10 Questions with ... Carlos Whittaker

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

LABEL:

• Integrity Label Group

DISCOGRAPHY:

• Ragamuffin Soul (2010)

1) How did you connect with Integrity?

I moved to Atlanta from Riverside, CA, and was working for North Point Community Church. I also started a blog at the time and a podcast about worship. Jay King, VP of A&R at Integrity, found the blog and this 4-year-old podcast I had done that made a side-by-side comparison of new albums from Hillsong United and Passion. Jay contacted me initially just to meet me and inquire about possibly doing a podcast for Integrity. Sixteen months later we ended up making an album. This wasn't something I pursued; it just found me.

2) What's the story behind the single "God of Second Chances"?

There's a sticker on my laptop that says, "People of the Second Chance." It's from XXX Church, which is a ministry of radical grace to Christians. We were in Jason Ingram's studio working on songs and Phillip LaRue asked what it meant. As I explained, he said, "That's a song!" This song has found different applications. It's about the adoption of our son Losiah and my second chance to be a dad. It's about our deep need for redemption and grace, especially in the church. As we filmed a video EPK in Atlanta, a homeless man named Danny worshipped with me on the fly and this song became a second chance to experience worship.

3) What is the message you hope to convey on the album "Ragamuffin Soul"?

First you have to figure out what a ragamuffin is, I guess. It is a worn down, ragged orphan. This album relates with being an orphan, having the soul of an orphan and not being an orphan anymore. This album is about being authentic and embracing the ragamuffin that you are. It is also meant to celebrate being broken and fixed at the same time. There is hope in your filthy rags. There is hope in being an orphan and that is found in the love of Jesus Christ.

4) Do you have any humorous or interesting stories from recent radio visits?

I paid a visit to a station in Virginia. When I walked in, the lady at the front desk looked star-struck. I thought, "Man, my album's only been out a week but already it's having an impact." She asked phoned back to the DJ: "Darius Rucker is here for you." She thought I was Hootie. And here I thought I had touched a life.

5) Do you have a favorite song from the album?

It changes every week but right now it's "Shine On." I remember the first time I heard the song "Shine Jesus Shine" growing up and I thought it was the hippest song. Jason suggested that we remake a worship song and so "Shine On" is based on that. It speaks to community being a true Christian community. It almost has a "to buy the world a Coke" feel to it. It's been fun to sing at festivals so far this summer.

6) What does the rest of the summer look like? What cities might we find you playing in?

I'm looking forward to playing Creation Northwest in Washington and Sonshine Fest in Willmar, MN. Outside of festivals, I'm playing a lot of churches so check the website. And I'll be going out on tour with Jeremy Camp this fall.

7) Where is your favorite place to play? Do you have a favorite city/venue?

I really love to play Sandals Church in Riverside, CA, my old church, and also Elevation Church in North Carolina. Those two places have such energy; I only have to sing the first line of a song and the people take over. My favorite venue so far was Creation Northeast in Pennsylvania. Singing with 120,000 people outside under the sky and clouds was like heaven.

8) If you weren't doing music, what would you be doing?

I would be writing books. My blog currently tickles that. It's interesting to write a short story about your family and then have people say, "You should write a book." So maybe when I'm no longer on the stage, I would like to write books.

9) What song do you wish you had written?

"Rhythm of the Night" by El DeBarge

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

Alpha Rev: I saw their video on one of the MTVs and downloaded the album. And I have to admit, Justin Beiber. I have an 8-year-old daughter who loves Justin Beiber. The album is brilliant; they gave him all the good pop songs.