Christian artist tobyMac (AKA Toby McKeehan) has had a very good start to the year. He won his first solo Grammy in January for the Best Rock Or Rap Gospel Album, something that he narrowly missed after being nominated multiple times.
But winning the statue isn't the only thing that has the singer smiling. The man who Christianity Today called "one of the 50 most influential evangelical leaders in America" is headlining Christian music's largest annual musical tour, The Winter Jam 2009 Tour Spectacular, which makes a stop in Council Bluffs Sunday at 6 p.m. at the Mid-America Center. His band, Diverse City Band, will join him on stage.
The tour, his third with the festival, has been a great learning experience for the singer.
"For me, the backstage is as important as the on-stage (part of the tour)," said tobyMac. "I want to love them (the bands and crew) well and the audience well."
tobyMac performs with special guests Hawk Nelson, 2008 "Gospel Music Association's New Artist Of The Year"; Brandon Heath, "GMA New Artist Of The Year" 2006; The Afters; Stephanie Smith and Francesca Battistelli. The youthful pureNRG will headline the Precious Girls Club Pre-Jam Party. Grammy-nominated and Dove Award-winning, NewSong will host the high-energy event for the 14th consecutive year, which will feature special guest speaker Tony Nolan.
The singer said the night isn't just worship songs - there are thought-provoking songs that go a little deeper than the standard ones, as well as some fun songs.
The evening is "really festive," said tobyMac. "It feels like a big party a lot of the time."
He said the performances include a variety of music styles. He's impressed with Heath, whom he calls a "great songwriter," and Battistelli.
"There's some amazing talent out there," said tobyMac. "They inspire me to go back and write a song."
tobyMac has written a lot of songs in his tenure as an artist. Before going solo, he performed in dc Talk, a band that has won its fair share of Grammy awards (four). His solo career took off quickly with two Gold albums, six No. 1 singles, two Grammy nominations and widespread critical acclaim. After being nominated but never winning, tobyMac had almost written off the Grammys, since winning one had never really been in the forefront of his mind.
But at the 51st annual Grammy Awards, his name was called.
"It was a little more emotional than I thought it'd be," said tobyMac. "It felt almost full circle."
tobyMac has a recognizable style featuring rock/funk/hip-hop that hint at his musical background, growing up listening to a variety of artists such as Bob Marley, U2, Run DMC and Hall & Oates.
His latest album, the Grammy-winning "Portable Sounds," is true to his eclectic style and his spiritual intentions. As a songwriter, he aims for his music to be about life, about the struggles and failures everybody experiences.
"We're going through things together as human beings," after all, said tobyMac.
He promises an exciting show for all who attend Sunday.
"I always say I want to drop the joy bomb on an audience," said tobyMac.
Tickets to the festival have been $10 at the doors since its inception. The festival organizers, said tobyMac, are committed to the people in the communities they visit. It's his hope that people who wouldn't normally come out to concerts will come to this one because of its great value and artistry it promises.
"I believe in (the festival)," said tobyMac. "I believe in the economic part of it."
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The Winter Jam 2009 Tour Spectacular is at the Mid-America Center Sunday at 6 p.m. Doors open at 5 p.m., and the show is expected to last no later than 9:45 p.m. Its no "ticket policy" allows consumers to simply pay $10 at the door for admission. The tour accepts cash or check only at the door for admission.
"Hopefully, it all makes for a great show," said tobyMac. "It has the possibility of being a life changing event."
Christian Music News Source
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