CrossWay – Changing the Face of Quartet Music, Feature Article

Sep

2005

CrossWay – Changing the Face of Quartet Music

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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.

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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.

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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.

Reader Comments

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!

Pam Tucker

Commented by (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) On 10/03/2005

Gentlemen:

I was somewhat taken aback when I read the caption to this article, "Crossway is changing the face of quartet music". I have been involved for over 50 years in "quartet music", am still actively involved with my own part-time group, but was not aware that the "face" of quartet music actually needs to be changed. Yes, I have heard Crossway and, while I am impressed by their obvious talents, I am, at the same time, concern-ed that their style of music could eventually mostly,if not completely, swallow up true south-ern gospel music as we have known it in the past. Who knows.....maybe it is inevitable that this will happen, whether through Crossway or through another group(s). For my part, though, I find it much easier to be touched by a song that doesn't sound like "gospel rock" than I am with some of the more "progessive" songs that a few groups seem to be bent on performing. Am I just too old-fashioned, or, are there more folk out there like me? At least, I have a right to my opinion, don't I????? I will be wearing my "shield" to ward off all the arrows that folk will likely be shooting at me, so, full steam ahead!

Don Watson
Henderson, KY

Commented by Don Watson On 10/04/2005

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.

Commented by (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) On 10/04/2005

In reply to Don Watson's comment:
As a die-hard Gospel fan, I can relate to your sentiments on the issue concerning "changing the face of Gospel music". Let me assure you that the statement was simple "promotional" glib. That's Nashville talking, and not a concensus.
However, one must always keep an ear to the tracks for the next coming "sensation". Case in point: the arrival of the Goodman's in the 60's, the Hinson's in the 70's, and recently the Gaither Homecoming concerts.
Change is always inevitable, and Gospel music needs a real shot in the arm right now. The older audiences are dying away, while the younger audiences always take it to the edge. That's just the way it happens in all musical genres.
There is an emerging generation of new Gospel artists that are taking the music to a new level of excellence.
But as far as one group leading the way, in my mind, that's just a lot of ego and promotion hype. It's a lot like steam; here today and gone tomorrow. Typical Nashville. (I've been an active memeber of the Nashville music community for 25 years, so I kinda know how it goes.)
The "Annointing" is what makes the difference -- as far as making an impact on Gospel. It is, has been, and will always be that way. Show me a group with a strong following, and an undeniable prescence of God, and you may have a candidate for a trendsetter group. But those kind come along rarely, sad to say.
I am not an active part of the Gospel scene anymore, so that's just one opinion. Don't shoot me down too hard, kids.
In Christ...

Commented by Kevin Wicker On 10/05/2005

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.

Commented by Kevin Wicker On 10/05/2005

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."

Commented by (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) On 10/05/2005

In reply to Mr. Hales:

I am with you Brother James. I think Crossway is a great group, and they certainly kick it up a notch. I think they certainly have the potential to bring new musical horizons to SGM -- that is, if they don't get wooed by the Pop/CCM culture.

I feel it may lead to that, because the SGM crowd isn't easily swayed, do you not agree? It isn't the younger audiences who are buying the Gospel records, and I really don't beleive that it is possible to bridge the gap between the two -- unless they have some really strong, annointed songs that communicate with all audiences.(Case in point: Andrea Crouch, Imperials, Hillsong).

The Imperials had to literally leave the Gospel world for a few years, because the old blood had them blackballed (anyone up on what happened behind the scenes will agree).
In the process however, they gained a whole new audience when they joined Elvis, and -- as history proves -- they helped put Gospel music on the map when they came back.

Gospel music has never come to prominence without outside help.
Every group I've ever seen come down the pike that attempted to "change the face of Gospel" wound up going to another genre to pay the bills, because the Gospel crowd wasn't ready for the change.(Ever heard of the Oak Ridge Boys?)

I like Crossway a lot! But I feel they should try to keep in mind that what they are trying to attempt may very well backfire. History proves it, and history is bound to repeat itself.
(Hey, I could be wrong. I HOPE SO!)

Commented by Kevin Wicker On 10/05/2005

;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,
"Whatever happened to the groups my mom and dad used to listen (or my grandma and grandpa). I, for one, will continue to express my concern about the future of the integrity of southern gospel music and, when I do, it will quite likely
irritate some folk who no longer appreciate it.

Commented by Don Watson On 10/05/2005

Oh, and about "reaching souls through music" comment:

We've got a lot of people saying that, and have said it for a long time. I think it's cheesy, because it's partially true. It's a phrase that has been used to death by people who want to impress congregations and Gospel music fans. I'm sick of hearing it.
Mr. Hales, you and I have been in this a long time, and we know what goes on sometimes behind the scenes. I've heard lots of groups make such claims, while their girlfriends wait in the bus.

I'm not saying that's what Crossway does. No not at all. But if you're gonna reach souls, go to where they are, and do it outside the church borders. Susie Stripper isn't gonna pay a visit to a Southern Gospel concert anytime soon, and she certainly won't be doing lap-dances to the music of the Inspirations! Right?

It's like going fishing in a parking lot! Get a clue! That's why there's CCM..
If you go into a bar dressed and acting like a Southern Gospel artist, you'll get laughed at.

I'm not meaning to be rude, please. But let's be truthful with our intentions. This is 80% Gospel Music entertainment, and 20% ministry. Yes, there are those within the church who need ministry. But that's all it is, "inside the church".

To all those who sing Gospel as a profession: don't be guilty of putting on a good program singing for Jesus, while all the while you are in it because you want to sing. There is a difference between a profession and ministry. Profession only professes. Ministry gets involved.

And we wonder why the world doesn't take us seriously...

Commented by Kevin Wicker On 10/05/2005

Mr. Watson:

I am certain that -- when the Goodman's came along -- there were those who said, "Gee, I wonder why we don't hear anymore from the Sunshine Boys anymore?"

It's called progress, and there's not a lot you nor I can say that will change it. Gospel music will either move on with the rest of the world, or it will be as obscure as your record collection, Mr. Watson.

Commented by Kevin Wicker On 10/05/2005

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