Weeks, months, even years! When it comes to writing a great song, Indie gospel artist and songwriter Mark Trethewey says it’s often a long and arduous process. But the prolific songwriter doesn’t mind the wait. In fact, he insists on re-working a tune over and over until it’s right.

Trethewey admits his approach is a little unusual, but has found that his strongest material has emerged out of intense honing. Ultimately, he said his compositions are much more about perspiration than inspiration.
“I have one song I wrote in 20 minutes, but some have taken me up to seven years,” said Trethewey, 53. “I’ll come up with a musical phrase or line and that’s where it stops.

“And then, every time I pick up the guitar, I’ll keep playing it again and again until I have a reason to finish it, like a gig or a recording session. For the most part, writing songs is a real struggle for me.”

Despite Trethewey’s creative obstacles, building a successful career has had a natural and progressive flow, he said. His folky, homespun songs have been embraced by fans around the globe through his live shows and Web site. Additionally, Mark’s music is being played on FM and Internet stations worldwide.

The self-taught guitarist began writing Christian songs in 1978 and would play them for friends and family. As his love for music grew, so did his desire to reach a wider audience through his artistic talents. Soon, he began performing at churches and other Christian concert venues. Over the years, he has released four CDs, “Wheatfields,” “Find A Place For The Lord,” “The Lord Is Near” and “Tell Me The Story.”

“Tell Me The Story” produced the single “Somewhere Across The Water,” which was chosen as the theme song for Layman Ministry News television outreach. The program broadcasts to a worldwide audience through The Hope Channel and 3ABN.

“As a songwriter, it’s my hope that what I write stays in people’s heads and hearts,” Trethewey said.

Currently, Mark is promoting his new single “Jesus’ Knee.” The song puts forth a message about the childlike faith Jesus instructs his followers to adopt in Mark 10:13-16. Trethewey went all out on the production, even mixing in a child’s voice saying things to Jesus such as “Tell me about Heaven?” and “You’re my friend.”

“I made a very simple recording of my neighbor’s four-year-old little boy saying the phrases and took it to my producer,” said Trethewey, a native of Port Orchard, WA. “We pasted them at different spots in the track and were thrilled at how they fit in so well. This was kind of different for me in terms of production, but it was very enjoyable to do something unexpected.”

In the future, Trethewey said he is expecting God to provide him with more opportunities to share the gospel through his artistry. He remains focused on his mission to deliver Christ’s promise of peace, hope and salvation to a hurting world. This, he said, is no sweat or trouble at all.

“My goal has always been to lift people up through my music,” said Trethewey, who cites his greatest musical influences as Christian singer/songwriters Ray Boltz and Michael Card. “When others hear my songs, I want them, above all, to have a true Christian experience.”