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 Amazon Music and iTunes
THE STAND
(Good News Records, 1980)
"THE STAND" was recorded during an especially troubling time in your life... "
It was my last album for the Good News record label. Most of the songs from this album were written and recorded during my downslide into the depths of the final stage of my alcohol addiction. Many of the songs were biographical, and reflected my then current struggles.
"How did the struggles you were experiencing affect this album?"
I had always participated in every step of the recording process of all my albums, completely hands on.
It was my last album for the Good News record label. Most of the songs from this album were written and recorded during my downslide into the depths of the final stage of my alcohol addiction. Many of the songs were biographical, and reflected my then current struggles.
"How did the struggles you were experiencing affect this album?"
I had always participated in every step of the recording process of all my albums, completely hands on.
This was the first album where I did not. Bob Rose had been assigned as producer, why I don’t remember. I had always produced my own albums up until then. I was probably looking for a fresh approach. My intervention and hospitalization for my addiction happened during the final stages of this album. Bob finished up several songs without my participation, and the entire mix was done without me.
"What was the reaction from your label at the time?"
Word Records, who distributed the Good News label, hated the album because of its painful content. I remember the president of Word at the time, Stan Moser, asking me “what was I thinking?” They basically buried it, putting little to no money into promoting and marketing. Consequently, it sold only a fraction of what my previous albums had sold. All my albums had sold over 100,000 up until then, but this album peaked at about 30,000.
"Why do you think it performed the way it did?"
The reason for the slow sales may have been the controversial content of the lyrics. Perhaps my audience was not ready for such painful themes in their music. My audience by now had come to know that I never put out a clone of my previous albums, so they knew I would do something different, but maybe not this different. I truly believe that this album would never have been released in today’s climate, where everything is so sanitized and safe.
"How was it received by the press?"
It received a glowing review from Cornerstone Magazine, published by Jesus People USA, the organization founded by Glen Kaiser of Resurrection Band . They loved the edgy controversial lyrics and the harder rock sound.
"What was the reaction from your label at the time?"
Word Records, who distributed the Good News label, hated the album because of its painful content. I remember the president of Word at the time, Stan Moser, asking me “what was I thinking?” They basically buried it, putting little to no money into promoting and marketing. Consequently, it sold only a fraction of what my previous albums had sold. All my albums had sold over 100,000 up until then, but this album peaked at about 30,000.
"Why do you think it performed the way it did?"
The reason for the slow sales may have been the controversial content of the lyrics. Perhaps my audience was not ready for such painful themes in their music. My audience by now had come to know that I never put out a clone of my previous albums, so they knew I would do something different, but maybe not this different. I truly believe that this album would never have been released in today’s climate, where everything is so sanitized and safe.
"How was it received by the press?"
It received a glowing review from Cornerstone Magazine, published by Jesus People USA, the organization founded by Glen Kaiser of Resurrection Band . They loved the edgy controversial lyrics and the harder rock sound.
Track Listing
Click on the track title for individual song commentary
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Chuck Girard's Music
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