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Cheri Keaggy
The Christian pop artist and worship leader discusses what she's been up to in her six-year absence, and the new artistic direction she's taking with Because He First Loved Us.
By Andy Argyrakis
posted 06/18/07
It's been six years since your last album! What have you been up to since we last heard from you?
Cheri Keaggy: I've continued on the road with concerts and women's conferences, though not at the same level as when I had a single on the radio. And I've been a full time mom—my son is now 17 and my daughter is 15. I'm involved in what they do and maximize my moments with them, especially because I have little time left with them [at home]. I've been saving up songs over the years and I thought about pursuing either the label deal or going the indie route. In the end, I decided on the indie route and started Psalm 91 Records.
After so many years on Sparrow Records and associations with women's conferences, the indie route seems a little surprising for you.
Keaggy: It's just a new season. I have my first MySpace page, which I've normally thought only a teenybopper thing. But as an artist, it's necessary—it's grassroots promotion and it's a different day. I've been collecting email addresses over the years and have that list where I can communicate with fans directly, send out monthly newsletters, and let them know about the new record.
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Where are you from originally? Southern California
Favorite place you've traveled to? Israel
Best meal you prepare? Salmon and veggies
Pet peeve? Pants that are too short because my legs are really long!
Your most annoying habit? I say the phrase "You know what I mean" a lot.
What makes you laugh? We have this dog named Daisy Doo and I'm the person in our family who does the dog's voice—it's so hilarious.
Your favorite website?: www.family.org
Last good book you read? And We Are Changed: Encounters with a Transforming God by Priscilla Shirer
Last good movie you saw? Stranger Than Fiction
Band/artist you're listening to the most right now? Carolyn Arends
Band/artist that comes closest to your sound? Amy Grant, Carole King, and Christine Dente
Age you became a Christian? 15
Your favorite Bible verse? 1 John 4:19
Last lesson God taught you? Especially during busy seasons, it's really important to remember to remember God is with us and that we can toss up those popcorn prayers for God to use us in every moment. It may sound simple, but it's sometimes forgotten and something to acknowledge in everyday life.
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Has operating on your own terms been more freeing than your days with a major label?
Keaggy: The label wants to help you do what you do, but there are times when you're not totally on the same page—song selection, for example. So in that sense, it's a real freedom. I also think I'm at a place where I want to be. I'm not as concerned at this point with what happens at radio and all of that. I feel a freedom to do what God has called me to do and trust him in terms of what everything looks like in terms of radio and sales—both of which are so periphery now. And I'm not saying that's what I was focused on at the beginning. But on a major label, you have to be more mindful of things [that also help the company], like wanting to make sure you have the right AC radio single.
What has been your writing pace as of late?
Keaggy: I sort of write at my leisure as life goes along. It's not like I said, "Okay, let's make a record." I'd been saving up some songs and some are newer things specifically for this record. I really worked off and on Because He First Loved Us for a good year or two. As I look back on the sessions, I was a little impatient at first because I was just so ready for a new record. But now I look back and just rest in Jesus, trusting that he knows what he's doing, which is important to remember, especially when you're going the indie route. God answered that prayer and built a great team of people around us to take care of all the elements.
How has your sound evolved over the past six years?
Keaggy: One thing I knew clearly going in was that I felt strongly about wanting a timeless feel to the instrumentation and even the packaging. I'm going to make a record different now than I would five years ago. I want to make sure that the record fits my audience. I do a lot of church events and women's conferences with women who want a meatier lyric and want music that's accessible, not too left of middle or too artsy for its own good. As a songwriter, I might listen to [other artists that are] a little left of the middle and get into it, but that's not really how I write as much. I'm more grounded in fairly accessible melodies. Each record represents a different chapter of my life and hopefully shows growth.
You can read our site's artist page or a review of her most recent album Because He First Loved Us by clicking here. Visit Christianbook.com to listen to song clips and buy her music.
© Andy Argyrakis, subject to licensing agreement with Christianity Today International. All rights reserved. Click for reprint information.
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