Special
Guests
Jennie Lee Riddle
Jennie Lee Riddle is a passionate songwriter, conference speaker, team trainer and worship servant. She is the founder and operator of PEOPLE & SONGS and THE EMERGING SOUND, and co-owner of www.analyzemysong.com. Jennie is perhaps best known for authoring Phillips, Craig and Dean’s #1 hit single “Revelation Song” that she wrote in 1999 and was first recorded by Kari Jobe in 2003. The Lord used that song to uncover her songwriting talent. As a result, She has been honored as a seven-time Dove award nominee and three-time Dove award winner, top 10 CCLI songwriter, multiple BMI award winner for top 25 radio, and two-time gold certified songwriter. Jennie has also co-authored several title cuts and singles that are favorites, like “When The Stars Burn Down.” by Philips, Craig and Dean, “Psalm 46 (Lord of Hosts) by Shane & Shane; “Hope of the Broken World” and “More and More of You” and “I Got Saved” by Selah; “Mystery of Faith” by Glen Packiam; “One True God” by NewSong; “It Is Finished” by Matt Papa; “The One That Really Matters” recorded by Dustin Smith as well as Michael W Smith and Kari Jobe; “I Stand Before Almighty God Alone” recorded with Worship Mob; and others to name a few.
Jennie's songs have been carried by the largest Christian tours including Passion and Winter Jam and are sung by churches both large and small in most every denomination throughout the world.
With that said, her passion is, and always has been teaching and training others. She states, “I can write songs that may impact my sphere of influence for God and I will do so. However, if I will train other Kingdom pens to do the same, the multiplication effect for the spread of the gospel through music via my life could be exponential.” This single focus has fueled her endeavors and is the impetus behind the ministry of People & Songs. The ministry of The Emerging Sound, and AnalyzeMySong spring from this stream - both of which have been honored by Worship Leader Magazine as “Best Of.”
The latest endeavor is the move of the entire ministry to La Porte Indiana to serve the community along with a 30K household full of Emerging Sound missionaries in training. Together they give their time to the local body of believers by serving the ministerial alliance and city government. She says that she hasn’t named it yet, but for now they call it TES40week. This program run by Jennie and her husband Darrin is an expansion and formalization of the hospitality and discipling ministry they have enjoyed together for over 27 years.
Jennie’s strong calling towards mentoring leaders fostering Kingdom culture, and growing communities of creatives has led her to hold key roles in programs such as GMA’s Experience Immerse, The Linger Conference, Experience Conference and others.
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Melanie Tierce is a People & Songs artist, writer and teacher. She is blessed to have been mentored by Jennie Lee Riddle as a part of the community for a number of years. Melanie has been a part of the Emerging Sound camp as a teacher and writer since its first year, having been featured on songs such as Touched By a Fire, Give Us Your Heart, and Yet I Want More. She has also released her personal single entitled One More Step.
Melanie was featured on the farewell season of American Idol in 2016 with her audition that received raving reviews from the judges, and earned her a golden ticket.
Melanie holds a degree in Music and Worship.
Melanie Tierce Slay
May Angeles
May Angeles joined the People & Songs Community in January of 2017. She is a singer/songwriter/worship leader from California who graduated from Vanguard University with a Bachelors of Arts in Music & Worship Arts. May is one of the original members of a collective of songwriters, musicians, and worship leaders from Vanguard University called From The Vine where she co-wrote and recorded on their album Made New. She is now a full-time worship leader at Mariners Church in Irvine, CA and loves seeing God release His heart over the people of Orange County.
In June of 2016, May attended the GMA Immerse Conference for the first time and was awarded the Female Artist/Writer of the Year and Female Vocalist of the Year. She attended The Emerging Sound for the first time that same year and had the privilege and honor of co-writing the song Lift Oh Gates that appeared on the album The Emerging Sound Vol 3 which debut #1 on the Christian & Gospel Charts on iTunes. May's heart is to give the Church a voice through music and to see the Kingdom of God be revealed on earth as it is in Heaven. She is called to music and ministry and is patiently and obediently following the guidance of the Lord into what capacity He chooses to use her. Worship is her outlet and where she comes alive. She is very blessed to be mentored by her friend and inspiration Jennie Lee Riddle and is “stoked" to call People & Songs family. May loves R&B Soul, Jazz, Electronic, and Soulful Acoustic music. She is currently working on her debut record slated to drop in 2020.
Kaden Slay is a giant voice with an even greater heart. His life’s desire is to truly know Jesus, share the gospel, teach the Word, and ultimately bring the church closer to the Father through music.
Born and raised in Mississippi, Kaden grew up the son of a pastor. From a very young age he took an interest in music, and began leading worship in his father’s church at the age of 13.
He is a missionary at the headquarters of People & Songs and the Emerging Sound in La Porte, Indiana, where he serves under Jennie Lee Riddle (author of Revelation Song) as a teacher, staff writer, People & Songs artist, and worship leader.
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Kaden Slay
Mary Grace is a worship leader and songwriter from West Monroe, Louisiana. She began leading worship at the age of 11 and by 12, she knew the Lord was calling her into full time ministry.
An adventurous spirit and a love for people have taken Mary Grace to Bridgend, Wales; Zacapa, Guatemala; and ChiangMai, Thailand where she was privileged to lead worship, share the Gospel, and bring light into dark places.
Mary Grace loves the Church and its people, believing wholeheartedly that God wants to deliver the nations. Her prayer is to see revival, the captives set free, and to see people encounter the love and kindness of the Father.
Mary Grace met Jennie Riddle and the People & Songs community at the Immerse conference in 2017. “I was so grateful to have met an Acts community.” As a result, she moved to LaPorte in August of 2017 and now serves as a missionary artist with People & Songs.
Mary Grace Batson
Wesley Nilsen is a singer-songwriter, worship leader and producer from Rosenberg, Texas (originally from Santa Rosa, California). The Lord had his heart from a young age, and gave him the opportunity to begin leading worship at his youth group when he was 14. Around the same time, Wesley began to experiment with writing and producing his own music, which has since developed into a passion for putting God’s Word into song as well as recording and producing many different styles of music. In 2014, Wesley heard God call him to join his church's missionary team on a 2-week trip to Jinja, Uganda to partner with the Church there and impact the lives of children and their families through a sponsorship program. Wesley continued to serve with the team yearly, and 2018 was his fifth year serving on this trip. 2018 was also the year Wesley got involved with People & Songs and The Emerging Sound. Wesley had been following People & Songs' music and ministry since discovering them at the Linger Conference in February 2017, and a little over a year later, through divine appointments, the Lord brought Wesley into the People & Songs community. Now a resident missionary in La Porte, Indiana at the People & Songs and Emerging Sound headquarters, Wesley serves the local churches and community and tours with the group across the country.
Wesley Nilsen
Laurel Taylor
Luke Cyrus
Ben Gazdik
Tobin Alford
Denita Gibbs
Songwriting Sessions
Wednesday, February 5 & Thursday, February 6
Are you a pro or semi-pro Christian singer/songwriter? Do you long for time with Jesus-loving worshippers like you? Would you like to enjoy a cost-effective, beautifully refreshing, productive day with like-minded creatives?
Apply now for the opportunity to participate in a life-enriching worship and songwriting experience. For those who are serious about delving into the craft of songwriting and want to learn from some of the most accomplished, join with the People & Songs Community at our Songwriting Intensive on Wednesday, February 5 and Thursday, February 6, 2020.
Cost is $179.00 for both days or $109 for a single day. Each day includes classes with clinicians, snacks, lunch and dinner, the opportunity to learn from distinguished songwriters, and collaboration with the People & Songs Community in small intimate settings.
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Listen to the song written last year below:
Night of Worship
Friday, February 7
Join us for a time of worship with all People and Songs Guests. This two hour intimate worship session will be a powerful time. Tickets are available at the link below. Event starts at 7:00 PM | Doors Open at 6:00 PM
Music Workshop
Saturday, February 8
10:00 a.m. Music Track
12:00 Noon Lunch (On Your Own…food truck will be on site)
1:30 p.m. Music Track 2
3:30 Music Track Commissioning
Conference Schedule
The
Venue
ABOUT THIS VENUE:
Metropolitan Church
2800 Metropolitan Way
Birmingham, AL 35243
205.795.4448
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 5: SONGWRITING
8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. Registration & Breakfast
9:00 a.m. - 11:45 a.m. Songwriting Class
11:45 a.m. - 12:45 p.m. Lunch (provided)
12:45 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Songwriting Class
5:00 p.m. Dinner (provided)
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 6: SONGWRITING
8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. Registration & Breakfast
9:00 a.m. - 11:45 a.m. Songwriting Class
11:45 a.m. - 12:45 p.m. Lunch (provided)
12:45 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Songwriting Class
5:00 p.m. Dinner (provided)
Hotel Info
Hampton Inn - Colonnade
3400 Colonnade Pkwy
Birmingham, AL 35243
(205) 967-0002
