Culture

Catching Up With … Phil Keaggy

Inspired by family and friends, Phil Keaggy talks about his first vocal holiday recording, Welcome Inn, an acoustic musical treat recorded entirely at home.

Christianity Today December 8, 2009

It’s been ten years since your last holiday recording. What inspired you to record Welcome Inn?

Phil Keaggy: My friends and family said,”Phil, it’s time for you to make another Christmas album.” I always wanted to do a vocal Christmas album with mostly original songs.

Buy This CD

Having produced and recorded it all yourself, is this record more personal than past efforts?

Keaggy: Most everything I do in my home studio is very personal because it’s a quiet atmosphere, so it makes everything sound a bit intimate. Most of my home recordings tend to be more acoustical, though I also do electric guitar, mainly for others’ sessions.

This record is quite the family affair with your children, Ian and Olivia, contributing vocals. What role does music play in your family’s holiday traditions?

Keaggy: Music is always going on. Bernadette [his wife] loves cooking to music. We love eating to music. I love creating music, but I also like quietness so I can enjoy music. 

Our daughter Alicia has sung on a number of my tunes and Ian can be heard on “Why” from the Dream Again CD. Our daughter Olivia debuts as a soloist on Welcome Inn.

With so many beloved carols, how do you choose?

Keaggy: I had a hard time choosing a lot of carols because so many people choose the familiar carols. My first instrumental Christmas CD Majesty and Wonder had many familiar tunes, so I thought I would try to create a Christmas album with original selections.

With the holiday’s rich heritage of music, is it intimidating to add your original songs to Christmastime?

Keaggy: No, because there are millions of Christmas albums, so what’s one more? But seriously folks, yes, in a way it is hard to make a Christmas album. There could be many comparisons if I had sung the old standards, so I felt that mostly original songs might make the album feel more unusual and personal.

What is the story behind the song, “Father?”

Keaggy: I wrote it 30 years ago in Paul Clark‘s basement for someone’s Christmas compilation, and I chose to keep it to myself. It stayed in my mind and heart. It amazes me that at this time, 30 years later, it found just the right “home.”

What is Phil Keaggy’s Christmas wish this year?

Keaggy: I wish and pray for peace in 2010. I also pray that many will come to know the Christ I am singing about on Welcome Inn.

Where are you from originally?
Youngstown, Ohio

Favorite place to spend the holidays?
Home sweet home

Favorite holiday dish?
Whatever Bernadette cooks

Favorite place you’ve traveled to?
Switzerland, Ireland or Israel

What makes you laugh?
Randy Stonehill

Book you’re currently reading?
The Name by Franklin Graham

Last good movie you saw?
Up

Favorite Bible verse?
Proverbs 25:25

What’s God teaching you lately?
Mercy triumphs over judgment

Quick takes:

Copyright © Christian Music Today. Click for reprint information.

Our Latest

News

Space Force Hymn Lifts Prayer to the Heavens

Southern Baptist chaplain says God prompted him to write song for the newest branch of the US military. 

Beijing, Let My Daughter Come Home

Power Without Integrity Destroys Us

Evangelicals helped elect Trump. Can evangelicals also hold him accountable?

The Bulletin

Sultan of Swing

The Bulletin addresses the election of Donald Trump.

What Another Trump Presidency Means To Evangelicals Around the World

Christian leaders from Nepal to Turkey greet the US election results with joy, grief, and indifference.

Our Faith’s Future Depends on Discipleship

The Lausanne Movement’s State of the Great Commission report details where and how Christianity is growing. 

News

Trump’s Promised Mass Deportations Put Immigrant Churches on Edge

Some of the president-elect’s proposals seem unlikely, but he has threatened to remove millions of both undocumented and legal immigrants.

God Is Faithful in Triumph and Despair

I voted for Kamala Harris and mourn her loss. But I want to keep politics in its proper place, subordinate to Jesus.

Apple PodcastsDown ArrowDown ArrowDown Arrowarrow_left_altLeft ArrowLeft ArrowRight ArrowRight ArrowRight Arrowarrow_up_altUp ArrowUp ArrowAvailable at Amazoncaret-downCloseCloseEmailEmailExpandExpandExternalExternalFacebookfacebook-squareGiftGiftGooglegoogleGoogle KeephamburgerInstagraminstagram-squareLinkLinklinkedin-squareListenListenListenChristianity TodayCT Creative Studio Logologo_orgMegaphoneMenuMenupausePinterestPlayPlayPocketPodcastRSSRSSSaveSaveSaveSearchSearchsearchSpotifyStitcherTelegramTable of ContentsTable of Contentstwitter-squareWhatsAppXYouTubeYouTube