Backstage at the GMA Awards continued (Part 2)...
At one point during the Q&A parade/marathon I looked over at one of the backstage television monitors and saw what I can only describe as a spectacle performed by “Neo-Prince” (as in Prince—the recording artist). While the sound on the TV was turned down (as it always was whenever an artist took to the press podium), the mystery artist (to us backstage anyway) was seriously throwing down and even when he ditched his Prince-esque wig and bandana on stage, I still didn’t recognize him.
When a nearby journalist clued me in, it all made sense...
TONEX.
Yes, the forward-thinking hip-hop fusing artist (with a capital “A”) was making his unforgettable introduction to many a stunned GMA member. Later, sporting the full-length red fur coat, black bandana, sunglasses, black short ripped slacks, boots and silver necklaces topped off with a large cross, Tonex introduced himself to many a stunned Christian journalist.
"Greetings from the year 2010," he said.
And dropping his first hint for the uninformed that this deal wasn’t “for real,” Tonex quipped, “Now we know where 100 packets of Kool-Aid went.” (As in, “Nice coat.”)
“If you can't make fun of yourself, you're taking yourself too seriously,” He opined. Tonex went on to explain that his get-up and performance were satirical. Those of us who followed U2’s career during the band’s irony-filled take on the 90s, connected immediately. After making bold statements about his plans for the future (which include having an even bigger impact “than P.O.D.”) the confident artist concluded, “I'm slander-proof and I'm press proof.” And, somehow, I believed him.
(By the way, if you haven’t picked up your own copy of Tonex’s latest album, the groundbreaking OUT THE BOX, then more than 130,000 fans have already beaten you to the punch.)
Urban artist/pastor Donnie McClurkin, who’d just won a Dove for Best Traditional Gospel Recorded Song (“Through the Fire”—his collaboration with The Crabb Family) paid us a visit and explained, “The Dove Awards are a lot more important to us on the gospel side than you realize... The industry sometimes separates us, but in reality we are one...” Asked to confirm his widely reported retirement, he responded, "Yes sir--more by the mandate of God. You can't be a celebrity and pastor. You can't be on the road and pastor adequately.” Noted.
Up next was MercyMe who won Best Pop/Contemporary Album (UNDONE) and Best Special Event Album (for their contribution to THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST: SONGS). Referring to UNDONE, front man Bart Millard told us, “This record has ministered to us more than anything else we've done." Considering the band’s incredible losses of family members and friends during the past two years, this statement said a lot.
Things turned lighter when one of my colleagues asked Bart if Third Day “who's from the NASCAR town of Atlanta” was jealous about MercyMe’s new partnership with Interstate Batteries. "Pound for pound, I think we can take 'em... And yes, Mac's jealous," Bart responded.
While many expected Bethany Dillon or BarlowGirl to land 2005’s New Artist of the Year title (including yours truly), Building 429 took the esteemed award home. On their way, they stopped by our room to take a few questions. "We've spent much of our lives being prepared to do what we're doing now,” said lead singer/guitarist Jason Roy. “We take all of this very seriously. We're not perfect; we're going to make mistakes, but we’re sold out to the [mission] that we feel God's given us."
Roy went on to explain that his band’s moniker is based on Ephesians 4:29... “Anytime anybody asks us what our band name means, we get the opportunity to share the gospel.”
***See Part 3... Coming soon!***
