Review Fix Exclusive: Rick Stephenson Talks ‘My Everything’

Review Fix chats with singer/songwriter Rich Stephenson, who discusses his new album, “My Everything,” as well as his creative process and goals for the future.

About Rick Stephenson:

Rick Stephenson is a Singer/Songwriter from Johnson Creek, WI who offers traveling worship ministries. However, there’s much more to Rick than can be simply put.  He has a passion for leading others in worship and has a creative way of expressing it through his music.  He has won awards from the Song Door International Competition, Great Lakes Songwriting Contest and Write About Jesus.  Rick has also had radio airplay of several of his songs including:  “Sanctuary of My Heart”, “You Gave”, “Christmas Is Here”, “God Himself”, “Christmas Is Jesus”, “Rebuild My Heart” and “Center of My Heart” on US and International stations as well as numerous Internet radio sites.

Review Fix: What inspired this album?

Rick Stephenson: The thing is I write a lot of songs and usually an album is a result of what I’ve recently been writing, however what I found on this project is that there are songs that I wrote specifically while recording the project like “Never Had It So Good.”  It was a song that developed as I was driving from my home in Wisconsin to a recording session I had in Nashville, TN.  Some other songs I had been holding on to for a few years and finally felt like they were ready to be recorded like “King of the Broken” and “Take Me Through The Fire.”  Overall I think the songs were reminders to me, and hopefully to those who hear them, that God is constantly with us and working in and on our lives as you will see when you hear “Grace Is Sufficient”.  We all need to be reminded of this and encouraged by knowing God never leaves us or forsakes us and I think this was my overall desire with completing this project.  That’s also the reason why I titled it “My Everything” because it was both an offering of my everything to God and a reminder to me that He is always in my everything.

Review Fix: How has your relationship with the lord influenced your work?

Stephenson: My relationship with God is of utmost importance to me.  I realize from all I have read, studied and experienced in my life thus far that the number one reason we are here on earth is to learn to love.  And knowing that God is love, how can we learn to love if we don’t also get to know Him?  There are many people out there trying to write love songs to or about others but for me my writing centers on my relationship with God because these are my love songs to Him.  Hopefully that’s evident to others when they listen to my songs like “All I Crave.”  While this song refers to the fact that this world has so many needs for improvement like ending world hunger, violence and loneliness to name just a few, these things are secondary to maintaining our relationship with Jesus, because when we do, all these things will be improved as a result like scripture tells us if we seek him and his kingdom first all these other things will be provided.

Review Fix: What is your creative process like?

Stephenson: Typically like anyone else, my creativity comes and goes.  Therefore, I don’t get upset when it’s not flowing.  I recognize that it’s just not happening at the moment and don’t try to force it, so I’ll go do something else for a while.  Then usually some creative thought will hit me from out of the blue while praying, or in worship or even just driving my car and I quickly have to capture it by writing it down or recording it into my phone.  Often I just tinker at my keyboard until some melody or grove is hitting me just right and then I’ll pull out the thought and try to marry the two together.  Many times for me the lyrics come first and the music is secondary, but that’s not a hard and fast rule either.  There are plenty of times while I’m playing that I say to God “I just want to sing a little something that would please You right now” and before I know it, a song has been birthed.  I really enjoy the whole creative process because it’s so unstructured and there’s too much of my life outside of music that is structured but the odd thing is that once you bring about a song, there is so much structure that results from it and in it.

Review Fix: What makes “Always There” a special song?

Stephenson: I think it’s special because its a great reminder that God is not only aware of everything we say, do and experience but that He’s right there in the middle of it with us.  Nothing can chase God away from us.  We are the ones to either open up to Him or shut Him out but He’s like the prodigal son’s father; always ready for our return.  He said He never leaves us or forsakes us and the only way for that to be true is if He is there with us even when we have turned our backs and ignored Him.  It’s human nature to ignore someone who ignores us, not that it’s right, but it’s our tendency, however that’s not the case with God.  We can always count on Him no matter what, no matter why and no matter where we are at in our lives.  Not only that, but He’s always reminding us of the fact that He’s there waiting for us, letting us know He wants to help us out and all we have to do is ask.

Review Fix: How do you want it to be remembered?

Stephenson: I’d like the song to be remembered as an inspiration so the next time we fight against loneliness or we struggle with depression or we think that no one is on our side, we can recall that God truly is always with us and feeling with us.  His word says we can cast our cares on Him because He cares for us; meaning that He feels what we feel.  Feelings are so right now – right at this very moment; so what better way to know that He’s right there with us the moment we are experiencing whatever life is throwing at us!

Review Fix: What’s next?

Stephenson: First, it’s trying to promote the album and let people know that it’s available to purchase in order to help fund my ministry, so I can help spread God’s message of hope and love to those who need it most, after all that’s why I call my self the Pop Gospel Musician-ary!  Then of course I’m constantly writing and developing new songs.  In fact, I have recorded two additional albums worth of new songs already and the hope is to release one project a year for the next three to four years.  Given my age, I may be a little late in the game as some may say, but I would say that I’m in this ministry for the long haul and I’m ready to give it My Everything!

Review Fix: Anything else you’d like to add?

Stephenson: I am grateful for the opportunities that God’s people have given me to carry His banner out into the world.  I am also thankful for the blessings that God has shared with and through me to reach those that need to know their lives can be greatly altered by turning to Him.  If anyone would like to know more about how to have a meaningful relationship with God, they can send me a note through my website at www.RickStephensonMusic/contact and I’d be happy to help.  You can also send me a note to let me know how the music has impacted your life.  Thanks & God Bless.