10 Questions with ... Bebo Norman

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

LABEL:

• BEC Recordings

DISCOGRAPHY:

• Ocean (September 28, 2010)
• Bebo Norman (2008)
• Christmas From the Realms of Glory (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)

1) What's new in the life of Bebo Norman since the last album released? Any highlights?

New child at the Norman household: Our second little boy, Miller, was born one year ago this month.

2) What's the story behind the new single "Here Goes"?

"Here Goes" is a song I wrote with my longtime friend Brandon Heath. Brandon and I both have experienced quite a few daunting moments in our lives, especially involving decisions on whether or not to play music, where we allowed fear to rule us rather than faith. This song is a simple declaration that we don't want to live in that fear and insecurity anymore, but would rather trust that God really is completely in control and completely good.

3) You're working on a new record called "Ocean." What's it sounding like?

It's sounds kind of like when you put your ear up to a big seashell. Actually, I think it's sounding more like me than any record of mine in recent recollection. I just haven't been this excited about a group of songs in a long time, and for the first time in a while there wasn't much thought put into making the record "sound" a certain way. We just let it go where the songs took it so it really is sort of fluid record (pun intended) that has a pretty simple thread running throughout.

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

I did do a radio visit once where my mom called in and reprimanded me for being long-winded with all my answers. Sort of freaked me out a bit and was pretty dang funny.

5) What does the rest of the summer look like?

Well, I'm actually taking most of the summer off. I stay so busy during the spring and fall touring seasons that I started a few years ago taking a few months off in the summer to be with my family. So most of my summer will be spent teaching my kids to swim down at my family's lake house in Georgia. Oh yeah, I'm gonna be playing on an Alaskan cruise with Mark Shultz in August, too!

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

It tends to change depending on what season of life it might be for me but lately it's been "I Will Lift My Eyes."

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

That tends to change with the seasons as well. Actually, I've played a few times lately out in Santa Rosa, CA, and had really beautiful experiences with the people there. And it's a RIDICULOUSLY beautiful part of the country.

8) Do you have a favorite story that you tell from stage? Or a favorite "from the stage" moment?

Well, I tell ALOT of stories from stage, mostly mocking myself, but one of my favorite moments on stage (in hindsight, anyway) was when I actually fell off of it.

9) What song do you wish you had written?

"The Color Green" by Rich Mullins

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

You know, I don't have nearly as much time to check out other artists' music as I'd like, but I've been listening to a lot of John Mark McMillan lately and Tenth Ave North's new record.