1 Degree of Andy

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 Show.andychrisman.net

....and we're back with more 4HIM stories! Sit back and enjoy this fun conversation with me and Mark Harris!Support the Show.andychrisman.net

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 Show.andychrisman.net

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 Show.andychrisman.net

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 Show.andychrisman.net

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 Show.andychrisman.net

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 story of Christian music without Gary Chapman. Support the Show.andychrisman.net

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 Show.andychrisman.net

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 Show.andychrisman.net

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 Show.andychrisman.net

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 Show.andychrisman.net

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 reconnected with Geoff Moore!Support the Show.andychrisman.net

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 Styll.Support the Show.andychrisman.net

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 Show.andychrisman.net

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 Show.andychrisman.net

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, to riding his bike across America - not to mention all of those tours and number 1 songs and Dove awards  - buckle your seat belt for a wild ride with my friend Mark SchultzSupport the Show.andychrisman.net

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 Show.andychrisman.net

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 Wayne Kirkpatrick!Support the Show.andychrisman.net

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 Show.andychrisman.net

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 time with Christian music royalty - First Call!Support the Show.andychrisman.net