My Recording Session With Ed Cash

One of the most gifted producers today on the Christian music scene (or in any genre, for that matter) is Ed Cash.

He's won multiple Grammy nominations along with numerous Dove Awards for Producer of the Year. He began by producing Bebo Norman's first couple of records and has since produced records for Steven Curtis Chapman, Starfield, Sarah Groves, Kari Jobe, Matthew West, Leeland, Tommy Walker, Vince Gill, and many others. Ed's best known for his many records with Chris Tomlin, with whom he also co-writes.

With all these accolades, you can imagine my surprise when Ed's brother, Scott, emailed to say they were interested in recording two of my songs! Being an unknown indie artist (sans major label), this was quite an honor. So on Sunday, March 27th, I drove 12 hours to his wooded home studio in Franklin, TN.

I was greeted by one of Ed's young assistants, Cody Norris, and an intern Dayton Cole (wish I had pics). Ed and his fam had recently moved to a new place, and these guys plus another intern took care of the house for him. All of Ed's assistants were not only great engineers but excellent guitarists (AND super nice people, btw)! We talked for hours- well... ok... you know me- they LISTENED for hours :-) hanging out in Ed's big kitchen. 

They showed me where I'd be sleeping... in Ed's old master bedroom! Talk about the favor of God. Had to shake my head and smile. I was a nobody... how could this be? I felt like Mephibosheth being brought to the king's table.

The next morning at 10am, I was led through the breezeway over to the studio. Ed and his brother Scott arrived from some kind of new work-out they agreed to do together at the gym. (Btw, that's how you can tell the fit guys apart from the unfit like me. After a workout, they're energized to start their day, whereas if I were to surprise my body by working out, I'm pretty sure my day would be OVER). :-)

Anyway, the Lord was so good and I knew you all were praying, because we really hit it off. Same kind of humor, same spirit, same love for the Lord and same love for a great song. Ed was the real deal- a trophy of God's grace. He made you feel at ease. It was such an honor to hang & fellowship with him, let alone record with him.

The studio was like recording in your living room. The vocals, guitar and keyboard would all be cut in this room. This was the same room Chris Tomlin recorded so many of his hit songs.

On this very couch, Chris and Ed co-wrote How Great is Our God.

The guitars on the wall and on the floor were used on so many of the worship songs tracked there. Songs through which we've all worshiped God. I felt like I was standing on sacred ground. As if I had stumbled upon God's workshop, where His Spirit moved on the hearts of his servants to bring forth praise that was pleasing to Him. But I know it was no accident. It was His sovereign hand.

We tracked one song per day. So on Monday we worked on For Us and Tuesday we worked on You Are Always Worthy. Our goal for each of these two days was to first edit the song and make the necessary changes to get the structure and the melody the best it could be. Ed would listen to me play and sing each song and make suggestions. Really wise suggestions... There's a reason why his records sound so good and he has all those Doves.

This was the drum room next to where we were tracking, btw. They farm out a lot of their stuff, but they usually cut the drums, vocals & guitar at his place.

I actually played keys on You Are Always Worthy. I say keys, but you'd never know it- Ed had some killer piano samples... right down to the linkage on the sustain pedal. Crazy stuff. Made me sound & play way better than I am, heck, it sounded BETTER than a real piano. I'm telling you, this studio is a sacred place! Ed had me tweak the chorus and melody line a bit, which threw me at first. But now he's got me sold- as I say, he's good at what he does. Can't wait to see how the Lord works through him on these songs!

It was a wonderful experience getting to know and work with Ed. Beyond his musical gifts (which are many), he is first and foremost a humble man of God. I gained a friend and a brother. Beyond the tracking session, I felt the Holy Spirit's AMEN while I was there. Something bigger was going on... As if we were really tracking God's plan for those songs, our friendship and that moment in time.