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10 Questions with ... Cody McCarver
September 18, 2017
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1. Brief History / Synopsis
I grew up in Dunlap, TN and attended Sequatchie County Highway and Chattanooga State College. And, I currently live in Dunlap, TN
2. What does a normal day at home look like for you?
Right now my days are spent writing and recording - I'm always working on something new - a new album, song, etc. and talking on the phone doing interviews. When I get a little 'down time,' I like to play with my dog Clyde! On the weekends, I am singing at fairs, churches and other places. Also spending time with my dog Clyde, and weekends traveling with shows.
3. What's the song that you just can't get out of your head right now?
I just love the song "Redeemed" by Big Daddy Weave.
4. How much do you travel, what are the challenges? How do you juggle life on the road with wanting to be home?
When I was with the band Confederate Railroad we traveled well over 100 shows a year.
With 2 country solo CDs I traveled as Cody McCarver 75 to 100 shows a year.
Now that I have released Christian CD's, the road goes on and the challenges are the same at any level or in any genre: How will I pay the band, I hope the bus doesn't break down, I hope the people listening enjoyed. The challenges are overcome by knowing you're doing good things and that people are touched somehow by what you do.
5. What Artist or Pastor has had the greatest impact on you?
When I began to write and record Christian music I really didn't know any Christian artists. I just wrote and recorded what was on my heart. Since then I went to Lifeway Christian bookstore and bought some CD's just because I liked their name - that was Big Daddy Weave, and now they're my favorite! :-) Pastors Michael Harris from McMinnville TN and Ronnie Pearson in Cleveland TN have had the most profound impact on my life.
6. What's the last book you read?
I love the book, "Beautiful Outlaw" by John Eldredge. I was being told that my Christian music sounded "OUTLAWY" by people in the Christian music industry. I understood this because that was the world I had come out of, Outlaw Country. It frustrated me until I read BEAUTIFUL OUTLAW. The people God uses in the bible are not perfect. The disciples were not pillars of the community. I was feeling unworthy to sing faith-based music until I read this book. Now we call what we OUTLAW GOSPEL. God doesn't call the qualified, he qualifies the called!
7. Tell us about your latest project, RISE UP.
"RISE UP" is the title track and it's the last song I wrote or even expected to write - I never dreamed the song would have the impact it's having. The message is that we hear people in our everyday society talk about God. However the name JESUS is being left out. Anything in our lives can become a God but there is only one Jesus. My Bible says we can only get to the Father through the Son - that's Jesus. We can't let that name die.
My favorite song is called "No Such Thing as a Miracle." That title throws people for a loop because it's a Christian song and we read about miracles all through the bible. The hook of the song is No Such Thing as a Miracle "That's Just God Being God". That's just what He does...
8. Person you'd most like to have a discussion with, living or dead
I would love to sit down and talk with Billy Graham.
9. Favorite Bible Verse?
JOHN 16:33 Jesus said be of good cheer, I have overcome the world. When things seem dark, I always think of this verse
10. How & When did you become a believer?
I guess I have always been a believer since I was a child. I just didn't like going to church and that lifestyle. It wasn't til 2013 til realized how much I need a walk with God. So I guess 2013 and I went back to that little church I grew up in had sworn I would never set foot in again. But when you hit bottom you go to what you know I guess.
Bonus Questions
What's the biggest "God moment" you've ever experienced? Personally or professionally, when has God shown up in a powerful way?
My dad had been in prison since 1998. I had visited him one Sunday and as I drove out the prison I could see him waving at me under a razor wire fence. I said a prayer at that moment, God show me how to get him out of this place. I will dig a tunnel if need be just show me.
3 weeks later he died. I was so mad... at God I guess. I was like why God? I've been going to church trying to do better?
The next morning I sat up on the side of my bed and I heard God for the first time. He said, "I got your dad out of that prison." I began to talk to the chaplain and he explained to me how my dad had given his life to God.
I realized God will answer your prayers if you believe but not always how we want them. I am so thankful for that answered prayer.
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