Several weeks ago One21 Music posed fifteen questions to a number of music artists in the Christian music scene, ranging from the light-hearted to the deeply spiritual. We received many responses, some very helpful, and some…. not so much. Some of the answers were short and sweet, some were extensive and eloquent. Many expressed frustrations with the current landscape of the music industry, while others were hopeful for a future of uncertainty. We heard from guys who had been performing for years, and bands that are just now starting to get their names heard. From indie rock to hip-hop, from hardcore to worship, the Christian music scene spoke back to us. Realize that these answers are by the people making the music that you are listening to, and these are un-edited and real. The opinions expressed don’t always reflect ours, but we aren’t perfect, right?

Need to catch up?

Read Pt.1- What Do You Love About Music?
Read Pt.2- What Are Some Of Your Favorite Albums/CDs?
Read Pt.3- What Is The Best Thing About Making Music?
Read Pt.4: What Is Your Opinion Of The Music Industry?
Read Pt.5: What Impact Has The Digital Age Of Music Had On The Industry?

This is a very special week for us. Last Sunday, we as a company, and as believers celebrated the resurrection of Jesus Christ.  The most significant historical event to take place on this earth saw God and His Son defeat sin and death to bring salvation and redemption to His people.  Our sins were forgiven, our slate was wiped clean. The Holy Spirit allowed us to have a relationship with The Creator, and we will live knowing that world is just a flash in comparison to the eternity we have in Heaven. This week we asked a very simple question to all of our artists and bands, and through their words we celebrate what God has done through so many different people. In fact, this week we are featuring all the artists who took place in this series. Newcomers include Dewey Lybecker, Royalty Jackson, and members of Our Proclamation, Neocracy, The Goodnight Horizon, Divulgnce, For Today, and Darkness Before Dawn.

Who is Jesus Christ to you?

John (guitarist for Solid State Records metal band Inhale Exhale)
He is God, I believe he walked the earth and I believe in what the gospels have recorded.

Jon (lead singer/guitarist for independent pop/rock band Hyland)      
JC is my support. He’s my focus and my reason for doing this. If I didn’t have the talents He’s given me I don’t where I would be. He’s a dream giver. He’s a savior. He’s grace.

Dowd(guitar for Tribunal Records metal band A Thousand Times Repent)
Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior. I have my ups and downs and my own troubles. I am not perfect by any means but I know when I fall he is always there to help me up. When we are in band practice we always start off with a prayer and end with a prayer. We invite Jesus into our practices to be apart of our writing or rehearsing.

Jarrod(guitarist/singer from Victory Records metal band Corpus Christi)
The man who died to save my life.

Vito (half of Asthamic Kitty indie/folk band The Welcome Wagon)
I believe everything the Bible says about Jesus. He is God’s Son, fully divine and fully human. And though he was in the form of God, he did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped. He made himself nothing, and took the form of a servant. Being born in the likeness of men, and being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Dustin (trumpet player for Blood & Ink ska-core band Send Out Scuds)
Jesus Christ? Well Jesus Christ is some hippie-looking white guy in painting prints across middle class homes all over the Western world. Yeshua Barjoseph on the other hand, was a man who lived roughly 2000 years ago. He lived a spiritually perfect life, died against natural law, and came back to life having paid my irredeemable spiritual debt. To me, he is my savior and Lord, and while I’m sure that’s a cliche answer, I urge you to look up the meaning of both words in a Strong’s and a Vine’s. That’s your homework.

Dewey Lybecker( independent solo singer/songwriter)  
Jesus Christ to me is someone who I could only dream to become like. I look at how He loved people and interacted with others, and realize that I’m a huge jerk!

Daniel(guitarist for Facedown Records hardcore band Take It Back!)
Jesus Christ is the single most important thing that has ever happened to the planet. His life gave us the opportunity to be free from our terrible vices. Because of Him we have a direct link to the Father God. He was the ultimate sacrifice which enabled us to live fulfilling lives in Him.

DIRT (underground hip-hop artist and founder of Shadow Of The Locust)
The only person WORTHY.

Brett Hill (Paradigm Nashville solo country artist)                             
Everything. He is a mentor, a big brother to run to, help when I need help, and Salvation for those who do not deserve it. He is everything to me.

Chris Taylor (BEC solo artist/song writer)                                            
Starting at the age of 15, Jesus became the central figure of my life. Jesus is my only access to God on a daily basis. Jesus is God in flesh, the one who died on the cross, bore our sin in his body, and physically rose from the dead. He will return again from the heavens, and will judge the world and all people. I do have a lot of personal experiences I could speak into this question but in a day where folks make Jesus into whatever they want to, I will stick to the above truths.

Brooke Waggoner(solo indie/pop artist on SlowMoon Music)               
My Savior and Restorer

Frankie (vocalist for Infantry Records hardcore band Our Proclamation)
To me, Jesus Christ is more than just my God, my savior and my father. To me, Jesus is the only person that can put up with all of my crap, and still love me for who I am. Jesus is the only one who will listen to me complain about whine and not get fed up with it. Jesus is my best friend, that’s pretty much the best way to put it.

Royalty Jackson (independent hip-hop artist)
My Savior and Redeemer. The joy and escape in my life.

Johanna Miller (keyboardist/singer for South Pawl pop/rock band Fellow)
Jesus is the reason why I’m alive. He has saved me from so many mistakes I’ve made in the past. I’m so grateful He thinks I’m worth loving.

David (lead singer/guitarist for Tooth & Nail pop/rock band Run Kid Run)
My personal lord, my savior, He gives me a purpose in life.

Dominic Balli (independent Reggae/hip-hop artist)                           
My savior. My King. My hope. My life. He’s all I need and more than I could dream.

Gabe(guitarist for Bombworks Records metal band Darkness Before Dawn)
Everything. He is everywhere I look He’s in everything I do He is the reason I do anything in my life.

Amy Courts (independent pop/folk artist)                                      
Savior. Friend. Lord and King. Advocate of the friendless and unwanted. The Great Motivator.

Cameron(guitarist/vocalist for Bombworks Records metal band Divulgence)
My personal Lord and Savior of my soul. My everything and my reason for living.

Seth (singer for independent hard rock band Endeverance)            
Jesus Christ is my personal Lord and Savior, and I try my best to live my life by what he taught…But I fail everyday…

Curtis(mandolist/singer for Centricity Records country band High Valley)
Jesus Christ is Gods son. He took the punishment for my sin and the sin of the entire world. When I accept His gift of eternal life and begin a REAL relationship with Him I am made perfect in Gods eyes and am able to live with Him eternally!

David(drummer for Facedown Records hardcore/metal band For Today)
DA MAN!

Mahogany Jones (independent hip-hop artist)                               
Christ is the reason why I even get to live a life worth living. He is the savior that took a hit that I wouldn’t have been able to take. He is my best friend and I am asking for the Holy Spirit’s help in fashioning me so I am more of a suitable friend to Him.

Bryan (bass player for Forefront Records pop/rock band Abandon)
He is my Lord and Savior… My best friend, Companion, Healer, Provider. He is honestly everything to me. I would be nowhere without His love and grace upon my life. I have made countless mistakes and He has faithfully seen me through every circumstance I have encountered.

Christopher(vocalist for Harvest Earth Records metal band The Goodnight Horizon)

Lord, savior, best friend.

Xcess (solo Darkside records hip-hop/industrial artist)
Everything. Jesus Christ is like my dad, best friend, camp counselor and even hero all in one to be somewhat lighthearted about it. But seriously what He did for me and the rest of the world was beyond what anyone else would or could do and He was the only one qualified to do it. Obviously I could never repay Him, how could any of us?

Heath (bass player for Holdfast Records metal band In Irons)                  
The Father, Son and Holy Spirit, duh.

Kent(guitarist for independent metal band Neocracy)
He is my Lord and Savior.

Dave (half of Holdfast Records electro-house duo Poorly Built Parachute)
My Savior and best friend… I suck at being a good friend.

Brandon(bassist for Facedown Records hardcore/metal band For Today)
God in the flesh. A man who came to the earth, lived a perfect life, and set an example for us.

Brandon (bass player for independent pop/rock band Say You Will)
He is my Savior ultimately. Friend always. God and father.

David (singer for independent nu-metal band Echocast)                 
He is God.

Amen. Join us next week on Thursday when we ask What Is Christian Music?