(taped 03/08/08 in Emmetsburg, MD)
BIO: An incredibly gifted composer and musician, Tom has written songs that are known throughout the country. He has collaborated with many popular Christian artists, including Kathy Troccoli, Rich Mullins and Amy Grant. Both his solo projects and his collaborations have garnered numerous Dove, Unity and Grammy awards and nominations. Tom has composed and performed songs for Mother Teresa and Pope John Paul II. Among those he counts as partners in ministry are LIFETEEN, The Franciscan University at Steubenville, the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry (NFCYM), and John Michael Talbot and the Brothers and Sisters of Charity. He has served as music director for the National Catholic Youth Conference (NCYC).
  QUOTE TO NOTE:  Songs are (not unlike) many catechisms. (For better or for worse) they carry with them their own theology, a sense of “who is God,” “who are we,” “what is prayer” We need to be more bold, more intentional. And not just kinda “sing songs”, but really have an intentionality, like in prayer . . . your intention is (to be) always Jesus Christ.
  OBSCURE FACTOID: Life of rock stars? Totally un-glamorous! Both Tom and Matt Maher and band arrived late the Friday night before the concert, spent the day offering workshops, did the concert, were leaving to some motel somewhere with a 3am “spring forward” daylight savings time induced departure the next morning before another performance Sunday evening.
  BEHIND THE SCENES: There is a half-minute segment that was edited out as Tom and I held a deep and lasting discussion about the merits of this spiritual aid.
  BLOG REFLECTION: can be read here for March 12.