Ok, I’m lying. It isn’t really fraught with perils, unless you consider a bus breaking down every 15 minutes perilous, which we don’t. That’s more just a pain in the neck. But the Doves were this past week, and we were there in a big way. For one day, In a big way. (I like the way it all rhymes!) Dave was there a good deal longer than the rest of the band, but that’s because people like him more, and they know better than to interview any of the other guys. Bunch of jokers, I tell ya.
So seeing how the last news article was such a success, what with the FAQs and all, I’ve decided to stick with the theme of cramming a lot of information into a small space. Then come next week, when we’ve had a lot of time off and not seen each other, perhaps I’ll concentrate on just one single pointless thing, make a couple of bad jokes, and try to make you smile. It’s the least I can do.
So, that said, here are the official DCB highlights from GMA week and the Doves.
- We dropped Crowder off in Nashville on our way back to Waco with nothing but his guitar and a sore throat. If you ask me, that sounds like a country song waiting to happen.
- As far as we know, he did radio interviews and stuff like that for the next few days. The rest of us, however, were at home in Waco. And yes, that is considered a highlight.
- We made the drive from Waco to Nashville in 10 hours. It normally takes 12. Never underestimate our speediness.
- Hogan forgot his pants for the awards ceremony.
- We were asked to present 4 awards during the pre-show (the part that’s not televised). This was actually really cool, but like much of what we do, almost turned into a train wreck. It all had to do with the powers that be not having the right envelope with the winner at the right time and them not listening to us (we were actually right for once) when we told them that something was amiss… Not important, really. Of course the best part was that on the first award we gave out, David announced it as “the winner is…” when they had told everyone that the number 1 rule was that there are no winners or losers, only recipients. Oh well. Some might say that this was the highlight of the trip. Not so. More on that in a minute.
- Did I mention that the B-wack was not there? He had chosen to stay in Texas, in an undisclosed location with his peeps. He sneaky that way.
- We chatted with Marty Stuart. Look him up if you don’t already know…
- Instead of a limo, or a cab, or a rent car, we took the “sedan on demand” to the after party. This is basically a large airport-type shuttle that resembles a limo on the inside, complete with mirrors and fancy lights, but seats like 20 people. While we gorged ourselves on chocolate covered strawberries, the “sedan on demand” had full battery failure. Sweet.
- We made it home safely. But even that’s not the highlight of the trip. That honor belongs to…
- David’s interview with CNN. Now that the media has realized that God is kind of a big deal, they are really looking for some insight. They found Crowder. So to send you guys off in style is the transcript from what may possibly be the strangest interview in the history of CNN. Enjoy.
CNN SUNDAY MORNING
Aired April 25, 2004 - 09:30 ET
(transcript)
CATHERINE CALLAWAY, CNN ANCHOR: Some Christians might complain that rock and roll is the devil's music, but not these believers. To them, praising the lord with a (UNINTELLIGIBLE) and two four beat is just a joyful noise. There is an entire scene out there that caters to young Christians. Christians where -- that kids that can praise the Lord with youthful abandon.
David Crowder is joining us now. He is a veteran of the contemporary Christian music scene. For years he's fronted a Christian rock band, joining us this morning from Nashville.
David, do you really consider yourself a Christian rock band?
DAVID CROWDER, CHRISTIAN MUSICIAN: Christian rock band. We do make music and it does sound like rock and roll.
CALLAWAY: Right.
CROWDER: So I guess there's some -- no, not really. We exist to try to give voice to a group of people and it just happens to surface in the language of our culture, and popular music is one of those languages.
CALLAWAY: So the beat may sound rock but the message is decidedly different. It's worship music, isn't it?
CROWDER: Yes. It's actually us addressing God or our response to God for who he is and what he's done wrapped in the package or the vehicle of music.
CALLAWAY: you are incredibly popular. You perform in concerts all over the country. And this is not like the way most groups would operate in the music industry. I know these people gather to worship as you say and listen to your music and that's where they can actually buy your music?
CROWDER: Well, yes. It's kind of -- it's kind of a strange thing. You've got a lot of folks that are musicians that most of what they do is spend their time performing trying to attract attention to themselves or try to get fans. There's a pursuit of stardom or fame. And for us, I've got a really good pal that says, you guys are more like a moon than a star. Because a moon, if it wasn't for the sunshine, it's just a ball of dirt. For us, the light of Christ when it shines on us, it's just a beautiful collision. We're more interested in attracting attention to God than ourselves, which is kind of weird for a rock band.
CALLAWAY: Right. I want people to look at this video and see the crowds you attract here. I don't think a lot of people understand how big this is. The CD that Time Warner is selling called "Songs for Worship" has sold something like 8 million CDs since the year 2000. Why do you think that is?
CROWDER: I think we've just got the climate in our culture. There's just a great need for hope. I mean, you see all these things that are happening with the war and it's just the climate exists that things are not right. Things aren't as they should be. When you have this picture of hope and rescue in the middle of it, it's just a huge encouragement. I think that's why you have "Passion of the Christ" and the "Left Behind" series and "Songs for Worship" having such -- really pervading our current cultural scene. I think it's a picture of hope in the middle of a great need for it.
CALLAWAY: I understand that your first love is really not rock. It's polka music?
CROWDER: That's a vicious lie.
CALLAWAY: I know that's what you started hearing a lot, you said, growing up. But truly you were kind of a punker, weren't you, when you first started?
CROWDER: Come on. Look at me. I'm conservative. You have to be kidding.
CALLAWAY: It is just amazing, you know, the wave of popularity that your music is receiving. Do you consider yourself a rock star?
CROWDER: No. I am a complete dork.
CALLAWAY: Listen to you. I know you have your own church, is where I'm going.
CROWDER: Actually, we've got -- it's just -- it's hugely encouraging to see people attached to this music. I mean, granted it's a very subjective thing, it's us trying to express our faith, and then you see there must be some objectivity in it when you have other people attached to these lyrics and words and they somehow find their way into their hearts and lives and a part of their spiritual devotional lives. That's a huge encouragement.
CALLAWAY: I know you helped start the University Baptist Church in Waco, Texas.
CROWDER: That's true.
CALLAWAY: That's what I was trying to get you to talk about.
CROWDER: I'm so sorry. I'm slow.
CALLAWAY: I just want to say thank you for being with us today. Good luck on your mission and I'm sure we'll be hearing more of you out there.
CROWDER: Thank you for having me.
CALLAWAY: Bye-bye.
CROWDER: Bye