10 Questions with ... Phil Wickham

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

DISCOGRAPHY:

• Heaven and Earth (2009)
• Singalong (2008)
• Cannons (2007)
• Phil Wickham (2006)

1) What some highlights in life from the past year?

One would be getting married. And two would be going to London to record strings for the new record.

2) Tell us what we can hear on the new album "Heaven and Earth": sounds, words, message.

There is a bit of a storyline in the record. It moves from Eden to Heaven. There is more programming and synth in the music.

3) Do you have a favorite song on the new album?

Right now, it is "I'll Always Love You." I'm really digging it. I think maybe because it was the last one I heard.

4) And what's the story behind the current single "Safe"?

I had a conversation with a guy after a show. Over the course of 30 minutes, he shared his riches to rags story and how it brought him to a place to call out to the Lord, from both a place of fear and a place of sincerity. He felt called to a different kind of priority. He felt called back to his family, his kids. This song was written to encourage people in that way.

5) Do you have a favorite song to perform live?

Of all songs, it is "Spirit of the Living God." That one is more nostalgic for me. Of my songs, "Heaven Song." It is the period or exclamation point of the new record. It is the end of the sentence. We are longing for Eden, Jesus is the solution and heaven is the reward.

6) What is your favorite city and/or venue to play?

City is San Diego because that is home. And venue would be the Wiltern in L.A.

7) Any funny, inspiring or interesting stories that you can tell us from your visits to radio stations in past or present days?

The label created little stress balls for the song "After Your Heart" and while visiting Wally at Total Axxess, a war of throwing stress balls started.

8) What does the remainder of 2009 hold for you?

I'll be doing some Christmas touring with Chris and Conrad.

9) If you could have any job outside the music business, what would you like to try your hand at?

I would get into documentary filmmaking or I would open a café in San Diego.

10) Do you have time to listen to much music? What other artists are you listening to right now?

A UK band called Your Vegas, Paper Route, a lot of Top 40 singles from Beyond, Daniel Bedingfield, "Battlefield" by Jordin Sparks, Kings of Leon, Muse, The Killers