I want to make music that matters. I want to mean every word I say in my songs. It’s not going to be easy but I know in the end that’s the only way to make writing worth the effort.
I’m thankful for the songs I’ve written and I’m excited to push past those songs and fight for a deeper connection to my Lord and savior Jesus Christ through music and lyrics.
I’m up too late and I’m done rambling 
-jh-
I will playing at Chocolatefest this Sunday at 7pm at the Diamond Stage. Dom and Josh will be joining me for part of the set and the rest I will be doing solo.
Hope to see you there!
Gabe Dixon makes me want to quit music altogether. He’s too good. Please look him up and buy his music so he can keep writing it. Please.
Gabe Dixon Band from mbgriffi on Vimeo.
When God placed this project on my heart I reached out to some producers in Nashville. I had e-mail conversations with a few producers who I really respect but now I feel God calling me back to Indiana.
This summer I will be heading back to Indiana for some writing and recording. Today I will make my way down to Fishers to see Adam Weber. Adam has made a tremendous impact on my walk with God and I’m pumped to see him.
Tomorrow I will be getting some writing help from Jon Mclaughlin. I respect Jon so much as a musician and person and I’m looking forward to spending some time with him. Jon has been like a brother to me over the years and it’s been awesome to watch him grow and see his music gain popularity all over the world.
Later this summer I am planning on heading down to Gaither’s studios again to record drums with Darren Rayl and Jeff Aebi. I worked with them on my first full length album and I’m really excited to work with them again.
The rest of the recording will be done in my basement with Jon Thorngate and Dominic Rome. I have an incredible connections with these guys. We played together for a few years and we know how to work together well. Jon is an important part of the whole process as he will be helping me produce it.
I’m blessed by the doors God is opening up with this project. I’m thankful for your prayers and support. I pray that God would be lifted up through these songs and that He would be glorified in the writing/recording process.
-jh-
I recently implemented the Facebook “Like” button on my site. This just means you can “like” various articles and things on the site and they will show up in your Facebook newsfeed. If you would like to become a fan/like my music on Facebook click here. I update my Facebook page a fair amount (not obsessively) so it’s a great way to stay informed.
Blessings,
-jh-
Pre-production for the next album has started. Over the last few months I’ve been working on songs that God has put on my heart. These songs were made to help lead people into worship with the one true God and our Lord Jesus Christ.
I am excited to work on these songs in the studio. I am planning on recording 5-7 songs and releasing an EP this fall.
Please pray for me as I start this journey.
He is worthy. He is holy. He is glorious.
-jh-
Wrote a new song tonight. Here are the lyrics.
Verse
You’re out here watching over me
You can see how hard I’m struggling
And I’m failing everyday to see
How you have saved me, how you save me
And I’m sinking in my apathy
So help me believe, that
Chorus
You’re the light in the storm
You’re the land at the shore
That I’m desperate for
And you’re the voice in the dark
You’re the hand in the sea
And you rescue me daily
Bridge
So take my heart it’s yours forever
Take everything in me
And take my life it’s yours forever
You have set me free
Recording frustrations.
The hardest part about recording for me is letting go. I have this insane thing stuck in my mind like a sliver that makes me never satisfied with anything I do. In a way I believe this is good because it pushes me to be better but a lot of times its just dang annoying.
Tonight I sat down to record a guitar part for a new song and while I had a bunch of decent takes I just kept recording it over and over until it progressively got worse.
My hope was that I was going to find that one perfect take and it never came. I began doubting the production of the song half way through this process as my fingers started to feel the pain.
I don’t play guitar as much as I should and therefore my fingers hurt when I am doomed with the task of recording something as simple as 4 chords over and over.
Without accomplishing much of anything I am calling it a night and waiting to see what tomorrow brings. I’m waiting for inspiration. I’m hoping for art. I’m searching for the sound that each song needs to be complete.
I’ve been listening to A Fine Frenzy, Gabe Dixon Band, Jeff Buckley and City and Colour a lot the last few days and they keep reminding me that it’s really about the song for a singer/songwriter. The worth of my efforts is lodged deep in the guts of the songs. It’s not found in some catchy melody, sick guitar riff, or clever lyric. It comes from a song with an honest heart.
That being said I believe God has given me songs of true worth. Songs worth singing for His Namesake and I’m excited to share them all with you.
-jh-