Published in The Hamilton Spectator on September 25, 1996
BY NICK KREWEN
One of Contemporary Christian Music's brightest newcomers won't be too far from a former hometown when she warms up the Hamilton Place crowd for STEVEN CURTIS CHAPMAN Monday night.
Although she was born in a Vancouver suburb and still lives on the West Coast, Dove-winning songwriter CAROLYN ARENDS lived in Oakville for a couple of years during her childhood. She admits, however, her fourth grade memories have dimmed somewhat over the passage of time.
"We lived in one of those new houses in an empty lot that gradually fills up," recalls Arends, who will perform selections from her debut Reunion album I Can Hear You.
"I remember acres and acres of dirt out back, where we used to go to fly kites and run around with dogs. That I'm afraid is about the extent of my memories of Oakville."
The 27-year-old married entertainer will probably have little time to roam around the neighbourhood as it is. These current dates with Chapman -- the first of what promises to be a five month run -- are also serving as her first cross-Canada tour, and she just spent last week in Los Angeles wrapping up her next album, tentatively titled Feels Free.
She's still stirring a lot of interest with "I Can Hear You", the mandolin-driven top 5 title track that's crossed over and found a home on both adult contemporary and country radio. She also enjoyed a big hit with her previous single, "This Is The Stuff". Arends' ascendancy into crossover territory echoes a recent boom in CCM music's mainstream appeal, thanks to recent successes by JARS OF CLAY, the continued fortune of singers MICHAEL W. SMITH and AMY GRANT, and religious references in songs by DISHWALLA and JOAN OSBORNE.
Arends approves of the trend.
"I think in general it's a pretty good thing," says Arends. "Some of it is essentially because the music now has better distribution arms. A lot of the gospel and Christian-based record companies have been bought out by mainstream conglomerates, which instantly means improved marketing and distribution.
"I also think the genre for several years was extremely insular. Now there are a wave of artists who are passionate and honest about what they do and are more open to exploring new avenues."
Arends herself has gone the college-and-coffeehouse route, mainly because she feels her message-heavy folk pop melodies such as "Seize The Day" and "Love Is Always There" have universal appeal.
I've always tried to reach as many people as I can," states Arends, whom last year captured The Dove Award -- the Christian music industry's Grammy equivalent -- for Best Songwriter for the MICHAEL JAMES hit "Love Will."
"I am a Christian, but I think music has always provided a great forum to discuss spiritual themes as well as romantic and political subjects."
Arends says her music has something to offer everyone regardless of religious denomination.
"What I have found in shows that we do is that people who like our style of music don't have a problem with it. I just know that for myself, as long as I'm coming from somewhere honest and authentic, and writing music that is passionate, I try not to propogandize. When I'm up on stage, it feels like a good exchange of ideas. I don't feel this barrier."
Carolyn Arends initially had no reservations about settling on something other than music for a career, attending university for a degree in psychology.
She received her big break when she attended a Christian songwriting seminar in the States, submitted some demos and struck a publishing deal a year later. While writing songs for such CCM artists as 4HIM and SUSAN ASHTON, Arends also served as director at Pregnancy Concerns, a crisis pregnancy centre.
"It was a pretty amazing experience," says Arends of her time as director.
"We provide support for women who are either pregnant or wondering if they are and not sure. We did some counseling, and hang out with them, because it's a stressful time in their lives. We tried to help them where we could."
Arends left the Centre over a year ago due to career demands, but claims she was taught a lot by the volunteers.
"I was the only paid employee, and for twelve years the place has been run mainly by volunteers. These are selfless people who give up a lot of their spare time just to keep it going."
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DISCOGRAPHY
1995 -- I Can Hear You
1997 -- Feels Free
1999 -- This Much I Understand
©1996, 1999 Nick Krewen, Octopus Media Ink
THANKS: Margaret Spence Krewen, Wade Hemsworth, Bob Hutton