In the States Mike Rimmer met a brilliant songsmith called FRED HARING and insists Cross Rhythms readers need to take notice.

Fred Haring

It's one of those strange things. Have you ever heard a word for the first time and learnt its meaning? Next thing you know, you see that word everywhere. I've been having that experience with a person. Driving to the Gospel Music week in the spring of 2000, the friend driving me asks whether I have come across a singer called Fred Haring. She is thinking of managing him. She is so enthusiastic about his music that later in the throng of record company people, management, promoters, broadcasters, journos, Christian music industry journeymen and artists who gather together to press the flesh, promote their wares and do business, I pray that God will bring Fred across my path.

A few days later, I am interviewing singer/songwriter Eli. It's not unusual that there are a few people hanging around while we're chatting. Afterwards, Eli wants to introduce me to his friend who's been sitting quietly in the corner. That friend is Fred Haring. He's shocked that I've even heard of him. I'm shocked at the way God answered my prayer!

Last issue you got the chance to get to know him too, when you checked out "Work In Progress" from his excellent second album 'This Grand Parade'. That album was given a 10 square rating back in the August/September issue because it's perfectly formed, intelligent, rootsy rock'n'roll with undertones of faith and plenty of human experience combining to make some insightful songwriting. It's timeless music and Haring is an artist worthy of investigation.

A few days after we meet, we rendezvous for a chat at my hotel room in Nashville. He is modest in trying to describe what he does. "I often tell people, I'm just a guy with a guitar and some songs...trying to be as honest as I can about life and God.' That's about as deep as it goes. I definitely think there's a ministry aspect to what I do and other Christian musicians as well. But, don't be fooled, it's still a business and it needs to be treated as such. Basically, if we don't get paid we don't eat...so, the business aspect creeps in. I think pure ministry, for example, is working with the people in my home church. None of us get paid and don't expect cash for what we do. There's no business to it at all...just pure service. I view what I do musically as part ministry and part job."

Working as an independent in America is not an easy job but it seems as though The Columbus, Ohio singer/songwriter's talents and up front friendly personality are working their charms. A recent trip across America as the opening act for a package which included Smalltown Poets, The Waiting and Jeni Varnadeau, put him in front of a new audience' on the Christian scene. Fred reflects on the journey' so far, "It has been a lot of things...exciting, fun, disappointing, fruitful, disastrous, fulfilling. I know there are some contradictory emotions in the last sentence...but that's honestly what has happened. In general, I feel privileged to have been given so much. I've been allowed to put out two CDs and strap a guitar on my back with the hopes of challenging and encouraging people. But, there certainly have been frustrations along the way. I think everybody has them in whatever profession/ ministry they choose. It's a fallen world and certainly nothing is perfect. So, I try to enjoy the 'rays of light' that God has given me. I told someone the other day, 'If today was the last day I could play music...I would have no regrets. I've been given a wonderful opportunity to live a dream for a few years.'"

Fred has very positive memories of recording the album. "It was a very pleasurable experience," he recalls. "Dan Baird, our producer, really helped me to focus. He taught me how to sing better and emotionally deliver the lyrics, something I knew nothing about. The whole recording process only took three weeks. Pretty short compared to most records."

Just for fun, I tease Fred and give him the opportunity to hard sell the album. He responds passionately, "The one comment I consistently hear from radio people and fans is, 'Your music is really different from most Christian music. The instrumentation is really classy and the songs are so honest...reminiscent of Rich Mullins.' Being compared to Rich Mullins is something that happens a lot and I take it as a high compliment. I think there's something for everyone on this album...challenging songs, encouraging songs, depressing songs, serious songs and funny songs. All of them are shrouded with real instrumentation like acoustic/electric guitars, violin and mandolin. No electronica or drum loops. It's very rootsy, which is a forgotten art in Christian music. It seems like electronic/hard rock is the taste du jour in Christian music. So, if you like the Stones, The Beatles, Bob Dylan, Rich Mullins and Caedmon's Call...you'll like this record."

I won't argue with that and Haring is to be commended for managing to deliver such a strong album - while working as an independent. "Independence has its advantages," he confesses. "You can choose your own music without having a record label telling you what to write and record. But, the disadvantages are that you don't have a team of people at a label to help get your music heard. A lot of DJs in Christian radio won't play anything that's not affiliated with one of the big Christian labels. That can be frustrating. But as Oswald Chambers used to say, 'Let God engineer!'"

And God has been doing quite a job engineering Fred's promotion since he's managed a feat that has eluded some of the big-boy backed Christian bands, BBC airplay. Recently if you've been an attentive listener of the Bob Harris show on Radio 2, you will have heard Haring's music as songs from 'This Grand Parade' have made it onto the esteemed Whispering Bob's play-list. An honour indeed, but how has that happened? Haring shares, "Bob Harris got the CD through our European label Blue Rose Records. He played three cuts from the album, three weeks in a row on his show. That was a total gift from God...we did nothing to make that happen. I just got a call from an English friend of mine and he said, 'Did you know Bob Harris is playing your record?' Pretty exciting! We're distributed through Zomba over in Europe and then via Shell Shocked in the UK. Shell Shocked sent it to Bob Harris. It's available in most CD stores in the UK."

If only all of life was that simple! So does that mean we're going to see him in the UK soon? "Hopefully in 2001. We'd like to play Greenbelt and then do a tour after that. It looks like we may be going to Germany early in the year. The record is doing well over there...much like David Hasselhoff..." Haring pauses for comic effect and then with perfect timing adds, "...oh no!"