Unpacking the Power of a Song–Still Time To Sign Up!
There are still several spaces remaining in Ginny’s online songwriting course, Unpacking the Power of a Song. Due to some technical difficulties, the Monday evening class will begin next Monday, June 8th. The Thursday class will begin this week. We are using the Talking Communities interface, which allows video and audio interaction, as well as recording capabilities. Remember, all participants receive four individual song evaluations during the four-part online course. Visit our store page to sign up!
A Note from Ginny about “Unpacking the Power of a Song”
Hi, everyone. Ginny here, reminding you to sign up for my fun-filled, action-packed songwriting seminar! We get started in just about a week! Choose from the Monday night or Thursday night sections of the class.
Prepare yourself for some serious creative inspiration and many “break-through” moments, too. You’ll be able to tune in via your computer or on the telephone, as I walk you through the land of musical composition. I’ll email you a plethora of useful resources which you’ll be able to use during the class and in your future writing endeavors. There will be ample time during each session for asking questions, too.
I will also be happy to give you feedback on four of your own songs—either during class so our friends can listen in, or after class if you’d prefer.
During our four sessions together, we’ll cover everything from the anatomy of a song to the types of songs that have the most commercial value and appeal. But, as far as I’m concerned, the most important objective of my classes will be to encourage you as a writer to further embrace your creativity and to enjoy the journey God has you on.
If you would like to sign up for one of the two four-part sessions, please visit our store page, and click on “Online Seminars.” If you have any further questions about what we’ll be doing, please feel free to email me at AllThingsGinny@gmail.com.
I’m looking forward to seeing you all there! Let’s get our writing party on!
–Ginny O
Whee! It’s Free Wednesday!
Here at the GO website, we’re launching “Whee! It’s Free Wednesday,” a blog that will feature a different song each week. Besides reading the story behind the song, you’ll be able to stream the mp3–absolutely free. Every Wednesday look for the latest song. You’ll even be able to leave feedback for us about the song. We hope you enjoy!
Last year when I began planning this new project, Mom kept insisting that I take this old hymn and rewrite it’s melody. It took me awhile, but after some work, I think I got it right. Mom seems to approve. She is very proud that it was her idea.
This song is a combination of something I’ve heard over the years and something I made up in the studio. After extensive research, I found so many versions of this spiritual that I decided to just create my own. It’s fun being the choir and the lead…in the studio, of course; not in real life.
I initially wrote the chorus of this song to share with a group of at-risk junior high and high school girls. When I met my young friend Ronell Ragbir, who was facing a losing battle with cancer, she shared with me a compelling piece of prose she had written entitled, “Woman of Destiny.” I was so moved by the piece that I decided to change the last line of the chorus (and therefore the title) to “Woman of Destiny.”
A year later, I sat down to try and craft verses that would compliment the chorus. The season was very different. Ronell had fulfilled her ultimate destiny, and I wanted to honor her memory with the lyrics I wrote. My Mother was battling her way through cancer–losing her hair to chemo, grappling with questions about her own destiny, and feeling anything but beautiful. The chorus which had originally been intended as an easy-to-sing inspirational ditty for teenage girls had become an anthem for women to celebrate the dreams God has for each of us. Because we are daughters of a loving Heavenly Father, I changed the title yet again.
This version of the song can be downloaded at www.briterevolution.com. Hope you enjoy!
This was the first track on my very first CD millions of years ago. I still love the simple melody and the beautiful lyrics. This version is a bit different from the original. Hope you enjoy.
I first heard this song in high school, when one of my friends sang and played it on the piano at a Martin Luther King Day Celebration. I fell in love with it then, and when I decided to put together a collection of
American spiritual songs, it was one of the first that came to mind. I knew the song had been recorded by Mahalia Jackson, and aside from her wonderfully soulful version, I found some earlier more “formal-sounding” versions which were a bit comical in comparison. I was reminded again that a good song can wear many different clothes.The simple lyrics offer a beautiful message. I hope you enjoy.
April 8th, 2009
Vince Emett, a friend (and co-producer on Long Way Home) approached me last Fall about participating in an Easter project he was working on. He’d just finished recording strings in Prague for the film soundtract, and was collecting artist/writers for the companion CD. It all sounded really interesting, and I promised to write an “Easter” song.After multiple “gentle” nudges by Vince, it was January, and I hadn’t yet recorded my piece for the project. I was having trouble finishing the composition…it’s quite difficult to find new ways to talk about Easter. When we went to the studio to record, I had no idea whether or not the song was worthy. However, Vince graciously allowed it to be the closing song on the CD. I hope you enjoy. Have a wonderful Easter!
March 25, 2009
I wrote the chorus for “Say Amen” nearly ten years ago. I’ve shared it with several co-writers, but we could never figure out what the rest of the song should be. Then, a couple of years ago, I was introduced to Ronell Ragbir, a twenty-year-old cancer patient at St. Jude’s Cancer Hospital. She was a writer, singer, and fearless dreamer. I shared this chorus with her, and she immediately embraced it, and thirty minutes later, we had a song.
Ronell and I sang the song together at several public appearances, including a concert where I got to open for her. Just six months after our first meeting, I had to share the song at Ronell’s funeral.
Needless to say, “Say Amen” has overwhelming emotion and deep meaning for me. I hope it will inspire and encourage you as well.
March 11, 2009 – Ginny covers Carole King’s classic “So Far Away”
While living with my Mom last year, I found that the most relaxing way to end each evening was to pull up my itunes and listen on my studio speakers to artists and songs I hadn’t spent much time with before. Because of the exceptional sound my speakers put out, this “relaxation period” often turned into several hours of song-scrutinizing. (“How’d they come up with that cool drum pattern?”…”That bass is way too loud!”…”What kind of keyboard is that?”…)
Aside from getting re-acquainted with old Stevie Wonder, I found new love for Bill Withers, Hall and Oates, and Carole King.
Although I’ve always admired Carole’s amazing writing ability and innate soulful style, I must admit that I’ve had a tough time embracing her voice. But all that changed during the months I spent listening to her each night…her voice grew on me, and so did the songs.
This is one of my favorites…the words are a pretty accurate description of what those of us who live on the road go through on a regular basis. I hope you enjoy it as much as I have. And check out Carole’s version…much cooler, I must say!
Announcing Online Songwriting Courses in June
We’re excited to announce that Ginny will be teaching a four-part songwriting workshop during the month of June. Choose either the Monday or Thursday evening class. Click here to read more.
SAY AMEN Now Available for Pre-order and Download!
We are pleased to announce that SAY AMEN, the latest release from Ginny Owens is now available for pre-order! And here’s the even better news! If you pre-order the CD, you’ll be given a link to download the entire project, making it possible for you to enjoy all the music before your cd arrives in the mail. Visit the store today to claim your copy!
Say Amen Coming Soon!
Ginny Owens has just put the finishing touches on her latest project, Say Amen, a unique collection which chronicles music of faith from the past three centuries. In addition to several original compositions, the offering contains Ginny’s arrangements of various historic hymns, spirituals, and Shaker songs.
The title track from Say Amen was co-written by Owens and Ronell Ragbir, a 21-year-old Trinidad native who was receiving treatment for cancer at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. (Visit http://fingerprintinitiative.org for more of Ronell’s storry.)
“I always thought this would be a side project,” says Owens. “I planned to record some simple versions of hymns for my family—and anyone else who wanted to hear hymns.”
However, after nine months of recording, Say Amen became a surprisingly unique collage of psalms, hymns, and anthems reflecting the faith of the past and present.
Owens muses, “There’s something amazing about the musical poetry of our past—it’s so deep—full of wisdom, beautiful thoughts, and wonderfully-crafted language. Certainly worth celebrating. Definitely worth singing again and again!”
Check out Ginny’s personal blog to read more about the making of Say Amen.
Ginny Owens Featured on Easter Project
Ginny Owens recently wrote and recorded a track for a very special project. Resurrection Worship, songs of hope, is a unique CD with 10 of Christian music’s top writer/performers composing and performing 10 new songs about one subject – the greatest event in history. In addition to Owens’ end-track, “Your Life,” the project showcases new songs written by Rebecca St. James, Paul Colman, Phil Keaggy, Jamie Slocum, Phil Joel, Jason Roy (Building 429), Jason Ingram, Ben Woodward and Alabaster Box. The CD will be in stores March 18th and is available for download at www.melodyhillmusic.com.
RESURRECTION WORSHIP, songs of hope is an authorized companion piece to the Thomas Nelson cinematic DVD series and curriculum about the life and Resurrection of Christ entitled The Easter Experience. Visit http://www.melodyhillmusic.com for more information.
Brand New Ginny Owens Tracks Featured at BriteRevolution.com
If you want to receive brand new music from Ginny Owens every month, there’s now a place where you can! Brite Revolution is a new concept in music distribution and the only web site devoted to bringing its users new, unreleased music from their favorite artists on a monthly basis while supporting non-profit causes around the world.
Download two new tracks each month from Ginny and the other featured artists on the site. Enjoy behind-the-scenes videos, podcasts, and blogs as well. And most importantly, Brite Revolution will contribute to the non-profit of your choice!
For more information or to become a member, visit www.briterevolution.com. All subscribers who sign up will receive their first month free.
Did someone say, “Professor Owens” again?
Throwing caution to the wind, Ginny has eagerly begun her second semester as an adjunct professor of songwriting in the Mike Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business at her alma mater Belmont University. But don’t panic. Her “Fundamentals of Comercial Songwriting” class meets twice a week, leaving plenty of time for touring and record-making. Stay tuned for blogs about her teaching experiences.
Owens Brings Peace to a Place Near You
Singer/songwriter Ginny Owens and violinist David Klinkenberg invite you to celebrate this wonderful season by joining them for one of their upcoming Christmas concerts. Click here to see the various tour dates:
Ginny Owenns’ critically acclaimed Christmas project Bring Us Peace is available now at Family Christian Stores nationwide. Give the gift of Christmas peace to your friends and loved ones by sharing this wonderful CD with them.
Bring Us Peace is an intimate, eclectic mix of original compositions and familiar tunes. From the Ray Charles-esque blues tune “Nothin’ for Christmas,” in which Owens pours out her Mississippi soul, to the angelic, a capella “Ave Maria,” arranged by Owens, this record provides an extraordinarily unique listening experience for all.
Owens says of Bring Us Peace, “It is intimate, conversational, and stylistically diverse. But more than this, it is my Christmas gift to all who will listen. In a time when the world seems to be at war in so many ways, Bring Us Peace is my humble and passionate prayer for all mankind.”
