New Music From Lori Sealy

Welcome, Friends! As many know, I am in the early stages of getting a new musical project in your hands.  In late March, I spent 3 days at Addeybug Studio with producer/engineer, Anthony Gravley.  We were able to select, arrange, and record the base tracks for 13 new songs.  All of my acoustic guitar and keyboard tracks are complete - and many of the first round "scratch" lead vocals look like they could remain as "keeper" vocals.  What a blessing!

Over the next few months other musicians will be joining us at Addeybug to add their talents to these tunes.  Five of the artists who played on "Begone Unbelief" will be returning - and I am THRILLED about that!  These guys and gals are quality musicians, and it is humbling to me that they would desire to be a part of my music.  Wow!

 First up is Dale Baker (Grammy nominated/Dove award winning drummer formerly with Sixpence None the Richer).  Dale always adds a creative vibe to my songs.  Next we'll have Reggie Sullivan (gifted bassist who's toured with Wynona, Olivia Newton-John, Ron McCurdy, and a whole gaggle of jazz greats).  Reggie will be providing electric and upright bass - and he always does it in an uber creative way.  Producer Anthony Gravley will don his electric guitar hat (Ant's worked with Buddy and Julie Miller, Steve Hindalong, and Geoff Moore - to name just a few).  Leah Wilson will be playing her fantastic flute and penny whistle lines.  And my good friend and touring buddy, Becky Edmondson will be back to sing her sweet harmonies.  I'm excited that we are adding a new musician to the mix.  Kenny Hutson, currently touring with Crowder, will be playing pedal steel and mandolin on several songs.  (And we're even working on a "choir" to join us for one tune.)  There's much good music in the making!!

The goal is to have a new project (unnamed as of yet) in your hands for a September 18, 2015 release date.  That weekend I'll be performing and speaking on issues of autism at the Joni & Friends Southeast Disability Summit (along with keynote speakers John Stonestreet and my friend, Emily Colson).  We felt like this was a great venue to publically unveil the finished product.  

For this project I've chosen to rework, rewrite, rephrase, and refashion a number of old hymns - hymns whose lyrics have encouraged my  hurting heart in the hard seasons and have expressed my joy and grattitude as Christ has carried me through those seasons.  I find such a rich treasury for my soul's present circumstances in the poetic hymnody of the past. 

The original lyrics on this project span the centuries of Christendom - the earliest of those being from 530AD.  There are words by Bonar, Crosby, Winkworth, and Fortunatus - to name a few. It is an amazing thing to me, as I sing these words, to realize that I am singing phrases that have been sung throughout the corridors of time by so many saints in so many situations - all looking to the hope of Christ as their greatest comfort!  I'm honored to lift my voice and join the chorus of praise!

Those who know me are aware that I am a full-time wife and mom.  Music is my part-time "gig" - my VERY part time gig.  As a part-time independent singer/songwriter, I'm not raking in the big bucks - more like paltry pennies!  God has been gracious with "Begone Unbelief" to allow it have a very positive reception from listeners - but it is a "break even" kind of project.  Because wife and mom is my highest calling I simply don't spend the time doing all of the marketing and self-promotion that the "industry" requires (plus, the latter is almost anathema to me and seems so counter to Christlikeness). That's where some of you come in.

"Begone Unbelief" came about because several friends began to really push me to return to the studio and offered to help fund my doing so.  It is because of them that you have that music.  Many of those same friends have been asking when more music will be made and have encouraged me to set up a place for donations - so, here we are.  (This place where we are is one that is quite uncomfortable for me - but I am doing what I'm told to do!!)

The last project cost right around $10,000 to produce - that's studio costs, hiring of musicians, graphics, photography, manufacturing, distribution, etc.  We assume we'll be right in that ballpark again this round.  (Just a few weeks ago I spoke with a friend who'd just recorded a new project of 7 songs for $23,000 - so maybe we're not doing so badly!!)  We have set the Go Fund Me goal at $7,000 - which would help tremendously in not totally draining the music fund.  I do have some money set aside for the project - but we also need to cut another 1,000 copies of "Begone Unbelief" and I'd still love to get some Christmas music your way!  (One of the things folks often don't realize is just how little most musicians actually make off of their releases.  Much of that is due to iTunes and all of the digital downloads which often make us a whoppin' .05 to .50 per song download.  A full iTunes album download sends less than $5 my way.)

If you are so inclined and would like to pitch in a few dollars - or a whole lotta dollars - this site is one place where you can do so.  Others have opted to contact me directly at [email redacted] to set up other means. Either way is fine. Thanks for even considering. 

For each gift of $25 or more I'll ship you an autographed copy of the new CD (pre-release date, Lord willing), along with a digital download card for "Begone Unbelief", and an additional digital download card of the new project.  The latter can be shared with a friend.

Please pray for us over the next few months.  There is MUCH to do - and I'm still a full-time wife and mom - and in a family with special needs.  Please pray that I'll be able to keep living in balance with the addition of this task on my plate, and that I'll do so with great grace - as my Savior would.  Please pray that these songs will be musically pleasing - in order to be spiritually encouraging.

My passion as a musician has always been not merely to move the heart, but also to move the mind - to move it to think about the things of God in a deep and meaningful way.  I pray this next collection of songs will be a reflection of that passion and that they'll make us think more highly of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  He is why I sing!

Thanks for your support, your encouragement, your prayers, and your friendship.

By grace alone,
Lori
www.lorisealy.com

Song Titles:
 1.   The Strife Is Over
 2.   I Belong to Jesus
 3.   Jesus, Your Blood and Righteousness
 4.  Come, Ye Disconsolate
 5.   Praise the Savior
 6.   Hold My Hand
 7.   'Tis Not That I Did Choose Thee
 8.   Be Still My Soul
 9.   God, My King Thy Might Confessing
10.  I Lay My Sins on Jesus
11.  Who Trusts in God, A Strong Abode
12.  A Pilgrim Here I Wander
13.  By Grace I'm Saved, Grace Free and Boundless