Christa Wells...singer/songwriter and other sombreros: from the chapbook: Unsung...by Linford Detweiler

May 04, 2009

from the chapbook: Unsung...by Linford Detweiler

"I want to be known (if I am to be known at all) as one of the great lovers of life. I want to make love to these days in new--or at least tender and timeless--ways, to make the trees sigh and the sky kneel for a closer view. (If a few others close their eyes and smile for a few moments with me, it is enough.) I want to dip this paintbrush pen into the best places of my heart--those places I have all but forgotten--and paint pictures that might convince even me that I was not born in vain.

We will write to go about the work of saving our lives.

Tentatively, new words come like a still small voice. This is my unspoken request. By some miracle, I ask that my life be a work of art, even if I never see it as such..."

Songwriting Credits (not including my own albums)

"Day by Day"
Point of Grace: 24
Co-wrote "Day by Day" with Tiffany Arbuckle Lee...this was the only new song on the album, which was a compilation of their previous 24 hit singles. I originally imagined it for an Alison Krauss sort of artist...Jeremy Lee had other ideas.
"Held" and "Bring It All Together"
Natalie Grant: Awaken
On this album, I wrote one song - "Held" - and co-wrote another, "Bring It All Together," with producer/writer Shaun Shankel. We had no idea what would happen with such an unusual song as "Held"...and with "Bring It" having Wynonna Judd singing something I wrote was an added honor.
"Real" and "Go"
Plumb: Beautiful Lumps of Coal
Co-wrote "Real" and "Go" with Tiffany Arbuckle Lee..."Real" had been inspired by watching the Oscars that year..."Go" we wrote for her wedding. She showed me what she'd started and then ran out to a dentist appointment. I worked on it, adding a few lines before she got back. Thankfully, she liked what I added.
"Me"
Plumb: Blink
Co-wrote this lullaby with Tiffany Arbuckle Lee...
"Twice As Good"
Sara Groves: Fireflies and Songs
When Sara asked me to consider whether I had anything that might work for her upcoming project, it was one of the highest compliments I'd ever received. So I sat down and came up with a little idea that centered around the idea that what we share in intimate friendships is "half as hard and twice as good." Somewhere I'd heard that. Well, Sara wrote the song all by herself and it's beautiful, but since I'd contributed the idea, she gave me credit. What a gem.
"Stay"
Jessica Campbell: Put the Stars Back EP
Jessica has such a beautiful voice and honest spirit, I've enjoyed writing with her very much. This song came from watching the marriage of friends crumble...sometimes in life we just give up too easily.
"Our Hope Endures"
Natalie Grant: Relentless
On this album, I co-wrote one of the singles, "Our Hope Endures" with Natalie...I originally wrote the song, inspired by the stories of some dear friends...Natalie added the gorgeous bridge section toward the end and also modified the melody at the top of the chorus--two very important modifications that made the song what it needed to be.
"I Will Carry You"
Selah: You Deliver Me
What an honor it was to sit in the room with Todd & Angie Smith just a few days after the tragic diagnosis of their unborn daughter's condition. They had just learned that Audrey Caroline would not survive more than a few moments outside the womb. We spent the day processing together and putting music to a lyrical idea Angie had already begun writing for little Audrey. We wrote for her inevitable memorial service, not knowing it would end up on the album, as well.