CCM artists with west coast feel…
Born in Kansas City, Paul grew up in a diversified environment. “My grandfather, the son of a German immigrant and a wild west pioneer, taught me the value of hard labor and the joy of building with my hands. My grandmother, a hearing-aid dependent, literature teacher, gave me a love for words and a spirit of compassion. My father, a trial attorney and tireless sports companion, showed me wisdom, knowledge, mercy, justice, and healthy competitiveness. Last, but not least, my mother, an interior designer and constant cheerleader, pointed me to the canvas with its limitless colors and depth of field.
Speaking of fields, while growing up, Paul’s father had front row season ticket seats behind the visitor’s dugout at the Kansas City A’s baseball stadium, as well as midfield seats to the Kansas City Chiefs at Municipal Stadium. Watching big-league talent up close, especially Mickey Mantle and the Yankees, made it easier to dream stadium-sized dreams.
“Ironically, in that same stadium, I sat nearly that close to the Beatles when they came to town. A few months earlier, I had witnessed the Fab-four on the Ed Sullivan Show. They were so vibrant and joyful. I thought to myself, “I want to be happy………so, that’s what I want to do. I purchased a Black Oyster Pearl Ludwig drum set like Ringo’s and started a band with a couple of friends called the Kommotions”.
Unfortunately, commotion was the path of his mid-teens. The whirlpool of drugs and social rebellion nearly drowned him. Mercifully, in April of 1970, after his freshman year of college was cut short due to student unrest, Paul moved from Kansas to a primitive log cabin at 9,800 feet on the Continental Divide, in the Colorado Rocky Mountains. There, his life took a miraculous turn from commotion to devotion as he witnessed something far greater than what he had seen in those stadiums.
I was an18 year-old hippie, strong and independent, yet riddled with fear and hopelessness. Like so many disgruntled youth during the era of Vietnam and social unrest, I tried to find solace in God. An anemic denominational church experience, Transcendental Meditation, the Bghavad Gita, the Tibetan Book Of The Dead, grass, hash, opium, speed and countless LSD trips left me empty. One day, at the Post Office, I received a box of books from my grandmother about Jesus Christ. I chose one and read it from cover to cover in one day. At the end of the book I prayed a prayer to follow Jesus as his disciple. The next morning brought more than another pristine Rocky Mountain High. I remember waking up and sitting on my porch. Something had drastically changed. I felt deeply loved, so new, so clean, so forgiven and unspeakably peaceful. I was also overwhelmed with thankfulness. Concurrently, songs began to pour out of me like the water in the river next to my cabin.
Paul felt an immediate call on his life to sing a new song to the ends of the earth. With the stage as a pulpit, he sang his newly penned songs at the Narrow Gate Coffeehouse, a place he and his friends established to reach out to hippies shortly after his move to Denver in 1971. His local following thrust him into the now historical, “Jesus Movement”, which in turn, led to national and international performances.
Paul is recognized as one of the founding fathers of the Jesus Movement and the Contemporary Christian Music industry. During his 13 year association with Word Records in the 1970’s and 1980’s, Paul’s songwriting, record producing and avant-garde artistry placed him in the forefront along with artists like Phil Keaggy, 2nd Chapter of Acts, Love Song, Larry Norman, Andre Crouch, Honeytree, Keith Green, Randy Stonehill, Barry McGuire, and many others.
Not resting on his laurels, Paul’s life after CCM noteriety didn’t slide into cruise control. Paul has continued his allegiance to proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ. Even though he has completed 17 solo recording projects, written over 400 songs, produced records for several artists, served as worship leader/pastor, as well as being an author and published photographer, Paul’s voyage presses on. He has traveled hundreds of thousands of miles on several continents, still fueled by the joy of the Lord.
Over the years, I’ve performed at churches so small that my family nearly outnumbered the congregation. In contrast, I’ve also performed at large festivals internationally. For three years I had the joy of serving on a Maranatha Worship Team that provided the music for the Promise Keepers Stadium Events, including the monumental, Stand In The Gap, Washington D.C. Event. Needless to say, it was quite a thrill to sing to a crowd of over 1 million people. That being said, I am mindful that first and foremost, I stand before an audience of One. I seek to pattern my calling to the model that He demonstrated. He spoke to large gatherings, yet, He always sought out the individual person one on one. I hunger to be led by the Holy Spirit. I feel blessed beyond words to have seen and experienced all that I have. I’m humbled that Jesus is still calling me to serve Him. Without a doubt, God uses broken vessels.
After more than three decades of this minstrel’s voyage, Paul has no intentions of dropping his anchor. “I intend to keep my hand to the plow spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ. By His grace, I honor the past, embrace the present, and possess a living hope for the future. I want to finish strong in whatever path He chooses for me. Hardship to joy, the jewels are collected along the way, not, as some perceive, at the final destination. Once there, we will cast our jeweled crowns at the feet of Jesus. Before His throne, I will long to see His face and hear His loving voice say, “Well done thy good and faithful servant”.
“I believe God created us to glorify Him. If I can display His love and mercy, in spite of my weaknesses, then what greater cause could one hope to live for.” Paul’s hopes and goals are found in II Cor. 4:1-7.
Words and pictures from the official Paul Clark website.
Discography
Down At the Whistle Stop
Minstrel's Voyage Music 2014
Tracks: Down At the Whistle Stop, Entertaining Angels Unaware, Without Love, Hole Between You Ears, Drive In, Some Spin, Hey Jesus, Baby Moon, Shoreline, The Touch of Your Hand On My Face & After All... Love.
Musicians on the Down At The Whistle Stop album: Paul Clark and others.
Approaching Jerusalem
Minstrel's Voyage Music 2009
Tracks: Approaching Jerusalem, Triumphal Entry, Remembrance, Gethsemane... Lanterns Torches Weapons, Tetelastai, Hades, Anabaino & The Promise of My Father.
Musicians on the Approaching Jerusalem album: Paul Clark and others.
Call of the Canyon
Minstrel's Voyage Music 2001
Tracks: The Only Way To You Is Through, The River Of No Return, Oncoming Lane, Fly On Sweet Angel, Hard Rain, Never Never Ever My Fault, I Will Lead The Way, Finish Strong, For Me To Live, Of Crimson And Gold, Grey Sky Of Blue & When You Whispered Goodnight.
Musicians on the Call Of The Canyon album: Paul Clark and others.
Christmas With Paul Clark
Minstrel's Voyage Music 1998
Tracks: Joy To The World, O Come O Come Emmanuel, Hark the Herald Angels Sing, O Holy Night/Silent Night, What Child Is This?, Away in a Manger, The First Noel & In the Bleak Mid Winter/O Come Let Us Adore Him.
Musicians on the Christmas With Paul Clark album: Paul Clark and others.
Resonate
Minstrel’s Voyage Music 1996
Tracks: Resonate, To Be With You, Now Is The Time, Thankful Surrender, Out Of The Depths, Down The Road, I’ll Live For You, I Am Persuaded, Daily Bread, Shallow Water & Free.
Musicians on the Resonate album: Paul Clark and others.
Private World
Minstrel's Voyage Music 1995
Tracks: Grey Sky of Blue, Don't Let Go of My Heart, Watching Over You, Living Inside of Your Love, Good Good Morning, Your Loving, Woman, So Good to See You Again, Jeremy, Now and Forevermore, Eye of the Storm, Fall in Love With Me , Abide , Where Did I Fall Down? & Shallow Water.
Musicians on the Private World: Paul Clark and others.
When The Moon's Behind the Clouds
Seed Records 1992
I Will Follow You, Still Hear You Calling, Wooden Bench, Moon Behind The Clouds, Under My Skin And In My Blood, Spoon Logic, Fall In Love With Me, Good To See You Again, Where Did I Fall Down, Over My Dead Body & You Are.
Musicians on the When The Moon's Behind the Clouds album: Paul Clark and others.
Vol. III: 1980-1985
Seed Records 1990
Tracks: Aim For The Heart: Death In The City, Opportunity, Another Victim, It's Still Open, Oracle, Aim For The Heart, Don't Be A Fool For Pride, Transformation, Your Loving & Author Of Love. A New Horizon: Tell Them All, Breakaway, Broken Fool, The One You Love, He'll Use Me, Every Breath, Here To Stay, Hold On, Distant Shore & More Than Survivors. Drawn To The Light: Drawn To The Light, Give Them Your Love, Stand Up And Believe, How Much More Can You Take?, Carry Me On, Good Good Morning, The Calm, The Storm, The Eye Of The Storm, A Heartbeat Away & Good Good Night. Out Of The Shadow: Give Me Your Heart, Mr. Me, Out Of The Shadow, 1984, It's You, The Minstrel's Voyage, I Will Fly (In The Wind), I Need Your Love Again, Love Of My Life & Father God.
Musicians on the Vol. III: 1980-1985 album: Paul Clark and others.
Vol. II: 1975-1979
Seed Records 1990
Tracks: Good To Be Home: Holding On To You, Which One Are You ?, All Your Ways, Unveiling, For My Children, It's All Waiting, Good To Be Home, Under His Grace & Abide. Hand To The Plow: Hand To The Plow, Help Me To See, All I Need, Shipwreck, Love You So, Spring Of Life, Woman... The Man That I Love, Now And Forevermore & One Final World. Change In The Wind: Change In The Wind, Ounce Of Prevention, He Wouldn't Lie, Me In You, Change In The Wind (Reprise) Come On, Called My Name, Are You Still With Us, Encounter At Caneel Bay & Come Back Home.
Musicians on the Vol. II: 1975-1979 album: Paul Clark, Phil Keaggy, Curt Bartlett, Don Juntnen, Bill Maxwell, Lanny Hansen, John Mehler, Keith Edwards, Bill Speer, Stew Langer, Harlan Rodgers, Jay Truax, Hadley Hockensmith, Barry Kelsey, Jim Hochanadel, Sandy Dryden, Judy Cotton & Rhenda Edwards.
Vol I: 1970-1974
Seed Records 1990
Tracks:
1: Songs From The Savior - Vol I: Looking Glass Incident, For Me and For You, Sacred Cowboy, Make Me A Soldier Of Your Army, Beware, Song For Salvation, In The Wilderness, It Is Free, Thank You Lord, We'll Be Going Home & It Was True. 2: Songs From The Savior Vol II: You Must Be Born Again, Don't Judge Your Brother, By His Face, Take All Of Me, One With You, Behold The Messiah, Perfectly Complete, Song of Joshua, Jesus Is The Great Shepard, Lord I'm Coming In & Are You Serving The Lord? 3: Come Into His Presence: Listen Closely, Come Into His Presence, With You Forever, Latter Rain, Land of Peace, He'll Do The Same, Gonna Let My Light Shine, A New Man's Song, Here By My Side, Song of Love & Believe and Receive.
Musicians on the Vol 1: 1970-1974 album: Paul Clark and others.
Awakening From the Western Dream
Seed Records 1989
Tracks: More Heat Than Light, Everywhere I Turn, You Can’t Accuse Me, I Can Feel Your Heartbeat, Marianna, So They Say, 1NA100, Foxhole Confession, Don’t Let Go Of My Heart & As Long As I’m Still Breathing.
Musicians on the Awakening From The Western Dream album: Paul Clark and others.
Out Of The Shadows
Myrrh Records 1984
Tracks: Give Me Your Heart, Mr. Me, Out Of The Shadow, 1984, It's You, The Minstrel's Voyage, I Will Fly (In The Wind), I Need Your Love Again, Love Of My Life & Father God.
Musicians on the Out Of The Shadows album: Paul Clark, Hadley Hockensmith, Carlos Rios, Phil Keaggy, Michael Fisher, Smitty Price, Leon Gear, Brandon Fields, Richard Page, Steve George, Tommy Funderburk, Phyllis St James & Alfie Silas.
Drawn To The Light
Myrrh Records 1982
Tracks: Drawn To The Light, Give Them Your Love, Stand Up And Believe, How Much More Can You Take?, Carry Me On, Good Good Morning, The Calm, The Storm, The Eye Of The Storm, A Heartbeat Away & Good Good Night.
Musicians on the Drawn To The Light album: Paul Clark, Hadley Hockensmith, Carlos Rios, Phil Keaggy, Keith Edwards, Michael Fisher, Rob Watson, Leon Gear, Steve Tavaglione, Kelly Willard, Bruce Hibbard, Phyllis St James, Howard Smith, Debbie McClendon, Judith Cotton & Leisa Hibbard.
A New Horizon
Myrrh Records 1981
Tracks: Tell Them All, Breakaway, Broken Fool, The One You Love, He'll Use Me, Every Breath, Here To Stay, Hold On, Distant Shore & More Than Survivors.
Musicians on the A New Horizon album: Paul Clark, Hadley Hockensmith, Curt Bartlett, Phil Keaggy, Jim Delong, Lee Jones, Dan Murdock, Kelly Willard, Bruce Hibbard, Charity McCrery, Shauna Rogers & Michelle Pillar.
Aim For The Heart
Seed Records 1980
Tracks: Death In The City, Opportunity, Another Victim, It's Still Open, Oracle, Aim For The Heart, Don't Be A Fool For Pride, Transformation, Your Loving & Author Of Love.
Musicians on the Aim For The Heart album: Paul Clark, Hadley Hockensmith, Curt Bartlett, Bill Maxwell, Keith Edwards, Michael Fisher, Harlan Rodgers, Michael Escalante, Abraham Laboriel, Ernie Watts, Kelly Willard, Kathy Hazard, James Felix & Phyllis St. James.
Minstrel´s Voyage
Seed Records 1980
Tracks: Looking - Glass Incident, Let Us Climb This Hill Together, Come Into His Presence, Holding On To You, Which One Are You?, Abide, Hand To The Plow, Woman... The Man That I Love (Medley), Change In The Wind & Your Loving.
Musicians on the Minstrel´s Voyage album: Paul Clark and others.
Hand To The Plow
Seed Records 1976
Tracks: Hand To The Plow, Help Me To See, All I Need, Shipwreck, Love You So, Spring Of Life, Woman... The Man That I Love, Now And Forevermore & One Final World.
Musicians on the Hand To The Plow album: Paul Clark and others.
Change In The Wind
Seed Records 1977
Tracks: Change In The Wind, Ounce Of Prevention, He Wouldn't Lie, Me In You, Change In The Wind (Reprise) Come On, Called My Name, Are You Still With Us, Encounter At Caneel Bay & Come Back Home.
Musicians on the Change In The Wind album: Paul Clark and others.
Good To Be Home
Myrrh Records 1975
Tracks: Holding On To You, Which One Are You ?, All Your Ways, Unveiling, For My Children, It's All Waiting, Good To Be Home, Under His Grace & Abide.
Musicians on the Good To Be Home album: Paul Clark and others.
Come Into His Presence
Minstrel's Voyage Music 1974
Tracks: Come Into His Presence, With You Forever, Latter Rain, Land Of Peace, He´ll Do The Same, Gonna Let My Light Shine, A New Man´s Song, Here By My Side, Song Of Love & Believe And Receive.
Musicians on the Come Into His Presence: Paul Clark and others.
Songs From The Saviour Volume Two
Creative Sound 1973
Tracks: You Must Be Born Again, Don't Judge Your Brother By His Face, Take All Of Me, One With You, Behold The Messiah, Perfectly Complete, Song Of Joshua, Jesus Is The Great Shepherd, Lord I'm Coming In, Are You Serving The Lord & Let Us Climb The Hill Together.
Musicians on the Songs From The Saviour Volume Two: Paul Clark and others.
Songs From The Saviour Volume One
Creative Sound 1972
Tracks: Looking Glass Incident, Sacred Cowboy, In The Wilderness, For Me And For You, Beware, Song For Salvation, Make Me A Soldier Of Your Army, It Is Free, Thank You Lord, We´ll Soon Be Going Home & It Was True.
Musicians on the Songs From The Saviour Volume One: Paul Clark and others.