No Longer Using This Blogsite!

HELLO,
I'M NO LONGER USING THIS BLOGSITE!
You can find everywhere I am on the WWW by visiting this site: https://linktr.ee/KevinQualls

Sendai Music Project 「ここにおいで」Song Release!

こんにちは！

The song 「ここにおいで」was released through the CDbaby record label on April 17, 2019.
*added note (April 9, 2020)cdbaby no longer has a storefront. Moved song to Noisetrade.
Stream and download the song for free here: https://www.pastemagazine.com/noisetrade/music/sendaimusicproject/come-to-me
View the new Sendai Music Project YouTube channel here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Enw1dUnseIs
Learn about the song release here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uADf15rR8w0&t=3s
Learn about the story behind the song here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fRh2kys2bvY&t=1s

SINGLE NOTES:
Recorded at My Small Studio in Sendai, Japan Mixed by Mike Butler at LostArk Studios in San Diego, CA Song by Kevin Qualls © 2019 Sendai Music Project Japanese Lyrics by Aki Suzuki (鈴木 亜紀) Kevin Qualls - guitars, piano, percussion, vocals Mitchell Qualls - Drums Makoto Kanamaru (金丸真) - Bass Guitar Artwork by Mitchell Qualls

THANK YOU:
There were many people involved in accomplishing this project.
I would truly like to think the Lord Jesus for without Him none of this would even be possible. I would also like to thank my family for their support and encouragement, Aki Suzuki for translating my English lyrics into Japanese, the JBM for their support, Mark & Wendy Hoshizaki for their encouragement and for introducing me to Aki-san, Chan-Sik Bae & Myoung-Seok Bae for writing out the song score in musical notation so that Aki-san could translate the song, Makoto Kanamaru for playing bass on the song, Mitchell Qualls for drum programming and artwork design on both the single cover and YouTube Channel - "You helped me more than you know".

I genuinely appreciate all of you who read this blog and listen to the music. Your support means a lot! I look forward to sharing new music with you in the future. Stay Tuned!

TFL,
Kevin

New Song Release!

Hello Everyone,

       Wow! It has been a while since I released a new song. The song is called 「ここにおいで」.
Yes, it will be in Japanese. The translation is "Come to Me". It was translated by a talented Christian musician named Aki Suzuki. ("Thank You, Aki-san :) You can watch the video below to find out the inspiration behind the song.

       I completely finished recording all 24 tracks yesterday sent them off last night (4/4) to be mixed by Mike Butler at LostArk Studios in San Diego, CA. I'm grateful to the Lord that Mike is mixing these tracks. He has mixed songs for Japanese producer/songwriter Tetsuya Komuro who has many chart-topping songs in Japan. He's also mixed tracks for artists like Reba McIntire, Ray LaMontagne, The Shins, The Pretenders, Norah Jones. So, I feel pretty confident that he will do an amazing job mixing and mastering the tracks for this song project.

       I wanted to have the song out by the end of March but it didn't work out. Lord willing, it will be released later this month on Bandcamp.com and YouTube under the moniker, Sendai Music Project. It will be available for free download when you submit an email.  Or, you will be able to stream it from the Bandcamp page or on YouTube. I will keep you posted as to the details and release day. In the meantime, below is the announcement of the song release from my YT channel.

       I'm praying this song will be a blessing and an inspiration to many and that the Lord will use it to draw Japanese people Himself. There are so many people who have played a part in accomplishing this project. I love you guys and I will give you a proper thanks in the near future.

TFL,
Kevin

Demon Hunter - Blood In The Tears (cover, tutorial & song explanation)

Hi Guys,

"Blood In The Tears" by Demon Hunter is a song about God revealing Himself. Staph42 on songmeanings.com says, "Sometimes we yearn for a physical sign, proving God’s existence, or his will in our lives. And a purely faith-based belief can be difficult to relay to those that refuse to believe. This song is a communication of that yearning to behold something of a physical nature. Essentially, the lyrics ask God to present himself to non-believers — that the tears of his enemies be drops of blood, bringing forth a Godly fear in those that have not believed, and that these tears be used as a “trail” leading to Christ."

"In those days Hezekiah became ill and was at the point of death. He prayed to the Lord, who answered him and gave him a miraculous sign." - 2 Chronicles 32:24

I get the same impression from the song when I listen to it. Therefore, I agree with the above interpretation and didn't feel like I had anything to add. 

I covered this song mainly because it was a request from a viewer on my YouTube channel. I also did a guitar tutorial for this song. If  you want to learn to play "Blood In The Tears", below is my tutorial video.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!! (2019): A few of the ways we shared Jesus in December.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!! (2019)

I played at Christmas Concert at Oritate Community Center in Sendai, Japan. It was set up as a cafe. During my performance, I took a few minutes to share the Christmas story. What a blessing to share the true meaning of Christmas with so many who have never heard about Jesus.

After I performed, I helped lead the group in a game of Rock, Paper, Scissors in order to win prizes. The community center let us pass out 70 small Christmas bags that my wife put together. The Christmas bags had a "Star Of Christmas" tract & 2 candy canes inside.

It was fun being a part of the children's band with our Pastor. We played, "Deck The Halls" at our Sunday morning Christmas Service.

After the Sunday morning Christmas Service, we had food, games and . . .

Santa showed up to give out gifts. It was fun playing Santa again this year for the 2018 Christmas party.

Pastor Makoto and I at the 2018 Christmas Party. He always dresses up as Rudolph.

I was invited by Pastor Makoto to play the background music during the Scripture reading times at our Christmas Eve Service. So, I pulled out the classical guitar and played some simple Hymns written for the classical guitar.

This is my favorite 2018 Christmas picture. My wife and I at Chomeigaoka Baptist Church in Sendai, Japan during the Christmas party. Our family was very busy this Christmas season with many more activities than what was shown here and I don't think I would last long without the support of my sweet wife. She is creative, understanding and she is always thinking of ways to give to others and share Jesus.
Thank you for reading this blog post and thanks to many of you who offer us prayer support.
Happy New Year! May God's blessing abound in your life in 2019 as you obey His voice.

-Kevin

WE WISH YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS (おめでとう クリスマス) - Japanese & English lyrics

MERRY CHRISTMAS!! I can't believe it's already Christmas time. Our family is well underway in shopping for gifts, putting up decorations and getting ready for winter break. Last night my wife and I and our four children decorated our family Christmas tree. We have a tradition of putting on 12 ornaments that bear 12 different names of Jesus. We each take 2 and go around reading the name, the scripture and the short devotion that is written on the ornament. It's a good way to keep Jesus at the center of the season.
I'm in the middle of preparing for a Christmas concert. A community center in our city of Sendai, Japan contacted me and asked me to perform on December 22nd. They want me to share Christmas songs, a couple of my own songs and the Christmas story. I'm so excited about the opportunity that I made the above video. It's one of the songs I will be sharing. I'm hoping it will encourage others to sing along during the concert. Please pray for this opportunity to bear fruit for the Kingdom among the Japanese people here in Sendai.
Below are the lyrics to We Wish You A Merry Christmas in both Japanese & English:
_________________________________________________________________________________
Japanese:
Omedetou meri kurisumasu,
Minna de meri kurisumasu,
Tanoshiku meri kurisumasu,
Oiwaishimashyo

Shiawase ga kuru you ni 
Hizamazuitesa oinorishimashyo                       


English:
We wish you a merry Christmas, 
We wish you a merry Christmas, 
We wish you a merry Christmas     
And a happy New Year                                                                                                                             

Good tidings we bring to you and your kin
Good tidings for Christmas and a happy New Year
_________________________________________________________________________________
BLESSINGS to you and your family!
Thanks for Listening (tfl),
Kevin

"When Marnie Was There" song, "FINE ON THE OUTSIDE" Priscilla Ahn (Male Cover)

Hi Everyone,

"When Marnie Was There" is at this writing Studio Ghibli's final film. It was released in July of 2014 and is a fantastic animated film. If you have not seen this film. SEE IT!! It explores deep issues and is not JUST a children's film. The film ends with a beautiful acoustic song by Priscilla Ahn called "Fine On The Outside". When I first watched this film not only was I impressed with the film on all levels (animation, directing, screenplay) but the ending song was like the cherry on top. A perfect ending to a fantastic melancholy movie. Immediately I wanted to learn this song. I hope you enjoy listening to it as much as I enjoyed learning it, living with it and recording it.