RTN Theology #14- Detoxifying & Demystifying Church Music: A Conversation with Producer Jeff Crawford
Jan 23, 2020
Jeff Crawford, Carrboro/Chapel Hill record producer and studio owner, talks about producing Hymns from the Gathering Church and leading its creative arrangements. He recounts assembling local artists, choosing and reimagining 19th-century and newer hymns, and shaping the album’s warm, 70s/folk studio aesthetic. They also discuss standout tracks, collaborative recording processes, and the project’s community impact.
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Hymns LP Born From Church Music Experiments
- Jeff Crawford recounts how the hymns LP grew directly from the Gathering Church music ministry and a prior Christmas EP.
- He used his Carrboro studio connections to invite local musicians and turned weekly hymn practice into a collaborative record-making project.
Hymns Record Became A Lifeline During Crisis
- Bob describes how the Gathering Church supported his family during Hallie’s hospital crisis and gave him the hymns CD that became central to his faith journey.
- The CD stayed in his player throughout their Memphis stay and introduced him to hymns that felt emotionally truthful.
Timelessness Comes From Authentic Americana Production
- Bob Crawford observed that most contemporary Christian music felt behind the times, while the Gathering Church record sounded timeless.
- The album's Americana production and honest faith expression made it feel authentic beyond typical CCM trends.
