The Christian Music Archive Podcast

In today’s podcast, I talk with Richard Souther. Richard was an in-demand studio and touring musician who played with Barry McGuire, 2nd Chapter of Acts, and Phil Keaggy, just to name a few But early in his career, Richard experienced a significant medical event that for all intents should have spelled the end of his illustrious career. But thanks to some friends around him, and a new technology called the synthesizer, Richard was able to resume his career and go on to be a prolific creator of contemplative music.

In this episode, I’m talking with Alisa Childers. Alisa was part of the pop trio ZOEgirl in the early 2000s. Fans of early Jesus music will appreciate that Alisa is the daughter of Chuck Girard, who was part of the group Love Song as well as having a substantial solo ministry. Alisa experienced a period of profound doubt about her faith and spent a lot of time searching for answers to her questions.

Back in the early eighties, I played a song called "I’m Born Again" when I was a DJ at a station in Boise, Idaho. That song was off an album from Glenn Garrett. Over the years, Glenn has continued to make music celebrating his relationship with Jesus and how being born again changes our lives and makes a difference in our world. Chatting with Glenn reveals a gentle soul who is madly in love with his Savior and wants everyone to know it! Glenn talks about how he can hear his Good God in Heaven speak.

I’m glad to share with you my conversation with Randy Thomas. Randy is currently the worship leader at a church in Ft. Meyers Florida. But before his tenure as a pastor, he was a member of the Sweet Comfort Band for nearly a decade before moving on to start the band the Allies. Oh yea, and he also wrote a little song called Butterfly Kisses with his songwriting partner Bob Carlisle.

One of the things that has fascinated me is the number of artists who have moved to full-time ministry as a follow-up to their professional music career. One such musician is Michael James Murphy. Michael recorded five albums in the early eighties and transition to more of a country sound in the nineties where he released another three albums as Michael James. But an early call God placed on his life was to be involved in worship ministry.

Scott Wesley Brown released his first album in 1974 and has gone on to release more than 20 more! He has continued writing songs about the difference Jesus made in his life and how he wants to share that difference with everyone. And then our conversation turned to what it means to leave a legacy, not just professionally, but with our family. This is a great conversation you don't want to miss!

Carolyn Arends is a thoughtful songwriter, author, and spiritual coach. She is getting ready to release a new album celebrating 25 years in Christian music. Learn about Carolyn and her story, and find out what she's up to these days.

Astute credit readers will recognize Bob Farrell as a songwriter whose songs have been performed by DeGarmo & Key, Sandi Patty, Amy Grant, Pat Terry, Wynonna, and Eric Clapton. He also penned Hero The Rock Opera with longtime collaborator Eddie DeGarmo. But dig back a bit further and you'll recognize Bob as half of the husband and wife duo Farrell and Farrell, who were mainstays in the Christian music scene in the 80s and 90s with songs like "Earthmaker", "People in a Box", and "Boundless Love".