Different musicians every week... I have the privilege of working with some extremely talented musicians on a regular basis. 25+ musicians played on "Together", and I have the privilege of playing with many more that we just couldn't fit on this project...
Influences
Pretty eclectic here, but some of my heros are:
Lincoln Brewster, Matt Redman, Chris Tomlin, Bruce Cockburn, James Taylor, Bob Bennett, Steve Bell, Carolyn Arends, Sara Groves, Bruce Carroll, Mark Heard, Randy Stonehill, Harry Connick Jr., Dire Straits, Robin Mark, Jon Bauer, Jon Buller, Reuben Morgan, and Anthony Packwood.
Sounds Like
Mostly I think I sound like me I think the "sounds like" comments are a bit funny... but depending on which generation you ask you may hear Lincoln Brewster, James Taylor, Chris Tomlin... I've also heard Stompin' Tom Conner and Garth Brooks, Paul Overstreet... (I serve a very diverse congregation)... but I'm still most often mistaken for Mats Sundin (I'm assuming not for his singing talents)...* * * * *
WHAT I WANT YOU TO HEAR is acoustic-driven authentic worship of the Maker of the universe - with sincere, heartfelt lyrics and easily singable melodies.
My CD "Together" is available for sale at www.mikerschuster.com or at iTunes or any other digital music site. In the United States you can buy it at www.cdbaby.com/cd/mrschuster.
The CD is made up of ten simple, original corporate worship songs with two "bonus tracks" (an a cappella version of "Unify", and a Christmas version of "Together"). All my songs are VERY playable and VERY singable - easy to incorporate into your worship service. While all these songs can and have been sung in small gatherings with little more than an acoustic guitar, they've been dressed up a bit by the 25+ musicians who appear on this album. We made this CD so the songs could be used by a wider audience in corporate worship to bring glory to our Lord and Saviour.
THANK YOU to the radio stations in Alberta and Manitoba that are playing tracks from this project, and the many churches in Canada and the United States (and beyond) that are using these songs in your worship services! I appreciate all the notes of enouragement...
ABOUT ME:
After seventeen years in the public education system as a band teacher and guidance counselor I stepped WAY out of my comfort zone to join the staff of Bow Valley Christian Church as their Pastor of Worship and Arts in August of 2003. BVCC is a happening, multi-generational, multi-cultural, non-denominational evangelical church in Calgary, AB. With Pastor Rick Scruggs (30 years in) at the helm. We are vibrant expression of Gods grace in motion as we join together to worship God, learn more about Him, and serve each other and the Calgary area in His name. God is blessing what were doing and were having a lot of fun in the process! If you're ever in Calgary you need to stop by and check us out a Sunday service (and say "hi") * * *
I need to thank the 25+ musicians that played on this project, and the staff, board, and congregation at BVCC for their support and encouragement.
And Anthony Packwood without whom I would not and could not have completed this project. This CD was truly a group effort, and I'm very grateful for all the encouragement and support I've received along the way. * * * I've been doing a lot of song-writing again lately... so look out for a new project in the near future...
- Mike
