Ted Keith Shares About His New Music & His Vision of Equipping the Church with Songs Focused on Christ

Worship leader and songwriter Ted Keith reminds us God is still our Father regardless of how the world around changes. Keith has just released his brand new single "Our Father," which is now available on all digital platforms. 

Keith was born and raised in Indianapolis, IN. He attended Indiana Bible College and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Studies (Major in Theology/Minor in Worship Studies). He began directing a youth choir at his home church at the age of 17 and has been involved in music ministry for over 20 years. Keith, his wife Carina, and son Jackson now live in West Tennessee and attend The River UPC in Parsons, Pastor Ron Wofford.

Keith is passionate about worship music. He loves leading worship, teaching vocals and directing choirs. He has written a number of songs over the last 15 years and is excited to be working with Vanquish Studio to get his songs produced. Keith is launching his ministry, Ted Keith Music, with plans to continue producing new music in the coming years. He looks forward to striving for continual growth as a singer/songwriter and can't wait share his music with churches, teams and choirs across our fellowship.

Q: Ted, thanks for doing this interview with us. Let's start with yourself: tell us a little about your current ministry.:

I live in West Tennessee with my wife Carina and son Jackson where we attend church at the River UPC in Parsons. I am a part of the worship team at The River as well as directing our church choir. I have a job in the healthcare industry, but when I'm not at work, I'm either in family-time mode, or I'm working on music whether it be listening and studying new music or working on my own songs.

Q: You have been involved in worship music for a long time, why did you recently launch Ted Keith music and started releasing songs?:

I have been leading worship and a part of church music ministry for over 20 years. Church music is definitely a passion I have had for as long as I can remember. It has been a dream of mine for a very long time to begin recording my music. I believe God's timing is always the right time and now is the time. Near the end of 2021 I began preparing to launch Ted Keith Music and my current recording with Vanquish Studios kicked off in March of this year. 

The mission of Ted Keith Music is two part: First, to be a source of focused worship music for listeners to enjoy and use in their everyday lives, and second, to be a resource of new worship music for churches and other recording artists.

Q: What do you think sets your music apart?

There is a constant flow of worship music being created every day. I believe what sets my songs apart from the rest is the simplicity and focused message. The central theme of my ministry and the main message I want to share can be summed up in a line from a song called 'Focus My Eyes' that I'll be releasing on November 11th. At the end of the chorus is says, 'Lord, in all that I say, in everything that I do, I'll live a life that is focused on You.'

Q: You have just released a new single "Our Father." Tell us how did this song come about and what it means to you.

My most recent release 'Our Father' is a very special song to me. I was living in North Carolina just a couple of years out of Bible college and just beginning to get comfortable playing the piano. I began singing the melody of the song during a pre-service prayer meeting. I remember keeping the tune in the back of my mind throughout service, and staying up until 1 or 2am to chart out the song. When I did finally go to bed, the entire arrangement was finished. 

Today, this recording is in the same key and the chorale arrangement is exactly as it came to me late on that Sunday night after church. The opening verse hasn't changed from the first time I began singing it during that prayer meeting fifteen years ago.   

Q: I believe another new song "Rise Up" will be released soon. Share with us about this song.

My next release, 'Rise Up' is coming out on October 28th. This is a really fun and powerful arrangement. It is a song to inspire us as believers to rise to the challenges of our day and declare the victory of the Lord over our families and our cities. 

Q: Are you in the process of releasing an album? What are your plans of new releases for the near future?

I am in the process of finishing up my first full album over the next couple months. Our Father is my third release from that album. My first single: This Could Be the Day was released the end of September and Let All That Is Within Me came out of in early October. In addition to 'Rise Up' coming out October 28th, 'Focus My Eyes' will be released on November 11th. There will be a break in the releases in December since most folks are listening to Christmas music, but I'll have a new release coming out on New Year's Day and a few more in the following weeks leading up to the full project. 

I'm planning to release the full album, 'Let All That Is Within Me: The Worship Project' the end of February/beginning of March. This will be an album of 13 songs, 12 originals and one remix of the older chorus. It's going to be an exciting time ahead as I work with my producer Joseph Salamida and the Vanquish Studio team to get all of the songs finished and ready for release!

Q: How do you wish these songs would impact the lives of your listeners?

It's my prayer that these songs will strengthen the faith and inspire worship in every listener. It is also my hope that these songs will find their way into church worship sets and that praise teams and choirs will be able to minister with them in their congregations. The chord charts, lyrics and music stems will be available on my website: tedkeithmusic.com. 

This is only the beginning of Ted Keith Music. I have many more songs already written and ready to record in coming years. I also have plans to record a Christmas EP soon after this first project is released.

 

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