The Worship Keys Podcast

Watch on YouTubeCarlous Drake from Chattanooga, Tennessee joins us for this week episode on The Worship Keys Podcast. Carlous shares the merging of Contemporary Christian Music (CCM) with gospel genres, exploring practical techniques and cultural insights for worship key players. He shares his musical journey, experiences in ministry, and provides hands-on demonstrations of playing techniques that bridge these two musical styles. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned musician, you'll find valuable tips and inspiration in this episode. Don't miss Carlous playing live on the CP 88 keyboard, showcasing the blend of CCM and gospel in real-time. Join the conversation and learn how to incorporate these techniques into your worship practice.Carlous Drake Support the showThanks 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!In this episode of the Worship Keys Podcast, Music Director Andrés Páez from Abundant Church in El Paso, Texas, shares his inspiring journey from growing up in a small church in Spain to leading modern worship with excellence. He recounts his moves from Spain to Denmark, then to Florida, and finally settling in Texas, where he honed his skills with Ableton Live and developed an efficient workflow for organizing worship sessions. Andrés offers practical advice for music directors, insights on keys sound design and VST selection, and tips for balancing keys playing, running tracks, and directing a band. He also encourages beginner players with heartfelt reminders that growth takes time, and walks viewers through his Ableton setup for today’s worship environment.Andrés PáezAndrés Páez Ableton TemplateSupport the podcast with a small monthly donation! Support the showThanks 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 YouTubeCome hang out with Carson Bruce on the Worship Keys YouTube channel as he chats with Micah Weber, a passionate volunteer keys player from Red Rocks Church. Micah opens up about his move from Oklahoma to Colorado, why worship leaders matter, and what it means to serve as a volunteer in worship ministry. You’ll hear practical tips on keeping a servant’s heart, how the Nashville Number System helps musicians, and why staying close to Jesus is key to avoiding burnout. Expect real talk, musical moments, and a powerful prayer for church volunteers. You won’t want to miss this one!Micah WeberRed Rocks WorshipThanks 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!

Join Spooky Scott from Red Rocks Worship at the Worship Keys Podcast. Spooky share about life on the road, leading worship, and all the gear and tech that makes it happen. He dives into how he uses the Nord Stage 3 for sound design, how Red Rocks stays unified across campuses with tools like Resi, and what it really looks like to balance touring with serving at church. He also shares some behind-the-scenes moments from their latest album, The King Is Coming. If you're a keys player or just love hearing how worship and music come together behind the scenes, this one’s worth your time.Support the podcast with a small monthly donation!InstagramSupport the showThanks 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!

Join Carson Bruce for a heart-to-heart with Jenna and Zoë, a talented worship duo from Nashville with a powerful story to tell. They open up about how they met in college, their journey into worship music, and what it’s been like to battle anxiety and stage fright while staying faithful to their calling. From songwriting to leading worship, they share genuine moments, honest struggles, and what true intimacy with the Lord means to them. Plus, don’t miss their live worship session and the story behind their deeply personal song, What I Didn’t Know Then.SpotifyInstagramFree Chord ChartsThanks 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 YouTubeCarson sits down with his childhood piano teacher, Tim Abel, for a heartfelt conversation full of music, memories, and ministry. They talk about the power of playing by ear, the journey from trombone major at JSU to worship leader, and the real stories behind leading worship. Tim shares practical tips for key players, from the basics to creative improvisation. Plus, Carson pays tribute to the amazing legacy of keys player and artist, Keith Green, who passed away in July 1982. Tim AbelThanks 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 Natalie Layne, to The Worship Keys Podcast! Natalie opens up about life on the road, her early days in music, and how she went from indie artist to signing with Centricity Music. We talk about everything from her classical roots to her creative songwriting process. Natalie also shares about her journey on social media, the story behind her new album All Joy, and what it’s really like carving a path in today’s music scene. Plus, she gives us a taste of her favorite tracks live—don’t miss out on this episode. Natalie LayneFree Gift Grateful ForFree Gift The Long WayThanks 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 of The Worship Keys, Carson Bruce chats with Evan Fernald from The Belonging Co. about all things tracks in worship. Whether you're new to using tracks or looking to level up your setup, this conversation dives into the heart behind it all—how to keep worship spontaneous and structured. Evan breaks down his process for running tracks with flexibility, training your team, setting up gear, and navigating live worship without missing a beat. Plus, get a behind-the-scenes look at his Ableton Live session layout and real-world tips for integrating tracks into your service with confidence.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 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 SmithSupport with a small monthly donation!Support the showThanks 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!