Links...
Songs Inspired by 'The Passion of The Christ'
'The Passion of The Christ' - official movie site
Links...
Songs Inspired by 'The Passion of The Christ'
'The Passion of The Christ' - official movie site
MQ: What do you as being music's role in today's society?
LL: Music plays a huge role. Especially for young people. I remember when I was much younger and I listened to music constantly. It is a huge role and I think it is sad that a lot of huge artist - commercial artists - are not really aware of the influence they have on kids. They should stop shaking their booty and write better songs because it has a huge influence on kids. It should have a huge influence. I think that is why God gave us the arts to really reach people that would not necessarily go to Him directly. I think it can do that.
MQ: If you had one day of free time, could go anywhere you want to, had any budget you wanted to, what would you do?
LL: I think I'd put all of my favorite musical people together and we'd do a really big show. We'd film everything - shoot everything - them arriving all of that stuff. I'd probably do that.
MQ: Do you have any advice you would give to a struggling musician or songwriter?
LL: I think that it is a really good time now for anyone in the music business . I think now they can really follow their hearts because before there so many - and their still are - those middle guys who want to tell him who their market is and what they should be doing. Now is a really great time for music because they can follow their hearts and do what they feel they're meant to do. Its a growth pattern. Just follow your heart and be honest about it.
MQ: More of the traditional labels are opening up to religious music. What do you think about the more traditional labels giving religious music more publicity?
LL: I think its a fabulous thing. The more that happens the better. I think that people are getting sick and tired of the sort of nothing music. There's a void there for solid music to come in because there is so much rubbish. There is a real opening for that to come through. If you're smart and quick, take advantage of it.
MQ: Where do you find inspiration? Whether its choosing songs or producing?
LL: For me, with this project, seeing the movie several times. Each time when I would see it I would come away - there's nothing concrete you could say. I was watching the people across the cinemas last night on that miracle show [TBN - Miracles of the Passion]. People don't know what to say. I think you come out of the film and you can't explain what you feel. I try to go with music that is also like that. That really brings something out of you. I could put on something like that Bob Dylan song at various different points in my life and it would help me sort of try to come to terms with what I'm going through. You know, and Nick Cave [www.nickcave.com]. Nick Cave's lyrics are not obvious but they try to help you wrestle. I think all these artist are wrestling. I think I was wrestling everytime I saw the film so that made me be drawn to this type of music.
MQ: Have you have any interesting experiences from your involvement with the film?
LL: I think I have to say the whole record was like that for me. It was the sort of thing where you have all this music and you ask God what should I do here. I had to follow my own heart too and listen to things as well. Of course, Mel was involved. Every song came onto this record with a purpose. That was very, very special to me. There were so many wonderful moments. Having Jessie and Shooter together was special. It was the first time they had ever recorded anything together. That was such an amazing moment for them so that meant something to me. To be able to have Hank's granddaugher sing those lyrics on this record knowing how much he loved Christ - that meant so much to me that I could honor him. If Elvis Presley were alive, he'd be taking this movie along with Lisa Marie to the White House. You know he would. 
That meant a lot for me that he [Elvis] was represented on this record. I even called Tony Brown who is putting out the record with Universal South. I said to him, 'You knew Elvis. I know how much he'd want to be part of this movie and project. Let me know if this track is right because this is the one I'm feeling. I want you to tell me though would Elvis be happy. It was very important that every song mean something. It meant a lot that Waylon knew that Jessie and Shooter were involved in this project. Every song means something. Delores O'Riordan - for her to go into a church like that and sing that song was really special for her. Peoples' stories come back to me about how much that meant to them. And that's special to me.