Music Style Christian folk-rock

Musical Influences Sandra McCracken, David Mead, Johnny Cash, Steve Earle, Bob Dylan, Tom Waits, Neil Young, U2, Caedmon's Call

Similar Artists Caedmon's Call

Artist History He's written hit songs, won numerous music awards and seen critical acclaim during his 10 years as a member of the folk-rock group Caedmon's Call. Now Derek Webb may be coming to a living room near you to promote his solo debut, She Must And Shall Go Free, due March 25th, 2003.

Instruments Vocals, Guitar

Albums She Must And Shall Go Free [2003]

Press Reviews He's written hit songs, won numerous music awards and seen critical acclaim during his 10 years as a member of the folk-rock group Caedmon's Call. Now Derek Webb may be coming to a living room near you to promote his solo debut, She Must And Shall Go Free, due March 25th, 2003. It's not how most artists would launch a solo career, but Derek isn't most artists. The talented wordsmith behind the quirky, hooky pop of many of Caedmon's most popular songs doesn't do things like the next guy. From his streamlined approach to wardrobe (he wears one of several dozen identical white T-shirts each day) to his method of finding love (his whirlwind romance with independent singer-songwriter, and now wife, Sandra McCracken) Derek is a true individual. So it's no surprise that he would approach solo work a little differently. To tell the truth, Derek wasn't looking for a new career direction, but his new marriage found him doing some soul-searching. "I found myself saying 'maybe this profession isn't for me because this relationship is going to redefine everything about my life,'" Derek recalls, discussing the priority of marriage. At that same moment he began to feel God moving him toward something new, giving him a message to deliver to the church about our ongoing need for the Gospel and our misguided attempts to fulfill our longing for spiritual completion this side of Heaven with earthly substitutes. Derek's relocation from Houston to Nashville, the support of his wife, and a fresh creative vision all converged seamlessly, bringing him to this new project. "I wasn't meaning to do it, but I found myself drawn to these issues," says Derek, who was inspired in part by messages his pastor, Scotty Smith, was preaching on Sunday mornings. "Suddenly I found myself with a batch of songs that were more pointed, each relating to the other, and all about the church." Still, Derek wasn't sure what to do with these new tunes. He'd never had any ambition to pursue a solo project, always enjoying being one-seventh of Caedmon's Call, but he felt this was one message he needed to deliver alone. And true to his character, he is quick to downplay his pursuits. "It's just me using the platform I've got to do what I've got to do," he says. While he may not be ambitious about self-promotion or chasing solo stardom, Derek is ambitious about preaching the Gospel to the church. "I think the church feels like the Gospel is what they preach to nonbelievers. But what people don't realize- and this was a really revolutionary discovery for me-is the Gospel's relevance for us today," he explains. "I've been a believer for 12 years and I have a desperate need for the Gospel. You're never going to get over the Gospel, to move on to something deeper. There isn't anything deeper." It's that concept Derek returns to again and again on She Must and Shall Go Free. But while the message may sound straightforward, his delivery is sure to cause some controversy. Derek is confident that he can trace "every ounce of this material" back to Scripture. This album is an emotional blend of theology and stark honesty with songs like "Wedding Dress," a stunningly poignant ode to the adulterous bride in Ezekiel 16. Despite this bold content, Derek has gone out with the full blessing of his pastor and his church community, and is careful to explain to his audiences that the songs are not intended to stir controversy, but rather to communicate boldly what he believes about the Gospel and the sufficiency of Christ. Derek is eager to get out there and discuss the songs and the larger truths behind them. That's where those living rooms come in. In fact, he intends to do as much talking as singing in the next year, going into churches and larger homes to address smaller audiences and lay out not just his message, but the reason behind presenting it the way he does. Derek also wants to make clear he's not pointing fingers. The last thing he wants is for people to perceive him as some guy throwing stones from the outside. Instead, he sees himself as the one "broken, weeping within the walls of the church and saying 'this is what I believe the truth is. Now how do we live in light of this?'" To help convey that, his songs are written in first person, reminding listeners that he's talking about his own need just as much as theirs. Derek hopes to drive that point home this fall on dates with Caedmon's Call and at solo spot dates around the country. There he's made a three-song EP available to those eager for a preview of She Must and Shall Go Free. And in addition to taking away the music, he hopes audiences leave with something else. "When all is said and done, I hope we can all come to a deeper understanding of what's been done and begin to truly live in the freedom of the Gospel." Free indeed.

Location Nashville, TN - USA

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