I am happy to say the Project Red Light Rescue and Gospel for Asia should have both received checks for $1,500.  It is my prayer that these funds will further their efforts to spread hope and peace in very dark areas of the world.

Both of these organizations are fueled by their compassion for humanity.  Combined they work to end human trafficking, dehydration, hunger, and poverty.  On top of these actions they introduce whoever they come in contact with the lifesaving story of Christ.

It is an honor to be apart or spreading God’s story around the world.

I want to personally thank you for joining with us in this mission.  Your money will be put to good use.

I also want to remind you, that we the people have great power.  Humanity can do amazing things when they work together.  But, no matter how much we accomplish, God must always receive the glory.

Thank you for your support,

Derek

There is one requirement though, you need to invite people. Who do you invite? Anyone and everyone! For you to qualify for this tour, we ask that you have at least 20 adults in your living room for this concert.

Let me explain a little bit, Derek wants to spread his music around to get a bigger
fan base. By a bigger fan base we mean a bunch of loyal fans that support him
every step of the way and help him make as much money as possible.

But, here’s the thing, he isn’t in the music business for fame or fortune. As a matter of
fact, he doesn’t make a dime off his music. All his proceeds go to two charities that are very near to his heart.

If you want to host a living room concert, you better get in contact with him soon; he can
only do so many and the booking deadline is June 20^th!!

This tour is limited to (NC,SC,TN,VA,GA,MD,DE)

Booking info:

Email us:  contact@derekleebishop.com

Or submit your request here:  http://derekleebishop.com/contact/

 Post written by Jacob Zepp

http://airplay.jango.com/blog/2012/03/jango-airplay-top-10_13.html

It amazes me the support that I am receiving. What makes it even better is that all funds are donated to worthy causes.
Thank you again!

Together we can do great things but to God alone be the Glory,
Derek

Derek: You recently did some for percussion work on my CD “Better Days” on the song “In the Shade”. Other than doing session work for other musicians and working on your own music projects, what do you currently have planned for 2012?

I just finished “Flor de Vida”, my second solo music project back in October, so I am still very busy promoting that. Other than promoting my own music and doing shows/ministering with other worship leaders I am very busy working onupcoming events for my church Overcoming Church Ministries www.theovercomingchurch.com, and also in the planning stages for this year’s Heartbeat for Worship www.heartbeatforworship.com. I just recently started an artist series blog on the Heartbeat for Worship utilizing past musicians from around the country who have been a part of the show and future artists as well.

Derek: Tell me a little more about The heartbeat for Worship.

It is a multi-cultural worship concert featuring music from across the globe with artists from several different walks of life. In a lot of churches that I play in, the congas or other percussion kind of take a back seat so I wanted to put them a little more up front. It is not so much just my love of these instruments but for a lack of better words my love and respect for other cultures and styles. I love that when I talk with someone who is from say somewhere in the middle East where they play the darbuka (a goblet style hand drum) and share with them how I love the music and play those instruments, they often become surprised and open up to more dialogue. Music builds bridges. For me building bridges is what it is all about! I know how I feel when I hear a worship song in Spanish or hear the conga incorporated in a song. These things do matter and often display our love and concern for all types of people.

Derek: It is once a year right? What kind of planning goes into that?

The Heartbeat for Worship over the last few years has involved over a dozen musicians on stage (close to two dozen actually) so it literally does take a full year of planning including financial planning. The main goals are to build a bridge to Jesus, inspire believers and break down racial and cultural barriers. We accomplish these by utilizing different cultural forms of music (Irish, Latin American, Indian and more) while also incorporating modern stage theatrics such as lighting, videos, etc. In my opinion in order to break down such barriers one has to be intentional in his or her efforts. For us this means actually seeking out artists with kindred spirits, who are proficient in their craft but also of various diverse backgrounds. In order to make all this work and be sincere it takes a lot of prayer, and practical planning. In other words, we make a whole lot of phone calls and emails (laughs)!

Derek: It sounds like the Heartbeat for Worship is a big chunk of not only your musical life but also your ministry and life in general.

Absolutely! The Heartbeat for Worship was kind of the beginning of me venturing out into the world outside of playing on the local worship team and allowing God to use my desire and gifts to help others.

We can see a whole lot of wrong in the world and even in our own church and complain about it while not doing a thing. I do not mean to say we should point fingers and say what others are not doing. In fact, that can potentially be just as bad. When I began the Heartbeat for Worship I didn’t intend to make just another annual event to become big… I just wanted to do my part. Every day I work hard at staying in my lane and running the race God gave to me without worrying about someone else. I am not perfect and still working at it. The Heartbeat for Worship was born out of a desire to help young and old people alike while also being intentional in my efforts.

When someone comes to the Heartbeat for Worship I want them to leave with more than just a “Wow! What a concert!” I want them to leave knowing they will never be the same because of the spirit and camaraderie displayed between the artists and those who come. Everything matters in the Heartbeat for Worship. From the seven plus drummers, violins, guest musicians, lights, backstage workers, etc. It is our effort to be a microcosm or display of what the body of Christ is to be like.

You can find out more about William at
www.williamjohnsonmusic.com

I witnessed the birth of my third child, got a Wii and recorded and released an album that has already raised $2,500 for the cause of spreading hope to a world desperate for it.

After Better Days was released in late August of last year, I began the never ending task of reaching out to the blogosphere, connecting with fans through social networking and introducing my music to millions through internet radio.

I did get out and play a couple of gigs, but mostly I focused on laying a foundation through the internet.

But the arrival of 2012 brings with it a need to get out and play.

I’m going to concentrate my gigs in the Raleigh and Fayetteville areas. It makes the most sense to try and procure a fan base locally (within 100 miles) before reaching out to other states. It will take time and effort, but I am up to the challenge. I recently took on an assistant to help with the admin side of things, Jacob has certain skills that I don’t when it comes to dealing with people and has already proven to be an asset.

This week I am nailing down a set of my tunes that will be the most crowd-friendly. I am also adding in some cover tunes, to add length and variety.

The next step is to locate venues that are open to the acoustic folk scene.

Look for me to be out and about beginning in March. I will post all upcoming shows to my website.

See you on the road.

I am never quite prepared for the energy just right before a birth.  I sat on a bench outside the O.R, my heart about to beat out of my chest, as I awaited the nurse to give me the nod to go in.  When she did, I stood up with a purpose; I needed to get to my wife.  I entered into the sterile room and headed towards my wife who instantly started to weep when she saw me.  We both knew our lives were about to drastically change, in a good crazy sort of way….3 kids!  

They began slicing away at my wife’s mid-section.  I have no idea what it looked like, I chose to stay behind the barrier and console my wife. We were only in there for about 5 minutes when they warned me to get my camera ready.  I stood up and peered over the cloth separating us from the surgery, my daughter was being born.

The doctor then pulled out and hoisted up a purplish bloody zombie looking child thing.  But, despite her initial appearance, I was instantly in love with her.

With every passing moment she became pinker and pinker till she resembled any other newborn.

She now lays on my wife’s lap and dreams.

I look forward to a lifetime of memories with my new baby girl.

Reviewed by: Justin Kreitzer
www.atlasandtheanchor.com

Singer-songwriter and North Carolina native Derek Lee Bishop has just recently self-released his debut album Better Days. Derek Lee Bishop creates a hushed homespun brand of blues-oriented indie folk in the same vein as Iron & Wine with quieted yet confident vocals and rootsy finger-style guitars, while maintaining a widely accessible appeal similar to other singer-songwriters such as David Gray and John Mayer. Bishop began his musical endeavor training in classical guitar and piano and wrote the songs that ended up on Better Days while playing in coffee shops. His approach to songwriting is blended with a touch of both of those elements, highlighting a strong grasp of melody with intricate yet sparse arrangements that make the most out of each song. His voice is rich, warm and inviting and his songs are instantly familiar like a bear hug from a long lost friend. Lyrically, he focuses on his Christian faith and related themes such as love, forgiveness, hope and family.

“Sweet Pardon” opens the album with a passionate, dashboard confessional of Derek’s deep and breathy voice set to striking piano chords and cascading acoustic guitars in front of a wall of gospel tinged organ. The title track, “Better Day” features a positive message, endearing vocals and entrancing cyclical guitar figures along with a poppy, sing along chorus. The mid-tempo stand out track “Not Of This World” introduces drums and bass into the mix for a rollicking, bluesy shuffle that invokes the soulful swagger of early Ben Harper and showcases Bishop’s wide range and skill, to give you a glimpse at what he would sound like leading a full band on a larger stage as opposed to alone in the coffee shop. The ballad-y “I Need You” follows with sweet, close knit vocal harmonies and beautiful, chiming guitar harmonics for another standout moment on a love song to the Holy Spirit. “What You Know” features a laid back and bluesy back porch vibe, while lyrically he reminds us that it’s not what treasures we try to amass here on Earth that are important but that we seek out and rely upon the knowledge of God. In keeping with that theme, “In The Shade” is a solemn and reverent prayer of forgiveness and hope with gorgeous, gentle vocal harmonies and lightly played hand drums that propel the song. Acting as the perfect showcase for Bishop’s classical guitar training, “Romance (Let It Be)” features guitars brushed with a hint of Spanish flair and the song takes on an “Old World” quality complete with a waltzing tempo and an accordion solo. The eight song album closes out with the aptly titled “Julie’s Lullaby”; the song captures a dream-like state with gently picked acoustic guitars with a velvety tone and lilting melodies.

So if you are in the camp that thought Iron & Wine got a little experimental or even if you just pine for rustic and charming singer-songwriter fare, Derek Lee Bishop and his excellent debut album Better Days will perfectly fill that void for you and then some. Plus, you can feel good that the money you spend on the album is going to a couple of great causes. Because as a Christian, Derek has a heavy heart for giving and serving so he has chosen to donate all of his proceeds from the sales of his album Better Days, to various charities. Most notably, Project Red Light Rescue which provides education and a way out for prostitutes around the world and Gospel For Asia, which seeks to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ to those, especially in the over-populated continent of Asia that have not heard of Him. So, a great message, a great cause and a great sound…Better Days, is a can’t miss!