The multi-Grammy-winning Christian music artist played Van Andel Arena in March with help from Grand Rapids’ own George Moss. Revisit our interview and show review.
TobyMac: He performed a dynamic set at Van Andel Arena. (Photo/Jamie Geysbeek)
EDITOR’S NOTE: Every December, Local Spins counts down its top stories of the year based on reader traffic. Today, we look back at writer Terry DeBoer’s interview with TobyMac and the review of the Christian music star’s March concert at Van Andel Arena. Scroll down for a photo gallery.
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Toby McKeehan said he came to the point where he wanted “everything to stop” and “to just stay home and be broken.”
In late 2019, the singer-songwriter better known as TobyMac suffered a deep personal loss when his 21-year-old son died of an accidental drug overdose. Months later COVID hit, throwing a blind-sided slam on the careers of nearly every performing artist.
“Starting to even write (songs) again was painful, and I thought I might never write one with hope in it, let alone an up-tempo song,” said the faith-based artist during an interview from his Nashville area home.
But new hope emerged.
“Friends came around to help me with what I was walking through – my community at home, people in the (music) industry, and my road community,” said Toby, 58. “It’s been the hardest time of my life, but we’ve felt surrounded by love.”
Surrounded by Love in a Difficult Time: TobyMac (Courtesy Photo)
The creative result is last year’s “Life After Death,” a collaborative album with songs that cover the musical spectrum with no shortage of either hope or tempo.
The collection from the Christian music artist is filled with vocal contributions by fellow artists who showed their support for the seven-time Grammy Award winner.
He performed several of the new songs on his “Hits Deep” tour, which stopped at Van Andel Arena on March 5 with special guests Crowder, Cochren & Co., Tasha Layton, Jon Reddick and Terrain.
In the course of his 90-minute set, TobyMac exhibited vulnerability, joy, seriousness and fun in front of an attentive, 8,000-strong crowd.
As part of that, the tender “Faithfully” reflected his personal journey of holding onto hope.
The deep and rangy staging made for bonding with an arena-sized audience. A tuning fork shaped runway led out from the front of the main platform, allowing the artist to move to the arena’s center.
Toby and his band members took full advantage to get up close and personal with dance, voices and instruments.
Post-Show Joy: George Moss with some Grand Rapids fans. (Photo/Terry DeBoer)
And speaking of his band, it lives up to its name with horns, keyboards, two percussionists and two primary background vocalists. Guitarist Tim Rosenau doubles on trumpet, and Keith Everett Smith is handles both guitar and percussion.
But a special salute goes to Grand Rapids native George Moss, who is filling in for an ill band-member for the entire tour.
Moss played coronet as well as contributed vocals and choreography and was in the step the entire night.
“He’s been everything we signed up for on this tour,” voiced an approving Toby in front of Moss’s hometown crowd.
Near the evening’s end, DJ Maj (Michael Allen) scratched the onstage turntables, sampling tunes from Journey and Earth Wind & Fire, inviting the audience to join the artists and dance along. A second blast from the confetti canons added to the ambience.
“Dance on outa here,” Toby entreated after some words of thanks.
No need for an encore. TobyMac had given his all, fulfilling his earlier promise that, “Grand Rapids, we’re gonna give you all we got tonight.” (Check out the full show review and set list here.)
During a pre-concert interview, TobyMac also talked about superstar Sheryl Crow’s guest appearance on the album’s “Promised Land.”
The pairing came from a chance connection. “Essentially, we first met in the (car) pick-up line when our kids were in elementary school,” Toby recalled. The artists stayed in touch over the years, and when Toby had a song he felt fit her voice, he invited Crow to join in.
“I know from a standpoint of faith and belief she likes that kind of message and is wide open to it,” he added of the hopeful ballad.
VIDEO: TobyMac, “Promised Land”
Also on the album is the melancholy “21 years,” the first song the artist wrote following his son’s death.
“Help is on the Way (Maybe Midnight)” and the latest single “Cornerstone” are songs which have found their way to radio audiences.
TobyMac also hailed Grand Rapids-based rap/hip-hop artist George Moss, who he asked to fill in on the 30-city jaunt after the two had met early in Toby’s solo career.
“His name kept coming up and I didn’t audition anybody,” Toby explained. “We just chose George. He’s been doing a phenomenal job and his work ethic is absolutely impressive.”
‘If It’s My Time’: The latest single from George Moss.
Moss said he felt like a high school football player called up to play in the Super Bowl.
“I had four days to learn the ‘playbook,’ but I’ve gotten nothing but positive encouragement from everyone,” added the East Kentwood High School graduate who contributes background vocals and choreography in Toby’s ensemble.
Moss already has main-stage experience: More than a decade ago, he performed at Van Andel Arena on the nation-wide Winter Jam tour with Christian hip-hop artist KJ-52.
With a mix of hip hop, rock, pop, rap and urban music elements, TobyMac’s songs are immersed in his faith-based approach.
He may lean more toward pop now than during his days with his former group, dcTalk. (The new tune “Space” features his former bandmates Michael Tait and Kevin Max, who’s from Grand Rapids.)
Nevertheless, his faith overflows as he writes and sings from the heart.
“I’d rather people just listen to what I do and enjoy it for what it is,” he said. “I’m not looking for some label or moniker. Christianity, my faith, works its way into my music because I like to write songs about the things I’m living.”
The last song he wrote for the new album is “The Goodness,” which is full of hope and recognizes how good God is, according to the artist.
“I looked up at God and told him I’d give him a chance,” he recalled of his initial despair. “It was crazy, but I feel like I learned God was good even in the deepest of valleys.”
PHOTO GALLERY: TobyMac, Crowder and More at Van Andel Arena
Photos by Jamie Geysbeek
VIDEO: The story behind “Everything About You” (featuring Marlee)
VIDEO: TobyMac, “Promised Land” (Original Version)
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