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Christian musician Toby Mac talks about why his new album hitting #1 on the Billboard charts is such a big deal.
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And there's a look at telling Mac -- live on -- great video this is fox for a while one live on Laura Ingle and and I mean that video clip had to have your toes to happen in your head -- and and the whole crew around here.
As movement and grew into that we want to welcome via Skype until we -- -- there with us that's a and I -- me dude hey I was so much fun.
What -- and video and I understand that it's the that you -- the first Christian album to top billboard charts in fifteen years.
Yeah I mean it was unexpected I mean I really work -- on the record for like a year and a half.
Had no -- -- -- do that well but you know it was -- right we -- time right records so it really -- I'm glad it's connecting with people.
Right on well you know we're here to talk about that so it's.
Eye on it correct that's the name correct on its mind on it.
And it includes the current hit single me without you which is which hit number one on -- CH RAC indicator charts.
You have performed over two million last year alone.
This fall your headline in the winter jam West Coast tour and headlining your own eye on it hits -- tour.
Later this year so tell me how you know you said it was a surprise this success.
That part of it but you've obviously been out there for a long time you have a huge huge following I read.
Idea of over one point four million on FaceBook and over 200000 on Twitter.
Hello.
I'm.
That's that's wonderful I think people are are not only into your music.
But the message is well -- little bit about your inspiration what you -- about.
And how you got it out there it.
Yeah me you know are really right that the things I'm going through in life I mean you know I'm a Christian.
Person tried it.
You don't make it by this crazy world and I write about those kind of things that.
You know might be about relationships in my -- about the relationship between my friends and -- -- my wife and I were.
My band mates and so there are songs about than the normal things that anyone could relate to.
It's just my -- kind of plays a role in all those relationships though it.
It ends up being in there it's not like I'm trying to be people of -- it is just kinda how I'm making it through this crazy world.
So you really is for every one out there.
You know disarmament.
There's -- -- songs about so many different things but they really are about life.
Right and you know and when you put that music out there and you -- like what you said that you.
You don't go Latin beat people over the head with that because you -- you have to really listen to some of your songs to.
You know really understand where you're coming from and then knowing what your background is knowing that your Christian music star.
You can listen to say OK I know what he's talking about.
And and maybe a lot of people.
Are turning to you in your music.
To get some positive affirmation of their lives it because there -- so much negativity out there.
And when people hear Christian music maybe they don't think of the type of music that we're hearing from you it's fun it's upbeat it's rock and roll it's.
Dance it's you know the energy that you -- onto the stage is just incredible.
And I imagine what the type of following the you have with -- Following on FaceBook and Twitter alone.
That people are are flocking to you I mean they are they they wanna hear this nice positive message -- people come up to you after the show what -- they say.
I mean -- -- tell you there is this article and a Chicago paper.
And it was a lady did it say in the name of the article was.
Who is Toby Mac and how is -- number one and arts and he's -- -- -- initially began didn't dive into my music is about brought home your family.
Never heard anything about Christian music or whatever.
Listen -- and said I don't care what this is called I don't care what people labeled it this is good music and I love what it seemed to me and my family.
So that's the kind of -- I'd love to here -- -- I think it's more applicable to people's lives in one would ever imagine -- sometimes a big label on it.
Causes in the fall on deaf ears and I -- mind that all over the years.
Let people -- shows.
-- it's your question I mean you know.
I got a letter yesterday a car as a matter fact.
From a concert in Saint Louis we girls says you lost your dad.
She'd lost her husband guy.
And she said she -- so it was so encouraged by the things that was come across in my music.
-- -- get back up.
No we lose our way we get back up and you know it's never too late to get back up again.
-- you may be knocked down what you -- -- wherever she -- that's on some religious encourage your.
And inner inner tough moments and now she's flying wings and she's doing great.
-- must be so rewarding as an artist knowing that you wrote those -- you wrote that music.
And that you got through to somebody that somebody really connected with -- That was -- incredible what does that feel like.
It's.
As civilians deeper parts especially artists trying to speed -- in people.
You know.
I'm not trying did.
Speak -- will try to speak life.
And that's exactly what that some -- for her and I mean that's the most amazing part about the number.
The number one who ordered it to me it's not about oh yeah we hitter we hit our mark -- just figure it's I know what's in that record.
I know what I wrote into the record and speaking lights.
Indeed people -- mean it is is AG's are exactly but it speaking like.
Through for the people up -- admit openly challenging people think.
The love people well to reach out to the lower income people and I mean it's -- all those things that I wanna hear team.
Well my heart in my hand of their plans -- -- -- time there -- -- every day.
I'm so glad that you just at what -- said it's edgy sonic clay.
Is that is a really great description.
Of what what I heard it when I was listening to you before I came on the air I want to ask you quickly just have a minute before we go how you got into.
You know obviously if you love music.
But the direction you decided -- -- what I hear Christian music I'm dating myself a little bit here by saying that you know when I hear of a Christian band I think striker.
I am really -- -- that I used to via a rock DJ before I went into news.
-- -- -- strive -- on the radio but during Q how did you when you found out.
You know that this is the patsy wanted to take did you listen distract or whether other Christian music group seen someone do something like this please message -- Well I found -- ready songs I love rap violent rap music I love -- NBC and all of that started flipping over their music to the beside it and when I had my -- turn tables and a microphone -- and out.
Writing my own songs and I -- the first -- -- wrote.
But you know I was a Christian and with the person you're with just like anything I was about -- ex girlfriend I was mad -- whatever.
And then it's -- residents are taking weeks and weeks threatens wraps.
-- melodies and courses and I spiral he said you know what.
If I'm gonna take this more of them were my cell phones and I want -- season that matters to policies -- it would matter to people.
Now this morning about my ex girlfriend and I honestly I.
Yeah I don't even bother song or songs are fun and do it right.
I just said -- and it's been that much time -- something.
I wanted to do something that intersects with people's lives -- you know curtains demo that's been my whole cause and to think deeper about.
What's going on socially in the world right so that that's -- are growing throughout -- but I made up Christian music.
It's a -- hot hot while people are connecting with you people are digging your style and of course congratulations to being on the top billboard charts.
-- how we match we want to just quickly show -- hear the album cover because we got a let to run.
