Mark Harris (left) and Andy Chrisman = ½ of 4Him (= 2Him?)

When a group has been together for a long time, it's only natural for members to itch for their own identity. Sometimes that means taking a breather for a solo project, which allows creative freedom not previously available in a collective setting. And even though all is well within the 4Him camp, that's exactly what each individual vocalist is going through. As a group for 15 years, they're known for hits like "For Future Generations," "Where There Is Faith," "The Message" and "Measure of a Man," but nowadays, each member is developing his own material. Andy Chrisman was the first to step up to the plate, releasing One (Shelter Records) last winter, followed by Mark Harris with The Line Between the Two (INO) in June. In their first ever tag team interview after the separate sessions, Chrisman and Harris give the skinny on their solo sidesteps, what they think of each other's efforts, and 4Him's future.

Who first came up with the idea of doing solo projects?

Andy Chrisman: I was probably the first to vocalize it about six years ago. I think I was ready, but I didn't quite want to jump off the boat and do it. But I think it was inevitable for all of us. We have four distinct solo voices, and I guess I was the first to kind of test the waters.

Mark Harris: Anytime you're in a group dynamic, and I hate to use the word, but there is a compromise between all involved. Each and every person cannot express fully what they want to do with a group album and the only way to do that is through solo projects.

How was that process liberating for both of you?

Chrisman: There was no compromise in what has to be said, which I would experience with the three other filters in 4Him. For me the most liberating thing was getting in the studio and seeing who I was on my own. I've been in groups since I was 20 years old and I was curious to find out how it would end up. The first couple dozen shows were pretty lonely at first, but this is actually turning out to be a lot of fun.

How is your album different than something 4Him would release?

Harris: More than musically, I can lyrically say things differently than what would be corporately said—for instance, a song having to do with my kids, which is much more appropriate in this [solo] setting. I'd also say there are less harmonies when it's just me, and I think some of the choruses have a lot less background accompaniment.

Andy, what are your initial impressions of Mark's project?

Chrisman: It wasn't what I expected and I liked that. I guess I didn't know what to expect, but all I've known is what Mark's written for 4Him. I was very surprised in a good way that he's gotten real personal. I've heard his heart more on this than I have on any other project.

Mark, what about your take on Andy's album?

Harris: I've never heard Andy write before and I was thrilled for him because it sounded awesome. I've always known he has a great voice and knew it would be sonically great, but I'm proud for him because I think as a songwriter he rose to the challenge.

How do each of you see each other within the scope of 4Him?

Chrisman: My opinion is Mark is the driving force behind 4Him because he creates the basis of the songs. We may take them and add harmonies or our own vocal stylings, but when it comes to the lyrics—the big hooks, the direction of where it goes musically—that's Mark. I think I could've probably gotten away with a couple of good songs and the rest sub-par, but I didn't want that. People know me for the voice, not the songwriting, but if I write songs that are actually good, then that's a bonus.

Harris: I actually disagree, Andy. I'm not the driving force. It's four of us driving it. I'm getting more credit than think I deserve. In the studio we're all working hard and there are so many creative forces there. Andy knows all of us are sitting there working hard and arranging the vocals.

How do you think this break will translate to the future of 4Him's creativity?

Harris: I think creatively it will allow us to get a fresh start. For me, one of the things that seemed a little daunting was to write another 4Him album and shoot to make it different than before. I felt like 4Him needed a break, not because the last album was stale—I felt like Visible was one of the best—but because I think I'm labeled as a guy who writes one kind of way. If you want recognizable voices, that's Andy, especially with our first huge single, "Where There Is Faith." In fact, Andy came to me about six years ago saying it may be his time to leave, and I said, "No, you can't leave."

Was there actual talk of you guys breaking up?

Chrisman: Well, you get to a point in any group where you get kind of tired and you wonder, "What's left to do that we haven't done?" If we keep going, can we find new ground, stretch out and spread out? It's no secret, we get together each year and discuss who we are and where we are going, sort of like a healthy marriage or church staff. What do we hope to accomplish? Are we still viable? If anything comes back as negative, we have to take a hard look and maybe need to shift gears.

Harris: Life is too short to be simply surviving something. You want to be the best you can be. 4Him's life span may be near the end, or it might be in the middle and God could give it a second wind that carries another 10 or 15 years. When Andy walked in six years ago and shared these thoughts, it caused us all to say, "Yeah, there's more." The fact that we're all individually planted is great, but we can't ever lose our identity with the fact that we came from 4Him. Even with these solo albums just out, we're still proud of the heritage we have in 4Him.

Check out our artist pages for Mark Harris and Andy Chrisman to learn more about them, as well as our page for 4Him. You can also look up our reviews of The Line Between the Two and One. Visit Christianbook.com to listen to sound clips and buy the music.

© Andy Argyrakis, subject to licensing agreement with Christianity Today International. All rights reserved. Click for reprint information.

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