"As a songwriter I can tell you that the greatest moment of encouragement comes not from awards or high numbers on some soon-to-be-forgotten chart but from the singing of a new song for the very first time."
Michael Card
While I was packing gear for a week-long hike in the Ozarks, my friend Bill said, "You gotta hear somethin'." He popped a cassette (a clue as to how long ago this was) into his tape player and I was introduced to the music of Michael Card. I knew I was hearing the voice of a kindred spirit.
Michael Card has penned dozens of books and articles, more than 31 albums (selling over 4 million copies, with more than 19 #1 hits) and has shared his words and music in conferences and concerts around the world. Last week he shared some of his thoughts with me.
Did
you write or play an instrument as a child?
Yes,
I did. Growing up in Nashville it was hard to escape. I was in prom
bands and bluegrass bands pretty much all thru high school.
What
would you say has influenced your writing the most?
The
desire to engage with the Bible. That is what excites me the most;
saying something differently, that draws someone in.
You
have seen the music industry transition from vinyl to digital
download. How has time affected the way you perform and record?
I
would say that the only thing that ever changed over time was the
configuration we took out on the road. Bigger crowds allow for bigger
bands. We had sections, a black gospel choir, an irish band, etc. I
still like performing alone the best.
I
have heard several writers discuss the process
of the craft. How does a song 'come about' for you?
That
is something I have never been able to easily express. It is
difficult, it gets harder with every record. The most I can say is
that writing music is like prayer, in that it involves listening. The
right notes or words are out there in the ether, it's just a matter
of being still enough to hear them.
When
did you realize that writing and performing would provide your
livelihood?
Just
out of college I recorded a couple of songs to help a friend who was
starting a production company. When they were shopping the songs,
trying to get jobs for themselves as producers, one company said, "We
will hire you as producers if you'll produce the person on the
demos." That is when I thought I might make a living at this.
What
is the most challenging project you have undertaken?
I
would say the lament record was the hardest so far. It is impossible
to fake writing a lament. You have to go thru the experience to be
able to write about it believably. That was no fun.
What
does the ideal concert setting look like for you?
Playing
for a college crowd, anywhere. They are my favorite age to play for
because I believe that in general you become whatever it is you will
be in college. I love feeling like I am helping in that process.
Do
you ever sit with friends and play songs together?
Nope!
Often,
your albums will have an accompanying book. Which usually comes
first?
At
first the songs came first. Now it's the books, which really works
better, since I can do all the research and have it there for the
songwriting process. Also, after you have written 200 pages on a
given subject, you have pretty well worked thru most of the angles in
your mind.
What
advice would you give to a high school student who says ,”I think
God is calling me to be a songwriter?"
First
and foremost, allow your community to become a part of the process of
determining your call. I can't express that enough. The people in
your community know you. They know what your gifts are. They can
help you find your calling, you are not supposed to do that by
yourself. Next you need to equip yourself with a good education. No
matter what the call is, you need to have biblical understanding.
To find out more about Michael Card, including concert schedules, click here.
