07.19.08 Magazines
My friend Nancy Tyler (Board moderator as well), sent me an old relic this morning along with some kind words.
It reminded me of a ritual. Before I signed a record deal, before I worked at a church, before I worked for a music publisher, I was an intern for tat music publisher. A big-time writer guy named Brian White wrote in the office next to mine and pulled up a chair often to make me laugh - and dispense wisdom, often by accident.
Sometimes he’d pull an old CCM Magazine* off the archive shelf, for instance, and flip through it telling stories about the faces on the cover and in the ads - and asking the same question over and over again. “Where are they now?”
Every face was the golden boy or girl of the moment many years ago or just last year, the big winner at the Dove Awards, the ASCAP writer of the year, on tour with so-and-so, the next big thing. “Where are they now?” Brian asked. And sometimes he knew the answer. He’s selling real estate. She’s teaching school. He moved to Argentina to be a missionary. She’s got six kids now - lovin’ life.
I learned from Brian not to put much stock in the kind predictions media casts for an artist’s future, not to value myself only because a journalist values me, and that everything in life comes to pass - everything. Especially magazine covers. As Wes Cunningham once sang before losing his record deal, “Paper gets old and brittle and yellow with time, and all of these memories just like old magazines must lose their shine.”
From time to time I come across a website or email asking me “Where are you now?” They wonder why I fell “off the planet.” I kindly bring them up to speed on my life these days, letting them know that I’ve not fallen off the planet; I’ve only fallen off their news stand. I’m still here, with three kids and a wife, better facial hair and less expensive clothes and the gray left uncolored. And no braces. I’m still touring year round, ten shows a month, selling CDs every weekend, singing and speaking and writing and releasing kids from poverty. Thanks for asking.
And thanks for the trek back to 2001, Nancy.
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*Ironically, CCM Magazine has fallen off news stands and only lives on-line now - like so many artists.
Jen said:
But will you ever come out with a new CD? I love your music…
said:
"I’m still here, with three kids and a wife, with better facial hair and less expensive clothes and the gray left uncolored.” My wife would get angry if I talked about her facial hair.
Kelly @ Love Well said:
So. What ever happened to Joy Williams?
I taught at her high school during her senior year. She wasn’t around much, although she was class president; too busy touring and making records.
Stephen @ Rebelling Against Indifference said:
Joy is a songwriter now for Warner-Chappell.
Geneva said:
We know a preacher who had a stroke. Before that, he had measured his worth in baptisms, buildings, and budgets. He said that he realized while he was lying in bed unable to speak that God loved him just as much when his worth couldn’t be easily measured. Since his recovery, he’s jumped back in… this time with a clearer outlook. His preacher friends might be confused by him now, but he is doing God’s work.
Paul J. said:
I have my CCM cover shot in a frame downstairs. My children enjoy showing it to their friends and join them in laughing at me.
Michael Nease said:
You’re still on my radar Shaun.
Keep up the good work!
said:
Last time I saw you, I noticed you were squinting trying to read a sign at a distance. Is this due to losing those glasses, letting the grey go, or just getting older?
Beth
Shawn Bashor said:
I think this is a great reminder of the fact we all go through seasons in life. I didn’t know you back then, but I can say what I know of you now and the character you have is inspirational to me.
said:
I subscribed to CCM Magazine from 1987-1990 and 2001-2006 and kept my favorite copies. Paul, your cover issue was one of them.
said:
I think it’s kinda cool that you and Joy are sharing this particular cover. You’re both gifted in similar ways, I think. She, too, is a deep, critical thinker who manages to be fun to hang out with.
Everything’s vanity. I think as a person gets older, he doesn’t get much of a charge out of fame-stuff. ("Fame is the food dead men eat” says one poet.) They slake a thirst that will never be quenched, so best to just get a humorous kick out of it, and I’m glad you do.
shaunfan said:
Thanks Nancy for providing this cover. Brant, you are right on with Shaun being on the cover with Joy, who I also admire for thought-provoking lyrics and singing voice along with Shaun. Great to know that she’s also fun to hang out with.
Shaun, I wish I knew to ask you to borrow that shirt. I would have won the costume contest at my 70’s party last year (and if I had that facial hair).
Seriously though, summer 2001 was big for me as a new Christian (a little over 1 year) as that’s when I discovered my favorite new singer, song ("Welcome Home") and got baptized with my wife at an outdoor baptism in August with our 1 1/2 year old daughter Natalie (now have 3 daughters) sitting with my parents hearing my testimony.
Thanks for the memories.
Kevin
said:
Shaun, is it true that cover stories were a purchased thing at CCM? Thanks to my cousin’s collection and mine combined, I had CCM magazines dating back to the early 80s, but I dropped it once I stopped buying every new artist that came down the pike, and the magazine was filled with people whose sound I didn’t know. “Where are they now?” is a fun game, though. I wish I could play it.