OnlineHost: With a platinum album, a Grammy, two gold records and a gold video under
their belts, DC TALK has forged new roads. Instead of relying on the past to keep them
on their well-established path, the members of DC TALK have yet again become musical
trail-blazers, a fact that is evident on their fourth and upcoming ForeFront
Communications release, "Jesus Freak."

ChristianityOnLine: Welcome everyone to Christianity Online and the Bowl Auditorium!
ChristianityOnLine: We're ready to begin!
Col: Welcome DC Talk! Do you have any opening comments?
 
dcT: Thanks for having us.  We are going to do something unique tonight,
we are going to take 3 twenty minute turns.  Right now Michael Tait is onstage.
Hi, thanks for joining us tonight.  How can we help you?
 
Col: All right ! Bendigado has the first question this evening.
 
Question: In your christian walk, what has been the toughest battle(s) you've
faced?
dcT: Being consistent in my walk with Christ.  Because it is hard 
onstage, being told "you're great" and 'your awsome'. When you really know 
your just like anybody else in need of God's grace.
 
Question: There is a rumor going around that one of you guys is engaged.  Is 
this true?
dcT: Toby is the only one married, Kevin and I are not engaged.  And 
not...
 
Question: Who in Christian music has most influenced each of you?
dcT: Michael likes Russ Taff, Larry Norman and the 77's
 
Question: DC Talk how did you get started in the Music?
dcT: We met in college and became best friends.  We started writing 
music, got a record deal, moved to Nashville...yada yada yada.
 
Question: what are the plans for the group this next year?
dcT: To work like a dog.  And a 60 city arena tour in the spring that 
begins in Feb.
 
Question: When does "Free At Last: The DC Talk Movie" come out?
dcT: That's what we all want to know.  If you find out...tell us.  We 
really don't know at this point.
 
Question: There is a lot of rumors that have been goning around about what is 
happening with Kevin and that the band is splitting,  what is your reply to 
this?
dcT: Rumors are a disease.  Everything is fine.  We have no plans of 
splitting up.  We'll evolve til we disolve.  And if you hear any more rumors 
of Kevin, tell the person 'if you don't have anything good to say, don't say 
anything at all'.
 
Question: What is your guys favorite song on Jesus Freak?
dcT: Jesus Freak, believe it or not. And...Day By Day. ... and
 
Question: What was the motivation for the song "Love is a verb"?
dcT: Putting words into action.  And not just telling your brother or 
sister that you love them, but showing them.
 
Question: What are these plans I hear for a jesus freak bible study?
dcT: We are working with a company called 'Interlink'.  They work with
youth ministers.  their number is 615-790-9080
 
Question: So tell us more about your latest release
dcT: It's the most inovative thing to date for dc Talk.  Personally, 
I've never felt more passionate about a project vocally.  I've also lost my 
voice trying to sing on the new songs, the way I did them in the studio.

Question: Hi, we saw you in concert in Saginaw on Thursday night.  Does 
Michael have his voice back yet?
dcT: Thursday night was the first time in history that I've lost my
voice.  You saw part of history.

Question: What inspired someone to make a documentary about the group
dcT: The relationship between the three of us that was so diverse.

Question: When is the movie Free At Last coming out?
dcT: We don't know yet.

Question: what message are you trying to send out with "Jesus Freak"?
dcT: We are ardent followers of Jesus Christ.  In a time where being a 
Christian is more of a challenge than ever.  We must press on in our pursuit 
of holiness and of our love for our fellow man.

Question: I'd be interested to know if any of you had any career ambitions
before you had any clue you'd be in the Christian music business?  (Lauren, OH)
dcT: Politics or real estate and somewhere in the back of my mind,
singing professionally.

Question: question to DCTALK: Of course, I haven't heard it all yet, but It
seems that your new album has a different style of music.  Why did you decide 
to take a different tack?  What type of music are most of the songs?
dcT: The album is very diverse as usual with dc Talk.  This happens
because we have 3 individuals with 3 differents tastes.  With this project, 
we have been in one accord more than ever.  There is something for everyone.
From modern rock to Euro-rock to funk.

Question: I've seen you before at Fishnet and was very impressed when you 
talked to us after the show...above and beyond. Do you guys still get to 
interact like that?
dcT: Every night.   dc Talk lives and breathes to share with people our 
life experiences and find out about theirs.

Question: You all seem so close, but are there times, especially on the bus,
that you just need your own space??  HONESTLY! :)
dcT: We are like a family and yes there are those times.  Michael has 
to go.  Thanks for everyone.  My home number is... 555-5555!  See you on the 
road.

Col: Thanks Michael
dcT: Kevin is here with us now.

Col: Hello Kevin. Thanks for joining us.

Question: Who have been your greatest influences, both in your faith and your
music?
dcT: C.S. Lewis, the Smiths.

Question: Do you enjoy what you do?
dcT: Terribly much.

Question: How did you come to know Jesus Christ?
dcT: By complete divine intervention.  I was 12 years old kneeling 
by a couch in Grand Rapids, MI

Question: What is the hardest thing for you while you are on tour?
dcT: Being able to sleep.

Question: who is greer on the answering machine recording on Free At Last
dcT: Todd Collins with Gotee Records.

Question: Do you feel that since you sing christian rap, do you feel that it
has been tougher tobecome famous?
dcT: First of all, I don't sing rap, I just sing.  Toby does all of 
the rapping.  I don't think the style of music has anything to do with the 
degree of feeling more or less famous.

Question: what do you do for fun with your free time?
dcT: Stay up late.  Drink coffee.  Driving at night.

Question: Have you considered branching out in the secular market as a means
of salt and light (in the tradition of M.W. Smith)?
dcT: I consider it a part of the natural evolution of dc Talk.

Question: Guy's, any plans for a Jesus freak long form video?
dcT: There are plans for more videos from the record, but not a long
form.

Question: You guys absolutely blew teh house down on Leno a while back!  
What kind of feedback did you get from Jay and will you be back on The Tonight
Show again?
dcT: It was a great experience.  jay was very down to earth.  Rebbeca
DeMornay was interested in Christianity.

Question: What is your favorite DCTalk song?
dcT: The Hard Way.

Question: What problems do you face being christian music artists in today's
secular society??
dcT: Being honest about your faith without being turned off.

Question: What do you think will win this generation over for Christ?
dcT: Christ.

Question: How old are you guys?
dcT: ...the Jay Leno show was a grand affair but I'd rather be on
Letterman.

Question: Have you really ever been made fun of because of your faith?
dcT: No.

Question: Where do you see yourselves in say, ten years?  Or better yet,
where would you like to be?
dcT: Wow, tough question.  Hopefully not facing the screen of some huge 
computer.  Writing novels comperable to Chaucer's life work.

Question: When did you know that the Lord made this your calling?
dcT: When He called me.

Question: What would be your advice to a 22 year-old Christian song writer?
dcT: Don't give us your age so willingly.

Question: How do you feel about "crossing" ccm boundries ie:MWS,  Amy,
etc...?
dcT: If we are going to "cross over"  we'll take the Cross Over.

Question: How do you guys come up with lyrics and how long does it take to
perfect a song once the music or lyrics are written?
dcT: There is never a perfect song, just ask Paul McCartney.  But if 
there are any, Michael Jackson owns them.

Question: First off, I love your music.  What is the most rewarding thing
about being in the music business?
dcT: Being able to meet the actual people we are singing and speaking 
to.

Question: I am a youth pastor in MD (LU grad!), and I have some parents who
are opposed to the use of CCM in youth ministry.  Some say the beat is from
Satan.  What could I share with them to help them see the light???      
dcT: If Satan constructed 'the Beat', then all music would sound like
Disco.

Question: What inspired the song Jesus Freak?
dcT: Which version.

dcT: We are switching now.  Toby is joining us for the next 20
minutes.
Col: Thanks for joining us Kevin!

dcT: Toby is in the House.

Col: Hi Toby!

dcT: K-Max took a trip down the hall.

Question: If you had five minutes left on the Earth, and could sing one more
song, what would it be?
dcT: I wish we'd all been ready.

Question: have you all grown up in strong Christian homes?
dcT: Yes we have and we know most of our audience hasn't.  But it was
a great experience.

Question: does the song "the hardway" have some kind of special meaning or
story behind it?
dcT: I really wrote the song about Kevin.  It was kind of his lifes 
testimony.  Though all of us have to learn the hard way in life.

Question: I love the song on abortion. Really intense. Do you like to write
fast moving songs or ballads or just both?
dcT: The easiest song for me to write is the mid-tempo song.  It can
go either way.  A ballad takes me longer to write.

Question: A  long  time  ago  I  heard  you  guys  were  going  to  go
secular.  What  happened?
dcT: We would love to get on Mtv and go mainstream because we want to
share our faith with the world.  But so far we havnt' had any major \
break-throughs as far as major distribution.  We'll see what happens with 
'Jesus Freak'.

Question: I've got the new release and I must say it has touched me in a way
I've never felt. Explain where the new style came from?????
dcT: We chose to throw away the formula and search our hearts for a
new musical direction and more introspective lyrics.  It is truely a record 
that came from our hearts.

Question: what is your favorite song that you have written?
dcT: either 'The Hard Way' or 'What If I Stumble', 'Colored People' 
or 'Jesus Freak'

Question: Why don't you take alter calls at your concerts?  You have such an
awesome  ministry and could really make an impact on people's lives. (chadd, 
CJ, rob and amy in wisconsin)
dcT: Because we don't think it is the right environment for us.  We 
feel called to ask people to make a decision but leave it in the hands of 
local people who will be there for them.

Question: Enjoyed your "Jesus Freak" CD Rom Video.  Will you be doing more 
CD-Rom Videos?
dcT: WE enjoyed it too.  Hopefully we'll be doing more.

Question: How do you think you most relate to Jesus Christ?
dcT: I'm consistently trying to be dependent on Him.

Question: How did the Doobie Brothers react to your version of "Jesus is just
Alright"?
dcT: 'Thanks for the royalty".  But actually the Byrds did the song.
The Doobies covered it like us.

Question: Is it true that Eddie Degarmo told you guys to pick songs you liked
and then write ones that were similar?
dcT: NO that is not true.  Eddie does not consult us in our 
song-writing, we do it ourselves.

Question: When does DC Talk start their '95-'96 tour?
dcT: In late February.  We are doing a 60 city arena tour.  The new
album 'Jesus Freak' comes out next Tuesday.

Question: What has been the most important thing that the Lord has done in
each of your lives, aside from accepting Christ.
dcT: He has given us a platform to share our faith and He's given us
each other to hold each other accountable.

Question: Do you ever find that you have put your career ahead of your
relationship with Christ?
dcT: We continually try not to.  Although that is what the first verse
of the song 'What if I Stumble' is about Dealing with holiness calling in the 
midst of courting fame.

Question: Where did you all inherit that "Soulful" (and very nice sound)?
Is the flavor of R&B Christian your favorite?
dcT: I enjoy R & B ala John Gibson, BeBe and CeCe, etc.  But this
record is more about guitars though we haven't strayed to far from the GROOVE.

Col: We're outta time! Toby, thanks for being with us tonight.

Col: Do you have any closing comments?

dcT: Peace to all of you, see you on tour or in Heaven.

Col: Thank you, DC Talk for joining us in the Bowl Auditorium!

dcT: Do you think we'll need the internet in heaven?  I doubt it. 
God Bless.

Col: And thanks to everyone for coming. See you again on Christianity
Online.