January 10, 2008
Perthshire, Scotland

It’s been four days, and there’s still a pervasive sense of wonder for every artist involved in the CompassionArt event.

For Delirious frontman Martin Smith and his wife Anna, it was a longtime dream fulfilled that has far surpassed their wildest expectations. “When I was getting to bed the first night, I still couldn’t believe that everyone here was really under the same roof,” Smith says. “I was nervous and excited. And now that we’re inching toward the end of the week, the electricity was more than I could’ve ever imagined.”

That “electricity” has resulted in one successful collaboration after the next – a process that starts in the early morning and continues into the wee hours of the evening. And while these artists could technically call it “work,” the laughter that emerges from the practice rooms seems to indicate that work and play seamlessly go hand and hand.

“In a word, this week has simply been unbelievable,” says Michael W. Smith. “It’s incredible to be working with all of these artists for a worthy cause. Laying down your own agenda really frees you in so many ways, and this week has been a pure joy.”

Speaking of pure joy, the picturesque Scotland scenery was the perfect backdrop for the creative process. Following a tour of the sights in Glencoe, including lunch at a proper Scottish pub, the falling snow inspired a spontaneous snowball fight. In case you ever wondered, Darlene Zschech may have a cherubic face, but she’s got a killer instinct. Who knew, right?

All joking aside, Martin can’t help but be proud of what’s resulted from these artists’ time together.

“There are times in history when people join together to do something great and lay down their own agenda, their own territory. It’s been especially touching to see everyone be themselves and be vulnerable in front of each other. Yet when a group plays its song, the whole room erupts. It’s just pure Christianity. It’s a team thing of people lifting each other up.”