Author: Marcus Dyson

I had the awesome opportunity to interview and learn quite a bit about gospel music recording artist Frank Caldwell. Here is a transcript of that interview.

Marcus: Tell me a little background about yourself.
Frank: I grew up in Columbus, Ohio and all I have ever done was music. That’s all I know is music. I tried running track long ago and fell down and I knew that wasn’t for me. I came out singing.

Marcus: How old were you when you first started singing and how did it start?
Frank: I think I was about age 5 when my mother used to have holiday get togethers and parties and friends would come over. I remember and have pictures to prove how my momma used to dress me up in a blue suit and have me sing like the Temptations or the Five Hearbeats. I didn’t know what I was singing about.

Marcus: I noticed you said you didn’t know what you were singing about then. What is the difference between Frank Caldwell then and now or how has that changed?
Frank: I was saved as a young man at age 20 and that was my first experience coming to know God and He gave me a heart for his people. Now the lyrics that I sing and write speak the sentiments of my heart. I just want to reach God’s people. Most of the songs I write are actually converstations from God to His people.

Marcus: Now, Confirmation is your first CD, correct?
Frank: Right. It’s my first solo recording.

Marcus: What does Confirmation actually mean and when people listen to it what do you want people to get from this CD?
Frank: I would want them to know that I believe He will do what He said. If He spoke it, he will do it. We started recording this album in 2000 and the interesting thing is there was never a song called Confirmation until 2003, but the confirmation is that He is a God that will do what He said. Not only that but I have lived every song in this recording. I went through some rough times and experienced each song through my life so when I am singing it I am singing from where I have been.

Marcus: Talk about your experience in recording this album or in the midst of recording this album.
Frank: Well, when I was recording “Wait and See”, God gave me that song in the studio. Michael Carter, one of the producers on the album did a track and the music was playing and the Holy Spirit took over. I told Michael just hit record and by the time we finished I was laid out on the floor. God really revealed Himself through our worship. That’s how this album was recorded out of our worship. Most of the songs didn’t even have words but right on the spot God was giving them to me.

Marcus: Now the song “Bring ‘Em Home’ was recorded as a tribute to 9/11. What inspired you to write that song?
Frank: I had a Cd one of the producers gave me. I listened to it over and over and these words just came to me. Crazy thing is I have never been in the military and I didn’t lose anyone in the disaster and that’s how I know it was God. I played the song for someone after I recorded it and he broke down. That really encouraged me and so I decided to release it as a single and send copies to families of the military we sent some copies to Iraq to encourage the soldiers over there and we get no money for that. It’s my contribution.

Marcus: if you had to pick what would be your favorite song on this album?
Frank: I would say “Patiently Waiting”. I wrote a totally different song called with the same title that was way too high for me. It just wasn’t working so God gave me a totally different song same name and it worked just right. Everything just seemed to flow.

Marcus: You have a new album coming, right?
Frank: Yes. It’s called “Oh holy Night”.

Marcus: What is the date of release?
Frank: November 25, 2003.

Marcus: What can we expect from Frank Caldwell on this album?
Frank: I would say you can expect growth and what the real meaning of Christmas is all about. You can expect to hear what God is saying to us now. I have some classics but also some originals like this one song called “Gotta Hold On”. Christmas time can be one of the most depressing times but this song is really intended to encourage and uplift and a celebration.

Marcus: Who inspired you in your beginning?
Frank: Tommy Adams did music for the PAW and when I was in TETREC Choir I hooked up with Ketih Dobbins. He put my song called “Power From God” on the album and it hit #33 on the charts. I also did some writing with Kim Rutherford who we all used to go to the same church (New Covenant Believers) along with Nissi Walls formerly from Anointed. I am now a member of Ron Parsley’s church and I am just working in the music department there. Actually, Pastor Lee Alford Thomas is having a recording and one of my songs have been confirmed that they are recording called “Thy Word”.

Marcus: You currently reside in Columbus, Ohio?
Frank: I reside in Columbus, Ohio, by way of Delta Airlines!

Marcus: That is so crazy! Are you minister?
Frank: Yes, and I will be entering Bible College soon.

Marcus: How do you feel about the current status of our gospel music industry?
Frank: I am not happy with it. There is so much emphasis on charting and outselling other artists and we need to do better. I have experienced that.

Marcus: I have heard someone say recently that you industry and ministry don’t need to be mixed. What do you think about that?
Frank: Keep in the forefront of your ministry and sow a seed. The focus should be to present God with a soul. It should be blended with the industry.

Marcus: And you are a happily married man?
Frank: Married 14 years and 3 children.

Marcus: Any last words for any artists aspiring to get into the business?
Frank: Seek the face of God and tap into the spiritual genealogy of your Pastor. Anything outside of that is out of God.