Getting lost in melodies, finding harmonies, and singing into hair brushes is something I find myself doing virtually everyday. But there are moments when I just need something deep—something to move my soul. In moments where Ke$ha, Black Eyed Peas, or Florence + The Machine won’t do, I scroll through my iTunes folder and sift through the worship music I have.
Truthfully, it’s not a lot.
Brian, me, and some random guy at Catalyst 😉
I am totally a snob when it comes to worship music because as creatives created by the Creative, we are called to produce to the highest of artistic standards. When I hear Christian music in the same four chords or simply copying a secular song while hygienitizing the lyrics, I’m appalled. Like I said, I’m a music snob.
When I do find someone I like, I will play [and outplay] their CD until I can sing along or until I’ve annoyed everyone around me who can bear to hear the same song over and over again. Today for instance, I was getting ready and blaring Brian’s CD. Again. At 5:43am Matt came into the room gave me one of those “seriously?” looks. Yes, to his chagrin I was listening to Grace Ocean. Again.
But Brian just isn’t my flavor of the week. No, sir. He’s more than a worship leader, musician, and God-fearing man. I consider him a friend [and even if he doesn’t consider me on his top ten list of favorite people, I’m graffiting my name in!]. When he sent me a sample song to preview, I couldn’t wait for the full CD.
The full CD is here and I’m beyond stoked to share his music with you. In fact, I texted him and asked if we could give away some of his music on the blog. So because Brian is rad and has a rocking beard, he’s hooking us up. Today you have the opportunity to win his new full-length CD for FREE. Leave a comment with some of your favorite worship leaders and three winners will be picked at random 🙂 Whoever loves Brian, say aye. AYE!
Here’s a sample of his stuff. To check out his stuff or to buy his CD directly, check out his site. Or leave a comment via facebook by clicking here.
Brian is really good!
I also enjoy Lindell Cooley :).
Jennifer…so far you're winning this contest. 🙂 thanks for the love! hope you're having a great day!
CONGRATS! YOU ARE A WINNER OF BRIAN'S NEW CD. I will send Brian your email address. You can choose from a email file with the entire album or he can mail you a hard copy 🙂
Cheers!
Some of my current faves right now: Paul Colman, David Crowder Band, and Chris Tomlin.
i always love matt redman. also a fan of ben cantelon. and chris tomlin. and kim walker-smith.
and i'm a JD fan! love from me and promise!
1. Darren Miedema from the DownTown Church here in Des Moines, IA
2. Downhere
3. Hillsong
I have to specify Downhere-their song "Not About Wings" is incredible!
As for the DTC, here are a couple videos to check out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QI1UeV4h25s&NR…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kV0bhPjDGG8&fe…
I really like Casting Crowns, Phl Wickham, and Hillsong United
Drew Bodine, Aaron Stewart, Carlos Whittaker
YOU…Bianca Juarez Olthoff are very kind! THANK you for such kind words about who I am and what I'm doing. You're definitely in my MySpace Top 8. Love to you and Matt. Cheers to Christmas gifts in the form of Grace Ocean. Hopefully your people will dig it as much as you do…the pressure is on with this post. 🙂
Much love!
there are too many to choose. to many…but here is an attempt.
Hillsong, Jesus Culture, and Chris tomlin
I'm really enjoying this new breed of storyteller and poet within worship lately..I first saw it in David Crowder.
But my reason for wanting this CD is really so that my wife will love Brian's music so much she'll let me sport a kickin' beard like his. 🙂
just let me talk to her Buckingham! 🙂 you rock bro!!!! hopefully it'll be a help. much love from the Wurzell's!
I love me some Phil Wickham, Evan Wickham, Matt Boswell… and I have a feeling I'm about to love me some Brian Wurzell. Thanks for sharing, B! I'm always looking for new worship music.
Bi… I love this! Brian… way to produce a quality piece of work!
PS… Brian if you are reading this, how would you feel about churches using your music? Like for worship? Thoughts? 🙂
oooo… or in youth group?
i would LOVE to have you guys singing these songs in your church. the heart behind it all was that we would be writing songs for the church to sing. send me an email brian@brianwurzell.com if you want song charts for certain tunes on the album! keep me posted on what songs work…if you decide to sing some of them. we've been singing Grace Ocean and another track called Great Redeemer at my church here in AZ. I'm LOVING Great Redeemer in the corporate context.
thanks for asking & good luck on the win! 🙂
I like Jonathan Phillips and Canton Jones and who doesn’t like Hill song and Tomlin!
Love Brians music!!!! Grace Ocean a favorite!!! Thank you for sharing!!
*tremblin inside* um.. never heard his music… *bianca falls off her chair*
i like 3rd day
dc talk
gutierrez brothers
and others i dont know the names of
🙂
Brian.. don’t hate me..i live in the middle of nowhere and radio stations play the same worship music over and ovr and over and over … OY!
Yah! Chris Tomlin is my favourite!!!
DUde i'm excited for your album! Some of my favorite worship leaders are David Crowder, Eric Owyoung, and Evan Wickham.
I love the honesty in the lyrics of David Crowder, Daniel Doss (look him up), and Lane Oliver.
I love this song! I am a huge fan of Jesus Culture and Kari Jobe and Jason Upton.
Love that guy…knew he was destined for great things from his Jr. High, scrub-nugget days! Although, I can honestly say, I didn't see the beard coming…not by a long shot.
RE: Christian Music: You are right on! I did see Jars of Clay this summer and I have to say, they blew me away with how they've continued to develop and be creative with their sound.
I just could never pull off the Pastor goatee! 🙂 much love to you Mitch. You were the first of the legacy that began in the worship stuff that came out of FBCY for over a decade. Kinda crazy to think about…isn't it?
What the what?! Well, B you know this as well as I do, but Shachah has to be my favorite. Not just because I am *forced* to listen to them Sunday in and Sunday out but because I LOVE to listen to them Sunday in and Sunday out.
You kind of stumped me because I know the songs but not the people who sing them. So i'll throw in one of our personal faves, Brad Hooks, that's a replay in our car often 🙂
Yay Brian Wurzell!!! My favorites are Third Day (especially the new track they have on Sarah Palin's new show), DC Talk, Casting Crowns and of course, Brian Wurzell. Oh, and PS…..working on getting you two to APU.
Me AND Brian?! SO RAD. Heck yes.
cheers to you Tira!!! Bianca and Brian tag team at APU!
Bianca, I am just like you when it comes to music. When I find someone I like, I will also play their CD over and over. I believe you posted something yesterday with a link to Brian’s music page and I was listening to his music over and over again. So…. AYE! AYE!
I like….
1. Natalie Grant
2. Meredith Andrews
3. Brian Wurzell
4. Kari Jobe
5.Matthew West
I have many more….
David Crowder Band & Brian Wurzell Fav People I was listening to His music over and over again.
I Love To Play ♬♪♫ iTunes + 'Grace Ocean' +(@ Starbucks) + Pumpkin Spice Latte, Yum Good Mix ! = Great Music Brian Mighty One !
My current fav is a friend at church who leads the worship for our youth group – it rocks!
I totally dig Brian, I listened to one of his songs online and wanted his album!
Oh! And we had a group from another church nearby lead worship for our youth one night in August and they were awesome… I can't remember their name! Bummer!
Love love love Phil Wickham! And Matt Kearny, Jimmy Needham, SonicFlood (old school) and Brad Hooks.
Oh, hey there Brian.. You're pretty darn rad too! Hook us worship leaders up with some sheet music, bro!
thanks cindy…email me brian@brianwurzell.com and i'll get you any charts you want so you can sing the tunes!
Love love love Phil Wickham! And Matt Kearny, Jimmy Needham, SonicFlood (old school) and Brad Hooks.
Oh and Brian? You're pretty darn rad too! Hook us worship leaders up with some sheet music, bro!
Afterthought: Dang Bi, you got a pic with Brian AND Jon?! You're too cool for school, lady!
trust me…Bi is WAY cool…but mostly because the 'Stuff Christians Like' guy took a picture with us at Catalyst. WOW…we've arrived Bianca. 🙂
ditto bianca! brian w, yes.
Thanks! Hope I win. 🙂
1- James Marini
2 – Phil Wickham
3 – Chris Tomlin
I'm picky about Christain music too, fortunately though, I still end up liking a big handful of it. Currently I'm a big fan of Francesca Battistelli.
i love, matt maher, audrey assad, jj heller, phil wickham and many more!
and from what I hear, Brian sounds great!
I bought Brian's single "Grace Ocean" on Itunes a couple weeks ago and I love it! 🙂
Some of my favorite worship leaders/churches include Kim Walker/Jesus Culture, Hillsong, Elevation Church, Kari Jobe, and the band The Glorious Unseen. 🙂
BTW… Aye! 😉
Favorite worship leaders: John Mark McMillan, Delirious, Kim Walker… and, of course, Brian! Although… the last time I heard Brian was when he was in the band called Brayline… can't wait to hear his new stuff!
old school references, Kate! hope you're well…i remember you from the FoHo days! 🙂
Mine are United Pursuit Band, Jesus Culture, and Phil Wickham.
What a great support post for Brian! He's a great friend and musician – and b/c of him that I landed on your blog a year ago 🙂
HOW AMAZING IS GRACE OCEAN???? We are rocking out to it right now too!
love you Neals!!!
I have several favorites….but topping the list are probably Chris Tomlin, Hillsong, and Christy Nockels.
David Crowder Band, Brooke Frasier and just heard Rend Collective the other day and am intrigied.
#1 Shawn McDonald (love his earthy feel)
#2 Doble Porcion (Spanish R&BWorship. Awesome!!)
#3 Jimmy Needham
#4 NeedToBreath
Some of my favorites! =) But there are so many more styles/genres!
haha..i'm pretty picky too and i guess it depends on my mood too…here are some of my faves:____shane and shane…never get tired of them..they are awesome live__phil wickham…what a voice..lots of emotion, and so amazing live__tenth avenue north__robbie seay band__evan wickham..worship s awesome when he leads____krystal meyers was good…i have her first cd..haven't really heard her lately…____not really sure if all of these would be considered worship music…
Love the song and definitely has to go on the ipod! Brian's voice is soothing yet touches the soul. Some of my favorites are Third Day, David Crowder Band, Casting Crowns and Jeremy Camp. Thanks for sharing!
thanks cris!
I love love love love Brooker Fraser. Hillsong United is amazing too. I like Shooting Stars, Jeremy Camp, Chris Tomlin, Phil Wickham.
Do u know Promise? Cuz i am in love with her..but she doesnt know me 😀
1. Casting Crowns 2. Brandon Heath 3. Chris Tomlin
David Crowder Band & Brian Wurzell Fav People I was listening to His music over and over again.
I Love To Play ♬♪♫ iTunes + 'Grace Ocean' +(@ Starbucks) + Pumpkin Spice Latte, Yum Good Mix ! = Great Music Brian Mighty One !
CONGRATS! YOU ARE A WINNER OF BRIAN'S NEW CD. I will send Brian your email address. You can choose from a email file with the entire album or he can mail you a hard copy 🙂
Cheers!
i love worship music – all kinds, all the time!!! And I play the same songs over and over and over again too. 😉
I LOVE me some:
1. Jesus Culture
2. Hillsong United
3. Israel Houghton
I ADORE these ladies, too:
1. Rita Springer (I Was Created to Worship is on eternal replay)
2. Brooke Fraser
3. Kari Jobe (My Beloved also on eternal replay)
4. Jennifer Knapp
My favorite GUY is:
1. Jon Foreman
And my go to CD when I really need a "Come to Jesus" moment is called Heaven and Earth. It's a compilation of women singers and was made in 1999, but I play it bedside all night sometimes when I hit those bumps in the road of life.
Can't wait to check out Brian!
This is hard to choose because there are sooo many good ones. I like – Jason Upton, Misty Edwards, Hillsong United, and Rita Springer. Sorry there are just too many to choose.