BY MELISSA RUGGIERI
TobyMac is technically one of the elder statesmen of the contemporary Christian music industry, having ignited the charts since the late-‘80s with DC Talk and expanding his career as a solo artist, label head and author.
The man born Toby McKeehan is now 51, but he still looks about 20 years younger thanks to his hip attire and the formidable pop-rock songs he continuously cranks out, most recently on “This is Not a Test,” his seventh solo album released in August.
He’ll bring his vigorous live show in support of the album to the Infinite Energy Center (formerly The Arena at Gwinnett Center) in Duluth on Thursday with guests Britt Nicole and former “American Idol” favorite Colton Dixon.
McKeehan’s awards shelf long ago graduated to plural status, thanks to the dozens of plaudits he’s received from the Grammys, Billboard and Dove Awards. But he remains, as always, focused more on spreading a message in his music than being patted on the back for his accomplishments.
Calling from his home outside of Nashville – where he lives with his wife Amanda and their five children – the warm singer-songwriter talked candidly about his motivations and inspirations and the possibility of a DC Talk reunion.
Q: You’ve been at this almost 30 years and yet your career still seems to hit new peaks and the music sounds fresh. What do you attribute that continued success to?
A: I just remain passionate and very un-jaded in my approach to music. I don't look at this as another gig, another song, another album. Each day I look at it almost child-like, like, how amazing can a song be today? I get to play Atlanta again, what could that night bring? I tell artists that you have to wake up every morning and go to war with your jaded self to try to sit on the edge of your seat and hope that music can touch someone's life.
Q: Where do you look for inspiration?
A: It really is my life. I put a new release out every three years; I've done it that way since I started. The label and people want it earlier than that. But I tell people from the stage I have to live three years of life of the good, bad and ugly before I can get it in song form. The times I was there for friends or the times I failed to be there. The times I was pressing hardcore into my faith life and the times I was stumbling and falling. I try to write about all of it and be honest about it. Trying to live a life of faith in a crazy world. There are a lot of stories that come with that.
Probably the peak moment for any artist is when you’re in that cave called a studio for a year hoping and praying songs will resonate with people, and then it comes out and you take that stage and you start singing that song you prayed would resonate and they’re singing it back - that is like THE moment.
When you view your music the way I do and your songwriting the way I do, you have reason to be out there. I hope this sounds humble and normal. My goal literally, is songwriting. My hope has always been that this music can serve people’s lives, not this self-indulgent art moment for Toby. It is fulfilling, but the end goal is, if this can serve humankind in some way, then I feel so grateful.
Credit: Melissa Ruggieri
Credit: Melissa Ruggieri
Q: You have DC Talk on this album for the first time in many years. What was it like to get back with Michael (Tait) and Kevin (Max)?
A: There's definitely a deep friendship and foundation there. When they came in the studio, it was special, definitely. They brought all of the passion and intensity to the song that I hoped they would bring. I was really grateful to them. The song ("Love Feels Like") just started feeling like DC Talk, not purposely, but as it unfolded, I looked at my producer and said, 'We need to get Mike and Kevin on this.' Everybody is open to doing something together (in the future as DC Talk). They'll make an impression in the live show, too.
Q: DC Talk were pioneers of blending rap and pop in Christian music. What do you think of newer artists who are doing that, like Lecrae?
A: I'm totally impressed with what's going on with hip-hop from these faith-based guys. I love that it's getting mainstream attention. What's weird, that's how I've always looked at my music. I've always written songs for everybody, from DC Talk to today. My perspective is that of a man of faith, of God, that touches every aspect of my life, so it's going to come out in my songs. I love turning on a BET show and seeing Lecrae on there. It's where we should be, where that music should be. It's good enough to be there.
Q: Tell me about bringing Britt Nicole and Colton Dixon on tour with you.
A: I've toured with both Britt and Colton before. She's amazing. Her heart for, especially, girls out there is so strong and so noticeably impactful each night that I thought it would round it out well. She's so talented. What I love about them is that they're really driven in a professional and unique way. They're well balanced, both of them, and they're songwriters, they're craftsmen, they go after their records like I do, wanting it to be amazing. They're passionate about every line, every vocal take. Colton brings in a different thing with 'Idol.' Britt brings in a different thing with young girls. I love walking alongside new talent. It's funny, I'm supposed to inspire them, but somehow they end up inspiring me.
Q: When you’re out on the road, does the family come with you?
A: We try to keep it pretty normal around our house, instead of being a traveling family. We'll get a family bus a few times a year. Generally, my wife Amanda has said no, we're going to be a normal family. My son Leo turned 11 (recently) so he came on the road with me for four shows. He loved it.
Q: I see you’re heading back in the road in February for the “Hits Deep” tour.
A: Yeah, we're going to different places. It's a different tour title and different concept, though it's still behind the 'This is Not a Test' album. The concept of Hits Deep is a bunch of artists doing hit songs that are right now on the radio. It's like a Motown revue.
Q: Any parting words for people who might be coming to see you in Gwinnett?
A: (Laughs). I always say, I want people to leave sweaty and hoarse and refreshed in spirit.
Follow the AJC Music Scene on Facebook and Twitter.
About the Author
