It’s now the end of July 2020 and still all we seem to hear about is Coronavirus. However, for many of us, this year has not been the “write off” that some are calling it. In fact, I’ve had some real blessings and some amazing experiences that, but for Coronavirus, would never have come about.

A friend of mine named Matt, works for the Glasgow based Christian radio station named Revival FM. Earlier in the year he launched a brand-new show called “Defining Tracks” where he interviews people with different ministries, gets to know them and their ministry, and they choose ten tracks that are important to them to be played on the radio. Pretty cool really.

I always remember at the start of my own ministry, MY GRAN SAYING TO ME THAT SOMETIMES OPPORTUNITIES WILL COME ALONG IN FUNNY WAYS, like someone cancelling last minute, and you’re asked to fill in.

That was what happened to me with my friend Matt. He had several people lined up to interview but once the virus hit, nearly all had to cancel for various reasons. THANKFULLY, I WAS AVAILABLE. This was exhilarating. I was going to be on the radio. After I calmed down and got over the initial excitement, I had to get ready for what was one of the coolest things to happen so far with this ministry.

Choosing my ten defining tracks, with only a few days’ notice, was something I was originally a little worried about. WHEN YOU LOVE MUSIC AND LISTEN TO AS MUCH MUSIC AS I DO, SELECTING ONLY TEN TRACKS SEEMED IMPOSSIBLE. The approach I took was to basically map out my musical journey from as early as I could remember. Once I had that plan the tracks seemed to pick themselves.

Here are the ten DEFINING TRACKS that I chose and a little insight into why.

1) Because He lives by Alabama

Growing up in church this was without doubt my favourite hymn that we sang. Number 52 in the church hymn book, I’d ask for it to be sung as often as I could. Being only a child, I’m not sure I necessarily understood all the doctrine that is contained in the song’s lyrics. However, I could get my head around the message of the song.

The opening lyrics, straight from John 3:16, say that “God sent His son”. The love story of salvation was not happenstance. God sent His son Jesus. HE DID IT BECAUSE HE LOVES US.

The chorus declares that we can live each day without fear “because He lives”. THE RESURRECTION IS CRUCIAL TO THE MESSAGE OF THE BIBLE. If there was no resurrection, the cross would have been for nothing.

These are both essential truths of being a Christian. I’m thankful that the song I constantly chose as a child, even if I didn’t know at the time, was one with such clear biblical truths within its lyrics.

2) I’ll fly away by Alan Jackson

Something that I was surrounded by as a child was country music. To this day that genre has a special place in my music library. “Precious memories” was the album this track was on which Alan Jackson released in 2006 AND I WAS SO EXCITED.

Here was one of my favourite country artists singing classic hymns and songs that I had learnt at church. There was of course a wealth of contemporary Christian music out there, but my church didn’t sing any of it so listening to it wasn’t the same as listening to stuff you knew and loved already.

YOU CAN’T SING ALONG TO SONGS YOU DON’T KNOW, and I loved to sing.

3) There is a place of commanded blessing by Robin Mark

If I didn’t understand “Because He lives” in all its fullness, then I definitely didn’t understand this song. But somehow, I would have told you it was one of my favourites.

Since Robin Mark started the Mandate recordings in 1999, we had the albums in the house and listened to them regularly. That slightly folky sound mixed in with the contemporary style of the time was very appealing to me musically. PLUS, ROBIN MARK’S VOICE WAS UNIQUE AND I LIKED THAT TOO. He didn’t just sound like everybody else. His voice was distinct.

The songs chorus was almost a battle cry: “We will break dividing walls. We will break dividing walls”. It was super catchy in terms of the melody and the words were easy enough to remember.

It wasn’t until years later that I finally understood the message of the song, and in fact the message of Psalm 133 where the lyrics are from. “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!” (Psalm 133:1).

As I got a little older and became more aware of the times where brothers and sisters in Christ, were not dwelling in unity, I understood why God’s desire is for us to have that togetherness and have that unity.

THE SONG URGES US TO BREAK DOWN THE WALLS OF DIVISION, so that we can have that unity and the blessings that flow from that unity. In my opinion it needs to be an absolute mainstay in the repertoire of any church.

4) Step into the water by Ernie Haase & Signature Sound

In my early teens I was introduced to a whole new genre of music called Southern Gospel. THAT INTRODUCTION, IN MY MIND, WAS ESSENTIAL TO MY BEING IN MUSIC MINISTRY TODAY. The first group I listened to from this “new” genre was Ernie Haase and his group Signature Sound.

It was like a light bulb moment for me. The vocal harmonies. The piano players. It was all ridiculously impressive. I began what could only be described as studying the way these groups sang, the way their musicians played and the way their songs were written.

As this group was such an important marker in my musical journey, it was only fitting to have one of their songs included in my ten tracks. What makes this track even more defining, is that I ACTUALLY PLAYED THIS SONG ON STAGE for a live show with a UK based southern gospel group a few years ago.

5) There is power in the name of Jesus by Noel Richards

The music of Noel Richards and his wife Tricia is something I’ve always been familiar with. They’ve written some of the greatest hymns for a generation or two and their 1997 Wembley event is something I wish I had seen.

THIS SONG THOUGH, MAKES IT INTO MY DEFINING TRACKS FOR A UNIQUE REASON.

Growing up in church, the piano players I had witnessed play in services and meetings were, to put it politely, conservative in their playing.  There was no musical flare or excitement.

Make no mistake, I’m absolutely not suggesting that playing any instrument as part of congregational worship is anything like a performance. What I want you to understand is that, as a piano player who was always developing and getting better, exploring new genres and styles, I wanted to use what I had learnt when I was being asked to play in church.

If you were a preacher, and you’d discovered a new speaking technique, one that might make it easier for people to engage with you, then you’d be silly not to use it right? Why is that different for the musicians at the front?

I was probably around 16 at this point and I always felt like I was having to hold something back in my piano playing in church. In my head there was a long list of things I couldn’t do. Certain licks I couldn’t play or embellishments that would have been inappropriate for a Sunday morning. WHY WAS THAT?

It had got to the point where I was becoming distracted from the message of the songs we were singing, because I was too concerned about what I was having to avoid playing. THAT DIDN’T SEEM RIGHT TO ME AT THE TIME, and it doesn’t seem right to me now either.

So one Sunday service I was playing as normal, and we were due to sing this song. Noel Richards doesn’t play this song as if he’s holding back, so why was I about to? Much of my practicing around that time had been boogie woogie piano and the old-time rock n roll style and that morning the two things collided.

I decided to play the song in the old-time rock and roll style, PERHAPS THE WAY JERRY LEE LEWIS MIGHT HAVE DONE. Something was now different for me. I didn’t have this awkwardness inside. I didn’t feel like I was being restricted. I felt free to worship.

That Sunday service was a big turning point for me. From that moment on my attitude changed. God hadn’t given me these skills as a piano player for nothing. THEY ARE TO BE USED FOR HIS GLORY. Perhaps it was that morning where I finally began to realise that music ministry was what God wanted me to go on with.

6) Piano Sonata in E‐flat major, WoO 47 No 1 by Beethoven

It would be remiss of me not to include some classical music in this list. Being classically trained as a piano player is something I’m extremely grateful for. It’s been a wonderful foundation for my development as a musician and I’d be lost without it.

I was probably around 17 when I learned this piece and I distinctly remember thinking that this was the first piece of classical music I had learnt that people might perhaps consider listening to recreationally. THIS WAS A DEFINITE STEP UP FROM WHAT I HAD LEARNED BEOFRE.

7) I want to be a Christian by The Proclaimers

As perhaps my favourite band of all time, this duo has released some incredible songs in their career. This one however has specific importance to me.

Before I got married in Winter 2019 and relocated, I had worked in a supermarket since the age of 16. When I was around 18, I worked a few evenings in the week and at the end of the aisle on which I worked, there was a CD player which I used to listen to the radio.

Customers would often comment on how it nice it was in that corner of the store to hear a little music given that the rest of the shop had nothing. One day I decided to take in a compilation album of The Proclaimers to listen to while I worked.

This song was on that album and I remember every time it came on, I had an internal battle. With lyrics like “I want to be a Christian in my heart” I wondered if I should I skip it? Is it a little too explicit for a public place?

The first few times, I gave in and I skipped the song. But then every now and again I decided not to. After a while I never bothered to skip it again and in fact, I hoped people heard it. IT SOUNDS SILLY, BUT FOR ME THAT WAS A BIG LESSON. As Christians we are going to face opposition and we are called to make a stand and not give in to the pressures of this world.

This was one of the ways in which God taught me that lesson. We’ll all learn it in different ways and God will teach you in the way you need to be taught, just as He did for me.

8) Prelude in C Sharp Minor Op. 3 No. 2 by Rachmaninoff

As with the Beethoven sonata from earlier, this piece marked a massive milestone in my life. This was and remains to this day THE MOST DIFFICULT PIECE I HAVE EVER LEARNED ON PIANO.

Many of you may already know that I studied music at the University of Huddersfield, and it was during those three years where I was led by God to begin this ministry. Before going to study there however, I had to pass an audition.

THIS WAS THE PIECE I PLAYED FOR MY AUDITION. An important milestone indeed.

9) He sees what we don’t by 11^th Hour

As I just said, it was while in Huddersfield that God really led me begin a ministry of my own. IT WASN’T PLAIN SAILING BY ANY STRETCH OF THE IMAGINATION THOUGH. But I suppose, when is it right?

If you’ve read some of my other posts, you’ll already know a little about where I thought I was going to end up and how that didn’t happen. As a young adult that was hard to take. I THINK MORE THAN ANYTHING, AT TIMES ALL I WANTED WAS CALRITY. There were times I found it hard to care about the actual destination anymore, I just wanted to know either way, you know. We all have times like that I’m sure.

I remember one Saturday afternoon around the time I had been struggling with everything, driving to meet my girlfriend at the time (now my wife) and I had music playing in the car. I had just discovered 11^th Hour and so it was them that I was listening to on this occasion.

Anyway, this song “He sees what we don’t” comes on which I’d never heard before. Wow. I JUST BEGAN CRYING MY EYES OUT. Such powerful words which spoke to me and directly into my situation.

“There are times in this life when fear is so heavy and burdens weigh on your mind.” That opening line perfectly described how I was feeling.

“And though you may see a valley, He sees the mountain you’ll be standing on”. How encouraging! All I needed was some peace. All I wanted was to feel the burden lighten. Well it certainly lightened when I was reminded about the goodness of the God I serve.

The closing line of the chorus was something which I held dear at the time, and even today as I have this ministry: “I’M SO GLAD HE SEES WHAT WE DON’T”.

Maybe you’re struggling with the way the world is right now, maybe your weighed down with the way Coronavirus has gripped the globe. Rest in the truths of these words.

10) Behold the Lamb of God by Jonathan Hallyburton

You might be wondering why I opted to have one of my own songs in this list. Well, I started by telling you that these ten tracks were recapping my musical journey from as early as I can remember. THESE TRACKS HAVE ALL LED TO THIS POINT IN TIME, TO THIS MOMENT and I chose to mark this moment with this song.

It showcases where I have arrived at musically. I’ve found my voice. I’ve found my sound. I’ve found my own way of writing songs. If you’re interested in the story behind the song, then why not check out the video on my YouTube Channel which explains that for you.

Most importantly however, I think this song explains a fundamental truth of the gospel. JESUS IS THE LAMB OF GOD WHO TAKES AWAY OUR SIN. That’s the ultimate good news and it’s the reason I do what I do.

I’m so excited about what God has in store for this ministry in the future but as I look back on the journey, mapped out by these ten tacks, I’m thankful for how he has brought me here to this point.