10 Questions with ... Chris Sligh

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

LABEL:

• Word Records

DISCOGRAPHY:

• The Anatomy of Broken (2010)

1) Tell us real quickly how you got connected to Word Records.

Mark Bright (president of Word when I signed) and I became friends over a year's period of time, seeing each other periodically. When I got out of my deal with Brash Music, he immediately began the process of signing me. The rest is history.

2) What's the story behind the single "Only You Can Save"?

Driving home from a writing session last summer, I saw a homeless guy on the side of the road and was nudged to help him but didn't really know how; I had no cash on me at the time. The red light turned green and I pulled off but was truly struck with a sense of missing a chance to help someone who needed it. I pulled out my iPhone and typed out this lyric on the notepad app before I got home. Later on I put it to music.

3) What is the theme or message of the new album "The Anatomy of Broken"?

The theme outwardly is the idea that we're all broken but that brokenness is a beautiful thing because it is mirrored by redemption. If we weren't broken, we would have no need for Christ, no need for redemption, no need for love, no need to love. But really it comes down to community. We need each other. Our brokenness is just the outward manifestation of how we need each other in order to make it through this life.

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

Not really one. I just try to have as much fun as possible with every radio visit. I love the friendships I have been able to make in radio over the years so it's always fun to hang with friends.

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

It varies from day to day honestly. "Our Love" is fun because the chorus is just massive. "Catching Up," I think, is the best lyric I have ever written. "Scars," with the strings and the arrangement of everything, is fun to listen to because it just feels and sounds good. So, I'm not sure I can pick just one. Haha!

6) Who inspires you personally and/or professionally?

My first inspiration was Bebo Norman. Then Steven Curtis Chapman was my hero. I learned a lot about songwriting from those two. I think bands like U2, Coldplay, Muse, MuteMath and bands like that, that challenged me to try and think outside the box.

7) Which do you enjoy more: the process or the performance, the studio or the stage?

I love the studio. But after six months in the studio I wanna be on the road. I love the road. But after a year on the road, I want to be in the studio. It's a circular process and thankfully my job works that out!

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

It's always fun to play in Greenville, SC, where I lived before "American Idol."

9) What song do you wish you had written?

I have maybe 50 of them but a song that comes from a similar place as my back story is Chris August's "7x70." I could've written that song. Wish I did.

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

I listen to music all the time. I buy music almost every week. Right now I'm really into Katy Perry's new music. Enjoying Chris August's album. Really like a guy named Andrew Witt who I co-wrote with a bit.