“Akiane’s Masterpiece” came during one of the deepest songwriting sessions of my life. I was fasting for the first time, asking God over and over, “Give me a song. What do You want me to write about?” In that quiet, hungry space, I came across the story of a painting, and it sparked a memory that had been sitting in my heart for years.

When we lived in Austin, my family started going to a church there. One Sunday after service, we walked into the main lobby and saw a painting of Jesus: Prince of Peace by Akiane Kramarik. My wife lit up when she saw it. We just stood there, staring at His eyes—soft, warm, and somehow familiar. Then she told me about a dream she’d had when she was young, where Jesus came to her. Seeing Akiane’s painting, she said, “This is the closest to what He looked like in my dream.”

At the same time, our family was processing another drea, our son’s dream about Jesus telling him, “Your daddy needs to step into the fire.” All of that, my fasting, my prayers, my son’s dream, my wife’s childhood encounter, and Akiane’s vision, started to braid together. Then I read the story behind the painting: how it was stolen, hidden away, and later restored. That hit me hard. It felt like a picture of how Jesus can be stolen from your life for years, but never actually lost.

“Akiane’s Masterpiece” is a heartfelt acoustic ballad dedicated to Akiane, to my wife’s dream, and to everyone who’s ever felt like their faith was taken from them. It traces the journey of that painting, its creation, its theft, its return, and mirrors the way Christ’s presence can seem distant, stolen, or locked away, even though He’s never really gone. The song is about stolen light and found mercy… about realizing that every brushstroke, every wound, every lost year can still become part of a greater masterpiece in God’s hands.

Akiane's Masterpiece

“Fallen World” was born out of the hardest news I’ve ever had to face twice.
When I found out my wife Vera’s cancer had come back, something in me snapped for a moment. I’d prayed so hard the first time. I’d begged God to heal her, and I truly felt Him say “Already” while I was praying. She beat it. And then suddenly… there it was again. I slipped into this brief, raw anger at God, resentful, tired, and asking, “How many times, how much longer?”

But Vera pulled me out of that place fast. She looked at me and reminded me, “We don’t get angry, we praise God in the storm.” That sentence became a lifeboat. It helped me see that this world has been broken from the start. It’s a fallen world: burdened, corrupted, and stolen early on. How can I stay mad at God for the pain of a place that was never meant to be our final home?

“Fallen World” is my honest cry from the middle of that struggle. It’s the sound of me questioning, breaking, and still choosing to call on His name. The song admits the weight of suffering, loved ones taken, missions cut short, nights of fire that feel endless, but it also clings to the deeper truth: this world is fallen, but God is not. He’s the compass, the keeper of my heart, the light in the ruins, the fire in the cold, guiding me toward the real life that’s with Him, not here.

Fallen World

“Godspeed” is a prayer for the warriors who walk into the dark so others don’t have to.

I wrote this thinking about the times I’ve been out filming in dangerous situations with my team, moments where things were about to get real sketch, and we’d look at each other and say, “Godspeed, friend.” That simple phrase stuck with me. It made me think about the people who live in that reality every day: soldiers, first responders, investigators, quiet protectors, and all the men and women who step into the chaos to fight for victims and stand against evil… most of them never getting credit, never being seen.
“Godspeed” is for them.

It’s for the ones who hold the line when the sky feels like it’s falling, when wolves start circling, and the rest of the world has no idea what they’re facing. It’s not a glory song, it’s a blessing. A whispered “ride on, warrior” over those who see the unthinkable, carry the weight, and keep going anyway.

This song is my way of tipping my hat to the nameless and the fearless, the guardians of the free whose courage burns beyond what most of us will ever see. It’s a prayer that Heaven’s hand would guide them, that angels would ride with them, and that when their hands are too tired to even lift in prayer, God would still hold them close and lead them home.

GODSPEED

“My God Is Dope” is me getting back to my hip hop roots and having a little fun praising Jesus loud.

I wanted to build something that felt fresh and different, beatbox-driven, with harmonica rhythms weaving through it, like a street corner cypher collided with an old front porch jam. From the start, this song was about lifting people up: a reminder that in a world chasing gold, selling lies, and drowning in noise, God sent Jesus to crack through the darkness and bring real hope.

When I finished the track, I knew it still needed something special. That’s when my dad, Ken Whelpton, creator of Ome Banjos and an old-school A&M Records studio drummer stepped in. He literally dusted off his spoons and laid down some good ole-fashioned spoon-playin’ magic. It tied the whole thing together: hip hop beats, harmonica grooves, and my dad’s rootsy spoon percussion, three generations of sound pointing to one thing: our God is anything but boring.

“My God Is Dope” is a praise anthem for right now, for people who grew up on hip hop, who love Jesus, and who aren’t afraid to shout it. It’s a song for blasting in your car, jumping around your living room, or waking up a sleepy church parking lot. The world is angry and afraid, but this track is my way of saying: we’ve still got a Savior, the storm stiller, the chain breaker, the hope deliverer.

And yeah… My God is dope.

My God is Dope

When your road feels dusty and long,
And the night steals the words from your song,
There’s a glow that breaks through the gray —
That’s the Lord, moving in mysterious ways.

He’s in the wind that carries your name,
In the quiet spark behind your pain.
You think you’re lost, but you’re never alone —
He’s been calling your heart back home.

He moves in mysterious ways,
His love will find you where you’ve strayed.
May God bless you with all that you need,
May His Spirit rise and set you free.
Open your heart — let His mercy flow,
He’s been chasing your soul from long ago.

When the storm comes stealing your will,
And time itself seems to stand still,
Hush your heart — His whisper remains,
In the wounded, the weak, the pained.
He’s the peace in the violent sea,
The grace that sets your spirit free.
You might not see the path He’s laid,
But His love will never fade.

His grace is stronger than fear,
His promise forever here.
When you can’t find the words to pray,
His love will light your way.
Rest your soul, lift your gaze —
He moves in mysterious ways.

He moves in mysterious ways,
His love will find you where you’ve strayed.
May God bless you with all that you need,
May His Spirit rise and set you free.
Open your heart — let His mercy flow,
He’s been chasing your soul from long ago..

God moves… in mysterious ways.


Mysterious Ways

“Sunbeam of Light” started long before I sat down to write it.
I was away working, quietly writing songs on my own time and talking to Jesus in a very private way. My faith was there, but it was lukewarm, I was unsure what to do with the music God was stirring in me. Back home, my wife was praying for our family when she heard our son crying in his bedroom. When she went in, he told her he was sad because Jesus had come to him in a dream and said, “Tell your daddy he will need to get into the fire.”

He and my wife didn’t know it at the time, but I knew exactly what Jesus was talking about.

My son’s tears, my wife’s prayers, and that message from Jesus became the heartbeat of this song. “Sunbeam of Light” is my answer to that call. It’s about the kind of fire that doesn’t destroy you, but purifies you. The lyrics wrestle with judgment, surrender, and courage: Will you run, or will you step into the fire with Jesus by your side?
This song is me choosing to say, “Yes, Lord.” It’s a promise to walk through whatever comes, fear, trials, refining, trusting that His love is my guide. In the middle of the flames, Jesus is not just the Judge; He’s the gentle light breaking through the smoke. He is my sunbeam of light. The message was so powerful that the album’s name, Into the Fire, was later born out of that moment.

Sunbeam of Light

I wrote “Salt and Fire” in the middle of the hardest stretch of my life.
Since 2020, it’s felt like wave after wave: my wife Vera has battled cancer twice, my dad is fighting cancer for the third time, and the TV work I built my career on has almost completely dried up. The phone stopped ringing, the bills kept stacking, and there were days when my card declined at the checkout line and all I could do was stand there thinking, “God… seriously? Again?”

The crazy part is.. I know I’m not the only one. I’ve spent years behind the camera filming other people’s tragedies and miracles. I’ve sat in their living rooms, heard their stories, watched their tears, and felt that same question in the room: “Lord, why? Why this much pain? Why this long?”

“Salt and Fire” came out of that place. Out of the nights staring at the ceiling, wondering how I was going to take care of my family. 
Out of the prayers that sounded more like broken conversations than polished church words. Out of the fear that maybe I’d done my part and God had somehow forgotten me.
But somewhere in that struggle, I started to see it differently. In the Bible, salt preserves and gives flavor. Fire refines and purifies. Those two images, salt and fire, became the way I could finally understand what God was doing with all this pain. Not punishing. Not abandoning. Refining. Shaping. Holding.

Salt and Fire

“Little Bruises” was actually born from a scooter crash in Key West back in 2012.
Vera and I had just started dating, renting scooters and ripping around the island like we owned it. Then in an instant, everything flipped, Vera went down hard. She somehow avoided hitting her face and teeth, but her arm and elbow were torn up and bleeding.
We wandered into a little sandwich shop afterward, shaken and quiet. A stranger who owned a coconut farm noticed her arm, walked over with coconut oil, and gently started treating her scrapes. Then he looked at her and said a sentence that branded itself into my mind:

“Don’t ever let a little bruise hold you back.”
In that moment, I knew it was a song. I wrote “Little Bruises” back then, but like a lot of things in life, it got tucked away, waiting. Thirteen years later, as I was working on Into the Fire and walking through my own bruises and battles, this song resurfaced. It was like God brought it back out and set it exactly where it was always meant to be, in the middle of this record.

“Little Bruises” is my song for anyone who’s been knocked down and is tempted to stay there. It’s a reminder that the wounds and scrapes of life don’t get the final say. Lift your chin, let God heal the deep places, and step into your comeback. Don’t ever let a little bruise hold you back.

Little Bruises

Lyrics By: Paulo Sergio Carvalho

The sun is setting, girl,
The night is so clear to me
As I look at you now, babe,
The dust settles in my mind.

Girl, if I never told you this,
I’ll say it now, no holding back
You’re the only one I’ve ever
Seen in color when the world turned black.

If you want me, just say the word,
I’ll drop it all and run to you.
I’m done with maybes, done with doubt
I just need to know the truth.

Girl, it’s always been you,
Even when I left, I still knew.
The love I tried to bury deep
Kept coming back every time I’d sleep.

Girl, it’s always been you,
No one else ever felt so true.
From day one to the end of time,
You’re the one I want beside mine.

I had to grow, I had to break,
To see what real love truly takes.
You stayed gold through all the storms,
Now I just want to keep you warm.

You’re the calm when I lose my grip,
The name I say when I let it slip.
It’s not a game, it’s not pretend
I want you now, not just as a friend.

So if there’s a chance, if there's a spark,
Let me hold your hand in the dark.
'Cause I swear on everything I’ve known
I’ve never felt this safe, this home.

Girl, it’s always been you,
Even when I smiled, I missed your truth.
The laughs I faked, the love I chased
None of them ever took your place.

Girl, it’s always been you,
No one else could do what you do.
You're the reason my heart beats loud
You're the girl I’ll say "forever" out loud.

So tell me now, don’t make me guess
Are we a no, or are we a yes?
'Cause I’ve got one shot, and I’m all in
Loving you feels like where I begin.

Girl, it’s always been you,
Even when the skies turned blue to gray,
I still saw your light every single day.
Girl, it’s always been you,

My heart never moved on, it stayed with you.
So if you’ll have me, say we’re two,
‘Cause girl… it’s always been you.

It's Always Been You Live (Acoustic)

All Lyrics By: Paulo Sergio Carvalho

I’ve been watching time slip away,
Locked inside my yesterdays.
Held back by the weight of fear,
Too scared to love, too numb to care.

But then you came and changed it all,
Lit a fire where the dark would fall.
Now I see what I’ve been missing,
A world that’s bright, a love worth living.

I’ve been thinking about living,
And how that’s gonna be.
Breaking free from my mind,
That’s been a prison to me.

Wasted years, I can't get back,
Regret's a chain, but love’s the track.
Too long I’ve let the past decide,
Now I want you here, right by my side.

No more silence, no more doubt,
I'm stepping in, I'm reaching out.
I won’t let another moment fade,
With you, I’m ready for the change.

I’ve been thinking about living,
And how that’s gonna be.
Breaking free from my mind,
That’s been a prison to me.

So here’s my hand, let’s take the leap,
No more shadows, no more sleep.
Love’s a risk, but I will try,
I want to live before I die.

I’ve been thinking about living,
And now I finally see.
With you, I’ve found my reason,
To be who I’m meant to be.

No more waiting, no more fear,
The time is now, the choice is clear.
With you beside me, love will grow,
I’ve been thinking about living… now I know.

So take my hand, let’s chase the light,
No looking back, the future’s bright!
Love’s alive, and so am I
I’m done just dreaming, it’s time to fly!

I’ve been thinking about living… and now I’m alive!

Thinking About Living (Live Acoustic)

In Secret

I want to die…
But I don’t know quite why…
The world keeps turning,
but I’m spinning out of time…
I don’t know why…

Life for me is in flux,
A storm that never ends,
One moment I rise up,
The next I’m drowning again.

These shadows cling like skin,
They’re the only truth I feel,
Every heartbeat sounds like war,
And I can’t tell what’s real.

I don’t know why
WHY
WHY THE HELL I’M STILL HERE!

I am screaming in fear,
Why am I here?
Why does the darkness know my name?
Every breath is a burning flame.

I don’t know why I’m here,
But the pain is always near
Dragging chains across my mind,
Trying hard just to stay alive.

Just leave me alone,
I’m a dead weight, sinking stone,
I try to rise but fall again,
A burden pressing on my friends.

I never meant to drag you down,
Never meant to stain your crown,
So let me rot inside this place,
A ghost with a familiar face.

I DON’T KNOW WHY
WHY THESE DEMONS HOLD ME NEAR!
WHY I’M STILL… STILL HERE!

I am screaming in fear,
Why am I here?
Why does the darkness echo back?
Why do I feel like I’ll crack?

I don’t know why I’m here,
But the pain is always near
Fighting battles I can’t see,
Choking on what’s left of me.

Break the flesh!
Tear the lies!
Rip the mask from my own eyes!

I’m unstable,
Unbreakable,
Unshakeable rage
Let it out of its cage!

LET!
ME!
GO!

I’m on my knees
Can’t you see?
This agony is swallowing me.

I’m falling through the floor,
Can’t carry this anymore,
I’m tired,
I’m wired,
I’m burning to the core.

CRUSH ME
TO DUST
SO I CAN FEEL SOMETHING.

I am screaming in fear,
Why am I here?
Why does the void keep pulling tight?
Why do I still try to fight?

I don’t know why I’m here,
But the truth is crystal clear
I’m a soul caught in between,
Living scars where hope should be.

I want to die…
But I don’t know quite why.
Maybe someday I’ll understand.
Maybe someday…
I’ll want to stay.

Why am I here

"NAME ABOVE ALL NAMES" is the definitive worship project of 2025 by Chris Manning. This album is a powerful declaration of the authority, holiness, and victory of Jesus Christ. Designed for both the secret place and the stadium, the sound blends massive arena-rock energy with intimate, stripped-back devotion.

From the viral praise anthem "SHOUT HIS NAME" and the congregational power of "HOLY 4EVER" to the brand new Live Worship version of "AWESOME GOD," every track points to one truth: Jesus is Lord. This is more than an album; it is a resource for the church and a soundtrack for your faith.

Turn it up, worship loud, and share the message.

THE RANSOM, Worthy

You Shall Be Judged

Composed by Adrian Schmidtke 
All Instruments by Adrian Schmidtke
Recorded, mixed & mastered by Adrian Schmidtke • Studio Dr. S. (12/2025)

Rimes of Redemption

Trapped in the Woods

“Crimson Kiss” tells the story of a survivor shaped by violence, faith, and judgment — someone the town thinks they know, but never truly understood. This demo was produced using AI based on my original worktape to showcase how the song could sound in a fuller arrangement.

Lyrics & melody 100% human-written.
AI used only for production.

Written by Josh Huff
© 2025 (All rights reserved)

Crimson Kiss - Demo (AI Production)

“Real You” is an emotional, uplifting ballad about seeing the truth in someone who feels broken, guilty, or unworthy. It blends modern singer-songwriter storytelling with subtle faith elements, reminding them they’re loved, seen, and stronger than they believe. This demo was produced using AI to showcase how the song might sound with full instrumentation.

Lyrics & melody 100% human-written.
AI used only for production.

Written by Josh Huff
© 2025 (All rights reserved)

Real You - Demo (AI Production)

A heartland country ballad about the high cost of the miles between a father and his daughter. Told from the perspective of a long-haul trucker who thought "providing" meant leaving, it explores the regret of missed birthdays and graduation ceremonies. The "shoebox" serves as a metaphor for the love he wrote down but never knew how to deliver—until now. A song for anyone who’s ever tried to outrun their ghosts on the interstate.

Shoebox

Crafted for the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ.

I am just an older guy making music because it pleases me to do so. I have been making music for over 3 years so some of these are back catalogue, but some are new.

CYBER CHORD writes songs the way a porch light holds a night: small, steady, and impossible to ignore. I work with AI as a true co-writer, then carve the lyric by hand and shape the track in Suno. The sound leans bare and human—country roots in the soil, a little rock grain in the teeth, and a faith-lit lift that chooses hope without preaching.

These are ordinary-room hymns: rings hidden in cotton, receipt-tape strings, a dress behind rain glass, a sink that cools while you find the words. Silence is an instrument here; sometimes there’s a full bar where the house gets to breathe. If a line can’t survive a campfire and a cracked mug, it doesn’t make the song.

If you’re new, start with the heartbreakers. They don’t shout. They stay. I believe in the holiness of the everyday, and in the quiet bravery of saying the thing before “later” takes it away.

No paid promo, no playlist buys, no cover-art pitches, no dance offers, no cold DMs. If it’s a pitch, the porch light’s off. If you’re a real listener, come in soft: pick one song, leave a genuine note (lyric or timestamp welcome), and hand it to one friend. That’s how this fire stays lit.

May your road stay open, your coffee stay warm, and your day be peaceful.

An Audiophile / Lyricist / Composer who likes various Artists like Jamiroquai , Eiffel65, and Deadmau5. I like to create tracks from various sources and am always trying to create something engaging for the mind. Lyrical creations are my favourite. and to mix them to different sounds makes my life worth while. Feel free to follow my musical journey of discovering new sound creations.  A proud "Aspie" or individual with Autism Spectrum Disorder.  Originator of the G-O-A-T genre of Music Formula which stands for "Greatest Originals  Of All TIme". The G-O-A-T formula can be applied to different songs for an unique listening experience.

Songwriter. Lyrics and melodies are fully human-written.
Demos are produced using AI based on my original worktapes to help showcase the songs.
Writing modern country with heart, tension, and honest moments.

Larrow Nanes creates alternative rock rooted in atmosphere, tension, and emotion. Blending electronic textures with raw songwriting, the project explores isolation, resilience, and the quiet moments between collapse and clarity. Each track is built as a mood and a movement, meant to be felt as much as heard.

I see music in the stars, I hear music when I sleep, its a never ending story... Paulo Sergio Carvalho, known to the music world as iPauloSergio, was born in the stunning city of Ponta Delgada in the Azores, Portugal. His early years were enriched by the lush landscapes and vibrant culture of the islands. At the tender age of 13, Paulo discovered his passion for music, immersing himself in the sounds of the piano, keyboards, and guitar. This early exposure laid the foundation for his lifelong love of music and set him on a path to become a multifaceted musician.

Paulo’s music is a rich tapestry woven from a wide array of influences. He admires legends such as Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, and Bob Dylan for their storytelling prowess, while also drawing inspiration from the melodic genius of Billy Joel and the powerful anthems of Journey and Van Halen. Furthermore, the innovative sounds of electronic pop icons like Pet Shop Boys and Depeche Mode can be felt in his work. This fusion of genres reflects Paulo's ability to connect with a diverse audience and create music that resonates on multiple levels.

In addition to his solo pursuits, Paulo has collaborated with fellow musician iGracie to write songs for various bands, including the country outfit Devils and Debutantes and the indie rock group Love Bomb Poets Society. These partnerships have allowed him to explore different musical styles and expand his songwriting repertoire, blending heartfelt lyrics with catchy melodies that appeal to listeners across genres.

Bitcoin address for tips: bc1ql38nsruy9s3ejfzwpcvuyuw7qczapcevdknmjn

Dr. Adrian Schmidtke
Composer • Producer • Bass Player

Recording, Mixing & Mastering • Live & Studio Bass • Bass on Demand • Online-Lessons & Coaching • Music Production & Release

Supported by Pyramid Strings

Shepherd in the Shadows is the sound of faith forged in fire a mix of country soul, cinematic folk, and rock revival. Written and produced by filmmaker and storyteller Kendall Whelpton, these songs rise from real battles, prayers, and miracles. Each track is a chapter of redemption, a road through darkness toward the light.

From the haunting grit of Wolves in the Darkness to the anthemic hope of Keep It Strong and Old Soul Revival, every song carries the spirit of struggle and salvation. This is music for believers, wanderers, and anyone who’s ever found grace in the middle of the storm.

New tracks tagged #Redemption