Wayne Watson Podcast

In this special episode of The Wayne Watson Podcast, Wayne revisits the music he created with legendary producer and longtime friend Michael Omartian, sharing the memories and moments of inspiration behind some of their most notable work together. Rather than the traditional conversational format, this episode offers a journey through the songs themselves. Wayne reflects on the people and experiences that shaped each one—from writing “The Ones Left Standing” after his father’s death, to the conversation with former Green Bay Packer Ken Ruettgers that inspired “For Such a Time as This,” and the conviction behind “Field of Souls” that every calling has a place in God’s work. Part listening session, part reflection, tune in for a rare look behind the music and into the ideas that gave these songs life—celebrating both Wayne and Michael’s creative partnership and the messages that continue to resonate years later. 00:00 Welcome: A Journey Through Song with Michael Omartian 00:37 Pray: When All You Can Do Is Lift Them Up 05:13 The One's Left Standing: Carrying On After Loss 10:30 For Such a Time as This: Finding Your Purpose 16:38 Field of Souls: We All Have a Harvest to Work 24:08 More Than a Little Unusual: Following Jesus the Rebel 29:01 Everything Can Change So Fast: The Urgency of Faith 34:52 The Blood of Jesus: What Really Opens Heaven's Door 41:16 Don't You Remember: The Freedom of Forgiveness 46:52 Closing: Stories of Faith and the Rhythm of the Lord To learn more about Wayne Watson visit https://waynewatson.com/

In this episode, Wayne welcomes longtime friend and legendary producer Michael Omartian for a wide-ranging conversation spanning decades of music, friendship, faith, and some of the most memorable records in popular music history. From discovering his love of music as a child in Chicago to packing his belongings into a 1967 Camaro and heading for California, Michael reflects on the unlikely path that led him into the heart of the recording industry. He shares stories from his years as an in-demand session musician—including playing accordion on Billy Joel’s “Piano Man”—and recounts how being the one person in a Warner Bros. A&R meeting willing to champion an unknown Christopher Cross ultimately led to a landmark album and multiple Grammy wins. But behind the remarkable career is a story deeply rooted in faith. Michael opens up about his Armenian heritage and how he found Christ as a young man, before sharing how his relationship with God influenced the way he approached both his work and the people he encountered along the way. Wayne and Michael discuss what it meant to carry their faith into the music industry without treating people as projects, reflecting on the need for greater grace and mercy in a culture increasingly defined by judgement and division. The longtime friends also review how music-making has changed over the years, from the collaborative energy of musicians creating together in a studio to the increasingly individual and AI-influenced landscape of today. Through stories of their own work together and the lessons that come with age, Michael offers a perspective that reaches far beyond records and awards: that a meaningful legacy is ultimately less about what we accomplish than how we love and treat the people God places in our lives. 00:00 Welcome to the Wayne Watson Podcast 03:16 The Yacht Rock Sound: Creating Musical Magic 06:55 The Power of Creative Community 14:06 Piano Man and Billy Joel: A Session Player's Life 17:13 From Chicago to LA: Following the Music 22:37 Faith and Family: Armenian Heritage and Coming to Christ 30:31 Faith in the Studio: Working with Pop Icons 38:35 The Christopher Cross Record That Changed Everything 50:37 Meeting Stormy: A Love Story Written by God 1:08:20 Legacy and What Really Matters To learn more about Wayne Watson visit https://waynewatson.com/

In today's episode of The Wayne Watson Podcast, Wayne turns the microphone on himself for a personal collection of stories and reflections on the experiences that have shaped his life, and the new season still unfolding before him. Marking the anniversary of his mother’s passing, Wayne reflects on the woman who first inspired his love of music before looking back on his small-town upbringing, his parents’ influence, and an unexpected journey that would eventually carry him around the world. From witnessing extreme poverty in the Philippines to stepping into a recording studio for the first time, Wayne shares the moments and relationships that have given him a deeper appreciation for life, his purpose, and the gifts God places in our hands. Along the way, he considers the noise and influence of modern culture, what nearly five decades in music have taught him about serving rather than being served, and why experience can bring an entirely new perspective to our calling. Now entering another chapter of music, concerts, and creativity, Wayne opens up about feeling more secure than ever in Christ—and why, after all these years, he believes there are still new songs to sing and new things worth saying. 00:00 Welcome to the Wayne Watson Podcast 01:40 Remembering Mom: Fourteen Years Later 05:32 Growing Up with Music: Mom as My Muse 06:40 Navigating a Noisy World 12:12 A New Season: From Church Staff to the Road Again 14:34 Faith, Ministry, and Walking with Jesus 16:00 Family Life: Husband, Father, and Grandfather 18:11 Dad's Legacy: A World War II Navy Man 21:28 Witnessing Extreme Poverty in the Philippines 24:02 Studio Days and Lost Friends 28:17 Still Something to Say: New Music and New Season 29:59 The Changing Concert Landscape 32:16 ACT International and Supporting the Mission 35:07 Favorite Things and Life's Simple Pleasures 36:57 Coming Attractions: Michael Omartian and More To learn more about Wayne Watson visit https://waynewatson.com/

In the second installment of Wayne's conversation with renowned trial attorney and mediator John Raley, the remarkable story of the Michael Morton case reaches its powerful conclusion, revealing how one family's fight for justice ultimately changed countless lives. John shares the emotional reunion between Michael Morton and the son he hadn't seen in twenty-five years, along with the landmark legislation that followed—a law transforming criminal justice in Texas and helping safeguard the rights of future generations. He also recounts another extraordinary wrongful conviction case, demonstrating how perseverance and an unwavering commitment to truth can bring hope even in life's darkest circumstances. As the conversation draws to a close, Wayne and John reflect on the role of faith in the pursuit of justice and how Christians can navigate an increasingly divided culture with wisdom, discernment, and grace. 00:00 Welcome to the Wayne Watson Podcast 01:16 Finding Faith Behind Bars 03:07 The Search for Eric 05:31 A Father and Son Reunited 07:21 The Swing in the Backyard 08:10 The Michael Morton Act: Changing Texas Law 11:00 Hannah Overton: Another Wrongful Conviction 12:09 Salt Poisoning and False Murder Charges 15:52 Ministry Behind Prison Walls 17:22 Cindeo Ministries: Serving 10,000 Women 23:48 God's Presence in Closing Arguments 27:31 Death Row and Alfred Dwayne Brown 28:38 Last Meal: Pancakes and Reflection 30:31 Why Are We So Polarized? 32:40 Bipartisan Cooperation: A Lost Art 35:16 Jesus Was Not a Democrat or Republican 39:27 Lamenting the Loss of Civility 41:56 Podcast Outro and Call to Action To learn more about Wayne Watson visit https://waynewatson.com/

In this first half of a two-part conversation, The Wayne Watson Podcast welcomes renowned trial attorney and mediator John Raley for an extraordinary discussion about justice, truth, and the convictions that shape a life. From his childhood in Oklahoma and his unexpected path into the courtroom, John reflects on the people and experiences that inspired a lifelong pursuit of justice. As Wayne and John revisit formative moments from his early career, the conversation ventures into the remarkable story of the Michael Morton case—a wrongful conviction that would ultimately transform Texas law and expose one of the state's most significant miscarriages of justice. Along the way, John shares the perseverance required to challenge a broken system, the personal cost of pursuing truth, and the responsibility that comes with using one's gifts to serve others. Filled with compelling courtroom stories and thoughtful reflections, this episode is a powerful reminder that justice is never simply about winning a case—it's about faithfully seeking the truth, wherever it leads. 00:00 Welcome to the Wayne Watson Podcast 00:38 Meet John Raley: Criminal Trial Attorney 02:30 From Oklahoma to OU Football 04:55 How Theater Transformed a Shy Kid 07:06 Playing Atticus Finch: A Dream Fulfilled 11:25 Growing Up in Small Town America 16:40 Family Heritage of Standing Against Injustice 22:40 The Day with Maya Angelou 24:42 The Michael Morton Case Begins 26:57 The Murder and Wrongful Conviction 30:20 The Blue Bandana: Key Evidence 34:54 Meeting Michael Morton in Prison 36:47 DNA Results and the Real Killer 39:12 Hidden Evidence: The Eyewitness Account 42:48 Justice Served: Prosecutor Held Accountable 43:42 Understanding the Injustice 48:26 Michael's Survival and Separation 49:27 Closing Thoughts and Part Two Preview To learn more about Wayne Watson visit https://waynewatson.com/