Whisker-A-NoGo

Here’s my Q/A with Steve Rapp!

Briefly introduce yourself, and the band.

Steve Rapp is a Christian Singer/Songwriter playing acoustic guitar and drums/percussion as main instruments. Starting his musical experience in 1967 in marching & concert bands at high school level developed the rudiments that has formulated his drumming style to this day. Shortly after receiving Jesus Christ into his life in 1972, Udorn Thailand, Steve began playing guitar and writing songs delivered by God the Father. Years later in Greenwood Indiana God brought together two guys for an innocent jam secession that lead to The Rapaputy Band’s first CD, ‘Isn’t it Time’. Touring around central Indiana playing Christian coffee houses and churches the band went into the studio once again to record their second CD ‘Let ME be the ONE’ released in 2009. A little over a year later TRB again went into the studio but with a little different twist. This latest CD ‘Willow Tree’ was recorded in Mustang Oklahoma signed on with TMG (Tate Music Group) yielding the bands’ third CD released in September 2011.

In no particular order, list your top ten inspirations, even if they’re not musical.

Joe English Band. (Former drummer Paul McCartney & Wings, Joe later became a Christian and toured with his band, ‘The Joe English Band’. Joe is singer/songwriter/drummer.

The Imperials

Russ Taff

Third Day

Ginger Baker of Cream

Chris Tomlin

What are your thoughts on the current status of the music industry?

Music is a media that talks to people during the show and through out their life time. Memories do that and good memories bring back good times of hope and living. The secular music industry and the Christian music industry are pretty much all about the almighty dollar. What can be made from an artist is first and foremost in the mind of the the label and producer. Music as a craft is honorable and satisfying however paying the bills is a hard thing to do without a side job to make ends meet. There is so much music out there today with very talented musicians and vocalist that it seems as if the bar is out of reach for ‘common folks’ who just want to be a blessing to God and His Church. Even if a person was to say ‘make it big’ that’s no guarantee of success. Now let’s define success. Success like beauty is in the eye of the beholder. But success like beauty is fleeting, a thing that disappears before your very eyes as seen from an illusionist’s show on stage. Enjoying the moment may be all there is and maybe that’s enough to call it success.

Are you signed to a label? What are your thoughts on that?

Yes, TMG Tate Music Group of Mustang Oklahoma. TMG is a media group who promote their artists in many ways. First, there is a charge for cutting a project with them but the product is both affordable and professional. The whole CD package is very much worth the experience. They offer so much more than just a CD. I’ve got a lot more thoughts, all good, about TMG but suffice it to say my experience was very good all things considered. Experience is just that and one man’s junk is another man’s treasure. Good, better, best Lord you know I’m blessed.

What would you hope people think about when they hear your music?

I hope they think about God and good. I want them to hear good lyrics with good music and find themselves ministered to by God. No one can touch someone like God can.

Have you ever bought an album for its cover? Which one?

I’ll say no because I’m more of a listener. Now the album cover may hit me as I look at it in the store then lead me to take a closer look but that is not my usual way of checking out an album. The graphics or pictures are more of a bonus for me. I do like to read the lyrics as I listen to the album. If I hand one of our CDs to someone the first thing, and the only thing, they have to respond to is the over all looks of the graphics and/or pictures. This again makes the whole package a discovery to the fan as they look at the project.

What’s one place/venue in the world you’ve always wanted to play?

Never thought about that, just want to be available to God to play wherever He leads. The place I want to play at is the place God opens the door to. Ministry is doing God’s will, lovingly sharing Christ, through the power of the Holy Spirit and leaving the results to God.

What’s your least favorite thing about being in a band?

The least favorite thing about being in a band has got to be loading & unloading gear for the show. There’s two entities about being in a band that require mentioning. The leader and the follower. I’ve been on both ends of the stick. Just because you are the leader doesn’t mean that all your ideas are good. Sometimes the best way to be is flexibly rigid. The flexible part is considering the thoughts of others while the rigid part is hearing from God and moving in the direction He is leading.

What’s your most favorite thing about being in a band?

Hearing the fans respond to your ministry of music. Hopefully the music has reached the ears of the listener at a level that doesn’t explode the ear drums and hits the listener past the eyes into the heart with a lyrical message causing them to wonder, react or believe the words that are sung.

In your opinion, what’s the best way for a band to make $ these days?

HARD WORK AND A KNOWLEDGE THAT HARD WORK ISN’T A TICKET TO SUCCESS. This is reality. I would say to make $$$ you have to spend money. Networking in conjunction with a good manager or agent should get a band places to play, Exposure’ is paramount. That comes with a price tag of time commitment and money to get there. Surround yourself with people who are willing to pay the price to master their craft and know that just because you have a great group of musician/vocalists nothing is forever, expect change.

Random question- Where’s the end of the road?

Don’t know, when I get there I’ll send you an email or registered letter so I can track it!!!

THINKING LONG AND HARD ENOUGH I KNOW I’M NOT IMMORTAL.

THIS LIFE I’M LIVING NOW JUST A PRE-CURSER PORTAL.

SO LOOKING ON DOWN THE ROAD, IS THERE A MESSAGE I CAN SEND?

DON’T JUST LOOK AT THE ROAD AHEAD, LOOK AROUND THE BEND.

@whiskeranogo