The Rabbit Room

i’ll be in line too. Come down, o love divine….

Andrew,

I can’t agree with you more. There is a peace in Fernando Ortega that is unlike anyone I have ever come across. Lyrics, musicality, and his overall demeanor are truly one of a kind. His music is the antonym of anxiety. It produces calmness in the soul.

Havn´t heard of him before: but now i will check him out!
Give me Jesus was number one on Spotify; it was a good one!

Thanks for letting us know about this. My 3-year-old loves Jesus King of Angels. We sing it together every night when I tuck her in. I’m glad to know there’s more Ortegan goodness on its way.

Nope AP, you have it wrong. I’LL be first in line!
Having been a worship leader in the Anglican church for many years, I have to say that I’ve use Fernando’s music on many occasion (along with yours, AP). My favorite service of the whole year is The Great Vigil of Easter (it’s also probably the longest service ever!). There are some of Fernando’s songs that seem to be tailor-made for this service. I’ve experienced the Liturgy as being one of the most beautiful and meaningful forms of worship ever. Everything has a meaning, and most usually, a deep meaning. It draws worship forth out of me like nothing else I’ve ever known. To many, it’s sterile and robotic, but to those people who love God deeply, who worship Him in spirit and in truth, well, it’s the opposite of sterile and robotic. I’m not insinuating that those who do not connect with the liturgy don’t love God, but rather, I’m just saying that when one presses into the meaning and overwhelming draw to God the liturgy holds, well, it’s just indescribable.
After being gone from the Anglican church for several years, I have to say that I so miss the beauty, form, and worship within the liturgy. Have I failed to connect with God on a deep level these last few years? Heck no. But all the same, I miss it!
I’ll be the first in line to get “Come Down,O Love Divine” here in T-town. Can’t wait!

Why am I not surprised that you also love Fernando?

A new album? Oh that is wonderful news.

Night of Your Return is my favourite Fernando CD, but all of his albums have played a part in my life – a soundtrack to various seasons, good and bad, that upon hearing a tune catapult me back. He just ministers to my heart and actually sounds like he means what he’s singing.

Susan

So glad to hear Fernando is doing another album based on liturgy and hymns. The Shadow of Your Wings is essential Fernando, as I’m sure his new one will be. Fernando’s music has been the soundtrack of our family since we first heard Hymns and Meditations. We still play his incredible piano solo albums regularly.

I have the complete oeuvre (every CD, even first ones) of only two artists–Fernando Ortega and Andrew Peterson. Is there any chance of an FO-AP tour? Colorado Springs would be a great tour location. Make that call!

If you’re first in line, I’ll be second.

Ah, an old friend. Glad to hear he’s got another one coming. Thanks for the advanced warning.

Wonderful news to know that a new record is coming out from him! Andrew, you and Fernando have provided much of the soundtrack for our lives for many years. You have both blessed us very much. As a matter of fact, my husband and I both love your music so much that I am thinking of getting my own CD stash for my minivan……my husband hides all of his AP and Fernando CDs in his truck for his work commute! I agree that an Andrew Peterson/Fernando Ortega tour would be amazing!!

I remember when you opened for Fernando all those years ago. It was the first time I was introduced to your music and I’ve bought every album since. I was only in high school, but I got a free copy of your CD cause I worked the merchandise table and from that point on I was hooked. You and Fernando both have a way of honoring God through the beauty you create. Thanks.

I love Fernando Ortega’s music; it continually ministers to my soul–I love meditating on it. Back in January when I was remembering the loss of someone very dear to me I happened to have your _A Far Country_ and Ortega’s _Home_ back to back in our CD player. As a result I heard “More” just before “This Good Day.” It was an amazing, powerful reminder that while we are longing for that something more that we know God has for us in heaven we can also rejoice in the days in which He has us here and now.

YES! I LOVE Fernando. Thank you for posting this. My friend opened for him 15 years ago in Montreat, NC, and I’ve been a fan ever since. Fernando had me laughing so hard then tearing up all in the same moment. I was a mess. His “Creation Song/Glory to the Lamb” is one of my all time favorites.

Fernando is the best. I’ve listened to him for so many years, but now I want to dig up some of his older stuff I haven’t heard in awhile!

Oh, I so agree, Fernando’s music takes me to a place of calm and thoughtfulness that I treasure . I pretty much grew up on his music, as it was a favorite of my family, but his album “Storm” is probably my favorite. I listened to it over and over on one particularly long road trip when I was determined to get my soul close to God again. The songs on that album, especially “Sing to Jesus,” felt like friends to help me on my way.

It was during the tour you mention above that a friend gave me tickets to Fernando’s concert that she couldn’t use, and I was introduced to not only the majesty of Ortega’s music, but the equally amazing opening performance of some then-unknown artist we now lovingly know as AP ~ I was hooked at that point and the love affair with God has only grown deeper through the blessings from being able to worship through their continued gifts.

Unfortunately, becoming deaf in the past few years has made the “music” side of things a little difficult, but I can still be brought to tears by the written lyrics and vibrations from the cranked-up instrumentals resonating through the speakers. Can’t wait to see what God has in store for us through this next album.

It makes me smile to think that the 2 of you are friends. Years ago, I had a 3 and 1 yr old at home. Knowing we wanted one more (and would be tied to home for some time), a very close friend and I decided to make “one last trip” together. Rather than heading to the beach or the mountains for some girl time, we climbed upon a plane from Charlotte and headed out to San Diego for an Ann Graham Lotz conference. The opportunity to sit 8-10 rows from stage and hear Fernando Ortega perform several times throughout 3 days provided one of “those” weekends in which the Lord lavished upon me mightily. His music stirs the heart while calming the soul. Looking forward to hearing more…

I interned for FO in college- he’s probably not aware of this! But he, Bon Jovi, Dr Seuss and I share a birthday. I’m not sure what else all four of us have in common, but for my part, I’ve so loved and enjoyed Fernando’s hymns and songs. So lovely and good for the heart.

I want this album yesterday. I will be going back to the Abbey of Gethsemani in Kentucky (of The Silence of God fame) in a couple of weeks, and I wish I had this to take with me. I always listen to Fernando, Storm in particular, on the journey there. There are a few artists that have truly enriched my life; Fernando and AP are at the top of that list.

Fernando Ortega’s music holds a very special place in our hearts. We were at a Fernando concert in the late 90′s where he played “If You Were Mine”. At the end of the song my wife and I, with tears in our eyes, looked at each other and knew in our hearts that we were supposed to adopt. God’s loving kindness was in that place that night, and this song was the gentle nudge we needed. When people ask about how we got to this place, adopting two beautiful girls, we tell them “we wrestled with God, and God won.” Thanks AP, and I too thank God he’s still making music…

Sounds like a good excuse to come to New Mexico. We live in Albuquerque and are constantly watching your concert dates with the hopes there might be something close, but alas we are kept waiting……