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10 Questions with ... Justin Unger
July 28, 2008
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NAME:Justin UngerTITLE:Musician
Label:
Koch RecordsDiscography:
Disengage (2008)1) Tells us as briefly as possible about your journey from Nashville back to Arizona?
After traveling the country with the band Across The Sky for a few years and living in Nashville, the Lord closed that chapter of my life. My wife and I had just had our first child (Carson) and it was a new season in ours lives. The Lord had opened many doors and opportunities for us to pray about at that time and one of those opportunities was a worship pastor position at a church in Prescott, AZ, called The Heights. After visiting The Heights and meeting the staff and the church body, we just knew that this had to be it. In January 2006, we packed everything up and drove across the country to where we now reside in Prescott. It's truly confirmed everyday that we are right where we are supposed to be!
2) Do you have any interesting or funny stories from your visits with radio folks and radio stations at anytime over the last few years?
Well, I am not the best driver in the world and recently on a radio tour in Chicago I made a left-hand turn onto the interstate into on-coming traffic. It was quite an adventure getting out of that one. After everything calmed down, my guitar player asked me to move into the passenger seat. A couple months before that in Dallas, we ran out of gas in the middle of the city. That was funny, too.
3) What's the story behind the single "Reaching for Me"?
"Reaching for Me" is a simple song from the heart of someone (ME) who greatly desires to see the world the way God sees it. I am constantly reminded that when life gets hectic and it is hard to find peace, that's when I find the Lord reaching for me, when I need him the most. James 4:13-17 reminds me that my life is like a vapor and that none of us are guaranteed tomorrow. So I feel a greatly called to live for today and be bold about the gospel to this broken world.
4) Do you have a favorite song to perform live?
I love performing the song "I Will Go Before" the most. It is one of those songs that really gives people a deep look into my heart and what I have gone through to get where I am today. It shares a story of surviving persecution in a beautiful way.
5) Which do you enjoy more the process or the performance?
Wow, I love them both in their own unique ways. They all trigger a different type of joy and excitement in my life.
6) What is the message you hope to convey through the album "Disengage"?
My desire for this project is for discipleship to take place through these songs in a new, fresh way in hearts and lives all around the world. I try to write all my songs according to Scripture so that the body of Christ is reminded that God's word is still 100 percent relevant today. The general message of the song "Disengage" practically sums up the whole record. That message is that we would "disengage" from what the world has to offer and from our fleshly desires and draw closer and closer to Christ Jesus!
7) What's your favorite song on the new record?
My favorite song is definitely track 2, "Behold." Every time I listen to this song, it ministers to me in a new way. It is a great reminder that the God of the universe that created all things still wants to know little me in an intimate way.
8) As you're in the studio working on this new album, was there a moment where you thought, "Wow, now we have a record"?
YES! Right when producer Greg Bieck and myself started brainstorming the musical direction of this project, it hit me that we were at the edge of an amazing journey with these songs. God confirms to me everyday that he is using this project in an awesome way to touch hearts and change lives.
9) Do you have much time to check out other artists' music? What are you listening to right now?
I love listening to artists from MercyMe to Fernando Ortega and I absolutely love the new Plumb record. WOW!
10) Imagine life as a Starbucks barista. What would be your favorite and least favorite drinks to make?
My favorite drink to make at Starbucks is "Christmas In Your Mouth," a.k.a. the Gingerbread Latte! That is an amazing drink. I was never a fan of making
Frappuccinos, but that's probably because I can't spell it.
Bonus Questions
1) Who would be a dream artist to record with and why?
Michael W. Smith. He was the first Christian artist I ever listened to and I have never stopped listening. I love his heart and the way he ministers.
2) Favorite city to visit:
I love downtown Chicago because of all the great shops and clean streets.
3) Do you have any musical guilty pleasures?
American Idol!
4) Favorite book that you've read recently:
"Our Riches in Christ" by Ray Stedman
5) If you were stranded on a desert island, what three things would you want with you and why?
My family, my New American Standard Version Bible and a fishing pole
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