posted: March 24th, 2010 by Dave Trout I’ve had the chance to meet and interview a number of artists over the last year or so. One of the more personable and down-to-Earth artists was Laura Story. She’s likely best known as the songwriter of the huge worship anthem “Indescribable.” Here’s some of my conversation with this under-appreciated worship leader:

DT: How was the transition from being a songwriter to becoming a recording artist?
Laura: I have done three solo CD’s. The first two are independent, and this last one is with INO Records, called Great God Who Saves. I was thinking that my first independent CD that it was going to be a songwriting demo. I remember someone saying, “Just make it a little bit nicer and you can use it as a regular independent CD.” I asked what I would do with it, and they said, “You would sell it at your shows.” And I said, “But I don’t do shows! I don’t even know how to do that by myself.” So, I feel like I kind of fell into all of this. But it has been such a neat thing to get to travel around and share these songs that God has laid on my heart. The more I do it, the more I find that it’s so much less about whether I feel adequate as a singer or as a piano player. It’s so much more about God just using the gifts of His children to encourage other believers and to tell other people about Him.

DT: Are you working on any new music?
Laura: Yeah, I’m still writing and planning on doing another CD within the year. Actually, I’m taking a little break from my solo stuff to do some stuff with a group called Glory Revealed – a lot of Under The Radar types there – Mac Powell, Shane & Shane, Trevor Morgan, Shawn Lewis, Bethany Olds – just some great musicians and songwriters. When I’m not doing that, I’m still doing my own shows and leading worship at my church. So, it’s a full season, but I’m super excited.

DT: What’s your personal take on the topic of WORSHIP?
Laura: Worship seems to be the new, sexy thing for Christian radio. I don’t know why. It’s the new thing that’s cool, and that has pros and cons. You don’t want worship leaders writing for radio. But it’s cool that people riding down the road in their cars are singing songs not just about God, but to God. I’ve seen the quality of worship songs improving – maybe because so many great writers are writing for worship. It’s good, just as long as we don’t lose our focus, that these songs are an offering to God, and honestly they are resources for the Church. If they can serve in that purpose then they’re effective, and they’re great. If we get to the point where it’s too artist focused, like “Hey have you gotten the latest worship CD,” then we’re probably missing our mark there. As I’m writing for our church, I try to think, “What are the songs that our people in this congregation need to sing to God, and what are the things that God might want to say to our congregation?” Are we in a season where we need to be confessing and repenting to the Lord, or is it a season of praise? We should have – I know this sounds simple – a real sensitivity to what the Lord is wanting to say through these songs, or what our people need to be saying to the Lord through these songs, rather than “What’s the catchiest new tune or the catchiest new phrase we could use?”

DT: What are some things you like to do away from the stage & studio?
Laura: Yeah, I’ll tell you, I’ve been married 5+ years to this awesome, very good looking guy named Martin. It’s just the 2 of us right now – we don’t have kids – and we live in Atlanta, GA. We do a lot! When we’re not traveling, we’re hiking, biking, or other things. A couple Christmases ago, Martin got me this book called “50 Great Hikes in North Georgia.” We are determined to get through of those great hikes – and I think we’re on number 14 now. When I’m not traveling, and I’m not at church, we do a lot of outdoors stuff. I lead a small group Bible study of a group of women, and I love doing that. I’m in seminary at a place called Covenant Theological Seminary. So, we don’t have a lot of free time, but we’re just living life, making the most of it.


On the next two editions of “Under The Radar” (Episodes #71 and #72), we feature Praise & Worship-themed programs, with special guest Laura Story.