Christian Classic Tour Part II
The Christian Classic Tour
Last weekend, we made a three-day run on the tour starting in Hollywood, FL, then on to Dallas, and, finally in the Chattanooga, TN area.
These are the last three dates that are scheduled until December 8 and 9. There’s a possibility of doing more concerts if we can get everyone together. It’s a challenge.
I can’t tell you how much I’ve enjoyed spending time with these long-time friends. It’s been so long since we spent any time together.
Twila Paris, Michael Card and I all started at the same label some thirty years ago. Until the Classic Tour started in March, I hadn’t seen Twila in ten years. The last time we were on the same stage was Christmas of 2000 in a production of “The Child of the Promise” written by Michael and Stormy Omartian. The cast was terrific . . . Russ Taff, 4 Him, Crystal Lewis, Rachel Lampa, Russ Lee, Clay Cross, Stephen Curtis Chapman, Twila and, I’m sure others that I’m leaving out.
Twila played the role of expectant mother, Elizabeth. A role she took very seriously seeing how she was pregnant herself with her (now) ten-year old son, JP.
I can’t remember the last time I ran into Steve Green or Michael Card.
These three are some of the kindest people you’ll ever meet. I know, sometimes, people wonder “What are they really like?” I can tell you that the heart and voice and message you hear from the stage is real and it mirrors the private lives of every one of them. There are no surprises.
Steve is one of the nicest men you’ll ever meet. His innocence and his gentleness has always been an inspiration to me. And all these years later, it’s the same. He is so aware of his position in Christ and his need for Grace. His genuine humility stems from that awareness. And the voice! Strong and incredible as always.
Twila lives a quiet and simple life with her husband, Jack and their son, JP in Arkansas. It’s there she carries out a life and a relationship with Christ that has led her to write the beautiful songs she’s written. When she plays her set on the tour, it’s like listening to a modern hymnbook. Song after song is familiar like a comforting blanket. No one writes songs like Twila.
Michael would tell anyone “I’m a frustrated Bible teacher.” He loves to sing and has written some of the most poignant songs in the history of contemporary Christian music. But, I think his first love is teaching and sharing revealed truth from the Scripture. The last night of the tour in Tennessee, he shared copies of his latest book “Luke” with all the band guys and offered to have a Bible study with them once back in Nashville. He is generous, funny as heck and just a good hang.
Many thanks go to our friend, Dennis Fioravanti, whose heart for classic Christian music led him to put it on the line and gather this group of artists together. Like I said earlier, it’s not easy to find dates where the four of us aren’t out doing other dates and other things.
But Dennis tells us he’s getting lots of requests for the tour. I hope we’ll see you in your hometown soon.
I’m so honored to be a part of it and grateful to have a voice and a greater passion than ever to sing the truth of this Gracious and Merciful God. I’m overwhelmed at some of the mail I get at how God still stirs people’s hearts with these songs and looking forward to whatever lies ahead.
Ever thankful
Blessings
Wayne