Music with a message
Contemporary Christian recording artists want to spread Gospel message through music
Contemporary Christian artists will take the stage in Midwest City for the Hope Encounter tour.
Danny Gokey knows what it is like to struggle with bouts of hopelessness. The contemporary Christian recording artist said his faith has helped him weather troubled times. Gokey’s faith-filled journey shines through his music, which will take center stage at the “Hope Encounter” concert set for Oct. 11 at the Hudiburg Chevrolet Center at Rose State College in Midwest City. In addition to Gokey, special guests will include Tauren Wells, former frontman for contemporary Christian pop/rock band Royal Tailor; and Riley Clemmons, an 18-year-old Nashville-based singersongwriter whose debut single “Broken Prayers” gained popularity through radio play and YouTube views. Together, the three want to help people encounter hope in a way that is meaningful and life changing. “Hope Encounter — we want to be just that,” Gokey said in a telephone interview. “There’s just a lot of not good things happening now and people are losing hope. Through music, we want people to be able to shift in their mind. At the core of it all is that thread of hope.” Both Gokey and Wells recently discussed their desire to point people to hope in Christ through song.
‘Rise’ up
Gokey gained national attention as a contestant on the eighth season of the reality TV show “American Idol.” He auditioned for the show just a month after his high school sweetheart, wife Sophia, had died after undergoing surgery. The singer’s story and his soulful voice quickly captured viewers’ hearts. He went on to finish in third place and record his debut album “My Best Days.” Gokey said he’s always embraced his “American Idol” roots. Though they don’t define him, “it’s brought me to where I am in life.” These days, he’s basking in the glow of performing on his first major tour as headliner. “It’s going to be scary at times because there’s risks, but it feels good to be able to have your own DNA on a tour,” he said. Gokey said he knows what
it is to feel downtrodden because he’s “dealt with some pretty intense hopelessness.”
“I’ve been able to share some of that through my music,” he said.
The musician said the unexpected loss of his first wife brought him low, and he has had bouts of depression, fear and anxiety, as well.
“Those have been pretty massive things that crippled me,” he said.
Gokey said he found it helpful to changing his perspective of the situations at hand and that is what he shares with others through his music.
“Change your thoughts. If you change your thoughts, you change your action. You’re in charge,” he said.
Having the TV platform of “American Idol” made him realize that hearing a message of hope at just the right time can make a difference in someone’s life. Through the small-screen platform, he saw the message of hope intertwine with entertainment with powerful results.
His latest album “Rise” was released in January 2017, and Gokey said it features something for everyone.
“’Rise’ has my soul song, my pop song, my funk in it and at the same time, it’s got hope in it,” he said.
And the album won Gokey his first Grammy nomination for Best Contemporary Christian Music Album.
“It shocked me. I couldn’t believe it. I didn’t think that was even a possibility, but it was great,” he said.
Meanwhile, fans at the “Hope Encounter” concert will be invited to be part of Gokey’s “Better Than I Found It” campaign. The campaign is based on a track by the same name that is featured on the “Rise” album.
Gokey said fans may nominate members of their local community who have brought hope and made a difference in their region. Some of the people nominated will be recognized for their contributions to the community at the concerts. Gokey said a TV show based on the campaign is being produced.
Getting connected
Wells is getting to experience what it’s like to be a solo act after being part of Royal Tailor, a group he started with DJ Cox, Jeremy Guzman and Blake Hubbard when the four were attending Indiana Bible College.
Wells headed out on his own in 2015, and his solo debut album “Hills and Valleys” was released in 2017.
He said going solo has been an adjustment, but it has given him a lot of liberty to prioritize his family and home life.
Wells said becoming a solo act also has given him the freedom to explore who he is as an artist, and that seemed to pay off through his debut compilation in more ways than one.
He went on a 22-city tour with Lionel Richie and Mariah Carey on their “All the Hits” tour. And his new album quickly gained popularity, with the title track becoming one of the most streamed Christian songs of 2017, according to Spotify.
The album and title song also nabbed two Grammy
nominations for Wells — for Best Contemporary Christian Music Album and Best Contemporary Music Performance/Song.
The recording artist said he feels blessed by it all.
“I’m grateful. Being able to go to that event and connect with the other artists was great,” he said during a telephone interview. “It’s always an honor to be acknowledge for my musical abilities.”
Wells said the song “Hills and Valleys” seemed to resonate with fans because of its authenticity.
“I just think it’s truth, that we all going through things in life — mountaintop moments and valley moments,” he said.
“We get to the mountaintop when we do things like graduate or when we get married, but at the same time there are a lot of low moments that take our breath away, moments that are painful. I think God gave me that song to encapsulate all that,” he said.
With faith, no one has to journey the mountain or the valley alone.
“He’s with us. Even my success, I can’t take credit for because it’s only through God that I gain my significance. I actually love how the Scripture says it: ‘He is a morning star’ but it goes on to say He’s the lily of the valley. He produces beauty in the shadows.”
Like Gokey, Wells said he wants to help concertgoers experience the hope of Christ.
“I want everyone to have a really great time, but it’s not an empty performance. We are connecting them with God. That is a transfer and a connection that outlasts the night.”