1 Degree of Andy

2024 has been a fantastic year for our little podcast! And even bigger things are on the way in 2025! Thank you to all of our faithful listeners. It’s an honor to bring these stories to you each week.

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In the fabric of Christian music throughout the 80s and 90s I think it’s important to tell the story of that era through multiple lenses - the producers, songwriters, label execs, etc. My good friend Blaine Bartel joins me on this episode to tell stories of his days as the star and creator of Fire By Night - a Saturday Night Live type sketch show that included some of the biggest names in christian music. But Blaine has another part to his story that I know will minister to you.

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Life never moves in a straight line. Many performers' and public figures' lives resemble a rollercoaster ride, from the thrill of the mountain peaks to the stomach churning drop to the bottom and all the twists and turns along the way. And that's an accurate description of the career of my friend Mike Warnke. Mike became a best selling author in the 1970s with his autobiography "The Satan Seller", the #1 Christian comedian in the world in the 1980s, and then in the early 1990s it was all over. I've had the chance to spend time with Mike over the years to hear his incredible story, but this time it hits harder than ever. This is a cautionary tale of flying too close to the sun, and the redemptive work of a faithful God.

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Bob Bennett is unarguably one of the greatest singer/songwriters in CCM history, and great songwriters tend to be great storytellers. And that's exactly what you're going to get in this episode - one great story after another!  I had so much fun sitting down with Bob to talk about his journey through the music industry. And like so many artists from that era, he still has a lot left in the tank.

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I think that one of the marks of a great artist is that you want to go back and listen to their music even decades later. Fernando Ortega’s unique brand of songwriting, his soul-soothing vocals and his attention to Biblical detail definitely have something to do with it, a timeless and sometimes provocative mainstay in the history of CCM, and he’s not done yet! Pro tip: Go listen to his “Crucifixion of Jesus” album as soon as you can.

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I’ve made a lot of great friends in my journey through Christian music, many of them friendships that have stood the test of time and distance. I got to know Mark and Mike Childers when we lived on the road together in TRUTH and then reunited with them for several tours during our 4HIM days. They’ve since gone on to play for artists like Twila Paris, Carman, Scotty McCreary and Carrie Underwood, but eventually all roads lead back to where we started - sitting around telling road stories and catching up on life. This episode, as you’ll be able to tell, is very special to me.

Find your real voice with the Andy Chrisman Vocal Method! 

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The Imperials had some of the greatest vocalists of a generation ride their bus in the 1980s, including my guest today Paul Smith. Paul not only filled Russ Taff's shoes after his departure from the group, he carved out his own legacy as a singer/songwriter and gave us, in my opinion, one of the greatest solo albums of all time - Live And Learn. I love talking to my musical heroes, and this hour with Paul Smith doesn't disappoint!

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My guest today always makes me laugh, and that’s a good way to get on the podcast! Comedian Jeff Allen has been a mainstay in Christian entertainment for decades and his unique comic delivery is timeless. From playing comedy clubs in NYC and Vegas, to his breakout opportunity with Bill Gaither to his explosion in popularity with Dry Bar Comedy, Jeff has had an amazing career. And it’s not over yet - not by a long shot. Get ready for a lot of laughs and some unfiltered advice on life coming up on this episode of 1 Degree of Andy!

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From playing keys for Frank Zappa to writing and producing some of the biggest songs in pop history (We Built This City, Everybody Wang Chung Tonight) to producing several songs for 4HIM, Peter Wolf has had a career that nearly defies description! He and his wife Lea join me on this episode to talk about his journey through the entertainment world, some wild song stories, how he and Lea reignited their faith, and what he's up to now.

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One of the keys to success for any artist is getting your single on the radio on the biggest stations in the country. Not only did my guest Frank Reed play 4HIM’s songs on KLTY in Dallas, but he also became a lifelong friend. But Frank’s story goes way beyond the boundaries of Christian music. He’s a legend in the radio industry and I know you’re going to love his story!

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