Bryan Duncan
“It’s all about redemption.” When veteran Christian music icon and pioneer Bryan Duncan begins to talk about his current CD, concert DVD, radio show and record label he sounds more like an ambitious teenager than a cliché-wagging publicist. Though many an artist has explored the subject of redemption before him, Duncan’s thoughts on the issue are more confessional than philosophical. Having personally traversed the dark roads of secret addictions, depression and self-doubt, even while his songs topped the Christian radio charts, his road to recovery has been all about personal, spiritual, and now artistic redemption. Some thirty plus years into his musical and spiritual journey, Duncan’s passion and vitality are burning brighter than ever.
There’s little subtlety to be found around Bryan Duncan. The enthusiasm with which he approaches the formation of his new record company, Red Road Records, and his new release Music City Live is obvious. Even the name of the label reflects his focus. “Red is short for ‘Redefined’ and ‘Redeemed,’” Duncan explains. “My entire career is being redefined and redeemed and I’m up for whatever that looks like.” With a musical return to his rhythm and blues roots and a lyrical commitment to honesty and introspection Duncan seems energized by a new approach to the music scene, and more committed than ever to avoid limiting his efforts to any one community. Along with his new band (dubbed the NehoSoul Band) Duncan is keeping audiences grooving from churches to clubs to recovery groups. “I’m not aiming at the big time or the little time. I’m going to be who I am, comfortable in my own skin. Presenting what I understand is the truth to the best of my ability.”
The freshness and focus is on full display throughout Duncan’s latest release Music City Live. With the air-tight accompaniment of the NehoSoul Band, and guest spots from luminaries like Fletch Wiley and Timothy Gaines, Duncan revisits his entire Gospel music career, from his days in the pioneering Jesus music ensemble, Sweet Comfort Band, to selections from his numerous hits in the Eighties and Nineties. Ironically, the Nashville concert captured for this release was never expected to be such an auspicious event. “It came together so easily,” Duncan remembers of the band assembled by his bassist and musical director Ricky B. Rogers. “It really felt like the hand of God was pushing it along. We had done a few shows over the past year and these guys just always seemed to click.” Fortunately the concert, held during Gospel Music Week 2004, was recorded and video taped. The magic of Duncan’s soulful voice and moving songs was in rare form. On his return to Nashville Duncan found a special purpose and place, possibly for the first time. “I went back to tip my hat to Gospel music. I’d been in Christian music for 30 years. Now I might not know what it is or where it’s going. I just know what I do and I was comfortable with that for the first time. I will not regret my past nor wish to shut the door on it, regardless of what I might look like in the future.”
Though the release of Music City Live is certainly the latest news from the Duncan camp, it is not the sole focus of this admittedly “ADD” artist. Having found so much encouragement on his personal road to recovery in music, Duncan created Radio Rehab, a weekly thirty-minute radio show featuring music and commentary designed to help others on their own roads. By mixing Christian and secular songs with sound advice and personal reflection, Radio Rehab is finding an increasingly enthusiastic audience through the Armed Forces Radio Network and the internet. Meanwhile Duncan continues to hone the tight rhythm and blues sound of the band as they play night clubs, churches and concert halls across the country. A batch of newly penned songs awaits recording and Bryan Duncan suddenly looks like one of the busiest independent musicians around.
Amidst the currently chaotic pace of touring, recording and producing, Duncan is enjoying a level of serenity that has evaded him throughout much of his life. “After 30 years in Christian music I can tell you that I haven’t gotten a single thing right,” Duncan laughs with his typically self-deprecating wit. “I found that I had all the answers before I had the questions and as a result I couldn’t work the problems. I know exactly who I am now. I’m nothing more than a monument to God’s grace.” |
