Due to a family emergency, Jeff's article portion for this month has been postponed. He did have some time before leaving to interview the artist of the month, Derek Joseph.

Jeff Orr is the founding Executive Director of Innové Ministries ( http://www.innoveministries.com ). He is a performing artist, writer, speaker, producer and arranger. His latest release, “Hanging By A Thread” is available at http://www.cdbaby.com/orrjeff .

Here's my pick for the Artist of the Month: Derek Joseph

Artist: Derek Joseph

Singer, Songwriter, Lead Singer of Isaiah 6

Style: Acoustic Rock

Web Sites:

www.isaiahsix.com

www.derekjosephmusic.com

www.myspace.com/derekjosephlevendusky   

HB: What do you enjoy most about being an artist/songwriter?

DJ: I always like to say that I journal with my music. I like to try to write 3-4 songs a week just to chronicle my journey with God. I really appreciate the ability that music gives me to be honest and pour out my soul. I think this is the true heart of David, that we are able to be honest before God and pour our hearts out. Sometimes David was broken, so his Psalms were broken. Sometimes he was full of worship, so his Psalms were full of worship, etc. What I've found is that sometimes my best songs are the ones that are the most honest or came from my greatest pain. I find that when I simply write about what's happening in my heart, somehow it globally connects with what a lot of people are going through, and that's why people embrace the music.

HB : What inspires your lyrics?

I think a lot of things can inspire lyrics...a strong emotion, an idea, a tragedy, a quiet moment, a breath-taking view of creation (see John Denver), etc. That said, I think when I look at my songs, the two main things that inspire my lyrics are my study of Scripture and my daily journey with the Lord, especially my trials. For example, there's two songs on my myspace titled "I am Weak" and "In the Suffering." A few years back, I went through a dark time in my life when I struggled with depression and my wife had a several miscarriages. During that time, I was studying John 15 about the branch and the vine, and I penned these two songs from my brokenness and the discoveries I was making in Scripture. Another song on my site, "Throne of Grace," came from my study of 1 John 4:7-19 and Hebrews 4:16. As an artist that also leads worship in a local church, I was sensing that we needed a song for our congregation that inspired confidence in worship, as the blood of Jesus has made us God's children and given us "confident access" to the Father, so I wrote this tune.

HB: What has been your greatest success as an artist?

DJ: At the risk of sounding too spiritual, I can honestly say that it's the lives that have been touched by my music! I've been in Christian music now for 15 years, and after a few years of doing this, especially when I started going on the road without my wife and kids, you start to ask: Why am I doing this? The novelty of the crowds, autographs, and record sales starts wearing off, and you start to ask what really matters. I've concluded that two things keep me going: First, Jesus told me to, and I love Him. Second, the people that will be changed by the way God uses my music. My band and I have seen people encouraged in their faith, healed, renewed, strengthened, called, and greatest of all, saved. I've had several people tell me that they've gone to the mission field because of certain songs I've written; I've had others testify of being delivered from suicidal thoughts or depression. That's the stuff that doesn't get old, and that's what I consider successful.

HB: What have you learned most in your journey?

DJ: When I started doing this, like probably every Christian artist or band, I dreamed of national radio play, and national recognition. We've had a little bit of that through my band Isaiah Six, but as quickly as it comes, quickly it goes. Though I've traveled round the world, for the most part my impact has been in the northeast United States. I think I had a breakthrough when I was finally OK with that. It's like the Lord said to me, "Stop trying to change the world, and start changing your world." That made all the difference. I think a lot of artists are competing for the stages of Nashville and Los Angeles, but I've found great fulfillment in just doing my best with the doors that are open for me. I no longer worry about the doors that aren't open.

HB: Where are you heading now as an artist?

DJ: I think I'm just going to keep things simple. After years of traveling with Isaiah Six, I'm going to be producing simple worship albums. By worship, I don't just mean Sunday morning tunes, but honest songs that pour out my soul before God, and really minister to people.  In some way's I feel a "prophet's call" with my music, and by that I mean that I'm going to take my message very seriously, and make sure that each album is centered around a theme message. Then I'll travel and minister in churches and conferences, sharing that message through my music for that particular season. I'll also continue to write songs that local churches can sing.