FreeDerekWebb.com

Beginning today, Derek Webb, former frontman of Caedmon's Call, is releasing his 2005 album, Mockingbird, for free download at FreeDerekWebb.com.

Derek's writing is thought-provoking and a call to action, touching on subjects including politics, social justice and war. Derek has stated that he tackled these subjects to stimulate discussion and engage people to bring about changes in what he sees as some of the greatest problems the world is facing today. Derek also writes about the dysfunctional relationship between legalism and a relationship with Christ, and how society views the "modern church."

So often, we get caught up in the legalism of society and the church, and we forget what it's really all about: Christ's unconditional, unwaivering, all-encompassing love. Freedom from the law does not mean freedom from responsibility, but it does mean that a blameless man sacrificed his own life so that you and I may live peacefully and abundantly.


In turn for the FREE album download, Derek suggests you make a $10 contribution to one of three featured nonprofits, Blood:Water Mission, International Justice Mission, and Mocha Club.

Read Derek's explanation of the promotion below:

i love music. i have grown up with music as a close confidant. and i believe in the power of music to move people. there's something remarkable about the way a melody can soften someone to a new idea.

as an artist (and often an agitator), this is something i am keenly aware of. my most recent record 'mockingbird' deals with many sensitive issues including poverty, war, and the basic ethics by which we live and deal with others. but i found that music has been an exceptional means by which to get this potentially difficult conversation going. and this is certainly an important moment for dialogue amongst people who disagree about how to best love and take care of people, to get into the nuances of the issues.

one of the things that excites me most about the future of our business is how easy it is becoming to deliver music to people who want to hear it. i heard a story once about keith green caring so much that people were able to hear and engage with his music that he gave it away for free, which was a very difficult and expensive thing to do at that time. it's actually never been as simple as it is today to connect music with music fans. and i want people to have a chance to listen to mockingbird and engage in the conversation.

so this is why, on september 1st, we're launching freederekwebb.com, a place where anyone can go online and not just hear but actually download, keep, and share 'mockingbird' completely for free. In addition, freederekwebb.com will give you an opportunity to invite your friends to download 'mockingbird' in order to get them in on the conversation as well.

we hope this bold campaign will provide a jumping off point for conversations about all of these issues, and communicate my commitment to playing my part in starting them. so please help us spread the word: on september 1st, 'mockingbird' will be set free!

derek webb