After more than 200 podcast episodes, John Chisum is ready for his biggest "Song Revolution" yet.
The award-winning songwriter, worship leader and founder of Nashville Christian Songwriters is taking his long-running podcast to television, complete with a seriously impressive guest list. "Song Revolution with John Chisum" will premiere Saturday, September 5, on Cornerstone Television Network, airing at 3:00 p.m. ET and again at 10:30 p.m. ET.
And Chisum is not easing quietly into television. His first guest will be "American Idol" runner-up Clark Beckham, the powerhouse vocalist and genre-blurring singer-songwriter who first captured national attention during the show's fourteenth season.
The premiere begins a 13-episode fall run featuring some of the most respected names in Christian music, worship and entertainment. Chisum will sit down with worship pioneer Don Moen, Dove Award-winning composer and producer Tommee Profitt, beloved singer Kathy Troccoli, worship leader Meredith Andrews, "The Voice" winner Jordan Smith and Broadway actress Laura Osnes, among others.
It is the kind of lineup that suggests "Song Revolution" is aiming for considerably more than surface-level celebrity chatter. The program will explore the personal experiences, spiritual convictions and creative struggles hiding behind the music audiences know and love.
"Each guest has a unique angle on creativity, songwriting, and the music they make," Chisum explains. "I hope viewers will see that behind every song is a story, and behind every story is a real human songwriter who lived some part of that song."
That premise has powered the "Song Revolution" podcast since its launch in 2017. Previous episodes have featured major Christian music figures including Kari Jobe, Cody Carnes, Leanna Crawford and NEEDTOBREATHE frontman Bear Rinehart. Moving to television, however, gives Chisum an opportunity to bring the expressions, personalities and performances behind those conversations directly to viewers.
"We've been podcasting since 2017, but leveling up to television brings exciting new dimensions to the people and music we love so much," he says.
For Chisum, the television deal is also an extension of his ministry. He founded Nashville Christian Songwriters in 2015 to mentor, equip and encourage Christian artists and writers around the world. His career includes influential roles at Integrity Music and Star Song Communications, while his own songs have been recorded by The Gaither Vocal Band, Ron Kenoly, Steve Green, Larnelle Harris and The Cathedrals.
"I'm so grateful to David Tucker and the entire Cornerstone crew for this opportunity to share how we glorify Jesus through the gifts and talents of these creators," Chisum adds. "Our mission at Nashville Christian Songwriters is to empower Christian artists and songwriters worldwide, so this partnership is getting us one giant step closer to doing just that."
Cornerstone Television Network clearly believes Chisum's insider knowledge is the show's secret weapon.
"The content is fresh and goes deeper than most, with John's keen music insight to ask the compelling questions needed for an engaging interview," says David Tucker, the network's director of programming.
Cornerstone has been broadcasting Christ-centered programming since 1979. The Pennsylvania-based Christian network also produces such programs as "Unscripted Faith," "Today's Nashville," "The Glory Hour," "Sister 2 Sister" and "Hard Questions."
Viewers can watch "Song Revolution with John Chisum" live at ctvn.org/watch-live during its scheduled airtimes. Cornerstone Television is also available through Roku and Fire TV.
After nearly a decade of asking Christian music's creators what really happened behind their songs, Chisum is finally bringing those conversations-and all the emotions that accompany them-to the screen.
