Transition: An Interview with Christian Songwriter Gene Ezell

An Interview with Gene Ezell, Emerging Christian Songwriter, Chattanooga/Nashville, TN

I’ve known Gene since we worked together as he was deciding to move forward as a professional songwriter. His passion has not waned, and it’s fun to see him at a later stage in life making the move from full-time professor and coach, to serious songwriter getting cuts in Nashville. I think this interview is a great read especially if you are considering a transition to work more at being a Christian songwriter.

How did you get started as a Christian songwriter?

The Art of the Co-Write

Not every person who writes songs is an expert in all phases of songwriting. Sometimes a songwriter might be a better lyricist, and other folks might be more talented at the music writing part. Or, it may just be that a beginning songwriter can be paired with a more experienced songwriter to craft a stronger song (and a better songwriters!)

In Nashville, co-writing is not only a time-honored tradition, but a publishing mandated necessity. Pairing strong writers together creates amazing songs with strong verses, choruses, ideas, and structure. And it makes each writer better for the experience.

Saying Old Truths in New Ways

“The secret of good writing is to say an old thing in a new way or to say a new thing in an old way.” - Richard Harding Davis

This post is specifically for Christian songwriters, but can also apply to pastors, authors, poets, and songwriters of any genre.

Folks, we need to come up with new ways to say things in our songs. And yes, I’m talking to you Worship Leader Songwriter. I’m looking directly your way Christian Rock Band Dudes. This one’s for you Top 40 Christian Singer-Songwriter.

I get songs sent to me every day from Christian artists and songwriters hoping to get them heard, published, or recorded. And many times, the lyrics are simply unbelievable. As Christians, we know the rules: Use the old standby phrases, write it in a pop-friendly structure, and BOOM! – Christian radio hit right? This one will really get you noticed.

Getting Serious About Publishing

We're ready to get serious, how about you?

If you're like me, you've been writing songs for years and you KNOW you need to do more towards getting them heard or in other people's hands. But like artists who after they finish a recording may struggle to get out and hustle to sell it, the work it takes to publish your songs out to the world can be intimidating.

But, being the solutions-oriented folks we are here at Soul of the Songwriter, we offer not only steps to get you there, but a very serious option for you here in Nashville once you complete the steps.

Living in an ABAB World

One of the biggest problems we see with Christian songs that come our way is a structure that seems random or strange to listen to.

Now, songwriters, I hear you. You say, “I want to write original stuff that no one has heard before!” Oh if that were only true. What you really mean is “I just wrote it down this way and I’d rather go write something else than change it at this point.”