An Evening With Bob Bennett

I just got home after a most wonderful evening of music, fellowship and dinner with church friends, one of whom now includes artist Bob Bennett. Bob is an amazing songwriter whose voice instantly sinks to the soul as his words penetrate the heart with truth, honesty and thoughtfulness. I highly encourage you to read and hear more about him on his website: www.bob-bennett.com.

Bob put on a concert tonight at Crossroads in front of a small but blessed crowd. And we got quite a blessing. It was just Bob, his guitar, his humor, and his songs. He needed no band behind him, no flashy lights, and no eloquent introduction. It was just musician, songwriter and Christian brother Bob Bennett, unveiled in authenticity. (Authenticity for the owner of a fleet of No. 1 songs and one of Christian music's 20 greatest albums, "Matters of the Heart"!)

Having dinner with him and several folks from the church was just icing on the cake. I could tell he was tired (and who wouldn't be after singing for 90 minutes straight?) but he humored us. And I was greatly appreciative.

Bob is one of those Christian music artists that time forgot. As the CCM business moved towards artists like Steven Curtis Chapman, Third Day, Chris Tomlin and others, the "old guard" was left outside the camp, so to speak. The men and women who built the industry became the outsiders and took to touring and private concerts to make a living. Heard much from Dallas Holm, Billy Sprague, Twila Paris, Bruce Carroll, David Meece, Billy Crockett, Kathy Trocolli, Wayne Watson, Randy Stonehill and Russ Taff lately? These are the artists I grew up listening to. These artists and... Bob Bennett.

When Bob made his debut on the Christian music scene in 1979, he was one of a number of stars added to the young but growing CCM movement. For example, his debut came about the same time as Wayne Watson, Amy Grant, Roby Duke, Carman, and several others. Bands like Petra and the Imperials had been around but hit their peak in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Bob's debut album and the two following were hits and he found himself touring with the likes of Amy Grant.

But when Bob faded to the background around 1990, mainstream Christian music left him there. He has released four albums in the last 20 years and does mostly concerts now just to bring in income for he and his wife. But the infrequency of recordings means that the quality is better, I think. He is an amazing songwriter and I would love to sit at his feet and ask questions about how he does it. I didn't get the chance tonight but maybe one day I will.

Here's a video of Bob shot a few years ago when his son was in the Marines. It the song of a military dad called, "My Heart Across the Ocean." Enjoy!



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