Bob Carlisle

Discography

2000 Nothing But The Truth

1998 Stories From The Heart

1998 Butterfly Kisses & Bedtime Prayers Vol. 2

1997 Butterfly Kisses & Bedtime Prayers Vol. 1

1996 Butterfly Kisses (Shades Of Grace)

1994 The Hope Of A Man*

1993 Bob Carlisle*

(All releases on Diadem Music, *Sparrow Records)

Biography

I grew up in Santa Ana, CA. I started at the age of seven taking private music lessons. I was not only taught to read music and play guitar, but eventually learned orchestration and arranging. From the beginning my music has always been about passion. The reason I first started playing guitar and singing was wound around my hunger to make great music.

I earned a music scholarship to college and was groomed to be a legit tenor. Then the soul bug bit me. I fell head over heels in love with the Otis Redding, Wilson Pickett, James Brown side of the world. While my heart is still there, I appreciate anything that's done authentically and well--like a lot of today's country music. My roots, though, are definitely soul.

We were around in the early days of the Jesus movement in southern California. I was drawn to the musical side of these revivals. At age sixteen, I played in Good News, my first band. After Good News, I joined Psalm 150 where Randy Thomas (co-writer on Butterfly Kisses) was a member. We made one album, and when we broke up some of the members went on to join Andraé Crouch and the Disciples.

After Psalm 150, I didn't do a lot of Christian music. I had ridden Psalm 150 out to the end and became disillusioned with the Christian music business of the time. At that time, there weren't enough places to tour that could financially support a big band and their families. We'd go up and down the West Coast and play for love offerings. There was plenty of love, but not nearly enough offerings.

I started doing more and more session work as a singer for hire. Through the session work I got involved with the song writing team of Tom Kelly and Billy Steinberg who wrote the song “True Colors” performed by Cyndi Lauper. It was during this time that I learned the ins and outs of producing. I have been writing songs for a while, but I particularly appreciate the way artists like Frank Sinatra personalize songs through unique vocal performances.

I had a regular club gig in L.A. at a place called Rosie's. One night in the middle of a set, I just broke down. My emotions had boiled to the point that I just couldn't make it anymore. Sure, I was making money, providing for my family, being faithful to my wife--but I had relegated the God of my passion to a spectator. In the alley behind Rosie's, I cried out, "God, I don't care where you lead me, just get me out of here. I will wash cars with joy for you. I will do anything just to know that I'm putting one foot in front of the other in your precious will again."

Within a week of that event, Randy Thomas and Sam Scott came to my home to tell me they were starting a band and to ask if I wanted to be a part of it. The band was called Allies and we were immediately signed to Light Records before we even had a demo. It was really a miracle. Allies was a halfway house for me. We came into this band and found real renewal.

Once we hit the road, we had a blast. I vividly remember a concert in southern California which was absolutely packed. Even the walls were sweating. Backstage we could hear the audience chanting the band's name. Allies had the whole military paraphernalia thing down. We'd even stop by army surplus stores all over the country to pick up stuff for the stage...camouflage netting, the whole shooting match. That night, I was wearing fatigues and a red gun belt. In the midst of one our hottest songs, the crowd was in a frenzy. For some reason, I took it upon myself to do a Prince—or the artist formerly known as Prince—move. I jumped up, leapt down, and…split my pants. The drummer was hysterical because he had a view that nobody else had. Mid-song I had to sidestep off-stage where there was a man who said, "I'm about your size; I can help you out." He came back with a pair of purple bell bottomed corduroy Levi's that were about four inches too short. I went back on-stage looking like a time-warped Captain Kirk and finished the concert. I still hear about it. Inevitably, some guy will come up to me and say, "Man, I was there. Remember the pants? I was there."

The band was touring mainly east of the Rocky Mountains and yet we were trying to travel out of Colton, CA. So it made sense to relocate to Nashville. At about the same time, the song "Why'd You Come In Here Lookin' Like That" had been picked up by Dolly Parton and had done very well. This helped to encourage me that I could cut it as a songwriter there. Allies ran its course in 1992. Although there was a split, all of the band members are still close friends and viewed the split as more of a sabbatical than an end.

My first solo project was Bob Carlisle in 1993 followed by The Hope Of A Man in '94--both on the Sparrow label. Upon completion of these two albums, I decided to sign with Diadem Music.

Butterfly Kisses (Shades of Grace) is my first release through Diadem. In case you didn't know already, a butterfly kiss happens when the delicate lashes of your baby's eyes sweep across your cheek.

The song “Butterfly Kisses” was written for my daughter Brooke. I was struck late one night with the reality that my baby girl had grown up and that she would be leaving my home soon. The joy of happy memories and the burden of missed opportunities collided in my heart and the song just poured out. When I wrote it, I never expected it to be recorded. I was content for it to be my private love letter to Brooke. I am thrilled at its success, but it is strange to hear a song written for your daughter being played on the radio. It is even stranger to hear the song covered by another artist.

To know me is to understand that I am a man captured by the Grace of God. My father modeled his faith to me in practical terms: doing the Word without boasting it. He was an incredible man, and although he passed away a several years ago, he was the greatest spiritual influence I've ever known.

My first calling from God is not to be a singer, but rather to be Jacque's husband and a faithful father to Brooke and Evan. To go out and travel around the world and sing for people is a wonderful blessing; and I'm humbled to be able to do it, but it's a perk. If I'm not taking care of business here at home, then I have no business touring and singing.

I want to sing to the couples who are staring a 30-year mortgage in the face. When you hear my songs, I want you to know that the man who is singing has been driven to his knees by many of the same overwhelming stresses and strains that you are experiencing. I want you to allow your heart to break for your wives, husbands and children. Most importantly, I want you to know that there is Hope. His name is Jesus.