Explore every episode of the podcast 1 Degree of Andy

For nearly a decade, Mike "Q" Quistad was the man who kept one of Christian music's biggest touring bands moving. As 4Him's tour manager, he handled everything from budgets and logistics to impossible travel schedules, backstage crises, demanding promoters, and the daily challenge of keeping four artists focused on what they did best. This is a tribute to friendship, servant leadership, and the people behind the scenes who rarely get the applause—but deserve so much of it.

With humor, vulnerability, and theological insight, Crowder reflects on the importance of asking hard questions, holding plans loosely, and trusting God through unexpected turns. This is a conversation filled with laughter, wisdom, nostalgia, and the kind of honesty that has defined Crowder's career.

From producing award-winning records to unexpectedly winning a Dove Award later in life, Steven’s story is a powerful reminder that calling isn’t about recognition—it’s about faithfulness. This episode is a must-listen for creatives, musicians, and anyone wondering if it’s too late to step into what they were made for.

"Goldie's Last Day" was a genre-bending and game-changing  album in the 1990's and made PFR one of the most beloved CCM bands of all time. On this episode I sit down with band member Joel Hanson to talk about their early days, his journey post-PFR and why we all need a Sabbath!Support the showandychrisman.com

One of the most distinct and dynamic voices in the history of Christian music belongs to Larnelle Harris. I had the privilege of touring and getting to know Larnelle in the 1990's and he continues to be someone I look up to and gain inspiration from to this day. The history of our industry cannot be told without this man's legacy and the songs he's etched on our souls and I know you're going to love this in-depth conversations with a CCM giant!Support the showandychrisman.com

One of the most beautiful voices in CCM history belongs to one of the most beautiful people I've ever met on my musical journey. Pam Thum grew up with parents who were traveling evangelists and carried their heart for seeing people meet Jesus into her solo career. It's been way too long since she and I had the chance to talk, so sit back and relax as two old friends catch up on life and careers and tell a few fun stories along the way.Support the showandychrisman.com

Let's run down this resume, shall we?- Played trumpet for The Bill Gaither Trio.- Recorded multiple fluglehorn albums.- Wrote lots of big songs for CCM artists.- Has produced tons of label acts.- And, oh yeah, started a little band called Whiteheart! Want to hear a bunch of  really cool Christian music backstories? Then sit back and enjoy my conversation with Billy Smiley.Support the showandychrisman.com

The trilogy is complete as I sit down with the guy who makes me laugh harder than anyone I've ever known! After solo conversations with 4HIM'S Mark Harris and Kirk Sullivan I was finally able to nab Marty due to his crazy schedule to talk about his joy of educating the next generation, the insane reality of touring life and a bunch of other stuff I know you're going to love.Support the showandychrisman.com

There are a handful of CCM artists that have become true peers for me, people I can call and talk about life and career anytime. Charles Billingsley is one of those artists. His career with Newsong and as a solo artist were the springboard to becoming one of the most influential worship pastors and mentors in the world! We tend to intersect with each other often and I'm a better person for knowing him. I think you'll really enjoy this conversation with one of my good CCM friends.Support the showandychrisman.com

You want to talk classic Christian artists? Well they don't get any more classic than Dallas Holm! I first sang his songs "Rise Again" and "I Saw The Lord" as a young man growing up in central Texas and to have recorded with him in the 90s and to call him my friend today is something I could never have imagined! Dallas is one of kind, humble and full of grace, and you absolutely cannot tell the story of Christian music without him.Support the showandychrisman.com

If you're going  to attempt to rank the most important artists in CCM history I'm going to bet that Twila Paris makes your top 10. In my opinion, Twila belongs on the Mt. Rushmore of female artists! Her endearing voice, her delightful personality, her groundbreaking songwriting (she has songs in the hymn book!) and her induction into the Gospel Music Hall Of Fame have cemented her place in history. But doggone it if she's not one the nicest people I've ever met! And if you haven't listened to "The Warrior Is A Child" in a while....whew!Support the showandychrisman.com

One of the most distinctive voices in CCM history is also one of the godliest men I've ever been around. You may want to pull out your journal and take notes during this conversation! Steve shares his story of growing up a missionary kid, his "accidental" entrance into CCM, and how he spends his time now that he's not hitting the stage as much as he used to. Oh, and the dangers of moralism? Yep, we'll talk about that, too. Another great convo with another one of my heroes!Support the showandychrisman.com

One of the reasons I love doing this podcast is to reunite with friends I haven't seen in ages. I've been a fan of Kathy Troccoli's voice and music since I was a teenager, and to get to tour with and get to know her in the 90s was special! Join me as I catch up with one of the great CCM artists of all time.Support the showandychrisman.com

This is a deeply moving conversation about faith, forgiveness, and resilience. From a turbulent childhood to the heights of Christian music with First Call, Bonnie shares how God redeemed heartbreak, rebuilt her calling, and continues to inspire her creative journey today.

One of the great songwriters of the golden era of CCM is my friend Billy Simon. Not only did he write songs for Amy Grant, Point of Grace and a host of other artists, he wrote some of the biggest songs in 4HIM's career - "Where There is Faith", "A Man You'd Write About", "When It's Time To Go", and "In Your Care" just to name a few! Billy's story is full of twists and turns, but nothing will prepare you for how God used a song he wrote 35 years earlier to begin to heal his heart. This is one of my favorite conversations to date!Support the showandychrisman.com

Join me for a true outdoor, whatever happens...happens episode as I sit down with Michele Pillar on the front porch of her ranch outside Nashville! Michele is one of the cornerstone artists of modern Christian music, becoming a best-selling CCM artist, a best-selling author, an in-demand speaker...and being a guest voice on The Simpsons?? Michele is truly one of the "First Ladies" of CCM and I know you're going to love her story!Support the showandychrisman.com

You cannot tell the story of Christian music without John Mays. In his nearly 40 year career, Mays discovered and signed Point Of Grace, Cindy Morgan, Matt Redman, Nichole Nordeman (just to name a few). And, oh yeah, he took a chance on a young vocalist named Lauren Daigle! This episode is full of great CCM stories and trivia, as well as an intimate look behind the scenes of many of the artists and songs you've loved down through the decades.Support the showandychrisman.com

I first met Jaci when she was 15 years old, singing with the voice of a seasoned pro! She and her mom jumped on the 4HIM bus for two different tours in the 90s and now 30 years later we sit down to talk about life as a teen CCM sensation, the roads she never thought she'd travel, and how raising a family is not at all what she thought it would be.Support the showandychrisman.com

Few people make me laugh harder than my friend, comedian Steve Geyer! But as funny as he is, his heart is just as big and I'm so glad for the time we spent on tour together. I've learned so much from Steve over the years - from learning how to improvise in difficult situations, to not taking things so seriously, to being an example of someone who loves to serve others. Get ready to laugh and walk down memory lane with me and my buddy Steve Geyer.Support the showandychrisman.com

I'm not sure there's been  anyone else in the history of CCM like John Michael Talbot! From success as a member of the rock band  Mason Profitt, to becoming one of the best selling Christian artists of all time, to becoming a Roman Catholic monk and starting a monastery - there's plenty to talk about with one of the most fascinating people I've ever met! Support the showandychrisman.com

....and we're back with more 4HIM stories! Sit back and enjoy this fun conversation with me and Mark Harris!Support the showandychrisman.com

When Mark and I sit down together I never know where things are going to go! My goal was to get as many stories behind the hit songs he's written as I could, but of course we mostly ended up laughing and chasing rabbits as we took a look back on our careers. And we talked so much I was able to get two episodes full of content! Stay tuned for PART 2 next week...Support the showandychrisman.com

Billy Sprague is one of the most important artists and writers of the golden era of CCM! I first met Billy at one of his famous "golden scoop" ice cream parties in Nashville in the early 90s, and I've been a big fan of his music and his books for as long as I can remember.  I'm excited to reconnect with Billy and share a bit of his amazing journey with you!Support the showandychrisman.com

You cannot tell the story of 4HIM without Andy Ivey! Andy was our first A&R director at Benson and was instrumental in helping us put together our first 4 albums, and in the process became a lifelong friend. If you like "behind the scenes" music industry talk  you're gonna love this episode!Support the showandychrisman.com

James passed away on May 17, 2026 and this is one of my last conversations with him. I've never known anyone as passionate about the gospel and in love with people as James and I will miss him dearly.

One of the most successful songwriters in modern country music is a veteran of CCM. Brian White and I go way back, in fact it's hard to find a picture of me in the early 90s without Brian somewhere in the background! From his days as the leader of  Brian White and Justice to being a hit song writing machine Brian is a fixture in the Nashville music scene. But he is, most importantly to me, my friend. And I think you're gonna love his story!Support the showandychrisman.com

Conversations like this are why I started this podcast!  I consider Gary Chapman to be one of the founding fathers of modern christian music, and I'm honored to call him my friend. His ability to tell a story that keeps you leaned in and wide eyed is one of his greatest gifts, so get ready! From his career as a songwriter, performer, talk show host,  and of course his turbulent marriage with Amy - this legendary artist is a walking time capsule for 80s & 90s CCM. It's impossible to tell the story of Christian music without Gary Chapman. Support the showandychrisman.com

It's episode #50 and who better to have on than one of the most distinctive voices and the leader of one of the most significant bands in CCM history! And he's also one of the nicest guys you'll ever meet! Mac Powell joins me to share his journey through the music industry and how God continues to keep dropping opportunities in his path.Support the showandychrisman.com

I've had the joy of touring with some talented people in my career, and that includes my friend Tim Hawkins. He's not just a comedian, but a musician and a preacher of the gospel! Get ready to laugh and be inspired by one of the comedy greats - Tim HawkinsSupport the showandychrisman.com

I cannot tell the story of my Christian music career without Geron Davis! His songs "Holy Ground" and "Holy of Holies" were the first big songs I sang as a young artist, and I'm glad I've had the privilege to call him my friend for nearly 40 years. Geron's songs of worship and the gospel life have been recorded by countless christian and secular artists, and his stories of faith are exactly why I started this podcast! Support the showandychrisman.com

Rick Cua is one of the greatest musicians and frontmen in the history of CCM! From his early days in the secular band The Outlaws to deciding he wanted to share Jesus with as many people as possible through his music, I know you're going to love getting to know this true Christian music trailblazer.Support the showandychrisman.com

Geoff Moore is one of the best people I've ever had the chance to get to know and I'm glad I could snag him for a sit down to talk about his career. From the early days of touring in a cargo van, to his band becoming a mainstay on Christian radio and writing hits with Steven Curtis Chapman, Geoff's life has been a great adventure! And what's he's doing now to pour back into the church that supported him in those early days?  Well that's the icing on the cake! Enjoy the next hour getting reconnected with Geoff Moore!Support the showandychrisman.com

I could describe John as an authority on the history of Christian music. Getting his start in Southern California during the Jesus movement and infancy of Christian music, John was a constant figure throughout the golden era of the industry as the founder and editor of CCM Magazine. And that magazine was where so many of us were introduced to Christian artists, and as artists we knew we were "making it" when we got on the cover! This is a fascinating conversation with an industry legend - John Styll.Support the showandychrisman.com

A bunch of you posted on our Facebook page questions you'd like answered about the touring life, how we made our albums, etc.  My friend Michael Neale hops on this episode to moderate and keep me from rambling! Support the showandychrisman.com

She's one of the great comedians of all time, and she happens to be a sister in Christ and a long time friend. I toured with Chonda back in the early 2000s and  she has been one of my favorite people ever since! Get ready for an hour of laughs and "wow!" moments as the best selling comedian of ALL TIME shares her amazing story. I hope you're ready for Chonda Pierce!Support the showandychrisman.com

Matt opens up about the evolution from touring artist to husband, father, and speaker. This episode dives into the tension between success and significance—and the moment he realized something had to change.

It's the story you've heard so many times before - a singer/songwriter has a dream, they pack up their car and drive to Nashville, they get a job waiting tables and then - BAM - a record deal, a major tour, number 1 songs and Dove awards. And that's the story of Mark Schultz....sort of. In my opinion Mark is one of the most engaging artists of the early 2000's in CCM and his story is as unique as his voice. From his college days in Kansas to booking a gig at the Ryman BEFORE he had a record deal, to riding his bike across America - not to mention all of those tours and number 1 songs and Dove awards  - buckle your seat belt for a wild ride with my friend Mark SchultzSupport the showandychrisman.com

Join me for my first episode of 2024 as I spend time with Stu G - one of the most influential songwriters and guitar players in CCM history! From his humble beginnings growing up in the UK, to his groundbreaking career in the band Delirious?, to having even more influence on the modern worship scene with One Sonic Society, Stu's journey is one for the books! Support the showandychrisman.com

Has there been a more successful artist in CCM history than Wayne Kirkpatrick? The easy answer is "NO!"  Whether it's writing hit songs for Amy Grant, MWS, Eric Clapton or producing albums for Susan Ashton or Little Big Town just to name a few, to writing hit Broadway  shows - Wayne's career has been as widely varied as it has been wildly successful. He's definitely left his mark on the entertainment industry and he's not even close to being done. Get ready for a fascinating hour with my friend Wayne Kirkpatrick!Support the showandychrisman.com

Get ready to join me and Kirk Sullivan - one of the 4HIM guys and someone I toured with for 20 years. And boy do we have stories! Of course we'll only get to a handful of the crazy things we've experienced together so maybe this is just the first hour of many as I do my best to archive as many of these stories as possible. Support the showandychrisman.com

If you're a "first call" studio musician it means that you are the best of the best. As a trio Melodie Tunney, Bonnie Keen and Marty McCall had a successful studio career singing bgv's and jingles, but when they "accidentally" recorded a hit song they had a choice to make  - do they keep their day jobs as studio singers or take their talents on the road? The answer lies in the next hour as we chat about their amazing run as one of the top vocal groups of all time. It's truly an honor to spend time with Christian music royalty - First Call!Support the showandychrisman.com

One of the great voices in the history of Christian music belongs to Jamie Rowe, who made his name as the leader singer of the rock band Guardian. These conversations with artists who weren't normally heard on the biggest Christina radio stations but yet had a loyal following fascinate me, because they tell a story that's similar yet wildly different than what I experienced. Jamie gives us an unfiltered journey of his life and career and I hope it encourages to go back and listen to the music of Guardian and I highly recommend you check out his new band Kalamity Kills! Support the showandychrisman.com

Well look who dropped by the 1 Degree podcast - my first employer in Christian music, the one and only Roger Breland! I hit the road with TRUTH in 1987 and by 1990 I had made lifelong friends, developed a skillset that would define my career and met 3 other guys whom you might know...There's no one I've ever met like Roger - a true entertainment pioneer,  a keen eye for talent and a heart to preach the gospel no matter what venue that bus pulled into. You can see his impact on the Christian, country and pop landscape through the huge number of artists and musicians that trained under him, not to mention the tens of thousands of people who gave their hearts to Christ during TRUTH's 31 year, 10,000 concert run! We'll do our best to tell his story over the next 90 minutes, so get ready for the amazing journey of Roger Breland and TRUTH.Support the showandychrisman.com

How does alternative rock fit into the Christian music narrative? That's a fascinating question and one that Michael Roe of the groundbreaking band 77s answers on this episode of 1 Degree.  From  being banned in Christian music stores, to opening the door for bands like DC Talk and The Newsboys to leaving behind an incredible body of music I think you're going to enjoy getting to know Michael Roe.  Seriously - you cannot tell the story of Christian music with out bands like the 77s!Support the showandychrisman.com

Even if you haven't heard her albums you've definitely heard her voice. Lisa Bevill has had a remarkable career as a jingle and session singer and her CCM career set a precedent for female vocalists that followed. Lisa has a remarkable story of God placing her in amazing situations and her endurance through the difficult times of life will inspire you! You cannot tell the story of Christian music without telling the story of my guest and friend Lisa Bevill.Support the showandychrisman.com

I'm doing my best not to geek out with my guest on this episode of 1 Degree - my 14 year old self would not believe that I get to sit down with Degarmo and Key's Eddie DeGarmo and talk about his career, his early days and his mind blowing impact on the world of christian music! And I guess I shouldn't be surprised that Eddie is one of the most genuine, engaging people I've ever met in this industry. I'll for sure be spinning my old D&K records for the next few weeks - songs like 666, All The Losers Win, Stella This Ain't Hollywood, Casual Christian, Boycott Hell - what a catalogue and what a legacy! Support the showandychrisman.com

Andy sits down with legendary vocalist Matthew Ward to explore a career that helped define contemporary Christian music. From his early days with 2nd Chapter of Acts to his groundbreaking solo work, Matthew shares stories of loss, discovery, and the unexpected path that led to one of the most distinctive voices in the genre.

Are you ready for the rollercoaster story of one of the most beloved CCM artists? Billy Gaines, along with his then wife Sarah, was a fixture in Christian music in the 80s and 90s and he was influential in my career with 4him - just watching his level of excellence at work and his voice that could speak to the soul. But his journey took a big turn at the hight of his career that left him wondering what God would do with him next. This is a wonderful conversation about grace, hope and "just doing the next thing while you wait on the Lord." If you're wondering if God still has a plan for your life you'll want to lean in to these 90 minutes with my friend Billy Gaines.Support the showandychrisman.com

He might be the most respected musician in the history of Christian Music! Getting his start with his band  Glass Harp and opening for bands like Yes and the Kinks - Phil Keaggy has an impressive resume! His gentle nature and compelling story parallel his music and career and it was just a pleasure to spend an hour with Phil. Support the showandychrisman.com

If you ever wanna talk to a full-time, award winning, "all I do is write hit songs" songwriter - Tony Wood is that guy! 36 #1 radio songs, 900+ songs recorded in CCM, Absolute legend. I hope you enjoy my conversation with him here!