This is probably the song that's gained the most traction out of any that I have written.  It's an incredibly simple song that I wrote after a powerful time in God's Word in the summer of 2007.  The song came very quick and in many ways was simply setting Scripture (Colossians 1) to music.  We later recorded the song with the band I was in before Charles Billingsley recorded.  Charles' recording went to #1 on Billboard and was the #2 Christian Adult Contemporary song of the year in 2009.  Who would have thought!?

God Of The Ages (Featuring Charles Billingsley)

In 2010 I had the opportunity to visit Haiti and contribute to some of the relief efforts happening there.  It was the first time I had been to a third world country.  I was shell shocked and changed forever by what I saw there.  I wrote "Defender" prior to this trip.  It was inspired both by a personal hurtful experience and as a prayer for the people of Haiti.  I was blessed to travel to Haiti with some incredible friends and musicians.  We played concerts nearly every day while we were there.  It was a powerful, meaningful experience to be able to share "Defender" with those for whom it was written.

Defender (Featuring Drew Cline)

Sometimes you think songs are done and in the can only to realize they still aren't completely finished.  Such is the case with this song.  I wanted to write an advent song because there seems to be a need for them.  For nearly 7-8 years it existed without a bridge.  I don't remember the exact circumstances but somewhere down the line I decided it needed a bridge.  It was a very special moment to see our school choir and orchestra perform this at our first annual Christmas concert.  This was one of the first songs I ever wrote that gained traction years ago at my home church.  It was cool to see it reinvented with the added bridge at a later time for a different purpose.  That's the multi-talented Jed Bayes on lead vocals singing it live with our school congregation (10,000+).  Jed is probably one of the best keys players I've known.

Beautiful Emmanuel (Live recording featuring Jed Bayes)

This was a song I wrote for Easter to be used at a church I was blessed to be a part of in the States.  More traditional and choral based as that was the need at the time.  This songs simply tells the story of the Gospel.  I particularly resonate with the pre-chorus lyric, "No shackle of hell remains - You rose to life, You broke my chains".  Love that truth!  That's Don Marsh's killer 'blockbuster' arrangement using chords I've never played (or known about).  He also fleshed out the descant on the bridge and didn't even take a writer's credit.  What a guy!

For Sinners Slain (Featuring Lyn Westafar)

The greatest gift from Christ's work on the cross is the complete forgiveness and abolishment of our sins.  There is no greater truth for the believer that every sin, past, present and future has totally been eradicated by Jesus Christ.  He has absorbed the wrath of God in our place and solved our biggest problem: sin.  He took it all away.  Now, that's something worth getting excited about!  Hallelujah!

He Took It All Away (Featuring Charles Billingsley)

This was written to be a 'modern hymn'.  I tried to mimic a number of things that are constant in some well-known hymns like a specific syllabic meter, progression of thought ending with the second coming and other common devices found in 20th Century hymnody.  The melody came to be first while noodling on the piano.  I loved the majestic, regal 'feel' of the chorus and did my best to write lyrics that served this characteristic.

Take Your Throne (Featuring Brady Rose)

This song all started with the lick you hear on the opening of this track.  I remember being in college, working late one night as a 'student worker' in a building that housed rehearsal rooms.  It was a slow night for rehearsing so I escaped to a practice room, opened up my Bible to Psalm 103 and this song quickly flowed out.  Originally a ballad, a friend in the band I was in suggested I speed it up.  We 'tested' it on the road and found it worked well as an upbeat praise song.  Love God's Word set to music!

Bless The Lord (Featuring David McKinney and Justin Kintzel)

As a worship leader I am always keeping my eyes open for good 'openers'.  Songs that talk about why we have gathered and what we are here to do.  This was my attempt at writing an opener that welcomes our Saviour and fixes our attention on His powerful presence. 

You Are Here (Featuring Rachel Halbach)

Although this song has not obtained the traction that some of my other songs have, it remains one of my favourites.  I think part of the reason I like it so much is because the verse is my testimony of how God radically changed me and brought me out of the darkness and into His light.  My friend Jordan Tate has a killer voice and it really blessed me to hear him sing this special song.

There Is No One Like You (Exodus featuring Jordan Tate)

A new recording of an older song featuring Brady Rose on lead.

Bless The Lord (Featuring Brady Rose)

There has always been a need for resurrection songs. Christianity is hinged on this single event. There is something powerful about singing Christ's triumph over death and the evil one. Even more powerful is declaring Christ as victor in the middle of our tribulations. This is a song to remind the church of Christ has done on the cross and what He continues to do as we trust him with every trial. As always, Rob kills it on this track. Hard not to be prompted to praise when he leads.


He Has Won (Featuring Rob Estevez)

A new recording of "Defender (Call Upon the Name)" originally recorded seven years ago by Charles Billingsley.  This new recording featuring Brooke Voland was produced and arranged by Brandon Sharp.

Travis Doucette

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