TOM BOOTH

So, Tom Booth, are you ready for your Close-Up?

Ready to go! "Hit me with your best shot!" Fire away!

You've been involved in contemporary Christian music for over two decades. What keeps you motivated and involved?

Christ! Our Lord has the words of life. In fact, He IS the Word of life! God's love is the greatest muse of all. As a musician and songwriter one continually looks for inspiration, and the good news of Jesus Christ is the most compelling reason to play music. I was so moved as a young man by music infused with the gospel message. But it is important to remember, for me at least, that it was NOT Christian music that "ruined" my life — disrupting my path and goals, and getting me to completely re-think what my life was about. It was CHRIST, in the context of community, prayer and sacrament, who began the change in me. My motivation to make music is only as vibrant as my relationship with God. Prayer, meditation, study and exercise are the keys for me. Of course, family and community is the place where faith is lived out.

You have a new "Best of" CD! How did you feel about revisiting some of your earlier songs?

I welcomed the opportunity to do so. In my opinion, some of the older songs needed the re-record and some didn't. We left some of the nicks and scratches on a few — no changes at all. And others got the full overhaul! I also recorded two brand new songs: "Slipping" and "You to Blame." The latter is a "rockin' little number" in homage to my wife, Tammy. The other, "Slipping," has given me a sense of completion. If someone said, "That's it! No more music making, no more songs, no more out of you," I would be okay with it. That song kind of sums it all up for me. I may start making model airplanes now, or figuring out how to make my own version of "Mole," a great Mexican dish involving herbs, spices, and chocolate!

Dude, you did some tracks at ABBEY ROAD! What was it like to record at the Beatles' legendary studio?

Duuuuuuude, you don't have enough memory on your web page for me to share with you all the thoughts and memories of that experience. Let me just say this: "I am the Walrus!" No, actually Bob Hurd, Jaime Cortez and Ken Canedo are the "Egg Men!" Be patient with my cryptic Beatle humor!! In all honesty, I was dumbfounded that I was looking at the building, let alone allowed inside it. I enjoyed every second — and yes, I also recorded a Beatle song. We may have to release that sometime , as a free download or something. It was at the very end of the day — 10:00 pm I think. And I sang "Strawberry Fields" in one take, using an old Nuemann microphone from the Beatle days. Goodness! I can hardly believe it as I tell you about it. One must remember, though they were "just" four young lads from Liverpool, they "just" changed the face of music forever! But trust me, I was focused on why I was there. I worked with great players from London on MY songs for OUR project. And yes, we went up to the roof where the Beatles spent many an hour. I prayed a lot and had to continually pinch myself. All you need is love — God's love.

Some quick takes: Arizona Diamondbacks or Arizona Cardinals?

Neither! The Phoenix Suns!!! You have got to watch this team play! They pass the ball to each other, they laugh, they can shoot and they win! My wife and I watch EVERY game — TIVO!!

John Lennon or Paul McCartney?

John's artistry and Paul's musicality — in general terms, that is my take on that amazing duo. The music comes easy to Paul. He is a true musical genius. John was an artist and saw the world in colors, sounds and images. They helped each other big time — a friendly rivalry that was mutually beneficial. Even when not composing together, as in the later Beatle years, each one KNEW he had to play a new song for the other and therefore the effect was the same. John's edge got dangerously sharp without Paul, and Paul's soft side got pretty fluffy without John. Thus, the genius of Lennon/McCartney.

Lent or Easter?

Oh brother, be careful! If you separate them you will fall into some unhealthy theology! You cannot have one without the other. The question itself (and I know that YOU know this, Ken) is unsound! Earth or sky? Jesus Christ: true man or true God? Lent or Easter? These are forever bound together!

Parting shots: Any advice for young Catholic musicians or songwriters who might want to follow in your footsteps?

In MY footsteps? My advice would be "don't!" What I mean is, I hope I have reflected God's love and light well. I pray that the music I have composed, recorded, sung and prayed would be lasting in some fashion, even in some small way — little signs pointing to the Master! But the problem for so many is that we obsess with "Christian music" instead of with Christ. This is a forgivable and understandable problem in our lives. Christian music can make us FEEL holy, prayerful, close to God. But we all know that conversion is a long, slow, painful, and joyful process — not an event. We need to follow the Master. He will lead the way through darkness and despair. He is the good shepherd. I have had people say to me, "I want to be a Christian musician." Well, if one believes and follows Christ, and sings or strums or puffs air through a flute, then "bingo!" You are one — a Christian musician, that is. We need more Christians that happen to play music, versus something else. However, if someone feels called or just wants to play music for God, or church or wherever, I would say: pray, pray, pray! Then pray some more. Prayer keeps us honest, connects us to God and gives us something to say.

Links to Tom Booth's latest CDs:
The Best of Tom Booth
Unravel