I just got this e-mail from Brent Lawrence the Associate Pastor, Praise Tabernacle, formerly Christ Church - Chicago:
Josh is doing well and writing a lot of great Gospel music. There is talk of putting these new songs on a new CD, but he doesn't have any time frame for that yet. I know Josh appreciates the interest in his music, and I hope that people will not just take time to listen to the excellent quality of his music, but also the excellence of the lyrics as well.
Josh now has a Post Office box set up and requests for his CD and communication should be sent there and not the church.
Josh Caterer
PO Box 25469
Chicago, IL 60625-0469
As you can see, Josh's solo EP of gospel songs is out. The track list is:
1. Why Me
2. When He Was On The Cross
3. Green Pastures
4. I'd Rather Have Jesus
5. Great Is Thy Faithfulness
Josh plays guitar and sings, Karen Tierney sings back up, Ronaldo Desouza plays pianos, and Eli Caterer (ex Smoking Popes guitarist) plays guitar on the title track.
It was recorded and mixed by Phil Bonnet shortly before his passing.
On the back cover, Josh gives "Special Thanks to my family at Christ Church Chicago."
The CD does not appear to be put out by any label, so is probably just being released out of Josh's own pocket. I wouls suspect it would be incredibly hard to find. I am trying to find out any informatiopn about public shows or concerts that he may put on, or just any information on him. I will update this page as soon as I know anything more.
Click here to hear part of the song Why Me.
Josh Caterer News
Update on Josh
I received this e-mail from Pastor Brent Lawrence of Christ Church - Chicago.
Presently, Josh doesn't really do shows for other churches. He does minister in our church playing the piano, singing in our music group, as well as doing some Christian songs he has written. Since I am the associate pastor of the church he attends, I can assure you that if you sent a letter in care of our church, I would get it to him.
Sincerely,
Pastor Brent Lawrence
Future Plans and Projects
There was a rumor that Josh gave up music altogether. I asked drummer Mike Felumlee if this was true. He said "I don't know anything about what Josh is going to do in the future. I heard that he may only sing in churches from now on."
Josh's Solo Project
From the lips of singer/ songwriter Josh Caterer, he said about the Smoking Popes, "We are officially not a band." There were apparently no hard feelings, although drummer Mike Felumlee said "I was highly bummed out by [Josh leaving]."
But why Josh, why? Josh says, "I decided to leave the band in order to devote my musical interests to singing about God. There just doesn't seem to be anything else worth singing about."
Okay, but how did this come about? Josh explains he "wasn't doing too well for awhile," leaning on things like booze and "non-prescription drugs. So, I started to pray, even though I'd never been taught to pray. I was just looking for answers."
Josh recently recorded an EP worth of material titled Why Me? with the late Phil Bonnet, which Josh plans to release on a small scale sometime this year.
Born Again Josh
At the November 25 show in Chicago, Josh revealed his favorite Smoking Popes song is "I Know That You Love Me." He also revealed it is a song he wrote about Jesus Christ and his relationship with him. Josh explained that it is "the most incredible relationship I have ever had and evertime I sing this song, I'm thinking about him."
Click here to read an interview with Josh from February 1999.
