Friends Making Music

15 Aug 2011 Posted by joannareyburnmay

I am so blessed to have some amazing friends that make awesome music! I don't share IHOP's Forerunner Music releases, because I figure you guys already know all about them, but I wanted to share about some of my friends that you may not be as familiar with:

William Matthews - Hope's Anthem

I think of William as one of my best friends that I live far away from. In many ways we are kindred [free] spirits, in other ways we are total opposites! Right now, I'm missing the times we sat around the dinner table debating some spiritual concept until we both get so frazzled we have to stop and have pie. He's the kind of friend that will tell you the truth you need to hear, but don't wanna, and everyone else is chicken to tell you. I love this guy, he embraces life, is lot's of fun, and carries that prophetic songbird anointing that I'm a personal fan of.

I've been waiting a long time for him to release his own album after years of singing, worship leading and songwriting at Morningstar Ministries, the International House of Prayer, and now at home at Bethel Church in Redding. Hope's Anthem comes on the heels of having two songs on Bethel's wonderful worship album, Be Lifted High. Hope's Anthem explores a lot of musical territory, and does so comfortably from r&b and pop to the edges of country. And worship leaders - many of his songs on this album will find a home in Sunday services with corporate worship. Check it out and tell me what you think.
Available on iTunes or take a listen below.

William Matthews - Hope's Anthem by Bethel Music

Michael Ketterer - Love/War/Solar System

Honestly, I don't personally know Michael - it's one of those "friend of a friend" scenarios, but when our friend, Brandon Hampton asked my husband to listen to his music and write some stuff, we got a little preview listen.

I'm going to be totally honest: my first response was to wrinkle my nose and say, "Is this guy black or white? Is this gospel, worship, electronica or pop? I'm so confused!" But like all my very favorites albums, the more I listened, the more it grew and grew and grew on me. Like my all-time favorite, Kevin Prosch's Palanquin. When I first heard that album 10 some-odd years ago, I hated it. I worked in a bookstore warehouse, and my boss Josh Farmer would play that thing on repeat! Then suddenly, I LOVED it, and have loved it ever since. I think Michael's music will be like that too. If you need more of a teaser, check out this music video:

United Pursuit Presents: Michael Ketterer from United Pursuit on Vimeo.

Oh, and I forgot to mention, my husband J.May is featured on two songs, and not that I'm partial or anything, but they are awesome! Check out Love/War/Solar System on iTunes, and stay tuned for a possible tour - then maybe I'll get to meet him in person and be friends (and not tell him how I wasn't sure about his music at first). Check it out on iTunes.

Bryan & Katie Torwalt - Here On Earth

I met Bryan in Canada a few years ago with my friend Kayle Mumby, and he was one of those people that you like instantly and have a connection with. That seems to be the case with a lot of my Canadian friends, unfortunately they're so dang far away!

Bryan was always talking about his gal Katie (I still haven't met Katie in person, which is a bummer, but now her and Bryan are out in California and are friends with lots of my friends, so it's bound to happen), but when I saw a bootleg video of them leading worship at a Shawn Bolz conference, I was absolutely entranced. Katie has an AMAZING voice, but that's not all, she's incredibly anointed! Both of them are. It's like a Holy Spirit party in my living room just listening to them and their album is on my soaking "lay on the floor and talk to Jesus" playlist (Yes, I really have one). If you don't believe me, turn on this video and see why for yourself and check out their album on iTunes.