4Him Community's Journal (original) (raw)

Chat transcript from the 4HIM Chat with Andy Chrisman held on April 18, 2002 at 4HIM.NET

Moderator Hello, Welcome to the 4HIM chat!

Moderator Please send any questions for 4HIM to info@listenfirst.com

Andy Hello everyone!

Moderator Welcome to our chat tonight with 4HIM. It is great to have you here
with us.

Moderator Our first question comes from Mark - He wants to know if you are going
to be at the last Truth concert in June?

Andy I know that the other guys are planning to go, but I'm not sure yet.

Andy I have some scheduling issues.

Moderator Stacy wants to know who signs the high parts in "Who You Are" and what
is your favorite song off the new album?

Andy That's probably me. I sang most of the lead and high parts on that song.

Moderator Kristi wants to know when you are going into the studio to record the
next album

Andy We haven't discussed it yet, but I would guess by spring 2003...

Moderator Kristi says: Any plans to record a new video

Andy Oooh...that would be fun. We have discussed doing an "unplugged" type live
video. We'll see :)

Moderator Laura and Mike says: Where do you get your inspiration for the lyrics
to your songs and how do you four decide who sings what parts on what songs?

Andy Well...the lyrics are mostly inspired by the Word, itermingled with our
everyday lives. As for who sings what - fistfights usually solve that. Just
kidding! We try to see who fits what and who's passionate about what song.

Moderator Abby says: How did you guys get together

Andy We met in the group TRUTH in 1987. None of us new each other before that.
After 3 and a half years of doing concerts togeher in that group (1000 or so
perfomances) we decided to try the 4HIM thing.

Moderator Carissa from Texas says: What is the biggest misconception people make
about y'all and what kind of audience do you focus your music on and why?

Andy Probably that people think we're untouchable, maybe have a big star
attitude, but that's farthest from the truth. We try to reach people of all
ages, because that's what we do best. We're all in our 30's and 40's and have
children so we feel like we can speak to most all ages.

Andy Except Kirk - he's single

Moderator Grapelvr4 says: Have you ever thought about re-doing the song "Holy of
Holies" - that was sung when you were with Truth.

Andy I would love to redo that song one day. I still sing it at my home church
at Easter, and it gets requested when I sing at local events and such. Great
song!!

Moderator Kelli says: When you are feeling lonely and discouraged about being on
the road so much, is there anything specific that helps to lift your spirits and
encourage you to "Walk On", such as remembering a particular verse of scripture
or reading about how God has used your ministry to change lives?

Andy The thing that helps me the most is that my family supports me and
cherishes my calling. They miss me when I'm gone, but they also see the fruit of
my labor. They know I was made for this.

Andy Plus...I'm not gone as much as you'ld think...

Moderator Meleah says: How do you juggle life on the road and being a minister
of music. Are you home every Sunday or do you have a fill-in for the times you
are away?

Andy God has given me several good musicians to fill in when I'm gone, which is
no more than 12 Sundays a year. I really believe that my music ministry at my
church is enhanced by what I do on the road, and certainly vice-versa.

Moderator The Warners says: We noticed that you all live in various states. How
does that work? Do you just get together for a project/tour? What do you do when
you are not working "together'?

Andy We lived in Mobile, AL together for a few years before we realized that we
hardly saw each other off the road. So moving apart has not been too difficult.
We will reahearse in Nashville before each tour and meet in the Atlanta airport
every trip. So living apart actually works the same as being in the same town.
When we aren't working together we each have individula things - songwriting,
church work, studio work, etc.

Andy and lots of golf!!! :)

Moderator EDun693742 says: What were your thoughts when you were first coming
into this thing? Did you expect it to be anything as it is now?

Andy No way! 4HIM has far surpassed our initial dreams. We never imagined that
we would have this kind of success.

Moderator Andrea says: Andy, do you play piano or guitar while leading worship
or do you just sing? How do you find time to practice with the worship team?

Andy I usually just sing, although I arrange most of our music on piano (12
years of classical training was good for something). We rehease a couple of
hours before each service, so everything fits in rather well.

Moderator TeachGodskids says: How do you deal with the fact that there are alot
of things you miss as a result of you being on the road: i.e. family functions,
town changing, etc.

Andy I had a great talk with Wayne Watson one day - he had been bummed that he
had missed so much time with his boys. He felt led to add up all of his days on
and off the road over the past 18 years and he made a remarkeable discovery. He
was actually home more than he was gone. In fact, he was home more than someone
working a 9-5 job. That really encouraged me. Sure I miss a lot of games and
recitals, but I have long blocks of uninterrupted time with my ki

Moderator Megan from W.V. says: I enjoyed your devotional very much. Do you
every think of doing another one or maybe an autobiography?

Andy I have given a lot of thought to an autobiography personally, and I would
love to do more Word-intensive devotional books.

Moderator Sherri says: Who in the group is most outgoing? Are any of you shy?

Andy Well, next to the other 3 guys, I am an introvert. :) None of us are really
shy, but Mark and Marty are extremely outgoing. A starnger is just a friend they
haven't met yet...

Andy stranger

Moderator Rogers says: What are your long-term plans for 4HIM (primarily in
terms of performing as a group)?

Andy That's been up in the air for years now. We literally go from project to
project, listening closely to that still small voice saying keep going or do
something else. We could be around another 12 years for all I know.

Moderator Ed says: Do your parents and families have an impact on what you do
and in what ways?

Andy Absolutely. If my wife told me to choose between her and the road, I'd
choose her in a heartbeat. And if my kids were suffering because of my absence,
I would find another job. But their support keeps me going. Both of my kids want
to do what I do.

Andy And my parents have been supportive from day 1.

Moderator Shell asks: How old are you guys?

Andy Uh-oh...I knew someone would ask that :) I'm 35, Mark is 39, Marty is 39,
and Kirk is 43. Ouch!

Moderator Eric - 7 years old asks: Do any of you have children? How old are
they?

Andy My son Lucas is 9, and my dughter Kayleigh is 6.

Andy daughter

Moderator Rostollan says: Of all the songs you've recorded, which is your
favorite and why?

Andy Hmmm...

Andy I guess Where there is Faith, beacuase it started us off on the right foot,
and it's fresh everytime I sing it. I've come to realize that faith is the most
valuable commodity I have, and it's great that I get to sing that song every
concert.

Moderator Jennifer asks: Do you ever bring your wife and children on the road
with you?

Andy My wife likes to stay home. She's a wonderful mother and keeper of the
homefire flame. She travelled with me non-stop for the first 2 years, so I think
she got her fill of road life. My kids, however, love coming out with me. I try
to take them on a couple trips each every year.

Moderator F. Haley asks: Did any of you want to grow up to be a Christian music
artist (a dream come true) or was it a "fly by the seat of your pants, in the
right place at the right time" kind of thing?

Andy I never had a dream for this. A couple of the other guys did. But I tried
just about everything else and this was the only thing that truly fulfilled me.
Plus, I knew, after a few years that I was built for this.

Moderator Nancy asks: Do you every read the forums on this site or
friendsof4him?

Andy I read them occasionally to get a an idea of what our fans are saying. It's
pretty educational!

Moderator Maria asks: Do your kids sing too? How about Mark and Marty's kids?

Andy My daughter is a natural. At 6 she can already play the piano and sing and
has a gift for performing. My son has talent, but chooses other forms of
expression. As for Marty and Mark's kids, several of them are showing signs of
gifting. The next 10 years should be fun to watch.

Moderator Ed asks: Do you have any funny memories of times past when you had
your old bus and you did all of your own driving?

Andy Funny? yeah. Cringing? definitely! Those were fun but a tough few years. We
lasted only a few months driving ourselves. We never could keep awake behind the
wheel for more the 30 minutes... :)

Moderator Jackie asks: Would you share any prayers needs you may have?

Andy Absolutely...pray for us that we always speak the truth at all times, walk
blamessly, and that God would protect us as we travel and our families when we
are away.

Moderator Thanks Andy for spending part of your evening with us. Do you have any
words of wisdom that you would like to pass onto everyone before your go?

Andy Remember Heb. 11:6 - Without faith, it is impossible to please God. Never
give up on Him, or His words, or His promises. Our God loves us and wants us all
to succeed. Thanks for sharing your evening with me. Goodnight!

Moderator Thank you for joining us this evening - we hope that you enjoyed the
chat. Don't forget to visit 4HIM.net and Friendsof4HIM.net. Keep 4HIM in your
prayers!