ridiculous things you can do with AI and music ! Watch for it .
Lastly , the third episode is all about the use of Jesus ’ name in popular music over the last 60 years or so — has everything from Jesus Christ Superstar to Carrie Underwood ’ s “ Jesus Take the Wheel .” Ultimately , I ask the question , what do these uses , and context say about who we believe Jesus is ? In the back of my mind , I ’ m always hearing Jesus ask , “ But who do you say that I am ?”
[ WM ] Many of our readers will know you from your halcyon days in Christian music , but for the last twenty years you ’ ve been creating more in the jazz and Americana / folk spaces and helping Meta create their music platforms for Facebook and Instagram . How do your Christian beliefs dovetail with your mainstream music efforts ?
[ Charlie ] Hopefully they dovetail seamlessly ! I don ’ t think in terms of Christian and mainstream as much as a holistic approach to musical faithfulness . That ’ s my particular calling . It ’ s not for everyone . Some of us musicians serve the church exclusively . Some professing Christians play violin in the Boston Symphony for a lifetime . I just happen to be called to participate in the creation of music in a number of spaces , for which I assume God has equipped me for with Spirit , skill and ability — the whole Bezalel story from the Old Testament book of Exodus . I pray the same prayer for imaginative guidance whether I ’ m serving the church directly or dreaming up the soundtrack for a film on the importance of small venues to the American music canon of folk , blues , rock , jazz and so on .
[ WM ] I realize each person we meet is a different story , but when working with non- Christian musicians in a professional setting , have you found effective ways for sharing your faith in a winsome manner that is well received ?
[ Charlie ] The way it ’ s worked for me personally , is that I always interact with
Cindy Morgan , Scott Mulvahill , Tommy Sims , and Charlie at Belmont , 2022
musicians first as musicians . After all , that ’ s and honest , where humility and empathy are why we are gathering together . Acknowledging front and center . As the gospel song says , “ just this unity and community is essential . There ’ s be who you is , if you is not who you is , then no further conversation to be had if the hang you is not who you are .” Christian identity and and the music aren ’ t good — and I would add , profession should be the most natural thing in if the money isn ’ t just and fair . Even if it ’ s a the world . Breathing requires no strategy . low-paying scenario , if the hang and music are good , there ’ s likely more good that will [ WM ] For your new podcast you have teamed evolve out of it — including good and fruitful up with Christianity Today which was a bit conversations . Also , for me , I don ’ t see friends surprising to me and also comforting in some who have yet to profess belief in Jesus as my ways . What drew you to return to serving the gospel projects . That ’ s transactional . And the church more explicitly ? gospel , the good news of a new way to be human , is spiritual and relational . As a result , all [ Charlie ] When I was a young follower of our human interaction with fellow musicians is Jesus , a teacher hipped me to the idea that best when it is spiritual and relational as well — you cannot profess to love Jesus and dismiss
22 December 2023 Subscribe for Free ...