(The content of this page was recovered from a website Chris created several years ago.)
"My Journey"
Here is my musical Journey: I was born into a musical family from Grandad Young's fiddle and juice harp (mouth harp) playing on my mom's side and good bass voice on my dad's side. My two sisters and I were singing harmony by grades 4 and 5. I remember a southern gospel group that came to our church in Whitesboro, Texas, which sang with such rich, tight harmonies and hearts of worship that will always excite me. In sixth grade, trumpet was the instrument of choice and became my instrument of praise.
While vacationing in Colorado, we attended a small mountain church by Vallecita Lake and my family sang a song or two one Sunday. A seminary professor was there and visited with our family after the service. He looked at me and said, "You should come to seminary and become a music minister." Wow! As a 12 year old this was a pretty scary thing and I pretty-much dismissed it from my plans. I'm also reminded of the time we were attending services at the same church a few years later and sitting at the piano was none other than Kurt Kaiser.
When I was in 8th grade, there was a movie shown at my church on New Year's Eve about the wonderful song writer, John W. Peterson. After the film I was so inspired by the way God used Mr. Peterson that I hurriedly went to my junior high class room, knelt down and told the Lord that I would write songs for Him if He wanted me to. This was the starting place for my love of music and writing.
In 1982 the dream of writing new songs was kindled again as I traveled with the California-based "Continental Singers"on a two month tour up the west coast of America into Alaska and Canada. On the adventure I played trumpet and sang a "Texas" style solo. This trip had an amazing impact on my life introducing me to many professional musicians and songwriters such as Cam Floria and Terry Winch.
Following this tour I transferred to Howard Payne University in Brownwood, Texas. After graduation, in 1986, I began a 20 year journey into the music of the public school system as a band director. During this time I learned about life, connected with many students and their families, and had many successes as well as failures. Teaching was never easy for me. I had to work very hard to achieve what seemed to come so easy for others. During the 20 years of band directing I led part time music in at least 5 churches.
During Christmas time in 1990, I met a beautiful blonde at the church I attended in Goldthwaite. We were married in July of 1993 and have two precious children, Kalie and Courtney. During my band years, my two sisters felt the call to minister "to moms" and families and hit the road heading to California. I was privileged to write a song on their debut album. The song was "Jungle Baby" (about my two children) and the album was Hold You, Mommy.
Flash forward to the summer of 2008, when by an absolute submission to God's plans, I gave my life to full time service to Him. As I served at the First Baptist Church in Collinsville, Texas, song ideas began to flood my heart and mind so fast I didn't know how to process what was happening. I attended the "Music in the Rockies" conference in Estes Park, Colorado, to get help with all this newness. At the conference I found out that there were a lot of "my people" there. I was encouraged by so many artists and composers I had heard before. I entered the song writing category and didn't win but learned a lot. I knew I was on the right path–a path of persistence and patience.
The next year I went to Nashville to attend the "Immerse" conference with my family. It was there that I met a publisher who had heard some of my songs and believed in my work. He placed the song "You Love Me Still" in an Easter musical. I was sitting in a band parking lot in Texas when I got the phone call. I cried and praised at the same time. My life was coming full circle. What I said to God many years before was, and is now, being realized. Wow! What a journey. Since that time 3 other songs were published. I continue to serve as worship pastor for Georgetown Baptist Church in Pottsboro,Texas, write songs for the bride of Christ to sing, and strive to be all He wants, as His child and musician.
All Glory to my God!
While vacationing in Colorado, we attended a small mountain church by Vallecita Lake and my family sang a song or two one Sunday. A seminary professor was there and visited with our family after the service. He looked at me and said, "You should come to seminary and become a music minister." Wow! As a 12 year old this was a pretty scary thing and I pretty-much dismissed it from my plans. I'm also reminded of the time we were attending services at the same church a few years later and sitting at the piano was none other than Kurt Kaiser.
When I was in 8th grade, there was a movie shown at my church on New Year's Eve about the wonderful song writer, John W. Peterson. After the film I was so inspired by the way God used Mr. Peterson that I hurriedly went to my junior high class room, knelt down and told the Lord that I would write songs for Him if He wanted me to. This was the starting place for my love of music and writing.
In 1982 the dream of writing new songs was kindled again as I traveled with the California-based "Continental Singers"on a two month tour up the west coast of America into Alaska and Canada. On the adventure I played trumpet and sang a "Texas" style solo. This trip had an amazing impact on my life introducing me to many professional musicians and songwriters such as Cam Floria and Terry Winch.
Following this tour I transferred to Howard Payne University in Brownwood, Texas. After graduation, in 1986, I began a 20 year journey into the music of the public school system as a band director. During this time I learned about life, connected with many students and their families, and had many successes as well as failures. Teaching was never easy for me. I had to work very hard to achieve what seemed to come so easy for others. During the 20 years of band directing I led part time music in at least 5 churches.
During Christmas time in 1990, I met a beautiful blonde at the church I attended in Goldthwaite. We were married in July of 1993 and have two precious children, Kalie and Courtney. During my band years, my two sisters felt the call to minister "to moms" and families and hit the road heading to California. I was privileged to write a song on their debut album. The song was "Jungle Baby" (about my two children) and the album was Hold You, Mommy.
Flash forward to the summer of 2008, when by an absolute submission to God's plans, I gave my life to full time service to Him. As I served at the First Baptist Church in Collinsville, Texas, song ideas began to flood my heart and mind so fast I didn't know how to process what was happening. I attended the "Music in the Rockies" conference in Estes Park, Colorado, to get help with all this newness. At the conference I found out that there were a lot of "my people" there. I was encouraged by so many artists and composers I had heard before. I entered the song writing category and didn't win but learned a lot. I knew I was on the right path–a path of persistence and patience.
The next year I went to Nashville to attend the "Immerse" conference with my family. It was there that I met a publisher who had heard some of my songs and believed in my work. He placed the song "You Love Me Still" in an Easter musical. I was sitting in a band parking lot in Texas when I got the phone call. I cried and praised at the same time. My life was coming full circle. What I said to God many years before was, and is now, being realized. Wow! What a journey. Since that time 3 other songs were published. I continue to serve as worship pastor for Georgetown Baptist Church in Pottsboro,Texas, write songs for the bride of Christ to sing, and strive to be all He wants, as His child and musician.
All Glory to my God!
CD RELEASE PARTY
Wow! The CD release party was so much fun! Thank you to all who came out to Georgetown Baptist Church for the event. Bobby Henderson and "Say The Word" did a stellar job opening up the evening with songs from Bobby's debut album. My band consisted of Chad Carouthers, Johnny Vogt and Ricky Johnson. I had a blast with those guys; they are amazing. I'm so grateful for the talent and energy they poured into the evening!! My family worked SO hard to make the place look like the "rescue" theme. Tech team, James Durham, Rod Martin, Amanda Gabbart and Jason Brown–WOW fantastic job, it was over the top! The video testimonies where great as well: Thank you to my dad (Hank Lovejoy), my wife Lesa, and friend Randy Potter for being transparent when telling their rescue stories. The food was great! It was all very excellent. Thank you all! To God be the glory!"
–Chris