TobyMac's Still Boomin’

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By Deborah Evans Price, senior music editor, gmclife.com
  
Few artists in any genre create from a more diverse musical palette than TobyMac. Melding rock and pop with rap, hip hop, soul and funk into what Toby McKeehan calls a “musical gumbo,” the veteran performer continues to be on the cutting edge with his latest album, Tonight.
  
TobyMac has earned a large and loyal following recording songs that are musically inventive and lyrically substantive. His work is personal, yet strikes a universal chord.

“I write about the things I’m going through and the things my friends go through,” Toby tells gmclife.com. “I write about my pursuit of God in this crazy world. Each song is about a part of my life.”
  
Most Christian music fans know TobyMac first emerged as part of the pioneering trio dcTalk with Michael Tait and Kevin Max. After earning countless accolades and selling millions of records, the guys split amicably in 2000, and Toby McKeehan became TobyMac. He released his first solo album Momentum in 2001, followed by 2004’s Welcome to Diverse City and 2007’s Portable Sounds, which bowed at No. 10 on the Billboard 200. He’s also released two remix albums. His 2008 live CD/DVD set, Alive and Transported, earned a GRAMMY for Best Rock or Rap Gospel album. He’s netted numerous Dove Awards including the 2008 Artist of the Year honor.
  
Tonight has the potential to continue the momentum as the lead single, “City On Our Knees” has already become a major hit at Christian radio. Long known as the man who “introduced rap to Christian music,” TobyMac pushes the envelope even further as a vocalist on the new CD.

“I’m learning to use it better and I’m writing songs and melodies that fit my voice,” he says. “I’ve sort of developed a vocal style now, not just from a rap standpoint, but from a singing standpoint. I think maybe there’s a little more confidence and a little more freedom. The canvas has opened up a little; [there are] more colors to work with.”
  
The new album features guest vocals by Toby’s son Truett, a regular contributor to his dad’s albums, Skillet frontman John Cooper, Israel Houghton, and Relient K’s Matthew Thiessen.

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“It’s always been he and I having a good time in the studio together,” says Toby of his 11-year-old son. “This one continues in that tradition. I love it! It’s just truly so fun to create with him.”
  
Activity around Skillet’s new record made it especially tricky getting Cooper to sing on the album’s title track, but all parties involved worked quickly to make it happen.

“We were finished with the record and I said ‘I want John Cooper on this’ and it had to turn around fast. For him to take that time for me...it’s an honor. He’s amazing. And his voice is just perfect for it.”
  
Toby appeared on Houghton’s last album as a guest vocalist, and hoped the multiple GRAMMY Award-winner could contribute to the new project.

“I called him because I’m just a fan of his," says Toby. "It’s amazing to have somebody on your record [whose songs] your kids are singing when they come home from school. It excited me because I knew it would light up their eyes to have him on a song. He’s one of the most passionate vocalists I know. There’s so much soul there.”
  
Toby and Thiessen’s history together made the two a particularly smart creative match. Relient K was originally discovered and signed by Toby and his label, Gotee Records. Thiessen joins TobyMac on the nostalgic tune “Wonderin,’” which was written about dcTalk.

“I thought if anybody could help me tell this story it would be Matt,” Toby shares. “I’ve always wanted him on [one of my albums], but I wanted to find the right vocal. I always imagined it as kind of a guitar-driven pop song. One of my favorite aspects of Matt’s voice is that intimate and whimsical sort of sigh. I thought ‘Wonderin’’ [would be] perfect for his voice. He brings out all the warmth that I wanted the song to exude. He nailed it.”

"Wonderin'" has prompted Toby to reflect on his dcTalk days.

“I wrote it very quickly, probably a year and a half ago, when I was thinking about my artistic life, my band that I’m so blessed with, but of course my mind always wanders to Mike [Tait] and Kevin [Max]. I think about the influence they’ve had on me. There was a lot of times laughing, loving, debating, screaming – that’s a good part of my life and it helped shape me. As I look back now, I realize how much it shaped me and how much they influenced me artistically in learning how to use my creative skills and my voice. I’m thankful for them.”

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Whenever dcTalk comes up in conversation, the obvious question is “Will there ever be a reunion?” Toby responds: “I don’t know. We talk about it occasionally. I don’t know if we’ll ever do any recording [again]. As far as doing some kind of a reunion tour, I think that is absolutely feasible and possible, but I’m walking very deeply with the Diverse City Band. I’m with them creatively and spiritually as a family. I’ve been walking with them almost as long as I walked with Michael and Kevin. Our roots are very deep now and I don’t plan on walking away from them.”

Another song on Tonight inspired by a long-term relationship, “Start Somewhere,” draws from his 15-year marriage to his wife Amanda.

“‘Start Somewhere’ [isn’t about] a specific scenario. It’s [about] marriage and knowing how many times I’ve said something that I shouldn’t to my wife, or not said something I should have...lying in bed next to her it’s ice cold, yet I’m sweating, because I realize that I’ve done something wrong. I realize that confession and forgiveness and reconciliation is what is needed, but sometimes it’s difficult to bring yourself to do that and that’s what that song is all about. Maybe the person is not ready to receive it or maybe you’re not ready to let go of your pride yet. Amanda and I have been there many times.”

Always looking to expand on the creative experience, Toby has recruited 12 up-and-coming young directors to make videos of the songs on the album.

“It’s going great,” he says. “We’re just taking our time in picking the right people. I’m trying to decide whether to put them on YouTube or not. The one for ‘ShowStopper’ is outstanding and [so is the] one for ‘City On Our Knees.’ These guys are coming through in an amazing way. We’re calling them ‘director’s videos’ instead of ‘music videos’ because I’m not in them. To see the images they are coming up with for these songs, it’s amazing. As a writer and an as artist, seeing this through other people’s eyes, very creative eyes...It’s a privilege to see how they take your music somewhere visually.”

At press time, he wasn’t sure if the videos would be released on YouTube or if they would be combined into a special DVD release.

TobyMac’s music – past and present – has been popping up in a variety of places other than Christian radio. He’s had songs placed in films such as Batman Begins, Hancock, Transporter 2 and Fantastic Four, and his songs are being used on various networks and in prominent commercials. “Ignition” from Portable Sounds has been used by Starz in national promos as well as on the NFL Network. “Burn for You” from Welcome to Diverse City was used in promos for Dr. Phil’s show. “ShowStopper” was licensed by Microsoft for the Windows 7 launch as well as the NFL Network Nike Rewind Segment. “Made to Love” from Portable Sounds was used in the film All’s Faire in Love starring Christina Ricci. Major League Baseball is using “Tonight” as its theme song.

“I’d say one of my inroads in the mainstream has been action films and tons of sports usages. EMI’s film and TV division absolutely kills it for me,” he says appreciatively of EMI CMG’s efforts. “They gave me a whole new avenue for my music. They have done an amazing job.”

TobyMac will soon hit the road with Skillet on the Awake Tonight tour, which kicks off in Aurora, Ill. March 4. Later in the summer, he’ll team with Chris Tomlin for a dozen or more shows. He’s looking forward to taking the new music to his fans.

“We’ve got to drop the joy bomb,” he says. “I think that’s one of the struggles that music made by believers faces, is everything has to be so somber. Once in a while you just have to drop the joy bomb and say ‘Here we are! Boom!’” 

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About the Writer

Deborah Evans Price has covered Christian/Gospel music for Billboard magazine since 1994. She also contributes regularly to Country Weekly, CMA Close Up, Devo’Zine, Christian Single, HomeLife, BMI Music World, and other publications.

A Nashville resident since 1983, Deborah has held editorial posts at Radio & Records, Country News, American Songwriter and Billboard. Amy Grant, Trace Adkins, Brad Paisley, Charlie Daniels, 3 Doors Down, Third Day, Don Henley, Bon Jovi, Chris Rice, Sandra Bullock, Mercy Me, Alan Jackson, Smokey Robinson, Carrie Underwood and Steven Curtis Chapman are among her many interviews. Additionally, she's a sought-after music industry analyst who has been interviewed on CNN, MSNBC, TNN, The Today Show, and ABC PrimeTime Live, among other outlets.

Deborah is a member of the Gospel Music Association's board of directors and a graduate of Leadership Music. She resides south of Nashville with her husband, Gary, and son Trey.  

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