From my mid-teens on, I grew up on the music of Kevin Prosch. I discovered him during that odd time of my life when I was attending a Presbyterian church but dating a Vineyard gal and avidly reading the Morninstar Journal out of Charlotte; it was as though I was trying to preserve the ecstatic fruit of my Assemblies of God past amid my rationalist Reformed church-going. Kevin’s music helped keep me sane – or was it insane with a visceral longing for friendship with God and real-world emotional vulnerability? Either way, I kept listening to Kevin even after I outgrew certain aspects of charismatic Christian culture, even as I departed the PCA.
Then…Kevin disappeared from the scene, amid rumors of scandal. Years later, as suddenly as he had dissappeared, he was back! It looked like he began a new life, one of transparency, integrity, and grace. To top it off, he’d cut one of the most moving albums of his artistic career to that point, Palanquin. Listen to this song from that album:
The words are worth meditating on in their entirety:
There’s a harp in my heart,
and only you can play it
There’s a song in my broken soul,
and only you can sing it
You’re so unpredictable, God,
just like the rhythm, the rhythm of weeping
And my life is so upside down
But you keep on coming, coming around
You keep on loving, I still let you downThere’s a harp in my heart,
and only you can play it
There’s a song in my broken soul,
and only you can sing it
I hear those curfew bells are ringing,
but I just can’t stop my singing
I’ve got to tell just one more person,
Never give up, keep on dreaming
Quieter than rain, He knows all your painThere’s a cry I have had
that I could love my brother
And not look at that race,
That religion or That color
You love those Presbyterians, God
you love the gays and the lesbians
You love the Buddhists and the prostitutes
You’re not like us, we always change
You see through our sin, and You love us anywayOh, I wish you would put those words in my mouth, God
To tell the world what you’re realy like
Not some dead God who lives in some building
But a Father of kindness, a son of forgiveness,
a Spirit who helps me
Yeah that who you are
After all these years of enjoying Kevin’s music, we were finally introduced via a mutual friend, Don Milam. Thanks to Don, I was able to connect with Kevin via phone to interview him for the mega-esteemed Homebrewed Christianity podcast! Ohh yeah. We talked; it’s an absolutely riveting hour as Kevin pours out his heart and soul.
As they wrote on the Homebrewed hub,
His story is incredibly fascinating — from his troubled relationship with his abusive father as a child, to stockpiling arms and being held captive by gold miners — with music being an important source of comfort throughout his early life. His conversion to Christian faith and involvement in the early Vineyard movement led to his career as a musician, both in recording Christian worship albums, and in the mainstream with his band The Black Peppercorns. But later he sold all of his equipment, feeling too broken and unworthy to continue, only to reemerge later restored to ministry at More Church in Amarillo, Texas, and visionary of the Music Coope Festival (June 9-11), where artists are coming together to create music in the context of community.
So there you have it! Listen here. You’ll be glad you did.
And be sure to check out the Music Coope artists’ collective, their upcoming Festival, and More Church in Amarillo.
This was a terrific interview, Mike. I listened to it a few weeks ago but, but didn’t notice anything on the podcast to indicate that I was listening to *you*!
But once again, my heart is stirred to partner with God outside the walls of the church.
Kevin Prosch’s music had a huge impact on me way back in the day. Thank you for sharing this.
Thanks Jon! I think they properly cited me on the Homebrewed Website & in the recording, but maybe if you blink you miss it. 🙂
You’re welcome, Jason! I really enjoyed doing the interview.
Hey Mike, I know it sounds corny, but, Kevin saved my faith. At a time when I was crushed by the spirit of religion, and walked away from the church. I discovered Kevin Prosch his story, and his music….especially this cd. What an incredible profound grace filled piece of art. No one else could have written this cd. only someone who’s seen, and been in those places. I’m still on the fringe of church, but my faith is much more diverse, colorful and grace filled. Thanks for the interview.
I love me some Prosch………………
yup… he’s kept it real…. ummm yeah, i was vineyard and MorningStar for a bit… i think you know that…
Well, a LONG bit. Kevin kept me sane as well on matters….
Great post!
mucho love
Kevin, I know you will rememmeber me. I met you, years ago in Alabama @ Dianne Johnson’s house, met your sweet mom and played flute with you. I miss Dianne so much.I’m sure you do too!!
I’ve been in a very dark place for a very long time, but rececntley I rediscovered your Reckless Mercy CD and I’m seeing better and hearing God. What is going on with you? Are you still making music? My heart and life has been broken to pieces. Thanks for the Song!!
loved that song “You’re not like us” so felt the touch of God all over it thank you for sharing it whist I was listening to Kevin I’m so thankful that he has hung in as only broken people bring songs to life as they have allowed God to work in them beautiful thank you xx