In this episode of the Christian Artist Mentorship Podcast, Wisdom Moon sits down with songwriter, producer, and worship leader Chris Clayton for an honest conversation about songwriting, production, publishing, and building a sustainable music ministry.

Chris shares how a mentor helped launch his career, why relationships matter more than talent in co-writing rooms, and how he approaches both songwriting and production with a heart to serve artists well. They also discuss the growing role of AI in music creation, the importance of strong songwriting before production begins, and why every artist should have clear agreements in place when working with producers.

The conversation takes a deeper turn as Chris unpacks his passion for theologically rich worship songs, his thoughts on trends in modern worship music, and what it means to write songs that are both biblically grounded and congregationally accessible.

Chris also shares the story behind signing a publishing deal with Story House Collective, founded by Matthew West, and offers practical advice for songwriters and producers pursuing a career in Christian music.

Topics Covered:

• How Chris got started as a songwriter and producer

• The value of mentorship and apprenticeship

• What makes a successful co-writing relationship

• AI tools like Suno and their role in songwriting

• Writing theologically grounded worship songs

• Why congregational worship songs matter

• Producer points and music industry agreements

• The role of a music publisher

• Chris' journey to signing with Story House Collective

• Whether songwriters need to move to Nashville

• Advice for aspiring songwriters, producers, and artists

Connect With Chris Clayton:

Website: chrisclayton.com

Instagram: @chrisclaytonmusic

Connect With Wisdom Moon:

Website: wisdommoon.com

Instagram: @wisdommoon

Christian Artist Mentorship: christianartistmentorship.com

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a songwriter, producer, worship leader, or Christian artist who would benefit from the conversation.