Andrew Gonoude

Singer, Songwriter,
Worship Leader,
Recording Artist

Hello! Thanks for visiting. If my music has impacted you in any way or if you would just like to get in touch, please use the Contact Page to send me a messsage. -Dont forget to also subscribe to my mailing list to recieve monthly updates.

I currently live in West Sussex, UK and have been singing and playing guitar for 35 years (although when that figure reaches 40, I might stop talking about it, as I don’t want to feel old).

My instrument of choice is Acoustic Guitar. I also play Classical Guitar, Bass Guitar and Cajon. For Acoustics, I only play Martin Guitars and only use Martin Extra-Light strings. - Yes, I'm just a little bit obsessive about that point. :)

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For monthly updates, subscribe to my Mailing List (on the Home Page)

1 min read

NEW SONG - BE STILL

Be Still is an Altar Call / Ministry song drawn from Psalm 46. It is an invitation to the listener to draw close to God, and to find and refuge from the storms of life.

1 min read

NEW SONG - THE 99

A song about making a choice to seek God at the start of the day. Released to all streaming platforms on 20th November 2023.

1 min read

CANADIAN PROMOTER TO HOST LIVE & ONLINE CONCERT

In October 2023, I have been invited to sing at a Canadian Online 'Artist Showcase.' -Links will be on my social media nearer the time.

1 min read

3 ONLINE CONCERTS IN SUMMER & AUTUMN 2023

I have 3 online Concerts coming up this year. Follow me and keep in touch.

1 min read

SINGING LIVE & ONLINE IN REDS ROOM, CALIFORNIA

In August 2023, I was invited to sing at a Reds Room Concert, hosted live from California.

1 min read

END OF MY CROSS REACHES THIRD PLACE IN UK CHARTS

''End Of My Cross'' reached 3rd place in the June 2023 UK Christian Worship Charts. Thank you to everyone who voted for me!

1 min read

RADIO MARIA INTERVIEW - WITH HELENA JUDD

RADIO MARIA Interview - with Helena Judd, Cambridge, UK 16th May 2023

1 min read

NEW SONG - SACRIFICE OF PRAISE

Sacrifice Of Praise - A song about seeking God and being a worshipper, in every season of life.

2 min read

NEW SONG - END OF MY CROSS

This new song is a tribute to the life and ministry of WILLIAM MARAIS. Released with the kind permission of his family.

1 min read

L.T.T.M. promotes ''END OF MY CROSS''

Online Promoter Louder Than The Musc (L.T.T.M.) recently ran an article on ''End Of My Cross" which was released 30 April 2023.

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BE EXALTED is promoted by L.T.T.M.

Online Promoter Louder Than The Musc (L.T.T.M.) recently ran an article on ''Be Exalted" which was released 1st March 2023.

1 min read

APRIL RADIO INTERVIEW - with HOPE FM

In April 2023, HOPE FM Christian Radio in Bournemouth, UK, invited me back for another interview.

Radio Interviews & Live Worship Sessions

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Global links to Radio Stations and Promoters who have featured my music

LOUDER THAN THE MUSIC promotes END OF MY CROSS

L.T.T.M.is an online Music Review Company based in the UK. They have very kindly written articles about my music each month. Recently, they also published a feature about my latest song ''End OF My Cross''

1 min read

RACMAN RADIO, CALIFORNIA-BASED CHRISTIAN RADIO STATION

RACMAN Radio in California have been very kindly playing 2 of my newest songs this Spring

1 min read

STEP FWD. UK CHRISTIAN MUSIC CHARTS

UK Christian Chart Site that included on of my songs ''Tears For The Lost'' in their top 3 UK Christian Indie / Folk Categories.

1 min read

One Man In The Middle

OneManInTheMiddle is a Christian Music review Radio Station and Promoter. They featured ''Everything Is Beautiful'' in their January Review Show, along with artists such as Cory Asbury and Natalie Grant.

1 min read

Premier Christian Radio (UK)

Premier Christian Radio is one of the UK's leading Christian print & online magazines. They support global mission and multi-denomination activities.

1 min read

HOPE FM Radio (UK)

HOPE FM Radio is based in Bournemouth, UK. They recently interviewed me on their Breakfast Show and showcased 2 of my new songs. Hugely grateful to Blair and the team for their wonderful support and encouragment!

1 min read

LOUDER THAN THE MUSIC

L.T.T.M.is an online Music Review Company based in the UK. They have very kindly written articles about my music each month. Recently, they also published a feature about some of my latest releases in a Q&A style interview.

1 min read

Rock 'n' Revival Radio (Arizona, USA)

Arden and the team at Rock n Revival radio are very influential not just in their home state of Paysan, Arizona but all around the world. He and the R.R.R. team have been so kind in playing my music every Sunday 1200-1500 MTN (1900-2200 GMT).

1 min read

Roaring Light Radio (Indiana, USA)

Roaring Light Radio (Indiana, USA) play my music on a regular basis. They support Christian Indie and Hip Hop artists and are on-air 24/7. I am very grateful to Keith and the team for their kind support.

1 min read

News Source 1 (Indiana, USA)

News Source 1 (Indiana, USA) is a Radio Station on the shores of lake Michigan, directly opposite Chicago. They offer a weekly rotation of new Indie Christian music. Very grateful for their very kind support!

1 min read

New Sound Christian Radio (Wales)

New Sound Christian Radio (South Wales) is a Newport Radio station focusing on home grown and emerging Christian Indie Artists. -Thank you Ronnie and the team for your wonderful support!

1 min read

This is a recent Q&A session I did with an online music promoter, Louder Than The Music

How did you get involved in making Christian music?

I became a Christian when I was 18. One of the first things I was taught was to pray and ask God to speak to me. I felt I heard the voice of God telling me that he had called me into the music ministry. So I told the elders at my church. They said “great, you should join the music group.“ I did not play an instrument or sing, so I started praying about which instrument to learn. I felt the Lord directing me to learn the guitar. I found a guitar shop, got some basic advice and bought a cheap Fender Malibu acoustic. I joined the music group for rehearsals and began to learn different chords, (struggled with bar chords like most guitarist in the beginning).

After a few months I stepped forward one time and sang prophetically during a time of ministry at the end of a meeting. It was the first time I’ve ever sang publicly in my life. I was encouraged to sing more by the church and the worship leader began to mentor me. After about a year, I was beginning to lead the music team with him. So around the age of 19 I was singing and leading regularly. I then quickly developed a passion for song writing.

It was the guitar playing and then the breakthrough into singing that birthed the desire to make my own music. I dreamed of making my own album one day. In the 80’s, recording studios were very expensive, and in those days there was no professional AND affordable technology around to record at home. So until recently a lot of this has remained a dream. A passion. But now that technology is becoming more affordable and online courses are available, I’m slowly seeing those dreams become reality.

What the inspiration behind 'Everything Is Beautiful'?

Psalm 8 is where the inspiration started, and then later in Psalm 19. Psalm 8 talks about children praising God: ‘’from the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise.’’ And Psalm 19 talks about the heavens and the skies praising God: ‘’the heavens declare the glory of God - day after day, they pour forth speech.‘’ Both of these gave me a desire to make a song that talks about all creation and all ages worshiping God. As soon as I started experimenting with melodies and chord structures, I knew that I would love to see a children’s choir being part of the song.

A few months later I was in my church prayer meeting and one of the elders started thanking God, and said a phrase that he would go on to repeat in the weekly prayer meeting for about a month: “I praise you for who you, praise you for what you’ve done, praise you for what you’re doing.“ I wrote that down and looked at it one day while I was working on the song and suddenly realised that this phrase of his was the perfect chorus and would be an ideal complement to Psalms 8 & 19. It was also perfect for children to sing as it was very easy to remember.

What can you say about the new EP?

The title of the EP will be “Audience Of One“ and is largely based on my personal devotional life. This usually involves getting alone with the Lord with my Guitar, a Bible and an iPad (it has an app for writing music). I spend a lot of time alone with God worshipping and just singing my heart out. A lot of what I sing does not get recorded, nor made into a song. It’s just for him. I heard somebody once say ‘’Do not stand before men until you have knelt before God.’’ And sometimes I feel as musicians we need to be worshippers before an audience of one before we can stand and lead musical worship in front of crowds.

So I have a deep desire to be a worshipper in a secret place where I can shut the door behind me, not expecting anyone else’s attention. It’s like my personal conviction, since that first calling when I was first born again at 18. I have a deep priority in my heart - to be intimate with the Father and worship him in the presence of the Holy Spirit. There is nothing greater in life. I want to know him as he knows me.

What message would you like people to take from your music?

I would say that most of the songs contain some or all 3 things that I care about: 1) knowing the Father, 2) hearing his voice and 3) walking with him in a ‘lifestyle’ of worship. This level of devotion is the most valuable thing we can do in this life. I hope that if nothing else, listeners will draw hope and strength from my songs, and perhaps keep these 3 values in mind especially during hard times. Because whatever our circumstances, he is worthy of our praise, our gratitude and our thanksgiving.

These songs reflect those 3 DNA values, largely due to the journey I’ve been on and the price of worship I have sometimes had to pay in very difficult circumstances. He is worth it all. There is always a reason to praise him.

How would you describe your style of music?

It’s very acoustic and percussive, almost always with a guitar, often played without a plectrum and quite varied in mood and tempo. Some songs are solo voice and guitar only. Others involve several instruments and some even involve a full band. Some are objective (outward, upward, towards God, glorifying him) whilst others are subjective (life, circumstances, desires etc.) I usually try to put a lot of theological accuracy into the lyrics whilst still telling the story in rhyme.

What are your influences?

My influences come from a lot of guitar players and worship leaders from the last 3 decades. American guitarists such as Ben Ferrell, Don Francisco, Daniel Brymer, Kevin Prosch, Chris Tomlin, Jeremy Camp, Michael Card. Canadian classical guitarist Ruth Fazal. British guitarists such as Dave Bilbrough, Graham Kendrick, Noel Richards, Matt Redman and bands such as Delirious. A lot of these guys shaped my early guitar development. In the 80s and 90s, there were a lot of concerts within driving distance from me and I was able to talk face-to-face with these guitar players backstage and ask them to show me how they did certain things. Very formative years for me. For years, I played guitar for hours every day and went through a lot of guitars and strings. Practicing new things and finding out what works well.

If you could work with any songwriter, who would it be and why?

Ben Ferrell, from Tulsa, Oklahoma. As a new Christian I was given one of his albums. ‘’Sacrifice Of Praise.’’ I still have it on cassette. (Yes, ‘’cassette!’’). It contains is just him and his guitar, singing solo. But the presence of God in his music is so profound, it still moves me today. A lot of my writing carries his influence.

I recently found him on the Internet and ordered the CD of the same album. It got lost in the post, so he kindly sent another one along with some free books / gifts which was so kind of him. We’ve been in touch by email since then, and shared our journeys. He completely floored me by saying he wants to buy my album “Audience Of One’’ when it’s finished. Such a nice man. A true worshiper and a true General of the faith. Thank you Ben!

How would you define success in your career as an artist?

Mother Theresa said “if you can’t help the whole world, start by helping one person.’’ Quite simply, if I get a letter from just one person, telling me that one of my songs has given them hope, breakthrough or encouragement of any kind, then everything will be totally worth it - just for that one letter. I’m not doing it to get fame, and definitely not to get rich. But I do believe that these songs can and will help somebody who is hurting or just needing a breakthrough.

I think we can say the same thing about hosting an Alpha course or doing any kind of church mission - if one person is blessed, born-again, encouraged strengthened by your obedience then you cannot help but say ‘thank you Jesus.’ -Thank you for giving a gift that I’ve been able to give away to minister to someone else. It’s at times like this when you realise the words of Jesus are so true “it’s better to give than to receive.’’

What is your favourite album of all time?

Ben Ferrell. ‘’Sacrifice Of Praise.’’

You're stuck on an island, it's hot, you only have enough battery life left to listen to one song on your phone. What track is it?

Keith Green. “The Prodigal Son.”

What does the new year hold for you?

In 2023 I will continue to release 1 new song every month. Later in the year - after the EP Audience Of One is released - a 2nd album will then be underway. I will also be getting to grips with sound engineering and learning to do more production work at home. I might even ask my wife to teach me Piano.

If my music has impacted you in any way or if you would just like to get in touch, please drop me a message below. It would be great to hear from you.

You can also contact me through my social media accounts.

Occasionally I get asked about direct support. If you would like to invest in my journey, please use the options below. Alternatively, you can also purchase music from the Store. Thank you so much.

£5

Andrew Gonoude

Singer, Songwriter,Worship Leader,Recording Artist

Welcome

News

For monthly updates, subscribe to my Mailing List (on the Home Page)

Music Store

full catalogue

Interviews

Radio Interviews & Live Worship Sessions

Publicity

Global links to Radio Stations and Promoters who have featured my music

Q&A

This is a recent Q&A session I did with an online music promoter, Louder Than The Music

How did you get involved in making Christian music?

What the inspiration behind 'Everything Is Beautiful'?

What can you say about the new EP?

What message would you like people to take from your music?

How would you describe your style of music?

What are your influences?

If you could work with any songwriter, who would it be and why?

How would you define success in your career as an artist?

What is your favourite album of all time?

You're stuck on an island, it's hot, you only have enough battery life left to listen to one song on your phone. What track is it?

What does the new year hold for you?

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Contact Me

If my music has impacted you in any way or if you would just like to get in touch, please drop me a message below. It would be great to hear from you.

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Singer, Songwriter,
Worship Leader,
Recording Artist