The Worship Keys Podcast

Watch on YouTube Carson talks with Otto Gross II, an accomplished multi-instrumentalist and worship director at a church in Nashville, TN. Otto shares his journey through scoliosis surgery, discovering his love for the piano, graduating from Berklee College of Music, and his time playing keys on the road with Eddie James Ministries. Otto also discusses his personal production ventures, including the #OttoDailyDitty series and his contributions to children's music education. Tune in for an enriching conversation filled with life lessons, musical insights, and a demonstration of Otto's incredible talent.FREE eBookSupport the showThanks for listening! Subscribe here to the podcast, as well as on YouTube and other social media platforms. If you have any questions or suggestions for who you want as a featured guest in the future or a topic you want to hear, email carson@theworshipkeys.com. New episodes release every Wednesday!

Watch on YouTubeThis is Part 2 with Tyler Wester from Church of the Highlands in Alabama. He shares his journey from MainStage to Ableton, breaks down his go-to piano sounds, and gives us a behind-the-scenes look at his custom setup, gear, favorite plugins, his tracks rig, and more. They also dive into the creative process behind the Church of the Highlands’ Christmas program, why practice and music theory matter for key players, and how to take your worship sound to the next level. Plus, Tyler gives a live demo on playing piano under a pastor’s sermon, perfect for anyone looking to refine their skills in a worship setting.FREE eBookChurch of the HighlandsSupport the showThanks for listening! Subscribe here to the podcast, as well as on YouTube and other social media platforms. If you have any questions or suggestions for who you want as a featured guest in the future or a topic you want to hear, email carson@theworshipkeys.com. New episodes release every Wednesday!

Watch on YouTubeCarson interviews Tyler Wester, the musical director of the multi-site Church of the Highlands in Alabama. Tyler shares his journey from learning piano as a child to being full time with Highlands for nearly a decade, offering valuable insight into the heart and logistics of his music ministry. Tyler breaks down the key differences between megachurch worship and smaller church settings, the pursuit of musical excellence in a ministry setting, and practical tips for effective music directing (MDing on stage). Get a behind-the-scenes look at how Church of the Highlands creates seamless worship experiences across multiple campuses. Whether you're a worship leader, musician, or passionate about church music, this conversation will equip and inspire you.FREE eBookChurch of the HighlandsSupport the showThanks for listening! Subscribe here to the podcast, as well as on YouTube and other social media platforms. If you have any questions or suggestions for who you want as a featured guest in the future or a topic you want to hear, email carson@theworshipkeys.com. New episodes release every Wednesday!

Watch on YouTubeWelcome Austin Seale from Seale Keyworks. Austin, who just tuned my Acrosonic Baldwin upright piano, shares insights into the world of piano maintenance and tuning. We discuss the success of Seale Keyworks and its comprehensive services that has been around for 40 years now, including moving, tuning repair, restoration, player systems, and sales. Austin offers valuable advice for worship leaders and piano owners on proper piano care, common misconceptions, and tips for aspiring piano tuners. Listen to Austin's journey in piano tuning, and the importance of regular maintenance, and explore the fascinating technologies behind modern tuning devices. Perfect for anyone considering a career change or needing expert piano care. Plus, learn about a chance to win a free piano tuning! Seale KeyworksWin FREE professional piano tuningPlaying Worship Keys By Ear FREE eBookSupport the showThanks for listening! Subscribe here to the podcast, as well as on YouTube and other social media platforms. If you have any questions or suggestions for who you want as a featured guest in the future or a topic you want to hear, email carson@theworshipkeys.com. New episodes release every Wednesday!

Carson sits down with Jin Choi, host of the On Water Podcast and a psychotherapist from Toronto, Canada. They dive deep into the topics of discipleship, heart posture, and the importance of connection within worship teams. Jin shares her personal journey from childhood in a Korean church to her current role at Church on the Queensway. Don't miss her insights on fostering authentic worship both on and off stage, as well as practical advice for creating deeper connections in your church community. Plus, enjoy a special segment featuring different musical instruments that Jin has played throughout her life!View this episode on YouTubeOn Water Podcast FREE eBook "Playing Worship Keys By Ear"Support the showThanks for listening! Subscribe here to the podcast, as well as on YouTube and other social media platforms. If you have any questions or suggestions for who you want as a featured guest in the future or a topic you want to hear, email carson@theworshipkeys.com. New episodes release every Wednesday!

In this episode of the Worship Keys Podcast, host Carson Bruce dives deep into the world of playback rigs with Seth Penn from Seth Builds Rigs. They discuss the importance of playback tracks in worship settings, how to build pedal boards for keyboards, and explore various levels of playback rig setups from entry-level to pro-level with redundancy. Seth shares his experiences working with notable artists like Ed Sheeran and Steven Curtis Chapman and provides valuable insights into creating efficient and reliable playback systems for churches. Whether you're a small church or managing a multi-campus setup, this episode offers practical tips and detailed explanations to enhance your worship music production.Seth Build RigsCross PointPlaying Worship By EarSupport the showThanks for listening! Subscribe here to the podcast, as well as on YouTube and other social media platforms. If you have any questions or suggestions for who you want as a featured guest in the future or a topic you want to hear, email carson@theworshipkeys.com. New episodes release every Wednesday!

In this episode, Carson sits down with Matt McCoy, founder and owner of Loop Community, to discuss the intersection of technology and worship. They dive deep into the vision behind the Worship Innovators Conference, practical implementations of technology in worship services, and making multi-tracks accessible through Prime and other Loop Community products. Matt shares personal stories, insights on integrations, and the importance of preserving personal creativity in worship. Join us for an inspiring conversation designed to help you elevate your worship services to the next level.Worship InnovatorsLoop CommunityHelp with TracksPlaying Worship Keys By Ear Support the showThanks for listening! Subscribe here to the podcast, as well as on YouTube and other social media platforms. If you have any questions or suggestions for who you want as a featured guest in the future or a topic you want to hear, email carson@theworshipkeys.com. New episodes release every Wednesday!

Join Jonathan from Colorado Springs as he shares his experiences and insights on dynamic and spontaneous worship in church services. Jonathan, who works with New Life congregations and 10,000 Fathers and Mothers, delves into the need for worship leaders to also be effective pastors, fostering disciple-making cultures. He reflects on his upbringing in old-school Pentecostal churches and how those experiences shaped his understanding of spontaneity in worship. Jonathan emphasizes the importance of discernment, preparation, and being open to the dynamic relationship between God and the congregation. He offers practical advice for worship leaders, including being aware of the congregation's needs and developing skills for spontaneous worship. Finally, he reminds us that while spontaneity has a place, it should not override the foundational traditional practices of the church. Tune in for a comprehensive discussion on balancing planned worship with the spontaneous movement of the Spirit.10kFamWorship InnovatorsPlaying Worship Keys By EarSupport the showThanks for listening! Subscribe here to the podcast, as well as on YouTube and other social media platforms. If you have any questions or suggestions for who you want as a featured guest in the future or a topic you want to hear, email carson@theworshipkeys.com. New episodes release every Wednesday!

In this episode, Jamie Miley of Ascension Worship dives deep into effective strategies for enhancing worship team collaboration, and avoiding fatigue and burnout in your worship ministry. Learn about the Ascension Network's innovative approach to connecting musicians with local churches, practical tips for managing rehearsals and resources, and the importance of pastoral leadership within worship teams. This was from the Worship Innovators Conference 2024. You can register you and your team for the 2025 conference now. Ascension WorshipPlaying Worship Keys By EarSupport the showThanks for listening! Subscribe here to the podcast, as well as on YouTube and other social media platforms. If you have any questions or suggestions for who you want as a featured guest in the future or a topic you want to hear, email carson@theworshipkeys.com. New episodes release every Wednesday!

Join Carson Bruce on the Worship Keys Podcast as he welcomes American Idol runner-up Clark Beckham. They delve into the art of reharmonizing worship songs, exploring music theory, industry insights, and the balance between performance and heartfelt worship. Clark shares his musical journey, key influences, and experiences on American Idol while offering practical tips on creating emotionally rich and musically intricate worship arrangements. Perfect for worship musicians and music enthusiasts alike!Clark Beckham's Music SchoolPlaying Worship Keys By EarNashville SystemSupport the showThanks for listening! Subscribe here to the podcast, as well as on YouTube and other social media platforms. If you have any questions or suggestions for who you want as a featured guest in the future or a topic you want to hear, email carson@theworshipkeys.com. New episodes release every Wednesday!