Surprise!

Alyssa and I have been working on a recording of our original Christmas songs and arrangements for almost two years now. Every year we love leading worship during advent when we can do these songs. It all started back in the late 90's at Community Worship at Memorial Park Church. Each Christmas we would have a Christmas concert called New Noel. Back then, like now, our worship band would normally rehearse for about two hours each week before worship. But during the fall each year the band would begin rehearsing in October for this annual concert. Some great arrangements were birthed through those extended rehearsal times. In 2000 the concert was recorded professionally and probably still available at Memorial Park. I think that album has some great sounding arrangements.

It was my intention to finish a full length Christmas album this fall. That didn't happen. After having a baby earlier this fall and realizing I just didn't have time I didn't think we'd have anything. But about two weeks ago Alyssa and I committed a full day to working on the recordings. We did that again this Tuesday. Now it looks like we'll have a five song e.p. available this year. The e.p. will feature two tracks from the old New Noel release in 2000, one of those tracks features our friend Jess Wessel and is arranged by one of our favorite bands, Over the Rhine. Excitingly, there's also three brand new tracks that I think sound amazing. If nothing else, at least we'll have Christmas gifts to give our relatives during a year when finances are extremely tight.