Friday, February 28, 2014

Hard to See.




Here's the last lyric-post of this week (and February).  Enjoy and have a wonderful weekend!

Hard to See
(c) 2014 Ross Christopher

Sometime ago
I heard it said
That your love 
Breaks through death and dark
And forgive me now
But I find it hard to see
When the darkest night
Comes from within the house
So many call your home

Peace,
Ross


Thursday, February 27, 2014

Spark.


Today, you get a verse & chorus...enjoy!

Spark
(c) 2014 Ross Christopher

When I'm feeling nothing matters
Like no one wants to change
That's when I stir inside
To cure these times

I'm gonna turn this spark into a wildfire
This idea to an ocean
These words to worlds 


Peace,
Ross






Tuesday, February 25, 2014

Static.


Lately I've been songwriting...LOTS.
So over the next week or so, I'll share a few lines, verses, and a chorus or two.

First off: STATIC

Static
(c) 2014 Ross Christopher

Can we just get through the static
Can we break the unclear
Can we walk along,
Or walk alone
It's the static we fear

Peace,
Ross


Monday, February 17, 2014

PRODUCTIVITY?

We're all given the same 24 hours to be as productive as we possibly can be...but let's be honest, all days and hours are not created equal!

What days are you the most productive?

What hours of the day are you the most productive?

Thanks for chiming in...more on this topic later!

Peace,
Ross

Wednesday, February 5, 2014

TAPS (with slugs & snails of course)

Because sometimes the best instrumental music videos are of slugs & snails.
Happy snow day - enjoy!



Peace,
Ross

Thursday, January 30, 2014

37 Years of Awesome!

I saw this yesterday on the interwebs and thought it was worth sharing!



Peace,
Ross

p.s. I'm still convinced that Jurassic Park used real dinosaurs...


Thursday, January 23, 2014

CONSTANTS


There are certain constants in life.  One of those constants is time.  We are all bound to a 24 hour day and a 7 day week.  No matter your vocation, passion, and effort, you have limits.  Steve Jobs was bound to these limits.  President Obama is bound to these limits.  Every single person, regardless of how productive or unproductive they may be, is bound to these constants.

So as you dream big and work towards creating more beauty, shalom, and justice in the world, consider the following:

What can you (and only you) do?
What were you created to do?
What are your passions?

Do that!

But what about all of the other random tasks that are required to pull off said passion, job, project, and dream(s)?

That's where being a leader comes into play.

Good leaders surround themselves with other individuals that resonate with your dreams and momentum.  Good leaders never hoard vision and work.  Good leaders delegate, empower, and turn loose the passions and dreams of other people.

So the next time you find yourself against a time-crunch, ask yourself what can you (and only you) do.  Ask yourself what you were created to do.  And finally ask yourself if you have appropriately surrounded yourself with individuals that you trust to carry the torch of your passion.

The world may be full of constants, but you don't have to be bound by them.  

Peace,
Ross

Tuesday, January 21, 2014

SiloTREE Studio {REDUX}

Many of you know that on top of songwriting and touring, I also manage, produce records, and write/record string arrangements from my studio (SiloTREE Studio) in St. Louis.  Last week I added a new studio page to my website highlighting some recent arrangements, as well as studio information.


The internet has certainly made the world flat...I have been blessed to work with a number of artists (some of which I've never met in person), and I believe that the world is becoming more creative and beautiful from these types of partnerships, collaborations, and works.

Bottom line, if you're in need of a professional, comfortable, and creative studio to record your next album or EP at, contact me.  If you're interested in adding strings to one of your songs or albums, I do that too!

Simply send me a WAV file of your tune, I'll record an arrangement, and we bounce files back and forth until you've got a beautiful piece of art.  It really is that simple!

**and if you refer an artist or band to the studio that results in a project, I'll send you $50!!!

CLICK HERE FOR MORE STUDIO INFO//

"Ross came out with me on tour last fall. He’s such a talented musician and as I was writing the strings for these two songs, I knew he’d be the guy to bring them to life! Couldn’t be more pleased with how it all turned out!"  -Sleeping at Last

SiloTREE Studio is a comfortable and creative recording studio in St. Louis, MO.  Ross Christopher has produced over 40 artists/bands to date.  Ross Christopher also writes and records string arrangements for artists/bands - adding the perfect touch of beauty to a number of albums.

RECORDING //
Prices are competitive.  Ross charges by the song and arrangement (versus by the hour), allowing for more creative expression and excellence.

STRING ARRANGEMENTS //
Prices are competitive.  Turn-around is quick! Ross charges by the type of arrangement (ranging from solo instrument to full orchestral arrangement). 

*If you are interested in recording with Ross Christopher at SiloTREE Studio OR hiring Ross for an upcoming string arrangement, please send him an email via the CONTACT PAGE, or call the studio (816)686-1345.

Peace,
Ross

Wednesday, January 15, 2014

A Recent Interview

I was recently interviewed by WorshipLinks, and here it is:

Ross Christopher is a worship leader, touring artist, and music producer. Recently, Ross talked to Worship Links about going on tour with Jars Of Clay, record production, and why correct hymn titles are important.
WL: Thanks so much for taking the time to answer some questions for us. It’s truly appreciated! The first question is an easy one. Tell us a little bit about yourself in five sentences.
RC: I’m an artist from the Midwest (St. Louis, MO). I have an amazing wife (Kate) and two incredible girls (Cora and Olive). I write and produce music, compose and record string arrangements for artists/bands, tour, and lead worship. I love to travel and experience new things. I’m always eager for a great surprise!
How did you get started in worship ministry?
When I was in college, I was touring with a band throughout the Midwest. I was also playing violin at Damascus Road (a campus ministry). One thing led to another, and by the end of my first semester of my freshman year, a local church asked me to come on board to lead their contemporary service. I bought an acoustic guitar, a capo, and taught myself how to play enough chords to lead by the time I went back to school in January. Its hard to believe that was nearly 15 years ago!
What’s your basic process for planning a service or worship set?
I like to start a creative plan about 6-8 weeks in advance, so nothing is last minute. Once the pastor and I have a basic series/theme, I hold a creative brainstorm meeting dinner. I typically get 10-20 people to come out. At the brainstorm we each begin by naming 3 un-churched or dis-churched friends or family members. We discuss the questions and conversations we’ve had with them surrounding the upcoming series/theme, and use that as our springboard for everything we create. We’re not really interested in just playing our favorite new songs, or discussing what we already know, but rather, tackling the questions, doubts, and frustrations surrounding any given topic. We try to create an atmosphere that speaks to the theme, and then unpack the following questions/elements through each service: historical, theological, scriptural, contextual, and experiential. Each of these are wide open to various art mediums and activities.
While we were setting up the interview, you mentioned that you recently toured with Jars of Clay and Sleeping at Last. Can you share a great road story with us?
I had the absolute time of my life! All of the Jars guys are so genuine and fun to be with. And Ryan (Sleeping at Last) might actually be the nicest human ever. Each and every night, it was a thrill to be part of creating amazing art.
A couple nights, late after the shows, we headed out for 24 hour food. Healthy 24 hour eateries are basically nonexistent, so we decided to indulge in what must have been a week’s worth of calories, when the entire band ordered deep fried mozzarella stuffed grilled cheese sandwiches. There’s nothing like engorging in 5,000 calories of fried-cheesy-goodness and laughing into the wee hours of the night with friends (several nights in a row).
Desert Island Worship Mix: You’re trapped on a desert island, and for reasons too ridiculous to explain, you can only have one CD with five worship songs on it. What are they?
  • This Is Not the End (Gungor)
  • In The Embers (Sleeping at Last)
  • You Are Mine (MuteMath)
  • Where The Streets Have No Name (U2)
  • Psalm 145 (Shane & Shane)
If you could give one piece of advice to up and coming worship leaders, what would it be? Conversely, what’s some advice you wish you’d received earlier on?
Don’t do it alone!
Build teams and friendships – even deep relationships with people outside of your local church. Listen and grow. Don’t feel like you need to do this by yourself. Network, network, network. And finally write! The power of your local voice speaking to your local context is invaluable. It’s fine to sing the popular songs, but there’s something visceral about singing the real, tangible, and local struggles, joys, etc.
What do you think worship in the church will look like in ten years?
I believe that with economies shifting, postmodern leaders emerging, and post-christian America being a reality, our churches will move to the fringe. They will be smaller, but stronger. The nominal church-goer will no longer feel the need to check off that Sunday morning box, and the people that do decide to participate in “church” will actually live and breath a priesthood of all believers. I think a worship service will look more like “service.” I think being the hands and feet will be real. The fluff that flies today will die, and what has been institutionalized over the past decades will no longer resonate with postmodern worshipers.
Give us the ten thousand foot view of producing an album. For those that haven’t been through the recording and/or production process, what should we expect?
It’s an incredible view – of possibility. I’m wrapping up an album that I’m producing of a great Nashville artist. He came to my studio back in September and we knocked out structures, vocals, and acoustic guitar. Then he left. He gave me complete freedom to produce everything else. There’s obviously a great amount of trust in this. But over the past months I recorded the rest of the sounds that would accompany these songs and help them take flight. The freedom can be intoxicating. But the real task is taking risks and peeling back layers until you’ve got a perfect piece of art. Trusting your ears and your heart can be difficult and has taken me almost 15 years to get to where I am, but every single album I produce, I honestly say that it’s the best piece of art I’ve ever worked on. So there’s a deep sense of pushing oneself forward, refinement, and continued excellence.
Any new worship artists on your radar at the moment?
I had the chance to write and record strings for John Tibbs this past year. He’s a great guy and his stuff breaks the typical pop-worship mold. Personally, I tend to worship more from non-traditional worship artists. So I’ll frequently leave a concert or an art experience drained from a night of worship (whether or not that was their intention).
Sleeping at Last captures beauty like no one else. The Lone Bellow creates a communal experience better than any artist I’ve seen. Jonny Greenwood (Radiohead) writes the most prolific symphonic pieces out there.
Ross Christopher
What’s the most embarrassing thing you’ve ever done while leading worship (that you’re willing to share)?
Back in college, I was asked to lead worship at an uber-traditional church one Sunday. I asked one of my buddies to come play keys for me. At one point I asked everyone to “turn in your hymnals to page 365 as we sing ‘It Is Well With My Hole’”…I was mortified. My keyboardist lost it. I fought the 18 year old laughter within. And still to this day I can’t sing ‘It Is Well’ without a little chuckle.
Thanks again for answering our questions. If people want to find you online, what’s the best way?
Website: www.rosschristopher.com
Twitter: @rosschristopher
Facebook: www.facebook.com/rosschristophermusic
iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/ross-christopher/id292934720
Blogs: www.continuedconversation.blogspot.com
www.postmodernpriesthood.blogspot.com

Sunday, January 5, 2014

BEST FILMS of 2013

2013 was a great year for film! 
I've narrowed my list down to a TOP 6. 

Here they are (IN ORDER):


6. The Way Way Back


5. Monsters University

4. Mud

3. American Hustle

2. Saving Mr. Banks


1. Gravity

Peace,
Ross