COTA Artists Blog

Psalm 104

Wed, 30 May 2012 09:49:34 -0400

Psalm 104

Photo

Wed, 25 Apr 2012 10:26:43 -0400

Jitterbug Theatre proudly presentsONCE ON THIS ISLAND,...

Wed, 28 Mar 2012 10:54:00 -0400

Jitterbug Theatre proudly presents
ONCE ON THIS ISLAND, JR.

Directed by Erin Langley
Choreographed by Matthew Kiel

April 19, 20 & 21
8pm
The Pavilion at COTA

Tickets are $10 per person.

Seating is very limited. Tickets may be reserved by calling 251.751.2935 or by emailing erinlangley at me dot com.

Featuring 45 very talented 3rd-12th grade students.

With its poignant story and catchy Caribbean flavored score, ONCE ON THIS ISLAND JR. is a feast for the heart, mind, and soul. The highly original and theatrical Caribbean adaptation of the popular fairy tale The Little Mermaid garnered eight Tony nominations for its Broadway run, including Best Musical, Book and Score.

Psalm 51Live at COTA’s 5PM service

Mon, 26 Mar 2012 10:27:38 -0400

Psalm 51
Live at COTA’s 5PM service

COTA Artist Interview: Jim Lee

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 10:53:00 -0500

Jim is the author of the newly published book, Broken Roads to Grace, which is described as a “Christian book for people who don’t usually like to read Christian books.” Jim is a gifted storyteller with a strong voice but a gentle spirit. He considers himself having an odd, “off-the-wall” sense of humor. Jim resides in Fairhope, AL with his wife of 39 years, Linda.

More information for Broken Roads to Grace can be found at www.brokenroadstograce.com. Read on to hear about Jim’s new adventure in writing.

What is your favorite place to create?
I like to think about stuff while driving in my car, and also at my desk at home. I know that is boring, but it is also convenient. When I’m in a nice place such as in the woods or at a beach, it doesn’t help.

What is your favorite snack to eat while creating?
Sardines, fried chicken and yogurt. Preferably not on the same plate.

How do you handle artist’s block (times when it is hard to create)?
I have to just wait it out, no matter how long it takes. If I try to force it when it’s not there, it turns out sounding like I tried to force it when it wasn’t there.

How do you stay motivated and disciplined as an artist in our distracting society?
I really am not at all disciplined, and the motivation stays at zero and then suddenly jumps to 100 when I least expect it. I depend on inspiration more than discipline.

What is the best advice someone has given you?
“Resign as Master of the Universe. It’s not your talent or your calling, and nobody will pay you for it.”

What is your theme song?
It’s a toss-up between “Cattle Call” by Eddie Arnold and the hamster dance and “He Stopped Loving Her Today.”

If you were an animal, what animal would you be?
What do you mean “IF?” I AM an animal!

Who/what has inspired you lately and/or locally (i.e. other artists, exhibits, shows, designers, etc.)?
I really wish that my answer was not my answer, because it’s not a good answer. But the truth is that I don’t feel comfortable or confident around other authors, especially if they are successful. This is my first and only book so far, and I don’t even know the lingo that successful artists use. I don’t know the people they know. And I think my book is different - not necessarily better, just different, and I don’t want to get shot down. My fantasy/dream is that the book will catch on anyhow, and then some of them will come to me and ask how I did it, and I will tell them that honestly I don’t have a clue.

What is one book/song/painting/piece/ etc. that has been enriching to your faith?
The book that turned my whole life around and changed my ministry and my entire concept of God and of people is unquestionably “The Ragamuffin Gospel” by Brennan Manning. I followed that up with three more books by Brennan (‘The Signature of Jesus,’ ’ Abba’s Child’, and ‘Lion and Lamb’ ) and by then there was no similarity between who I had been and the person I had become. If you have a choice between buying my book or “The Ragamuffin Gospel,” skip dinner and buy both! But if you don’t have the money to buy “The Ragamuffin Gospel”… steal the money and get the book, and you can read it while you’re in jail. Better a jail bird who gets the message of the ragamuffin than a successful person who keeps the law and doesn’t know grace!

What is your connection to the Divine when you create? Does it resonate with you spiritually when you come up with new work?
Yes, I really do feel that connection. There are many times when I feel that God is keeping his distance and has decided not to speak to me about anything. But there are times when I sense that I hear Him loud and unmistakably clear. But usually I don’t write about it. My prayer is that God will make me spiritually deep and wise like the great saints of old, but don’t make me go through all the crap that they went through. He thinks that is hilarious.

Describe your process behind the featured piece (your book).
I was asked to write a monthly article for a magazine, and then some other publications contacted me and printed some of my articles, and the response was encouraging and sometimes even enthusiastic. So I did more and then embellished them and edited them and put them into a book. What do I do now? Help!
Books can be purchased from Jim directly or from his website for $15. They can also be purchased digitally as a downloadable pdf on www.brokenroadstograce.com for $10. Please visit www.brokenroadstograce.com for more information!

Psalm 139 from last night’s service.

Mon, 16 Jan 2012 14:40:12 -0500

Psalm 139 from last night’s service.

Psalm 8 from 01.01.12 PM service.

Mon, 02 Jan 2012 17:09:19 -0500

Psalm 8 from 01.01.12 PM service.

O Come, O Come Emmanuelperformed by the Kyle & Karl Band,...

Thu, 08 Dec 2011 11:29:52 -0500

O Come, O Come Emmanuel
performed by the Kyle & Karl Band, featuring Erin Langley

Come see them live on 12.9.11 at 7pm on the COTA Pavilion!

We’re Not So Far From Heavenwritten by Andy Cloninger Live...

Tue, 15 Nov 2011 10:23:53 -0500

We’re Not So Far From Heaven
written by Andy Cloninger

Live music from COTA’s PM Service

Live at the COTA PavilionDecember 9th at 7pm The Kyle and Karl...

Wed, 09 Nov 2011 10:29:06 -0500

Live at the COTA Pavilion
December 9th at 7pm

The Kyle and Karl Band

Admission is free. Food will be provided. Start the holiday season off with some great live music!

The Little Mermaid

Wed, 09 Nov 2011 10:26:01 -0500

The Little Mermaid:

Jitterbug Theatre Productions proudly presents
Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Jr.
Directed by Erin Langley
Choreographed by Matthew Kiel

Psalm 34Live from COTA’s evening service

Wed, 09 Nov 2011 10:16:18 -0500

Psalm 34
Live from COTA’s evening service

Jitterbug Theatre Presents Disney's The Little Mermaid!

Fri, 28 Oct 2011 16:33:00 -0400

November 4 & 5
7pm
Fairhope Civic Center

$10 for adults, $5 for students

Tickets available at the door

Directed by Erin Langley
Choreographed by Matthew Kiel

Featuring 65 very talented 3rd-12th grade Baldwin County students

Sponsored in part by Church of the Apostles, Taylor Law Firm, Great Kitchens, Eastern Shore Heart Center, a private donor, and Power Real Estate

Psalm 80 Live from COTA Sunday AM service

Tue, 11 Oct 2011 12:17:05 -0400

Psalm 80

Live from COTA Sunday AM service

Jesus Paid It All performed live by the COTA Band.

Tue, 27 Sep 2011 10:26:50 -0400

Jesus Paid It All performed live by the COTA Band.

psalm 25 live music from our 5pm service

Mon, 26 Sep 2011 15:23:52 -0400

psalm 25

live music from our 5pm service

COTA Artist Interview: Claire Cloninger

Tue, 06 Sep 2011 10:24:00 -0400

The first artist in our series of COTA interviews, Claire Cloninger is a gifted addition to Church of the Apostles. She is the recipient of three Dove Awards from the Gospel Music Association and is a successful modern gospel songwriter. A prolific writer, Claire has written 19 musicals for church choirs. Her songs, which have been covered by such artists such as BJ Thomas, Amy Grant, Pat and Debby Boone, are perennial listings in the Gospel Top Ten. She was commissioned to write a new second verse for “The Star Spangled Banner,” which was recorded by Sandi Patti. The writer or co-writer of 11 books, Cloninger collaborated with Laura Barr on her 2001 publication, Faithfully Fit.

Read on as Claire discusses her creative process and the role of faith in artistic creation.

What is your favorite space to create?

I am blessed to have one of those minds that is able to block out distractions. For that reason, I confess to having created song lyrics in nearly every setting imaginable. If I get inspired, I just grab a pencil and any available scrap of paper and try to “get it down before it gets away!”

What is your favorite snack to eat while creating?

Popcorn, m&m’s, or whatever’s on hand.

How do you handle artist’s block (times when it is hard to create)?

In the life of a lyricist, “artist’s block” is pronounced “writer’s block,” and writer’s block is a luxury I try not to entertain. One of my collaborators, Ron Harris, loves to say, “Claire’s definition of ‘writer’s block’ is writing with everybody on the block.” And it is true that I have had many collaborators in my songwriting career. That really helps to keep my work sounding fresh and new.

Writing the words first is a little bit easier for me since I’m not having to fit them into an existing melody. But if a composer hands me a really beautiful, inspiring melody, that can be the very thing that draws a strong lyric out of me. Either way, I love writing lyrics. There is nothing I like better than a beautiful, wordless melody just begging me to give it words.

How do you stay motivated and disciplined as an artist in our distracting society?

I think my secret for staying motivated is that I I’ve learned to put myself into a state of mind which is slightly “over-focused.” A bit driven, perhaps. I’ve been a professional songwriter for many decades now, and I’m rarely able to get through a day without hearing lyrics in my head and scratching out at least the beginning of an idea on paper. I really believe songwriting is a gift, and I know where that gift comes from. I always feel that it would be a slap in God’s face to ignore whatever ideas he is currently whispering in my ear. So I sharpen my pencil and I’m at it again!

What is the best advice someone has given you?

Left totally to my own devices as a writer, I probably would have become a reckless procrastinator. But thankfully, my Dad, Charlie deGravelles, a great piano player who was also a business man. was determined that his kids would inherit his “work ethic.” Daddy would always bring it down to the practicality of the matter. About one of my songs, he might say, “That’s a great idea, Claire. Now what are you going to do with it.” Whenever he said that, I knew it was time to roll up my sleeves and get to work.

What is your theme song?

My world is full of Christian music since that is what I write. But one song that is very close to my heart is a love ballad called “Time After Time.” The first line says this:

“Time after time, I tell myself that I’m,
So lucky to be loving you.”

I know for certain the best gift God has given me is not my songwriting. It is my husband, Spike. What a treasure of a guy! The best husband, the best friend, the best Daddy, the best Granddaddy ever! I know for certain that I would not be who I am apart from Spike and his love for me.

If you were an animal, what animal would you be?

I would be a song bird whose assignment was to soar over Mobile Bay every day, to land in one of those huge, moss-draped oak trees growing on the shore, and to sing the praises of the God who was good enough to create this beautiful, enchanting spot on the earth, and allow me to make music in it every day.

Who/what has inspired you lately and/or locally (i.e. other artists, exhibits, shows…?)

I am inspired to write worship music every week as I worship among fellow Christians who love the Lord and each other. What a joy to be truly inspired by the preaching of the Word every time we gather! And how cool it is to join the rest of the congregation in singing the original songs of my favorite songwriter and worship leader of all time, my son, Andy Cloninger.

What is one book/song/painting/piece/ etc. that has been enriching to your faith?

One of my all-time favorite books is Abandoned to God: The Life Story of Oswald Chambers, the Author of “My Utmost for His Highest. By David McCasland, (c) Discovery House Publishers, dist by Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1993.

Chambers’ faith was so inspiring, his words are so challenging, and his descriptions of his own Christian walk never fail to draw me closer to his God and mine.

What is your connection to the Divine when you create? Does it resonate with you spiritually when you come up with new work?

Prayer is always my connection to the Divine. Before sitting down at my desk to write, I pray. I ask Christian friends to keep me in their prayers. Also, many times during the work itself, I pause and pray my way out of a place where I feel blocked.

COTA Christmas Eve Music 2010Directed by Andy Cloninger &...

Tue, 23 Aug 2011 11:31:00 -0400

COTA Christmas Eve Music 2010
Directed by Andy Cloninger & Erin Langley
Featuring COTA Kids Choir

Star, Star is written by Glen Hansard