You cannot tell the story of Christian music without John Mays. In his nearly 40 year career, Mays discovered and signed Point Of Grace, Cindy Morgan, Matt Redman, Nichole Nordeman (just to name a few). And, oh yeah, he took a chance on a young vocalist named Lauren Daigle! This episode is full of great CCM stories and trivia, as well as an intimate look behind the scenes of many of the artists and songs you've loved down through the decades.Support the showandychrisman.com
May 20, 2024•47 min
I first met Jaci when she was 15 years old, singing with the voice of a seasoned pro! She and her mom jumped on the 4HIM bus for two different tours in the 90s and now 30 years later we sit down to talk about life as a teen CCM sensation, the roads she never thought she'd travel, and how raising a family is not at all what she thought it would be.Support the showandychrisman.com
May 13, 2024•1 hr 11 min
Few people make me laugh harder than my friend, comedian Steve Geyer! But as funny as he is, his heart is just as big and I'm so glad for the time we spent on tour together. I've learned so much from Steve over the years - from learning how to improvise in difficult situations, to not taking things so seriously, to being an example of someone who loves to serve others. Get ready to laugh and walk down memory lane with me and my buddy Steve Geyer.Support the showandychrisman.com
May 06, 2024•58 min
I'm not sure there's been anyone else in the history of CCM like John Michael Talbot! From success as a member of the rock band Mason Profitt, to becoming one of the best selling Christian artists of all time, to becoming a Roman Catholic monk and starting a monastery - there's plenty to talk about with one of the most fascinating people I've ever met! Support the showandychrisman.com
Apr 28, 2024•1 hr 1 min
....and we're back with more 4HIM stories! Sit back and enjoy this fun conversation with me and Mark Harris!Support the showandychrisman.com
Apr 22, 2024•53 min
When Mark and I sit down together I never know where things are going to go! My goal was to get as many stories behind the hit songs he's written as I could, but of course we mostly ended up laughing and chasing rabbits as we took a look back on our careers. And we talked so much I was able to get two episodes full of content! Stay tuned for PART 2 next week...Support the showandychrisman.com
Apr 15, 2024•57 min
Billy Sprague is one of the most important artists and writers of the golden era of CCM! I first met Billy at one of his famous "golden scoop" ice cream parties in Nashville in the early 90s, and I've been a big fan of his music and his books for as long as I can remember. I'm excited to reconnect with Billy and share a bit of his amazing journey with you!Support the showandychrisman.com
Apr 08, 2024•51 min
You cannot tell the story of 4HIM without Andy Ivey! Andy was our first A&R director at Benson and was instrumental in helping us put together our first 4 albums, and in the process became a lifelong friend. If you like "behind the scenes" music industry talk you're gonna love this episode!Support the showandychrisman.com
Apr 01, 2024•1 hr 12 min
One of the most successful songwriters in modern country music is a veteran of CCM. Brian White and I go way back, in fact it's hard to find a picture of me in the early 90s without Brian somewhere in the background! From his days as the leader of Brian White and Justice to being a hit song writing machine Brian is a fixture in the Nashville music scene. But he is, most importantly to me, my friend. And I think you're gonna love his story!Support the showandychrisman.com
Mar 25, 2024•1 hr 5 min
Conversations like this are why I started this podcast! I consider Gary Chapman to be one of the founding fathers of modern christian music, and I'm honored to call him my friend. His ability to tell a story that keeps you leaned in and wide eyed is one of his greatest gifts, so get ready! From his career as a songwriter, performer, talk show host, and of course his turbulent marriage with Amy - this legendary artist is a walking time capsule for 80s & 90s CCM. It's impossible to tell the st...
Mar 18, 2024•1 hr 15 min
It's episode #50 and who better to have on than one of the most distinctive voices and the leader of one of the most significant bands in CCM history! And he's also one of the nicest guys you'll ever meet! Mac Powell joins me to share his journey through the music industry and how God continues to keep dropping opportunities in his path.Support the showandychrisman.com
Mar 11, 2024•1 hr 9 min
I've had the joy of touring with some talented people in my career, and that includes my friend Tim Hawkins. He's not just a comedian, but a musician and a preacher of the gospel! Get ready to laugh and be inspired by one of the comedy greats - Tim HawkinsSupport the showandychrisman.com
Mar 04, 2024•51 min
I cannot tell the story of my Christian music career without Geron Davis! His songs "Holy Ground" and "Holy of Holies" were the first big songs I sang as a young artist, and I'm glad I've had the privilege to call him my friend for nearly 40 years. Geron's songs of worship and the gospel life have been recorded by countless christian and secular artists, and his stories of faith are exactly why I started this podcast! Support the showandychrisman.com
Feb 26, 2024•1 hr 4 min
Rick Cua is one of the greatest musicians and frontmen in the history of CCM! From his early days in the secular band The Outlaws to deciding he wanted to share Jesus with as many people as possible through his music, I know you're going to love getting to know this true Christian music trailblazer.Support the showandychrisman.com
Feb 19, 2024•51 min
Geoff Moore is one of the best people I've ever had the chance to get to know and I'm glad I could snag him for a sit down to talk about his career. From the early days of touring in a cargo van, to his band becoming a mainstay on Christian radio and writing hits with Steven Curtis Chapman, Geoff's life has been a great adventure! And what's he's doing now to pour back into the church that supported him in those early days? Well that's the icing on the cake! Enjoy the next hour getting reconnect...
Feb 12, 2024•1 hr 17 min
I could describe John as an authority on the history of Christian music. Getting his start in Southern California during the Jesus movement and infancy of Christian music, John was a constant figure throughout the golden era of the industry as the founder and editor of CCM Magazine. And that magazine was where so many of us were introduced to Christian artists, and as artists we knew we were "making it" when we got on the cover! This is a fascinating conversation with an industry legend - John S...
Feb 05, 2024•1 hr 1 min
A bunch of you posted on our Facebook page questions you'd like answered about the touring life, how we made our albums, etc. My friend Michael Neale hops on this episode to moderate and keep me from rambling! Support the showandychrisman.com
Jan 29, 2024•1 hr 21 min
She's one of the great comedians of all time, and she happens to be a sister in Christ and a long time friend. I toured with Chonda back in the early 2000s and she has been one of my favorite people ever since! Get ready for an hour of laughs and "wow!" moments as the best selling comedian of ALL TIME shares her amazing story. I hope you're ready for Chonda Pierce!Support the showandychrisman.com
Jan 22, 2024•57 min
It's the story you've heard so many times before - a singer/songwriter has a dream, they pack up their car and drive to Nashville, they get a job waiting tables and then - BAM - a record deal, a major tour, number 1 songs and Dove awards. And that's the story of Mark Schultz....sort of. In my opinion Mark is one of the most engaging artists of the early 2000's in CCM and his story is as unique as his voice. From his college days in Kansas to booking a gig at the Ryman BEFORE he had a record deal...
Jan 15, 2024•1 hr 5 min
Join me for my first episode of 2024 as I spend time with Stu G - one of the most influential songwriters and guitar players in CCM history! From his humble beginnings growing up in the UK, to his groundbreaking career in the band Delirious?, to having even more influence on the modern worship scene with One Sonic Society, Stu's journey is one for the books! Support the showandychrisman.com
Jan 08, 2024•56 min
Has there been a more successful artist in CCM history than Wayne Kirkpatrick? The easy answer is "NO!" Whether it's writing hit songs for Amy Grant, MWS, Eric Clapton or producing albums for Susan Ashton or Little Big Town just to name a few, to writing hit Broadway shows - Wayne's career has been as widely varied as it has been wildly successful. He's definitely left his mark on the entertainment industry and he's not even close to being done. Get ready for a fascinating hour with my friend Wa...
Dec 18, 2023•1 hr 18 min
Get ready to join me and Kirk Sullivan - one of the 4HIM guys and someone I toured with for 20 years. And boy do we have stories! Of course we'll only get to a handful of the crazy things we've experienced together so maybe this is just the first hour of many as I do my best to archive as many of these stories as possible. Support the showandychrisman.com
Dec 11, 2023•1 hr 13 min
If you're a "first call" studio musician it means that you are the best of the best. As a trio Melodie Tunney, Bonnie Keen and Marty McCall had a successful studio career singing bgv's and jingles, but when they "accidentally" recorded a hit song they had a choice to make - do they keep their day jobs as studio singers or take their talents on the road? The answer lies in the next hour as we chat about their amazing run as one of the top vocal groups of all time. It's truly an honor to spend tim...
Dec 04, 2023•1 hr 14 min
One of the great voices in the history of Christian music belongs to Jamie Rowe, who made his name as the leader singer of the rock band Guardian. These conversations with artists who weren't normally heard on the biggest Christina radio stations but yet had a loyal following fascinate me, because they tell a story that's similar yet wildly different than what I experienced. Jamie gives us an unfiltered journey of his life and career and I hope it encourages to go back and listen to the music of...
Nov 27, 2023•52 min
Well look who dropped by the 1 Degree podcast - my first employer in Christian music, the one and only Roger Breland! I hit the road with TRUTH in 1987 and by 1990 I had made lifelong friends, developed a skillset that would define my career and met 3 other guys whom you might know...There's no one I've ever met like Roger - a true entertainment pioneer, a keen eye for talent and a heart to preach the gospel no matter what venue that bus pulled into. You can see his impact on the Christian, coun...
Nov 20, 2023•1 hr 23 min
How does alternative rock fit into the Christian music narrative? That's a fascinating question and one that Michael Roe of the groundbreaking band 77s answers on this episode of 1 Degree. From being banned in Christian music stores, to opening the door for bands like DC Talk and The Newsboys to leaving behind an incredible body of music I think you're going to enjoy getting to know Michael Roe. Seriously - you cannot tell the story of Christian music with out bands like the 77s!Support the show...
Nov 13, 2023•1 hr 3 min
Even if you haven't heard her albums you've definitely heard her voice. Lisa Bevill has had a remarkable career as a jingle and session singer and her CCM career set a precedent for female vocalists that followed. Lisa has a remarkable story of God placing her in amazing situations and her endurance through the difficult times of life will inspire you! You cannot tell the story of Christian music without telling the story of my guest and friend Lisa Bevill.Support the showandychrisman.com
Nov 06, 2023•1 hr 16 min
I'm doing my best not to geek out with my guest on this episode of 1 Degree - my 14 year old self would not believe that I get to sit down with Degarmo and Key's Eddie DeGarmo and talk about his career, his early days and his mind blowing impact on the world of christian music! And I guess I shouldn't be surprised that Eddie is one of the most genuine, engaging people I've ever met in this industry. I'll for sure be spinning my old D&K records for the next few weeks - songs like 666, All The...
Oct 30, 2023•57 min
Are you ready for the rollercoaster story of one of the most beloved CCM artists? Billy Gaines, along with his then wife Sarah, was a fixture in Christian music in the 80s and 90s and he was influential in my career with 4him - just watching his level of excellence at work and his voice that could speak to the soul. But his journey took a big turn at the hight of his career that left him wondering what God would do with him next. This is a wonderful conversation about grace, hope and "just doing...
Oct 23, 2023•1 hr 28 min
He might be the most respected musician in the history of Christian Music! Getting his start with his band Glass Harp and opening for bands like Yes and the Kinks - Phil Keaggy has an impressive resume! His gentle nature and compelling story parallel his music and career and it was just a pleasure to spend an hour with Phil. Support the showandychrisman.com
Oct 16, 2023•50 min