Aaron Williams isn't messing around with the guest list for his upcoming live album.
The worship artist and songwriter is preparing to record a brand-new live project on August 25 at Bridge Church in Tennessee, and he has revealed an impressive collection of friends joining him: Cody Carnes, David Leonard, Mitch Wong, Tasha Layton, Aubrey Archibeck and Bridge Worship.
Williams' own reaction probably says it best.
"Someone pinch me!!!" he wrote while unveiling the collaborators. "This list of friends I get to lead alongside next week is insane."
And this isn't simply a parade of recognizable names added to generate attention. Williams says collaboration has been central to the vision for the album from the beginning.
Cody Carnes, David Leonard And Tasha Layton Are Joining The Night
The lineup brings together worship leaders and Christian artists with very different musical identities.
Cody Carnes has become one of contemporary worship's most recognizable voices through songs including "Firm Foundation (He Won't)" and "Run to the Father," while also collaborating extensively with his wife, Kari Jobe.
David Leonard, formerly one-half of the Grammy-nominated duo All Sons & Daughters, has built a successful solo career around songs including "Good Lord," "Every Hour" and "Keep the Light On."
Then there's Tasha Layton, whose soaring vocals have made her a Christian radio favorite through songs including "Look What You've Done," "How Far" and "Worship Through It."
Australian-born songwriter and worship leader Mitch Wong adds another major songwriting presence to the room. Wong has become a prolific voice within modern worship, writing and collaborating with artists across the Christian music community.
Aubrey Archibeck and Bridge Worship round out the announced lineup, reinforcing Williams' intention to make the project feel less like a conventional solo album and more like a gathering of worship leaders.
Williams Says That Was Always The Plan
"One of the visions for this project from the very beginning was to have a variety of collaborators be a part of it," Williams explained.
For him, the appeal isn't simply hearing different singers take different verses.
Williams says he loves what happens when worship leaders bring their individual gifts into both the writing room and the church.
"I have always loved leading with a team of leaders," he said. "It's beautiful to see the gifts each person brings to the writing room and to leading the Church."
That comment offers an important clue about what fans can expect from the eventual album. These aren't necessarily guests being parachuted into already completed Aaron Williams songs. His comments suggest collaboration and communal songwriting have helped shape the project itself.
"Honored to have some of my favorite leaders on these songs!" Williams added. "I can't wait to see how they will each bring something beautiful and special to this project."
From "Abide" To Something Much Bigger
Williams has steadily established himself as a songwriter interested in music that works beyond streaming playlists and actually lives within congregational worship.
His best-known songs include "Abide," recorded with Mission House, along with "Walk By Faith," "The Hope of Christ" and other worship-centered releases.
Now he's taking that church-first approach to its logical conclusion: recording the new music with worshippers actually in the room.
Williams isn't asking fans to come watch him make an album.
He's asking them to sing on it.
"Come sing with us!" he wrote.
And with Carnes, Leonard, Layton, Wong, Archibeck and Bridge Worship joining Williams, the August 25 gathering is suddenly looking like considerably more than a typical live recording.
One Night, A Lot Of Worship Leaders And A Record Button
There is something particularly appropriate about the way Williams is approaching the project.
Modern worship music can sometimes revolve around individual artists, streaming numbers and increasingly large productions. Williams is emphasizing almost the opposite idea: different leaders bringing different gifts while a congregation provides the most important voice in the room.
And he isn't hiding his excitement.
The recording is set for August 25 at Bridge Church, beginning at 6:30 p.m.
The songs haven't all been revealed. We don't yet know which guests will appear together or which collaborations will ultimately make the finished album.
But the guest list alone has dramatically raised expectations.
Aaron Williams. Cody Carnes. David Leonard. Mitch Wong. Tasha Layton. Aubrey Archibeck. Bridge Worship. One church. One live recording.
For worship music fans anywhere near Tennessee, August 25 is starting to look like a night worth paying attention to.
