For years, the Rev. Ross Varney's songwriting was reserved for special occasions and other major moments in his life. His ordination into the ministry in 1995. A new love. The culmination of a mission conference that encouraged building bridges. The death of his father three years ago.
About once a year since 1994, Varney, pastor of Newburyport's Belleville Congregational Church, found himself inspired to sit down and compose a new song.
"It's kind of a therapy to get your feelings out at something that seems like a profound time," Varney said.
He would perform some of the songs occasionally at church services. Others about love and family situations were more for his own enjoyment and reflection. But aside from the chords and lyrics, which he put down on paper, the songs primarily existed in his head.
Last year, with more than a dozen songs in his collection, Varney decided he needed to get them down on a more permanent level. A sabbatical provided the perfect opportunity. And an offer from Ken Medema, an inspirational, blind pianist and vocalist whose work Varney admires, was too inviting to resist.
At Medema's invitation, Varney in January traveled to Michigan and the Christian performer's private studio to record his debut CD, "Heart Sounds." The disc's 10 songs of faith, hope and love represent a journey through the past 15 years of Varney's life. He'll share the collection at a CD release concert Saturday night at Belleville Church.
"It seems like the CD for me is a lot of different colors," he said. "It's got sad places. It's got courage places. It's got feelings of love, feelings of loss, feelings of hope. It's very much a mixture since it spans 15 years of emotions."
Collaborating with Medema on the CD was an unimaginable thrill, Varney said. The pastor first saw Medema perform at a national convention about 20 years ago and was moved by his songs that speak to life's ups and downs. He began using Medema's music in his worship services and to help him through difficult times in his life.
Last spring, Medema agreed to come to Newburyport to give a concert on Belleville Church's recently refurbished grand piano.
"The concert was a dream come true," Varney said.
During that visit, Varney shared some of his songs with Medema, who was generous with his praise. So when Varney decided last fall that the time had come for a recording, he reached out to Medema for advice. He was shocked when Medema offered to collaborate.
Medema first encouraged Varney to step up his songwriting, and the pastor responded with five new pieces, including one titled "Keep Hope Alive" following President Barack Obama's election and another on courage based on a poem started by his great aunt. The five new songs are featured on "Heart Sounds" together with five earlier works.
In the recording studio, Medema lent harmony and supporting instrumentals, courtesy of a synthesizer, to Varney's vocals and keys and also handled the arranging.
"Some people hire a band. I just had to hire one man," Varney said. "It's such a wonderful sense of accomplishment to have a beautiful recording with expert arranging."
For the CD cover, Varney turned to a favorite abstract painting by a "dear, old friend." Titled "Blossoms," the painting of a rainbow that looks like a colorful flower inspired Varney's song, "Spirit Blossoming."
At Saturday's concert, Varney will offer brief commentaries on each song. While some of the pieces do draw on faith, he said they are designed to be nondenominational in nature. The event will include sing-along opportunities on a couple of songs. While admission is free, an offering will be taken to benefit youth ministries.
Varney hopes "Heart Sounds" ultimately strikes a universal chord with listeners.
"It's really a mixture of different feelings from life experiences," he said.
IF YOU GO
What: CD release concert for the Rev. Ross Varney's "Heart Sounds," featuring songs of faith, hope and love
When: Saturday at 7 p.m.
Where: Belleville Congregational Church, 300 High St., Newburyport.
How: Free. Offering taken to support youth ministries. CDs available for $10. Call the church at 978-465-7734 for more information.
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