We make no apologies here: Our goal is to help artists as they work to make the world a more beautiful and musical place, and to help grow audiences for those artists, both in scale and in depth. You might notice that our conversations with artists, producers, authors, and industry leaders are usually focused on those two main themes: artist and audience development. I experienced this first-hand for decades at the Cornerstone Festival – and I have dedicated my life to it for over forty years. And now, as an artist and author myself – and as a professor and director of music industry studies – helping the next generation of songwriters and artists find their way in this algorithmically addled environment is very close to my heart. I’m still here – working to make sense of it all right alongside everyone else.
This is what we believe:
We believe music is spiritually significant, not merely entertaining. All music participates in something larger than itself.
We believe human curation is more valuable than algorithmic convenience. Trusted guides with great taste and earned judgment matter more than a machine that gives you more of what you already like.
We believe gathering matters more than commerce, though commerce makes gathering possible. The transaction is credible because the curation is trustworthy.
We believe countercultural conviction can be held without apology and without aggression. We know who we are. We are not interested in being popular in the wrong rooms.
We believe the artist and the audience are equally sacred. The line between them nearly disappears when music is doing what it is supposed to do. The faith underneath all of it shows up in the questions we bring, not in the answers we insist on.
We are a virtual – and occasionally real-life venue, not a feed, with lots of rooms to explore. A gathering place with human voices at the center -- asking what the work is doing to us, where it comes from, and why it matters.
We still believe. So do you. Come join us.
Episodes
Jul 14, 2020
Jul 14, 2020
1hr 15 min
What about when you don't feel like singing? Is "Worship Music" exciting to you, frustrating, both? We’re “Singing a New Song” on this episode, with songwriter, artist, worship pastor and fountain of wisdom and grace, Sandra McCracken, including some sneak peeks into her not yet released album Patient Kingdom. We also re-visit one of the most important “modern worship” albums ever – 1991's At The Foot of the Cross on the True Tunes Jukebox as we contemplate the worship/music conundrum this time on the True Tunes Podcast.
If you would like to support the show, please consider joining our Patreon community or dropping us a one-time tip and check out our NEW MERCH!
Jun 29, 2020
Jun 29, 2020
1hr 6 min
In Part Two of our discussion with songwriter, musician, and theological philosopher Michael Gungor we wrap up our exploration of the idea of the re-embodiment of our spirituality and what the implications of that might be for our music and the role artists might play in these disconnected and divided days. We also take deep dives into Bob Dylan’s stunning new Rough and Rowdy Ways LP and Daniel Amos’ groundbreaking 1983 album Doppelgänger – both of which have something important to say about disconnection, disembodiment, and... zombies!?
If you would like to support the show, please consider joining our Patreon community or dropping us a one-time tip and check out our NEW MERCH!
Jun 22, 2020
Jun 22, 2020
59 min
In his first musical release since the disbanding of his acclaimed Alternative Worship band Gungor, singer, songwriter, author, and spiritual philosopher Michael Gungor visits the podcast to talk about “the flow,” mindfulness, re-embodying our faith and art, and his new experimental solo release under the creative moniker Weiwu: Are You Perfect Yet? We also spin the new EP Miami by veteran indie band Starflyer 59 on the Jukebox on Part One of this Two-Part episode. (Part Two, with the rest of our conversation with Michael, plus Bob Dylan’s Rough and Rowdy Ways and Daniel Amos’ Doppelganger coming soon!)
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If you would like to support the show, please consider joining our Patreon community or dropping us a one-time tip and check out our NEW MERCH!
Jun 6, 2020
Jun 6, 2020
1hr 7 min
In this episode we visit with songwriter, singer, artist, and worship leader, Liz Vice who gets real with us about the challenges, joys, discouragement, and hope she has experienced since the 37-year old Portland native launched a full-time music career, almost by accident, five years ago. She offers her unique perspective and wisdom as a woman of color in these challenging days and we take a listen to her music and a sampling of some of the incredible collaborations she has done with artists like Propaganda, Blitzen Trapper, Sandra McCracken, John Mark McMillan, and others.
See the FULL SHOW NOTES HERE or at: https://truetunes.com/episode-ten-liz-vice-show-notes/
If you would like to support the show, please consider joining our Patreon community or dropping us a one-time tip and check out our NEW MERCH!
May 30, 2020
May 30, 2020
55 min
On this Special Edition of the True Tunes Podcast we continued the "Enchantment" theme from Episode Nine by looking at four albums that had that effect, in very different ways, on our host, John J. Thompson. It's an all music episode - the first of its kind - an original of the species. (Make sure to listen to the conversation with Producer and Songwriter Ian Fitchuk on Episode Nine if this is your first time with us!)
If you would like to support the show, please consider joining our Patreon community or dropping us a one-time tip and check out our NEW MERCH!
May 20, 2020
May 20, 2020
1hr 9 min
On this episode of the podcast, we talk with Grammy, CMA, and ACM Award-winning songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist Ian Fitchuk (Kacey Musgraves, Maren Morris, Mindy Smith, Amy Grant, Drew Holcomb & the Neighbors, etc) about his journey in music, serving artists, and pursuing musical "enchantment." We also take a listen to Madison Cunningham's Who Are You Now on the Jukebox.
Check out the FULL SHOW NOTES HERE, or here: https://truetunes.com/grammy-acm-and-cma-award-winning-producer-and-songwriter-ian-fitchuk-joins-the-podcast-to-talk-about-enchantment-creativity-and-soul/
If you would like to support the show, please consider joining our Patreon community or dropping us a one-time tip and check out our NEW MERCH!
Apr 17, 2020
Apr 17, 2020
50 min
Join us for this wide-ranging conversation with singer, songwriter, producer, and artist Daniel Smith of Danielson / Danielson Famile / Brother Danielson “fame,” with Jukebox reflections on the 1986 debut album by Adam Again and the surprise new murder ballad by Bob Dylan. We also pay tribute to John Prine and Bill Withers in this reflection on the power, and beauty, of music by, and for, outsiders.
Find the COMPLETE SHOW NOTES HERE or here: https://truetunes.com/episode-eight-daniel-smith-of-danielson-adam-again-dylans-foul-murder-salute-to-prine-and-withers/
If you would like to support the show, please consider joining our Patreon community or dropping us a one-time tip and check out our NEW MERCH!
Mar 23, 2020
Mar 23, 2020
1hr 2 min
SPECIAL EDITION #1: Happy Birthday, Phil Keaggy! – Listen to the uncut conversation between Phil Keaggy, Rex Paul, and host John J. Thompson, conducted shortly before the release of their blistering rock project, Illumination, last year. How did a piece of long-lost tape and 20 seconds of audio from fifty years ago become a whole new song? How does an artist as accomplished as Keaggy approach life as an indie? How does collaboration speak into his work after all these years?
You heard some short clips of this on the Pilot episode of the podcast last year, but now you get to hear the whole conversation in honor of Phil’s birthday AND to mark his 50 years in the faith. We all seem to have some more “Time” on our hands these days. Use yours wisely. Phil Keaggy sure has. (Includes excellent advice for up-and-coming artists and producers!)
This uncut interview is a sneak peek of what's coming for folks joining our patron program. There's a lot more where this came from.
Check out the SHOW NOTES PAGE HERE, or here: https://truetunes.com/special-edition-1-phil-keaggy-uncut-with-rex-paul-and-john-j-thompson-happy-birthday-phil/
If you would like to support the show, please consider joining our Patreon community or dropping us a one-time tip and check out our NEW MERCH!
Feb 19, 2020
Feb 19, 2020
1hr 9 min
On this episode we visit with artist, songwriter, producer, film-maker, and now teacher Steve Taylor to talk about telling better stories, and telling stories better. Plus we take a look at The Lost Dogs' classic 1993 album Little Red Riding Hood and The Innocence Mission's brand new release See You Tomorrow on the Jukebox. We also get an advance listen to a brand new cut from Terry Scott Taylor's forthcoming LP.
Check out the FULL SHOW NOTES HERE, or here: https://truetunes.com/podcast-ep-7-steve-taylor-show-notes/
And a big thanks to our new sponsor, VisionTrust! Check out their awesome work at VisionTrust.org.
If you would like to support the show, please consider joining our Patreon community or dropping us a one-time tip and check out our NEW MERCH!
Jan 20, 2020
Jan 20, 2020
59 min
On this episode of the True Tunes Podcast host, John J. Thompson visits with pioneering artist and music industry leader Eddie DeGarmo for a wide-ranging conversation. We also take a look back at some of the best albums of 2019 and give a toast to our good friend, the late, great Brian Healy of Dead Artist Syndrome.
Full Show Notes Available Here or here: https://truetunes.com/episode-six-eddie-degarmo-best-albums-of-2019-brian-healy-tribute/
If you would like to support the show, please consider joining our Patreon community or dropping us a one-time tip and check out our NEW MERCH!