Frequently Asked Questions
This is copied over from my Goldfish And Clowns blog, which some changes to reflect what's been going on since I wrote this in December of 2007.What is the book's title?
God's Not Dead (And Neither Are We). The front cover carries the subtitle "The story of Christian alternative rock's pioneers then and now as told by the artists themselves," but it's not an 'official' subtitle.
What is the book about?
Ignoring the "at the moment, about 320 pages but I still have five chapters left to write" cutesy answer, it's the collected stories, both personal and professional, of the people who pioneered Christian alternative rock. The first wave came from the late Larry Norman and his contemporaries in the late '60s and early '70s; people and bands such as Randy Stonehill, Randy Matthews, 2nd Chapter of Acts, Love Song, and so on. Later on in the decade, a second wave started coming out of southern California, home base there being Calvary Chapel in Costa Mesa. From it emerged bands like Mustard Seed Faith, Gentle Faith, and so on. In the '80s, a third wave started to make its presence known. Originally it was from the Calvary Chapel scene, its artists reflecting the church's aggressive evangelism only this time fused with music far more akin to what was happening in the punk and new wave movements. After a few years as the artists became more street level, Calvary Chapel discontinued active support and the movement became less centralized as artists along with record labels came and went. These artists, along with other seminal figures from that time, are the ones featured in the book.
So it's a history book, then.
Yes and no. Of course there is history, with everyone going into detail about what they did and what it was like back in the day. That said, I'm not making an effort to lay out a timeline of events. Each person whose story will be in the book speaks for themselves, so there are a few moments where different people remember something differently. Each person has a chapter devoted to them individually and as an individual; there are no 'band interview' scenarios involved. Also, the book is just as much about where they are now in their life, and how they got there, as it is a chronicle of their tenure in the Christian music spotlight. Getting back to the history thought for a moment, when you read all of the stories, by putting them together you do get a very real sense of what happened during that time, how it happened, why it happened, and who the people are who made it happen. It's living history.
Why are you writing this?
Because God's not dead and neither are we! Even though the artists have gone in all kinds of different directions as far as what they're doing now, and they are anything but marching in lockstep as far as how they see things, the work they did back then is still bearing fruit today. There is a far greater number of people in the world right now whose lives were touched in a positive, powerful way by these artists than most anyone realizes. There are ministers, missionaries, Bible teachers, of course musicians, and everyday folk walking the walk as a living witness who can trace this directly back to a song presented, an album offered, a concert given by these artists. This isn't a nostalgia trip about when we were kids on fire for Jesus and gee wasn't that a great time. This is here and now. The Spirit still speaks through these artists. Whether or not their albums are still in print, or they play shows or not, is irrelevant. The Spirit still speaks through these artists. This is why their story matters. Also, during their time these artists played to hundreds of thousands of people and sold as many records. Ever since this book was first announced, I've been contacted by a steady stream of people from all walks of like who remember these artists and the impact they had on their lives. Again, this isn't about an '80s nostalgia trip.
Will the book have a music CD with it?
Unfortunately, no. The cost of licensing material plus manufacturing and the like is way beyond my reach. However, there is a DVD coming of the Broken Records reunion concert which took place in August of 2005 that created the spark from which the book has come. Many of the artists in the book played at that show. I can't emphasize strongly enough how terrific and powerful it is, and if you buy the book it'd be criminal not to buy the DVD as well! The plan is to have both come out at or about the same time.
When will the book be out?
Sometime in 2008. I wish I could be more specific, but I can't. Hopefully before mid-year.
Price?
Not yet determined. Not up to me, either; it'll be set by the publisher.
Can I pre-order a copy?
Bless you for saying that, but as I said I have no idea what the publication date or price will be. When these become known I'll post them in the online store.
You will have photos in the book, right?
Working on it!
You haven't said exactly who's going to be in the book...
Well, since you asked...
The book has interviews with these artists plus some or all members of the following bands:
- Steve Taylor
- Undercover
- The Choir
- Altar Boys
- Crumbächer
- 441
- Daniel Amos
- The 77s
- Barnabas
- Veil Of Ashes
- Lost Dogs
Yup!