Kenneth George Rich - born 1962 in Klamath Falls, Oregon, but raised primarily in Newfoundland, Canada. He obtained his Canadian citizenship at age 18, and served 6 years in the Military. There he received an education as an electronics specialist.

After leaving the CAF, he put those skills to use in the marine electronics field, and later worked in computer integrated manufacturing.

Along the way, Ken struggled with personal issues, addictions, and his faith. Eventually, the call of the Spirit became too strong for the world to hold him down, and he was set free.

Combining his technical skills with his musical talents, he built a home studio, and began a music Ministry. Now it has grown, to become a multi-faceted Christian Outreach, which spans the globe.

Ken was interviewed by MCM. His journey from sin to salvation, and the formation of his Ministry, are brought out in significant detail. 

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Posted by Angela M on January 3, 2009 at 1:20pm in INTERVIEW

INTRODUCTION

When I first met Ken Rich through MCM, I was really impressed with his creative talent. So, when he said he wanted to do an Interview I was very happy. I really wanted to learn more about him and this gift the Lord has placed in him.

Right away, I recognized something was special in Ken. It took only a short while for me to realize that this was a man who’s given the Lord access to his heart in reality. As a result, the Almighty has touched Ken and placed a true humility in him.

I don’t know about you, but seeing humility in someone’s heart always draws me to the person. I believe once you read Ken’s interview, you too will be drawn to this man of God.

Thank you, Rich for sharing your story with us.


INTERVIEW FOR MY CHRISTIAN MUSIC BY KEN RICH

A PERSONAL TOUCH

Ken: Hi, Thanks for the opportunity to reach some new people with this interview. The answer to your question about my personal life is below.

I am a single father of a seven year old boy and also have a grown daughter who is married, and lives away. I live in a rural area of Newfoundland, near Corner Brook, which is one of the most beautiful and scenic areas in the world.

I didn't grow up in a religious environment and had a rather "colorful" life as a young man. "Party animal" would be an accurate description, with drugs and alcohol a way of life. This continued into my adult life, when I joined the military, and even later as I traveled and worked as a civilian electronics technician. I always felt God calling me to a better way and would make efforts to reform, only to be swallowed up by sin again.

Eventually, the call of the Spirit became stronger than the lure of the drugs and I was set free permanently. It was only one battle, in a slow process of change and renewal. When you start from a long way down, it's long way back to the land of the living. Bad habits were replaced with good ones, foul language was replaced with praise for God, unhealthy desires were replaced with new motivations. I became a new creation!

Now that I am free, I try to win other lost souls and show them a better way. I took the gifts I had been given (electronics training and a passion for music) and put them to use. I built a home recording studio and started producing Gospel music, photo's with Bible verses, videos, articles - anything I could, to win souls.

I must say, God put just the right person in my path, at a critical juncture in my life. Dave Butler was a Country Gospel artist who was sick, and near the end of his years when I met him. His heart's desire was to be recorded properly, before he passed. He wanted to live on in his music, and keep winning souls.

Dave was totally blind from diabetes, crippled with a painful form of arthritis, suffered stokes and other ailments, but he went from door to door and town to town, trying to win souls with his music. I just couldn't let him pass away without capturing his songs for future generations - what an inspiration he was.

An old saying claims, "when the student is ready, the teacher appears". I thought I was helping Dave when I decided to record him, but in fact, he helped me more that I can adequately relate. I would never have had the courage, or self confidence, to do anything with my own songs, without his encouragement and example. He also talked me into recording two of his friends, so we all have soul winning content "out there", thanks to him.

Here was no "fair-weather Christian" and as everyone who knew him can testify, he was a joy to be around. Instead of letting his problems get him down, he was always happy, upbeat and jovial - to the point that he lifted the spirits of anyone who came in contact with him, including me. I dedicated my network “Indie Gospel Artists” to his memory.

THE INTERVIEW CONTINUED...

I don't think I fit the profile of a typical Gospel artist, but I will try to answer the questions that seem to be applicable to my situation.

MCM: How did your band get started?

Ken Rich: I am a just a single artist, who tries to create a full band sound by layering in parts one at a time. I start out by writing a song with just rhythm guitar as accompaniment. Sometimes, I will create drum parts and bass lines, beat by beat, and note by note, using Cubase SX (computer program). On other songs, I generate auto-accompaniment while playing the chords on my keyboard, to get the drum and bass. I do the vocals, rhythm guitar, and lead guitar, the old fashioned way. If I want other instruments, like violins or French horns (for example), I will play those parts separately on the keyboard, to generate a midi facsimile of the sound I'm after.

MCM: What has been the best part about being in the music ministry as a singer, performer or musician?


Ken Rich: For me, the best part is influencing someone with a Christian message that I am trying to communicate. I remember someone who wrote me and said they wept (in a good way) when they saw a music video I produced called "The Lord is Come". Someone else said the same video made them dance with spiritual joy - with their children. Someone else related that my "Love" video, expressed the love of God in a new and beautiful way to them. These are the types of things that keep you going as an artist, and make all the hard work worthwhile.

MCM: Have you or your group got any plans in the near future?

Ken Rich: My plan is to finish my debut CD, which only has a few singles released so far. It may take years at the rate I am going. I have some old recordings I made on tape decks years ago, but they are not professional quality. I am trying to re-record each number in my homemade studio, where I use a computer as the recording device. I can't afford to hire studio musicians, or a proper studio with sound engineers, so this is a lot of work for one person. I keep getting sidetracked as well - lol. I recorded three other Gospel artists in my hometown, who couldn't afford a studio either, and then we needed an outlet to get our material "out there". So, I created the "Indie Gospel Artists" network for people like us, and also to be a "soul winning" Christian Ministry (http://indiegospel.org). I can't resist writing on certain Christian issues, so I often sacrifice recording time to pursue writing as well.

MCM: What inspires you to write songs? Do you have any specific techniques you use for your songwriting?

Ken Rich: For me, the process is cathartic, in the sense that when the inspiration strikes, I have to find a way to express what I am feeling, in order to be at peace. You could even say I get obsessed with the particular thoughts and feelings, and can't escape them, until I know I have found the means to communicate them to others. There may be no inspiration for a long time, but when it strikes - bam - I have to drop everything I am doing, and get it out of my system. The basic song is done in 5-10 minutes but then I can't rest, until I tweak it to the point where I am completely satisfied. That may take days or weeks. Of course, it is still in my head or on paper at that point, an actual recording can be years away.

MCM: Is their examples of your faith that show in your songwriting and if so what are they?

Ken Rich: I think the song "Stay" is a perfect example. It contrasts the way I was before I had faith, to the transformation that occurred when I developed faith. It is a deeply personal, soul baring song. Looking back on my life, I was such a vile person and I am so grateful to have been set free from all that sin and shame. Here are a few lines to illustrate:

Sin possessing me
Led me where, no man should ever be
Oh, he holds the key
I was chained, the Lord has set me free

I still struggle sometimes, as we all do, but I know I will always stay (hence the title), in a relationship with Jesus. I have come to that special place, where there is a "knowing", not just a vague commitment, or superficial relationship. In the song, I use a play off between a minor, haunting sound in the verses, and a melodic major sound in the chorus, to reflect the change from bound in sin, to a life of salvation.

MCM - What's your least favorite thing about being in music?

Ken Rich: I find it almost intolerable that there are people who attack Contemporary Christian music as being "unworthy" or even “satanic". Their arguments range from "twisted" scripture, to "bogus" science, tradition, Greek philosophy, and even gnosticism. Unfortunately, there are those gullible enough to buy their books and fall for their deceptions. I actually had a friend and fellow Christian musician, tell me he will no longer use drums in his music. His music Ministry was just getting started when he was hamstrung by listening to Brian S. Neumann (author of From Rock 'n' Roll to Rock of Ages). My friend is far more talented (as a singer-songwriter) than I will ever be, and watching that much soul winning potential be destroyed, was devastating to me. I felt compelled to write a book refuting the critics of CCM. It was a long process, but I think I have achieved what I set out to do. Every major argument brought forward by the critics of Contemporary styles, has been addressed and thoroughly debunked. I made the book available as a free download here

MCM - If you could have someone listen to just one song of yours, which one would it be? Why?


Ken Rich: I think the song "Love" because it presents the love of God. As Christians, we know love is the greatest gift (1 Corinthians 13:13), and that God is love (1 John 4:8). When a Christian hears the song, they may find it edifying or inspiring, but in a sense, it is like "preaching to the choir" - which accomplishes very little. However, when a non-Christian hears the song and is influenced by that message, I find it very rewarding and exiting. It may just be a small seed that is planted, that someone else waters, which the Holy Spirit alone can grow to maturity - but to be a small part in that "soul winning" process, is a great privilege.

There is a full screen music video of "Love" here

My second pick would be "The Lord is Come", because it a song of hope, about the soon return of the Lord. As the world becomes more and more troubled, and in turmoil, this video reminds people (in a dramatic, contemporary style), that Jesus is coming soon, and his reward is with him. Musically and lyrically, I attempt to create a tension between the wonderful hope, and terrible judgment aspects, of the apocalyptic scenario.

There is a full screen music video of "The Lord is Come"
here

MCM - As your friends at MCM, how can we pray for you?

Ken Rich - I am glad you asked that question. I believe in "The Power of Prayer"! In fact, I wrote a short article by that name, which is here.

It is almost unbelievable, the depths of sin and despair that the Lord rescued me from. I call the album I am working on "Songs from a Sinner" - for a very good reason.

If you are willing, please pray that God will continue to bring me from victory to victory in my personal life, until the last vestiges of sin, are eradicated from my life. Also, pray that my Ministry efforts, through music and writing, and the Indie Gospel Artists network, will result in a great harvest of souls for the Lord.

Thanks for the interview,

Blessings,
Ken