Rebecca Rubert 12/9/98 English 30
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Rebecca Rubert 12/9/98 English 30 “But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us." II Corinthians 4:7 “Like a Child” Having compared their music to a banana split, the band Jars of Clay has sweetened both Christian and non-Christian audiences with their music. As one of the only Christian bands to dive into the secular world, Jars of Clay is unique. Though originally a Christian band, Jars of Clay was surprised at the success of their single, “Flood,” in the secular market (Hefner 1). Both Christians and non-Christians alike have often criticized them for crossing over into the secular realm. However, they are not looking for fame or for money. Unlike Christian artists who delve into secular music with albums geared to a more integrated audience, the band wants to have fun playing their music as well as reach out to an audience who would not normally listen to a Christian influence (Lutes 2). Charlie Lowell, Dan Haseltine, Matt Bronleewe and Stephen Mason met at Greenville College while studying Contemporary Christian Music. As an assignment for their recording class, they recorded a few songs together. They eventually played some of these songs for friends and in clubs in the area. On a whim, they decided to enter a contest sponsored by the Contemporary Christian Music magazine for the best new Christian band, and they won (“The History” 2). With this instant recognition, they signed with Essential Records, a recording company, and their single, “Flood,” was given to the Silvertone division of the company to be released to alternative radio. Their song “Flood” had immediate success, though few people outside of the Christian music scene had ever heard of them before. But in the Christian scene, they won two Dove awards for - 1 - Rebecca Rubert 12/9/98 English 30 Best New Artist and Best Group of the Year and sold 1.5 million copies of their first album, which was self-titled (Hefner 1). Though their popularity soared, their success in the secular scene is very controversial. Many Christians feel that Jars of Clay has not lived up to the image of a Christian band because they crossed over into the secular scene. I, too, at first, felt that they were “selling out.” This opinion came about when I was driving in the car with my mom listening to a modern rock radio station. “That was the new song from the band Jars of Clay entitled, “Flood”, announced the radio DJ. “What?” I exclaimed to my mom. “They played on a concert venue with Michael W. Smith.” “Well, he did do some secular music,” my mom chimed in. “This concert was a Christian concert, and from what I’ve heard, Jars of Clay is alternative Christian rock. I can’t believe they were played on a secular radio station.” Among Christians who listen to secular rock music, this was a familiar scene. When “Flood” hit the number two spot on secular charts, many Christians were surprised and even cynical (Hefner 1). Some Christian retailers pulled Jars of Clay merchandise from their shelves (“Out of the Jar” 1). And the group’s manager, Randy Lovelady, remarked about the cynicism, “I can either have beer or Bibles, but not both,” (“Out of the Jar” 1). To the band, it seems like everyone is questioning their motives and reasons. Even the best friend of one band member, Steve Mason, hinted that they might be selling out (Lutes 1). But the people who are most cynical of their work are mainly the parents of teenagers who listen to their music. Wary of anything heard on secular radio stations, these parents tend to think of Jars of Clay as fake or wannabes. - 2 - Rebecca Rubert 12/9/98 English 30 The criticism is not unfounded. Jars of Clay has opened a few shows for Sting and many of their opening bands, such as The Samples, have been non-Christian bands (Lutes 1 “The History” 5). After the opening band, one woman almost left because the obscene lyrics of the songs they played offended her so much (Lutes 3). Upon being convinced to stay, the women told the band, “I realized there are times when the Word and the world really do need to touch,” (Lutes 3). And the secular opening bands are only a part of the controversy. In addition to being played on mainstream radio, the music video, “Flood,” was played on MTV and VH1, stations not known for their morality. The band itself doesn’t agree with the secular industry’s motives. Matt Odmark, who replaced Matt Bronleewe when the rest of the band decided to move to Nashville, said “The secular industry isn’t designed to support a ministry; it’s designed to sell records,” (Halverson 2). But they have reasons, or explanations really, that explain why they crossed over. The primary reason why Jars of Clay decided to swim in the secular waters was to give non-Christians loving exposure to Christian themes. Burnt-out teenagers, turned away from their faith because there were too many people telling them what to do and what to believe in, are the main targets of the band. Jars of Clay believes that one has to “discover” the faith by themselves, and shoving theology down one’s throat hinders this (Halverson 1). The band members want to consider themselves “bridge builders” between Christian and secular music “where the world and the Word [the Bible] meet,” according to Steve Mason (Hefner 3). “Christianity is completely relevant in a 20th century world,” Matt Odmark remarks while defending the band’s goal in the secular - 3 - Rebecca Rubert 12/9/98 English 30 world (Hefner 5). All of the “Jars guys” feel that God has led them to minister to a non- Christian audience by going secular (Lutes 3). Because they feel that God has led them to this purpose, Jars of Clay is not concerned with the fame and money associated with being popular. They just want to have be themselves and give non-Christian kids exposure to the Word. In fact, the popularity wore them out. Matt Odmark said, “You feel like you were in the middle of something really incredible and amazing, but at the same time it was sucking every last piece of your energy out of you,” (Hefner 3). In consequence, they just wanted to fit in with themselves, not with other people. The music is “by the people and for the people,” affirmed Steve Mason (Halverson 1). This whirlwind did bring them a lot of fame and money, which they do hope to retain with the release of their second album. Entitled “Much Afraid”, the band was “much afraid” that it wouldn’t have the same impact on the music scene as the first album. However, they enjoyed making the album, a priority when making the album (Hefner 5). Whenever mass attention was given to them, Michael W. Smith, with whom they toured in 1996, would keep them down to earth by reminding them of why they were doing all the touring and all the wearying performances (Hefner 3). Smith remarks, “When all those things started happening…I just tried to keep discussion going consistently with them on what does it mean to be a steward of all this?” (Hefner 3). What has been the most amazing aspect of their fame is that they are the only Christian band who has been successful in the secular alternative rock scene. Bands like MXPX have tried, but their music is really secular in nature (Orteza 1). The same is true for Amy Grant whose music, at least on the last three albums, has not been labeled as - 4 - Rebecca Rubert 12/9/98 English 30 Christian or non-Christian. For Amy Grant, the point was not to make an album geared towards any audience. The point was to exhibit the songs she wrote. The songs released to secular radio do not have any eternal significance. She did not write for any specific audience (Rumbug 1). This is different from the success of Jars of Clay, who became popular through a completely Christian song, “Flood” (Hefner 3). They did not try to play down their faith for a secular audience. And although the song was so popular, they did not let this popularity goad them to becoming secular artists. Often people misunderstand Christian artists who have dipped into the secular sea. They tend to group artists like MXPX, Jars of Clay and Amy Grant into one category. Apart from appealing to different types of people (MXPX is enjoyed by punk teenagers, and Amy Grant’s pop tunes appeal to adults), the purpose of each is different. MXPX has pretty much become entirely secular (Orteza 1). Amy Grant concentrates on making people happy. Commenting on one of her secular hits, “Lucky One,” Amy Grant says, “I recorded it because it was a reason to smile; it was a happy song,” (Rumburg 1). Jars of Clay wants to give non-Christians exposure to Christian music (Hefner 3 Rumburg 1). For cynical Christians who think all cross over artists are sell-outs, this distinction must be made. Though MXPX and Amy Grant can hardly be considered sell- outs, Jars of Clay is the only band who has stayed true to their faith. Their purpose for playing is God and his plan, striving to influence teenagers and young adults with their music. In playing their music, Jars of Clay has managed to remain humble in spite of intense fame and popularity.