The Worship Keys Podcast

Watch on YouTubeCarson Bruce is joined by Evan Fernald, music director and keys player at The Belonging Co. In this episode, Evan opens up about his spiritual journey and gives an in-depth look at his worship keys setup from how he blends hardware and software to create seamless worship moments, to his personal approach to sound design, layering, and dynamic control. Whether you're a seasoned player or just starting out, you’ll walk away with practical tips, creative insights, and inspiring stories to fuel your worship journey.Evan FernaldAbleton Session Templates & Touch OSC FilesThanks for listening! Subscribe here to the podcast, as well as on YouTube and other social media platforms. If you have any questions or suggestions for who you want as a featured guest in the future or a topic you want to hear, email carson@theworshipkeys.com. New episodes release every Wednesday!

Watch on YouTubeIn this episode, Carson Bruce sits down with special guest Alex Smith from Georgia to break down five must-know chord progressions every worship keys player should have in their toolkit. Recorded live at Foothills Church in Knoxville, Tennessee, this session is packed with practical tips for beginner and intermediate musicians from embellishments and inversions to building confidence behind the keys. Alex also shares her personal journey, demonstrates on a Juno DS keyboard, and unpacks how to stay creative while staying rooted in purpose. Don’t miss the part where they talk about the deeper why behind worship music—and how your playing shapes the atmosphere.Alex SmithThanks for listening! Subscribe here to the podcast, as well as on YouTube and other social media platforms. If you have any questions or suggestions for who you want as a featured guest in the future or a topic you want to hear, email carson@theworshipkeys.com. New episodes release every Wednesday!

Watch on YouTubeJoin us in welcoming Micaiah Wesler to the Worship Keys YouTube channel as we dive into the world of auxiliary keys in worship music. In this episode, Micaiah shares how he first discovered aux keys back in 2012 at The Ramp and how years of learning and dedication helped him master the craft. We’ll cover the key differences between main keys and auxiliary keys, why auxiliary keys matter in worship, and must-know techniques like low-pass filters and synthetic leads. Micaiah also shares insights from playing at Ramp conferences and offers practical tips for musicians wanting to level up their worship setup. Whether you're serving at church or playing on a pro stage, this episode has everything you need to take your aux keys game to the next level.Micaiah Wesler InstagramThanks for listening! Subscribe here to the podcast, as well as on YouTube and other social media platforms. If you have any questions or suggestions for who you want as a featured guest in the future or a topic you want to hear, email carson@theworshipkeys.com. New episodes release every Wednesday!

Watch on YouTube Welcome Josh Brown, a renowned producer, songwriter, and musician. The discussion takes listeners through Josh's incredible musical journey, from starting out on drums to mastering the piano and creating multi-tracks for worship services. Josh shares insights on crafting stems from scratch in Logic Pro, emphasizing the importance of blending skill and anointing in church music. The episode includes a step-by-step tutorial on building a song from a blank template, aimed at helping church musicians and producers elevate their worship experience. See the link below to get the free worship stems of exactly what Josh builds out today, plus including drums, bass, and guitars. Free Worship StemsBrownstoneJosh BrownThanks for listening! Subscribe here to the podcast, as well as on YouTube and other social media platforms. If you have any questions or suggestions for who you want as a featured guest in the future or a topic you want to hear, email carson@theworshipkeys.com. New episodes release every Wednesday!

Watch on YouTubeDavid O. Ramirez joins us once again for another episode of The Worship Keys! In this episode, David gives a detailed look into his song production process from pre-production and working with bands to post-production techniques. He breaks down his workflow using Logic Pro X templates and shares practical insights on editing, mixing, and adding organic texture to your recordings. We also dive into his work with Heart Room, a youth conference project, and explore the creative choices behind it.David O. RamirezInstagramGnome StudiosFree eBookThanks for listening! Subscribe here to the podcast, as well as on YouTube and other social media platforms. If you have any questions or suggestions for who you want as a featured guest in the future or a topic you want to hear, email carson@theworshipkeys.com. New episodes release every Wednesday!

Watch on YouTubeDavid Ramirez is back to take us inside his Logic Pro X template that streamlines workflow and elevates worship production. He breaks down his full process of song production, synth layering, key programming, and organizing sound palettes. You’ll see how he uses plugins like Arcade for micro loops, layers warm, organic piano textures, and dials in synth presets to shape a rich, expressive sound. David also shares his take on gear and how he’s built a personalized setup that serves his creative flow. If you want to level up your worship keys workflow, this one's packed with insight. Don’t miss out on this episode, where David and Carson will walk through a full project step-by-step. David O. RamirezDavid Ramirez InstagramFree eBookThanks for listening! Subscribe here to the podcast, as well as on YouTube and other social media platforms. If you have any questions or suggestions for who you want as a featured guest in the future or a topic you want to hear, email carson@theworshipkeys.com. New episodes release every Wednesday!

Watch on YouTubeJoin us in welcoming David O. Ramirez to The Worship Keys YouTube channel for an inspiring conversation. David is a renowned keys player, producer, songwriter, and sound designer. In this episode, he shares his journey of playing with the band Leeland, his passion for sound design, and his experience touring around the world. David also breaks down the key differences between being a producer and a programmer, and opens up about the importance of keeping the right heart in both music and ministry. He talks about working with artists like CeCe Winans, Phil Wickham, and Chris Tomlin, and the incredible story behind transforming Gnome Studios into a premier recording space in Nashville.David O. RamirezDavid Ramirez InstagramFree eBookThanks for listening! Subscribe here to the podcast, as well as on YouTube and other social media platforms. If you have any questions or suggestions for who you want as a featured guest in the future or a topic you want to hear, email carson@theworshipkeys.com. New episodes release every Wednesday!

Watch on YouTubeLet’s welcome Sam Garner—Sam the Beard Guy—for an inspiring and laid-back conversation about blending ambient lo-fi with instrumental worship. From touring with Shane & Shane to crafting his own unique sound, Sam shares how his journey as a seasoned keys player has shaped his music. You'll get behind-the-scenes stories, a look at his live performance setup, and how he balances creativity with worship. Whether you're a musician, producer, or just love worship music with a creative twist, this episode is full of practical insights, inspiration, and a few good laughs.Sam GarnerSam Garner MusicFree eBookThanks for listening! Subscribe here to the podcast, as well as on YouTube and other social media platforms. If you have any questions or suggestions for who you want as a featured guest in the future or a topic you want to hear, email carson@theworshipkeys.com. New episodes release every Wednesday!

Watch on YouTubeMeet Louie Higuera on The Worship Keys Podcast! Louie shares his diverse journey from playing at church services to performing with Grammy-winning artists. He highlights essential skills like time management, knowing your tools, personality, and work ethic. He also offers valuable advice on balancing creativity with the business side of music. Louie also talks about the importance of diversification and walks us through his go-to Ableton setup for both live and studio performances. Key topics include negotiating pay, staying organized, and maintaining a professional demeanor. Please tune in for an insightful conversation filled with practical tips and inspiring stories for musicians at every stage of their journey.Louie HigueraFree eBookThanks for listening! Subscribe here to the podcast, as well as on YouTube and other social media platforms. If you have any questions or suggestions for who you want as a featured guest in the future or a topic you want to hear, email carson@theworshipkeys.com. New episodes release every Wednesday!

Watch on YouTubeWelcome to the Worship Keys YouTube channel! In today's special episode, host Carson Bruce sits down with the incredible Marcus Wiles, an expert keys player and music director. Marcus shares his extensive experience from playing for renowned artists like Jordan Feliz and Kelsea Ballerini to producing and arranging in Nashville. They discuss essential music theory, gear setup, and the balance between professional touring and church ministry. Marcus also provides insights into ear training and offers tips for aspiring musicians. Stay tuned till the end to hear Marcus showcase his amazing piano skills!Marcus WilesFree eBookThanks for listening! Subscribe here to the podcast, as well as on YouTube and other social media platforms. If you have any questions or suggestions for who you want as a featured guest in the future or a topic you want to hear, email carson@theworshipkeys.com. New episodes release every Wednesday!