Another nominee for our 2010 Song of the Year Award is from Michael W. Smith and friends.

From the press release:

(NASHVILLE, TENN.) January 28, 2010 – Yesterday at Belmont University’s Ocean Way Studios, multi-platinum, GRAMMY and Dove Award winning artist, Michael W. Smith gathered a who’s-who list from the music community to record “Come Together Now.” The song, penned by Smith, David Mullen and Cindy Morgan – and produced by Bryan Lenox – was written to remind people of the need to help those in Haiti.

“The crisis in Haiti has left us all trying to figure out how we can help,” shares Smith. “We wanted to create something that the community could support, for the greater good of those in Haiti. Everyone gave of their time: the studio was donated, the musicians donated their time and all proceeds from this song will go to designated charity/relief work through The American Red Cross and Samaritan’s Purse. It’s incredible to be part of something that is going to help so many people.”

Contributing artists included Toby Mac, Steven Curtis Chapman and a host of others.  View it below or here.

Other nominees for this year here and here.

Have a suggestion for a nominee?  Read the guidelines and let me know what it is.

Here’s a candidate for our Song of the Year.

Here singer Bart Millard explains the story behind the song by saying:  “It’s not just helping your neighbor, but (also) going the extra step:  If I truly love you well, then I can’t NOT tell you what’s changed my life.”

Here are the lyrics & song stream from YouTube:

Lyrics:

He wakes up every day the same
Believin’ he’s gonna make a change
Never wonders “if” but “when”
I guarantee he can find a way
To reach out and make somebody’s day
‘Cause someone took the time with him

He believes it’s the little things
That make a great big change

Hey, Mr. Lovewell, doin’ today
What you do every day
No matter how small
Believin’ that it’s all the same
Come on, Mr. Lovewell, oh we could use
A few more just like you
Who care enough to give this life away
‘Cause you’ve been changed
The generous Mr. Lovewell loves today!

It may be a simple “how do you do”
The kind of thing that could pull them through
A minute or two can mean so much
Or maybe it’s the one across the street
He’s asking if there’s anything they need
‘Cause they will know what’s by our love

It may not be that much to him
But it’s the world to them

We all need more Mr. Lovewell…

Resources:

• MercyMe homepage
• MercyMe MySpace

Here’s a contender for our Song of the Year award coming up this fall.

This new group started as guys jamming in a freshmen dorm at Belmont University in Nashville.

“The music isn’t the full extent of our purpose,” says band member Jesse Hale, “We are committing our time, effort and platform to helping those in need — making ourselves available to be the hands and feet of Jesus.” Read more about their commitment to “changing the world” here with “MikesTable.”

Lyrics below  – you can visit the band’s MySpace page here.

Something here is wrong
There are children without homes
But we just move along to take care of our own
There’s so much suffering just outside our door
A cry so deafening
We just can’t ignore

To all the people who are fighting for the broken
All the people who keep holding on to love
All the people who reaching for the lonely
Keep changing the world

Take a look around
Before the sun goes out
What’s lost can still be found
It’s not too late now
It only takes one spark to make the fire burn
So reach inside your heart and let this be the start

To all the people who are fighting for the broken
All the people who keep holding on to love
All the people who reaching for the lonely
Keep changing the world

I see you changing the world
Every boy
Every girl
Step up!

I see the sun coming up
It’s a brighter day
Let’s show the world that love is a better way
So lend a hand join the fight
‘Cause time is ticking away

To all the people who are fighting for the broken
All the people who keep holding on to love
All the people who reaching for the lonely
Keep changing the world

Michael W. Smith gets it.

So do a lot of other Christian artists.

Click above or here to view video.

Lyrics:

There is hurt there is trouble – there are tears on the ground
from the ash and the rubble – there’s a cry ringing out
you’ve been shaken by loss; you’ve been by shattered by fear
Give me eyes that can see it – Give me ears that can hear

When you hurt I’m hurting – when you’re bleeding I bleed
When you cry I’m crying; I am down on my knees.
When there’s nothing left standing, and there’s no reason why
Lets go walking on the water to reach the other side

Stretch your arms and help the brokenhearted
Say a pray that change will come
We will fight for the children who were hurting
Lets stand as one and come together now.

Be the light in the darkness – be the peace in the storm

Be a shelter for someone when the rain starts to pour.

Be the hands that bring healing and the hands that provide

Let’s go walking on the water to reach the other side.

Stretch your arm and help the broken hearted
Say a pray that change will come
We will fight for the children who were hurting
Lets stand as one and come together now.

It won’t be long – keep holding on
Hold your head high; hold your head high
Keep standing strong – you’re not alone now
Hold your head high; hold your head high

~~~~~~

Download the song here ($1.29 via itTunes) or click on banner below.

Click here for details.

“If he has like a ninja or superhero quality, it’s definitely his ability to see that one, tiny little spot that’s not filled and put something in it that you’re like, ‘oh my gosh.’ That becomes literally to me as the artist, that literally makes the song.”

- singer/songwriter Dave Barnes on producer Ed Cash.

To check out Ed Cash and David Barnes creating in the studio, check out this interview from NPR Nashville:

Audio stream

Mp3 download

Transcript

Ed assisted in writing two of the three finalists for our Song of the Year, so this is a particularly interesting piece if you’re interesting in songwriting and recording.

We are poised to present (ta-DAH!) our first annual Song of the Year award.

• To discover who the three finalists are for this year, go here.
• To watch videos of the finalists, go here.
• For more info on the award, here is where you go.