10 Questions with ... Bebo Norman

NAME:Bebo Norman TITLE:Musician WEB:www.bebonorman.com

Label:
BEC Recordings

Discography:
Christmas From the Realms of Glory (2007)
Great Light of the World: The Best of Bebo Norman (Essential, 2007)
Between the Dreaming and the Coming True (Essential, 2006)
Try (Essential, 2004)
Myself When I Am Real (Essential, 2002)
Big Blue Sky (Essential, 2001)
Ten Thousand Days (Essential, 1999)
The Fabric of Verse (Indie, 1996)

1) Offer a brief history of your career. How did you connect with BEC?

I started playing music just about 12 years ago right out of college (my biology/chemistry degree is doing me a whole lot of good). Recorded my first record in '96 and started playing anywhere I could, lots of Young Life Camps during the summers and every coffee shop or college group meeting I could find. I also toured with Caedmon's Call in '97 and '98 and signed with Essential Records and released my second recordin '99. Between '99 and '07 I toured primarily as a headliner with openers such as Jeremy Camp, David Crowder Band and Shawn McDonald but also did tours opening for Third Day, MercyMe and Amy Grant. I completed my contract with Essential Records with the release of "Between the Dreaming and the Coming True". I have known Tyson Paoletti (GM of BEC Recordings) for quite a few years and was excited at the opportunity to work with him and with BEC. I have a great deal of respect for both.

2) Your first record with a new label is a Christmas record. Why? How did that come about?

Actually, I've wanted to make a Christmas record for years but promised myself that I wouldn't do so unless I felt like the songs were substantial and not just "more of the same." I just recently "re-discovered" an old favorite song by Jackson Browne called "The Rebel Jesus" that, to me, is quite possibly the perfect Christmas song. That song very quickly became the emotional cornerstone for this record and really inspired me to write Christmas songs that cut through the clutter of the commercial Christmas season. BEC was really open to the (unusual) idea of my first record with them being a Christmas record and so we just ran with it.

3) What does Christmas mean to you?

Well, Christmas is certainly about family for me, as for most people I would assume. But it's pretty rapidly becoming about much more than that.

4) Tell us the story behind the single "Born to Die"?

"Born to Die" is basically a song that explores the birth of Christ from the perspective of heaven. What a strange and sad moment it must have been to watch the God of all Creation enter into such "lowly" form, especially if you already knew the whole story of the gospel. Not just the idea that God took on flesh, but that God was being born for one true purpose, to die. Such a daunting and delicate thought, the beginning of a tragic and beautiful love story.

5) What is your favorite traditional Christmas song?

"O Come O Come Emmanuel"

6) Other than world peace, what's at the top of your Christmas list this year?

My 1976 Ford Bronco getting FULLY restored

7) How is Christmas different now that you're a parent?

Well, I don't know if it's had a chance to become too different yet. My son Smith is only 8 months old, so he's pretty oblivious to the fact that Christmas is really all about kids in most households. All that to say, my wife and I have a year or two more to keep Christmas ALL ABOUT US!

8) Favorite Christmas memory?

My favorite Christmas memory is of my 90-year-old grandfather, just a few years before he died, sitting in a room on Christmas day crowded full with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren and crying because he was so overwhelmed and thankful for the family God had blessed him with. It was like his entire life made sense to him in that moment because he could see his own legacy living and breathing right before his eyes.

9) Favorite Christmas gift ever received?

I got an Orange and Blue Big Wheel with a Fire Alarm Siren on the handle bars. I ran over my neighbor Leslie Douglas once with this big wheel. It was a beast.

10) Did you ever wait up for Santa Claus? Do you still?

No, I was always scared I'd get caught and not get anything. These days I just like to sleep too much to wait up for Santa

1) Who would be a dream artist to record with (any genre)?

K-Fed

2) What is your favorite city to visit?

If Maui, Hawaii, is considered a city, then Maui

3) What is your favorite road meal?

In-N-Out Burger whenever we're in California. Whataburger when we're in Texas. I don't really eat much fast food when I'm at home, so I have to take advantage when I'm on the road.

4) Do you have any musical guilty pleasures?

Kelly Clarkson. I think she rocks.