International Award-winning Songwriter's Retreat to Produce Songs that will be Forever Donated to Help the Poorest of the Poor
Unprecedented retreat features singer songwriters: Michael W. Smith, Chris Tomlin, Steven Curtis Chapman, Darlene Zschech, Matt and Beth Redman, Tim Hughes, Paul Baloche, Israel Houghton, Graham Kendrick, Andy Park, and Stu Garrard and Martin Smith from Delirious?.
(Littlehampton, England)—"Compassionart" is hosting internationally recognized songwriters; Michael W. Smith, Chris Tomlin, Steven Curtis Chapman, Darlene Zschech, Matt and Beth Redman, Tim Hughes, Paul Baloche, Israel Houghton, Graham Kendrick, Andy Park, Martin Smith and Stu Garrard (Delirious?), at a gathering in Perthshire, Scotland Jan. 7 – 11. 2008. The songwriters' unprecedented goal is to collectively write 10-12 songs that will be given to the world not just to sing, but to raise money for the relief of suffering around the planet.
Together these songwriters account for at least 42 million albums sold, 82 No. 1 songs, nine GRAMMY Awards, 110 Dove Awards, two Stellar Awards, two American Music Awards, and 98 current CCLI Top 500 songs sung by millions in churches around the world. Now, for the first time ever, the songwriters offer their time and talents with one voice to make a stand.
One hundred percent of the proceeds derived from the songs written at the Compassionart retreat will go directly to charity. One half of the monies will go to the songwriters' charity of choice, and the other 50% will go to a charitable project agreed upon by all the songwriters involved.
"Over the last few years I have had the privilege of traveling to some of the poorest parts of the world and seeing first hand the plight of humanity," says Martin Smith, Delirious? Front-man, and Compassionart founder, who is organizing the retreat along with his wife, Anna. "As a song writer and a person with a microphone I made a promise to try and do something about it. What better than to call on my friends and do something together. To be people that can make a change rather than just singing about it."
Remarkably, the songwriters, publishers, managers, copyright institutes and agents involved, are donating their efforts on this project to Compassionart, a charity based in Littlehampton, England and dedicated to seeing works of art generate income for the poorest of the poor. And this is not a one-time offering or marketing ploy, but an ongoing effort for charity derived over the songs' lifetimes.
"They have all waived their rights to see something historic happen- the music business coming together for something great, greater than any individual could achieve," continued Martin Smith.
The participating songwriters echo their enthusiasm for Compassionart and what it hopes to accomplish:
"I'm grateful to be part of such a powerful ‘Kingdom' event. What a beautiful vision to combine art, compassion, and justice in hopes of displaying the heart of God to the world. ‘How good and pleasant it is for brothers to dwell [and write songs of worship] together in unity...for there the Lord bestows a blessing.' (Ps.133) I love the idea of us serving others through song, without seeking anything in return. Let's be praying that God will bless our efforts as we humbly trust Him for inspiration and favor." –Paul Baloche
"Compassionart is definitely here in the timing of God, and there is nothing that stirs His heart like bringing relief to human suffering. Worship and Justice have always been a Heaven combination, and Mark and I are completely committed to Martin and Anna and their passion to see the fulfillment of this dream come to pass. So, we enter this season of writing and dreaming with great excitement and a deep sense of responsibility. Put this together with the great bonus of spending a week with some of the people we admire most in the world.... Cannot wait." -Darlene Zschech
For more information on the Compassionart songwriter's retreat, follow the link provided.
