Hey, super nice to have the chance to chat with you. What have you been up to over the past year in this big old mess?
Covid was of course most troublesome in 2020, and it did spill over into 2021. I’m the Worship Minister at SCWCC full time, but I also tour throughout the USA, leading worship at Christian festivals & other events.
I’m very interested in how you started your adventure with music, and did you know from the beginning that this is what you wanted to do?
Music is in our family, and my mother forced me to take piano lessons and learn the basics of music when I was about 3 years old. I’m thankful to her & glad that she did that! But after seeing Elvis Presley on tv in an old black & white movie that he made in the 1950’s called “Jailhouse Rock” when I was 9 years old, I was motivated to pursue music as a lifelong passion instead of being an astronaut…
Congrats on your new release, ‘: authentic worship :’. Can you give us some insight into it?
The challenge of being a real Christian is living out what the bible clearly demands from true believers. This leads to transparency, submission, willful obedience; and intentional, Holy Spirit filled Worship to God. Hence the E.P. title ” : authentic worship : “. The songs reflect that basic call to Worship as Jesus said in John 4:23 “…a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks.”
What are you doing to ensure you continue to grow and develop as an artist?
I am planning to finish college! I took music theory at Scottsdale Community College, but didn’t get my Associate’s Degree. So, I want to finish that and get a Bachelor of Science degree in music. A Master’s degree in theology would be another achievement that I’d like to complete at some point as well.
What should we expect from your next releases in terms of style and sound? How different are they going to be compared to your previous works?
Particularly inspired to bring the melodic sensibilities of music from the 1930’s – early 2000’s, I’m planning to bridge them into current production & music styles of today. With that, I’d like to explore more minimalist approaches from just a voice with one guitar or piano accompaniment; to full blown symphonic, theatrical orchestrations enhanced by banks of guitars. Along with that, lyrics that express more unique ways to glorify God and inspire believers to worship Him in Spirit and in Truth. My foundation in Christian music started with hard rock and CCM, but the spiritual & lyrical depth and instrumental expansion I’m seeking to explore will likely surpass my previous accomplishments artistically.
Where are you based? Can you tell us how the music scene there has inspired your sound at all?
Youngtown, AZ, USA. The music scene here… doesn’t exist…? It seems like the most famous people that came from Arizona gained their achievements elsewhere, from Stevie Nicks to Steven Spielberg, Lynda Carter to Alice Cooper & the Gin Blossoms – it’s been more of a place to escape from… 🙂 Even I got my first record deal from a company called Gray Dot Records based in Smyrna, Georgia!
If you could perform at any venue in the world, where would it be and why?
Madison Square Garden, because many of my favorite artists have performed there: TobyMac, Led Zeppelin, Hillsong United, the Beatles…
Can we expect a new EP or an album from you in the near future?
Yes, the four songs on the EP are to accompany 4 – 8 more songs on the “Worship Servant” album that I’m planning.
Finally, have you got anything to share regarding upcoming gigs, and what have you got planned for 2023?
I’m looking to perform at a minimum of 10 Christian Festivals this year, 2 are scheduled so far: Faith Fest II in NC & North Country Music Fest in NY. The completion of the “Worship Servant” album is also expected by the end of the year.
