CHUCK GIRARD
Singer, Songwriter, Recording Artist, and Worship Leader
A Pioneer of Contemporary Christian Music, Member and Co-Founder of the CCM group 'LOVE SONG.'
Singer, Songwriter, Recording Artist, and Worship Leader
A Pioneer of Contemporary Christian Music, Member and Co-Founder of the CCM group 'LOVE SONG.'
ABOUT THE ALBUM
Available on iTunes and Amazon
CHUCK GIRARD
(Good News Records, 1975)
"Your first solo record is simply titled, "Chuck Girard." Was that your idea, or was it something the label wanted?"
This album was originally titled "Rock and Roll Preacher" after one of the songs. When I submitted the title to Word Records, who distributed the albums, they told me that if the album appeared with the words "Rock and Roll" in the title, none of the book-stores would carry it, and if they did, no one would buy it, therefore the album would be a flop. This was 1975, and the church had not yet fully accepted that rock music could be used for God.
"Were you in agreement with the 'conventional wisdom' approach?"
This album was originally titled "Rock and Roll Preacher" after one of the songs. When I submitted the title to Word Records, who distributed the albums, they told me that if the album appeared with the words "Rock and Roll" in the title, none of the book-stores would carry it, and if they did, no one would buy it, therefore the album would be a flop. This was 1975, and the church had not yet fully accepted that rock music could be used for God.
"Were you in agreement with the 'conventional wisdom' approach?"
It was not my usual style to bow to conventional wisdom and industry advice, but I saw the common sense in this counsel, and let the album go out as "Chuck Girard".
This was my first solo album after the group disbanded. Historically, one of the most difficult things for anyone to do is to successfully break out of a group identity and establish a viable solo identity. I was aware of this, and wanted to make an album that would ruffle as few feathers as possible.
"When selecting the material for 'Chuck Girard,' was there a method to the madness? Had you given a lot of thought to the song selection and the overall tone you wanted to achieve?"
Although I had some songs that were more confrontational, I decided it was wisdom, not compromise, to select songs for this album that had positive and uplifting themes. My philosophy at the time was that I needed to earn my space, and later I could be more confrontational. This idea worked as this album sold very well and single-handedly established me as a solo artist, largely due to the song that was to become a minor classic, "Sometimes Alleluia." I never really broadened my audience base too much over the next years because my albums never really followed formula, but I think that I offered people what they needed, if not always just what they wanted.
This was my first solo album after the group disbanded. Historically, one of the most difficult things for anyone to do is to successfully break out of a group identity and establish a viable solo identity. I was aware of this, and wanted to make an album that would ruffle as few feathers as possible.
"When selecting the material for 'Chuck Girard,' was there a method to the madness? Had you given a lot of thought to the song selection and the overall tone you wanted to achieve?"
Although I had some songs that were more confrontational, I decided it was wisdom, not compromise, to select songs for this album that had positive and uplifting themes. My philosophy at the time was that I needed to earn my space, and later I could be more confrontational. This idea worked as this album sold very well and single-handedly established me as a solo artist, largely due to the song that was to become a minor classic, "Sometimes Alleluia." I never really broadened my audience base too much over the next years because my albums never really followed formula, but I think that I offered people what they needed, if not always just what they wanted.
TRACK LISTING
Click on the track title for individual song commentary
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Chuck Girard's Music
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