Well , of course , the song “ Shelter ”, the title song that encapsulates the theme of the record that you discussed a little bit already . And you wrote this with Cody ( Carnes ). So , tell us about that song . It ’ s a rootsy six-eight offering . I love it . There ’ s an Americana music sound to it . So , tell us about that song .
[ Pat ] Yeah , actually , I just want to read this out of the songs real quick . This is just , to me , it ’ s so powerful , but it ’ s also , scripture says it better
Psalm 46 says that God is our refuge and strength . Some translations just say , God is our shelter and strength and ever-present help in trouble . Therefore , we ’ ll not fear that the earth give-way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea , that it ’ s waters roaring foam and the mountains quake , weather surging . There ’ s a river whose streams make glad the city of God , the holy place for the most-high dwells . Because all over the earth , everything ’ s falling apart . I ’ m reminded , I mean , it ’ s a song . It was written to the tune of music to be sung .
Some things you can ’ t just say , you ’ ve got to sing it . When you sing , it ’ s not just cerebral . It is emotional . It ’ s all encompassing . I think there ’ s a part of our life that has to be engaged on every single level . Love the Lord , your God , with all your heart , minds , and soul and strength . There ’ s no part of our experience that should be cut off from experience . It ’ s not that you don ’ t experience trouble and safety . It means that when you walk through it , you don ’ t have to be afraid . And you can only learn that when you walk through it and then you go , “ Wow , we have nothing to fear !”
[ WM ] You need key songs and scriptures in your daily life . I had “ Psalm 23 ” during my experience . I did that because there was a man called Chris Wimber , who was a dear friend at the time . Chris had brain cancer , 40 years old , married with two kids , and I went out to meet with his staff because he was too sick from the cancer . And his wife came and said , “ Chris knows you ’ re here and he can speak today , and he wants to see you ”. So , she took me over to
Shelter
their house , and this is why I had a theme song , because he was in an easy chair , and he knew he was going to die . He had spent the week calling everyone that he thought he had ever done wrong , or anyone he was estranged with . He was calling them and making things right before he died . That had such an impact on me that he did that . He humbled himself . And so , I thought , I ’ ve got to have a theme song for what I ’ m facing .
[ Pat ] Wow . I mean , that just got me .
[ WM ] Well , so I love the song “ Shelter ”. It ’ s great . I love the feel of it musically and the truth that ’ s within it . Lyrically , speaking of themes , you have a theme shelter . I really like the consistency of you doing live studio videos for this project . I picked up on that right away . Usually with labels , it ’ s all over the map . I hope you continue doing that .
[ Pat ] Yeah , me too .
[ WM ] It appears they ’ re doing the same with the lyric videos , which make it friendly for churches to show on the screens or whatever . But the live studio thing is really cool .
[ Pat ] Thank you .
[ WM ] And so , you ’ re getting ready to go on a fall tour with Tomlin , is that right ?
[ Pat ] Yes we are . And number one , I just love Chris . He ’ s just been the best . He ’ s such an encouragement in my life . And I mean , anytime he is like , “ Hey , you want to do this ?” I ’ m like , yes , just interrupt him . And it ’ s a carte blanche yes , for me . And so selfishly , just selfishly , I just
feel like I get to learn so much being around him . And then you also have this side where you get in a room with people and you get to worship , and you just never know what someone ’ s going through or what ’ s going to happen in that moment . And then the real gift being , hopefully the things that happen after that outlast the night itself . So , I mean , I ’ m so excited about it . I pinch myself in moments like this , and I can ’ t wait .
[ WM ] I ’ m going to wind things down . What ’ s your guitar of choice these days ?
[ Pat ] Ooh , guitar of choice . I have a Gibson 335 ( electric ) and the Gibson J200 ( acoustic ). I played the J200 forever . I love that guitar . But the workhorse right now is I have a black Gibson hummingbird acoustic . I just got some new pickups put in .
And that ’ s been really fun because I did an acoustic run , just me and my guitar player along with my good friend Benjamin Forehand ( who ’ s an unbelievable player ). And we just had the best time , just two acoustic guitars . Josh Baldwin would open for those nights . But it was like falling in love again with that type of playing … oh my gosh . So that ’ s been my go-to . But it ’ s amazing . You hold a certain guitar . What it makes you feel , or play , the way it makes you write . I love just sitting down and writing . I just play unusual things and different registers that open me up , and then I just fumble through this piano . I ’ m awful , but I know enough block chords that kind of make my way through . On the United solo tour , I played a Gibson Tal Farlow electric .
[ WM ] Well , listen , it has been a delight to visit with you . I really appreciate it .
[ Pat ] Thanks for doing this interview . I ’ m honored to be your first interview in eight months .
[ WM ] Thank you . God bless you and travel safe !
12 November 2023 Subscribe for Free ...