Adam Wood Interview 2
raven: So adam, it's been a while since we've been updated. What's goin on in the Adam Wood world?
adamwood: Well ... I'm officially solo/in a band.
raven: how's that?
adamwood: I've been doing a LOT of solo acoustic shows ... which is a lot more fun than it use to be. Basically because I now know what I'm doing. Before I started Another Zone I was doing the same thing I am now. And it was very shakey, because I was just starting out. And I really didn't know exactly what was going on. But now, I've been doing this thing for about two and a half years now and it's been very gratifying. I've been priviledged enough to work with some bigger names in the Christian music world. And I've been busy building my own niche in the Christian music society.
raven: Who have you been working with?
adamwood: Well, this past summer, I did a short "tour" with The Hollow. That was definately a lot of fun. Just me and my guitar, that was the begining of my solo adventure. And also, I've done some shows with The Elms, Daniel's Window, and Riley Armstrong. And ... coming up, I'll be doing a couple shows with Geoff Moore, who is my main influence. And also some shows with Skillet, Switchfoot, and Caedmen's Call.
raven: Wow, you've been getting around! It must be a blast working with so many influential artists!
adamwood: Oh, it is definately. And I've also been working with some guys semi-locally to form a band to travel with so I can have some backup. Which answers the last part of the "solo/in a band" thing earlier.
raven: oh wow, that's awesome! What's the band called?
adamwood: well ... it's not going to have an "official" name ... it's just going to be backup for me ... kinda like a Steven Curtis Chapman thing. It'll be Adam Wood ... only on a bigger scale than just the acoustic guitar.
raven: awesome. :) So has your music style changed any?
adamwood: Yes and no. I've been trying to fall more into the acoustic rock slot. But I'm still doing a lot of acoustic pop tunes. Hopefully, if the band comes together, I can do more of an alternative thing, and lean a little more away from the acoustic thing. Although, there will always be some acoustic stuff in my shows. Some of my favorite songs were written on acoustic guitars and pianos
raven: Any new songs for us?
adamwood: Yeah ... I just wrote a theme song for St. Jude: Children's Research Hospitol. My parents sponsor children from there and we recieve a calendar every year from them. I was looking through it, and it's got stories from select kids and it really touched me. These kids have so much courage. They go through hardships almost every day ... and that takes alot. So it was just a song of encouragement and appreciation that I dedicated to them.
adamwood: It's called "Not Alone"
raven: awww, that's so great!
adamwood: And, by this summer, we'll finally have nine or ten brand new tunes on the CD, which I've been working on for quite some time now
raven: In our last interview, you mentioned writing a book. Is that still on Adam Woods agenda?
adamwood: Yes it is. I've been working on it here and there. It's not been my main focus lately. But I definately would like to finish it within the next year.
raven: what kind of book is it?
adamwood: It's a book of encouragement. The main focus in my career is to encourage people. This book is a book to help encourage Christian teens today, and also to let the non-Christians know, it's cool to be a Christian, it's really not boring at all.
raven: that's wonderful! I'm sure a lot of teens could use a book like that.
adamwood: Well, I hope they get ahold of it.
raven: So how is your album coming? I believe in the last interview, you were beginning work on it.
adamwood: Well, it's coming. I just got the final expenses to finish it up. So here in the next few weeks sometime, I'm gonna jump in the studio to get it wrapped up. Then we'll arrange and mix it. Then, ship it off to be printed and packaged ... then, finally, out to the stores! Hopefully this will all ebe done by May.
raven: So for all the people out there *sadly including me* who have never been in the studio, what's it like recording an album?
adamwood: It's actually a lot of fun. There's a great deal of work involved. But, once you work through all the, "ok ... how's this gonna go", you can just relax, and have fun with it.
raven: How long have you been working on it?
adamwood: I've been planning it for about 3 years now. I started work about 7 months ago
raven: how far along are you?
adamwood: Just about done actually. Gonna update a couple tunes, then throw on the last 3 or 4 and it'll be done.
raven: awesome! So on average, how long does it take to record 1 song?
adamwood: For me, it took about a week or two to get one song as near to perfect as it could get.
Raven: In addition to a wonderful cd, will we be seeing some merchandise from you too?
adamwood: Yes. We'll be getting some tee-shirts and hats. Also, some necklaces, stickers, and hopefully some hoodies.
Raven: yay! Hoodies!!
adamwood: Yes, they've been widely requested.
Raven: Note to readers: Make sure you join Adam Woods (Un)official fan club so I can get a free necklace! haha
adamwood: Of course ... there have been no bribes offered.
Raven: haha :)
Raven: How/when did you come to accept Christ into your heart?
adamwood: I've grown up in Church, so it's always been a part of me. But when I finally officialized it ... I remember I was in Rockford, Illinois at a district Nazarene lockin with my youth group. The speaker began talking about Christ and the humbling of your heart before Him. He then asked us all to lay on our stomaches and be on our faces before God. It was then that the Lord spoke to me, and said, "Now is your time Adam, I have work for you."
Raven: How old were you?
adamwood: Well, I believe it was in 1998 ... so that made me ...14 ... yes, because it was early 1998
Raven: Do you feel that accepting the Lord has changed you?
adamwood: Oh, yes, a great deal. It definately changes your maturity level. Now, being a teenaged guy, I'm always going to have fun, but it's definately at a tamer level. I started to read the Bible and became more knowledgable of God, his work, and what he wants from me. And I've really grown from that. I've even grown since the last time we talked.
Raven: So how do you feel you have grown?
adamwood: It all basically stems from my growth of knowledge. It's a lot of spiritual growth. I've been fed alot in the past couple years and it has made me come to appreciate my role in life better as well as my walk with the Lord.
Raven: What do you feel is the hardest part of being a christian?
adamwood: Well, in my life, it's the public aspect of my Christianity that always kind of scares me. I'm always on stage, and I have to present myself in a way to make people understand what Christianity is all about, and what God can do, and I also have to work on being myself. Which is tough. Just because you're on stage with a guitar and a microphone, or you have a CD on the market, people take your words as something bigger. And they really take it as it is. Sometimes, that's tough. I always have to be careful what I do or say. In my personal life, it's just the every day walk that is hard. Making sure you don't take a wrong turn. But, if you just focus on the Lord and what He wants for you, it'll be ok.
Raven: yeah that must be hard. What do you feel is the best part?
adamwood: Well, the best part is also the public part. I love being able to show people God's love and to let them know that He is there for them. It's really great to know that you can have an impact on someone's life.
Raven: hehe, sounds like a blast! How do the crowds that aren't christian react to you?
adamwood: I've had several non-Christian's approach me and say "Adam, what you said ... it really made sense." or "Adam, that song was awesome, that was definately my life and how I am."
Raven: yeah? I'll bet that feels great!
adamwood: It's a really amazing thing. I'm really greatful for that gift to be able to speak to all walks of life.
Raven: that's a very valuable gift!
adamwood: I agree.
Raven: How do you personally view God?
adamwood: I view God as a very valuable resource for our lives. Something that none of us can truely live without. If He isn't in our lives, we can never really be happy. There are many things we are missing. With Him, the void is filled, things become more clear. He's alot like that windshield wiper fluid. If you're not a Christian, you're driving down the road with bugs and stuff all over your windshield ... that's really gross. God is the little button on your panel that squirts the fluid to clear it off so you can see again.
Raven: lol, thank you for that wonderful analogy!
adamwood: Anytime.
Raven: I'll have to remember that the next time there's bug guts on my windshield
adamwood: Yup ... it's really icky.
Raven: hehe, so what do you think has been your greatest accomplishment?
adamwood: When I was like 10 ... I got a first place ribbon for the best pumpkin in a Halloween carving/painting contest.
Raven: haha, wow, something to be proud of!
adamwood: Yes. But serriously ...
adamwood: My greatest accomplishment, I believe, is simply having God in my life. Without Him, nothing in my life would be complete or would have been accomplished.
Raven: awww. :) God and a pumpkin. Can't get any better than that!
adamwood: I agree ... although, I'm not quite sure how they fit together :-)
Raven: God made the pumpkin, and you carved it! Booya! I'm good. :) ,br>
adamwood: Works for me :-)
Raven: So what do you think about all of the success you have achieved so far?
adamwood: I'm happy. But I give all the glory to God, because it's for Him.
Raven: What message do you hope your music brings to yuor fans?
adamwood: Simply that God IS there and he loves you. And He wants the best for you. And ... it's ok to be different.
Raven: Do you like skittles or M&M's more?
adamwood: M&M's ... with peanuts
adamwood: or peanut butter
Raven: hehe, yeah I like those too. Try eating them both at the same time, it's cool. :)
adamwood: I'll do that. Although, my mouth might be pasted together
Raven: hahaha, that would suck wouldn't it?
adamwood: Yes it would.
adamwood: Then I couldn't sing.
Raven: hahaha, yeah and then the fans would come and hunt me down for suggesting it.
adamwood: Haha, that would be a bad thing.
Raven: So where do you see yourself in 5,10 years?
adamwood: I don't see that far. I'm just going to let God take me there. It's all up to Him. Hopefully, I'll have part of a family and be happy.
Raven: awwww. :)
Raven: What advice would you give to aspiring musicians?
adamwood: Well, focus on your relationship with God first. He's the one that's going to get you places. Then .. practice, practice, practice. And make sure you listen to the new Adam Wood CD.
Raven: haha, doin a little plug there adam? :)
adamwood: Yup ... I figure I'm aloud to do that in my own interview :-)
Raven: well, I guess I could let it slide. Since I am such a nice interviewer. :D
adamwood: That's good.
Raven: *cough* visit www.adamwood.org *cough*
Raven: hehe :)
adamwood: Good job ... I didn't even think of that. ,br>
Raven: haha, who's the genius now?! :D j/k
adamwood: Albert Einstein ...
Raven: :P
Raven: no me silly!
adamwood: Oh, ok ... sorry. :)
Raven: it's okay. you are forgive. Bow to me!
adamwood: No thanks :-)
adamwood: I'll just sit here ;-)
Raven: :P meanie. you're supposed to play along! sheesh!
adamwood: I'm sorry. I'll try better next time.
Raven: it's okay, you're a beginner. you'll do better next time. hehe
adamwood: I hope so.
Raven: Well adam, it's been a pleasure having you grace us with your presence again!
adamwood: Thank you ... I really try to satisfy the best that I possibly can. It was fun. Buy the new CD when it's out and come see a concert or two.
Raven: hehe, of course we will. Any final words before it's time to go?
adamwood: Just trust in God, be faithful, and have fun!
Raven: well thank you so much adam! It was fun having you again!
adamwood: Thank You. Later!
Raven: bye!
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