The time has finally come! My “New Day” EP is now available for digital download on iTunes and Amazon. You can still order a hard copy off this website, under the store tab, and it will be shipped to you! Thanks to those who pre-ordered the album. You will be getting your signed copy in the mail, early next week! I am so excited for all of you to hear the music. I hope that I was able to share a little part of me with you. These songs were written during times of difficulty and times of joy. More importantly, my relationship with my Savior and the Creator of this universe… is always the center of every message, in every song I write and sing. I’m just a pen in His hands. I pray that comes across in the music and lyrics. God bless you all!

Thanks to Michael Spooner @ Red Couch Productions for Engineering/Producing this album.

Hey friends!

The EP is finally finished and ready for pre-order! It will be available for sale digitally and in hard copy on April 15, 2010.  I am really excited about the songs and ready for you all to hear them! There will be 7-tracks, including:

1. Beauty
2. Captivate Me
3. New Day
4. I Need You
5. Everything
6. Little One
7. Right Beside You

Please feel free to pre-order your copy by clicking the “Store” tab at the top of the page! Shipping is included in the sale price. Also, take a listen to “Right Beside You” here.

So, in honor of the new season of American Idol (and quite possibly, the last) I thought I would list my favorite performances from all eight seasons.

This was hard. I’ve enjoyed a lot of contestants over the years. American Idol is a great show and I look forward to moments that will go down in history. When it comes to my Top 10, each of these performances has changed the way I hear the song. I don’t hear the original anymore, I hear these versions in my head instead.

My personal Top 10 favorite American Idol performances:

*Honorable mentions: David Cook – Billy Jean and Matt Giraud – Who’s Lovin You

10.Ruben Studdard – Superstar

9. Kathrine McPhee – Somewhere Over the Rainbow

8. Jason Castro – Hallelujah

7. Bo Bice – Whipping Post

6. Carrie Underwood – Alone

5. Jordin Sparks – I Who Have Nothing

4. Chris Daughtry – I Walk the Line

3. Tamyra Gray – A House is Not a Home

2. Kelly Clarkson – Natural Woman

1. Fantasia Barrino – Summertime

Any performances missing from the list above that are your favorites? Feel free to comment below.

I’m going to start a “Behind the Music” series on my blog. The purpose will be to tell the story behind the music I’ve written. I know a song always speaks to me more, when I know the meaning behind it. And I thought it might be especially neat, because I’ll be releasing new music in just a couple weeks! So be on the lookout for my first post!

Also, if you have a favorite song that you would like to see featured, please leave a comment and let me know!

Finished recording vocals for the EP this week!! I am really excited about how everything is coming together! The songs are really sounding great and I can’t wait to share the music with everyone.

The title of the EP is going to be “New Day,” and I think it sums up perfectly the theme behind this whole project. The chorus of the title track says, “Chasing away, the memories of yesterday, living each day as a new day. We lay down it all, our burdens will fall, so that You’ll pick up where we left off…” The message I want to get across, is the idea of God being the source of our strength each day. God can handle every single burden we carry…and the coolest thing, is that He wants to!

1 Peter 5:7 says, “Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.”

We’ve had a pretty difficult year and half. Those of you who know us, know that. No need to dwell on the specifics. Yet, we are lifted up and given strength to make it through each day with the help of the Lord! His purpose is greater than what we can see. I wish tragedy on no one…but I also hope and pray that you’ll never get too comfortable with your life that you don’t realize your need for Jesus anymore.

People frequently ask me, after hearing of the trials and circumstances I’ve been through in my life,”How were you able to turn out the way you did? You seem to have things together so well.” And all I can say is, God’s grace…and being able to look at each and every day as a “new day.”

Tis the season…to sing a Christmas song!