A Random Conversation

So, I had a random conversation with this guy the other day. In fact, it was not just random, it was quite intentional. The guy happened to be Tobymac. I am not a huge Tobymac fan, as I prefer metal/metalcore/post-core/screamo/etc. I have seen him several times in concert, and despite being completely not in my genre, he puts on a very good show.

I ran into him (or rather, his entourage) in Nashville as I got stuck behind them boarding a plane for Dallas. (all the cool kids go to Texas, didn't ya know?) I asked them what band they were with, because they took forever to check in, and they said 'Tobymac.' I was like, oh. how about that. At least I recognize the name/artist.

Then a thought hatched itself in my mind. I could hunt him down and ask him about his thoughts on my opinions on the Christian music scene. Oh yah. Score. I had no illusions about one-upping him or putting him in his place as arguably one of the most popular and recognizable Christian music celebrities. I just wanted to hear what he thought.

I managed to catch him in the terminal at Dallas. I introduced myself and asked if I could ask him just one question. "It's my perception that Christian music copies mainstream secular music, and that there is little creativity in this sub-industry. As someone who is in the thick of this, do you think that this is accurate, and what do you think about it. Alternatively, do you think anything can be done?"

His answer genuinely surprised me. His answer was basically that that is a really cheap pot shot at Christian artists. He pointed out that secular mainstream copies itself so many times over, that it is small wonder that the Christian sub-industry does the same. It's easy to look at Christians and blame them as copycats (which I have done for years), but no one blames secular artists who do the same. The whole conversation didn't last more than 5-10 minutes as we were figuring out which gates we needed to head to, but he was very straightforward, very genuine, very down to earth, and very real. I was very impressed. Someone in his position could totally have lit into me and eviscerated me on multiple levels (a non-musician metalhead proclaiming originality and creativity?) but he didn't. He took it in stride, and I was impressed. I realize he probably gets this kind of crap often, but his demeanor was admirable.

As I was processing his answer, I realized he's absolutely right. I myself maintain that Christian music is merely a genre, or a marketing strategy employed to sucker nice gullible people out of their money under the guise of religious betterment, so why couldn't I appreciate the simple truth of what he said before? I rag on pop and hip hop regardless of whether it's Xian or secular because I don't like the genres, and despise country out and out because...it's freakin' country. bleh. So, why was I surprised by his answer? I'm not sure, but it's food for thought. And the final thought is: Celebrate and enjoy art because it's good art, not because you perceive that it aligns with your opinions.