Snow Days

This week I had Four Snow Days!!!! From November into the beginning of December we had enough snow and ice to close over 150 schools in sunny Lincolnshire. Our school was one of them, which had many implications for the music life of our school. Sadly I had to postpone, possibly cancel, our Christmas Praise event . Anither project that was threatened was the William Lovell Project recording its second project - The Skeggi Stomp. Fortunately I managed to rescue all the main recording gear from the schools studio just before the chaos hit.

So as well as getting some real quality snowballing time with Jack, I also got to spend some time in the Pots n Pans recording studio once more (my kitchen). Its been a while since I recorded in this prestigious studio - the last was the recording of Design for Life (available on iTunes - hint hint). This time I had an iMac with Logic Pro 9 on it and some un-interupted time. So I set about finishing the project. After a few hours the finishing touches were made and The Skeggi Stomp will receive its public debut next week, weather permitting, on Wednesday 8 December 2010 at the Embassy Theatre Skegness. 

Skeggi done and dusted the recording equipment was looking at me and longing to be explored some more. By now I'd gained a lot of knowledge a little bit of experience and an amazing desire to record one of my songs that has never had the attention. I spent approximately thirty seconds deciding which song, It took longer deciding that I needed to choose a song than actually deciding the song. A Cradle For The King is a song that I wrote back in 1999 whilst I was teaching at Spilsby High School (King Edward VI Humanities College). It was written in response to my musings on an interesting concept which I'm sure has crossed the thoughts of many people through the years. If the first Christmas happened this year where would Jesus be born. Would he be born in a squat or maybe he'd be born in private healthcare. That's a whole other debate. So I began recording.

The main guitar lick was the acoustic riff I figured out when I performed the songs a few Christmases ago and I decide to stick with it. The rest just fell into place. The only thing missing was a bridge. Originally I had two choruses to the song so I used the lyrics for the alternative chorus and edited them slightly. I figured the main purpose of the song was faith, belief and trust and the concept of a humble shepherd leaving behind his or her livelihood to see a baby boy who was the creator of the universe was a pretty mighty thought. So I stuck with that. 

The song took about 8 hours record in total with a further 3 hours fine tuning and mastering. I'm really pleased with the end result and invite you to come and listen. Here's the link - A Cradle For The King Enjoy! Don't forget to let me know what you think.

J. Brian Hill - UK 2010

J Brian Hill and I met on myspace back in 2005. At that time who would have thought that Brian would become one of my closest friends even though he lives 1000s of miles away. It's become an almost annual occasion over the past 4 years of either me going to Chicago (2006) or, more often, Brian coming to the UK. His visit is much anticipated by our whole family each time he arrives. So this year brings both excitement and joy in his return. 

This year he will be once again working with my BTEC students at William Lovell CE School, Stickney. The project is really quite fascinating. The suggestion came from over the pond that we should look at giving the students a real project raising money for a charity close to our students hearts. What better charity than Children in Need. Little did I know that it would turn rapidly into a monster project. 

We had a song-writing contest to write a song to raise awareness and money for Children in Need. Four excellent songs were entered and the winning  song "Let the world know" by Hayleigh Garrett was chosen. The next step was to frantically create a backing track for the song. Brian will be working with Hayleigh to help edit the lyrics and work on vocal arrangement. Ashley and Phil Wilson will be helping to record the song and the whole BTEC group will be recording the vocals. It is hoped that the song will be performed at the Embassy Skegness on Children in Need night 17 November. It's public debut will take place in Brian's worship concert at Holy Trinity 24 October. Shortly after the CD will be produced.

Not only is Brian leading this workshop, but also, he will be performing at Holy Trinity, Boston on Sunday 24 October at 6:30pm. The evening will include a collection of Brian's songs including his US Christian Radio hit "Blessed by love". His sensitivity and passion for God is evident whenever he performs. I heartily recommend this concert to everyone and anyone what ever your walk of life.

Having a clear out!

Sometimes a little job can become mammoth. Yes admit it - you've experienced that feeling too. I decided to sort out my home work space today. School starts again next week and it's time I buckled down to some serious preparation. I tried working on the sofa in a chilled kinda way, but Jack playing with his toys sounded to me like a steam train belting through the room. I sought solace at the kitchen table, but the sun was so bright I thought my screen might melt. So there was only one thing left. Return to my office!!!! 

It's been called many things but the office seems to be the name that sticks. It's my music room, my office space, my library. The place where I go to work. The only problem is it's also the box room. Have you ever tried focusing on paperwork when all around you is clutter. I find that I can't even begin to concentrate if my mind is cluttered. It's funny how we allow stuff through the day to block our thoughts and cloud our judgments. This is how the room makes me feel. So today I began the declutter.

What a bad idea. Step 1; take all the boxes out. I didn't think that would take long, but where do you put them? I know the bedroom on our bed. So the bed is now covered with boxes. Step 2; tidy up the room. I'm sure I had a bin in there the last time I looked. It seems that I'd been using the carpet as a make shift refuse collection zone. So now I've got a bed covered in boxes and a floor that looks like the aftermath of a hurricane. So much for an easy job. I finally found the carpet which led me to step 3. Sort out the boxes. I figured that if I outed most of the stuff in the boxes then I could reduce how many boxes there were in the room. Good logic - less boxes, less clutter, more concentration. 6 hours later I'd only managed to dispose of 1 box.

By now I'm getting a little tired and incredibly irritable. The end didn't seem anywhere in sight. This is where simple words cut through the chaos. "Can you clear the bed I need a lie down" Tamara was also getting tired and it was getting late, so woefully I set about rebuilding my cluttered box room. However, strangely everything seemed to begin to piece together. It was as if all the extra time I'd spent attending to the little details which seemed to go nowhere suddenly saved time in buckets. The one less box made all the difference in the world. I'd managed to empty the biggest box which meant that all the other boxes pieced together like a jigsaw and took up half the space. A nice throw over them and all of a sudden I had an office again.

I learnt a lot from my very frustrating day today. Working hard and being patient with the little things led to great reward. Very much like all the little things in life that make us who we are may be as nothing to us, but who knows how each little thing may impact on a loved one or someone you meet. 

Time for a change

I've been listening to John Mayer a lot lately. Noticeably the John Mayer Trio and have been more than inspired. I was taken by many things. Obviously his outstanding gift as a musician with ann unbelievable mastery of the guitar. But also little things. Riffs. Melodies. Confidence. And I was surprised that his vocal range was "ordinary", I mean that in a nice way. So many singers sing so high and to emulate them is virtually impossible without tight trousers! It got me thinking.

I've always loved the blues and always wanted to play bass in a blues band. Somehow I never quite made it into one. I played in 60's - 90's band and touched on the blues, but never played get down and dirty blues. I love the sound of the crunch guitar; clean and yet edgy. So I thought I wonder if any of my songs would benefit from a remake in a blues style. The prime choice has been Jesus Calls You because I reworked it a couple of years ago to make it more funky. The chorus and prechorus were the biggest changes along with a funky riff. I even performed the version at a couple of my acoustic gigs, but it didn't sound quite right. So with help of Ash Wilson I had another look at it. 

Well I spent about 2 hours practicing the revised version then set about recording it. The only problem I ended up with a monster blister so the guitar playing is a bit ropey. However, I decided to post the song on the website only in DEMO form just to gauge peoples reaction to the concept even though the guitar needs re-recording. Click here to go to the page and if you feel inspired please post a comment here.

Summer update

I hadn't realised just how much I'd been neglecting my website until today. I guess life has been busy. Well that's an excuse we all use, but in actual fact it has been. It seems that most of my life is consumed with work these days, which is in many ways a good thing, but, equally, it's worrying to think that I'm racing through life often missing the important bits. I find it difficult to have the energy to spend with Tamara and Jack, I know I can be irritable, I often feel weary. It's at limes like this that I should be slowing down and looking for a break. Instead I'm always planning the next step.

One of the most amazing things that Tamara does is to read me like a book. She knows when I've pushed myself too far and when she spots a burnout stage she "tells me off". Well to be fair she tries many other more subtle ways of dropping hints before the full blown - STOP! Summer holidays is one of those times when she insists on at least one week of NO WORK. I'm not even allowed to think about it. So this year we went to Haven's Thorpe Park in Humberston. What a fantastic break. We played at holiday makers every day and night and had a thoroughly excellent time. I admit I was a bit sick of seeing Bradley BEar and Rory the Tiger by the end of it, but to see the delight on Jacks face made up for any negative thoughts.

So holiday over and it's back to reality - or is it. This holiday seems to be gently stretching before us and is still very relaxed, and most enjoyable. I built a gate for the fence I recently made - and it works!!!! We've been to the cinema twice in a week. Been shopping, spent time with family, helped out at a Christening and it's still only half way through. Coming up soon is a visit to my mum, which will be another welcome break. Along the way the way there will be other trips too.

Very soon it will be all over, but for now I'm enjoying the ride. I guess I'll do some planning pretty soon too. We have some big things coming up, not least a visit from my good friend J. Brian Hill, but that's another story. So for now I'll sign off. TTFN

Happy New Year

I hope the new year finds you happy with what God has placed before you and eager to face the challenges that lie ahead. My year has started with a few unexpected surprises, not least the snow and family seasonal illness that comes with it.

2009 brought with it many challenges both with my ministry and my job. I have many wonderful memories of a year that the press considers a bad year. Highlights for me have been the opportunities I've had to work with some fabulous musicians in my ministry performances at Lincoln Trinity URC, Boston Trinity CE and my school William Lovell CE. I would like to thank everyone who attended and I truly hope that you were blessed and inspired as much as I have been.

Something of note that I have very much kept under my hat as well. Over the last year I have been in communication with a ministry development agency called IncubatorOnline. In November 2009 I decided to put myself through the audition process. I'm still not really sure what my motivation was and I can tell you I was more than impressed with Incubator, however after much thought and prayer I withdrew from the process just as I entered stage 5.

I firmly believe that God has a purpose for the music I write and perform and I can honestly say that Incubator have equipped me with more confidence in that purpose and for that I am grateful. In addition I was overjoyed to be able to welcome Lisa Coe into my music performances last year I hope that we can continue to develop the partnership with more appearances through 2010. Lisa is a graduate from the same music college I attended and is a fine pianist with a real heart for serving God.
I think that's about all for now. Thank you for showing an interest in my music ministry.

Abundant blessings
Steve

Christmas Cheer Event

Come and join Steve in this community event of Christmas songs and seasonal refreshments (mulled wine & apple juice and mince pies etc. and Starbucks kindly provided coffee and hot chocolate). There will be an opportunity to mingle, sing carols and buy some home-made Christmas gifts.

Saturday 28th November 2009, 5:00pm - 7:00pm
All welcome. Steve is singing at 5:00pm

No place like home

I used to love going away for a trip. To visit relatives or just to get a break from the norm. Strangely, these days I love to be at home. If I get a minute spare I want to be at home. If I had the choice to visit the place of my dreams .... I'd choose home. I sound like a right old soppy pants I know. So what's made the difference...... simple. Not only my wonderful wife, but also our fantastic little man, Jack. I often sit and think about his mum and how very proud she would be of what a marvellous boy he's become. Every night he says goodnight to her and he gets so excited when he sees a star blinking back down at him. I secretly think he enjoys the autumn and winter because he gets to see the stars more often.

Monday was a special day. 18 years since Tamara and I tied the knot. I haven't regretted a day. I remember how much I loved her on the day we were married and I never would have guessed that I could continue to love her more and more. She is so much part of me I can't even function without her. I only hope she understands just how much I love her.

So getting back to no place like home. It's obvious why I prefer to be home because home is where my two wonderful people are. Home is our haven. Everytime I think of Steph my heart cries but it also is so very grateful that she gave me and Tamar the opportunity to care for and love her son.

I could travel the world but I only want to be here with my two special people. Here at home.

On the road again

Great songs, life stories and hope for the future. What more could you ask for in an evenings entertainment. Don’t miss Steve performing in his home church. Featuring music from Design for Life amongst some new songs.

Songs from my heart

Enjoy a relaxing evening of song and anecodotes with Steve Lowndes, Christian singer songwriter. Steve will be joined by Lyndsey Evans and, hopefully, Nigel Halliday for this rare opportunity to share in Steve's songs, featuring the Design For Life album amongst the latest songs that he has penned.

Be sure not to miss this fantastic opportunity.

Admission FREE - no tickets required
Doors open at 7:00pm

Worship Concert at William Lovell CE School

An exciting opportunity to see Steve perform at his own school. Steve will perform his blend of acoustic music on guitar and piano in this enchanting rural setting. All welcome. Admission FREE

New Song - You Are There

I'm excited to annouce the unveiling of my latest recording. The song is called You Are There and has been described as a worship song by others. It represents quite a change in more than one area of my life.

First, it represents a new journey on my knowledge of recording techniques. Without going into boring detail I managed to utilize specialist features of a programme called Magix to create what I think is the best quality recording I've done to date.

Second, it has helped me to realise that sometimes it's good to wait instead of being so impatient. The song was birthed back in September/October and I've been picking at since then. Fotunatel I have a wonderful and patient wife who allowed me the space and time to complete the recording during the Christmas Holidays.

Finally, it marks a change in attitude, once again, regarding my faith and how I share it. I'm still not going to drum my beliefs into everybodys ears, but I'm not going to shy away from the fact that I am overjoyed to proclaim that I believe Jesus has rescued me from the sting of death. Every part of my life has been mapped out for me and I sometimes can't quite believe how every step is so wonderfully choreographed through thick and thin. Even to the point where the rough times have prepared me for each next step. It's easy to say this as I walk in a time of bounty, but right now I see a purpose for my life as a servant of God.

I hope you enjoy the song as much as I've enjoyed making it.

Many blessings
Steve

Music Specialist Status at William Lovell CofE School

Since beginning my new job at William Lovell Church of England School Stickney Lincolnshire I haven't the opportunity to stand still. Shortly after beginning the job I discovered that we were seeking specialist status in music. As the head of music this clearly meant an awful lot to me both as a challenge and an opportunity for the school. I can now confirm that we have been successful in our bid, praise God. As a church school there was a huge amount of prayer went into this project and now we seek to find Gods will through it all, especially with the need to appoint a new member to the department. I pray that God will bring us a candidate who is not only a skilled music teacher, but also has a heart for worship and a desire to share Gods world with our students, many of whom are unbelievers.

God is so good.