Interview by Michael Ross
The phone rings, "Ready for pancakes?" asks the voice on the other end of the line? It's the publicist for Jars of Clay.
"I'm starved," I confess.
"The guys are wrapping up the radio show now. Then they'll head out to the Pancake Pantry."
Jars of Clay and I step into Pancake Pantry, followed by a crazy entourage: a guy with a video camera (filming for their CD-ROM project), a photographer snapping pictures for Breakaway and two record company representatives.
Talk about drawing attention to ourselves, I think. Then I look around and realize nobody's batting an eye. This particular breakfast spot seems to be a Nashville music industry hangout. I spot DC Talk's publicist across the room with a crew from Z Music, and catch a glimpse of singer Garth Brooks heading out the door. And just two tables away from where we're about to sit, I notice Steve Taylor munching some pancakes.
Steve Mason spots him, too. (He's an obvious Taylor fan.) I've never met him before, but I love his music," Steve tells me. "It's so weird going from a guy who listens to Steve Taylor to a musician who could one day share a stage with him."
Jars of Clay's own music is described as a fresh brand of acoustic rock that has attracted attention from coast to coast. Just this month, these four musicians from Greenville College in Illinois released a CD-ROM project and launched a world tour with Michael W. Smith.
After we slam down about 150 cups of coffee and dive into a mile-high stack of chocolate chip pancakes, I click on my tape recorder... and our conversation begins.
BREAKAWAY: So, You guys got your big break by winning a music contest? Tell me about that.
Charlie: After we finished a demo, we sent it to the 1994 Gospel Music Awards (GMA) Spotlight Song Contest and ended up winning. That was the beginning of everything. After we won, people began approaching us. We started getting a lot of positive feedback. So we sent out our demo to the industry.
Matt: We got a lot of calls to our pay phone on our dorm floor at Greenville College. We eventually put up a sign by the phone that read, "if anybody calls regarding Jars of Clay, take down their number." School ended three weeks later, and we all moved to Nashville and signed with Essential/Brentwood Music.
BREAKAWAY: What was it like to go from four unknown guys to one of the hottest Christian Music acts?
Dan: We've been treated to lots of free meals from record companies, which has been great! Actually, we're really thankful to all the people in the industry who have helped us with some critical decisions--like which record label to choose, who to tour with, stuff like that.
Steve: I'm both excited and scared to death. There's a huge responsibility that comes with being in the spotlight. As a group we're trying to keep each other accountable to God. We want to make this a lifestyle ministry--to make sure what we say on stage is what we're living out daily.
Charlie: We find ourselves more humbled than egotistical. Seeing the response of people in the industry, and other musicians we look up to who have commented on our music, makes us feel honored, unworthy and very blessed.
Matt: God didn't just call us to fame. He put us in a position where attention is being drawn to us so we can refocus it to Him. That's what we're all about.
BREAKAWAY: How would you describe your music?
Steve: I think our stuff is unique. I get frustrated with acts being "the Christian equivalent" of anybody else. I believe that if our music is of God, it can be better than what the world has to offer. For example, I think our song "Blind" is really strong musically and lyrically, and Ron Huff did a string arrangement behind it that's just haunting. This song talks about the cynical nature of man and how we crucify Christ daily with our disobedience. And this describes our culture today. The masses seem to live in denial and cynicism. Many have heard the message, but chose not to believe.
Dan: We're trying to be relevant to this day and age. Things that were used three years ago to preach the Gospel are not relevant today. So we're constantly reinventing the mediums for sharing the Gospel and are seeking to stay up on things that today's teens are into.
BREAKAWAY: Speaking of your lyrics, they're pretty deep. What are some things you want Breakaway readers to learn from your music?
Matt: Don't beat yourself up trying to obtain a level of perfection that's simply unobtainable, and don't get caught in a performance trap. Jesus already paid the price for your sins. Accept His forgiveness and commit your life to Him. He'll take care of the rest.
Dan: We are sinners saved by grace. Understanding grace is something I'm just starting to grasp. I grew up in a very guilt-ridden environment, not really understanding our freedom in Christ and how it's freely extended to me. That goes along with trying to live life through the week and then on Sunday feeling really terrible because you didn't do good this week. Jesus doesn't give us a license to sin. But He wants us to come back to Him when we blow it. He's standing there with open arms.
Charlie: A lot of what has been said about grace and forgiveness is what we want to communicate through our music. It's only when we arrive at the state of broken-ness or hopelessness--when we have gotten to the point of trying to do it ourselves--and realize how utterly we have failed, that we realize how badly we need Christ. It's a painful process, but I think it's a necessary one in every Christian walk. The bottom line: We really need Christ. And God is being faithful to us even in the midst of all the pain.
Steve: There's a verse in Romans that talks about perseverance producing character. This Scripture gives me hope that one day the struggles I'm dealing with will turn out to be a positive thing. [Look up Romans 5:1-5]
BREAKAWAY: Let's switch gears and talk about your teen years--which weren't too long ago for you guys. What were some of your biggest struggles as a teen?
Steve: I grew up in Decatur, Ill., and went to a small school of about 350-400. In a setting like that, it's pretty easy for everybody to see who you are and what you're all about. It's impossible to just fade into the cracks and blend in. But that's exactly what I wanted to do. I didn't want to stand out or be labeled weird, so I didn't take much of a stand for my faith. And I really regret that today. There's nothing weird about being a Christian. I have a challenge for Breakaway readers. Make an effort to walk your talk. You have an opportunity to impact a lot of lives at school. Don't blow it as I did.
BREAKAWAY: What would you say to a reader who is trying to "break away" from mom and dad and put feet in his own faith?
Dan: My folks divorced when I was a freshman in high school, and it really hit me hard. I began to question a lot of stuff my parents had taught me--especially their faith. I remember thinking, Mom and Dad are Christians, but they still got a divorce. What's happening here? My youth pastor helped me through it and got me back on track with God. Before I had my talk with him I had taken my questions to the wrong people, which sent me in a lot of haywire directions. Here's my advice to Breakaway readers: Don't be afraid to ask hard questions about your faith and your identity in Christ. God understands. But keep in mind that God gave us His Word as a source for answers. Take your curiosity to the Bible and to people who will point you in the right direction.
*Steve and Dan's Guide to Working at McDonald's
Rule 1: Look busy even when you're not. "Follow this advice," Steve says, "and you'll be a manager in no time--two weeks tops."
Rule 2: Don't mess around. "One time when I worked the drive-thru," Dan says, "my buddies and I thought it would be funny to fill up a balloon with helium, take a deep breath, then take someone's order. Bad news. We almost got in trouble. Besides, it's bad for your health. I think it causes you to grow multiple toes or something."
Rule 3: Before working the grill, get some heavy duty, extra-strength acne medicine. "When you work around grease," Steve says, "your zits are going to multiply."
Rule 4: Always count the money. "I'd been burned so many times," Dan says. "Don't trust anyone. Count the money every time and you'll be safe."
Rule 5. Learn the trick to making killer sundaes. "When somebody asks for a caramel sundae and they want extra caramel," Dan says, "put the caramel on the bottom, then--and only then--add the ice cream. They'll love you for it."*
*Article transcribed from Breakaway Magazine, February 1996, pages 23-26.
Breakaway Magazine is a Focus on the Family publication.
© Copyright 1996 Breakaway Magazine. All rights reserved.