Question and Answer with Jeremy Riddle
03-08-2007
by Brenten Gilbert

After making quite an impact with the single Sweetly Broken as part of a compilation CD, Jeremy Riddle has stepped out on his own and put together a full-length project of his own. Full Attention hit the shelves on 6 March of 2007 and is the debut release for Riddle and Varietal Records, an imprint of Vineyard USA.

CMCentral conducted the following email with Jeremy Riddle via email discussing the album, Jeremy's history in music and his "top friends" on MySpace.

CMCentral.com (brenten gilbert): How did you get started in music?

Jeremy Riddle: Well first off I grew up in a musical family. My dad was musical as well as my mom and I absorbed a lot of it through them. My dad taught me a bit of guitar, I took a few piano lessons, but it wasn’t until I was 12 that I began to learn chords and play worship songs. From there I just played a lot in my bedroom, kept learning new chords and new worship songs. Worship songs were the only songs I knew how to play or tried to learn. I began to actually lead worship in the local church when I was 13. Initially for a small group of youth, then a large adult home group when I was 15, continuing in H.S. and Junior High group and on into my young adult years.

At what point did you decide that you wanted to do music for a living?

Well, pretty much never. I have never decided to do music for a living. Music right up until now has been a small part of my life and time. There may come a season where that’s all I do, but right now I don’t see that being a very lengthy one. I’m fairly awful at predicting the future though. Not my gift.

How did you get involved with Vineyard Music?

I’ve been attending a Vineyard church since I was 14 years old, so somewhere along the way our paths crossed. I’d written a couple songs that our church had really grabbed hold of and they made it on our church cd that Vineyard music released called “Just Like Heaven” and the rest flowed from there.

Who would you consider to be your musical influences?

The main influencers would be Kevin Prosch, Delirious, Matt Redman, David Ruis, U2, etc… I wouldn’t say they are hugely influential to me now, but when I was just beginning to be formed, they were huge. I didn’t just listen to their music, I absorbed a part of who they were. There are others but those were the first to come to mind.

Your new album is called Full Attention. Where should our full attention be and why?

Your full attention should be on yourself and your needs at all times. Its worked so well for so many people. JUST KIDDING.

There are many ways to look at the Christian life. One of the biblical ways I see it being lived out is to simply see what the Father is doing and go about doing it. This is how Jesus walked. In John 5:19 Jesus states "I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does.” So the only way to walk as Jesus walked is to perceive what the Father is doing and do it. You’ll never be able to do that unless you give your Heavenly Father your full attention. That’s the heart of that song/prayer and the heart behind the album.

What prevents you from giving this your full attention?

The pattern in my life (and I in no way feel alone in this) is as follows: I get busy, then I get distracted, then I lose focus and attention on the things that really matter. There’s a phrase floating around that says “if the devil can’t make you bad, he’ll make you busy.” I think there is a lot of truth to that statement. In order to give something your full attention there needs to be a measure of simplicity in your life and schedule.

What should we expect from the album?

Great things, marvelous things!! Just kidding again… hopefully the music serves as a vehicle of connection between your heart and God’s.

What do you hope that listeners walk away with after listening to this album?

I want people to walk away with a deeper connection to the heart of God. I want the album to facilitate a meeting between God and His people.

What's the highlight of the album for you?

The fact that it’s done and out.J Pretty happy about that.

What's the significance of the cover art?

Not sure.  I didn’t personally create it.  I think it looks pretty cool, but that’s just me. I think there is some significance to it, I just can’t tell you what it is.

I know this is a terrible pun and I'm sure you've gotten this all your life, but... Describe the album in a riddle.

Wow… I’m actually horrible at riddles. How ironic eh? I think I need to pass. I’d only look really stupid.

We can find more about you on your MySpace - like, for instance that most of your "top friends" are deceased - anywhere else we can look for you online?

Yea I know. A lot of people wonder about my “top friends.” They are great men of the faith whose lives and writings I’ve come to admire (not to say that I totally agree with them on everything) and I figured I’d spotlight them. Most of the people that challenge and inspire me in my walk with the Lord are no longer living. Go figure. You can also find out a bit more about me at www.jeremyriddle.net

Find out more about Jeremy Riddle and Full Attention at JeremyRiddle.net or MySpace.com/JeremyRiddleOfficialMySpace

Preview Jeremy's album in the flash player below: