Call That Christmas co-written by Tommy Brown & Bryan has been awarded the prize of Honorable Mention in the 2008 NSAI/CMT Song Contest. More news HERE .
You can Help Save The Planet at my daughter Meagan's wetpaint site Save The Planet - Make A Difference
" What matters to McFarland is the connection between deep faith rootage and current courage for faith in action. In cadences that bring the listener along, McFarland witnesses to hard issues that must be faced, but sings, in the midst of those hard issues, about healing, hope and finally about the divine “You.†Sung faith generates openness to freedom and obedience. The beat is just right for free obedience and obedient freedom. " ~ Walter Brueggemann , author of The Prophetic Imagination" When I heard Bryan's songs, I felt immediately that he was a kindred spirit and helping turn the tide with his beautiful lyrics and energetic music .... Bottom line - I LOVE it. I love the lyrical content (what a relief to hear some good poetry and content, and not a rehash of the CCM cliches!) ... and the musical content. Favorites were Help Us and Lyrical Freedom Riders and Blacktop River. Great stuff, Bryan. There are so few people doing what you're doing ... especially songs that can be sung in public worship. Keep up the good work! " ~ Brian McLaren , author of The Secret Message of Jesus: Uncovering the Truth That Could Change Everything
" Bryan Field McFarland’s All That Matters sets a new standard for independent recordings. Strong lyrics, tight harmonies, catchy melodies, and a solid band lay the groundwork for an enjoyable ride through a variety of genres, while maintaining the theme that “God is love, and love is all that matters.â€The album contains bouncy songs like Open the Gift and Blacktop River, as well as reflective, heartfelt works, such as You Are, Help Us and Lyrica (Celtic Prayer). You’ll also find it hard to listen to What I Want without a smile on your face. McFarland, an ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), calls his compositions “sermon-songs,†and rightly so. Each of the 12 songs has a well-crafted message that could easily be used for sermon material.A master storyteller, McFarland communicates with clarity and passion, obviously a result of many years of ministry experience. He keeps the vocals out in front, never letting the music overpower the lyrics. His uncluttered arrangements nicely complement the mood of each song.McFarland is contributing a portion of the proceeds of two songs to charities. Enough for Everyone, which addresses world hunger, will benefit the Presbyterian Hunger Program. Lyrical Freedom Riders, whichtells about the 1961 Freedom Riders, who played a significant role in the Civil Rights Movement, will benefit the We Shall Overcome Fund.So whether you’re in the mood for a worship song, a thought-provoking lyric, or a toe-tapping upbeat tempo, just pop All That Matters into your CD player and get ready for an enjoyable encounter with McFarland’s creations. When it comes to music, isn’t that all that matters?" ~ Jeff Friend , a freelance writer in Largo, FL Presbyterians Today
Along with the release of All That Matters in, Bryan excitedly announces that a portion of the proceeds from two songs will raise funds for two programs in which he deeply believes. Enough For Everyone AND Lyrical Freedom Riders will respectively benefit the Presbyterian Hunger Program AND We Shall Overcome: The Fund . Click HERE to order your copy of All That Matters from CD Baby .
Please join Bryan in working to foster the political will to achieve the Millennium Development Goals . They are attainable!!
All That Matters was recorded, mixed, and mastered at the Nashville-area at Red Alert Studios and features twelve original songs spanning genres from folk to Celtic to gospel. All That Matters includes the title track, a laid-back folksy tune exclaiming that "love is all that matters" AND Enough For Everyone, a folk-rock wakeup-call declaring that abundance is the truth we have to share with a world frightened that there is not enough food, clean water, love, peace, and goodness to go around.
Guest artists on All That Matters include Todd Sholar (various keyboards & percussion), Shawn Conley (bass & electric guitars AND vocal debut on Get Back Behind Me), Geno Weatherbee (drums), Dale Hardiman (drums), Troy Engle (mandolin, octave mandolin, fiddles, dobro, banjo), "Cookie" Weatherbee (backing vocals), the choir of First Presbyterian Church in Gallatin, TN (backing vocals on Lyrica (Celtic Prayer), Abby Sholar (backing vocals on Call That Christmas), Destiny Gleaves (backing vocals on Enough For Everyone) AND Meagan McFarland (backing vocals on Enough For Everyone).
Bryan's professional music-related memberships include ASCAP (The American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers) and serving as Co-coordinator of the Greensboro, NC Regional Workshop of NSAI (Nashville Songwriters Association International .
Bryan combines spirituality and emotional storytelling into a sentimental yet lighthearted style. He tours listening rooms, theaters and coffeehouses AND leads workshops and retreats at colleges & universities, churches, conference centers, and private venues.
Bryan is an ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church USA and works part-time as Hunger Action Advocate in North Carolina's Salem Presbytery .
Bryan lives in Greensboro, NC with wife, Diane; daughter, Meagan; two dogs; two mice, and a looney cat named Misty.
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