Jars of Clay:

LIVING THE MESSAGE

by

Mike Nappa

The guitarist admits he has a "severe liking of creamed corn." The lead singer reportedly has "the complete Disney collection on video." And the band owns practically all the accolades available in Christian music. Just a few short years ago, they were just a bunch of guys making music in the Greenville College dormitory. Today, they are Jars of Clay—one of the hottest bands in Christian music.

Band member Steve Mason (guitar, bass, and background vocals) laughs when asked why teenagers are drawn to their music. "We have no idea!" he says. "We haven’t figured that out."

The other members of the group, Dan Haseltine (lead vocals and lyricist), Matt Odmark (guitar and background vocals), and Charlie Lowell (keyboards and background vocals) haven’t quite figured out why kids like their music either—but they’re not complaining. Haseltine sums up their perspective this way, "We hope we can be a realistic model for some of these kids. Not to say our spiritual walk is perfect by any means, but at least they can see that there are people out there in the same position they are."

Jars of Clay exploded onto the Christian music scene in 1994. Mixing alternative music with a classic folk sound, the group beat out 200 other acts to win that year’s Gospel Music Association Spotlight Song Contest. Not long after that, record companies began making the pay phone in the hall of the guys’ dormitory ring off the hook—eager to sign the band to a recording contract. Jars of Clay eventually signed with Essential Records, a youth-oriented label whose motto is "Music to make a difference."

Fueled by immense fan support from kids in their teens and early twenties, Jars of Clay’s much anticipated debut CD immediately hit bestseller status—rising all the way to number two on the top-selling album charts. In addition, their song, "Flood" rocketed it’s way up several Christian music charts to eventually grab the number one spot.

In spite of this success, the guys in the band try not to let it go to their heads. There’s a reason why they’ve named their group after the phrase in 2 Corinthians 4:7. Says Haseltine, "For me it’s been great to see, through different shows we’ve done, where God has been there and where he’s allowed us to be vessels. Allowed me to speak and say things I probably normally wouldn’t say in ways that has captivated some hearts and allowed people to change for Christ."

The other band members agree. Commenting on their success, Lowell says, "We find ourselves more humbled than egotistical...We are very normal humans, who have a faith in Christ." Odmark continues, "I don’t feel like God gives gifts of fame. I think if we’re in a position where attention is going to be drawn to us, there will be a way for that attention to be refocused on Christ."

The desire to be real-life "jars of clay" isn’t just when the guys are performing—that attitude is active in the guys’ personal lives as well. "Between the four of us," says Mason, "we try to instill accountability— especially when we’re out on the road with the many temptations. We’re challenged to be accountable to each other. It helps us to stay in tune with where our desires need to be. Finding time to get along with God. [Also], we have a great church in Nashville and a pastor that has desired to walk with us through this."

Knowing that parents (like you!) may be watching their kids come home with Jars of Clay CDs and cassettes, Steve Mason thinks there are some things a parent should know about this band.

"We are four, 20-something Christians struggling to walk the Christian walk and live a life of faith. [We] have written songs that encapsulate the experiences we’ve had up to this point. A couple of us come from broken homes, being continually challenged with who’s the Lord of our life. In a lyrical manner, Dan [Haseltine] is trying to tackle that.

"From a musical standpoint, we know that [our music] is not going to be enjoyable for everyone, but our heart’s desire is to see the Lord lifted up in a creative way. Our prayer is that He uses us."

Dan Haseltine agrees, adding, "We want people to know that we’re real [and] that we take our responsibilities [as role-models] very seriously."

When asked what he’d like to give teenagers, Haseltine reveals his heart by saying, "I wish every teenager would have the chance to hear the gospel and have the chance to make that decision [for Christ]." Then kids, too, would be able to say, "We have this treasure in jars of clay to show us that this all-surpassing power is from God..." (2 Corinthians 4:7, NIV).