I had an amazing opportunity to interview Christian musician Jim Cole last year. It was for a school assignment for a music course on my way to that elusive BA. At the time I didn’t feel a need to publish it to the web, but I’ve been listening to him for so long now I figured it would be selfish to keep it to myself, so I asked him if I could share with you and he said yes. I’ve also got a similar interview with Aaron Pelsue
When did you first know you wanted to be a professional musician?
I never really thought about the professional aspect of music much. It just seems it has always been a part of my life. In the beginning music was more therapy than anything else; especially prior to my conversion to Christ. The professional aspect of it grew quite organically as I would play the songs I had written for my friends. They told their friends and it grew from my living room to small clubs to the much larger venues. Along the way, people from record companies came out to hear it and it progressed professionally from there.
Was there anything else you wanted to be?
I considered the ministry for a while but I found that I could say more in a 3:10 song than I could in an hour and a half of talking or preaching. Music has always been a much more natural means of communication for me.
What kind of training do you have (what is your musical background)?
I’m pretty much self-taught. I did study classical guitar for about a year to develop my right hand fingering technique but that’s it. I’m 50 now so when I grew up, the players I knew would listen to records over and over until they figured it out. That’s pretty much how I learned as well.
What instrument(s) do you play? Why did you choose this instrument?
The only instrument I play is guitar. I don’t feel as if I chose it but rather it chose me. Having said that, there is something very portable and immediate about guitar; especially acoustic guitar. It’s a very solitary instrument which is just perfect for the rouge, alienated singer/songwriter. I’ve been playing since I was 14.
Describe your particular style of music.
My style of music is most readily referred to as acoustic folk/pop although that is kind of too narrow a definition for my liking. Anyway, that’s how the industry I’m in identifies it and me.
How often do you practice? Do you participate in some kind of training to continually improve your work?
I didn’t use to practice as much as I should but that is changing. I probably work at it about two hours a day except when I’m writing. Songwriting is a much more time consuming proposition for me. I am also constantly on the lookout for the latest progressive acoustic work I can get my hands on. I’m every bit as much a fan of music as I am a musician.
What musician inspires or influences you and your work most?
The musician I’m most closely identified with (to the point of nausea) is James Taylor. The truth is, while James is a big influence on my work and I really enjoy his music, there are many others that I enjoy just as much. Phil Keaggy, Randy Stonehill and Larry Norman just to name a few.
How does family play a part in your profession?
Among many other more important aspects, my family helps to provide the life’s experiences I draw from in regard to writing. Additionally, since they didn’t ask for this kind of tumultuous experience, I tend to protect them from it as much as I can. My family knows and supports me on levels that transcend the recording industry. For that I am very grateful.
Going back in history, is there a particular genre or era of music that you enjoy? Why?
I really enjoy some of the early African/American blues music of the 1930’s. Additionally, I enjoy listening to some of the early Sun Records which came out of Memphis in the early 1950’s. This music seems like music for its own sake and not for the mass markets that we know so well. There is an honesty and soulfulness that really moves me about them. The earnestness in those recordings is something that I try to emulate when I’m recording.
Tell me about how you came to know Christ.
I came to Christ at an “Andrae Crouch and the Disciples” concert back in 1974 in St. Louis, Mo. From my perspective this was quite by accident. I was there to take in the experience from a cultural point of view I had always been very curious about the influence of black gospel on rock and roll music. When the message of Christ’s sacrificial death and resurrection was preached, I knew that the minister was speaking to me. I confessed Christ that night.
How has this relationship helped (or maybe hindered) your career (and vice versa)?
A personal relationship with Christ has only helped and never hindered my career. Through Christ, it was as if a great door had opened. Through Him my creativity increased 100%. While I didn’t know it at the time, becoming a Christian would open all the doors that have led me professionally to this day.
Give me one “pearl of wisdom” which I can pass on to my classmates.
Just one? To the musicians I would say to play your music for the people who love it and do not be so concerned with the music industry. Christ as God’s Son, the active agent in creation is worthy of your talents exclusively. Additionally, He is able to cause you to flourish right where you are.
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