It’s a different way of making a living these days in Christian music. People aren’t selling albums and the music is almost free. Has that changed your life? I’ve been an indie artist now since 2002 when me and a record label, I was with a Christian label, we parted ways. Of course, the only place that really sells my music is when I go out and play concerts. I take some CDs with me or through the web shop. I don’t have any stores selling my music. I have to do concerts. That’s how I make my living, actually. I do sessions, too, occasionally. They pay some of the bills. I take joy in doing that. I put my heart and soul when I do sessions. In fact, a couple of years ago, I played on half of Micky Dolenz’ last album called Remember. It’s a great album. A lot of ’50s, ’60s songs, ’70s songs, and I played some of my finest guitar on one of those songs.
Many folks probably know Micky Dolenz was a member of the Monkees. Right. His voice is actually better than it’s ever been. I think he was around 64 or 65 when he recorded this album. He’s hitting all the notes, doing all of his own harmonies. It just amazed me. It was really a privilege to meet him, to do guitar work for him. We had a listening party at his house out in L.A. Then, I also played recently on Billy Sprague’s album. On two songs, he was so happy with what I did. I’m so delighted that he is happy with what I did. They know that I’m free. They know that when I do a part for them, I’m going to be listening, hopefully, with their ears as well.
It’s used to be that you would lose money on the tours and make money by selling albums, but now, the music is free and you make money on the tour? That’s pretty much it. That’s interesting because some people hired me to do sessions and they really don’t have much money at all getting into that aspect of it. Then all of the sudden, God brings someone along into my life and they say, “Hey, Phil I’d love to have you. Can you do this for me?” They make up for all the people that didn’t have much to give. It’s like, let’s just keep on trusting God for this.
"Phil Keaggy on Christian music, then and now"
By Warren Cole Smith
Hello CSMI! How are you? I was considering recently the importance of review. The children of Israel were instructed to review morning, noon, evening, and when they lay on their bed at night. They were to review the things God had done to deliver them and how he wanted them to live, and teach them to their children. They did not all do this, however, and soon drifted away from their first love.
As weak in our human flesh we can forget so quickly. I suppose this is just another reason why praise should continually be on our lips. It seems when we're praising God we are reviewing who he is, how wonderful he is, the mighty works he has done, and in all of this, of course, his great love for us. How important it is to have men and women gifted in music and the arts to lead us in "the great review" of lifting up the name of Jesus!
Will you consider coming to our CSMI conference this fall? Some may be asking, "Why is he making such an abrupt change in subject matter here?" Actually I'm not. The single most important "take away" from our conferences is a good review from Gene Schmidt about why we exist as an organization. And not him only, but from those who reflect the same in their personal testimonies. It's always great to hear how God is moving in and upon each individual as it pertains to their personal ministry.
Our yearly conference will be held Oct. 21-23, and I'm asking you to call and make your reservations now. While speaking with Geno before leaving our conference in Gatlinburg last fall, I told him I sensed in my spirit that perhaps we could have as many as 75% of our CSMI members at the conference the next year. If we wait to plan for it, most of us will probably miss out. So please, take some time today to call and make your reservations by calling The Sleep Inn at 1(865) 436-9945. Don't put it off, we can all use the review.
(The conference runs Fri. eve.; all day Sat.; and Sunday morning.)
Blessings,
Tyler Garth
your executive director of operations, CSMI