Early in October we mentioned Chris Lizotte had agreed to do an interview with Our Rising Sound. Just heard back from Chris and below is the conversation we had. We tried to have a wide ranging sample of questions taken from our readers and contributors. I want to personally thank Chris for taking the time to respond, he’s a busy guy so we really appreciate the love. Please follow the link above and check out(and buy) Chris’ music if you have not already. Ok let’s get this party started, ORS = Our Rising Sound, CL = Chris Lizotte:

ORS: Who are some of your biggest music influences, regardless if they are in the church or not?

CL: I Love the new Wilco record! My Friends are a big influence on me: Ryan Delmore, Rick Kamrath, John Barnett, Marc Ford, Paul Jackson, Kevin Prosch.

ORS: Earlier in your career you wrote mostly non-congregational worship music. Now we’ve heard more of your songs being played in congregational settings. Did you find the transition of audience and purpose difficult to make in your songwriting?

CL: At first, Yes. As the years have gone by I it’s been easier. Maybe because I lead worship on a regular basis and I love to write songs that point people in the direction of honoring Jesus!

ORS: What sort of songwriting discipline do you follow? Some people write something everyday even if it’s bad just to keep the discipline, other’s only sit down and write when they feel inspired externally or internally. How do you approach songwriting practically?

CL: When I’m inspired. I try to have a guitar around always.

ORS: When you find yourself lacking inspiration to write how do you fight out of that? Or do you fight out of it?

CL: The prayer room helps with that. Just stopping everything and getting still helps a ton. Gives me a chance to listen.

ORS: What part of songwriting does you find the most challenging? What do you do to overcome those challenges?

CL: Lyrics. Refer to answer above

ORS: What sort of process does you go through as far as evaluating the anointing, the heart and the skill of people coming to you saying that they feel “called” to be on the worship team?

CL: It’s all about relationship. Relationship takes time. We have a 24hr worship room, which works great for giving people an opportunity and a place to worship the Lord. It’s a good starting place.

ORS: Do you allow non-christians on your worship bands? Why or why not?

CL: Heck yes! I’ve had 2 friends get saved that way.

ORS: There seems to be a rise of discontentment with worship leaders and musicians in the church with the current state of worship music as it relates to quality. The frustration being that for the most part the church has settled for good sounding music, but not the best, a sound that could stand on it’s own in the industry and not just in the CCM industry. How do you view musical excellence, improving our craft and offering our best as it relates to worship? Do you think improving at our craft is important in corporate worship music?

CL: Yes, of course. I’d still rather play with people I love that are crazy about Jesus that are ok players then play with great musicians who are just doing a gig.

ORS: What part do you feel worship music should play in evangelism? On one end of the spectrum we have lots of churches playing very safe, un-offensive contemporary rock music with polished tenor voices singing uplifting lyrics. This tends to follow the strategy of ‘follow our example of worship to God and this joy you see can be in you too’. On the other end of the spectrum there are churches that see worship music as an opportunity to speak to the lost directly and not just by example. That usually means very contextualized musical style and lyrics for the area or people the church is trying to reach. Like indie rock in Seattle, rap in Detroit, country in Alabama, etc… How do you approach this in your church and in your songwriting?

CL: Don’t think about it much. Just doing what comes out. Good or not so good.

ORS: Sally Morganthaler recently wrote an article on the unintended consequences of her ministry in worship evangelism. One of the things she said about the current state of worship music is, “No sad songs. No angry songs. Songs about desperation, but not about despair. Worship for the perfect. The already arrived. The good-looking, inoffensive, and nice. No wonder the unchurched aren’t interested.” This echoes something I heard another pastor say, he told a story of how after 9/11 we had no songs to sing, the church had no insight into the despair and pain people were feeling through worship. You tackle some of this in your song “I Will Trust You”(an amazing song BTW), do you think we as a church are missing worship songs that cover more of the difficult issues of life, not just the Christian life?

CL: It’s hard for me to judge what the church as a whole is or isn’t doing. I like both as well. I have seen the unsaved moved by music that simply exalts God, not because of the content, but by the moving of the Holy Spirit invading there(sic) heart.

ORS: What gear are you playing with nowadays?

CL: Electric Guitars:
Jerry Jones
Les Paul Special
Guild Starfire 1962

Acoustic:
Gibson “Gospel” 1971
Taylor 610

Amp:
1972 Marshall 18 watts

Pedals:
Boss Tuner

ORS: Could you describe the experience of playing with Marc Ford of the Black Crowes and the West Angeles Mass choir? I saw video of that on youtube and it must have been an amazing experience. What an eclectic mix of style, but came together beautifully. Also as an aside, did Marc Ford get saved?

CL: He’s been saved. His relationship with the Lord is growing deeper. Crystal Cathedral is a rough sounding room. All glass and steel makes for a messy room. Still and honor and a thrill.

ORS: What are a few of your favorite worship songs past and current?

CL: I love “Rescue” by Jared Anderson
“Now Behold The Lamb” Kirk Franklin
Alot of songs my friends are writing as well.

That’s it folks. Big thanks again to Chris Lizotte!

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