Interview With Michael Novak
Interview by Jenna Glatzer

Sometimes these interviews come about in the funniest ways.  I bid on a saxophone mouthpiece that Michael was selling on E-bay, decided to check out his website, and found out that he was a songwriter.  Kismet.

Michael has been writing Christian praise and worship songs since the mid '80s. He has written hundreds of songs that have been used in worship throughout the states and recorded on various albums. He also participates in the online Christian Songwriters Organization.  He has been the Senior/preaching pastor of Parkrose Christian Church in Portland, Oregon since 1989.

How did you get into songwriting? 

I've always been in music somehow. The first song I ever remember writing was in college. It was pretty hit and miss until I got into my later twenties (I'm forty now). Then I started intentionally sitting down, putting words to music and pen to paper.

What is your creative process like? Do you write lyrics first, music first, or...? 

Seeing as I tend to write from Scripture or devotional experience, I usually begin with a lyric or hook. That becomes a melody, from which the chorus comes. Then verse, then bridge. The music is usually fleshed out before the lyric. I'm a musician, so that's the easiest thing for me. I've done some collaboration with gifted lyricists and found it quite refreshing. They do the hard part, and I come in to do the fun part.

How do you sell your work? 

I sell to companies on assignment and, by the song, off my website. At www.michaelnovak.com I have what I call "Worship Leader Packets" aimed specifically to worship leaders in local churches. They can download any of the stuff on there for free. The WLPs give them a cassette of the complete song, HQ leadsheets and overhead master, an RA of the complete song sent to their e-mail address, and the right to reproduce the materials. I charge $5 for each WLP, which pays for the materials and gets me lunch at Wendy's. 

Worship song use in local churches is (supposed to be) reported to CCLI (Christian Copyright and Licensing), through which I get a royalties check twice a year. One reported use of a song equals about $1 in royalties. So, I may get a check for anywhere from $35 or $250. What is really cool, though, is that my stuff is being used.

Do you perform, as well? 

Yes, I play in our church's worship band. It's a weekly "gig"... but not for pay. I primarily sing tenor (S.A.T.) and play guitar. I also do Djembe, sax, and other weird stuff.

What's your latest project?

I have my last worship album available for purchase on the site and www.audiblefaith.com.  I sent it free-of-charge to worship leaders around the world. It was received well and resulted in CCLI royalties. My current project will be available on my site, MP3, AudibleFaith, some retail stores, and sent free-of-charge to worship leaders. 

I send it out at my expense to worship leaders because I write to be used of God, not make bucks. Don't get me wrong-- making money is a good thing. But that's not my motivation with the praise stuff I write-- it is to help congregations give voice to their love for God. 

How did you feel the first time you heard a group of people singing a song you wrote? 

This is where writing "Praise and Worship" (P&W) music is so different from other music. It is written to be sung, not listened to. It is written to be sung by average people. I walked into a worship service at a large college a couple of years ago and they were doing one of my songs. I just stood there dumb-founded. It was better than hearing a song on the radio.

When do you write? 

I write whenever I get struck with a hook, thought or melody. I average about a song a week. I go through spurts where I'll write a dozens songs in a week (2 or 3 may see the light of day) and droughts where I won't write for a month. I have paper or mini-cassette by my bed and in the car. You never know when something great is going to hit.

Who decides on the performers for your albums (like the upcoming KinderPraise project)? 

I have total control over musicians and singers. That's the great thing about running your own studio. I usually rough the rhythm track and vocals, then call in people who do it well. I am more of a live musician than a studio musician. It takes me a dozen passes to get a guitar part to sparkle. I have a friend who does it in one pass. 

Once a song is written, what are the steps before it magically appears on albums? 

I take it to my worship team to see if it's any good. If it passes that test, a song may make it into the worship rotation. If the congregation responds well to it, I'll put it on my "record this list." From there, I have listeners who are worship leaders and pros. They help me objectify. 

To whom do you turn for feedback on your songs? 

I have several listeners at http://www.christiansongwriting.org, my worship team, friends in worship ministries and a couple of pros in the worship recording industry.

What are your future goals? 

Lose some weight and not miss the series finale of Star Trek Voyager. Love my wife. Spend time with my kids. 
Musically, I'm learning sax and want to take up flute. I am finishing up my current recording project. I'd like that to get some good critical revues.

Anything else you'd like to add? 

I hope that you enjoy the Bobby Dukoff I sent!

Visit Michael's site at http://www.michaelnovak.com, and his church site at http://www.teleport.com/~parkrose.

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