TobyMac's Still Boomin’

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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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