The transformation of three complete unknowns attending the small and conservative Liberty University in Virginia into the hottest group in Christian music has been the stuff of music business history and has certainly made life interesting for DC Talk's Toby McKeehan, Michael Tait, and Kevin Smith. And the phenomenal success of the groups last album Free At Last (over 800,000 copies sold at last count) has reaped amazing benefits for the guys, including appearances on national TV shows like "Arsenio Hall" and "The Tonight Show" as well as sold-out tour dates throughout last spring.

But, despite the glamour and good fortune that have come their way, these three realize that the process of growth still continues, not just with the group but in their individual lives as well. This is no time to be slack... and that's about the last word anyone would use to describe this trio. But how would they be described? I chatted with a few people who know them well to paint the following word portraits:

Toby-a visionary, born leader, ultimate creative guru, marketing genius, hip evangelist, a man who is always aware of his surroundings, direct and straightforward, funny, warm, always thinking, ultra-talented musician, loyal, confident, resourceful, the backbone of DC Talk...

Michael (Tait to most)-gregarious, playful, compassionate, soulful, talkative, outgoing, genuine, friend to many yet known well by few, a perfect gentleman, caring, the jokester, hopeful and carefree though occasionally overwhelmed by it all...

And Kevin-eccentric and eclectic, deep lover of life, unique, insightful, reflective, mysterious, creative, the challenger, moody, the guy who loves to be different, pensive, Mr. Intensity, poet, thinker...

But as different as they may be as individuals, together they are DC Talk, a group that is often perceived as headstrong, self-assured, and very in control yet nearly always gracious. And together they are continually maturing, continually stretching their wings as a band and as people. Frequently challenging each other creatively and spiritually and almost always propelling the group as a whole forward.

Lights, Camera, Action

For the group, the excitement right now bears heavily on this months release of a long-form video (Narrow Is The Road) and next year's release of a full-length movie (DC Talk: Free At Last). Says Toby, "The long-form is who we are-behind the scenes with DC Talk. The film is coming from a perspective that you don't know who we are. The film will be like a journey from introducing who we are, to what we do, to why we exists, to why our music's not like the next group's."

The 45-minute long-form home video will include live segments from the spring Free At Last tour (including the acoustic set) along with the concept videos for "The Hardway," "Jesus Is Just Alright," and the new video for "Luv is a Verb." The 90-minute film documentary will feature more behind-the-scenes moments from the tour, the Grammys, video shoots, crusades, and just every day life.

"You'll see that struggle, that fine line between ministry and entertainment," says Toby. "You'll be able to pick up when we do things selfishly and when we do things for Christ and for the higher call."

The 'higher call' as Toby puts it, is something the band hopes every audience sees in DC Talk. Not three good lucking superstars singing hip music or three bible beaters speaking in religious cliches, but simply three young men struggling to live a life of faith in a world that is often times overcome by darkness.

Explains Kevin, "you see the spiritual realm, and you see the fleshy realm, that's what human beings are, and we're always trying to find which one we want more. But as you can see throughout the film, it's more rewarding to grab a hold of the things of the spirit... There are very few films that make you go away asking questions about 'who is God?' or 'why does God care about me?' I hope this film does that." Adds Michael, "we hope [the audience will] walk out thinking it was cool, and it wasn't shoved down their throat, but that they will be more open to hearing the gospel."

Says Toby, "Our hope is that they'll see what we are-that we're real people struggling to pursue our faith in God. At times stumbling. At times, running towards that faith. At times, very secure in that faith. [They won't see] guys that have it together all the time, but they will see peace in our lives that they don't have because they are still searching. We have found what we've been looking for. We found it in faith in God. That doesn't mean there aren't questions that arise-it just means there's a security in that faith. God is not a token relationship to us. We are outright dependent on him. When we take the stage, we're dependent. When we argue, we're dependent. When we live, we're dependent. He's a vital part of our lives."

Telling The Truth

Faith in God is the natural foundation of DC Talk's music since it is also the base of their individual lives. While past albums have addressed specific issues like racism and sexual abstinence, lately the group's been thinking a lot about how to let their art most accurately reflect the internal anxieties of the real world as the three work on writing songs for the next record (planned currently for a spring 1995 release). And the real world as seen through the eyes of Toby, 29, Michael, 28, and Kevin, 27, comes with its share of confusion and struggles.

"It's really weird because we have always thought that we were a very issue-oriented band," explains Toby, "but the thing is that the issues have changed. The issues of the 90's are much more internal and less external. We're finding that our songs are dealing with pain in our lives and the joy in our lives, the questions we have pertaining what makes us up... When we walk out a door, we are not walking into Heaven, we're walking out there in a real world. I want to reach those people, and our music can't reach those people if there's no pain involved because those people are feeling pain. I feel pain too, but in my pain I have eternal peace."

"I think one [issue] that I would personally like to see us tackle, and it needs to be addressed right now is accountability," interjects Kevin. "Accountability from person to person and from a person to God. Just this year we have seen River Phoenix, Kurt Cobain, and the OJ Simpson incidents. Individuals that are put on a platform and leading these kind of lifestyles in the media are the best examples because they can put a wall around themselves and hide and shrink back from society and actually become like a Dr. Jeckyll and Mr. Hide."

But in these times of sold-out shows and phenomenal sales, with young women screaming their names night after night, dealing with the pressures of topping themselves on their next record... how do Toby, Mike and Kevin keep from giving in to that Jeckyll/Hide persona themselves?

"We are trying to guard ourselves against that," says Toby. "We have built a team that we can be accountable to. The essence of DC Talk-we met not on the basis of 'let's become DC Talk.' We met before the music and became friends long before DC Talk ever existed. Because of that we have an accountability as friends."

The team that surrounds DCT includes a pastor who goes on tour with the band expressly to "get in their face" and help keep them on the straight and narrow. Of course, Toby's learning a lot more about that path through a big change that occurred in his life last summer-marriage!

"I have the biggest accountability partner in the world. Her name is Amanda, and she's my wife. She has no problem not only getting in my face, but in Michael or Kevin's," says Toby with a laugh. "That's a blessing, and God has truly surrounded us with people who will hold us accountable, people who will love us and will do it in a loving way. I have a tendency to be a bit of a workaholic so I have to keep that in check. But you know, that's another thing that Amanda has brought into my life-she's constantly pointing me to things that matter and away from the things that don't matter. As far as spiritually, I'm learning how to love my brothers, I'm learning how to take a backseat and put Mike and Kevin's interest in front of my own at times. I'm striving to do that everyday. I'm learning how to work as a team, and not have to be the front-runner on everything. God is the one that's teaching me because I can't do it on my own."

The Forest And The Trees

While Toby's put single life behind him, Michael admits to suffering from a longing to do the same. "I'll be honest with you-I really do want for the first time a girlfriend. I'm sick of waiting, I'm ticked at times. And I've been praying about it. I'm like 'Lord you know I want this thing. What's the problem?' I'm like a little kid, and I'm running and God's going 'Boom, sit down.' I'm learning just to be content and be still because I'm a hyper person physically speaking, and I know that effects me spiritually. I've got to just let God take control."

For Michael, "letting God take control" means a lot more than learning to be patient over the dating situation. Though seemingly carefree on the surface, he's been learning to not let circumstances overwhelm him. "I'm very insecure in a lot of areas especially when I fall out of contact with God. When I drop God's hand, I'm history. I'm like my mom in that I stress out over things. I never just learn to let things go."

And a good example of that would be... ?

"I am so worried about the next album that it keeps me up all night..."

"You are a stinking worrywart," jokes Kevin.

"When it comes down to it, I probably am a worrywart," answers Michael. "Lately, I've just been trying my best to lock into one thing, not becoming too spread out or too overwhelmed with what's around me. If I see the forest, I'm in trouble. You've got to show me a tree that I can go after and I'll give it my all-I'll water that puppy and I'll cut the leaves and I'll go for it. Just don't show me 25 trees! (laughs)."

Kevin, meanwhile has been occupied with endeavors of his own including writing his first poetry book. "Over the past year, I've come into a stage of loving life, a point where I'm flowing with creative ideas. Two years ago, you would have seen a guy in making sure his voice sounded good on tape. Two years ago you would have seen a guy who wants to buy cool clothes. I have changed to the point where I am more concerned with being able to create what I see around me and work with it.

"I would also like to think my relationship with God has changed drastically. I see God more clearly today than earlier. I see the things he wants me to do in the future, and it's scary. So my life is like a flower that's opening and you're seeing the true me. My relationships with people are so much deeper. I used to be very guarded and insecure."

Though the battle of insecurity is being won by Kevin, he was quick to respond to the question regarding what his biggest struggle is. "Women... Loving beautiful things. Loving them too much. I think I've been gifted with seeing beautiful things and taking joy in seeing those beautiful things. That can do from every thing from a woman to a house to building my own future to the car that I drive. I really know what I like and sometimes I leave God out of it. That's my weakness-loving things too much and putting things in front of God."

Even with distractions constantly looming at every corner, DC Talk retains a sharp focus on what's really important.

"I think artist have a tendency to replace their own personal spirituality with the stage," says Toby. "When you get on stage and speak or sing of an intimate relationship with Christ, you have a tendency to think you are fulfilling that relationship. But we have learned on this last tour that DC Talk is a job. Yeah, we're sharing Christ with people, but it really is our job. It's not our intimate relationship with Jesus. It doesn't replace that time, and it never will. We've learned to not confuse those issues."

Reaching The World

Though it is a job, DC Talk is committed to using its position to speak to the world about life with Christ. The trio, which found its roots in simple college friendship, was born as a hip-hop act with rock and soul influences. But DC Talk has progressed to a sound that still maintains that original energy while further nurturing the pop-laden rock and soul styles and sharpening its lyrics to relate directly to 'Generation X.' Certainly not the rap act they are often pegged as.

"You can't label this group, its too multi-faceted," claims Toby. "I don't know what you'd want to call [our musical style]. It's an earthier sound, but I don't know how to describe it." "I don't even want to describe it," interjects Michael. "I just want to put it out there."

And putting it "out there" everywhere is the goal. Not interested in preaching only to the choir, DC Talk plans to actively pursue a mainstream deal that will provide the marketing punch and political power to move the mountains at places like MTV so that the group can reach an extensive audience.

Says Toby, "We want a mainstream label to pick us up, but right now our hands are tied. [Our record company's] done a fine job and they've been very, very good to us, but we feel called to reach the world with our music. Not to change it, not to water it down, but to point the world to God through our music. We're looking forward to when we can be pushed by a major mainstream label, one that catches the vision. We're going to continue to make records that compete anywhere."

And part of that process means putting together the best products possible. "Let's face the facts," explains Michael, "a lot of Christian music has been cheesy. There have been points in our career when the cheese factor is pretty strong. We're just not satisfied with that. We want to go the extra mile and do what it takes. Don't put more money in our pocket-hire more people to make the show look better so that it will appeal to more people."

But spending more money on production, hiring top-notch players and creating the best live show is far from the main emphasis in capturing the world's eye-these three want to speak the language the world can understand.

Toby explains, "DC Talk is trying to be very honest and very realistic. About what we feel inside, about when we hurt, when we sin, when we lust. In our honesty, we might lose some people. They might think we're bad guys, but part of us is bad. But thank God, part of us can be used by Him through His spirit."