This was definitely one of my favorite episodes from our 2nd year on the air.  One of the songs that really (still) stands out to me is "I Believe" by Jonny Lang.  Oddly enough, I discovered that song by seeing him perform it (alongside a full gospel choir) on The Tonight Show.  It gave me goosebumps to hear such a Christ-centered song on network TV.  All-in-all, I hope these redemption-filled songs give you encouragement and hope!  (Dave)
Episode Artists:
Downhere, Waterdeep, Andrew Osenga, Jonny Lang, Sandra McCracken, Switchfoot, Andrew Peterson, Owl City, Jason Gray, Johnny Cash, Lara Landon, Steven Curtis Chapman

I remember interviewing AP and letting him take the reins for one episode.  We had already done it with Eric Peters and Andy Osenga, and those were a hit - but I also noticed the patern that they wanted to affirm their musician friends.  So I encouraged AP to thing outside the "Square Peg" box when picking songs, and he came up with an amazing playlist that we all will enjoy.  Plus it was just …Read More »
Episode Artists:
Steven Delopoulos, Pierce Pettis, David Wilcox, Waterdeep, Melanie Penn, Johnny Cash, Judd and Maggie , Andrew Peterson, The Innocence Mission, Adam Wheatley, Mark Heard

Whenever we get the input of our Critics Panel, it usually results in a stellar episode.  They have worked their magic again, as they share some of the best albums to be released in the first half of 2015.  All albums by Christian songwriters released between 12/1/14 and 6/1/15 were considered.  I hadn't really "discovered" the Trent Dabbs or Riki Michele albums until this episode - and I always find some A+ music thanks to …Read More »
Episode Artists:
Seryn, The Gray Havens, Riki Michelle, Waterdeep, Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors, Josh Garrels, Alli Rogers, Trent Dabbs, Andrew Osenga, Mat Kearney, Sara Groves, Sufjan Stevens

After a three month hiatus, it is SO good to be back with brand new episodes. In fact, there was a moment when I wondered if we would ever present another new episode of UTR.  I am so grateful for the help and support of so many, including dozens of financial backers who were first-responders to our need. I had some time to think, "What type of show should we do for our grand return to the …Read More »
Episode Artists:
Nick Flora, Green River Ordinance, Josh Garrels, Tal & Acacia, Sufjan Stevens, Tommy Sims, Christa Wells, Ben Rector, The Farewell Drifters, Hark The Herons, Brooke Waggoner, Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors, Waterdeep

While it's impossible to sum up Escape To The Lake in a 1-hour show, it's fun to produce an overview episode each year.  The interview clips are substantial - I love what Micah Dalton said about how some artists caught in the in-between, not fully embraced by the club scene and not fully embraced by the church scene, can find a home at ETTL.  And I also love how Justin McRoberts took time to praise …Read More »
Episode Artists:
Giants & Pilgrims, Jason Gray, Tanya Godsey, Son of Laughter, Sara Groves, Waterdeep, Justin McRoberts, Micah Dalton, Caroline Cobb, Burlap to Cashmere

Episode Artists:
Melanie Penn, Rend Collective, NEEDTOBREATHE, Chris Taylor, Jeremy Casella, Johnnyswim, Copperlily, The Farewell Drifters, Ellie Holcomb, Mike Mains & The Branches, 100 Portraits & Waterdeep, The Choir

Episode Artists:
Shane & Shane, Malcolm & Alwyn, Jenny & Tyler, The Civil Wars, Derek Webb & Sandra McCracken, Dewveall, The Arrows, Waterdeep, Joey Ryan & Kenneth Pattengale, Elenowen, The Welcome Wagon, Tal & Acacia

Episode Artists:
Matthew Perryman Jones, Commonfolk, Christa Wells, Neulore, Josh Garrels, Audrey Assad, Waterdeep, Caroline Cobb, Caleb, JJ Heller, Gungor

Episode Artists:
Waterdeep, Julie Lee, Andrew Osenga, Josh Garrels, Sara Groves, Andy Gullahorn, The Vespers, White Heart, Andrew Greer , Jenny & Tyler, The Gray Havens

Episode Artists:
The Milk Carton Kids, Matt Brouwer, The Gray Havens, Jillian Edwards, The Gray Havens, Jars Of Clay, The Gray Havens, Waterdeep, Clear, Matt Brouwer

Episode Artists:
Gungor, Christa Wells, Melody Olson, Nick Flora, Erika Chambers, Above the Golden State, Rend Collective Experiment, Sandra McCracken, Ben Shive, Waterdeep, All Sons & Daughters

Episode Artists:
Waterdeep, Andrew Peterson, Andrew Peterson, The Followers, CALEB, Jillian Edwards, Andrew Peterson, Steven Delopoulos, The Innocence Mission, Andrew Peterson

Episode Artists:
Justin McRoberts, Ridgely, Eric Peters, The Vespers, Eric Peters, Andrew Osenga, Eric Peters, Waterdeep, Bread of Stone, Eric Peters, Jenny & Tyler, Eric Peters, Jason Gray, Eric Peters

Episode Artists:
The Choir, Nichole Nordeman, Waterdeep, Cindy Morgan, Bebo Norman, All Sons & Daughters, House of Heroes, Starfield, Jenny & Tyler, Jon Troast, Paper Route

Episode Artists:
Waterdeep and 100 Portraits, Sara Groves, Bethany Dillon, Jonny Lang, Steve Ivey, David*Crowder Band, Nicole Nordeman, Caedmon's Call, Delirious, Cindy Morgan, Shane & Shane

Episode Artists:
William Fitzsimmons, Waterdeep, Waterdeep, The Farewell Drifters, Waterdeep, Needtobreathe, Waterdeep, Geoff Moore, Kate Lynne Logan, Fernando Ortega, Waterdeep

Episode Artists:
Shane & Shane, Malcolm & Alwyn, Jenny & Tyler, The Civil Wars, Derek Webb & Sandra McCracken, Dewveall, The Arrows, Waterdeep, Joey Ryan & Kenneth Pattengale, Elenowen, The Welcome Wagon, Tal & Acacia

Episode Artists:
Waterdeep, Jill Phillips, Andy Gullahorn, Audrey Assad, Keith Green, Sara Groves, Jenny & Tyler, Jon Foreman, Fernando Ortega

Episode Artists:
The Choir, Waterdeep, Melody Olson, The Hawk in Paris, Brooke Fraser, Andrew Peterson, Aaron Lee Martin, Adam Wheatley, Gungor, The Followers, Alli Rogers, Phil Wickham