2019 faCULTY bios
Lee Black can't afford a P.R. person to write this bio for him. And since he has started writing it and hit the delete button about 15 times, realizing how much he detests talking about himself in third person, he will switch to first person… and tell you a little bit about me. I am the husband of Melissa and the father of Maggie, Reese, Elijah, and Anabel. I love them dearly and could go on and on for days about them. But, if you're at/or coming to a songwriting workshop, you probably want to hear more about songwriting and music stuff. So here goes… I spend the bulk of my time doing song demo and session work, preparing for and leading worship, and writing songs… lots of them… some of them get recorded by other people. Most of them don't. But this year I've enjoyed cuts by Brian Free and Assurance, The Booth Brothers, Joseph Habedank, Karen Peck and New River, Larnelle Harris, Michael English, Triumphant Quartet, Ernie Haase and Signature Sound, 11th Hour, The Talleys, The Kingsmen, Gold City, and I even had my first #1 song in bluegrass by IBMA Hall of Fame member Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver. My musical For The Sake Of Love was released by Daywind and LifeWay for Easter this year. Daywind Music Publishing (aka the best publisher in the history of the world ever) has been my songwriting home for a little over a year now, and, though I don't know why people use clams as a measure of happiness, I truly am happy as a clam there. Oh, and I'm looking forward to spending a GREAT WAJ weekend with you!
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GINA BOE
Gina is a songwriter, artist, teacher, wife, mom, lover of songs, and a developer of people. She has over 25 years experience in the music business including 10 independent recordings, a Dove award, song of the year nominations, cuts by artists such as Mandisa, The Martins, The Talley Trio, Carl Cartee, Brian Free and Assurance, and many more, as well as several musicals for both children and adult choirs. As the Chief Creative Office for EnCorps Music, Gina also writes and produces a variety of projects for organizations who use music to communicate their message. She recently released the first project from Kids Corps Music whose mission is to raise up an army of songs for kids.
CARL CARTEE
Carl wrote his first song at the age of 7, considering music more of a second language than an acquired skill. His catalog of songs and studio albums have garnered him a Dove award as well as tracks on the albums of artists including Elevation Worship, Laura Story, Aaron Schust, Selah, Jaci Valesquez, Big Daddy Weave, The Martins, NewSpring Worship, Finding Favour, LifeWay Worship, The Gaither Vocal Band, Rory & Joey, The Oakridge Boys, FFH, Travis Cottrell and over 150 songs cut by other artists.
A life that started playing music and leading worship in the local church fostered a deep affection the Church and for writing songs for her to sing. No matter where the road leads, it's never far away from a place to serve and give in the body of Christ. Carl has written and recorded thirteen albums over the last 18 years and performed with artists Third Day, Mercy Me, Steven Curtis Chapman but is most grateful to lead and serve on the staff of Fellowship Bible Church in Nashville, TN as Director of Worship Development and to found the Inspire Worship Conference, an annual event that trains and equips church worship leaders.
DAVE CLARK
Dave's songwriting credits include hits that cross musical boundaries from contemporary Christian music to southern gospel, including songs recorded by Larnelle Harris, Sandi Patty, Steve Green, 4HIM, Al Denson, Point of Grace, Phillips, Craig & Dean, Glen Campbell, CeCe Winans, Jimmy Fortune, and many others. Twenty-seven of his songs have reached the #1 spot in the country on the Christian music charts, and his song "Pray Now," cut by Karen Peck and New River is his first southern gospel #1.. He is Director of Creative Development, A&R and Publishing for Lillenas Publishing Company. In 2009 Dave was awarded the prestigious ASCAP Living Legend Award.
JOE DAN CORNETT
Joe Dan, a Nashville native, is currently Creative Manager at Daywind Music Publishing where he serves the staff writers and works within the Southern Gospel, Mainstream Country, and Worship/CCM markets. He has worked in several different facets of the music industry, which range from major market rock and country touring to the Film and TV department at BMI. He also serves as the Worship Pastor at his church. His heart is to serve others and to help guide "creatives" towards their goals and aspirations.
DENNIS DEARING
For over 25 years, Dennis Dearing, a two-time Dove Award nominee for production, has invested his professional life in the music industry in Nashville, TN. After graduating from Belmont University with a Music Business degree (BBA), Dennis began touring as a guitar player with various Christian and country artists. His days home were filled with studio sessions where he performed on numerous #1 singles over the years that eventually led Dennis to the other side of the sound board.
In 1996, Dennis opened his own recording studio, Menace Music, in Franklin, TN, becoming a sought-after producer, engineer, guitarist and performer. Working in a variety of genres, his name has appeared on dozens of projects by major labels, and he has worked and performed directly with notable artists and Grammy Award winners like Natalie Grant, Mathew West, Mandisa (American Idol), Hillary Scott (Lady Antebellum), Jay Demarcus & Gary Lavox (Rascal Flatts), Joy Williams (The Civil Wars), Sara Evans, Kathy Troccoli, Travis Cottrell, Nicol Smith Sponberg, Todd Smith (Selah), Lisa Bevill, The Martins, and David Phelps.
MIKE HARLAND
Mike Harland grew up in Mississippi, graduated from Delta State University and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, and has led churches in worship leadership roles for most of his life. Since 2005, Mike has served as the Director of Worship at LifeWay Christian Resources. He is a published author, Dove Award winning songwriter, and a worship leader who sings and speaks nationally and internationally. His blog and podcast, "WorshipLife" is followed by pastors, worship leaders, and church musicians around the world. His new book, Worship Essentials—Growing a Healthy Worship Ministry Without Starting a War is written from a pastor's view with the hope to call out values in healthy worship ministries that transcend music styles. You can find more at MikeHarland.com.
Mike and his wife Teresa serve in the discipleship and worship ministries of Brentwood Baptist Church and live in Franklin, Tennessee. They have three grown children – Lee and wife Jenna, Elizabeth and husband Thomas, and John. They have also just welcomed two granddaughters, Madeleine and Caroline!
​SIMON HAWKINS
Simon Hawkins is an award-winning songwriter/producer and an Amazon best-selling author, based on the south coast of England. Simon was initially signed with Brentwood Benson Music Publishing/Universal CMG, where he now has some 200 songs in his catalogue, having had cuts with Vince Gill and Sheri Easter (Livin' in the Rain, #2 SOGO charts, long-listed for a Grammy), Mandisa (Truth About Me), Abandon (Known), Avalon (Destined), Gold City (Never Too Broken, #1 SOGO charts). Simon also received a Dove nomination for the musical LifeSong: The Musical, written with Sue C Smith. In 2014 Simon wrote the modern hymn "He Is God" which won www.weareworship.com Search for a Hymn 2015, which Simon recorded with Integrity/Thankyou Music. Simon now has his own publishing company, Great British Music, to represent his own work and to offer writers in the UK access to opportunities in the US. Last year Simon published his first book, "Song Maps - A New System to Write Your Best Lyrics", which immediately became #1 on Amazon's store internationally.
DONNA KING
Nashville singer, songwriter, producer, and music artist, Donna King, is quickly becoming one of the most sought after producers in Nashville. She has been working full-time in the music industry for over twenty years. She was awarded Producer of the Year in 2013 by the esteemed Absolutely Gospel Music Awards. She writes and produces Christian Music, Country, Pop, and a handful of other genres. She and her husband, Zane, known as Zane and Donna King, perform around town on many writer's rounds, and in churches and concert venues across the country.
It's a long way from the Motor City (Detroit), where she was born and raised. Donna is a classically trained vocalist who is now known as a demo & BGV (back ground vocals) singing "chameleon," able to perform a variety of styles on demos and for artist's projects. She has a golden ear for detail and nuance.
in addition to her talents as a performer, producer, songwriter, and vocalist, she has proven to be an excellent music industry strategist who understands marketing and commercial radio. She's worked with major labels in radio promotion as well as PR and has a solid understanding of what works as a radio single and in live performance. She is committed to keeping the songs she works on fresh and current in today's ever-shifting music world.
So, if Donna's not in the songwriting room, she's in the studio doing demo work, producing a new project for an artist, singing demos or bgv overdubs, and so on. Her energy, positivity, work ethic, musical intuition, and LOVE for her calling make a difference in every endeavor she's a part of.
ZANE KING
Zane is a multi-talented instrumentalist, producer, and songwriter. He's been called the "Man Of Steel" by the steel guitar community. Zane moved to Nashville in 1994 after attending Harding University in AR, then the renowned Berklee College of Music in Boston. At Zion Music Group, he worked with Christian groups such as the Crabb Family, Ivan Parker, Anchormen, Heaven Bound and many others. Next Zane was named A&R director of Homeland Entertainment Group's roster of artists, including The Cathedrals, the Hoppers, the Bishops and others. At Homeland, he developed a new label. As the president of Journey Records, he wrote songs and/or produced recordings for Terry Terrell, Jessica King, Skyline Boys, Chosen Few, Russ Lee, N' Harmony, and many more.
On the songwriting side, Zane has written hits like "Keep Me In Your Will," "Help Me Get Down On My Knees," "Go Close The Windows."More recently he's written songs with his wife for their duo Zane & Donna King. Their most recent hit is "It Takes Jesus" which they wrote with Sue C. Smith. ​
These days, Zane's full-time job is as Artist Relations Manager for Compassion International. In his off time, he and Donna write Christian and country music, produce and record, and play in churches and various events sharing hope and love with their audiences.
JOEL LINDSEY
Now in his fourth decade as a professional songwriter, Joel Lindsey has established himself as one of the most prolific and sought-after writers in the industry. With a catalog of over 2000 recorded songs to his credit, including over 30 #1 songs, 18 Dove Awards, 8 BMI Awards, 2 ASCAP awards, 4 Platinum records, 7 Gold records and 11 platinum videos, Lindsey continues to create new music in a wide variety of genres.
His songs have been recorded by such artists as Selah, Sandi Patty, Kristin Chenoweth, Avalon, Chris Mann, Gaither Vocal Band, Ty Herndon, TaRanda, Cana's Voice, Ernie Haase & Signature Sound, Oak Ridge Boys, Point of Grace, Kathie Lee Gifford, Mark Lowry, Riley Harrison Clark, Dailey and Vincent, Todd Smith, Joy Williams, The Perrys, Triumphant Quartet, Karen Peck & New River, The Nelons, Larry Gatlin and the Gatlin Brothers, Joseph Habedank, Larnelle Harris, 4Him, and many others.
His musical, Emmanuel: Celebrating Heaven's Child is the highest selling musical in the history of Brentwood Benson Music Publishing company and is just one of over 30 musicals he has written for the church choir market.
In addition to writing songs, Joel is the co-founder and co-owner of Sunset Gallery Music and its subsidiaries. Sunset Gallery is the publishing home for exclusive songwriters Geron Davis, Scott Inman, Jeff Bumgardner, Marcia Henry, Mark Mathes, Jim Davis, Rachel McCutcheon, Donna King, Val Dacus, Gene Ezell, Adina Bowman, Barbara Huffman, Randall Garland, Jonathan Denney, Ed Stivers, Keagan Denney and Carolyn Cross.
Lindsey is also the A&R Director for the recently formed Club44 Records, a label which specializes in the American Songbook, jazz and cabaret music. Their upcoming first release, Christmas At Birdland, features well-known Broadway artists Jim Caruso, Billy Stritch and Klea Blackhurst on the studio recording of their legendary annual Christmas show at the world-famous Birdland Jazz Club in New York City.
Joel Lindsey divides his time between Santa Barbara, California and Nashville, Tennessee and is an exclusive songwriter for Word/Curb Music Publishing.
MARY ALICE LOVELACE
Mary Alice Lovelace currently serves as the director of social media and communications for both StowTown Records, a Christian music label, and Club44 Records, a label that highlights the Broadway, cabaret and jazz genres. She utilizes social media to create marketing strategies that help artists reach a broader platform. Mary Alice has a passion for helping people discover their brand message. She enjoys consulting in all stages of the branding process in order to assist people in achieving their goals.
Additionally, Mary Alice works as a freelance writer. She collaborates on a variety of projects, including regular feature articles for the Dolly Parton: Life of a Living Legend project on dollyparton.com.
Mary Alice and her husband, comedian/songwriter Tim Lovelace, live in the mountains of East Tennessee with their teenage daughters, Gabrielle and Gracie, and their feisty chihuahua, Lola.
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PHIL MEHRENS
Phil loves to lead God's people in worship and mentor musicians, singers, and songwriters for the Kingdom. He has been a worship pastor for over 25 years. He has led worship at many conventions and conferences in the states and overseas. Phil is a past grand prize winner at Write About Jesus and a staff songwriter for Sunday Best Music, Nashville, TN, with over 30 songs released in musicals by Lillenas, Brentwood Benson, and Word. His songs have also been cut by the Nelons, The Old Paths, The Guardians, Steve Ladd, Ashes to Fire, Southern Salvation, and The Dixie Melody Boys.
KRISSY NORDHOFF
Songwriter Krissy Nordhoff is also co-founder of Brave Worship endeavors to call out the boldness in those with a heart for worship — whether leader or writers.. She has had 3 Dove Award Nominations, and also won the Dove Award for Worship Song of the Year in 2012 for the song "Your Great Name," which has impacted the church worldwide. Her songs have been recorded by many artists, including Natalie Grant, Mandisa, Darlene Zschech, Lauren Daigle, Dustin Smith, Aaron Shust, Anthony Evans, Meredith Andrews, Charles Billingsley, Todd Agnew, Anthony Evans, Kerrie Roberts, Lacey Sturm, Joseph Habedank, Corey Voss, and Michael Farren.
RICK SHELTON
Rick currently serves the Christian music industry as Vice President of Music Publishing, Daywind Music Group. He developed a keen sense for commercially viable songs as an artist, worship leader, Christian television producer, and radio professional. This distinctive background prepared him to serve as Director of Publishing at Centergy Music until he accepted his present position in 2004. He has secured approximately 3000 recordings for Daywind's staff of exceptional songwriters. Under his leadership, Daywind has earned more than 450 singles and 50 number one songs. Daywind has also been honored, during his tenure, to receive 19 BMI Awards, BMI Christian Music Publisher of the Year and 11 GMA Dove Awards including the 2011 Song of the Year.
BELINDA SMITH
A Dove Award-winning songwriter, Belinda has seen hundreds of her original songs recorded by renowned artists in the Christian and Gospel genres, including several number ones (a few include "In Time, On Time, Every Time" by Gold City, "I Stand Redeemed" by Legacy V, "Over and Over" by Jeff & Sheri Easter and "I Know Enough" by The Bowlings) and numerous award-nominated hits. She landed the Dove Award for Bluegrass Song of the Year for "So Many Years, So Many Blessings" by the Lewis family. Additionally, she's penned the Christmas musical "Once You've Seen the Star" along with having numerous placements in various other print and productions. She's presently signed as a staff writer for Daywind Music and owns 7th Row Music, a publishing company. Belinda also mentors aspiring songwriters through her company BelindaSmithCreative.com.
BRYAN WARD
Bryan is a music business veteran of 26 years and has held positions at Sony as VP, Marketing and EMI/Capitol Christian Music Group as Director, Artist Development working with Steven Curtis Chapman, Hillsong, Third Day, Amy Grant, Mathew West, Mandisa, & TobyMac to name a few. Currently, he is an Artist & Brand Manager with Proper Management (Casting Crowns, Anthem Lights, Vertical Worship, Red Rocks Worship, Chris Mcclarney & more). In his 'side job', he has performed on stage beginning 5 years old trying to impress his elementary school teachers all the way to performing with Amy Grant in front of 60,000 people trying to impress his parents. Bryan has also been a worship leader for over 15 years and has a deep passion for seeing songs connect with people. He has worked in every side of the music business and says he is 'always a student' of the music business because it changes daily and that is the best job in the world.
HOLLY WARD
Holly is Vice President of Publishing for Essential Music, working with such writers as Jason Ingram, Mia Fields, Matt Maher, Zach Williams, Jonathan Smith, Tauren Wells, Casting Crowns, Elevation Worship. Vertical Worship. In 2019, she was named BMI Publisher of the Year. Holly was Creative Director for Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing for eight years, and before that the Membership Director for the Gospel Music Association.
KENNA TURNER WEST
Kenna Turner West is a multi-Dove Award-winning songwriter and five-time Songwriter of the Year, co-writing hit songs such as "Say Amen," "Revival," "Small Town Someone," and "Even Me." With over seventy "Song of the Year" nominations, twenty-two "Song of The Year" wins, six BMI Awards, and over thirty-five national #1's to her credit, Kenna's songs have been recorded by artists such as Jason Crabb, Hillary Scott (of Lady Antebellum), Michael English, The Martins, Finding Favour, The Isaacs, The Booth Brothers, Triumphant Quartet, The Collingsworth Family, Brian Free & Assurance, Joseph Habedank, Shenandoah's Marty Raybon, Karen Peck & New River, Jeff & Sheri Easter, The Nelons, Selah, The Blackwood Brothers, The Oak Ridge Boys, Gold City, Wes Hampton and Adam Crabb of the Gaither Vocal Band, The Talleys, The Perrys, Karyn Williams, Mac Powell (of Third Day), Greater Vision, Gordon Mote, The Erwins, 11th Hour, Legacy Five, Doug Anderson, The Whisnants, The Old Paths, Tribute Quartet, Sisters, The Bowlings Family, HighRoad, Canton Junction, Ivan Parker, and many more. She has also penned six musicals, including Word Music's 2019 Easter release, "We Are Witnesses."
For over thirty-five years, the author and board-certified counselor has blended music, devotional teaching, and humor into a ministry that has reached across the nation and around the world. Whether she is writing songs or ministering alongside noted Christian leaders at venues ranging from The Pentagon to NASCAR chapels to the local church, Kenna's life has a singular call: to creatively communicate the Living Hope found in Jesus Christ.
Kenna resides near Nashville, TN with her husband, Kerry—the son of Country Music Hall of Fame-member Dottie West and audio engineer of over twenty-five years for country music artist Ronnie Milsap. Their son, Graham, is currently pursuing a PhD in computational science at nearby MTSU.
Touring artist, #1 Songwriter , Producer, Recording Artist, Award Winner. These are just a few of the words that describe Brian White. One of Nashville's most sought after hit makers, his songs have been recorded by such Christian artists as Danny Gokey, Mandisa, Kutless, Avalon, The Martins, Point of Grace, Larnelle Harris, 7th Time Down, Michael English, Karyn Williams, and many more, earning him 14 #1 Songs and 2 Dove Awards.
His successes in the Country market have landed him songs recorded by Jason Aldean, Trace Adkins, Rascal Flatts, Gary Alan, Steve Holy, Neal McCoy, The Swon Brothers, Kix Brooks, Charley Pride, Blackhawk, to name a few. He is the writer of the 5-week #1 amash, "Watching You" for Rodney Atkins, which was named SESAC Country Song of the Year and Billboards "Most Played Country Song of 2007" as well as being nominated for the ACM SONG OF THE YEAR.
Recently "Watching You" was name the "Most Played Country Song of The Decade" and landed at #37 in the "Top 100 Country Songs Of All Time."
A man of Faith and conviction, White currently lives in Nashville with his wife, Christian recording artist Karyn Williams. He writes and produces for SB21 / Anthem Music Publishing.
TONY WOOD
Tony Wood is a five-time Dove Award winner, nominee for Songwriter of the Year and writer of 31 #1 songs. Recent singles include: EVEN THEN by Micah Tyler; GOD IS ON THE MOVE (7eventh Time Down), BREATHE (Jonny Diaz) and FEARLESS (Jasmine Murray). Other artists recording his songs include Michael W. Smith, Francesca Battistelli, Matt Redman, Zach Williams, Mandisa, We Are Messengers, Point of Grace, Big Daddy Weave, Sandi Patty, Gaither Vocal Band, Reba McEntire, Ricky Skaggs and many others. Tony is a staff writer for WORD Music Publishing. You can follow him on Instagram and Twitter at: tonywood_exit71.
KIDS WRITE ABOUT JESUS TEAM
NICK AND ALLIE LAPOINTE
Nick and Allie have been songwriting for over two decades and have taught youth songwriting workshops for the past five years. They've both had multiple songs published for print/choral as well as special compilation projects. The Lapointes began attending WAJ together in 2004 and continued for the next 14 years in various roles. Allie wrote for Dave Clark at Lillenas and Lifeway for several years, and also served as a WAJ clinician. As the Lapointe's three kids grew and began making music of their own, Nick had the idea to extend the WAJ workshop experience to the youngest generation of songwriters. Thus, KWAJ was launched! The Lapointes live in Iowa and enjoy supporting all five family members' musical endeavors: Dad songwriting and coaching younger writers, Mom songwriting hymns and folk songs and critiquing songs for WAJ pro services, Grant (15) composing jazz piano tunes, Miles (13) writing poetry, rap, and worship songs with guitar and vocals, and Gloria (9) noticing and articulating the small wonders in life to inspire the rest of the family.
MARCY EACH
Marcy Each is singer/songwriter and worship leader from Cedar Rapids, IA. She is a GMA Immerse singer/songwriter of the year winner and a multi-Dove award nominated artist/writer. Marcy is excited to serve in her local church and also has the privilege of writing with a community called, People and Songs. Marcy is married to Jake, a lead pastor at Veritas Church, and they have three kids.
Marcy says, "I found that I communicated best with people through music. I could write a song to be a comfort in the death of a loved one or to encourage during depression or to to inspire during hard times. I could write to make people laugh and cry and take them on a journey.
Almost every one of my songs has a story behind it. The album, 'Walk Me Home.' was made to share those stories. To share my heart. So I'm standing up again just like I did when I was nine. I'm shaky. I'm nervous. I don't like people looking at me. But my hope is that when these songs are listened to and my voice is heard, it will all point to the God I love and a story that is much bigger than my own."
AMBER GUDERIAN
Amber has been songwriting since the age of 9 when she performed her first song at church under the tutelage of WAJ clinician Gina Boe. Her songs have since been sung at weddings, graduations and other events across the Midwest. After college she moved to Kansas City where she met and began writing and performing with Grammy nominated artist Brandon Estelle. She is happily married to her sweet husband Dave and was blessed with 3 children; Clara, Corban and Caleb who is in the loving arms of Jesus.
​ALISEN WELLS
Alisen loves writing songs and encouraging aspiring young songwriters. She won the Dove Award for Best Children's/Youth Musical 2018. Recently, Alisen received her third Dove Award nomination for the Children's/Youth Musical of the Year 2019, co-written with Nick Robertson and Anna Lampe. Alisen enjoys writing songs for all genres including country, pop, contemporary Christian, gospel, and Broadway. In addition to singing and songwriting full-time, she also enjoys cheering on her boys at their sports events, serving as a worship leader at church alongside her guitar playing husband, movie night with the fam, and filling the rest of her day doing everything she can to avoid housework. In her spare time...wait, is that like, a real thing?!? Although a native of Texas, Alisen currently makes her home in Nashville with her husband, Brad, two teenage boys, Jack and Jasper, and their lovable mutt, Fender.