JoyFul Noise Ministries

The one most important thing about Christian Music Ministry...

2011-12-27T13:04:00.000-06:00

Another opportunity to see Riverside Church's "A Christmas Carol"

2011-12-07T12:38:00.001-06:00

At Riverside Church in Monticello-Big Lake, Minnesota
Friday, December 9th 7:00pm
Saturday, December 10th 4:00 and 6:30 pm

An Extra Performance just added for this almost sold out event:

Thursday, December 8th 7:10pm!

From "Bah Humbug!" to "Merry Christmas!" Come experience Charles Dickens' timeless classic 'A Christmas Carol' like never before. Much like Scrooge, the twists and turns of life often change us, sometimes turning us into someone we never intended to become. But we don't have to stay where we are. Please join us this Christmas season and witness the story of transformed life.

TICKETS & INVITATIONS

You can get information about picking up your free tickets by clicking here:

Christmas: When Love Came Down

2011-12-05T17:14:00.001-06:00

This past Sunday, I had the privilege of producing St Cloud Minnesota's Spirit 92.9 Radio (www.spirit929.com) Christmas concert, entitled "Christmas: When Love Came Down".

In addition to a visit from St Nicholas, Bishop of Myra, from the 3rd century, we hosted six very talented local vocalists, all of whom were winners or finalists from previous "Opening Act" vocal competitions sponsored by the radio station.

These gifted people (Sara Joh Skjonsby, Scott Baker, Jessica Schlangen, Shelby Olson, Brian Rodriguez, and Christy Freeman) took our audience through the joys of family and community at Christmas time and set the scene for the real "Reason for the Season": God's love for us and the special gift of His Son as a baby who came to save us all.

In addition to their message in song, Jenni West, and her students from "Dancing for Jesus" gave us a new perspective to worship through dance and a moving interpretation of God's love and Mary's obedience, calling us to worship His Great Name.

The emphasis for the evening was on The Love that came down that night more than 2000 years ago and how we should share it with others today...and not just our loved ones, but all of God's loved ones...And, in observing the capacity crowd leaving the hall that evening, I believe God accomplished sharing the message He had for all of us...Share His Love with all the world and tell the Good News proclaimed in John 3:16-17

Guest worship leader at Buffalo Evangelical Free Church this Sunday, 8/14/11

2011-08-10T22:43:00.004-05:00

Christy Freeman is a wife, a mom, and a musician. She lives in Sartell with her husband, Chris, and her children, Caden (2 1/2) and Clara (6 months). With a few years of experience in both children's ministry and worship leading in the church; she recently felt God calling her to focus specifically on being a mom, and also growing her music ministry. After being first runner up in Spirit 92.9's Opening Act competition 2 years ago, she began working with Mike Talbott through Joyful Noise Ministries. Her first album of all original music is soon to be released! Her music has been known to specifically reach teenage girls and women; but can engage your whole family! Christy is excited to be venturing into her new music ministry, and would love to hear from you! Her goal: to share the joy of Christ through engaging music ministry! Contact her for your next youth, church, or camp event: christyfreemanmusic@yahoo.com or catch her on facebook: www.facebook.com/ChristyFreemanMusic or email Mike Talbott, michael.talbott@gmail.com , Principal at Joyful Noise Ministries.

Matt Brouwer Concert Sunday July 24th 2011

2011-07-20T09:58:00.001-05:00

Here's a great concert opportunity the hear Juno Awardwinner (Canada's version of the Grammy Award) Matt Brouwer coming up thisSunday (7/24) at Riverside Church in Monticello that's family friendly andinspiring. Tickets are only $10 in advance, $15 at the door, and, get this,with advance tickets, your maximum per family is $30!

Matt's music comes from his deep life experiences, and hisfaith discovery and growth journey with deeply revealing lyrical contentdelivered in an easy to listen to musical style sure to please all ages. Tohear some of Matt's music and order tickets go to the link we've posted for you.Join us for this event at Riverside at 6:00 (doors open at 5:30 Sunday night,7/24!

More on Matt from his Wiki:

Matt is a Juno Award winning Canadian singer/songwriter who got his start in the music industry while studying music at school in Alberta, Canada. While in college he and fellow students founded the band Monday Night Worship (MNW).^[1] Because of the spiritual content of his lyrics he was 'discovered' by a Nashville record company in 2000, and in 2001 recorded his solo debut CD Imagerical. The album was released on May 29, 2001 on Reunion Records. He then formed his own label called Black Shoe Records and released an album titled Unlearning in 2005 and Where's Our Revolution (Universal) in 2009. Brouwer's music has been hailed for its relentless vulnerability as he shares his life's story of tragedy (the death of his father) and hope (his Spiritual pilgrimage) with his listeners.^[2]

Matt's Website, Facebook, Twitter

Joyful Noise Christian Artists host free Valentine's day concert

2010-01-28T14:12:00.031-06:00

Want to treat your special someone on Valentine's day to a free acoustic concert ?

O2 Bros, a Christian band led by two very talented and engaging brothers Joyful Noise Ministries has been recording, coaching, and producing over the past 10 years are performing in the intimacy of J. Arthur's coffee club in Roseville, MN on February 12, at 7:00pm.

At the core of O2 Bros are twin brothers Eric and Steve Olson. Gifted and passionate Christian singer/songwriters and worship leaders, their music expresses the deep inner workings of Christ in their lives. With dynamic tight harmonies, impactful lyrics and light-hearted dialog, O2 Bros has a unique and encouraging way of facilitating introspection and taking the fear and uncertainty out of a lifestyle of surrender to Christ.

Their music will touch your heart and, in my opinion, move you and your mate to a deeper understanding of your love for each other which is the result of God's love for us... But, don't expect the evening to be all "mushy and dreamy". Trust me, these guys will have you in tears of laughter as they banter about their experiences, about being brothers, and about their lives and passions...

For more information..click here or email Mike Talbott at michael.talbott@gmail.com

"New" Tips for Christian Contemporary Music Singers...

2009-04-14T09:25:00.008-05:00

As I was thinking about "tips for singers", I thought back on "Directions for Singers" written by John Wesley for a Hymnal published in 1761. He was providing direction for how people ought to sings those "newfangled hymns"...a 1760's version of contemporary worship tunes...

I read through his work, thought about how we might express his thoughts today and came up with these seven "tips for Christian singers" Let me know what you think about them...

1. Really learn and understand the lyrics you’re singing. Understand what the writer was trying to get across in the song and embrace the lyrics with your whole body, mind, AND voice.

2. Make sure you have the words memorized in a way you don’t have to think about them or use “tricks” so you won’t forget (see tip #1)

3. Remember to keep singing all the way thru the song…don’t try to think ahead, or focus on a particular part of the song when you need to concentrate more…you need to sing all the way through the songs, telling the whole story as written by the songwriter as it unfolds.

4. Sing with your whole self. When you’re done with the song, you should have nothing left to give emotionally to the story you just told.

5. Sing appropriately for your audience…if for the Lord, with respect: if with other believers singing along, lead but blend in. If for pre-Christians: in an appropriate way for them to be moved…by your song, not your person.

6. Sing in Tune and in Time. Let your vocal be a seamless part of the song lyric, perfect in rhythm, and note.

7. The Most Important Tip of All: Sing in and to the Spirit. Our ultimate audience is God Almighty, and our ultimate source of the power to be used by God is from Him also. If we please the Lord in our obedience to the calling suggested by our talents, and serve Him in full surrender with excellence, His work will be done through us, and not as a result of our effort alone. Work as if the results are our responsibility, trust and know that the results are God’s work, and His work will be done through you.

How are you approaching singing in our Lord's name today? Have you thought about the question? What do you think you might do differently, having read through these ideas?

For John Wesley's original "Directions", click here (very amusing reading in his original language.) For more information about this topic, email Mike Talbott at michael.talbott@gmail.com

Minnesota Christian vocalists have an opportunity to open for Phillips, Craig, and Dean!

2009-04-02T13:18:00.007-05:00

Hey, Folks!

A new way to have some fun and learn more about singing to the Lord...

Spirit 92 Radio (KKJM 92.9 in Sauk Rapids (http://www.spirit929.com/) is conducting a contest to choose the opening act for the May 21st, 2009 Phillips, Craig, and Dean concert in St Cloud. Vocalists can audition at any one of three locations in the listening area.

Unlike "American Idol", there will be no "Simon-izing"; just positive reinforcement and coaching from the three judge panel who will also instruct the audience before each event in the appropriate art of encouragement!

According to Diana Madsen, Program Director at Spirit 92; "Everyone who tries is a winner in this contest, and has an opportunity to receive valuable tips, ideas, and encouragement from the judges to further develop their music ministry. We'd like all of our listeners to encourage those they know who sing to take advantage of this opportunity"

Four finalists will emerge from the three auditions and a semifinal round, and will record a demo of their contest song at JFN Studios here in Monticello. Their demos will be played on the air and on the Spirit 92 website. Listener audience voting will determine the final winner.

Click on the title of this post above to learn about the details and to register for your audition. Contact Diana at diana@spirit929.com or Mike Talbott at michael.talbott@gmail.com for answers to any questions you may have.

Good Blessings to you all!

Joyful Noise Ministries hosts a new poll...

2009-01-03T17:41:00.002-06:00

Hey, Folks....I'm looking for some input.

I've put a simple poll on worship music styles on the left at the top of my home page on this blog.

Would you be willing to click on the link below to participate and help me gather some data for an upcoming article and seminar?

Feel free to comment...I used some pretty arbitrary descriptions so I know I've missed some different ways to characterize worship styles....please enlighten me if you have some other thoughts...

Thanks!

Joyful Noise Ministries 2008 Christmas Greetings

2008-12-28T13:05:00.018-06:00

2008 Christmas Time Greetings from the Talbott's...

We’re in Ohio this year for Christmas visiting some friends and family, and thought we'd post this to bring you up to date on our 2008.

Dixie entered a photo contest this year. She didn’t win anything. So, then she decided to teach herself to watercolor. So far, nothing worthy of framing, according to her (her Cat painting, in my opinion, was fantastic!) She's improving her painting daily keeping her brain cells activated and challenged. She became an avid walker throughout the entire winter and spring only to find out she had a fractured pelvis and, since May, had been using a wheelchair and walker, until about 3 weeks ago. It’s a good thing she enjoys sitting around reading, painting and photographing grandchildren! Oh, one bit of good news... somehow she managed to lose twelve pounds during this period. She thinks it happened because it was just too much work to wheel herself into the kitchen-all of ten feet away.
Hmm...maybe I should break something...

We’ve had lots of activity in the studio at Joyful Noise Ministries this year:
It all started with our work producing a CD for a new band made up of some artists we've worked with previously. This was actually the 4th CD we've worked on for leader Steve Olson, now worship director at Woodcrest Church here in Minnesota.

We also produced CD's for two others: Josh Corbett, a Christian songwriter/youth director at Rosemount United Methodist Church and S.A.L.T, a Christian vocal band based here in Monticello. Right now we are in the midst of producing the second CD for Men to Be, a Gospel quartet with five members!

...and we said we would never produce anything but a few simple, non-production demo's! I know record labels that don't do that many CD’s in a year! God is good and He is blessing the Christian artists He's given us to work with.

...Did I forget to mention the grandkids? Well, they are ALL geniuses, winning awards and contests every week and just plain beautiful. I was advised not to brag too much. How did I do?

In closing, we hope you and yours are enjoying this wonderful holiday season which remembers the birth of Jesus, our Savior.

...and we want to send our blessings to all of you at this most important season of our year and into 2009...

S.A.L.T. takes us on the "Journey of the Magi"...

2008-12-04T23:19:00.014-06:00

Don't ask me what I was thinking.... That's me, Michael Talbot, Principal of Joyful Noise Ministries, on the left...

In addition to producing S.A.L.T.'s newest CD as a fundraiser for their ministry, I agreed to play Balthazar, an ADHD Wise Man (think ancient "geek" scientist) searching for the birth of the King of Kings foretold by scriptures more than 2000 years ago in S.A.L.T.'s newest production portraying the birth of our Savior.

This year, S.A.L.T. makes its audience part of the "Journey of the Magi" and they soon discover we are all on a journey to the manger in our faith and in finding our own unique gifts to honor our Lord....click here to read more...

For more information about S.A.L.T. click here or email Mike Talbott at michael.talbott@gmail.com

Joyful Noise Ministries to dialog with Christian praise and worship artists

2008-03-25T23:40:00.008-05:00

Since 2001, we've been working with emerging Christian artists to help them:

Understand their natural talents, spiritual gifts, and calling
Develop their music ministry
Launch, promote and fund their ministry
Establish accountability within their ministries.

Also, since 2001, all of our posts were simply a way to induce you to some of our emerging artists in a "press release" format.

I want move beyond what we're sharing today by beginning to share with you the basics of our approach to developing a music or worship arts ministry, partly to stimulate your own thinking, and more importantly, to solicit your input to our thinking.

"A cord of three strands is not easily broken" (Eccles 4:12 and I need you to be part of my "cord" through your comments to upcoming posts about our processes so that we may grow through your wisdom and ideas God has given you that we may use to help others.

Are you willing to help? If so, add a comment to this post, if nothing more than to say "I'm in!" so that I know you're willing to add your thoughts to our ministry. Over the next few months, through a series of short posts, we'll introduce you to our approach to ministry development, giving you ample time to comment before our next topic is published.

I want to thank each of you who are willing to join us in advance of your response!
Have a blessed day!

John Wesley's "Directions for Singing", pub 1761

2007-12-31T09:41:00.000-06:00

John Wesley's original "Directions for Singing" published in 1761:

I. Learn these tunes before you learn any others; afterwards learn as many as you please.

II. Sing them exactly as they are printed here, without altering or mending them at all; and if you have learned to sing them otherwise, unlearn it as soon as you can.

III. Sing all. See that you join with the congregation as frequently as you can. Let not a single degree of weakness or weariness hinder you. If it is a cross to you, take it up, and you will find it a blessing.

IV. Sing lustily and with good courage. Beware of singing as if you were half dead, or half asleep; but lift up your voice with strength. Be no more afraid of your voice now, nor more ashamed of its being heard, then when you sung the songs of Satan.

V. Sing modestly. Do not bawl, so as to be heard above or distinct from the rest of the congregation, that you may not destroy the harmony; but strive to unite your voices together, so as to make one clear melodious sound.

VI. Sing in time. Whatever time is sung be sure to keep with it. Do not run before nor stay behind it; but attend close to the leading voices, and move therewith as exactly as you can; and take care not to sing to slow. This drawling way naturally steals on all who are lazy; and it is high time to drive it out from us, and sing all our tunes just as quick as we did at first.

VII. Above all sing spiritually. Have an eye to God in every word you sing. Aim at pleasing him more than yourself, or any other creature. In order to do this attend strictly to the sense of what you sing, and see that your heart is not carried away with the sound, but offered to God continually; so shall your singing be such as the Lord will approve here, and reward you when he cometh in the clouds of heaven.

From John Wesley's Select Hymns, 1761

Joyful Noise Ministries Artist, Josh Corbett, comes "out of the closet"

2007-12-01T23:10:00.003-06:00

When I first met Josh Corbett, he explained that he's serving as a youth director at Rosemount United Methodist Church...in ministry again. I say "again" because this has been a recurring theme in his career: After years of seeking and being unable to find a teaching job in the public sector, God had again called him to ministry...before, there was the Christian Camp counselor role...and a job in Wisconsin working with a youth ministry...and others...

And by his side through his search for a career in teaching was his wife Kara who is someone very aware that God had Josh by the coat tails and wasn't going to let him become a secular teacher in the public schools.

And also ...there was the Christian Band he used to play in...before kids, before he thought he should get a real job! Since that time in the band had passed, all he had really done with his music was compose and sing to himself in the basement. Even Kara had yet to be an audience for this "closet" songwriter.

A friend, Tim Lemmens, full time Christian songwriter and performer, and friend of Joyful Noise Ministries, who knew Josh from the "old days", recently asked him what he'd done with the music he'd started to write so long ago. When Josh couldn't give Tim a clear answer how he was using what God had given him, Tim suggested Josh get in touch with us.

What we saw and heard in his songs were lyrics which were lessons about life, crafted from personal experience, full of palpable emotions, and underscored by an unshakable faith and articulate, percussive guitar accompaniment that uplifted those who were hearing and seeing this work of his heart.

Within 3 months, Josh performed a few of his songs publically for the first time as a short opening for one of Tim's concerts, and soon after, he was asked to provide worship experience and special music for a church hosted weekend retreat. He brought along a few "ministry cards" that weekend, and the rest, as they say, is history. The next email I received from Josh had as it's subject line: "Now, what do I do...they want me to..."

We're now helping Josh create his ministry materials, create his demo (and compile material for his first album). We're also helping him assemble his accountability team to provide Josh with a resource to help him keep is ministry clearly focused.

Josh is on God's path now with an understanding of his calling in music ministry and God is affirming his new found direction by blessing his ministry.

All this has happened, we believe, because Josh had the courage to be confronted by and thoughtfully answering our two key questions we pose at the beginning of our music ministry development training:

What are you doing with the gifts God has given you, and Who are you bringing with you to heaven as a result?

When is the last time you asked yourself that question?
For more information about Josh and his ministry, or you'd like more information about how you might become involved with Joyful Noise Ministries, email michael.talbott@gmail.com or jcorbett@rosemountumc.org

By the way, that's George Moye in the photo playing bass for Josh. George is one the Twins Cities finest professional bass players...you can learn more about George at his web site: http://www.georgemoye.com/

"Dancing for Jesus" is JoyFul Noise Ministries newest ministry partner

2007-01-27T16:06:00.002-06:00

Jenni West, daughter of JFN founder, Mike Talbott and Principal of Joyful Noise Ministries, has brought her ministry of bible teaching, and dance instruction into the JFN umbrella of praise and worship arts ministries.

Ms. West began her ministry with 2 first grade children (one, her own daughter, Alexia) focusing on bible study and basic dance instruction (ballet, and tap) in 2005. Soon she had 6 students who, at the request of their Christian moms, wanted something more than a traditional dance school class. Those 6 students had the opportunity to share what they were learning about Jesus and dance in the first "Dancing for Jesus" praise and worship dance performance at the Buffalo Evangelical Free Church in 2006.

Now, with some 80 students, Jenni and Corey West have "re-dedicated" the lower level of their home into a dance studio and learning center to teach young girls and boys all about Jesus and how to honor Him in their dance studies and performances.

For more information, contact Jeni West at jenni.west@gmail.com or visit her site at http://www.dancingforjesusministry.blogspot.com./ or contact Mike Talbott at michael.talbott@gmail.com.

S.A.L.T."seasons" the Christmas season

2006-12-22T17:06:00.001-06:00

On December 15th, 2006, the citizens of Monticello got the Christmas story in a whole new way....

S.A.L.T., a Christian vocal ensemble including Kari Kounkel, Willson Bergraff, Scott Sypnieski, Becca Kittel, Rick Herbst, Pat O'Donnell, Aaron Scherbing, Shane Ewert,Rachael Michaelis, and Brittney Doperalski, presented the Christmas story in an original and entertaining way to almost 1000 attendees for this auditorium event.

Formed primarily from members of St Henry Catholic Church in Monticello, S.A.L.T. members each have a love and a gift of music that just couldn't be contained in their local church. Says Kari Kounkel, director of the group, "We love to sing, we were born to sing, and we're committed to doing so under God's direction and through his power."

According to Mike Talbott, Principal of JoyFul Noise Ministries, "These people have been called to ministry....the response to the program from the faces of the people who attended S.A.L.T.'s first auditorium event have clearly shown me. The smiles, the talking and laughing between fathers and daughters, mothers and sons, husbands and wives are the evidence of their calling."

As they embark on a more structured approach to developing their ministry and their music, they continue to be in demand to perform their music...and not just in church services. Their opportunities to minister have included a wine tasting event, a New Years Eve celebration, and
two city-wide festivals.

For more information about S.A.L.T. contact Kari Kounkel at kari@saltsings.com, Mike Talbott at michael.talbott@gmail.com or visit S.A.L.T.'s website at http://www.saltsings.com/

"Rite of Passage" releases first Praise and Worship Album recorded at Joyful Noise Studios

2003-07-01T17:02:00.002-05:00

Six songwriter/worshipers have completed their first praise and worship CD at Joyful Noise Studios, a service of Joyful Noise Ministries (www.joyfulnoiseministries.org) located in Big Lake Minnesota. Their CD is set for release in mid-July.

Pam Nelson, Ray Ramirez, Steve Olson, Kerry s...., Mark Moele, and Sarah K each contributed to the songwriting and arranging with Steve O who co-wrote and played drums and acoustic guitar. Steve and Michael Talbott, principal of JoyFul Noise ministries served as co-producers.

According to Pam Nelson, leader of Rite of Passage, "God called us together to give the songs he gave us to others....we wanted to share these songs with those outside our church and God put Mike into our lives to make that happen...Our Lord is awesome in the way He make things come together"

Included on the CD is a hidden track of live worship. Said Talbott, "this project has exceeded our abilities....This CD would never have come together without the hand of the living God invovled in this project." I believe He has plans for the people He's called together for this project and the resulting music product is testimony to His plan."

For more information, contact Michael Talbott at michael.talbott@gmail.com

The "JoyFul Noise Ministries" Story

2002-01-01T15:08:00.001-06:00

For a song: By Katie Friedman, Monticello Times Editor
published in The Monticello Times, October 12. 2001

The cozy lakeside abode of Mike Talbott and his wife, Dixie, has come to house much more than two people and their immediate family. It has also become the home of Joyful Noise Ministries, a resource for Christian musicians seeking a vehicle by which to record, publish and ultimately share the music that springs from their souls. -->

It has become a haven for singers, instrumentalists and songwriters in search of an outlet for their craft. It has become a springboard for mentorship, fellowship and song.Most of that occurs in the basement, where Talbott has installed a 40-track digital recording studio, complete with full mixing and mastering capabilities. There, Christian musicians are given an opportunity they might not otherwise be granted: a chance to record their music in an atmosphere that is simultaneously professional and nurturing. While Joyful Noise Studio has all the components of most commercial recording studios, it also offers some amenities that secular studios may lack.

“This studio is not pressured against the clock,” said Talbott. “In a commercial studio, you’re dealing with the presence of an engineer, the clock, and expectations. The Lord’s presence is secondary to all that. We try to create an unobtrusive, warm environment, by just letting it flow. There’s no glass wall between the artist and the engineer here. Before we record, we talk and we pray. We focus on what we’re feeling in the heart.”

In contrast to the stark, utilitarian decor found in many commercial studios, Talbott’s studio has a soothing, friendly ambiance to it, with a row of windows on one wall offering a tree-filtered view of Eagle Lake, north of Big Lake. A large brick fireplace takes up a second wall. Bookshelves, filled with family photos, line a third. Lest an observer might mistake this area for a domestic sitting room, musical instruments, headphones, microphones and stands dominate the room’s interior, and a fourth wall is crowded with a computer, compact discs, speakers and a mixing board.

Talbott, while interested in putting musicians in what he feels is the best frame of mind, body and spirit to bring out a heartfelt performance, also appreciates and understands the value of quality equipment and a good ear. He strives to achieve the perfect balance between emotion and technology, as a means for empowering musicians to spread their musical message, to maximum effect.“The attempts at quality are still there, but they’re secondary,” he said. “Perfection is a great goal, but that can only come from God. And it works. We’re able to produce good music faster, largely because we take the tension out.”

Joyful Noise Studios of Minnesota, located in Big Lake Township, opened in November of 2001. Since then Talbott, a transplanted Monticelloan, has been working steadily with more than 15 central-Minnesotan songwriters, recording and mixing almost every night. He has not yet had to seek out Christian musicians. They have come to him, mostly by word of mouth.“God sends ‘em,” Talbott said. “Every indication that we should do this has been affirmed. Right now, we’ve got no website, no cards, no brochures.” To date, Joyful Noise’s services to songwriters have included demo CDs, tapes, instrumental performance tracks and musical transcription. Two full-length CDs of original material have come to full production.-->

One of his best avenues to notoriety has been First Things First, a Christian band with which Talbott has been involved for the past two or three years. On a visit to Buffalo Evangelical Free Church, Talbott encountered a musical praise group called Glory Road, whose membership included Jenny Robinson, a vocalist, and her husband, Brad, who sings, plays guitar and writes music. The Robinsons and their musical partners had been praying for a bass player, among other things. Talbott, a brass and bass player, joined the band. The musicians in Glory Road soon entered a period of self-evaluation and evolution, examining their personal priorities and ambitions. Deciding that Christ and family had to come ahead of musical careers, the band changed its name to First Things First, and its focus to praise and worship. As sister ministries, First Things First and Joyful Noise have prospered spiritually, expanding their activities far beyond the writing, recording and performing of music. They assist the music teams of other churches in transforming their worship services to less traditional, more modern musical experiences. They also conduct regional praise and worship seminars, focusing on the concept of worship, its Biblical basis and ways for churches to encourage growth through worship experiences.

Through Joyful Noise Productions, the band provides local Christian concerts, worship services and special ministry events. Through Renanah Publishing, local songwriters are afforded an opportunity to place their music with Christian recording artists and other publishing companies, enabling them to potentially take their music beyond the walls of their own churches. At this time, the Renanah Publishing catalog consists of about 60 songs. Joyful Noise Studios assists Christian songwriters and musicians in developing their music, honing their skills and helping them to reach an audience larger than their local churches and ministries.“There’s a lot of God-inspired talent around here,” said Talbott. “We’re providing an alternative way to get Christian music spread around. That’s a big part of our ministry: taking music that’s being done locally and sharing it. If God has called you to write a song, He may or may not want you to keep it local. That’s our real goal; to find people with a musical idea, help them capture it and get it out.”

Though the music of First Things First is an acoustic, alternative style (characterized by Brad Robinson as “worship boomer music”), Joyful Noise Studios are open to all styles. They have so far recorded Christian music in the genres of jazz, rock, acoustic and alternative. “One of the beauties of Christian music is that it’s united by the redemptive power of God,” Talbott said. “You can’t limit God to one style.”The future of Joyful NoiseJoyful Ministries has a number of projects slated for this fall and into the coming year, including serving in an advisory capacity for two Buffalo High School students who are recording a six-song demo of original praise and worship music as an independent study project. A compilation CD of locally written and performed music is also being prepared for publication. Two more full-length CD projects by Christian musicians will start recording in September, with anticipated release dates in late summer or early fall of 2002.

In the interest of generating revenue for the musicians and for Joyful Noise alike, Talbott will focus his efforts on placing songs into the repertoires of Christian national recording artists, recording labels and publishers. From the inception of Joyful Noise, he has been funding the operation out of his own pocket. Talbott is not a full-time producer. His dayside occupation is in sales and marketing for Catalog Marketing Services in St. Paul. “It’s not about money,” said Jenny Robinson of their joint ventures with First Things First and Joyful Noise. Talbott concurred. “You can’t serve money, money has to serve you,” he said. “I got some good advice once, and that was to never ever confuse the music business with my ministry.” Renanah Publishing's catalog, with the proper management and a bit of blessing, could eventually generate enough revenue stream through publishing rights to make the enterprise self-supporting. Talbott is optimistic of that dream becoming a reality.“Not only will God be glorified, but cash will be generated,” he said. “I’m trusting God. I’m not worried about it.”

For more information, email Mike Talbott at michael.talbott@gmail.com