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10 Questions with ... Audio Adrenaline
May 6, 2013
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BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
Interviewee: Will McGinniss
Current members
- Kevin Max - lead vocals (2012-present, former member of dc Talk)
- Will McGinniss - vocals, bass guitar (1986-2007, 2012-present, founding member A-180/Audio A)
- Dave Ghazarian - guitar (2012-present, former member of Superchick)
- Jared Byers - drums (2012-present, former member of Bleach and Relient K)
- Jason Walker - keyboards, vocals (2012-present, member of Know Hope Collective)
Former members
- Mark Stuart - lead vocals, guitar (1986-2007, founding member A-180/Audio A)
- Dave Stuart - keyboards, vocals (1986, 1991, founding member A-180/Audio A)
- Ron Gibson - drums (1988-1991 - drummer for A-180 & original Audio A drummer)
- Bob Herdman - keyboard, guitar, vocals (1991-2001, founding member of Audio A)
- Barry Blair - guitar, vocals (1986-1996, founding member A-180/Audio A)
- Ben Cissell - drums (1995-2007)
- Tyler Burkum - guitar, vocals, keyboard (1997-2007)
Discography
- 1992 Audio Adrenaline Forefront Records
- 1993 Don't Censor Me Forefront Records
- 1996 Bloom Forefront Records
- 1997 Some Kind of Zombie Forefront Records
- 1999 Underdog Forefront Records
- 2001 Lift Forefront Records
- 2003 Worldwide Forefront Records
- 2005 Until My Heart Caves In Forefront Records
- 2013 Kings & Queens Fair Trade Services
1. Give us a brief history....birthplace, childhood, schools, jobs, current hometown
Born Marion, Ohio, went to River Valley High, lived there until I went to Kentucky Christian College and studied Elementary Ed K-8. Got into a band that became Audio Adrenaline during the first week of college back in 1986. That has been my only job with the exception of the last 5 years where I ran a boutique horse boarding business. My family - wife Andrea and our three children - live in Franklin, TN.
2. What does a normal day at home look like for you? Morning to Night.
When off tour I become Mr. Dad...up at 5:30 for a 5 mile run a few days a week and time with my Abba Father, then back to get the children up, Satchel (14), Addison (12), and Fallon (10), fed and ready for school. After dropping them off at school I plug into the Hands and Feet Project or take care of Audio A business/interviews. Usually I have lunch with my wife. At about 2:30 its back to school to get kids and in the evening its the various sports practices and or games to run to. Dinner/homework follows and early bed with story reading till about 8-9pm. Then Andrea and I try to catch up and or chill out, usually asleep by 11-12. Weekends we try to be very outdoorsy types, camping and hiking and biking, etc. Just family time.
3. What's the song that you just can't get out of your head right now? Why do you like it so much?
Swedish House Mofia, "Don't You Worry Child" Just love the melody and its sweet message: "Don't you worry child, God's got a plan for you..."
4. How do you juggle life on the road with wanting to be home? How much do you travel, what are the challenges?
Its the hardest thing I have to deal with in what I do. I do feel very called to Audio A for the sole cause of promoting and telling the story of the dear children at our children's villages in Haiti at the Hands and Feet Project. I feel like God has equipped me and gifted me for what I do, but in saying all of that, I don't like leaving my family and miss them terribly when on the road. It's a lot of intentional time when at home, FaceTime calls and lots of connecting from the road. I try to bring them out when I can or plan trips in and around the shows so we can do cool adventures. Mostly, I try to let them know my high calling so they can be invested in what I do, too.
5. What's the biggest "God moment" that you've ever experienced, personal or professional?
I think the last 5 years since Audio A called it quits the first time in 2007. I started a boutique horse business at our family farm in Franklin, Tn. We had 24 acres and a cool farm house. We were gardening, had bees and chickens, kittens, and then boarded about 15 horses for folks who lived in the area. God met me every day on this farm and in so many unique ways I saw Him. It was a season of breaking down and rebuilding in the most loving way as only He can. I would rise early and set my head down late and it was hard work, but God poured into me and pruned and nurtured me in a ways that I needed so desperately. Looking back, I can see He was preparing me for this new season, the return of Audio A. He would show me so many wonderful things, and as a loving Father He would helped me to mature to a new place.
6. What's the last book you read?
The Shack is a book I have read and re-read often. I connect to it so much as it can run parallel with my own story and upbringing. It's the story of redemption and forgiveness and how God our Abba Father waits on the front porch for any and all prodigals to eventually come home.
7. Tell me about how you became a believer. What caused you to want to serve God in full time ministry?
I was brought up in a broken home. I was raised mostly by my grandparents and my aunt and uncle. My grandma would take me to a small country Methodist church and then my cousin would invite me to youth group as well. In my 10th grade year after fighting, I finally realized God for who He really was, an amazing Abba Father, who had been watching out for me the whole time. I would then get on fire for Him and my two sisters and my mother would get saved too. Eventually my whole family turned around and become a much more normal and loving environment.
My uncle had gone to Kentucky Christian College and he was a teacher. He was an amazing Christian man who loved on kids when he taught them, so I felt like that is what I wanted to do as well. Use teaching as my mission field and to help kids the way I saw him help me and others. Only in my first week of college my mom was dropping me off and she overheard two strangers on the sidewalk in between dorms talking about a Christian rock band they were gonna start (it was Mark Stuart and his brother Dave Stuart). So without me knowing she went up to them and said, 'Hey my son plays bass and you need him in your band.' So about 3-4 days later they looked my room up and told me the story of how my mom said I was supposed to be in their band and I responded "Well did she tell you I have only been playing for a few months?!" and they said, 'Well no, but you seem cool so we want you in our band.' 25 plus years later, I am still in Christian music!
8. Take us thru a few songs on your latest project . What's the "story behind the song"?
"Kings and Queens" was written for the beautiful children at our children's villages in Haiti (Jacmel and Grand Goave) at the Hands and Feet Project. How God has adopted all of us through His son Jesus, we are heirs to a great Kingdom. We are grafted in and with an amazing destiny. We not only have hope for Heaven, but hope of a more fruitful and blessed life here on earth living out God's design for us. So it's an anthem for Hands & Feet Project and testifies to the amazing power of God to rescue all of us. Mainly these children come from their horrific situations, and this song shares how God adopts them and gives them the title of "Kings and Queens."
"Raise the Banner 20:17" is a song about the story in 1 Chronicles where the Israelites are facing a terrific foe, an enemy so great and they feel like there is no way for them to win the battle. When they seek God, what does He say...put your biggest and meanest warriors out front to do battle? No, He says put the musicians/worshipers our front and let them sing their songs to Me. So they listen and do what God says, and it confuses their enemy and they kill each other. The victory was theirs that day. When we trust God and do what He asks, every time it is the best for us. If we will be faithful, God will be faithful and we will be victorious.
"He Moves You Move" is a simple message in a fun musical vehicle. When God says move, we follow and move. Often we fight Him and His will for our lives to the detriment of ourselves. When we are following His lead and in His will for our lives, we are in the "sweet spot"
9. If you could go back and change three events/decisions in your life, what would they be, and why?
My mother getting cancer and passing away in her 49th year is really the only one I would even consider changing. I have missed her immensely and wish she would have been around to know her grandchildren and to see what I have become.
Otherwise I wouldn't change a thing and cannot even think like this. I believe God has, can and will continue to write into our story, using the good and the bad to bring glory to Himself and in that process we grow and are made more like Him.
10. Person you'd most like to have a discussion with, living or dead?
Living, I'd love to actually have a conversation with Bono and also Billy Graham. Both are people I really dig. There are numerous passed saints and disciples who in heaven I think the conversations will happen.
Bonus Questions
1. Favorite Bible verse....life verse. Why?
- 1st Corth. 13, i don't want to be a clanging gong.
- Jer 29:11, God wants to author an amazing story with your life.
- Isa 1:18, Forgiveness of sins, sweet grace.
2. Funniest or most embarrassing moment? (details, details, details!)
Every show...ha ha...I do something dumb, I try these big moves and fall flat every time!
3. What artist or pastor has had the greatest impact on you, and why?
Jamie George, my pastor at Journey Church in Franklin TN. He has helped me navigate the last 5 years of my journey and God has used him to reach me when I was lost and searching, in need of a friend and someone to do life with. He's helped me see that the enemy was trying to get me isolated so that I could be taken out. He helped me see that God had more for me. Helped me see that I can do many things but only one is God's design for me and that only I'm suited for.
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