Steve Taylor’ s skill sets runs far and wide … American singer, songwriter( and sometimes song doctor), record producer, music executive, filmmaker, professor, and actor. Many of you may know him primarily as a Christian alternative rock artist. This lanky tall man’ s kinetic stage presence ranges from bouncing to prowling as he delivers his musical message with a blistering enthusiasm. But what makes Steve rise to the level of a National Treasure in my mind, is his effervescent quick wit and comedic timing. He is truly a funny person. Whether on stage or backstage, he is a riot.
I first met Steve Taylor back in the 1980’ s when he and then another CCM artist at the time, Sheila Walsh, came to the little Christian record store I managed for a Meet n’ Greet record signing party. I was already a fan of both their very different styles of music, but meeting Steve was an extra treat because of his wellknown satiric wit. For me, he has been fun to be around from then on and about every 10 years we seem to cross paths again. What I appreciate is we just pick up where we left off and for my side of things at least – I certainly enjoy our time together. Just recently Steve was in Tacoma, WA as part of his“ The Almost Farewell” Tour with veteran Christian artists Russ Taff. So we sat down backstage and here is the conversation that ensued …
[ Bruce Adolph ] So I was at your home about 25 years ago. It was during GMA Week, and I think you were helping the Bono“ One” campaign back then. You had a bunch of artists over at your house.
[ Steve Taylor ] Right.
[ WM ] I walked by your little music area, and you were a little embarrassed because I asked you what type of keyboard you had in there and you had a Casio home keyboard.
[ Steve ] Right( laughing)
[ WM ] Do you still have that keyboard?( laughing)
[ Steve ] Do not. No. I got something else. I don’ t know. I mean, I have a degree in music, and I was really good in theory and composition, but I almost didn’ t get my degree because I couldn’ t pass Piano Proficiency. So, I really can’ t play anything.( laughing) I knew all that stuff. I just couldn’ t play it myself, but I can plunk things out on a keyboard.
[ WM ] From the start, you’ ve always been into film from college on. In the movie that you may be best known for Blue Like Jazz the story was set at Reed College – a very liberal college in Portland, OR( just about a two-hour drive from where we are right now). What do you think it’ s like now at that campus all these years later to be a Christian?
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