational Country Music?
Tommy:I started out singing Country music back in the 90s with a band called “New South”. In 1997 I rededicated my life to Christ and began singing Christian Country Music and in 2003 made a full time career in the ministry.
What artist would you say has influenced your music the most?
Tommy:There have been many great influences along the way, but if I had to narrow it down to one it would have to be Garth Brooks. The way that he not only entertains, but communicates with his audience is phenomenal! I want to sit in front of a crowd of 2 people, or 20,000 people and make them feel like it’s a one on one concert. “Making a Difference one song at a time”. Other influences include Kenny Hinson, Del Way, Hank Williams Jr, and Eric Church.
What was your first song to hit the air waves? And which station started your adventure on air?
Tommy: I released “No Turning Back” in 2003 and had my first #1 single with it. The first time that I heard it live on the air was on Powersource Top 20 Radio Show. It’s still one of my favorite songs to sing in concert.
What would you say was the defining moment in your music ministry that you knew that this was what you wanted to do?
Tommy:My first Christian concert was at a small Methodist Church in Okeechobee Florida where I led an elderly man to Christ. I didn’t really know how to give and invitation, or really how to lead someone to the Lord, but I poured out my heart and asked if anyone wanted what I had experienced with Christ and it happened. With calloused hands and tears rolling down his wrinkled face we held hands and prayed together. I knew this is what I was supposed to do with the rest of my life.
What motivates you to keep going when your tired?
Tommy: It’s always that one lost soul that gives their heart to Christ that makes it all worth it and motivates me to keep on going.
Do you have any new projects in the making?
Tommy: I just completed a new project called Praise Hymn. It’s a double CD box set with Praise and Worship songs on one CD and Hymnal songs on the other. We’re excited about the reviews that it is receiving.
What’s your current single on the air waves that we might hear?
Tommy:I have a version of “Unclouded Day” out to radio now and am getting ready to release one of my favorite songs that I’ve ever recorded and written called “Broken”.
Do you write any of your own songs?
Tommy:I write the majority of the songs that I sing. Although, when I hear a song that really moves me I am happy to record it.
What is your personal favorite out of all the songs you have recorded or sing?
Tommy: Definitely the song I mentioned earlier “Broken”. I recently wrote this song as a testimony about my life.
Can you share one of your funniest memories of Singing on stage or while recording?
Tommy: I had broken 3 ribs the day before a 3 day revival where I was preaching and singing. The pain was excruciating! Just before service I took a pain pill that I had never tried before that the Doctor had prescribed and literally had an outer body experience on stage. I was singing for the offering and wrote my own offering song as I was singing it. It was hilarious! It was like I was standing in front of myself watching in amusement as I played guitar and came up with comical lyrics on the fly. I wished that it would have been on video.
What is your favorite scripture and what does it mean to you?
Tommy: Jeremiah 29:11. It gives me the promise of hope and a future no matter what I’m going through.
Can you tell me a little about Beyond Music Productions?
Tommy:My wife Michelle and I felt led to begin mentoring young artists getting started in the music ministry about 5 years ago. There are so many talented youth out there ready to serve the Lord but have no idea what to do or how to follow their calling. We want to be there to lead them through the steps to achieve their goals and calling without all of the pitfalls that the music industry presents. We currently have 12 artists that we’re working with and really enjoy watching them grow.
What is your vision to work with today’s youth in the music industry?
Tommy: Our vision is to have workshops across the country to train and mentor artists as we travel.
I became friends with Russ Nottingham last year on Facebook. I really enjoyed his music as well as found him to have such a heart for God and ministry. I was blessed to meet Russ and his beautiful wife Jeri in Nashville at the Inspirational Country Music Awards week. I am very blessed to be connected with them. I believe God has orchestrated one of His divine connections once again in my life and the ministries I am involved with. I was so blessed to be able do this interview with Russ Nottingham.
I believe that you will fall in love with Russ Nottingham Ministries after you read this blog. When you are finished reading this please go straight to his links provided here. Listen to his music on reverberation and then go to his website and order your own Russ Nottingham cds.
Russ Nottingham is a Christian singer, songwriter and musician. His inspirational music is a blend of his lifelong influences, from Country to Southern Rock, from Bluegrass to Jazz, and just about everything in between.
Russ: “I was raised in a Christian home with a praying and believing mom and dad. But as I grew older, I decided to do my own thing, and I began playing out in bars and nightclubs”. After a few years, Russ joined a Country band, which shortly began growing with recognition. They spent weekends opening for stars such as Conway Twitty, Johnny Cash, Diamond Rio, Charlie Daniels, Vince Gill and many others. It was looking like the Country music dream was becoming reality. Things were looking pretty good! “I must honestly say that it was exciting at times. But as time went by, I began to realize that I had an uneasy feeling inside. I felt emptiness, like there was something missing. The worst part was, deep down, I knew what that something was, but I just wasn’t ready to accept it”.
As achieving the dream drew closer, God’s calling on Russ’s life became clear. “The more we traveled, the more I began to get homesick and miss my wife and kids. The more exposure we gained, the less exciting it became. That’s when I realized that even though I had turned my back on God, He still cared for and wanted me back. So, over a period of a few months, I ended up resigning from the band and both my wife (Jeri) and I along with our two boys (Rusty & Michael), rededicated our lives back to God and here I am today, years later”!
Russ’ catchy music and encouraging lyrics in his original songs reflect on the unconditional love and relentless pursuit of our Heavenly Father. Through all of our faults and failures, we are never out of God’s reach. This is the lifelong testimony of Russ Nottingham.
Russ Nottingham Ministries goals and objectives are to make a positive impact in people’s lives through his songs on how God forgave him for all his sins in his past and to encourage the loss to change their lives by letting them know that it is never too late to ask for forgiveness and that God is waiting to accept them back into his fold. Russ’ goal is to travel from state to state and country to country singing about God’s great love for all of us.
Interview
How long have you been singing Inspirational Country Music?
Russ: Since 2008
What artist would you say has influenced your music the most?
Russ: Actually my music is a blend of all the different genres that I grew up listening to. It’s a little bit of Bluegrass, Country and Southern Rock all rolled into one. As far as influences. I definitely liked the Eagles, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Alabama, Diamond Rio, Ricky Skaggs.
What was your first song to hit the air waves? And which station started your adventure on air?
Russ: My song “Maybe”. Not sure what radio station. The song was released through HMG/Power Source and they sent it out to over 1000 different stations.
What would you say was the defining moment in your music ministry that you knew that this was what you wanted to do?
Russ: The first time I seen someone give their heart to God through my music, I knew that’s what my calling was.
What motivates you to keep going when your tired?
Russ: The desire to serve God and the joy of singing and playing music.
Do you have any new projects in the making?
Russ: Yes, I am working on songs for a new cd. It’s not titled yet though.
What’s your current single on the air waves that we might hear?
Russ: “Maybe”
Do you write any of your own songs?
Russ: Yes, I do all original music.
What is your personal favorite out of all the songs you have recorded or sing?
Russ: At this time I would have to say “Maybe’. Just because it’s my current single.
Can you share one of your funniest memories of Singing on stage or while recording?
Russ: When I went to Nashville to record a couple of years ago, I was given the address to the studio which I thought was in a house. So I knocked on the door and a few minutes later an elderly gentleman answered. When I looked up there stood this guy in an old pair of them old, real short, gym shorts. It appeared, I had awaken them. The man is a well known singer (I won’t mention his name). Anyway he said the studio was around back. Later in the day he came out to the studio and said he had better introduce himself since I practically seen him naked. I must admit it was a little awkward, but we all had a good laugh.
What is your favorite scripture and what does it mean to you?
Russ: John 3:16 God loved me so much that He let His only Son die for me. The best part is He died not only for me but for everyone who believes.
Thank you so much Russ for sharing your heart and ministry with us.
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.
