Artist Review - Christian Music

Praise Report Radio interviewed music veteran Christopher Dykes.  We wanted to get some more insight on his freshly established Christian music career.

KPRR: How would you categorize your style of music within the Christian music genre?

CD: That’s always somewhat tricky to do because my sound and style are influenced by many different genres of music  -  so I’ll try not to go off on a tangent here and just say that it is mostly a contemporary pop sound that is not limited to guitar, bass, drums, and vocals.   There are a few tracks on the release, “Cross Reference’, such as “Psalm 33” and “You’ve Opened My Eyes” that may give that impression, but as the listener goes through the tracks they will quickly see it’s much more than that.

KPRR: You’ve been playing music for a while.  Were there ups and downs during your Christian music career?  If so, what kept you going until now?

CD: Though most of my career has been centered on secular rock/alternative rock, my Christian music career is still only but a few years old but there have been plenty of ups and downs to this point.  It seems as though the music has been the easy part.  Hearing your own songs on radio while driving down the highway is always a thrill as well as knowing that the gospel is contained within it, so music is a great tool that can be utilized when certain people may not be interested in a one-on-one conversation.  But the amount of rejection from the large, corporately owned, commercial CCM stations can get you down and make you start doubting if you let it.  If a musician has a product that meets industry standards, there are plenty of Christian outlets today that will play the music as well as internet radio and webstreams.  But the bottom line is that God can take any musician, any song, and at anytime use it for His Glory.  That is what essentially keeps me going.

KPRR: Why is it so important that you keep God at the forefront of your music career?

CD: Personally, that one may be better answered if it were asked, “Why is it so important that you keep God at the forefront of your life?”  This rephrasing is important because, for me personally, I believe that if it music that God has called one to focus on, then to trust God completely, in all aspects of daily life, will show one’s dependence on God.  That is what He truly desires.  Sometimes the doors of music are opening at so fast you can’t keep up and other times it seems as though you can’t catch a break.  But if we are trusting God in all things and truly wanting His will for ourselves, then subsequently He will be at the forefront of our lives and also our music if that is His plan for us.  The message of our music will be about His Glory, not our own, and that is what pleases Him.  That is why I believe it is vital that God remain the forefront of the believer’s musical career.  We must always keep our motives in check.

KPRR: There was a time when you had some secular success with the band Collective Soul.  Why do you think God directed you down another path?

CD: I always try to make it clear to the reader/listener that “Collective Soul” (as it is and has been for about 7 or 8 years now) is actually the final product of what started as the “Ed-E Band” of which I was a part.  As Ed Roland’s keyboardist and backing vocalist, I learned a great deal and gained a lot of stage and studio experience.  There were deals with CBS, lots of local airplay, and TV time.  But as the 90’s came roaring in with the Seattle grunge movement I’m sure I wasn’t the only synth player out there who felt what was about to happen concerning their current roles in their respective techno-pop bands.  So it was around the late 80’s or early 90’s that we parted ways, and wouldn’t you know it, within a year or so Ed got had gotten a record deal, formed a new band (yes, in that order), and the rest is history.  So it was then I started concentrating on vocals and for the next several years worked about every venue available as a rock and roll frontman while moving even further from the Lord.  But God had a different plan for me that revolved around Him, not me.  God allowed me to try things my way for many years.  He allowed me to taste a very shallow, short termed success.  I could go as far as to say that He also spared my life on more than one occasion.  Looking back on those years now is like looking at someone else’s life.  Had I not been allowed to make my own decisions and mistakes back then, I don’t believe I would be able to appreciate, now, the extent of God’s patience, love, and sovereignty that He was demonstrating in my life through those years in particular.

KPRR: Do you believe that God can use an amateur musician in spreading the gospel even if they are just starting out?

CD: No question about it.  God is looking for those who have made their hearts available to Him.  No matter how small the surroundings, humble the beginnings, or level of ability, there will always be someone who needs to hear the message of Christian music, and that is what counts most.  But God also has a strong track record of taking the “amateurs” of the world and using them in mighty ways (Moses and David quickly come to mind).  The main thing is to make yourself available, keep your feet moving, and God will take care of the rest.

KPRR: Do you have any helpful advice to give them?

CD: Never follow the crowd.  Be a leader and stand firm on your convictions.  Don’t write or play a style of music simply because it is what you hear saturating the airwaves on a daily basis because those styles come and go, then come around again.  So just write and play according to your own abilities and tastes and do it in a way that is pleasing to God.  That is really all that matters.

KPRR: Where can people get a hold of your music or just to contact you?

CD: My latest release, “Cross Reference” is available through my website:  www.sonicbids.com/christopherdykes and any emails are always encouraged.  My email address is vox2283@hotmail.com

KPPR: Chris, thank you for your insight and your convictions.  We need more artists like you that are willing to heed the call of ministry and be God's "salt and light" to this fallen world.