In a former life, I was a music journalist actively covering the contemporary Christian music scene. This was from 1987 to 1994. Seven short years, yet still a lifetime.
I made many friends (and perhaps a few enemies) during that time, writing record reviews in which I occasionally committed the unforgivable sin of giving an honest opinion. I also did several dozen interviews with artists in multiple music genres, talking to pretty much everyone who was anyone as, despite my somewhat frosty relationship with assorted powers that be, I was a good interviewer who put out positive stories showcasing artists in the best possible light. The only artist who I tried to secure an interview with that never happened was Amy Grant. After my time in the sun, someone with deep industry knowledge told me – verification was impossible – that Grant’s management was responsible for my firing from my main writing gig, thus effectively ending my career, via “suggesting” that if the publication would get someone more “agreeable” they’d loosen the advertising purse strings. Said publication no longer exists, as is the case, at least domestically, with its record store publisher. But I digress.
During my tenure, some interviews have stayed with me more than others, thankfully almost all for good reasons. I remember one artist, never a critic’s favorite, who sufficiently liked my interview questions focusing on music and ministry as opposed to “hey, did you know you sound like …” to where the moment we finished, I saw him make a beeline to his record company’s head and state in no uncertain terms that going forward he wanted me and only me to do all of his interviews. You remember moments such as these.
One interview stands above all others, and bear in mind I had many, many terrific ones. It was with an artist promoting the first, and as it turned out last, album with his band Radiohalo. I was eager to talk to him about the new album, as it had a song I absolutely loved and still love to this day.
I was even more eager to talk to him about an album he had recorded years earlier, a worship album titled “The Vigil” heavily influenced by Elizabethan-flavored folk.
In the interview, I discovered a man as filled with Christ’s peace as his music indicated. I have been privileged to know many Godly people in my life. But in this man, I met the one who more powerfully radiated serenity and wisdom than any other.
His name was, and is, Kemper Crabb.
Crabb is a true renaissance man far and above his interest in Renaissance music. He is an author, a pastor, and a teacher. His lessons, available through his Patreon page, are so rich in wisdom and replete with Scriptural references it takes three or four listens to absorb it all. He is the anthesis of woke, weak, pseudo-Christianity.
In the new Cephas Hour episode, I feature Kemper Crabb’s music. Please give it a listen. Your soul will thank you.
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