Fork In The Road Music » choose

Vote “Awaken our Hearts” as Indie Song 2011

Russell Martin — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 07:03:47 +0000

The time has come once again to begin voting for “Awaken Our Hearts”. In October I submitted “Awaken Our Hearts” into the Indie Heaven Indie song 2011 contest. You voted it as one of the top 10 songs for the month of October and thus it was chosen for the finals. Now the time to vote has come again.

I have a chance to win $500, a one song recording session and many other prizes, but I need your help. They combined all the top songs from September, October and November into a final contest chart. By the end of December my song, “Awaken Our Hearts” needs to find itself listed in the top ten.

The top 10 songs on January 1 will be judged by a panel of songwriting experts and one song chosen as a winner.

So here’s how you can help.

1. Go to http://www.indieheaven.com/indiesong

2. Locate “Awaken Our Hearts” by Russell Martin

3. Listen to the song

4. Vote 1-5 stars

5. Forward this to your friends and have them do the same thing

6. Repeat Daily

Join the Facebook Event “I’m Voting Every Day for Russell’s Song ‘Awaken our Hearts’”

You can only vote once per day, but you can vote every day between now and the end of December. Please forward this to your friends, post this link on Facebook, twitter, google plus, linked in. Talk it up with your friends, family, even random strangers.

Christmas Reflections Week 1

Russell Martin — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 02:16:09 +0000

Last week I said I would be taking suggestions for Christmas hymns you would like to hear as instrumental reflections. So here is your chance. Leave the name of your song in the comments below. Also be sure to check back on Friday to hear the versions of the requested songs.

Help Me Choose Christmas Instrumental Reflection

Russell Martin — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 06:08:46 +0000

I have very much enjoyed composing and posting the first 9 instrumental reflections I have shared with you. If you have been listening you know that some of the songs are original compositions, and some are original takes on old hymns. Most were chosen because they are my favorites, or say something to me, as I hope they have to you.

I thought it might be a good change though, to give you a chance to choose the instrumental reflections for Christmas. Over the next 6 weeks I plan to record 8-10 Christmas Hymn variations. I plan on writing them on Friday, so each week, from Monday-Thursday I’ll be taking suggestions. I will write a post on Monday asking for your ideas. Leave a comment on that post as to which hymn you think should be that weeks reflection and why. On Friday I’ll choose two and record them. If your’s is not chosen the first week be sure and suggest it the second week and so forth.

Each week I will also draw one name at random from those who entered. At the end of the recordings I will make a CD with the recordings and send them out to those winners.

Rule: Only one suggestion per person, per week. That way one person doesn’t just list all the Christmas songs ever written.

Ok.. sound good?

Instrumental Reflection #9- It Is Well With My Soul

Russell Martin — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 17:10:44 +0000

Sometimes these reflections are hard to come up with. Unfortunately this weeks came too easy, but for a difficult reason .

My sister’s best friend was supposed to be married in a few weeks. A few days ago her fiancee went to sleep and never woke up. I cannot even begin to imagine what she and the family are going through. I cannot think of any words to say. When I found out the news this one song rushed into my head and has not gone away.

This reflection is not only for her, but for all who are going through tough times.

Click to listen. Right click and choose “Save as” or “save target as” to save to your computer.

It Is Well With My Soul

It is Well With My Soul
by Horatio G Spafford
When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.
- Refrain:
  It is well, with my soul,
  It is well, it is well, with my soul.
Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.
My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!
For me, be it Christ, be it Christ hence to live:
If Jordan above me shall roll,
No pang shall be mine, for in death as in life
Thou wilt whisper Thy peace to my soul.
But, Lord, ’tis for Thee, for Thy coming we wait,
The sky, not the grave, is our goal;
Oh, trump of the angel! Oh, voice of the Lord!
Blessed hope, blessed rest of my soul!
And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
Even so, it is well with my soul.

If you would be interested the family has set up a pay pal account which will be used to defray funeral expenses and to pay bills, etc. that may need to be covered. Any gift would be appreciated.

Also I will pass on any comments or words of encouragement you leave in the comments.

1. Go to paypal.com
2. Press Send (to send money)
3. Enter davidrosbrough@gmail.com in the to box and then enter your email address in the from box
4. Enter amount desired.
5. Scroll down and click on “personal” and “gift”
6. Press continue and follow instructions

Did you enjoy this Instrumental Reflection? Check out the other instrumental reflections in the suggested sites below. To get them delivered to your inbox Subscribe to forkintheroad by Email

Instrumental Reflection #8- Lazy

Russell Martin — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 21:47:56 +0000

The 8th installment of Instrumental Reflections brings a piece that is perfect to play behind a prayer time, prayer walk or even to help you relax and go to sleep. I called it “Lazy” and it sound just like that. The song is about 3 minutes long but I looped it once. You should be able to loop it and have it play continuously in your MP3 player, or on the computer.

I hope you enjoy

Click to listen. Right click and choose “Save as” or “save target as” to save to your computer.

Download “Lazy”

Did you enjoy this Instrumental Reflection? Check out the other instrumental reflections in the suggested sites below. To get them delivered to your inbox Subscribe to forkintheroad by Email

Instrumental Reflection #7

Russell Martin — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 02:40:04 +0000

I have to admit it has been much harder than I originally thought to produce one of these reflections per week. I won’t get caught up but will try to be more reliable in the future.

This week I sat down in my office and flipped through the hymnal. I came across one of my favorite hymns “My Jesus I Love Thee.” I love leading contemporary worship but definitely miss some of the hymns I grew up singing week after week. I decided to just sit down and play what came to mind. This recording is pretty close to my original thoughts. Enjoy.

Click to listen. Right click and choose “Save as” or “save target as” to save to your computer.

MyJesus I Love Thee

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Did you enjoy this Instrumental Reflection? Check out the other instrumental reflections in the suggested sites below. To get them delivered to your inbox Subscribe to forkintheroad by Email

What Should I Sing?

Russell Martin — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 05:37:09 +0000

When I am a guest worship leader at a camp, or retreat, one of the hardest things I deal with is figuring out what songs I should sing. This seems like a small thing, but I can’t help but think, “Are they going to know these songs?” or “What songs mean the most to them?”
Here are three ideas about how to choose songs in that situation:

1. Talk to leaders and participants ahead of time if possible. When you first are contacted about leading worship, ask about what songs they use. Find out if they use hymns or worship songs, gospel, cutting edge, emerging? Ask what the worship service is like at their church or churches? Do they have a band, or is it more acoustic? This doesn’t mean you have to change your style, but this information can help you to choose songs that are more representative for the group.

2. Have a suggestion box- The first time I tried this I was skeptical about it. I was leading worship for a college work camp and the program director put out a suggestion box in the back. She told the group that if they had any suggestions for worship to put them in and we would try to accommodate them. It turned out working great. The song suggestions they had let me know what they were familiar with, and by their choices told me what they were needing to hear. We were able to use most of the songs, many of which I was already planning on anyway. Some of them were ones I did not know, but learned, and not only used there, but have used many times since and have become a regular part of my repertoire.

3. Well I don’t have a third one.. what would you suggest?