The Blessing CD

Worship pastor, songwriter, father of three and superb lyricist John Waller celebrates the blessings God has bestowed upon him with his debut release. The Blessing captures a clean adult contemporary sound with threads of sincere worship and includes the radio hit title track as well as "Identity," "Ancient Words," "Sacred Pages," and more.

Consider John Waller a major buzz artist for 2007. Fresh off being named one of Billboard magazine's "Faces to Watch," the Colorado-based worship leader, songwriter and erstwhile lead singer of According to John becomes the latest signee with Beach Street, a Reunion Records imprint that's also home to Casting Crowns.

Speaking of the Crowns, Waller's passionate style and church ministry mindset impressed that band's front man, Mark Hall, so much that Hall helped Waller get signed. What's more, Hall lends his voice to Waller's debut title track, which challenges believers to speak positively into the lives of others.

Waller's distinctive sound reflects the praise-oriented heart of a humble, devoted servant. From the propulsive opener "Calling for a Flood" to the balladic intonations of "Breathe on Me," Waller's robust, inimitable vocals and reflective lyrics should resonate well with fans of modern worship purveyors such as Chris Tomlin and David Crowder.

Bright spots occur on buoyant tracks like "Love to Say Your Name," wherein Waller reminds listeners of the power of verbalizing God's multifaceted moniker ("Elohim ... Adonai ... Jehovah Jireh ... El Shaddai"). Then there's his fresh take on the prodigal son evidenced on poignant cut "Still Calls Me Son," which tackles the reality of universal rebellion.

As one who has previously struggled with depression, Waller conveys his message with refreshing authenticity and unabashed openness. And while the 10-track disc seems to end a bit abruptly, it's sure to leave listeners wanting more. Bottom line: the buzz is certainly well deserved.


Ones to Watch: John Waller- by Paul Colman

John waller is a singer/songwriter/worship leader who originally gained national attention fronting According to John. After the band ended, John and his family moved to Denver, Colorado, and focused on writing songs for his church congregation. The people at SouthLink Church loved John’s music so much, they raised the money to finance his record. He eventually signed to Beach Street Records after Mark Miller—label owner and Sawyer Brown front man—was captured by John’s powerful songs. The resulting album, The blessing, releases March 6. Earlier this year, Billboard Magazine selected John as one of the “Faces to Watch” in their inaugural “Best Bets 2007” issue. (He was the only Christian artist so honored.) Check out johnwallerproject.com for more details.

Paul: You are on the same label as Casting Crowns and Josh Bates, right? How did that come about?
John: It’s really a remarkable story, but I’ll give you the short version. After giving up on my dreams for my band, According to John, I moved to Colorado to help my friend plant a church. I became the worship pastor and, being a songwriter, I couldn’t just do everyone else’s songs. I felt God prompting me to write songs for this body of believers. After about a year-and-a-half, the church insisted on having the songs recorded. We raised more than $50,000 in four weeks, and I headed to Atlanta to record the songs with my friend and producer Jason Hoard. I had become a true fan of the authentic ministry of Mark Hall and Casting Crowns. My friend and current drummer in my band, Brian Scoggin, had Mark’s cell number, and he called him and asked if he’d consider lending his voice for a duet. Amazingly, he agreed. When the project was finished, Mark Hall sent it on to Beach Street Records president Mark Miller, and after six months of the disc being stuck in Miller’s CD player, he finally heard it. About a month later, Mark Miller unexpectedly signed me.

Paul: Do you tour full time? If not, what do you do as well as perform your music?
John: I am a worship pastor full time. If God gives me a platform in the world, which demands full-time touring, then my family and I will hit the road hard. Until then, I will schedule touring around my responsibilities as the worship pastor at my church.

Paul: Tell us about your new record. Describe your sound and what you really want listeners to get from it.
John: Because of my band background, my sound is all about guitars. In a live setting, I will have drums, bass, two electrics and a keyboard. I use a lot of orchestral strings in my music as well. I want my listeners to have revelation imparted to them that will actually change them. If I could be prosecuted for plagiarizing the Word of God, I’d be in jail. The Holy Spirit, through the Word of God, is what changes people’s hearts, not any cool lyrical ideas I might come up with.

Paul: Are you married? Do you have kids?
John: I’ve been married to my wife, Josee, for 11 years. We have three children, Baylee (nine), Hadlee (five) and Sophee (two).

Paul: What artists have influenced your music?
John: No one has influenced me as an artist and a songwriter more than Steven Curtis Chapman. Steven is the bar for what authentic ministry through artistry looks like. It’s still my dream to write and sing a song with him. Nobody does it better!

Paul: I love your song “The Blessing.” Tell us about how it was written.
John: I lived 20 years of my life with depression and medication until God delivered and healed me three years ago. This illness has run through my family for generations. “As a man thinketh in his heart, so he is [Proverbs 23:7].” I was told that I had it. I believed it, and it became real in my life. Jesus bore this curse along with every other at the cross. When I began to believe His reality, my reality changed. It’s so important that we speak truth and blessing over our spouses and children and everyone around us. The power to bless and curse is in the tongue. I figured it was time for that to be said in a song.

CCMMagazine.com

Average Rating:

8 of 26 Reviews Showing:(View All Reviews)

Reviewed by Dennis Loucks (Pillager, MN), December 18, 2009

I heard a song on KLOVE and as I listened closely to the words and I was extremely impressed and amazed the lyrics were very biblical (not all "Christian" music is biblical) and not about something that people write about very much. I did a search when I got home and found out it was the song The Blessing by John Waller (I had never heard of him before). I was going to just download that song but then I read a review from someone who said the whole album was from the Word of God so I went ahead and bought the whole CD download and I am so glad I did! This is such an awesome CD!!! Rarely do you find a song writer putting the Word of God to music like John Waller did on this CD. (I have since downloaded the CD While I'm Waiting but I have not listened to it yet as I just can't stop listening to The Blessing CD.) I listen to a lot more teachings/sermons than I do music but I love music like this because it truly gives powerful messages straight from the Word of God and not from a persons religious perspective. This CD builds a person up. HIGHLY RECOMMEND...DO NOT HESITATE...BUY TODAY...YOU WILL BE BLESSED!!!

Reviewed by Luanna Diller (Silverton, OR), May 19, 2009

Original, inspired and truly a worship album I would recommend. 'The Blessing' title says it all.

Reviewed by Roxanne Stoneburg (Port Byron, NY), May 13, 2009

It's my new favorite! I can't believe I haven't ordered one of his CDs before now!

Reviewed by Melanie Evans (Sierra Vista, AZ), March 30, 2009

I really love this cd. I already loved the song 'While I'm waiting' because of the movie fireproof. I cannot wait for more from John Waller.

Reviewed by Kathy Moody (Leeds, ME), March 20, 2009

enjoy the music just setting enjoying worship music or while doing house work . Did not know his name before FireProof but had heard music before and enjoyed.

Reviewed by Diane Pomykalski (Auburndale, FL), March 01, 2009

I bought this CD after seeing the moving Fireproof - I especially like the Bleesing, Waiting- beautiful messages.

Reviewed by Kathryn Jacobs (North Las Vegas, NV), February 27, 2009

The movie Fireproof has changed my life forever. I had an a additction and becuase of this movie God has completely removed it from my life. I am not under the chains of bondage anymore. God ussed this movie to teach me that He really is in control of my life forever.

Reviewed by Shirley Chakoutis (Weare, NH), February 18, 2009

I want to first tell you how pleased I am with The Blessing CD. Every song has a message if you just listen to the words that are so inspiring. John truly loves the Lord through his songs.It is a pleasure to meet a worship pastor. I belong to a worship team as well. God Bless You John

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