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David Wilcox, Carrie Newcomer, Brian McLaren Mix Music and Talk at Jubilee!
December 14th, 2007
by Carol Mallet - Asheville Citizen-Times
ASHEVILLE — When David Wilcox returned to the community where his fame began here in Western North Carolina, he decided to give a bit back and start a new music series.
“Music of the Soul: Songs & Conversations of the Spirit with David Wilcox, Carrie Newcomer and Brian McLaren” is the first in what Wilcox hopes will be a long collaboration of well-known musicians and interesting people. Newcomer and Wilcox are both nationally known singer-songwriters. McLaren is one of the nation’s most influential contemporary theologians. Join the three at Jubilee! Community Church this weekend for an interactive and entertaining collaboration. Wilcox spoke recently about the show.
Question: Why a spiritual event?
Answer: Our late-night talk shows have evolved into advertising
where people talk about their new movie, but I think originally they were about
conversations with interesting people, people you would like to know. I like
the idea of having an excuse to gather with friends from all over the country.
We have these intense conversations about life, love, romance, religion, truth,
all that. I wanted to bring them here for a conversation and share it. When
music is involved, the heart can open and converse more easily.
Q: Why
Carrie Newcomer?
A: She is a wonderful musician who has many songs that are the
start of more conversations. Her songs present ideas that challenge you and are
expecting a response. She writes about all kinds of tough issues and about the
boundaries and frontiers of the heart.
Q: And Brian McLaren?
A: Brian McLaren is the most amazing author. He expresses words so
well. They are not spiritual in a dull sense. ... They are not about this group
of people who define themselves as belonging to an exclusive club.
Q: Tell me about the program.
A: We are going to get together, and the audience is going to be
there, expecting something to happen. Carrie, Brian and I will look at each
other and say, “Well, what do you want to do?” Hopefully, the others will
respond and it will have continuity and momentum. I also hope it will have
differences of opinion where we will be challenging each other.
Q: Does Brian McLaren sing and play?
A: He does. He was a musician before he became a pastor and
author.
Q: And the audience?
A: Oh, they are part of it. They are involved. Leer, cheer and
heckle from the gallery — it is all fair game.
Q: Do you have a CD coming out this month?
A: My new CD is called “Airstream,” and it’s all songs inspired by
our two years of travel in an Airstream. It was recorded inside the Airstream
after we got home. It was out here in the driveway, and we set the studio up in
the Airstream. It was great.
Q: This will be a series?
A: We would love it to be once a month. We’ll stay at Jubilee!
unless we outgrow it, but it’s a great space. It has a life of its own, and we
will just have to see what happens.