Christian Paul Releases “Part Of The Plan” + “Without You”
Alabama native. Gifted your first drum set at age 4. Taught yourself to play piano and guitar. Influenced by Maxwell, D’Angelo and Prince. How did these artists influence you?
After my voice dropped at around 13 years old, I lost most of my upper range. During this time, I was listening to successful pop singers like Justin Timberlake and Bruno Mars who are comfortable in that tenor/countertenor range. Being an aspiring artist and looking at the current landscape of pop music being filled with tenors, I remember thinking “I don’t know if I can do that.” I started digging back into my R&B roots by listening to these artists, and all these guys are baritones who have strong head voices or falsettos. I felt like I had something to model in my pursuit of being an excellent vocalist.
2019, When Love Don’t Love You Back EP. What was the inspiration for the title track, co-written with Carl Sturken and Evan Rogers?
The inspirations for this track came from a lot of 60’s and 70’s soul singers, such as Otis Redding, Curtis Mayfield, and Sam Cooke. I wanted the first song I put out to be a nod to those artists.
First official single, “Strong,” co-written with Jamie Hartman. Inspired by the sounds of Cooke and Mayfield. Your music was described as soulful and genuine — makes you feel something, honest, relatable, and is timeless. If you were to create a playlist of other timeless songs, which five would top the list?
Bring It On Home to Me — Sam Cooke
These Arms of Mine — Otis Redding
Bet Ain’t Worth the Hand — Leon Bridges
Fist Full of Tears — Maxwell
Me And Those Dreamin’ Eyes Of Mine — D’Angelo
“All My Days,” co-written with Bryan G Fryzel and Paul Duncan. “This song is inspired by Psalm 23, where David expresses his confidence in God’s faithfulness, goodness, and shepherding presence in the face of uncertainty and trial. I hope it encourages you!” What songs encourage you through difficult times?
A song that has been particularly encouraging to me through various trials is “He Will Hold Me Fast” by Keith and Kristyn Getty. Some honorable mentions here are “A Christians Daily Prayer” and the hymn, “Whate’er My God Ordains Is Right.” Both of these are by Sovereign Grace Music!
Playing CMA Fest, the day after you married Tai Reeder in Florida and before you left for your honeymoon on the shores of Lake Atitlán in Guatemala. For the wedding you wrote “Tai’s Song (I Do),” the chorus says, “I will love you with all my life, joyfully sacrifice by grace and grace alone, our house will become a home.” How do you make sure to find balance between your private life and your professional life?
While I’m very thankful I get to be a professional recording artist, that isn’t the pursuit that consumes my life. My music career is an outlet, among others, to glorify my God. My premier calling is to worship Christ by striving to love my wife the way He loves His church (Ephesians 5:25).
“Yes I Am (Hallelujah Remix),” co-written with Ben Glover and Jeff Sojka. The song’s energy has been compared to Justin Timberlake’s “Can’t Stop the Feeling.” You were once part of a boy band yourself, but in 2020 an encounter with the Gospels had a profound effect on you. The song mixes secular and religious styles, and Gospel styles. Your focus is to put your talents at the service of God. Besides through song, what are some other ways you used your talents to help others?
I immediately think of 1 Peter 4:10, which says, “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another as good stewards of God’s varied grace. whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies — in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.” I use my gifts in different ways. Sometimes, it’s spending intentional time with others to discuss the implications of God’s word on our lives. Other times, it may look like putting scripture to melody to encourage scripture memory and meditation. Lately, my wife and I have been caring for infants and toddlers at our church. It is all a sweet privilege. Christ, being God Himself and the creator of all things, came to the world not to be served but to serve, and give His life as a ransom for many (Mark 10:45). He’s our example to model.
“Won’t Rain Anymore,” co-written with Bryan G Fryzel and Stef Lang, the first song in this new era of music for you. Can you share what you are currently working on?
I’m preparing to release a project in the new year with about 7 or 8 songs on it, and even more exciting announcements to come. Experimenting with new sounds has been a lot of fun. Some of what I’ve been working on feels like organically produced pop/soul, while other songs definitely stay closer to my R&B roots.
What advice would you give to aspiring Christian musicians?
This advice has far more to do with the inner life of the aspiring artist than it does the music that they’re making. If you are going to pursue a vocation that is intertwined with your profession of faith toward Christ; if you’re going to pursue a career that involves the proclamation of God’s word in any capacity, please let it be the overflow of a life lived in subjection to your God and His word (Romans 12:1–2); let it be because you are a sincere God-fearer who can’t help but speak of the mercy you’ve been shown by Jesus Christ. Beware — if you desire the esteem and praise that may come from appearing spiritual before others, you have no reward from the Lord (Matt. 6:1). Romans 2 says that unbelievers blaspheme the name of God because of hypocrites who teach God’s word, but themselves live contrary to it. Your songs of supposed praise will be but noise to which God refuses to listen (Amos 5:23).