“This is the beginning of something awesome.”
Martin Smith

What began as a vision for Delirious? frontman Martin Smith and his wife Anna over a year ago has finally came to fruition this past week. Some of the world’s greatest songwriters were brought together for the Compassionart songwriter’s retreat in an effort to create ongoing global relief for the poorest of the poor. Setting out to write 10-12 songs, these songwriters far surpassed that goal completing 22 new songs during the retreat held last week at the House of Cantle in Perthshire, Scotland. The songs are to be given to the world not just to sing, but also to raise money for the relief of suffering around the planet. One hundred percent of the proceeds derived from the songs will go directly to charity.

In one of the writer’s rooms at the House of Cantle in Scotland are (L-R) Stu Garrard, Michael W. Smith, Matt Redman and Martin Smith

Working together toward a common goal involving no personal gain, internationally recognized songwriters attending the retreat included Paul Baloche, Steven Curtis Chapman, Stu Garrard (Delirious?), Israel Houghton, Tim Hughes, Graham Kendrick, Andy Park, Matt Redman, Martin Smith (Delirious?), Michael W. Smith and Darlene Zschech. While many of the writers were only professional acquaintances at the beginning of the week, by the end of the week they not only created what may come to be world changing songs, but also life-long friendships.

“I can’t even tell you how rewarding it was to hang out with people who really get you and what you’re about,” Paul Baloche says. “It’s a great way to start a new year, that’s for sure. That deep connection has made all the difference in collaborating together.”

“With an unabashed sense of anticipation about the future of these new worship songs, everyone from Steven Curtis Chapman to Darlene Zschech to Matt Redman is holed up in the studios at the House of Cantle, laying down track after track,” writes journalist Christa Banister on the last day of the gathering. “And even though the pace has been nearly non-stop, the excitement in the studio has yet to fade. These artists clearly love working together, and the challenge of accomplishing so much in such a short time seems to have invigorated them.” Banister’s blogs can be found at www.delirious.co.uk/livingroom/blog.php.

“We’ve done it; we just need to record these songs now,” confirms Martin. “It’s been awesome. I’m proud, in awe, exhilarated and tired. Good days, great days.”

In addition to the songwriters, the publishers, managers, copyright institutes and agents involved have all waived their rights and are donating their efforts on this project to Compassionart, a charity based in Littlehampton, England that is dedicated to seeing works of art generate income for the poorest of the poor. One half of the monies received over the songs’ lifetimes will go to the songwriters’ charity of choice, and the other 50% will go to a charitable project agreed upon by all the songwriters involved, which is still being discussed.

For more information on the Compassionart songwriter’s retreat, go to http://www.compassionart.co.uk/.

Pictured (l-r) in Scotland, UK are: Matt Redman, Paul Baloche, Tim Hughes, Graham Kendrick, Steven Curtis Chapman, Israel Houghton, Michael W. Smith, Darlene Zschech, Andy Park, and Martin Smith and Stu Garrard (Delirious?). Together these songwriters account for at least 40 million albums sold, 76 No. 1 songs, nine GRAMMY® Awards, 98 Dove Awards, two Stellar Awards, two American Music Awards, and 78 current CCLI Top 500 songs sung by millions in churches around the world

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