[ WM ] Hello my friend . It is always great to visit with you . I am so proud of you and your new CD !
[ John Wickham ] Hey Al - you too … and thank you . It means a lot coming from you .
[ WM ] Let ’ s start by recalling a bit of the past . You and I grew up in the mid-60s , which was a real musical renaissance , particularly in Southern California . We were all like sponges , absorbing every album and live performance that we could . Who do you still hold dear as being most influential upon your guitar playing ?
[ John ] Yes , we were like sponges . My main recollection is being attracted to anything that had a guitar part or guitar solo . And playing music with all of our friends . So many amazing guitar players and sounds during those early years , it ’ s very difficult to pick one that was most influential . I think hearing Hendrix for the first time and Mike Bloomfield ’ s playing on “ The Work Song ”. Oh , and hearing and seeing The Beatles on Ed Sullivan in ’ 64 , are still memorable . Crazy impactful moments !
among us and die on the cross in our place and rise again from the dead that we might live with Him forever - we all were totally blown away by this truth !
I didn ’ t stop practicing guitar … but I did stop playing in front of people for about two years . It was too much of an ego thing in those teenage years and I knew it . You know , who could play the fastest or make the funniest faces when you bent a note . Ugh – so empty ! I knew that the Lord wanted me to get into His Word and learn His ways . As far as future plans , I had none specifically other than to walk each day as His child and tell others of what the Lord had done for me and can do for them .
[ WM ] You and Lisa definitely included the heart of who you both really are by exemplifying music and the teaching of the Word to your three kids . Your house must have always included singing and guitars at hand . Am I right ?
[ John ] Our first born , Evan , was about 2 months away from coming into this world when we first started ministering at Calvary Chapel San Diego , now called Horizon Christian Fellowship ). Philip came along about three years later . We were there for 4 ½ years before
I also remember being very opinionated as to what was good and what wasn ’ t as a youngin ’. That has changed … thankfully . It ’ s so very good when one ’ s appreciation for excellence is broadened .
[ WM ] And all of this was really just part of your makeup when you became a believer . Did you initially see yourself as playing a part in Christian music , even though the Christian music universe was very limited at that time ?
[ John ] No , I never saw that coming . You invited me to Calvary Chapel ( the little chapel ) in January of 1970 . Thank you for that by the way . It was the very end of the first semester of 10 th grade . I was 15 years old … 5-6 weeks away from turning 16 . When I became born again … everything changed . Absolutely everything . Truly from darkness to light . From death to life . Purpose flooded all our lives . Realizing that God actually sent His Son down to this world to live