Explore every episode of the podcast Beyond the Chorus: Classic CCM Rewind
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greg X. Volz: The Voice of Petra, Why He Left & the Backmasking Controversy | 27 oct. 2026 | 00:56:09 | |
Before John Schlitt, there was Greg X. Volz, the powerhouse vocalist whose extraordinary four-octave range helped define the classic sound of Christian rock pioneers Petra. In this episode of Beyond the Chorus: Classic CCM Rewind, Shayne Brian sits down with Greg X. Volz for a fascinating journey through the Jesus Movement, the rise of Christian rock, Petra's biggest albums, and the personal decisions that changed his career. Greg reveals how a dinner party changed his life in 1970, leading him to Jesus, the Jesus Music movement and the formation of his band E, whose ministry saw more than 2,000 people baptised in a single year. He recalls meeting the original Petra at a Fort Wayne coffee house in 1971, his early involvement with the band, and eventually becoming the lead singer behind classic albums including Never Say Die, More Power to Ya, Not of This World and Beat the System. But what really happened when Greg left Petra at the height of their success? Greg reflects on relentless touring schedules of up to 300 days a year, the recording of Captured in Time and Space, the unexpected events surrounding his final performance, and the decision to leave the band that would eventually welcome John Schlitt as its new vocalist. He also explains Petra's dramatic musical evolution, from the softer sounds of Washes Whiter Than to the synthesisers and electronic production of Beat the System. And Greg's musical journey is far from over. He reveals that he has ten albums' worth of unreleased music sitting on his computer, offering a tantalising glimpse of what could be coming next. With decades of songwriting and recording behind him, Greg discusses the possibility of new music and the creative passion that continues to drive him. Out of the Vault: "Judas' Kiss"We revisit Petra's 1982 album More Power to Ya and the unforgettable "Judas' Kiss", exploring the controversy surrounding backwards messages in rock music, church opposition, record burnings and Petra's deliberately reversed message. Greg also discusses "Witch Hunt", the criticism Christian rock artists faced, and why the arguments surrounding rock music became such a defining part of the era. In this episode
Chapters 00:00 – Introduction: The Voice of Petra 03:00 – Finding Faith in 1970 and the Jesus Movement 09:44 – Meeting Petra and the Road to Joining the Band 16:44 – Recording Never Say Die and Life on the Road 20:38 – Why Greg Left Petra and the Classic Petra Reunion 26:17 – How Petra's Sound Changed Through the 1980s 31:24 – Four-Octave Range, Vocal Health and New Music on the Horizon 36:26 – Out of the Vault: "Judas' Kiss" and Backmasking 43:41 – Faith, Musical Freedom and Following Your Calling 51:36 – Fast Five, Favourite Petra Album and What's Next Connect with Greg X. VolzWebsite: https://www.gregxvolz.com/ Beyond the Chorus: Classic CCM RewindWe didn't just listen to these records. We lived with them. Beyond the Chorus revisits the artists, the albums, the missing years, and what came next, celebrating the pioneers of Jesus Music and classic contemporary Christian music from the 1970s, 80s and early 90s. Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BeyondTheChorusClassicCCMMusic Join us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BeyondTheChorus Support Beyond the Chorus on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/BeyondTheChorus Become a Patreon supporter for just $5 a month and enjoy behind-the-scenes content, early access, exclusive discussions, giveaways and more. Also listen to Classic CCM Rewind, our weekly radio show celebrating the greatest Christian music from the 70s, 80s and 90s. https://www.mixcloud.com/ClassicCCM/ Subscribe, follow and share Beyond the Chorus with someone who remembers when Petra, Resurrection Band, Servant and the pioneers of Christian rock were changing the sound of Christian music. Drop the needle. Press play. | |||
| Saving the Soundtrack of Our Lives: Steve Gilreath on Christian Music History | 20 oct. 2026 | 00:54:32 | |
What happens to the music that shaped a generation when the records stop spinning? In this episode of Beyond the Chorus: Classic CCM Rewind, Shayne Brian welcomes Steve Gilreath, founding Executive Director of the Museum of Christian & Gospel Music in Nashville, Tennessee, for a fascinating journey through the history of Contemporary Christian Music (CCM), Gospel music and the artists who helped define a generation. From the pioneering days of Christian music to the crossover success of Amy Grant, Michael W. Smith, Sandi Patty and Rich Mullins, Steve reflects on the explosion of Christian music in the 1980s and 1990s, his decades working in the industry, and why preserving its remarkable history has become such an important mission. Steve takes us behind the scenes of Nashville's Museum of Christian & Gospel Music, just steps from the legendary Ryman Auditorium. Discover the stories behind rare memorabilia, handwritten lyrics, historic stage clothing and personal artifacts belonging to some of Christian music's most influential artists. We also explore the involvement of legendary record executive Mike Curb, the permanent home of the GMA Gospel Music Hall of Fame, and the museum's powerful connection to the American Civil Rights Movement through the music of Mahalia Jackson, Sam Cooke and the Fisk Jubilee Singers. Along the way, Steve shares personal stories involving Chris Tomlin, Kirk Franklin, Lauren Daigle, Petra, Stryper and Russ Taff, and explains why the museum is about much more than preserving old records. It's about remembering the faith, creativity and extraordinary people behind the songs. For anyone who grew up listening to classic Christian music, Christian rock and Gospel music, this is a celebration of the soundtrack to our lives. In This Episode
Chapters 00:00 - Introduction: Preserving the Soundtrack of a Generation 04:29 - Steve Gilreath's Musical Journey, Amy Grant and Rich Mullins 08:27 - The Rise and Fall of CCM's Mainstream Breakthrough 14:39 - The Artists Who Shaped Steve's Career 21:50 - Creating Nashville's Museum of Christian & Gospel Music 26:14 - Gospel Music, the Civil Rights Movement and Mahalia Jackson 31:03 - Inside the Museum: Petra, Stryper, Russ Taff and Rare Memorabilia 37:09 - Mike Curb and the GMA Gospel Music Hall of Fame 44:48 - Preserving Christian Music's Untold Stories and Handwritten Lyrics 47:17 - The Future of the Museum and Its Lasting Legacy Visit the Museum of Christian & Gospel MusicDiscover the artists, artifacts and stories that shaped Christian and Gospel music. 🌐 Official website: https://www.cgmmuseum.org/ 🎟️ Plan your visit: https://www.cgmmuseum.org/museum-ticket/ 👉 Museum Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CGMmuseum 📍 402 Commerce Street, Nashville, Tennessee, USA Listen to Classic CCM Rewind on Mixcloud📻 Love the music we're talking about? Now you can hear it again! Join Shayne Brian for Classic CCM Rewind, the new radio show celebrating the best Christian music from the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s. Rediscover the songs, forgotten classics, influential albums and legendary artists who provided the soundtrack to a generation of Christian music fans. 🎶 Listen to the latest show, 19 October 2026, on Mixcloud: https://www.mixcloud.com/ClassicCCM/classic-ccm-rewind-19-october-2026-new/ Connect with Beyond the Chorus🎧 Follow and subscribe to Beyond the Chorus: Classic CCM Rewind for more in-depth interviews with the legendary artists, musicians and pioneers of Christian music from the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s. ▶️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BeyondTheChorusClassicCCMMusic 👉 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BeyondTheChorus ❤️ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/BeyondTheChorus Support Beyond the Chorus on Patreon for just $5 a month and help keep the stories of classic Christian music alive. Enjoy bonus behind-the-scenes content, exclusive discussions, special offers and giveaways. If you enjoyed this episode, please like, follow, subscribe and share it with someone who grew up loving classic CCM. Drop the needle. Press play. We're going Beyond the Chorus. #BeyondTheChorus #SteveGilreath #ChristianMusic #ClassicCCM #GospelMusic #ChristianMusicHistory #AmyGrant #MichaelWSmith #Nashville #ChristianRock | |||
| Beeb Birtles: Faith Behind the Hits...Little River Band and the Christian Music Connection | 13 oct. 2026 | 00:54:42 | |
What was it like being a Christian in one of the world's biggest rock bands? Beeb Birtles, founding member of Little River Band, joins Shayne Brian on Beyond the Chorus: Classic CCM Rewind for a revealing conversation about faith, fame, songwriting and the challenges of following his Christian beliefs while navigating international rock stardom. From his early spiritual awakening to the pressures of touring with Little River Band, Beeb shares how his faith influenced his personal life, his music and some of the biggest decisions of his career. We explore the fascinating story behind the 1980 Birtles & Goble album The Last Romance, a largely overlooked release that has found an audience among classic contemporary Christian music (CCM) fans. Beeb discusses his song "Into My Life", which was recorded by The Imperials during the Russ Taff era, and the spiritual influences behind songs including "Fall From Paradise" and "Light of Day". Beeb also reflects on his departure from Little River Band in 1983, his move to Nashville, working with emerging artists and the way his understanding of Christianity has evolved over the decades. And there's an intriguing possibility still on the horizon: a gospel project Beeb hopes to record called The Choir Invisible. It's a conversation about the man behind the hits, the personal cost of conviction, and the surprising connections between Australian classic rock and the golden age of Christian music. In This Episode
Chapters 00:00 - Introduction: Faith Behind the Hits 02:44 - Finding Faith in the World of Rock and Roll 09:30 - How Christianity Influenced His Songwriting 16:39 - Birtles & Goble, The Last Romance and The Imperials 21:41 - The Connection to Contemporary Christian Music 27:27 - Leaving Little River Band and Following His Convictions 35:11 - A New Chapter in Nashville 38:07 - Mentoring Musicians and Growing Older in the Industry 41:18 - An Evolving Christian Faith and Songs That Change Lives 48:27 - Redefining Success, Life Lessons and Musical Legacy Connect with Beeb BirtlesFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/BeebBirtles Beyond the Chorus: Classic CCM RewindBeyond the Chorus revisits the artists, albums and untold stories that shaped contemporary Christian music throughout the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s. From classic Christian rock and Jesus Music to the artists who crossed between CCM and mainstream music, we're discovering what happened after the records stopped spinning. Follow and subscribe so you never miss an episode, and share the podcast with a friend who loves classic Christian music. YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BeyondTheChorusClassicCCMMusic Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BeyondTheChorus Support Beyond the Chorus on Patreon Help keep the stories of classic CCM alive. Become a supporter for just $5 per month and enjoy bonus behind-the-scenes content, exclusive discussions, special offers and giveaways. Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/BeyondTheChorus Drop the needle. Press play. We're going back to where the music began. KeywordsBeeb Birtles, Little River Band, Beeb Birtles Christian faith, Little River Band Christian music, Birtles and Goble, The Last Romance, The Imperials, Russ Taff, Into My Life, Fall From Paradise, Light of Day, Graeham Goble, Australian rock history, contemporary Christian music, classic CCM, Christian rock history, 1980s Christian music, Nashville songwriters, Beyond the Chorus, Shayne Brian. #BeebBirtles #LittleRiverBand #ClassicCCM #BeyondTheChorus #ChristianMusic #TheImperials #RussTaff #BirtlesAndGoble | |||
| What Happened to Avion? Randall Waller on Tragedy, Reinvention and the Road to the Super Bowl. | 06 oct. 2026 | 00:46:42 | |
What happened to Australian Christian rock band Avion, and how did frontman Randall Waller eventually find himself playing guitar with Shania Twain at the Super Bowl? In Episode 6 of Beyond the Chorus: Classic CCM Rewind, Shayne Brian sits down with Randall Waller to revisit the tragic story of Avion, one of Australia's most promising 1980s bands. Avion emerged from the Christian music scene but never fitted comfortably into one world. Randall remembers signing with RCA, appearing on Countdown, hearing Avion on Australian radio and navigating the tension between the church and the mainstream music industry. Then, in 1987, tragedy changed everything. Randall reflects on the accident that killed Avion keyboard player Evan Murray, the impact it had on the band and the difficult process of rebuilding his life and career after Avion came to an end. That next chapter took him around the world. He worked as a guitar tech for Bonnie Tyler, returned to performing and worked with artists including John English, Rose Tattoo and The Party Boys. Then came the call that changed everything again. Randall tells the extraordinary story of recording an audition tape for Shania Twain, receiving a phone call from legendary producer Robert John "Mutt" Lange, flying to America and discovering during rehearsals that he had landed the job. He would go on to tour the world with Shania, with that journey eventually taking him all the way to the Super Bowl. The conversation also explores Randall's solo album More, which he describes as a "life statement", reflecting the beliefs, relationships, experiences and detours that shaped both his music and his life. From Avion and Australian Christian rock to Shania Twain, Mutt Lange and the Super Bowl, this is a story about music, loss, persistence and an extraordinary second act. Timestamps00:00 - Avion, Christian music and discovering a bigger rock sound 02:28 - Avion caught between the church and mainstream rock 06:28 - More: Randall Waller's musical life statement 07:31 - Avion signs with RCA, backlash and Countdown 15:08 - Touring with Dragon and the tragedy that ended Avion 18:54 - Starting again, Bangkok, England and Bonnie Tyler 25:13 - The road from Oz Rock to Shania Twain 30:17 - Recording the Shania audition tape 35:32 - The phone call from Mutt Lange and landing the job 46:04 - From Avion to Shania Twain and the Super Bowl Randall WallerWebsite: Listen to or buy More: https://randallwaller.bandcamp.com/album/more Beyond the Chorus: Classic CCM RewindYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BeyondTheChorusClassicCCMMusic Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BeyondTheChorus Support the show on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/BeyondTheChorus Subscribe to Beyond the Chorus: Classic CCM Rewind for more conversations with the artists behind the albums, the missing years and what came next. | |||
| Mike Roe: The 77s, Faith, Censorship and the Long Road to 7 | 29 sept. 2026 | 00:56:19 | |
Mike Roe of The 77s joins Shayne Brian on Beyond the Chorus: Classic CCM Rewind for a deep dive into more than four decades of one of Christian alternative rock's most influential and fiercely individual bands. From their beginnings as a church-backed outreach project in Sacramento to albums including Ping Pong Over the Abyss, The 77s, Sticks and Stones and the controversial Pray Naked, Mike looks back at a band that consistently refused to fit comfortably inside the traditional Christian music industry. Unlike many bands from the classic CCM era, The 77s never really went away. Their music moved through new wave, alternative rock, blues, psychedelia, power pop and roots music, building a loyal audience that continues today. Mike explains the unusual story behind the name The 77s, his early work on the radio program Rock and Religion, and how the band gradually learned to focus on great songwriting rather than forcing a message into the music. For Out of the Crate, we return to the band's 1982 debut Ping Pong Over the Abyss and explore the early sound and identity of The 77s. Mike also reveals why Sticks and Stones may be the best place for a new listener to start. We also revisit Pray Naked and the controversy surrounding its title, Christian bookstore censorship and the tension between faith, creativity and the expectations of the Christian music industry. Then we move to the new album 7. Mike explains why the record took around 12 years to complete, why "Heart Back" made him want to create another 77s album, and how "Hand to God" evolved from a hard-driving new wave arrangement into the slower, psychedelic version heard on the finished record. Mike also talks about how The 77s audience has changed since 1982, his overlooked solo and instrumental work including Daydream and Orbis, and what could be coming next from The 77s. For fans of The 77s, Mike Roe, Lost Dogs, The Choir, classic CCM, Christian alternative rock and 1980s Christian music, this is a conversation about faith, creativity, survival and more than forty years of refusing to fit neatly into anybody else's box. Timestamps00:00 - Why The 77s still matter after four decades 03:18 - From Sacramento church outreach to The 77s 08:46 - The dream that gave The 77s their name 12:00 - Mike Roe on Rock and Religion 21:43 - Ping Pong Over the Abyss and the early sound of The 77s 25:39 - Pray Naked, censorship and Christian music 31:47 - Why the new album 7 took 12 years 36:44 - How "Heart Back" restarted The 77s 40:02 - How The 77s audience has changed since 1982 45:01 - Mike Roe's overlooked solo and instrumental albums Connect with The 77sOfficial website: The 77s music: New album 7: https://the77srock.bandcamp.com/album/7 Beyond the Chorus: Classic CCM RewindYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BeyondTheChorusClassicCCMMusic Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BeyondTheChorus Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/BeyondTheChorus Follow and subscribe to Beyond the Chorus: Classic CCM Rewind, and share the show with anyone who loves classic Christian music and the bands that helped shape it. Drop the needle. Press play. We're going beyond the chorus. | |||
| Kim Boyce: Classic CCM, Family, Faith and a 40-Year Full-Circle Moment | 22 sept. 2026 | 00:43:42 | |
Nearly 40 years ago, Kim Boyce was my very first artist interview. I was 19, she was touring Australia with David Meece, and after sitting down and completing the interview, I discovered I had made one fairly significant mistake: I hadn't pressed record. Kim graciously sat down and did the entire interview with me again. Now, almost four decades later, we've come full circle. In Episode 4 of Beyond the Chorus: Classic CCM Rewind, I reconnect with Kim Boyce, one of the distinctive voices of 1980s and 1990s Contemporary Christian Music, to talk about the songs, albums, faith, family and unexpected turns that shaped her life both inside and outside the CCM industry. Kim takes us back to her early years growing up around Southern Gospel music, discovering artists including The Archers, Sweet Comfort Band, Andraé Crouch and The Imperials, and the unusual path that took her from Miss Florida and the Miss America pageant to a recording career in Christian music. We talk about her early work with Carman on The Champion, signing with Myrrh Records, touring Australia with David Meece, and what it was like discovering that people on the other side of the world already knew her songs. Kim also goes behind the music of her 1986 self-titled debut album, including “Love Resurrection,” “Darkened Hearts” and “Here,” and reflects on working with musicians and songwriters including Brian Tankersley, Tom Hemby, Tim Miner and Cindy Cruse. We revisit one of Kim's favourite albums, Time and Again, its classic Hollywood-inspired imagery, and her dance-pop reinvention of Rare Earth's “I Just Want to Celebrate.” But this conversation goes well beyond the records. Kim talks candidly about why she eventually stepped away from the relentless CCM cycle of albums, radio, touring and television after becoming a mother, and why choosing her family became more important than chasing the next hit. We follow her story through a new chapter in Branson, Missouri, where she returned to the Southern Gospel music of her childhood, performed for a decade and later created an all-gospel show with her husband Gary. Kim also shares some deeply personal reflections on faith, grief and family, before bringing us up to date with her life today. And, of course, I had to ask the question longtime Kim Boyce fans will want answered: Could there ever be another Kim Boyce album? For me, this is one of the most personal episodes of Beyond the Chorus so far. Kim was there at the very beginning of my journey as an interviewer, and getting the chance to sit down with her again nearly 40 years later feels like closing a very special circle. Thankfully, this time I remembered to press record. In this episode:
Timestamps 00:00 - Revisiting Kim Boyce and the music of classic CCM 01:22 - My first interview with Kim and the forgotten record button 02:59 - Touring Australia with David Meece 06:04 - Southern Gospel, Miss Florida and Miss America 11:18 - The 1986 debut album and “Love Resurrection” 13:45 - Writing “Darkened Hearts” with Tom Hemby 21:35 - Why Time and Again remains a favourite 23:47 - Reinventing “I Just Want to Celebrate” 24:36 - Why Kim stepped away from the CCM industry 35:11 - Could there be another Kim Boyce album? Follow Kim BoyceFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/kimboycemusic Follow Beyond the Chorus: Classic CCM RewindYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BeyondTheChorusClassicCCMMusic Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BeyondTheChorus Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/BeyondTheChorus Support Beyond the ChorusIf you love the stories, artists and albums from the golden years of Contemporary Christian Music, you can help support Beyond the Chorus by joining the Patreon community for $5 a month. Patreon members can get access to bonus behind-the-scenes content, extra discussions, special discount offers and giveaways, while helping me continue tracking down the artists and stories that made classic Christian music so important to so many of us. Join here: https://www.patreon.com/cw/BeyondTheChorus And if you know somebody who still loves the Christian music of the 70s, 80s and 90s, please share Beyond the Chorus with them. Follow and subscribe so you never miss an episode. | |||
| Ojo Taylor: Undercover, Faith, Doubt and the Road to Behold | 15 sept. 2026 | 01:12:03 | |
Undercover helped push the boundaries of Christian rock in the 1980s. But what happened when the songwriter behind the music began questioning the beliefs that shaped it? In this episode of Beyond the Chorus: Classic CCM Rewind, I’m joined by Joseph “Ojo” Taylor to revisit Undercover’s beginnings, the story behind “Boys and Girls Renounce the World”, and the long personal and musical journey that led to his new solo album, Behold. Ojo takes us back to Southern California’s punk and new wave scene, where Undercover brought an unexpected sound and attitude into churches. We discuss the pressures placed on Christian musicians, how divorce affected his songwriting, and his changing relationship with Christianity. We also explore the missing years: raising five children, returning to education, working in corporate finance and becoming a music industry professor. Then we dig into Behold, from forgotten guitar recordings and familiar collaborators to “The Altars”, “May It Be So” and finding the courage to sing his own songs. It’s an honest conversation about classic Christian music, changing beliefs, creative freedom and allowing an artist’s story to keep moving forward. In this episode
Timestamps 00:00 Introduction: Undercover, Ojo Taylor and Behold 03:37 Becoming Ojo: early influences, punk and new wave 10:51 Forming Undercover and bringing a new sound into churches 20:28 Boys and Girls Renounce the World, divorce and artistic honesty 34:26 Faith, doubt and Ojo’s changing spiritual path 39:19 The missing years: fatherhood, education and teaching 47:28 Creating Behold: forgotten recordings and musical collaborators 57:22 The Altars, Gym Nicholson and the crossed-out album title 1:02:42 May It Be So: a prayer for children 1:05:12 A new chapter: creative freedom and finding his voice Connect with Ojo Taylor Website: https://ojotaylor.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ojotaylor Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ojo_taylor Buy Behold: https://shop-thechoir.myshopify.com/collections/ojo-taylor Follow Beyond the Chorus: Classic CCM Rewind Discover the artists, albums, missing years and new chapters behind classic Christian music with Shayne Brian. YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BeyondTheChorusClassicCCMMusic Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BeyondTheChorus Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/BeyondTheChorus Follow and subscribe so you never miss an episode, and share the show with someone who loves classic Christian music and the stories behind it. #BeyondTheChorus #OjoTaylor #UndercoverBand #ClassicCCM #ChristianRock #Behold | |||
| Music to Raise the Dead: Glenn Kaiser on Resurrection Band, Jesus People USA and a Lifetime of Blues | 15 sept. 2026 | 01:27:10 | |
Glenn Kaiser has spent more than five decades making music that refuses to fit neatly into a box. In this episode of Beyond the Chorus: Classic CCM Rewind, Shayne Brian sits down with the legendary Resurrection Band / REZ co-founder to revisit the beginnings of one of Christian rock’s most influential bands, the Jesus Movement, his lifelong love of the blues, and the faith and convictions that have shaped his music. Glenn takes us back to growing up in Milwaukee, discovering Elvis, rhythm and blues, soul, Hendrix, Cream, Black Sabbath and the Rolling Stones, joining his first band at just 13, and moving through around 16 bands before the age of 18. He also speaks candidly about drug and alcohol addiction, the emptiness he experienced even as his musical ambitions began coming true, and the decision to surrender his life to Jesus. From there, we trace the beginnings of Charity, which became Resurrection Band, and Glenn explains why the band refused to accept the idea that rock music itself could somehow be inherently Christian or secular. We go Out of the Crate with the groundbreaking 1978 Resurrection Band album Awaiting Your Reply, including the story behind “Broken Promises”, before exploring how Rez continually reinvented its sound rather than making the same record twice. Glenn also reflects on Wendi Kaiser’s powerful contribution to the band, Resurrection Band’s brushes with MTV and mainstream rock, and why the group once turned down a more lucrative record deal rather than compromise its musical identity. The conversation goes far beyond Resurrection Band. Glenn explains why blues music remains so important to him, how cigar box guitars connect modern players to African and African American musical history, and how he has used simple handmade instruments in workshops, including work with inmates at Cook County Jail. He also discusses decades of writing about poverty, racism, addiction, justice and faith, and why music has always been a vehicle rather than the final destination. And in The Second Verse, Glenn talks about the completed prison-focused project Ain’t No Bars Around My Heart and previews another upcoming rock album exploring searching, struggle and redemption. For anyone interested in Resurrection Band, REZ, Jesus People USA, the Jesus Movement, classic Christian rock, CCM history, Glenn Kaiser, blues music or the roots of Christian alternative music, this is a journey right back to where much of it began. In This Episode
Timestamps 00:00 - Beyond the Chorus and the Glenn Kaiser story 02:18 - Early musical influences and joining his first band 06:27 - Addiction, success, surrender and finding Jesus 15:22 - Jesus People USA, Charity and the birth of Resurrection Band 22:18 - Christian rock, secular music and why genre doesn’t define faith 31:23 - Awaiting Your Reply and the story behind “Broken Promises” 36:18 - Wendi Kaiser, changing the Rez sound and refusing to repeat themselves 52:44 - Artistic integrity, justice, politics and prison ministry 66:25 - Blues, cigar box guitars and making music from almost nothing 77:33 - Ain’t No Bars Around My Heart, the upcoming album and the Resurrection Band legacy Follow Glenn KaiserGrrr Records: https://grrrrecords.com/glenn-kaiser Glenn Kaiser Website: https://gkaisersoze.wixsite.com/kaiz Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/glennkaisersolo Follow Beyond the Chorus: Classic CCM RewindYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BeyondTheChorusClassicCCMMusic Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BeyondTheChorus Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/BeyondTheChorus If you grew up with Resurrection Band, REZ, classic CCM or Christian rock from the 1970s, 80s and 90s, subscribe to Beyond the Chorus: Classic CCM Rewind and join us as we revisit the artists, the albums, the missing years and what came next. And if you know someone else who still has those records, cassettes and CDs sitting on the shelf, share the episode with them too. Drop the needle. Press play. We’re going back to where the music began. | |||
| Sweet Comfort Band: From Jesus Music Pioneers to Iron Sharpens Iron | 14 sept. 2026 | 01:10:24 | |
In the debut episode of Beyond the Chorus: Classic CCM Rewind, Shayne Brian sits down with Sweet Comfort Band members Bryan Duncan, Rick Thomson and Randy Thomas for a deep dive into one of the pioneering bands of Christian rock and Contemporary Christian Music. From their beginnings in the 1970s Jesus Music movement to albums including Hold On Tight, Cutting Edge and Perfect Timing, Sweet Comfort Band helped prove that Christian music could embrace rock, R&B, jazz, funk and soul without losing its message. Bryan, Rick and Randy take us back to the earliest days of the band, including the influence of Love Song, Randy's garage audition, resistance from churches and promoters, and the challenge of developing a sound that didn't fit neatly into the Christian music of the time. For Out of the Crate, we take a deeper look at the Cutting Edge track "Valerie". Randy reveals how the song came to him almost fully formed beside a swimming pool, why its storytelling approach was different, and how the song almost missed out on becoming part of the band's new live project. Then we enter The Missing Years. The band reflects on the financial pressure, exhaustion and changing lives that led Sweet Comfort Band to call it a day in 1984. Bryan talks about the unexpected transition from touring musician to construction work before launching his successful solo career. Randy looks back on Allies, songwriting with Bob Carlisle and the extraordinary success of "Butterfly Kisses", while Rick discusses building a studio and developing his career as a producer and songwriter. And finally, The Second Verse brings the story back to the present. A proposed Sweet Comfort Band documentary helped bring Bryan, Rick and Randy back together, eventually leading to two concerts in 2025 and the new live album Iron Sharpens Iron. They talk about stepping back on stage together, rediscovering the musical chemistry of Sweet Comfort Band, revisiting songs decades after they were recorded, and why they believe the band's message still matters today. The conversation also remembers Kevin Thomson, his faith, personality and relentless determination to keep Sweet Comfort Band moving forward. More than fifty years after the story began, Sweet Comfort Band may just be discovering that there is still another chapter to write. TIMESTAMPS00:00 - Welcome to Beyond the Chorus and Sweet Comfort Band 02:32 - The beginnings of Sweet Comfort Band and the Jesus Music era 09:36 - Randy Thomas joins the band and helps shape the SCB sound 17:53 - Out of the Crate: The story behind "Valerie" 22:31 - Cutting Edge, Perfect Timing and a changing Sweet Comfort Band 29:11 - Financial pressure, burnout and the end of the band in 1984 36:43 - The Missing Years: Bryan Duncan, Randy Thomas and Rick Thomson 40:43 - Allies, Bob Carlisle and the story of "Butterfly Kisses" 47:13 - Reuniting Sweet Comfort Band decades later 49:56 - How a documentary led to the 2025 reunion concerts 52:57 - Iron Sharpens Iron and rediscovering the Sweet Comfort Band sound 58:17 - Remembering Kevin Thomson 63:30 - What they would tell their younger selves and what comes next SWEET COMFORT BANDWebsite: https://www.thesweetcomfortband.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sweetcomfortband Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sweetcomfortband_official/ FOLLOW BEYOND THE CHORUSIf you grew up with classic Christian music, Jesus Music, Christian rock and the CCM artists of the 70s, 80s and 90s, subscribe to Beyond the Chorus: Classic CCM Rewind and join us as we rediscover the artists, albums, missing years and stories behind the music. YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BeyondTheChorusClassicCCMMusic Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BeyondTheChorus Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/BeyondTheChorus If you know someone who still has these albums in their collection, remembers buying them from a Christian bookstore, or simply loves classic Christian music, share the episode with them. | |||
| Beyond the Chorus: Classic CCM Rewind | The Story Begins | 07 sept. 2026 | 00:08:19 | |
Welcome to Beyond the Chorus: Classic CCM Rewind, a new podcast rediscovering the artists, albums and stories that helped shape Contemporary Christian Music from the 1970s, 80s and 90s. Hosted by Shayne Brian, the series goes back to the records many of us grew up with and asks what happened next. In this launch trailer, Shayne shares the story of his very first artist interview with Kim Boyce in 1987, including one fairly major recording mistake that he has never forgotten. You’ll also hear about some of the first artists joining the series, including Sweet Comfort Band, Glenn Kaiser of Resurrection Band, and Joseph “Ojo” Taylor of Undercover. We’ll revisit classic albums including Awaiting Your Reply, Between Heaven ’n Hell and Cutting Edge, explore the early days of Christian rock and punk, and discover what these artists have been doing during the years many listeners lost track of them. Ojo Taylor also returns with his new album Behold, while Sweet Comfort Band and Glenn Kaiser prove that these stories are far from finished. Beyond the Chorus: Classic CCM Rewind is about the music, the people who made it, the missing years, and what came next. Subscribe now so you’re notified when the first episodes drop. The artists. The albums. The missing years. And what came next. The intro music is Sweet Comfort Band's "Sing for the Music". Written and composed by John Elefante and Dino Elefante. Visit https://www.thesweetcomfortband.com/ Subscribe and Follow to be notified of new episodes and follow us on social media Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/BeyondTheChorus Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@beyondthechorusclassicccmmusic | |||