Josh Blakesley

Ten new songs to encourage you
Powerful and poignant, Even in This, the fifth album from Josh Blakesley and his band offers ten new songs for praise and worship, contemplation and solace. Though the songs touch on a variety of topics, including trusting God, thankfulness and surrender, the overarching message is that, regardless of our current situation, God is with us.

Music that reflects their southern heritage
Fast and slow, upbeat and thoughtful, this collection reflects the musical versatility of Josh and his band members: Grae McCullough, Christian Gaudet and Blake Powell. Two of the tracks on the album highlight the band members' southern roots. The kick of the bass drum and the twang of the banjo in "Revive Us" make it almost impossible for you not to clap your hands to the upbeat, downhome sound. Accented by brass, synthesizer and organ, "Brighter Days" features jazzy vocals from Josh à la Stevie Wonder with lyrics that speak of looking on the bright side of life.

Beautiful songs with a powerful message
For this collection Josh collaborated with a number of veteran text writers, including Grammy-nominated Sarah Hart. She offered her writing talents on five of the ten songs, including the moving title track, a powerful song about finding hope in the darkest valleys of life. For "Here at the Cross," a song of invitation that will fit beautifully into any liturgy, the whole band collaborated on the lyrics. In the liner notes, Josh reflects on the circumstances that led the band to make this album: "I am forever changed by what I have seen and pray that when I am tested...I will have the courage to run to God, Even in This." That those words would ring true for all of us.

Track listing
Sing Hallelujah | Hope Comes Alive | Grateful | Even in This | Home Again | Revive Us | You're Enough | Here at the Cross | Beautiful is Your Love | Brighter Days

The songs fans have been waiting for
As the theme song for the 2009 Religious Education Congress, "Love Unfolding" became a surprise hit. People immediately wanted the song, but there was one small problem: it wasn't on any of Josh's albums. Now, "Love Unfolding" and other unreleased concert favorites are finally available on one CD, giving Josh Blakesley fans the songs they've been waiting for!

Moving recordings showcase Josh's penetrating voice
Self-produced alongside well-known producer, engineer and mixer Jeff Thomas, Free gathers some of the most popular praise and worship titles onto one record. The four original songs and six cover songs showcase Josh's penetrating voice and harness the energy of his live performances.

Powerful original compositions
Featured on spiritandsong.com's online video series, The Commons, "Sing Hosanna" is a growing Palm Sunday favorite for churches across the country. "Where We Belong" is nothing short of a joyful anthem. Summing up the album with beautiful simplicity, the stripped-down and personal "Whiter Than Snow" speaks to how, in Jesus, we are set free of the guilt that we all hold onto.

Passionate renditions of classic songs
The soaring "I Am Free" opens the album with purpose. "Everlasting God" possesses a playfully dynamic contrast between verse and chorus. "Hosanna" envelops you with the haunting guitar work of Dave Cleveland. "Rescue" features crushingly gorgeous backing vocals from Audrey Assad. The earnest "How Great Is Our God" will have listeners swaying in unison.

Shows the depth of God's love for us
Josh's third album shows the depth of God's love for us. From powerful original compositions to passionate renditions of classic songs, his music brings us closer to the love of Christ in heaven and the ministry of his people on earth.

This is one talent that can't be hidden for long. Not when the music's this good. With the release of this impressive debut album, newcomer Joshua Blakesley is well on his way to becoming one of the biggest names in the praise and worship scene.

Every one of these 12 original tracks is an absolute gem. Song after song, Joshua shows his poet's knack for expressing the extraordinary truths of our faith in beautifully ordinary ways. His soulful, raspy voice combines with acoustic and electric guitars, bass, piano and percussion for a superlative pop-rock sound that satisfies.

Joshua's catchy choruses make you want to sing along, and the funky, irresistible rhythms and background vocals create a great musical context for his confessional, faith-building lyrics. "I am immersed in your love," Joshua says in the liner notes, speaking to God. "This music is my attempt to draw people closer to you than they've ever been."

"I wanna feel the gift of worship," he sings in "Heaven," a spine-tingling, slow-building epic and one of the album's highlights. Joshua definitely feels it. Immersed in his music, you can't help but feel it, too.

Are you ready for this? For 94 minutes of electrifying music packed onto two CDs? For songs that set hearts on fire and challenge you to really live the good news of the Gospel? Get ready to Live It!

This compilation draws together 23 tracks from the biggest names in contemporary Catholic music, including Steve Angrisano, Tom Booth, Sarah Hart, Matt Maher, Jesse Manibusan, Ken Canedo and many others. It also introduces fresh music from 12 talented new artists who capture today's spirit and song.

More than any other album on the market, Live It! captures the wide range of musical styles rooted in Catholic spirituality -- which you can experience continuously online via spiritandsong.com. Featuring sweet ballads, edgy rock, folky pop and everything in between, Live It! doesn't compromise substance for style. These songwriters have drawn from Scripture, and the poetry in their own souls, to express the longing, devotion, struggle and joy we all go through on this wild journey called "faith." Highlights include the Daughters of God in a great cover of Carey Landry's "Hail Mary: Gentle Woman" and Val Limar Jansen in a gospel-style rendition of Jaime Cortez's classic "Rain Down."

Don't just stand there. Hear it! Sing it! Live It!

This 12-song CD by Josh Blakesley features pop, rock and funk tracks with collaboration from many top Nashville musicians.

Bring new expression to God's love
At World Youth Day in Sydney, Pope Benedict XVI spoke about "the search for the true, the good and the beautiful." Answering this call, Josh Blakesley offers seven unique expressions of the power of God's love to heal and restore. Great for inspired listening, this enhanced CD is also packed with bonus features to help you enrich worship in your community.

Energize liturgy and personal prayer
Tapping in to Josh's Louisiana roots, You Are the Light showcases the unique blend of rock, pop and country that make up contemporary Southern music. Real, honest and pure, each of these songs serves as a heartfelt profession of faith to energize liturgy, praise and worship, personal prayer and more!

Rejoice in the restoration of Christ
Co-written by Marc Byrd (Third Day's "God of Wonders") and Grammy-nominated Sarah Hart, "That We Might Live" is an epic and vivid proclamation of the Eucharist. The fun and rhythmic "I Will Give Thanks"—co-written by Dove-nominated Audrey Assad—rejoices in the restoration received in Christ. Composed to be a rousing sending forth song, "You Are the Light" conveys a sense of being sent out on a mission.

Expand your repertoire with enhanced CD material
Musicians, music directors and contemporary groups—this enhanced CD gives you everything you need to learn, play and share these songs with ease:

• FREE chord sheets (guitar chords and lyrics)
• Links to downloadable guitar/melody lead sheets for purchase
• Instructional videos from Josh and his band—including suggested use, up-close demonstrations and live performances

Also available as an MP3 playlist.

Tracks: Restored | I Will Give Thanks | We Are Yours | You Are the Light | That We Might Live | At the Name | All of Me

Designed to demonstrate how the Mass might be played in a church with multiple instruments — including strings, guitars and drums — the Live version can be adapted to meet many parish needs.

Josh Blakesley continues to serve one simple calling: to make music that moves people into prayer and action. His Mass of Restoration is no exception. Co-written with his guitarist Grae McCullough, this Mass setting is at once both singable and truly beautiful.

With three different recordings, the setting can be adapted to fit any parish's style — from contemporary to traditional. Josh and Grae were joined by bandmates Blake Powell and Christian Gaudet for the MP3 Album, which includes recordings of the Lenten Gospel Acclamations — the most complete set of any contemporary setting.

Mass of Restoration serves to lead God's people deeper into prayer and participation as they come together week after week in worship.

The first recording of this Mass setting, Acoustic Settings will appeal to anyone who enjoys music with a more modern feel, especially teens and young adults. It's simplicity also lends itself well to Life Teen groups, summer camps and other youth and young adult retreats.

This is the MP3 playlist for the enhanced CD You Are the Light, by Josh Blakesley.

Bring new expression to God's love
At World Youth Day in Sydney, Pope Benedict XVI spoke about "the search for the true, the good and the beautiful." Answering this call, Josh offers seven unique expressions of the power of God's love to heal and restore. Great for inspired listening, this enhanced CD is also packed with bonus features to help you enrich worship in your community.

Energize liturgy and personal prayer
Tapping in to Josh's Louisiana roots, You Are the Light showcases the unique blend of rock, pop and country that make up contemporary Southern music. Real, honest and pure, each of these songs serves as a heartfelt profession of faith to energize liturgy, praise and worship, personal prayer and more!

Rejoice in the restoration of Christ
Co-written by Marc Byrd (Third Day's "God of Wonders") and Grammy-nominated Sarah Hart, "That We Might Live" is an epic and vivid proclamation of the Eucharist. The fun and rhythmic "I Will Give Thanks"—co-written by Dove-nominated Audrey Assad—rejoices in the restoration received in Christ. Composed to be a rousing sending forth song, "You Are the Light" conveys a sense of being sent out on a mission.

Tracks: Restored | I Will Give Thanks | We Are Yours | You Are the Light | That We Might Live | At the Name | All of Me

This is the MP3 playlist for Your Time.

Trust in God's plan
All of us struggle with questions about God's will. We ask, "Why did this happen to me now?" "Why didn't this work out?" In her debut album with spiritandsong.com, exciting new artist Sarah Kroger reminds us that though our lives may not always unfold as we plan, God has a time and a reason for everything.

Exemplify poetry in prayer
Produced by Josh Blakesley, Your Time features an organic, indie-folk sound that carries Sarah's tender voice to the hearts and ears of the listener. Each of her five originals—co-written with Josh, Sarah Hart, as well as Hillsong's Mia Fieldes ("Run to the Cross")—exemplify poetry in prayer, along with a stirring rendition of the popular "Revelation Song."

Find strength in hopelessness
Bearing testimony to the perfection of God's timing, the title track also captures Sarah's personal call to ministry. "Run to the Cross" echoes St. Paul's invitation to embrace and draw toward this embodiment of freedom, instead of retreating from what is often regarded as a symbol of pain. Quirky and light-hearted, "Impossible Things" praises our all-powerful God as our source of strength in the face of hopelessness.

Nourish your journey of faith
Whether you're looking to breathe new life into the liturgy, energize praise and worship events, or nourish your individual journey of faith, Sarah Kroger delivers an impressive collection of songs that move the heart and resonate with both young and old.

Tracks: Let My Praise | Your Time | Revelation Song | Impossible Things | Run to the Cross | In the Silence