A few weeks ago, I took a silent retreat into the North Carolina wilderness to get alone with God and to allow him to speak to my heart.  I took a copy of 1 cd on my ipod, Heaven and Earth which is Phil Wickham’s latest album that releases on November 17.  God spoke to me in many ways through scripture but He allowed Phil’s music to bring me to a point of true worship.  I sat down with Phil this morning to talk a little bit about who he is, his career and what inspires his songwriting abilities.

History

Q- Give a brief testimony of how you became interested in music as well as the turning point from singing to ministering?

I grew up with music and Jesus.  My parents were worship leaders when I was young.  We   moved to Orange County, CA from San Diego CA when I was a boy.  I began to learn guitar and was active in my youth group.  I had an interest in music and began playing the guitar and writing songs after that.  I was leading worship in our youth group with the songs that I had written at 13.  The songs probably weren’t that good but the group sang them and I felt God using me in this way.

Q- What is the most influential song that you’ve written?

Although, I don’t have a particular favorite, when I am on stage singing songs that I have written, my mind goes back to the particular time that I wrote the song and memories began to flood my mind.

Q- What are some of your musical influences?

Of course, my parents, they developed the love that I have today for music.  I also remember hearing Delirious? King of Fools, and thinking how artistic their worship was.  It was more than just singing verses and then a chorus, it was so creative.  I also credit secular influences such as   U2 and Beyonce and many other eclectic artists whose songs currently reside on my ipod.

Q- What was your first label project?

The first label CD was self titled, Phil Wickham and was released in 2006.

Spiritual

Q- What do you see as man’s biggest struggle in society?

There are many issues that men struggle with but I see the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes as being a struggle that I witness men struggle with.  In this day and age, there is so much temptation through various media outlets that it is easy for men to fall into temptation.

Q-What is your favorite passage of scripture?

Since I have been writing songs for the new album entitled Heaven and Earth, I have read the last two chapters of Revelation over and over again and just to think that there will be an end, an eternal end and it is a reality, that is pretty cool.