[WM] The term, “step of faith”, comes to mind
in the decisions that you made over the course
of your history, and the practice of “praying
together” as a band is documented in your
book. On a personal level, you’ve had to make
some tough choices. Have these practices
been somewhat lost within today’s Christian
musicians? Do you think that spiritual dynamics
have changed for touring Christian bands?
[Eddie] I can’t speak for every band, but it was
important, if not crucial for us to get together
on a daily basis to pray and study God’s Word.
We made that of paramount importance. It was
the glue past the lights and the glitz of being
up on a stage that held us together. Many
times that was our church, as we were always
traveling somewhere on weekends. It’s not
really a normal lifestyle to play in a band and
tour the world whether you play in a rock band
or a worship group. It’s certainly not normal to
be asked for your autograph. I always would
remind young artists that Jesus won’t ask you
for your autograph.
The bottom line is we all need an anchor and
that is Jesus, God’s Word, and each other.
[WM] Has the landscape changed for
Christian bands and artists over the years, and
if so, how has it changed?
[Eddie] When I began, we didn’t know
of an industry per se. Many of us were first
many others. I was around worship often. It publisher if you don’t know each other. The
ministered to me. worship conferences can be helpful in that
regard, I think. You get to meet the ones you
[WM] Can you describe the worship song want to listen to your songs. Also, in today’s
curation process during your position as technology world of YouTube, Facebook,
President of EMI/Capitol Christian Music Instagram, etc., it’s easier to demo your music
Publishing? and pass them around.
What can worship leaders and
We would be pitched hundreds of songs
sometimes in a short period of time to our
[Eddie] It can be a real challenge sometimes program “Worship Together.” We really only
for independent writers to get their songs would listen to the ones that came through a
heard by publishers without a trusted point relationship. The volume of content is just too
of connectivity between the writer and the massive.
April 2019
wanted to share our new-found faith with the
world. Some fledgling churches and ministries
helped us do that.
As the business of Christian music became
more sophisticated, the marketing of the music
created some boundaries for the art of the music
aspiring songwriters do to submit better
worship songs to music publishers?
generation Christians in our families and just
(i.e. radio and media would play some styles
and promote some styles over others). The
same happened in worship music. I remember
it wasn’t that long ago that large radio stations
for example wouldn’t play worship music as a
rule. That has changed of course. With those
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