musical tribute

ever since just before Cornerstone, I have been reminiscing a little extra about one of my favorite christian artists of all time, someone who is near and dear to my heart, and I really think it's a shame that he's not busy making music in some form at this time.

That man is Steve Taylor.

No, Steve wasn't at Cornerstone this year, and I knew he wouldn't be, but it doesn't make it any less sad. I somehow always connect Steve Taylor to C-stone, even though he wasn't there the last time I went either, and has really only been there once in the last probably 10 years, just for their 20th anniversary party, but planning and packing to go last week made me quite nostalgic, to the point of pulling out my Steve Taylor Anthology and listen to his "golden oldies". I don't think I know of anyone who knows Steve's music and doesn't like him or the music. He only made one album in the 1990s (2 if you count Liver, but that was a live concert album) so it mostly sounds quite 80s, but the lyrics are some of the smartest I've heard, funny and sharp, and he makes his point very well, usually criticizing the ills and shortcomings of the Church.

To avoid listing an artistic biography of the guy, there are actually several fan websites available for the interested (here, here, here, and here are some). I am also willing to lend out CDs and such for those nearby who would like a taste of his musical stylings.

It should be noted that Steve Taylor is directly responsible for my friendship to Tim Potter, and resulting attendance at the Rock, and the eventual meeting and marrying of my husband. Had I not been introduced to Steve in high school by my good friend Nate Schultz, none of that may have even happened. For this, among many other reasons, I treasure Steve Taylor. I even almost voted for him to become President in 1998. Then my mom gave me the whole "throwing away your vote" speech and I changed my mind. Bill Clinton still won - I shoulda voted for Steve, just to make a stand.

If I had a scanner, I would for sure have posted the proof of my one and only meeting with Steve, it was Sonshine 1995, I believe. He was kind enough to sign a t-shirt and take a picture with me and a friend, definitely the highlight of the weekend. That was the year I think I saw Steve 3 times in concert, a couple times with Guardian, and then at Sonshine. I feel very fortunate to have seen him those times, especially now that he's busy doing other things.

Cornerstone was thankfully the carrier of Steve Taylor news, even if he himself wasn't there. Turns out all those rumors of him working on a movie actually were true! It's called The Second Chance, and it's got Michael W. Smith in it, and it's coming out this fall. I'll admit, I'll go see it just because Steve was involved, but the story does sound kind of intruiging, it'll be worth a shot.

I also poked around and found the press conference Steve did at Cornerstone 2003, which gives a pretty good summary of everything I've been wondering about him for the past few years, mostly - where the heck did he go? And here's a more recent interview, I haven't had the chance to read thru it yet, so someone tell me what it's all about, ok?

There you have it, Steve Taylor. I guess it's not a whole lot more than personal reflection about him, but I think he's pretty great, and if you know about him, then chances are you think he's pretty great too...