Fork In The Road Music » CD

“God Undefeatable” Ross King’s New CD

Russell Martin — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 16:21:55 +0000

I would definitely list Ross King as a great influence on me becoming a worship leader and my worship leading style. I remember a friend gave me a copy of the Breakaway CD from A&M with Ross King leading worship. Before I knew Paul Baloche, I was learning Ross King’s version of “Open the Eyes of My Heart”, before I heard Sonic Flood rock out “In the Secret” I was strumming along with the acoustic version from Ross King. If I was leading worship somewhere, you could bet the majority of my song list was coming straight out of the “Many Walks One Road” songbook from Ross at Breakaway Ministries.

His acoustic guitar led, simple band accompaniment worship style is an influence on my worship leading style even through today. His original worship songs, with singable melodies, scriptural Christ focused lyrics and choruses that you could sing over and over again have too become a part of mine, and many others worship soundtrack.

So when I got a message on twitter from Ross saying to go buy his new CD, I thought I would check it out. This 5 song EP includes original songs, and hymn arrangements. He has come back to writing more corporate worship songs with that same simple accompaniment and worshipful lyrics I have always enjoyed about his music.

So now I too am encouraging you to go check out Ross King’s latest Ep- “God Undefeatable” from iTunes or buy the physical CD from his website

Get Hopes Prayers and Lullabies for $5

Russell Martin — Mon, 29 Nov 2010 18:49:24 +0000

It’s cyber monday, so I thought I’d do something fun. For the next 24 hours I am offering the digital download version of Hopes Prayers and Lullabies for $5. As an added bonus, I will randomly select 1 person for every 10 digital downloads, to receive a free physical copy of Hopes Prayers and Lullabies. You must download your copy before tomorrow at 1:00 p.m.

Click to purchase Hopes Prayers and Lullabies (Click the Blue Album Download Sale $5 box)

All proceeds from this CD go to help fund our adoption process.

Vote for “I Do” on Fan Faves

Russell Martin — Tue, 09 Nov 2010 02:32:07 +0000

I have entered on of the songs “I Do” from the “Hopes Prayers and Lullabies” cd in to the Fan Faves chart on Indie Heaven. I need your help, your votes to move it up the chart.

It’s simple to participate.

1. Go to www.indieheaven.com/fanfaves

2. Choose “VIEW ALL” from the drop down menu. (note: If “I DO” is #50 or above skip to step 4)

3. Click on the view button.

4. Find “I Do’ and Click 1-5 stars

5. Come back tomorrow and repeat the process.

6. Tell Your Friends.

Buy Hopes, Prayers and Lullabies Now!

Russell Martin — Thu, 28 Oct 2010 17:20:13 +0000

Digital-

The complete Hopes, Prayers and Lullabies CD is now available for download on indieheaven. You may access it one of two ways. The first is to go straight to my indie heaven site. www.indieheaven.com/artists/russellmartin or go to my purchase page on my website www.forkintheroadmusic.org/purchase. You may download individual tracks or the entire CD.

Physical-

If you live inside the Texarkana area it is easiest for you to pick up the CD at Good Treasures Bookstore located in Williams Memorial UMC located at 4000 Moores Lane, Texarkana, TX or at Peas and Carrots 4018 Summerhill Road Texarkana, Tx.

If you live outside the are you can order the CD by going to my indie heaven site.www.indieheaven.com/artists/russellmartin. Make sure and click on the green “Physical CD Sale” and finish the process.

The first run of CDs will be available in a week or so and will be mailed out to you when they are ready.

While you are waiting.. become a fan of Hopes, Prayers and Lullabies on www.facebook.com/lullabyCD

Russell and Meagan Martin

Pre-order the Hopes, Prayers, and Lullabies CD

Russell Martin — Tue, 26 Oct 2010 04:03:13 +0000

You may have read or heard that my wife and I have started the process to adopt a child. I knew from the start that this would be an expensive process, so I began to think of ways we could offset the cost of adoption.

This is when the idea for a piano CD of lullabies was born.

The CD is nearly 45 minutes long and includes all original soft piano lullaby type songs. Some of these songs were recorded live, over several concerts this past summer, and some recorded back home.

They are not only great to help a child sleep during nap time, but also great for background music, personal devotional times, or anytime you need quiet, reflective music.

The CD will be available for both download online, and physical CD sales, and will be in a few stores. The cost will be $10.

The goal is for it to be ready around the second week of November, but I want to give you the chance to pre-order yours now. There is no cost to pre-order, I just need to have an idea of how many copies to order.

If you pre-order now you will:

1. Be contacted once the CD’s are ready with instructions on how to get one.

2. Immediately download one track from the Lullaby CD

3. Get a free download of 5 instrumental Christmas songs in mid-November.

How to pre-order

1. First visit www.volummonster.com/redeem

2. Enter the redeem code “adoptionlullaby”

3. Enter your contact information

4. Download the available free track

5. Go “like” and leave a comment on the Hope, Prayers and Lullabies facebook page.

How else you can help:

1. Pray for this CD, and this process

2. Pray for us in our adoption process

3. Retweet, repost, forward, like Hopes Prayers and Lullabies on facebook and share with your friends.

4. Help connect me with stores that might sell the CD

I want to thank you in advance for your support of this project. Many of you have already said you want a CD. Many have said you are praying for us during this process. We thank you for all the support you have given us already.

Remember if you want to keep up with what’s going on you can always check out our adoption journey at www.russellandmeagan.blogspot.com

5 Free Downloadable Instrumental Backgrounds

Russell Martin — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 04:01:53 +0000

For a while I have been posting instrumental reflections for you to listen to or use for altar times, personal devotions etc. Up to this point the only way to listen was by clicking the play button with in the post. I am glad to announce that I will be making the instrumental reflections downloadable through a site called volumMonster.com. To get your free downloads go to www.volummonster.com and enter the code “fitrmusic” on the first page, and then Name, Email and Zip on the second page.

I have posted 5 for now, but there are over 25 that have been posted in all on the website. If there is one you would like for me to make available please let me know by commenting on that instrumental reflection post.

The Right Key is One Key to Stong Vocals

Russell Martin — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 04:54:40 +0000

There are many ways you can help your worship team vocalists sing strong with confidence. One thing I discovered this past year is that the right key is the key!

Last year I would introduce a song usually by listening to the cd then having the band try it and vocals sing. Many times they would like the song, however the vocalist would be struggling trying to sing out of their range, or flipping octaves between verse and chorus. Since the music was printed and we had already worked on learning in the original key, it was hard to change keys and we usually just struggled through.

This year we tried something different. This year every new song was first introduced to the vocals. After they learned the basic tune we found the key that best suited their voices. I made a note of the key and then during the next week would print music accordingly.

I have really noticed a difference in a few key areas:
1. They enjoy it more- When they are comfortable with the key they don’t have to worry about how they will hit the notes, and less worry means more fun.
2. They are stronger- Since we chose a key that fits their range they are more confident and sing out.
3. They get more done- Since we no longer take time out in rehearsal searching for keys with the whole band, and transposing music 2-3 times we get more done, learn more music and get better as a band.

What tips do you have for developing vocalists?

Help Me Save a Life

Russell Martin — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 06:27:39 +0000

For the past two years I have been supporting the “Nothing But Nets” campaign. The campaign raises money to provide mosquito nets that protect from Malaria with the goal of wiping out the disease on the continent of Africa.

Between now and Christmas I want to raise enough money to buy 1000 nets. At $10 each that makes a total of $10,000

Wow, you might say that’s a lot of money but think of it this way.

Between now and Christmas is around 45 days. That means if you saved 22 cents per day between now and then you would have $10 for a net.

I figure that I have about 2000 people I am connected to between facebook personal page, fan page and twitter. If only half participated we would reach the goal.

How you can help:

1. Donate: I have created a netraiser team called Fork In the Road. You can help support me by making a secure online donation. Click here to donate.

2. Forward, Retweet, Repost: Send this on to your friends in your social networks. Get them to help.. who knows we could pass 1000 nets easily.

3. Start Your Own Team: Why not start your own effort with your church, youth group, or among your social media friends. It doesn’t matter who raises the money, just that they get raised.
For more information on how YOU can participate in Nothing But Nets, please visit www.NothingButNets.net

Thanks for your support!

Songwriting

Russell Martin — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 16:31:03 +0000

See and download the full gallery on posterous

Sent from my iPhone

Posted via email from Russell’s Mobile Blog

Creative Artists or Praise and Worship Cover Band?

Russell Martin — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 18:17:14 +0000

I was reading through various friends facebook updates when this one by Chuck Harris caught my attention:

“The church does not prize originality, but rather cloning, it does not prize freedom, but control.” Leonard Sweet.

It got me to thinking about how we approach worship music in the church. Do we foster an atmosphere of creativity and unleash our members to use their talent in unique and creative ways, or do we throttle creativity by insisting on playing a piece just as it was recorded by the latest worship band? I admit it is much easier to do the second. I also think that we are encouraged to do so by artists and publishing companies because they make it so easy. You can find now an extensive library of resources where the worship tunes have been charted out to mimic their recording. It is easier to learn the music when CD’s can be listened to and are available for easy reference. I wonder though if it has not just made us a praise and worship cover band. Although it is easier, is it best?

I had been thinking on this topic even before I read the quote above. One of our band members, who had been thinking along the same lines, asked if we could try an experiment. He said that we should pass out a chord chart to a song, and let us come up with the arrangement before listening to it on the CD.

I really want to get your thoughts.

What are the benefits of using CDs and pre-written charts?

What are the benefits of doing your own thing?

Which do you use more often? Why?

What are other ways you can foster creativity with your band?