The name Aaron Neville is often associated with the Neville Brothers, but the soulful crooner has also made strides as a solo artist. From his relatively obscure beginnings in the late 1960s through a string of smashes in the '90s, the New Orleans treasure has defied boundaries and broken down barriers. He's crossed over into pop for numerous duets with Linda Ronstadt, and into country when teaming with Trisha Yearwood and covering George Jones. This man of mighty faith has also returned to his gospel roots, releasing several recent inspirational albums, including the brand new Christmas Prayer. In a phone interview, Neville shared stories from his vast history, discussed the holiday release and talked about the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

How did you know it was the right time to release another Christmas album?

Aaron Neville: I think the record company wanted me to do one. It's been about 12 years since the first one and that one was still selling. But now it's finally time to do another one.

How did you find the balance between traditional songs, contemporary covers and originals?

Neville: It's a combination. I picked some, the record company threw some in and "Christmas Prayer" was written for me to sing. I co-wrote one called "Christmas Everyday" and I felt it was time to do "White Christmas" the way the Drifters did it a long time ago. I can sing it, so that was cool.

What brought you together with the Blind Boys of Alabama for "Joy to the World"?

Neville: We played a few gigs together over the years. They opened for us—for the Nevilles—and we got to know them. We were talking about the Christmas project and they were in New Orleans, so we had them come over and record a Christmas song.

What inspired your interpretation of "Amazing Grace" for the bonus track?

Neville: We've been using it with a lot of the Katrina benefits. People ask where they can find it, so we decided to put it on this Christmas album as a bonus.

Why have you chosen the American Red Cross as the hurricane relief charity for a portion of the disc's proceeds?

Neville: Well I wanted to do something to give back. I've been doing a lot of benefits, and this is going to be a long process because we have so many people who need help. There are so many displaced homes and lives, and I don't think they're getting what they need from the government, so we're trying to donate stuff to help them.

What has it been like seeing the recovery efforts on the front lines?

Neville: I wasn't down there. I was away doing benefits in other places, and I haven't been back since the storm.

Based on family and friends you've talked to, how do you gauge the city's rebuilding status?

Neville: There's still a lot that must be done and it's going to be a long time before you can even think about it being New Orleans. They kind of gutted it out—the soul and heart of New Orleans—and there's a lot of people who don't have anywhere to come back to. They're spread all over the country, so I don't really know what they're going to be doing to populate New Orleans.

How has your faith come into play in the wake of this devastating storm?

Neville: My faith is strong and God is looking out for me. I pray for the other people that have gone through hardships and loss. I guess we need to accept what has happened and look forward to the future. What's happened has happened and there ain't nothing you can try to do but to make it right for the future.

How has your platform as an artist helped inspire those who are suffering?

Neville: My [platform] is through song. People write letters and say my music and words helped them through adversities. Every once in a while I'll cross paths with people from New Orleans and we'll feel a kin. Even if I don't know them, we feel a kin because we've lost our childhood, where we grew up and everything. I try to give them words of encouragement and try to just move on. Wherever you are, that's where your home is now.

Let's switch gears and talk about the most recent Neville Brothers' project Walkin' in the Shadow of Life from last year.

Neville: We're all singing and all taking parts, so it's still the Neville Brothers. We've included a lot of our sons and there's a lot of young blood on the record. It's a family affair.

What are the biggest benefits of being such a tight knit group who also happened to be related?

Neville: We help each other, keep each other alive, keep each other young and keep each other smiling. We can be on the stage and I can look over at one of my brothers and see one of our ancestors that's not here anymore, and they can do the same thing. We were little boys together, we were teenagers together, we grew up and hung out together. And now we're men and we're still hanging out and doing what we like to do.

How are you able to maintain your commitments to your band while also having a successful solo career?

Neville: Well, I never went away from the Nevilles, we've just incorporated it together. There have been new fans I've met who've become Neville Brothers fans. When I had a country song out, people that liked country music were coming to see us as a group. It was cool.

How are you able to convincingly interpret so many genres?

Neville: All that music is in me from over the years. When I was a kid, I sat on my grandmother's lap and listened to the gospel station, so I had that embedded in me. And then I liked the jazz stuff through my mom and dad. And my brother Art would turn me on to doo-wop, funk and be-bop.

Will we see you continuing in a gospel direction on your future solo releases?

Neville: Most definitely! I got a lot of songs in my heart I didn't get the chance to do on the last two albums. I was raised Catholic, but my father's people were Methodist so I went to both churches. From the Catholic church I've got "Ave Maria," and from the Methodist church I heard "Jesus Loves Me" and "What a Friend We Have in Jesus." I want to do "How Great Thou Art" and other stuff that's touched me.

How do you keep your voice so incredibly smooth and purely preserved?

Neville: I do a lot of praying and try to preserve it. I don't go out and drink and smoke. I talk as little as possible, I save it and I get plenty of rest and water.

What are your recollections of collaborating with Linda Ronstadt and Trisha Yearwood?

Neville: Both of them are great. They are both great people and great singers. I think we all complemented each other and it was a labor of love.

Can fans expect any future tag teams with anyone?

Neville: I'm still trying to hook up with Linda and do three more songs with her so we have enough to do a duets album. [It could have] songs we've done over the years—ones she's done on my albums and ones I've done on her albums. We've got to get in the studio to do it and I'm not sure when it's coming out. We're still trying to hook it up.

What is your goal in reaching future generations with your music?

Neville: I guess the goal is to be able to be in position to help my kids and other youngsters that I see trying to get somewhere where they can't. I'd like to be a catalyst for somebody to follow their dreams.

Learn more about Aaron Neville at www.aaronneville.com, where you'll find more about his latest efforts to help the people of New Orleans. Our review of Christmas Prayer can be found by clicking here. Visit Christianbook.com to listen to sound clips and buy the legendary singer's faith-based albums.

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

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