He began his career about the same time as I entered Student Ministry and his music helped shape how we did what we did. His songs were the quintessential go-to for Human Videos - an art form that incorporated elements of mime, lip sync and stage acting in order to tell compelling gospel stories. Songs like Sunday's on the Way, The Champion, Lazarus and Satan Bite the Dust were performed in almost every youth group and showcased Carman's unique approach to song writing.
Carman's spiritual influences were very similar to my own. At one youth convention where he performed, Jimmy Swaggart and David Wilkerson were both in the audience. That night he said he could relate to Simon Peter when he was tempted to build three tabernacles. He had great revere for those men's ministry. Songs like God Don't Care What the Circumstance and Revive Us oh Lord revealed Carman's theology concerning a strong faith and his heart for the local church.
The thing I admired most about Carman was that he was, at the heart of it all, a committed soul winner. For him, the songs, the shows, the humor, the pageantry - were all about reaching people for Jesus. He was one of the few artist of his time who did not charge admission for his concerts. Consequently, he packed out arenas like a musical Billy Graham!
Toward the end of his hay-day, he lost a few of us with his attempts to cover rap and hip hop. Yet, even then I could appreciate why he was doing what he was doing even when I didn't much care for what he was doing - it was always an effort to stay relevant and reach more people.
I moved back to Lafayette in 1999 about the time Carman's hay-day was dwindling. We were contacted by his promoter to inform us that Carman was performing at churches again. To make sure we understood the magnitude of the opportunity - he said, "I'm talking about the Carman!"
Carman's life has ended at the young age of 65. He has been battling cancer for the past few years, but was doing better and was making plans to embark on a 67-city tour as soon as his health would allow - Driven to win souls right to the very end!
In pop music, few reach a status of celebrity where they're known by one name - Cher, Madonna, Elvis. I guess it helps to have a unique name. In Christian circles I can only think of one person who reached that status - THE Carman.
