I recently had the pleasure of interviewing Mark & Shannon Hovland. Read on and enjoy it as much as I did...
1. How long have you guys known each other and how long have you been together in ministry & music? Also, How is it being married and being in ministry & music together?
Mark: Well, we've known each other for somewhere between 16 & 17 years now. We first met while we were performing in an Easter play together. We have been working in various areas of ministry together now for over 15 years, (mainly pastoring), and we have just recently returned to doing live worship services & concerts outside of the church. In regards to the marriage question, It is a blessing to be called to work together side-by-side with the world's greatest singer.
Shannon: (laughing) Yeah he's talking about when he looks in the mirror.
M: No…. when I'm talking about looking in the mirror, I would be talking about the world's coolest guy, not the world's greatest singer.
S: (laughs again) No, seriously, We've been Pastoring & leading worship together for about 15 or 16 years and married for 14 of them so it's all we've ever known and it's an incredible experience.
M: Yeah, all kidding aside, it's an awesome way to live. I couldn't imagine life any other way. It's simply the best.
2. What would you like the listener to gain or get out of listening to a Hovland CD?
M: First and foremost, I would like them to receive the absolute truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Clear, concise, and with no apologies. Secondary to that, I would hope it brings a spirit of life, strength, encouragement, peace and passion into the heart of every listener.
S: I believe the purpose behind this music is to motivate people to rise up and passionately pursue God's will for their life
3.Kind of a history question for you here. I was doing a search on the web for your name and some Queensryche info came up. Did you formerly have ties with some of the members of Queensryche? If so, how did this help shape your future in the Christian music business?
M: Yeah, I grew up as a teenager with Chris DeGarmo. We played in several bands together; one of them included Mark Welling from Bloodgood on drums. The last band we were in together included the original Queensryche line-up with me as the lead vocalist. I believe the band was called Crossfire. But that was a looooong time ago.
S: Yeah it was a looooong time ago… I was like 7 at the time. (laughs)
M: Yeah all right… quit mocking me… Let's move on, shall we.
4. Do any of the events going on in the world today such as the wars, politics, or any other subject matter come into play when you are writing your lyrics?
M: No, not really. I tend to write lyrics from the perspective of what is alive on the inside of me, (The kingdom of God), as opposed to what's going on around me. (The kingdom of this world). Although, "Little Bit Of Love" is definitely a commentary on the state of humanity.
S: With me, it depends on what type of song we're working on. From a ministry standpoint, I understand that there's an extremely chaotic world out there and that will sometimes influence the direction of my lyrics.
M: Basically, there's always going to be conflict, war, and other horrendous things going on in the world. The key is, bringing forth a message that will bring hope and victory to the people who have been affected and victimized by these atrocities.
5. Who were some of the musical heroes you had growing up who helped shape you into the musician you are today?
S: Some of my biggest musical heroes would be Beethoven, Bach and Mozart. I've enjoyed playing their music as long as I can remember. Mariah Carey was a vocal influence. I used to do my vocal workouts to her first couple of albums. My dad was a very dedicated musician and would drag me with him to practices whenever he had the chance. I remember fondly being lulled to sleep by the pounding of the drums every night. My mom influenced me by faithfully sending me to piano lessons for years. But most importantly, I wouldn't even be who I am today without witnessing first hand the kind of passion and dedication that comes from my husband. He's pulled more talent out of me than I ever knew I had.
M: aaawwww…. That was sweet, Honey. Well, embarrassingly enough, I would have to say the one thing that got the whole ball rolling for me was … Kiss: magnificent, wonderful, glorious Kiss. From the first time I saw them I was never the same. They were beyond the shadow of a doubt the biggest influence of my early musical days, along with Geddy Lee & Rush... I also have a ridiculous fondness for really bad "Bubblegum Pop". The sappier, the sugarier, the syrupier, the better. And I must admit that I have been a closet Partridge Family fan for decades now. As for today, there have been two awesome influences in my life. #1 Pastor Casey Treat, who if it wasn't for his faithful ministry, I wouldn't even be around to be a minister or a musician today and #2 My awesome wife who is simply just the most wonderful, talented, and inspiring musician & person I've ever had the pleasure of working with. (laughs) And I can say this even as I can picture her now, glaring at me through the studio window, as I tell her, "That take sucked, do it again."
S: (laughing) Ohhhh funny stuff…. Moving on...
6. How long have you been Christians? How would you describe the feeling knowing that you can help lead someone who's lost to the Loving hands of the Lord Jesus through your music and message?
S: I've been a Christian all my life; this is all I've ever known. I've tried to rebel a couple of times but it didn't work. The main feeling I get in leading someone to Jesus through music is a thankful heart; thankful that it ministered to somebody…
M: (Laughing)...Sorry, I'm still thinking about your rebel comment...Yeah, Shan as a rebel...Now that's funny...Anyway, I've been a Christian since a very young age, but didn't really start serving God seriously until about 19-20 years ago. As to the second half of the question, I guess the simplest way to say it is that it's indescribable. After years of ministering to people, there's nothing like looking into the face of someone whose life God has just changed. I'm just extremely thankful that God has called us to do this with our lives. It's an awesome honor and blessing.
7. Since Jesus is the driving influence behind your songs, do you find it hard to come with lyrics and music that will easily be consumed by today's generation?
S: No, not at all. There are so many dimensions to God that you would never run out of lyrics or music that would minister to all ages. Jesus is not a respecter of persons, His name alone will minister to every generation.
M: Wow, there's a whole sermon in this question. I'll try not to get to long winded…Never, Never, Never attempt to write or create anything for the sole purpose of being easily consumed by the general public. Always be true to your heart and to the Spirit of God in whatever it is you do. The death of the gospel is in trying to cater to the masses. Most things that are easily consumed usually fall into the category of junk food, and junk food pollutes the body and the mind. If we are bold in our beliefs we can get people to consume the truth, even when it doesn't go down easily, and then that "Truth" will change their lives forever. For example…We recently did an interview with a European secular rock magazine. The guy loved the cd. He just wished we were singing about other things. He would say "This cd is awesome, although they sing about God all the time", and "The vocals are world class, I just wish they weren't all about Jesus." He gave us a great review even though he had a hard time swallowing the "Truth" of the message. That is what this world needs, the message of Jesus being preached without compromise, or corporate manipulation. Again, Be true to your heart and make sure God is the one who can easily consume what you do. The Word says out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth will speak, so keep your heart filled with the word of God and you will have an unlimited resource of words and music straight from the Spirit of God.
8. This is the speak out portion of the interview. You can air your thoughts about anything you want. Let everyone know what's on your mind about any subject you like.
M: Simply put, it's time for Christians to Rise Up and take their rightful place on this planet. God gave the earth to us, His children and commanded us to "Rule, Reign, and Dominate". We need to stop following the world, imitating the world, getting kicked around by the world and settling for the world's second best.
S: Instead, we need to set a new standard for the world to follow.
M: Amen, sister! (spoken with southern accent, while waving a white hankerchief)...
S: yeah…. Okay. (trying not to laugh)
M: well... I'm just trying to sound spiritual ya know.
S: (laughs)
M: In all seriousness, God is awesome, we are His children through Christ Jesus, and we encourage everybody to passionately pursue all the wonderful things He has planned for those who love Him.
9. What Cd's do you and the band have in your Cd players right now?
S: Trans Siberian Orchestra (Beethoven's Last Night), anything classical.
M: I don't own any cd's at this time and rarely listen to music. Although I can tell you the last cd I did listen to from beginning to end was "Bob Dylan's Greatest Hits". And let me tell you, Bob was singin' great!
M&S: Thanks Wheat for your ministry…Keep up the good work.
