Beyoncé, Madonna, Adele, Bono, Slash, Ringo, Drake… how many artists are recognised by merely their first name? In Australian Christian circles, Colin has reached such dizzying heights. For thirty years his name has been synonymous with Christian kids’ music, and for good reason. He has perhaps evangelised more Australians than anyone else this century, recorded hundreds of theologically robust songs, many that will likely be sung for generations.
But did you know Colin also does great concerts for adults? Yes, adults! Chances are your kids love him because he’s so approachable, fun, and authentic. Well, Colin’s the same down-to-earth bloke around adults as he is with kids.
The Calvary Road LP
In 2017 Colin released Calvary Road, a critically acclaimed country/folk album that he says “paint portraits of a faith that isn’t domesticated, safe, or predictable… It’s life-and-death real.” Colin is a gifted storyteller and a genuinely loving person. Music is his tool for breaking down barriers and welcoming people into his life, which by extension is an invitation to know Christ Jesus his Lord. Colin is humble yet audacious. Serious yet a barrel of laughs. He sings about sin, death and judgment, yet there’s always a smile of inexpressible joy emanating from a deep place.
Artistic Christians can sometimes depict Jesus as so nice that he lacks authority. On the other hand, some preachers can set forth a Jesus so intolerant of error that he lacks compassion. Colin unashamedly portrays both the gritty humanity and the perfect deity of Christ, in whom all compassion and authority coexist.
The Calvary Road Show
A special offering in Colin’s repertoire is The Calvary Road Show. His playful sense of humour underpins the performance. Kids would enjoy it too, but it’s not childish: there’s no “10, 9, 8” or “baa baa doo baa baa”.
It’s a relaxed vibe: just Colin and his guitar and maybe a harmonica, havin’ a yarn and singin’ some songs. It’s an event to which you can confidently invite your friends who would never darken a church door on a Sunday morning. There’s no worship songs or altar call, but Jesus Christ is presented throughout in an authentic “Colin” way, with a beautiful tapestry of stories and songs of “sunburnt saints, godly pioneers, red-dirt faith to ride the wild frontiers” (‘Sunburnt Saints’). Colin sings of the glory of God and of a grace that is “never cheap or easy; it puts nails in hands” (‘Outside the Camp’).
Hosting a Calvary Road Show would be an excellent addition to the mission calendar for your church, town, suburb or region.
