From a vision every great leader is born. It takes forethought, insight, and dedication to achieve anything in life, be it an education, family, or career. The same can be said of ministry. It starts with a vision that develops over time and eventually surrenders in obedience to God. Everything You Do, the new release from Carl Cartee on Great Worship Songs, is the product of such vision.

Born in Anchorage, Alaska, Carl began playing guitar at the age of three. Learning from his grandfather, father and other spiritual leaders around him, Carl found his musical niche early on. Upon graduating with a music degree from Gardner-Webb University in North Carolina, he decided to pursue ministry full-time. In 2005, after several years leading worship conferences and writing songs, Carl embarked on the next leg of his journey toward life-long commitment to learning as well as sharing his art. He and his wife stepped out boldly in faith and moved to Nashville, Tennessee.

Over the next few years, he recorded several albums, growing as an artist and a man of God with each new project. It wasn’t long before his songs, his voice and his heart caught the industry’s attention, including Brentwood Benson Music Publishing. From this partnership comes Carl’s March 2009 release, Everything You Do.

Everything You Do was recorded at the renowned Ocean Way Studios, a gothic revival greystone church on Nashville’s famed Music Row. The studio, having hosted such artists as Willie Nelson, Sheryl Crow and George Strait, among others, was now occupied by a collection of friends, community of worshippers, raising their voices to glorify God.

“This album was a community project,” explains Carl. “Community music is made for and by a community of people, and in this case, it was the people I live and work with day in and day out.”

Carl’s deep voice and the thunder of live applause introduces album opener “Just One Name,” whose proclamations, just one Name worthy of worship, just one Name deserving my praise, sets an upbeat yet reverent tone which carries throughout the record. Similarly, anthem “Where You Are,” with its catchy chorus and lively melody, exclaims the all-powerful, merciful nature of God.

“‘Where You Are’ is meant to encourage listeners not to lose heart,” says Carl. “Even though outwardly they may feel like they’re wasting away, in God there is restoration; in Him there is life.”

Reflective worship tune “Everything You Do” also communicates an important message. “The song has double meaning,” says Carl. “It not only praises the Creator for everything He does, but also reminds us as worshippers, as a group of believers, that all we do is good and glorifying to God as well.”  

Another track, “This Is the Gift of God,” addresses the rich love and mercy of God. Inspired by Ephesians 1:4, which says, “He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love,” the song drives home the free gift of Salvation that is offered in Christ. The lyrics of “Glory” also originated from one of Carl’s favorite Bible passages, Psalm 29.

Standout song “Brand New Day” was among Carl’s favorite to record. “I wrote ‘Brand New Day’ with Paul Baloche and Don Poythress. Musically, it’s one of the more ‘out-of-the-box’ cuts on the record. There’s some great sounding slide guitar and very cool chromatic changes. It was fun.”

Carl’s vision includes sharing Everything You Do live with audiences around the world. This spring he will host the INSPIRE worship conference in Nashville. INSPIRE is designed to ready worship leaders, artists, worship teams, bands and songwriters for excellence in worship ministry. Everything You Do will serve as a great example.

“Everything You Do represents what I love about worship songs and making music for Jesus. It’s the four corners of a life that I try to pursue: community, creativity, worship and service. My hope is that this music inspires all of those things in the listener and equips them to lift up Jesus in everything they do.”