I've had a lot of people getting in touch with me on facebook, by email, or almost any other means asking for the chord chart and lyrics to Christmas Anthem...here they are.

The version I'm posting is the one that my home church, Desert Springs Church, did for our Christmas Eve service in 2010. My close friend and music minister, Drew Hodge, and I added one more verse that we wrote (not in the original hymn) to emphasize Christ's purpose for coming to Earth. There is also a diminished chord that's a passing chord that's added to the chorus progression, it's up to you whether you would like to use it in there. It's also in a lower key than the original version so that it's easier for a congregation to sing.

I hope this helps those who are looking for the chords, tabs, lyrics, etc. - the only thing that I ask is that if you do a version either on your own or at you church, share it! Download the .pdf here:

Christmas Anthem Chords

Happy playing, and Merry Christmas.

-TRMJ

Wow. There are tons of things coming up within the next few weeks that I need to direct everyone's attention to!  I have some great musician friends that are putting out records, and Landon Smith and I recorded a Christmas tune that will be out next week, so without further yakking, here is the timeline:

Poema, "Once a Year" -  These girls harmonize together fantastically, and they are genuinely some of the nicest people I've ever met. Their Christmas EP, "Once a Year" comes out tomorrow on Itunes and Amazon MP3, check out the preview on Amazon here (I think "Wool Coats" will be a favorite):

http://www.amazon.com/Once-A-Year/dp/B004ATWI3O/ref=sr_shvl_album_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1289840907&sr=301-2

Abraham the Poor, "After the Flood, Into the Wild" - My good buddy Josh Gaines returns with his sophomore record "After the Flood, Into the Wild"  If you're into Iron and Wine or Ray Lamontagne-style music, you definitely do not want to miss his new record! It's due out mid-December, so I'll keep you guys posted, or google "Abraham the Poor" for more information

Landon Smith and The Real Matt Jones, "Christmas Anthem" - Landon Smith and I teamed up for the recording of this song - it's an old hymn, but we redid the chords and melody in a very upbeat, John Denver-esque, hoedown Christmas tune.  Landon and I both sing, harmonize, and play instruments on this one...can't wait for you guys to hear it!  It will be available to download next Tuesday, November 23rd on Itunes and Amazon mp3!

DSC Band, "Cause for Praise" - I recently played electric guitar on a live worship record called "Cause for Praise" that was recorded at the church where I attend, Desert Springs Church. I've heard about 5 of the 10 mixes for songs that will be on this record, and they are sounding incredible. My buddy Drew Hodge is singing, and there's cello, choir, and all kinds of stuff on this record to really enjoy. I'll keep you posted when this is due out, it's looking like the first week of December...

At any rate, I just wanted to direct you guys to a handful of good music that will be out soon - hope you're having a great Monday, check back in with you soon!

-TRMJ

Gu

Hey guys - I know this seems like it would be a post updating you on fashion sense and how to host a dinner party (you might be looking for Gentlemen's Quarterly), but I wanted to give a quick update to those of you who were wondering one of two things:

1. How is music treating you? (number 1 question I hear)

2. What are you up to besides music? (number 17 question I hear, but I have some fun stuff coming up)

How is Music Treating You?

I'll try to give you all some quick bullet points, this year has been incredible so far...

- See You at the Movies: I have been fortunate enough this year to have placements (that means a musical composition was "placed" in a film or TV Show) in 3 different films and to have been the composer for another.  Check out the IMDB.com page here:

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm3901065/ 

There will be much more going on when these are released, so I'll keep everyone in the know on that!

- Gambling and Clothes for Teenagers: Back in April, I released a song on Itunes called "You Don't Lie When You're Lonely" and a month later, my roommate called me from Vegas at 12:30am and said, "Hey dude - your song is playing on the radio here in Caesar's Palace." 

Around the same time, we found out that "You Don't Lie When You're Lonely" was also going to be featured on Hollister Clothing Company's summer playlist alongside songs like "Billionaire," so that was some exciting news as well. Check out my original blog post about the song here:

http://www.therealmattjones.com/news/2010/3/31/top-10-reasons-to-download-you-dont-lie-when-youre-lonely.html 

- A Really Big Shoe: Wow - I'm not sure how many of you ever watched the Ed Sullivan show...anyway, it's not important.  The band and I have had some killer shows this year, we've been privileged to open for Austin-based entertainer supreme, Guy Forsyth, and just recently opened for former Men at Work frontman, Colin Hay.  We're heading out to Dallas, TX next to play the Hard Rock Cafe for the first time, and heading back to Chicago and Seattle later this fall to play other standard venues like The Elbow Room and The Showbox.  Check out the show schedule here:

http://www.therealmattjones.com/shows/

- The Beat Goes On: The new record, History, now has 11 songs on it, and will probably end at 12. So, that means, if I can get one more great tune written and we have time to mix, master, and get artwork on the record finished, I'll have a new record out!  It will be the first original record since Passerby was released in 2008.  

Also, I've been working on a number of songs for other projects, and am considering releasing these tunes as part of a collection that has a different vibe. It's and ambient/acoustic type thing, and could be really cool as an EP.

What are you up to outside of music?

Fantasy football: It's that time of year again; I have the draft for my first 12-person fantasy football league this coming Sunday...we'll see how I can fare! I need to get some research in this week so I can figure out who my top 5 picks are at least.  Should I go quarterback or running back first?! 

Fantasy Fiction: Some of you know, I have been reading (when I have time on flights and odds and ends here and there) the Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan.  I am now on book number seven, A Crown of Swords, and can't wait to keep moving the story along.  Nerd points for reading this series? 432, approximately...

Running: I'm trying to like doing it. Ugh.

Jammin' in the Name of the Lord: This is technically still music-related, but I have been playing a lot more electric guitar at the church where I regularly attend, Desert Springs Church. I'm surrounded by some other awesome musicians there and by some people there that would just as soon help you through a life-crisis, as they would go grab a beer with you.  Check out the church here:

http://www.desertspringschurch.org/

That's what's shaking for now, thanks for sticking it out with me, there's more exciting stuff to come! Hope this finds you all well, I'm out for now...

-TRMJ