Driftwood Diaries

Thanks to my friends across the pond for this kind review.  I knew my UK connections would pay off at some point…  Cheers!

It’s BACK ON!

The 3rd Annual Songwriters Seminar

It’s all set to go, and will be held this time in NORTHERN CALIFORNIA

Saturday; May 28, 2011

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New Hope Church in Cotati, CA will be hosting the seminar, and this year it has been expanded into TWO sessions:
SESSION 1 (9-12 am): the craft of songwriting
[lyric, melody, creativity, communication]
SESSION 2 (1-3 pm): the business of songwriting
[production & recording, finances, booking, management, merch, publishing]

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The cost is once again only $100, and includes both sessions, plus a personal, constructive critique of one of your songs (and maybe two if we have time!).

Don’t miss this once a year opportunity!!!

5-28-11 / New Hope Church / 183 E. Cotati Ave. / Cotati, CA 94931

To sign up and reserve your spot (space is limited), send your check to:
Justin Fox Ministries
3007 Donnybrook Ln.
Costa Mesa, CA 92626

To use a credit card, call us at 949.294.7039, or hit the PayPal button on our site.  Thank you!!!

Brand-new, long awaited fresh music from the Justin Fox band is finally here.

This is Justin’s 10th CD!  Three years in the making, it will be released in two parts. Although the second half (early 2011) will feature five new acoustic, intimate tunes, this first volume charges out of the gate with six new songs arranged with the full band in peak form; Joe Servia on bass, John Macelwee on the drums, Brandon Bee filling in the gaps with guitars, Wurlitzers, accordions, background vocals, and hand-claps, and the 160 ft. Naperville Carillon bell tower leading it all off.

Justin’s strong pull toward the coast is still very much a theme on this album, but while “Seabright” may have been a warm, sunny day at the beach, this collection of songs is more suited for a hoodie and a fogged-in afternoon. The minor keys and denser motifs meander over the topics of reconciliation, anxiety, fear, and hope.

Written in California by Justin Fox, produced in Seattle by Brandon Bee (Geffen, Sony, Warner, Amber Pacific), and mixed in Nashville by Todd Robbins (Downhere, Andrew Peterson, Sara Groves)

Whether digital downloads or physical CD’s, we’re committed to a donation-basis structure, so you can name-your-own-price, and order the new 6-song EP here:

justinfox.bandcamp.com
And, please consider visiting our website store for the entire Justin Fox catalog (Christmas CD anyone???) - all on a donation basis - shipping included:
justinfox.com/merch
Any orders before December 18 in the U.S. will make it for Christmas!

A gull skims along a curling wave, its wingtip almost touching the crest, its body motionless, its face impassive. Too sleepy to do more than grumble, a sea lion lazing on a rock watches the bird soar past. Low and unambitious, the surf washes softly over the sand, stretching thin like a wakening cat, before sliding again into the sea. Thin fog creeps back and forth, trying to decide whether to lie over the water or infiltrate farther inland. A pale blob in the haze, a fishing boat slips by, the sound of its engine a muffled chug-chug-chug. When the world closes in on a person, the beach is an open place, a place to be alone…

A place where saltwater tides erase the past, where mistakes drift out to sea on waves of melody,

and this is the soundtrack…

This is the sound

Several months ago, I was invited to try and write some worship songs for young children (ages 3-10ish). Since I have a few of those in my house already (the kids, I mean), I felt I had a sense for it, and I dove in. All alone with a laptop and my guitar, I sang my heart out, crying and laughing as I felt God’s inspiration like never before. I wrote eight songs that afternoon! I submitted them all to the producers, and I’m honored to have two of these songs included in the new release Songs from the Playhouse. It’s a high-energy compilation featuring the legendary talents of Kenny Aronoff, Matt Bissonette, and Crystal Lewis. It’s been released internationally by Kingsway, EMI, and David C. Cook. Click the image for the link to it on iTunes:

The two songs I wrote are “Big God Story” (a wide-angle look at the big picture of God’s love and plan for us) and “Child of God” (a celebration of our identity in Christ). They’re both simple tunes that the rockin’ band turned into pop-punk, foot stomping, shout-along scorchers - sure to be a welcome jolt to your family’s music collection. I’m so excited to be part of this newest generation’s worship expression!

There’s also a second album in the series, created more for older, elementary age students, and it’s all a compliment to a brand new family church curriculum by David C. Cook and our ROCKHARBOR church called TRU.  If you click the image above, it’ll take you to the website for more info!

And here’s the link for more info on the worship albums, plus a promo video capturing the making of, behind the scenes:

CLICK HERE

THERE ARE STILL OPEN SPOTS AVAILABLE

for the Songwriter’s Intensive - Saturday, May 1st

Don’t miss this rare opportunity to focus and refine your creativity and art.  Sit down with Justin and some new friends on a Saturday morning for an unforgettable experience.

ALL SKILL LEVELS, EXPERIENCE, AND AGES ARE WELCOME

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Back in the studio again this week - pretty nice weather in the Northwest.  The record is ALMOST DONE!  Here’s a few pics of the previous adventures and updates will soon follow…  Thanks for your patience, encouragement, and support!

<<< THE 2ND ANNUAL SONGWRITER’S INTENSIVE >>>

“I really enjoyed the intensive! It gave me so much encouragement as well as a ton of suggestions for my song!”

“I found it great that songwriters struggle with some of the same things and it was very useful to be able to get feedback and give input at the same time.”

“I was able to get a different view of songwriting that I was never able to get before.”

Last year’s was very enjoyable, well attended, and helpful in many ways.

We’re excited about our next event this MAY 1ST, 2010.

Justin Fox
Songwriter’s Intensive
Saturday, May 1
9:00 a.m.- 1:30 p.m. Halecrest Community Center // Costa Mesa, CA
$100 per person. Limited to 10 people.

* 4 hours of song critique and discussion of lyric writing, melody, co-writing, publishing, demos, encouragement, theology of songwriting, nurturing creativity, and more.
* Includes Starbucks coffee, Heidi’s famous scones, and LUNCH!
* For song critique: bring 2 songs on CD (or your instrument to play) plus 10 copies of lyrics.

First come, first served.

Payment in advance required to secure a spot.
Use PayPal at our website, on the right margin…

All major credit cards accepted.  To use your card by mail, fill out the form below and send it in, or simply call me with your card info at (949) 294-7039
Checks can be made out to “Justin Fox Ministries”

<<< POSTAL MAIL ADDRESS >>>
3007 Donnybrook Ln.
Costa Mesa, CA 92626

Happy New Year, everyone!!!!

I pray your holidays were restful (somehow!) and renewing.  We’re just getting back into the swing here, but I’m excited for the year ahead…

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It’s been really fun doing these “God Parties” with youth groups lately, and a fantastic student photographer captured a rather wild one a couple months back.  Paul Bulger www.myspace.com/the_emo_kid77 took the pics and did an awesome job.  If you’re unfamiliar with the party concept, check out my blog on the subject here; www.justinfox.com/2009/06/18/lets-party/. And now…here’s the party IN ACTION!

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Some of the students hanging out before…

I take the stage with some tunes and interaction…worshiping through Adoration and Thanksgiving!

some more directing, teaching, engaging…

Oh yah, it’s time to break out the Uke!

After a time of worship through Petition and prayer with each other, challenging the students with real worship through OBEDIENCE, and an invitation to the REAL PARTY found in a life with Christ, it’s time again to celebrate God!  Instruments are being passed around…

…not sure about the tamborine?

someone must be doing something really funny out there…

I finally get into the crowd and the dancing is in full swing!

…always get to throw out a few free CDs!

students always make up the best dances…

…like I said….

and now the stage is getting over-run!  Pure, unbridled, joyful chaos ensues…

the craziest dancers are taking over…

…and leading the way!

ah, yes; the fist pump!

…now I’ve got the “band” assembled

…and they always really rock the cowbell!

SHAKER SOLO!

someone else needed some cowbell time…

…and MORE cowbell!

How all great concerts are ended:

(thankful he didn’t actually smash that Uke!)

We hit “Celebration” by Kool and the Gang, and the party rolls into the streets!

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So there’s a snapshot of a little bit of my life on the road these days - just a small part of what God is up to with us, but definitely fun to share.  I love that God would use me like this!  Thanks for being a part.  We couldn’t do this without your support and encouragement. SEE YOU OUT ON THE ROAD!

IT’S HERE!!!!

<<<The LIVE DVD is now available as an AUDIO CD>>>

iTunes and other exclusive digital distributors are proud to make availabe this one-of-a-kind recording.  11 songs from the momentous home-town concert, featuring Justin’s long time touring band, his oldest daughter Farrah Fox on the final “Hallelujah”, and YOU; the loudest, craziest audience ever!

Paul Dexter (Seabright) recorded, engineered, and mixed this collection with vibrant sound quality.  It’s by far the best LIVE recording of Justin Fox…anywhere.

We know that finances are tight all around, but PLEASE CONSIDER making this a part of your holiday purchases.  It all goes to a great cause, and it’s sure to inspire and lift your spirits this season.  The full album price at iTunes is only $9.99, with individual songs for only $.99!

Here’s the direct link to the iTunes store:
ITUNES

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If you’d like an actual CD, just send $10 (or whatever feels right) to this address:

Justin Fox Ministries
3007 Donnybrook Ln.
Costa Mesa, CA 92626

(or make a payment through Pay-Pal at the right of this site)

I’ll make you a special, custom signed, hand-made CD!

THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT!!!