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This episode is the first in my series, ‘Christian Music not Played on Christian Radio.’ Since the series was inspired in part by my guest, I thought it appropriate to have him begin the series.
My guest is Adam Whipple. I learned about and was able to connect with Adam through his pastor and my former board chair, Dr. Wade Bibb. Wade is presently pastor of Central Baptist Bearden, in Knoxville, TN. As so many churches are doing, Central Baptist Bearden is seeking to navigate the challenges that have come about with the rise of ‘contemporary’ Christian music and its ‘conflict’ with ‘traditional’ Christian music. Because Central Baptist Bearden is large enough and has the resources, it has services devoted to each style. Consequently, Wade is in conversation with musicians from each style.
Wade and I were discussing this challenge and he told of an occasion when he asked one of the ‘contemporary’ musicians where the laments and the contemplative/reflective songs were in ‘contemporary’ Christian music. The answer given was that those songs are there, but they are not heard on Christian radio. The musician/composer Wade was speaking to and talking about was Adam.
As you will hear in this episode, Adam offers important insights into the nature and breadth of ‘contemporary’ Christian music and into a Christian perspective on the interpretation of all art.
As you will also hear, Adam blends an eclectic, highly literate brand of folk rock with a more traditional Appalachian sound. His music has been described as equal parts Rich Mullins and Garrison Keillor and compared to Andrew Peterson, Paul Simon, and Counting Crows.
Adam’s latest record is The Broken Season, released in 2018 to critical acclaim.
In addition to being a musician and composer, Adam is also an artist, photographer, poet, and writer. He has written for The Rabbit Room, Analogue, and Curator magazine.
Adam is one of the editors for the arts journal and growing creative community, Foundling House, base in Knoxville, TN.
You can learn more about Adam, how to book a performance, and how to purchase his albums at his website: adamwhipple.com
You can learn more about Foundling House and experience the art provided there by going to its website: foundlinghouse.com
The music for this episode is from a clip of a song called ‘Father Let Your Kingdom Come’ which is found on The Porter’s Gate Worship Project Work Songs album and is used by permission by The Porter’s Gate Worship Project. You can learn more about the album and the Worship Project at theportersgate.com.