TobyMac's Still Boomin’

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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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