A Different Path

Carman Licciardello left this world this week at the bequest of his Father. He was a unique talent in an industry full of cookie-cutters and pretenders. You may know him as the Christian musician, "Carman". His style was unapologetically pro-Jesus and he never deviated from this path. He sold thousands of records, holds the record for the most concert attenders for a Christian concert, (over 71,000 in Texas) and was doing music videos before MTV became a reality in the 80's. 

But I remember him for a far different reason. In the 80's and 90's he toured Chattanooga on a regular basis and you could count on two things at a Carman concert, one, it would be free, and two, there would be a clear presentation of the gospel of Jesus Christ. 

I honestly can't remember how many people I invited and then accompanied to his free concerts. His style of music was varied, his use of technology was ground-breaking, but the greatest part was that each concert culminated with a clear gateway to the gospel. It always amazes me how music can soften the hardest heart and his simple lyrics and engaging style set the table for many to hear and believe. Later on I helped support his ministry because I believed that he had the right approach to winning souls using his gift of music. But mostly I felt called to support him because he was the only artist I knew that toured the country and didn't charge admission to any of his concerts. I'll bet you can count on one hand the people you've met or experienced in this life who were totally sold out for the Kingdom of God. My list is small as well but one of those people was Carman. 

When I was in my twenties, I remember engaging in a long-running debate with a friend of mine about the meaning of success. We were actually pretty similar in our beliefs in that our end-games remained fixed on material wealth, status, freedom, and power being the benchmarks to a successful life. Our disagreements were about what was allowable in achieving these tenants of what we believed made up a successful life. But then a couple of years removed from this exercise I attended a Carman concert and it shook up all my pre-disposed theories about my position on this subject. Here is this guy giving away his talent, his product, his main income source, night-after-night, for what purpose? No one in the music business would argue that this was a strategy to build wealth but each year Carman would tour the country and each year his concerts were free to all who wanted to attend. 

His example of obedience will far outlive his music and I pray that the seeds of his efforts will result in hundreds of thousands of believers enjoying heaven in the world to come. Just like he is enjoying the fruits of his labors right now, in the presence of Jesus.