The Maestro

by T. Davis Bunn

  Clearly he was speaking what we had all sensed. It was one thing to feel it and dance around it and be excited without really voicing the reason. It was another thing entirely to have the fact laid out cold.

  “Gotta look deep here and now,” Jake went on. “Gotta decide while there’s still time. Who are we doin’ this for? Are we gettin’ excited over some little bits of film because it makes us look good, or because it gives the Father a clearer voice for somebody in need? Who are we shoutin’ for? Us or Him?”

  He reached in his back pocket, came out with his tattered Bible, started turning pages. “Something came to me while I was watchin’ that second video and seein’ the world open up in front of me. Yeah, here it is. First Timothy, chapter six, verses seventeen through nineteen.” He paused and flashed a glance at us, then read:

  Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.

  I looked around the room, saw heads nodding in thoughtful agreement. Amy walked over toward Jake; he flinched as though expecting a blow. Instead she put her arm around his waist, held him close.

  “Don’t want to spoil anybody’s good time,” he murmured. “Just felt like it was something that needed sayin’.”

  “You know what you are?” she asked him softly. “You’re our mirror.”

  “Just wanted to make sure we were bein’ happy for the right reason,” he said to the floor.

  She hugged him tighter. “Where would we be without our Daddy Jake?”

  A knock sounded at the door. Siebren stuck his head in and smiled. “Five minutes to showtime.”

  When the door closed again, Jake looked up. “Had something I was holdin’ for later, but maybe I oughtta say it now. Talked to Youth With A Mission out of Amsterdam the other day. They’re leadin’ a music mission to Poland and Russia in two months. Wanted to know if we’d come along. Can’t pay enough to cover our expenses, but it sounded like a pretty good deal. We’d be hittin’ nine cities in Russia, Krakow and Warsaw in Poland, on the road four solid weeks. Lotta of risks involved. Pilfered equipment, problems with the authorities, bad food, gettin’ harassed for preachin’ the Word. The gospel ain’t been freed up by Glasnost, least not yet, far as I can tell. Didn’t feel like this was a decision I could make. Wanted to lay it on the table, ask everybody to take it to the Father in prayer.”

  I looked around the room, studied the faces, saw that the others had already made up their minds too. I wondered how it was possible for my heart to hold so much.

  Jake stood, slipped from Amy’s grasp, and headed for the door. He walked down the hall, a solitary figure ahead of us all. I hurried to catch up, fell in one pace behind him. The closer we came to the backstage doors, the louder the clamor became.

  Siebren scrambled down the stairs; his face lit up in relief as he saw us. “I was just coming to get you. They’re ready for you to go on.”

  Jake nodded and walked by him, wrapped in his isolation. I stayed as close to him as I could. We passed through the doors and past the clapping roadies and smiling cameramen and out onto the stage. The audience roared as the spotlight caught us. I watched Jake reach for his guitar, his gaze on the floor at his feet. My own fingers fumbled with my strap as I hastened to be ready. I slid the guitar up and over so that it hung down behind me, and as he started forward I fell into step beside him.

  The spotlight caught the surprise as he looked down at me. I met his gaze, waited. Suddenly a grin spread over his hard-carved features, and a heavy hand landed on my back.

  “Let’s do it,” he shouted.

  “Ready when you are,” I said, reaching up to grab his shoulder.

  Together we walked forward and raised our free hands clenched in fists, forefingers outstretched toward the sky. With the audience roaring back at us, we called out the words:

  “Praise the Lord!”

  Acknowledgments

  My beloved wife, Izia, has given up her career as an international corporate lawyer to assist me with both the writing and our mission work. Besides her extremely valuable research and all of the commercial details she has freed me from, Izia has strived to create an island of calm in our home. She succors and supports me, granting me both the time and energy with which to carry on this work. “But what we sought most of all from each other was the company of someone who believed this dream could become real.”

  It has been a continued blessing to have this opportunity to write about Contemporary Christian Music. During my own growth in faith, this music has been an instrument whereby the Holy Spirit has ministered to me and through me constantly. I would like to thank all the many artists whose work has remained such a tremendous source of joy and inspiration to me, and to so many others. Should they have the opportunity to read this book, I hope they will find similar joy and inspiration.

  Research for each of my books has introduced me to a number of important contacts who have proved to be absolutely crucial. One of these for The Maestro was Chaz Corzine, manager to such artists as Michael W. Smith and First Call, and a partner in Blanton-Harrell, Inc. His willingness to assist me in the initial stages of my research was invaluable.

  One of the real pleasures of writing is the opportunity to meet other brothers and sisters in the Lord, and to learn from their own walks in faith. Among the new friends I made while working on The Maestro are Marty and Vicky McCall, Bonnie and Dan Keen, and Paul and Marybeth Salveson. Marty, Bonnie and Marybeth make up First Call. Paul manages the First Call road work, and mixes for Margaret Becker when he has time. He is also a partner in one of Nashville’s up-and-coming studios. Dan Keen is Manager of Writer Relations for a major song publishing company. Vicky McCall is an extremely talented artist. All of them are truly wonderful people, who shared their experiences and gave unstintingly of their time.

  Zack Glickman, Russ Taff’s manager, took time from what clearly was a typically frantic day to grant me a three-hour phone interview. His directives were extremely helpful in obtaining an overview of the Christian music industry.

  The well-known Christian musician and songwriter, Bruce Carroll, is in truth a lay minister who sings his message with enormous power and talent. I learned a tremendous amount from him, both to apply in this book and to my life. It has been a real pleasure getting to know him.

  The singer Jon Gibson was a great help, as was his associate Ramiz Yousef. The only problem I had with either was getting them to slow down enough to let me keep up. They juggle ideas and projects at dizzying speed. After trying to match Jon’s pace for eleven hours, I collapsed from exhaustion. Anyhow, thanks a lot, guys. You are very special.

  Larry Norman, one of the original artists of what is now called Contemporary Christian Music, let me tag along for a day of concerts and interviews, then gave up his only free morning before flying to Russia for a concert tour in order to talk about the roots of gospel rock. He was both a great source of information and a great personal inspiration.

  As I mentioned in the book, Albino Montisci is an extremely talented Italian Christian artist, and a new-found friend. He gave generously of his time during a Holland tour, and hosted me in Turin when I went down to research that portion of the book. I highly recommend his music, which comes with an English translation of his powerful lyrics.

  Domenico Manolio, Denny Hurst, and Beatrice Custer of the Italian Christian Media Company deserve special thanks. When I wanted to see if I could develop Gianni’s growth in faith during his return to Italy, they were there to assist me. They introduced me both to their work and to their affiliation with the growing network of evangelical churches in Italy.

  Luca Genta, Marco Genta, and Emanuelle Saladi
no both tour with Albino and are recording artists in their own rights. I would like to offer a special note of thanks for the time and assistance which they gave me during my research.

  Charlotte Hoglund is a rising star in the European Christian music circuit. I would like to thank her and her pianist, Robert Wirensj, for being so willing to help in developing a correct perspective on the European Christian music scene.

  Stefan Ingman is both a friend and director of the Klangwerkstadt, which translates literally as “The Noise Factory.” It is one of northern Germany’s finest recording studios, and was used as the model for this book.

  Sameh Mina and Martin Doepke are studio musicians with Germany’s WDR 2 television station, as well as recording artists, and very close friends. They, along with Stefan Ingman, patiently put up with almost a year’s worth of questions while I worked on this book.

  Chaplain George Duncan and Chaplain Richard Hartwell, both ministering to the soldiers at Ramstein Air Base, were of great assistance in obtaining a solid understanding of a military chaplain’s responsibilities.

  As was described in the book, Gerrit Aan’t Goor is Managing Director of both Spark Music and Crossbow Productions. He and his assistant, Leida Glass, went out of their way to assist me in making necessary contacts within the European Christian music industry. I can only hope that they will appreciate the book, and find that I have given a correct view of their work and their ministry.

  Siebren Rijpma is the Executive Producer of a Dutch contemporary Christian music program called Gospel Holland. They have an estimated viewing audience of over half a million. Despite his extremely busy schedule, Siebren took time on a number of occasions to let me pester him with questions. I would like to compliment both him and his working crew—including the lighting and camera operators—for the wonderful sense of living faith with which they enter their work.

  Bert Van Leeuwen was the announcer of the first Gospel Holland concert that I attended. He is a well-known television personality in Holland, and yet carries his faith with him in a clear effort to use his profession as a means of evangelism.

  Evert ten Ham is both producer and announcer for several radio and television programs on Contemporary Christian Music in Europe. I would like to thank him and his wife Jolanda for giving me considerable assistance in structuring this book.

  Eike Martens, Dave and Becky Durham, and Karen Lafferty are all members of Youth With A Mission’s music outreach. Eike and Karen are based in Amsterdam, and Dave and Becky now work out of Lausanne, Switzerland. It was a great personal pleasure to have the chance to work with them. I would also like to commend both their work and the spirit with which they confront the needs of a world needing Christ.

  Eddie Huff is both a Director of Youth With A Mission in Germany and one of Europe’s finest Christian concert promoters. Eddie and his wife Vickie have become friends through the work on this book, and I remain very grateful for their kind assistance.

  Tom and Ann Bourke work with the Navigators in Great Britain. Tom was willing to share with me a number of sensitive and personal experiences from his life prior to accepting Christ. This open-hearted honesty assisted greatly in drawing true-to-life characters, an essential component of an enjoyable novel.

  Tom and Ann Perkins are also with the Navigators, ministering to men and women on several military bases around Kaiserslautern in Germany. Tom hosted me on a visit to the base, and allowed me to share in some wonderful times of Bible study and testimony with his family in Christ.

  André Pouwer is in actuality one of Europe’s premier producers of Christian music. He mixes both for television and records, and was kind enough to grant me time on several occasions. As with many of the other people with whom I worked on this book, I found our time together to be of great personal benefit, as well as of assistance in developing the authenticity of the story.

  Reverend Bill DeLay and his wife Cathy are indeed the leaders of the International Baptist Church of Dusseldorf, which Izia and I attend. I would like to thank them and the congregation for their support and Christian love. Many of the messages on salvation and prayer presented in this book are taken directly from Bill’s sermons. I would like to also thank the Father for having led us to such a wonderful, Christ-filled spiritual home.

  Reuben Blackwell, Vice President of the Raleigh Chamber of Commerce, is both a fine friend and a sensitive writer. Reuben has kindly assisted in the structuring of Jake’s dialogue, in the hopes of making the man live in the minds and hearts of readers.

  The village of Torno and the region of Lago di Como was introduced to me by Connie and Danilo Valente, two very dear friends who have opened their hearts and home to me for many years. I fell in love with this region fifteen years ago when they lived on the top floor of an ancient villa on the outskirts of Torno. I hope when they read this novel they will find that I have captured some of the flavor this region and its people possess.

  My family has been of tremendous support during this long struggle. Despite the difficulty that some of them had in understanding why a successful businessman would give so much of himself year after year to what he felt was a call to serve through writing, they nonetheless continued their prayerful support and love. For this I am very, very grateful.

  I would like to offer a special thanks to all of the family at Bethany House Publishers. They have gone out of their way to make Izia and me feel a part of their fellowship. We are truly blessed to have this chance to work with such a Spirit-filled publishing house. Special thanks must go to Carol Johnson, Editor in Chief, and Gary Johnson, Publisher, who have given freely of their most limited asset—time—and done so with the warmth and concern of true friends. Thanks also to Jeanne Mikkelson, Publicity Director, who works so hard to overcome the distance that separates us.

  Reverend David Horner and Associate Pastor Mike Sparks of the Providence Baptist Church in Raleigh have been most helpful both with biblical guidance and encouragement. They are both firmly rooted in the Scriptures, and deeply love the Lord. Anyone who has questions related to his own spiritual growth (Paul McCommon, suggested as a spiritual counselor in the acknowledgment pages of The Presence, has recently accepted a position as missionary to Panama) should feel free to write them c/o Bethany House Publishers, 11400 Hampshire Avenue South, Bloomington, Minnesota 55438.

  DAVIS BUNN, a professional novelist for over twenty years, is the author of numerous national bestsellers with sales totaling more than six million copies. His work has been published in sixteen languages, and his critical acclaim includes three Christy Awards for excellence in fiction. Formerly an international business executive working in Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, Bunn is now a lecturer in creative writing and Writer in Residence at Regent’s Park College, Oxford University. He and his wife, Isabella, divide their time between the English countryside and the coast of Florida.

  Books by Davis Bunn

  The Book of Hours

  The Great Divide

  Winner Take All

  The Lazarus Trap

  Elixir

  Imposter

  Lion of Babylon

  All Through the Night

  My Soul to Keep

  Rare Earth

  ACTS OF FAITH*

  The Centurion’s Wife • The Hidden Flame

  The Damascus Way

  SONG OF ACADIA*

  The Meeting Place • The Sacred Shore

  The Birthright • The Distant Beacon

  The Beloved Land

  HEIRS OF ACADIA†

  The Solitary Envoy • The Innocent Libertine

  The Noble Fugitive • The Night Angel

  Falconer’s Quest

  *with Janette Oke †with Isabella Bunn

  Notes

  [1]. “Lies Upon Lies,” from Bryan Duncan’s album STRONG MEDICINE on Myrrh Records. Written by Bryan Duncan © 1989, Fanatic Music/Panda Paws Music. Used by permission.

  [2]. “It Was Love,” by Russ Taff, James Hollihan Music/Tori Taff Mus
ic/Darrell Brown Music/Geffen Music/ASCAP/Tall Girl Music (administered by Bug Music) BMI.

  [3]. Colpand, What To Listen For In Music, McGraw-Hill, Inc., 1968. Permission of McGraw-Hill.

  [4]. Ibid.

  [5]. Ibid.

  [6]. Ibid.

  [7]. Ibid.

  [8]. David Mullen, “Fallen World,” copyright © 1989, Word Music/ASCAP.

  [9]. Mark Farner, “Judgment Day Blues,” from the album “Just Another Injustice,” copyright © 1988 Righteous Rock (BMI).

  [10]. Vickie Winans, “You Turn Me,” from the album “Be Encouraged,” copyright © Lexicon Music Inc.

  [11]. “The Christian Musician Must Be,” adapted from an article by Glenn Kaiser of the Rez Band as published in Cornerstone (Jesus People U.S.A.).

  [12]. Albino Montisci, “Verso Di Te,” from the album “Voci di Liberata”; copyright © 1989 by Italian Christian Media SLR.

  [13]. “Holy, Holy,” by Michael W. Smith, Deborah D. Smith, Brown Bannister & Debbie Bannister. Copyright © 1984 Meadowgreen Music Co./ Edward Grant, Inc. Meadowgreen adm. by Meadowgreen Group-54 Music Sq. E., Suite 305, Nashville, TN 37203. International copyright secured. All rights reserved. Used by permission.