Comment

Derek Webb Ctrl Giveaway

By

Ctrl Derek WebbNote: This Giveaway has ended, but make sure you subscribe to the blog as I frequently give away books and other gifts to readers.

A few years ago, I wrote A Letter to Christian Songwriters. In it, I asked songwriters to stop singing the “Happy, Happy, Happy All the Time” and “Jesus is My Boyfriend” songs. The first type of songs are simply not true to reality, and the second type of songs creep me out. I often find a lot more honesty about life in the music of secular artists (like P!nk or Shinedown or Nickelback  or Linkin Park or Natalie Imbruglia).

There are, however, a few notable exceptions among Christian artists. One of them is Derek Webb. Read on to find out how you win a free copy of his newest album: Ctrl. He has offered to give away three free CDs to the readers of this blog, so read on to find out how to enter.

If you unfamiliar with Derek Webb, go listen to three of the songs off his album here or watch this video:

Derek has had six #1 Christian radio hits and has won 3 Dove Awards. Like Jeff Buckley and Grant Lee Buffalo, Derek’s voice has a very heart-felt tone with a rough edge.

On Ctrl, Webb tells the tale of an unnamed character that melts the lines of physical and virtual realities until it’s hard to tell man from machine.

Here’s how Webb explains it:

It’s an album about one man’s desire for something he cannot have because it isn’t real, the journey he goes on pursuing it, and the costs of that journey. But essentially, ‘Ctrl’ is both personal autopsy and cultural observation about how we use technology to try and control our lives, and my concern that it could ultimately have more control of us.

So how do you enter to win a free copy of one of Derek Webb’s newest album Ctrl?

There are two ways to enter:

Note: This Giveaway has ended, but make sure you subscribe to the blog as I frequently give away books and other gifts to readers.

Leave a Comment

First, leave a comment below and answer these two questions:

  1. Have you heard of Derek Webb before, and if so, what is your favorite song by him?
  2. Other than Derek Webb, what are some of your favorite bands/artists (Christian AND secular)?

When you leave a comment, either make sure you use a free Disqus account, or leave a link to a website, Twitter, or Facebook page so I can find you if you win.

Tweet this Post

Second, using the “Tweet” button at the top or bottom of post, let others know about the Derek Webb Giveaway on this blog. So that I can find your Tweet and enter you in the contest, make sure you use this hashtag: #derekwebbctrl

The drawing will be held on December 5, so get your comments and Tweets in now!

Note: This Giveaway has ended, but make sure you subscribe to the blog as I frequently give away books and other gifts to readers.

And of course, if you end up not wining a CD, you can always get Ctrl from Amazon.

The newsletter includes a weekly blog digest
and the monthly newsletter with exclusive news and offers. This month's offer is a
free copy of my eBook
The Skeleton Church.

How Frequently Do You Want to Receive Blog Posts?
Daily Blog Posts
Weekly Post Summary
BOTH Daily Posts AND Weekly Summary

In Music and Art
permalink
  • Nicole Vacca

    1. I have heard of him before and my favorite song by him is “A Love That’s Stronger Than Our Fear.”

    2. My other favorite bands/artists are Flyleaf, Brooke Fraser, Lara Landon, Alter Bridge, House of Heroes, and Paper Route.

    Twitter handle: @Vacca_to_World

    • http://www.tillhecomes.org/ Jeremy Myers

      Nicole,
      YOU WON!

      I will contact you for your address. OR, send it to jmyers AT tillhecomes.org

      And I’ll be honest… I have never heard of any of those other bands/artists. But I will check them out. Thanks!

  • http://twitter.com/thegreatswalmi mike swalm

    Love Derek’s music. This too shall be made right is easily my favorite song of his. I listen to Leonard Cohen, Fernando Ortega,Sara groves and a ton of others!

    • http://www.tillhecomes.org/ Jeremy Myers

      Mike,

      YOU WON!

      I will contact you for your address. OR, send it to jmyers AT tillhecomes.org

      One of my all-time favorite songs is “Waiting for the Miracle” by Leonard Cohen. Extremely depressing, but what a great song! And I also like Fernando Ortega.

  • David

    1. Have you heard of Derek Webb before, and if so, what is your favorite song by him?
    This is the first time I have heard him. I like the video quite a bit.

    2. Other than Derek Webb, what are some of your favorite bands/artists (Christian AND secular)?
    Matthew West, Kutless, Sidewalk Prophets, Casting Crowns, and many more. :)

    • http://www.tillhecomes.org/ Jeremy Myers

      David,

      I have heard of several of those also, and like Casting Crowns and Kutless. Sorry to say though that you did not win….

  • http://twitter.com/thefalconoflove Asa Guice

    I have heard of Derek, but mostly gotten to know him through his own twitter feed, and I like his work with his wife a lot.

    Favorite song? I like Mockingbird; and on the TN EP, ‘From You To Me’ is really good (reminds me of Sam Phillips stuff – love her), and the covers of ‘Time After Time’ and ‘The Sound Of Silence’ are good.

    As for other favorite bands/performers? I love the aforementioned Sam/Leslie Phillips, Over the Rhine, Kim Taylor, John Mark McMillan, Bon Iver, Ane Brun, The National, and on and on… Music is my favorite medium to write or hear stories through.

    So, I’d love to win this album.

    • http://www.tillhecomes.org/ Jeremy Myers

      Asa,

      Sorry to say you did not win…

      I agree that music can be a great story-telling medium. And so full of emotion, also, which makes it even better. I will check out some of those bands/artists you mentioned. Thanks!

  • Michael Snow

    1. No
    2. Casting Crowns, Fernando Ortega, …and lots more
    http://textsincontext.wordpress.com/2012/11/27/improbable-advent-prepare-ye-the-way/

  • Michael Snow

    Sorry, forgot to say that I do like this.

    • http://www.tillhecomes.org/ Jeremy Myers

      it’s all good! But sorry to say you did not win….

  • Ann

    I’m sorry to say that I did not like Derek Webb’s music at all. My son (12) was listening and he really disliked it; he pleaded with me to turn it off because it was “too depressing”.

    • http://www.tillhecomes.org/ Jeremy Myers

      So… I’m assuming you don’t want to be entered in the drawing?

  • Clive Clifton

    I have never heard of Derek. I have always wanted Christian songs to cover all aspects of our emotions. I disagree that “Love you Jesus” stuff is rubbish. I like Godfry Birtles songs and there is nothing soft about his stuff but I like Matt Redman, Brian Doerksen, Martyn Layzell, Delirious, Graham Kendrick, Gareth Robinson, Nicole Smith to name but a few.

    I feel it is disrespectful to rubbish Christians who write songs from their heart to enable us to join in worshipping the One who is worth it, I also think these songs are inspired by God as is scripture.

    I thought Derek’s three songs were very real and speaks to many people who have little direction and frustrated with their present situation who see no way forward. Derek points to Jesus in his lyrics as the answer for the way forward. His songs may appear depressing to those who have not trusted in Jesus and think The World has the answers, but they would.

    I feel his songs are challenging and not meant to make us feel good like pink candy floss.

    If something upsets us lets ask why rather than ignore what could be God speaking to us through yet another media.

    I will probably buy his CD.

    Keep worshipping and listening to the One who gave it all. Love Clive.

    • http://www.tillhecomes.org/ Jeremy Myers

      Clive,

      “Rubbish” is probably too strong of a word for what I feel. I do like much of Redmond’s stuff, and I really like Graham Kendrick and Delirious.

      Thanks for the comment, but I am sorry to say you did not win…

  • Jeannette Altes

    1. I have never heard of Derek Webb. I have shied away from Christian music for a while….

    2. Favorite Bands/Artists…..Hmm….depends on my mood. :-)
    I like Sting, Nickleback, Everlast, Aerosmith, Metallica, Phil Collins, ELP, Kansas, and the list could go on…..I am a musician. :-)
    I also like classical: Bach, Mozart, Mussorgsky…..and I like Jazz…..

    I like songs more than artists. Not that I don’t like artists and their styles, I do. But above that, I have to like the song both music and lyrics. Hmm….I also like Third Day, a favorite is Song is Tunnel.

    • http://www.tillhecomes.org/ Jeremy Myers

      Jeanette,

      You are winner number 3! Congrats.

      I will send you an email to get your mailing address.

      Metallica AND Mozart! Very nice. I have often wondered what classical composers would think of today’s music.

  • http://www.tillhecomes.org/ Jeremy Myers

    The drawing has been completed! Using the Tweets that were sent and the comments on this post, I randomly chose 3 winners using Random.org…

    And the winners are….

    1. Nicole Vacca
    2. Jeanette Altes
    3. Mike Swalm

    I will be contacting you for your addresses!

    Thanks to everybody for participating!