One of the most popular up and coming groups in the country today is the progressively amazing sound of the male quartet, CrossWay. From their beginning as a traditional male quartet, this group of guys seem to have found their niche in the more progressive side of Southern Gospel Music. They are changing the face of quartet music, one song at a time and are winning fans left and right who would have never would have otherwise listened to a male quartet. Recently, I spoke with Paul Smith, Chris Weaver and Matt McFarland about their music, where they’re at right now and where they’re going. Unfortunately, Marty Hurt could not join us for the interview as he was back home enjoying the recent birth of triplets.
***************************
James: When you started, did you have any idea things would turn out the way they have for you guys?
Paul: No…not at all. If you had asked me 9 years ago if I would be singing fulltime, I would have said that you were crazy. I would have never guess it in a million years.
Chris: I could have never imagined the success that we’ve had on radio and signing with such a great label like SpringHill. God has been good to us and He has really made some awesome connections for us.
James: When you guys first started you were straight up, traditional SG quartet music and as time has gone on, your sound has evolved into a much more progressive style. Was this something you planned, or did it just happen?
Paul: We love all the traditional styles like the Cathedrals, Kingsmen, etc. That’s our first love and what we were raised on. Nothing was planned for us saying we’re going to make an album that sounds like this or that. We just picked the songs we liked and sang them the way we wanted to sing them and it just turned out the way it did.
Matt: You know, even though the style has changed some, the message has not. We feel God is the focal point of our ministry; as well it should be with any ministry. The message comes first, and we just deliver it in a little different way than some others.
Chris: Like Paul said earlier, we’d all been raised on traditional Southern Gospel and we started out as that, but we found ourselves getting lost in the mix. We wanted to do something that appealed to a younger audience. When we went into the studio last year to record this last project, the last song we recorded was “It Looks Like Love to Me”, and when we got done, we listened to the final playback of the song and we all just looked at each other in silence with this look like “Did we mean for this to happen?” We never really realized where we were going with our sound until it was all over. We all thought this was different, this was cool and we were very happy with the finished product. We were scared at first, but the fans have really taken to the new sound. We really feel this is who CrossWay is and we’re excited to see where the next album takes us.
Matt: “This I Know” has far exceeded our expectations. When we started working on this recording the group experienced some changes and we were still in the midst of trying to figure out vocal parts, which fits better where and eventually it all kind of fell into place. We learned a lot through this recording and it’s all just exceeded all of our expectations.
James: How exactly would you describe your sound today?
Paul: Crossway! (everybody laughing)
Matt: You know, our style is something that continues to develop everyday. You try to grow as individuals and as artists, and we’re not trying to go for a specific sound, so to speak, but we just try to pick out songs that give the strongest message. We’re all generally young guys and we enjoy good, exciting, vibrant music and that’s not to negate the traditional sounds at all because that’s is something we love and cherish and respect as well, but there’s always something for everybody and we try to keep our music well rounded.
Paul: If everybody sounded the same, we’d be bored out of our minds. We try to give some variety, and as long as those lyrics are there presenting the gospel, then go for it.
Matt: We’ve had more people respond to this new album than any other and people are thanking us for doing something different. We’re not the average quartet and people want to see something that’s a little different, and some people like it and some don’t. We’re grateful for the responses that we’ve been getting.
James: When you (Matt) came with the group, it totally changed the vocal structure of the group with you and Marty switching lead and tenor.
Matt: Yeah, we had a time trying to figure things out when I came to the group. Eventually, we came to decision to move me to the lead position and Marty found a “flip” in his voice that was just perfect for our sound and it really complimented the group’s sound and our voices. It wasn’t something that was planned; it just fell into place that way.
James: You guys knew one another prior to you coming to CrossWay?
Matt: Yes, CrossWay was singing at a theater in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina and I was singing in an ensemble there and they were the featured quartet. When that show was over, we went our own way and I moved to Nashville and got a call two weeks afterwards and have been here ever since.
James: What are some of your favorite moments on “This I Know”?
Matt: For me personally, “Long Arm of Love” is my personal favorite song; it is a song that has a unique message, though it’s the same as you’ve always heard…you just can’t outrun God’s love. The song is so fun to sing too and I love the harmonies on the song as well. “It Looks Like Love” has always been a crowd favorite and it’s one of my favorites as well. “Unscarred” is another one that I love. That song did pretty well on the Inspirational charts, so that has helped get our music out to a new audience.
Chris: The song “Don’t Pass By” is probably my favorite. It’s a more Inspirational sounding song, and a lot of times we use it for an invitational. It’s a cool song and shows us in our weak state. Satan wants us to build up a lot of pride within us, but the thing is our lives are out of control and it’s only through God that we can gain control. The song says, “Lord here I am, I’m broken and I need you”. That song really just hits me. It’s not a song you perform; it’s a song you sing to God.
James: What do hope to accomplish through your music?
Matt: The message is ultimate. The title song of our recording, “This I Know”…that is the simple message that I know Jesus loves me. That’s a message everyone needs to hear, whether you’ve been saved for years or someone who needs to come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. Everyone needs to know and be reminded that Jesus loves them. That’s what we are hoping to achieve through our music…that He will never leave or forsake us and that there is hope and there is someone who loves you with an unconditional love. The lost need to hear that, and so does the church.
Chris: In the last ten years, there seems to be a big push for the youth and we’re beginning to see a lot of young people in our audiences. We’re trying to relate to the younger audience. I like to say we’re giving them a light dose of Southern Gospel and we’re kind of that happy medium. Our style has allowed us to go into churches that usually don’t host Southern Gospel. We try to relate Southern Gospel in a form that young people can relate to and as Matt said, get the message of God’s love to them.
James: What’s up the road for the group?
Matt: We’re working on an acoustic hymns album with several songs that we do in concert with just me playing the guitar like “I’ll Fly Away”, “I Can Only Imagine” and a hymns medley that we do. People love it when we do those songs and have constantly been after us to put those on CD, so we’re going to do that. We are also due to record a new album for SpringHill, and hopefully in the next couple of months we’ll get started on that.
James: What do you guys do keep yourselves fresh?
Paul: We try to stay in the Bible as much as you can because when we’re on the road, it’s hard to get involved in church. In Nashville where I live, they have some Bible study groups that I try to keep involved in during the week. It’s a challenge, but you have to stay in God’s Word or you’ll get off kilter.
Matt: The good thing with us being such close friends is that we all keep one another accountable to a high standard.
Chris: I have been through the “Purpose Driven Life” book several times and along with the Word, I use that to try to better myself as a Christian and as a person. You have to keep yourself grounded in the Word as much as you can, because it’s essential. My wife is such a strong hold for me in my life for me as well and she keeps my feet on the ground and reminds me what this is all about.
James: What is God teaching you right now?
Paul: A lot of times it’s easy to stomp on people who are down. Lately I’ve learned that good people get caught in some bad situations and you hate to see them fall, but you love them and you work to help them. We all need to love people and not stab them in the back because of a mistake that they may have made. Don’t kick them when they’re down…Christian people can be so cruel and mean and we’re commanded to love them and bring them back to where they should be.
Chris: My biggest lesson is that I can depend on Him. Things happen and we think we can take care of it and push Him to the side and He’s showed me that there are surprises around every corner and He’s still in control. He’ll use those surprises in your life to get your attention and He’s showed me that no problem is too small for God and through it all He’s maturing me as a Christian.
**************************
Find out more about CrossWay by visiting their website at www.crosswayqt.com.
CrossWay is also holding a Win an IPod, to enter the contest go here.
Author: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Written: 09/30/2005
| 
Category: Feature Articles
Comments: 38
RSS Feed
| (What's an RSS feed?)
|
Ads Sponsored by Southern Spin
I absolutely love CrossWay! They are my favorite group. I love the progressive sound. They sound more modern but still have the gospel message. Their project "This I Know" is just awsome! I hope to hear something I wrote on one of their projects someday, but if it doesn't happen you can bet I'll still be buying their cd's. Thanks for the wonderful music, Crossway!
Gentlemen:
Gospel rock? Seriously?
I love the sound of CrossWay, and I say "it's about time" that they started getting this attention that they have deserved for years!
Way to go guys! Can't wait to hear the next album.
In reply to Don Watson's comment:
By the way, ever heard of 3 Bridges? Not to undermine Mr. Hale's sentiments, but THERE'S a group that meshes all audiences, and has a better shot at making real changes in SGM. Again, just my sentiments....Peace.
Thanks for the comments. True...the title was meant to get attention, and it worked! 
But...CrossWay is one of the groups at the forefront who are changing quartet music. I never said it needed changing, but even though I love the traditional styles, I also love the progressive sounds as well.
Not all young people are going to like groups like the Inspirations, Dove Brothers, Kingsmen, etc. I was an exception...I grew up loving the Inspirations, Florida Boys, Kingsmen, etc. But in today's times, young people want something different...and CrossWay is DIFFERENT...and the young people love them.
Kevin Wicker...I do agree, Three Bridges is one hot comodity. They are awesome and have made it an art combining edginess with traditionalism.
You are also correct, it is the anointing that draws people. I am always cautious about calling what is anointed, as that can be an opinion.
But I will say in talking with CrossWay, they have a deep love for what they do and they have a drive and passion to reach souls for Christ through their music.
Like one person said to me one time, "I don't care how we get people to Christ, I just want to get them there."
In reply to Mr. Hales:
;Mr. Wicks: I am aware of the "Nashville hype" that you refer to and I realize that, in order to pay the bills, a certain amount of hype seems al-most necessary. I remember the impact the Happy Goodmans had on southern gospel music; however, they did sing southern gospel music style - I know because, not only did I attend many of their concerts, but was also a personal friend of How-ard, Vestal, and Sam Goodman. If all of us old-timers sit back and simply smile and say, "well, it's just this new generation's way".....in a few years, some of the "not-so-oldtimers" might say,
Oh, and about "reaching souls through music" comment:
Mr. Watson:
I love Crossway because they do sound different than other quartets. Personally, I think a lot of the quartets sound too much alike and their songs all sound the same, with the exception of a few. Crossway has a new, fresh, sound. (And I must say I don't care too much for contemporary.) Also I'm in my 40's, so Crossway appeals to older folks too!
Mrs. Tucker
KW said: "It isn't possible, and it's kinda cocky -- if you ask me"
Mr. Mooney:
Mr Wicker
Mr. Mooney:
Mr. Wicker,
Mr Mooney:
I have found this whole conversation interesting. First, it is certainly possible for one group to have a changing effect on a genre. To not take seriously anyone who says that one group can change the face of Gospel music from the inside is to not be aware of the history of this genre. All we have to do is go back to the Statesmen and see how they turned Gospel music upside down. Then the Imperials did it in the 70s. They were the Crossways, and Crabb Families of today. The very people who complain about the changing of he genre today would have dispised the Statesmen and Blackwood Brothers in the 40s and 50s, after all, they did what the young groups are being accused of today. Crossway is grasping the newer country quartet sound which is very popular.
I agree, up to a point. As I stated earlier, it's very rare to find a group like the Statesmen, or the Imperials -- who change the music. Maybe Crossway could be the catalyst of change, who knows. We have to consider the times, and the habits of the record buyers and concert goers.
Gentlemen:
James,
Crossway,
Gentlemen, where are you going with this conversation? Have we all forgotten about the original story here? Mr. Hales is simply letting us know about a wonderful group of guys who are living a christian life, trying to praise God, through the talent of their voices. As a close personal friend of one of the group members, I know for a fact that these guys have not forgotten the reason they are in a different church practically every weekend out of the year. These guys love Jesus and want to tell everybody about him through their songs. You can like whatever type of Gospel music you want to, but you are getting carried away when you start bringing in the notion of anybody having "girlfriends" waiting in a bus etc... I for one grew up listening to contemporary christian music. People like Michael W. Smith, Wayne Watson, and yes, even groups like Petra, oh no don't start on me I must be a heathen right? No, I just happened to grow up in an area of the country where Southern Gospel wasn't a big hit. I have gotten older now and my style has changed too. It wasn't until I moved to Virginia that I even started to listen to SG music, and even then I started out with the Gaither Vocal Band. So just remember when you guys start arguing back and forth on here that there is a great group of guys on the other end reading this and are anxious to know what people think about their ministry, not about "Susie Stripper". God Bless.
I think CrossWay is a fantastic quartet. I heard them at Silver Dollar City in Branson Missouri a couple of weeks ago for the first time I was amazed. I saw them as a trio I couldn't believe the harmony they had just as a trio. I have a chance to see them at Meramec Caverns and really looking forward to seeing them as a quartet. I bought the CD "This I Know" I love that song but, everyone of those songs are great.
James,
CrossWay is the freshess thing to happen to Southern Gospel Music in YEARS!
Having never been a huge fan of Crossway, I do see why others find their music appealing. Good lyrics, production quality, image, etc. all combine for a positive effect, and yes, they are helping change the face of quartet music with their progressive sound.
Get to know Crossway, you'll be glad you did. Take a minute to sit down with them one on one and let them share with you what they're about. Better yet, see them in concert as I have, then post your comments.
I first heard Crossway in Greenville, TX, and now in Terrill, TX., and I just love them. I love their hearts and the music. Please don't change too much, guys.
Mr. Wicker and MR Mooney. Thanks for a good laugh this morning. I needed it!!
I get a kick about all the arguing as to whether SG is on its "last legs". Ain't going to happen folks. 20 years from now people will still be arguing about gospel styles and webmasters (if they have them then) will still enjoy the controversy.--like the Unthanks do.
Regardless of the arguments on this blog, Crossway is an amazing group. I don't like any kind of SG (more contemporary: Steven Curtis Chapman, FFH, Todd Agnew), and "This I Know" is all I can listen to! I didn't even buy the CD,(it was a gift)but i find that it's fast becoming my favorite out of everything I have. I have also seen Crossway in concert and they are great! It's quite evident how much they love Christ, and their burden to share that joy with others. They also have the southern hospitality and charm that i've missed while living in ohio. Their music is exciting, uplifting, humbling, and sometimes heartbreaking as they paint the picture of Christ's love and sacrifice for us. so thank you Crossway, for touching my heart, stirring my soul, and helping me to remember the depth of God's love for me.
CrossWay is awesome, and I can't wait to see them again. I have only been able to attend one concert so far. All the guys were so nice. Looking forward to meeting Marty next time. He's been quite busy lately. I was really thankful for the time in worship with them, and getting to know everyone. Paul was so sweet with my little niece, and I enjoyed meeeting his mother also.
I love all genres of Gospel/Christian music. It is the MESSAGE that is most important and Crossway is true to that message. I do agree that southern gospel music is changing and I believe Crossway is part of that. The question is, will those, who still dwell in the 50's and 60's and survive strictly on the old style of quartet singing, allow this to happen??? Will the industry controllers (notice I didn't say "leaders") allow some new blood, fresh ideas, changing sounds and new generations to have a part of their ministry/industry/money???
I have known most of these guys for a long time, esp. Chris Weaver, I knew him 9 months before he was born. Marty, Chris and Paul are wonderful people, besides being wonderful singers. I know them and the life they live and yes it is for God. They not only talk the talk, but they walk the walk! I am proud of these guys and what they have accomplished in their lives singing for God! Guys hang in there and keep on smiling and singing for God regardless of what people may say or think. I don't know Matt that well, but I know that he has to be a good person or these guys would not be singing with him!!!!
In reference to David Bruce Murray's comments ealier: I couln't agree more. CCM does not leave room for four part tenor to bass singing. That's the reason CCM will not dominate SG for many, many years to come - as long as there is not that four part traditional harmony implemented into "progressive" artists styles, SG will remain SG. Praise the Lord!
I am also a BIG fan of Crossway. I just by chance bought a CD, when I was in Eureka Springs, Ar., for the Great Passion Play. And lo, and behold, I came across a Great Find in Crossway. The blend of their voices is what I have been looking for, for a very long time. I am a Christian and I sing in my work area, right along with the songs. I feel uplifted and more in love with the Lord Jesus. I need to know where I can get some more of their CD's the one I have is getting wore out. I play it at least 6 times a day, everyday. Love You Guys! Suzi
Page 1 of 1 Comment Pages
