More Cowbell Please: CCM Stories

(Reposted - spotify issue!)
Was Steve Taylor the greatest lyricist contemporary Christian music ever produced? We think so — and in this episode of More Cowbell Please, we make the case.
We attended a recent Steve Taylor concert and came away convinced this man never got the tribute he deserved. So here it is. From his origins as a preacher's kid in Northglenn, Colorado — forbidden from listening to secular music until his mid-teens — to hearing The Clash at Biola University and changing CCM forever, this is the full Steve Taylor story.

We cover:
✅ His biography and origin story
✅ The songs that rattled the church — Guilty By Association, We Don't Need No Color Code, I Want to Be a Clone, Meltdown at Madame Tussauds, On the Fritz and more
✅ His role shaping the Newsboys' greatest era
✅ Founding Squint Entertainment and launching Sixpence None the Richer
✅ His film career including Blue Like Jazz
✅ The Dead Sea Squirrels — his new animated series with VeggieTales co-creator Mike Nawrocki
✅ Concert footage including the band — Peter Furler (Newsboys), Mark Lee Townsend and John Mark Painter
✅ Why CCM needs more voices like his today

Whether you grew up on 80s Christian music, work in the CCM industry, or you're just discovering Steve Taylor for the first time — this one's for you.
🎵 Songs Featured:Guilty By Association | We Don't Need No Color Code | On the Fritz | Meltdown at Madame Tussaud's | Dead Sea Squirrels Theme

🎸 Band: Steve Taylor | Peter Furler | Mark Lee Townsend | John Mark Painter | Caroline Francis | Kelle | Libby Cates | Kennoniah Dean Bellile
📺
0:00 Cold Open — "We Don't Need No Color Code"
0:26 Introduction
1:21 Origins — Preacher's Kid from Colorado
1:47 Discovering The Clash & New Wave
2:55 The Estes Park Signing
3:28 First Record Release
3:47 CCM in the Early 80s — The Landscape
4:38 "I Want to Be a Clone"
5:14 "This Disco Used to Be a Nice Cathedral"
6:08 "On the Fritz"
6:39 "I Blew Up the Clinic Real Good"
7:15 The Controversy & His Critics
7:32 "Guilty By Association" (Live)
8:50 "We Don't Need No Color Code" (Live)
9:54 "Whatcha Gonna Do When Your Number's Up"
10:22 "Sin for a Season"
10:39 "Meltdown at Madame Tussaud's" (Live)
11:04 The "Some Band" Lineup
11:31 Peter Furler
11:54 Steve Taylor & the Newsboys
12:25 The Iconic Suit & the Museum of CCM
13:10 Chagall Guevara1
3:35 Squint Entertainment1
3:54 Blue Like Jazz & Film Career
14:05 The Dead Sea Squirrels
15:53 The Randy Newman Moment (Live)
16:39 "Hero" & the Woody Allen Story
17:28 Steve Taylor's Legacy
18:04 Where to Find Steve's Music
🎧ALL EPISODES:.https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLBt6FZ88v_g64fr3KfLjQgPIM0vUYRZy9PODCAST:Listen on Spotify https://open.spotify.com/episode/0v9dEeIH0OeP1chxSfQ7gj?si=d0HmJihHTjGhiEuwP8cYewListen on Apple Podcastshttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/more-cowbell-please/id1796605641

Was Steve Taylor the greatest lyricist contemporary Christian music ever produced? We think so — and in this episode of More Cowbell Please, we make the case.
We attended a recent Steve Taylor concert and came away convinced this man never got the tribute he deserved. So here it is. From his origins as a preacher's kid in Northglenn, Colorado — forbidden from listening to secular music until his mid-teens — to hearing The Clash at Biola University and changing CCM forever, this is the full Steve Taylor story.

We cover:
✅ His biography and origin story
✅ The songs that rattled the church — Guilty By Association, We Don't Need No Color Code, I Want to Be a Clone, Meltdown at Madame Tussauds, On the Fritz and more
✅ His role shaping the Newsboys' greatest era
✅ Founding Squint Entertainment and launching Sixpence None the Richer
✅ His film career including Blue Like Jazz
✅ The Dead Sea Squirrels — his new animated series with VeggieTales co-creator Mike Nawrocki
✅ Concert footage including the band — Peter Furler (Newsboys), Mark Lee Townsend and John Mark Painter
✅ Why CCM needs more voices like his today

Whether you grew up on 80s Christian music, work in the CCM industry, or you're just discovering Steve Taylor for the first time — this one's for you.
🎵 Songs Featured:Guilty By Association | We Don't Need No Color Code | On the Fritz | Meltdown at Madame Tussaud's | Dead Sea Squirrels Theme

🎸 Band: Steve Taylor | Peter Furler | Mark Lee Townsend | John Mark Painter | Caroline Francis | Kelle | Libby Cates | Kennoniah Dean Bellile
📺
0:00 Cold Open — "We Don't Need No Color Code"
0:26 Introduction
1:21 Origins — Preacher's Kid from Colorado
1:47 Discovering The Clash & New Wave
2:55 The Estes Park Signing
3:28 First Record Release
3:47 CCM in the Early 80s — The Landscape
4:38 "I Want to Be a Clone"
5:14 "This Disco Used to Be a Nice Cathedral"
6:08 "On the Fritz"
6:39 "I Blew Up the Clinic Real Good"
7:15 The Controversy & His Critics
7:32 "Guilty By Association" (Live)
8:50 "We Don't Need No Color Code" (Live)
9:54 "Whatcha Gonna Do When Your Number's Up"
10:22 "Sin for a Season"
10:39 "Meltdown at Madame Tussaud's" (Live)
11:04 The "Some Band" Lineup
11:31 Peter Furler
11:54 Steve Taylor & the Newsboys
12:25 The Iconic Suit & the Museum of CCM
13:10 Chagall Guevara1
3:35 Squint Entertainment1
3:54 Blue Like Jazz & Film Career
14:05 The Dead Sea Squirrels
15:53 The Randy Newman Moment (Live)
16:39 "Hero" & the Woody Allen Story
17:28 Steve Taylor's Legacy
18:04 Where to Find Steve's Music
🎧ALL EPISODES:.https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLBt6FZ88v_g64fr3KfLjQgPIM0vUYRZy9PODCAST:Listen on Spotify https://open.spotify.com/episode/0v9dEeIH0OeP1chxSfQ7gj?si=d0HmJihHTjGhiEuwP8cYewListen on Apple Podcastshttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/more-cowbell-please/id1796605641

Stu G, legendary guitarist of Delirious?, joins More Cowbell Please for a raw, heartfelt conversation.From wiring houses as an electrician to co-writing worship anthems like “Did You Feel the Mountains Tremble,” “Obsession,” and “History Maker,” Stu opens up about:The early Cutting Edge youth events that birthed a movement. How U2 and Queen shaped his career.How Delirious? broke boundaries in worship and faith centered music We cover the highs and the lows, thru the end of an era then his next steps and recovery to his creative comeback, the Beatitudes Project, and life in NashvilleThis is more than a band story—it’s a testimony of faithfulness, creativity, and following God’s call through every season.Full episode out now – subscribe & turn on notifications for more CCM legends! 🕊️🎸#StuG #Delirious #ChristianMusic #WorshipMusic #CCMHistory #morecowbellplease
Chapters
00:00 Intro – Welcome to Stu G!
01:26 Greetings & Fun Banter
01:55 Early Life as an Electrician
02:25 Becoming a Queen Fan
03:17 Starting with Drums03:42 Discovering Guitar
04:07 Buying the First Guitar
04:45 Taking Guitar Lessons
05:31 First Band Experiences
05:55 Phil Keaggy, Church & Conversion
08:37 Full-Time Worship Leading
08:55 The Stuart David Band
10:26 Andy Piercy Connection
11:40 Andy Piercy + Martin Smith Link
12:41 Ben Okafor & Reggae Band
14:52 Noel Richards Forum15:07 Cutting Edge Begins
15:42 Kevin Prosch Influence
18:12 Cutting Edge Band & Events
19:09 Moving to Littlehampton & Back to Electrical Work
22:10 Delirious? Officially Begins
23:46 Making 'Live and in the Can'
24:33 Naming Delirious? (The ? Story)
26:19 Delirious? Early Days
29:26 'Did You Feel the Mountains Tremble?' Origin
29:47 Expanding the Reach Beyond Church Walls
32:31 CCM or Mainstream? The Tension
35:14 First Trip Into the USA
38:11 US Showcase at The Roxy
38:50 Mainstream Appearances & Breakthroughs
40:02 Napster, CD Sales Crash & Challenges
40:57 The Studio Albums Overview
44:04 Kingdom of Comfort Era
44:59 Touring Rules & the End of Delirious?
46:43 Delirious? Officially Over
47:02 New Deals & Life After
47:14 One Sonic Society
48:03 Rock Bottom, Counseling & Healing
49:13 The Beatitudes Project Begins
53:25 Touring Gigs While Building Beatitudes
54:33 Tech Issues! (Funny Moment)
55:40 Marketing the Beatitudes Project
56:57 Future Beatitudes Material
57:11 New Life in the USA for the Family
58:34 Testimonial Stories & Impact
1:02:00 Awards, Money & CCM Reflections
1:04:53 How the Name “Stu G” Came About
1:06:30 Delirious? Business Model & Independence
1:07:48 Other Gigs & Collaborations
1:08:55 New Release Discussion
1:10:54 Outro – Thanks Stu G!🎧ALL EPISODES:.https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLBt6FZ88v_g64fr3KfLjQgPIM0vUYRZy9PODCAST:Listen on Spotify https://open.spotify.com/episode/0v9dEeIH0OeP1chxSfQ7gj?si=d0HmJihHTjGhiEuwP8cYewListen on Apple Podcastshttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/more-cowbell-please/id1796605641Get vidIQ to grow your channel faster! 🚀https://vidiq.com/morecowbell

The lawsuit nightmare.Running out of money.Almost homeless with a young family.And the miraculous “eagle” vision that carried him through.Jess shares how God turned the darkest season into a comeback—writing worship anthems for Chris Tomlin, Passion, John Reddick, TobyMac w Forrest Frank, and more.From pop highs (Backstreet Boys, David Archuleta) to Nashville heartbreak and redemption—this is raw faith in the music business.Next episodes coming:Stu G (Delirious? guitarist – worship music legend)Stacey Willbur (veteran CCM song plugger)Hit subscribe—you don’t want to miss these! 🔥#JessCates #ChristianSongwriter #WorshipMusic #ComebackStory #morecowbellplease

00:00 Intro
00:57 Out of Money & Almost Homeless
01:30 A Vision & God’s Word
02:59 Settling the Lawsuit
03:50 Lawsuit Aftermath04:46 Life Lessons from the Lawsuit
05:15 Lawsuit Outcome
05:41 Selling the Catalog
06:00 Nashville Deals & Humbling Moments
07:18 Forming In Paradise
07:35 Signing with TIM Publishing
08:14 Getting Back on His Feet
08:42 Random Success Stories
09:41 Jess’s Journey Through Genres
10:10 TobyMac, Forrest Frank & Jon Reddick
11:09 “Jeff Cates” & Alt IDs11:41 AI in Songwriting
15:12 10,000 Hours & 3 Guys in a Room
16:10 Career Advice for New Writers
17:50 Embarrassing Songwriting Stories
18:33 Lessons from Hard Sessions
19:38 Fear vs Faith in the Room
21:14 Changing Priorities
22:25 Finding & Living Your Purpose
24:30 Jonas Brothers Session
25:02 Martina McBride “Just Call You Mine”
26:44 Passion “The Lord Will Provide”
27:36 Song Impacts on Listeners
29:28 Goodbye & Thanks
29:35 Outro
🎧ALL EPISODES:.https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLBt6FZ88v_g64fr3KfLjQgPIM0vUYRZy9PODCAST:Listen on Spotify https://open.spotify.com/episode/0v9dEeIH0OeP1chxSfQ7gj?si=d0HmJihHTjGhiEuwP8cYewListen on Apple Podcastshttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/more-cowbell-please/id1796605641Get vidIQ to grow your channel faster! 🚀https://vidiq.com/morecowbell

Hit songwriter, Jess Cates takes us into the realities of the craft in both LA and Nashville. From mega hits with Backstreet Boys and American Idols, to worship hits with Elevation, Passion, Matt Redman, and the who's who of CCM Christian Music. From millions in sales and billions in streams, to being broke and almost homelessAt one point finding himself needing to sue his non paying publisher. The highs and lows and song backstories you wont believe!Part 2 next week.Credits include songs withMainstream Pop:Back Street BoysNick LacheyJonas BrothersNew Kids on the BlockVertigoCliff RichardAmerican Idol ALUMS:David ArchuletaScotty McCreeryClay AikenDavid CookCountry:LeAnnRimesMartina McBrideCCM:Mercy MeTobyMacForrest FrankLeelandRebecca St JamesMandisaAvalonBebo NormanPoint of GraceSonicFloodJump5The AftersBritt NicoleBen RectorWorship:Matt RedmanChris TomlinPassion MusicElevationJon ReddickJesus CultureMatt MaherChapters00:00 Intro – Season 2 Premiere!
02:13 Welcome Jess Cates
02:27 Nashville Roots & Preacher’s Kid Life
03:19 Growing Up in Franklin Schools
04:01 First Song Ever Written (Age 15!)
04:26 Early Gigs & Talent Shows
04:46 Meeting Michael W. Smith
06:05 One Year at Belmont… Then Quitting
06:17 Writing Worship with Friends
06:54 First Publishing Deal – Brentwood-Benson07:50 How Publishing Deals Actually Work
09:45 Leading Worship on the Side
10:07 First Major Cuts (Avalon, Plus One)
11:01 Signing a Pop Deal in LA
11:27 Moving to Los Angeles12:10 Worship Leading in the Desert
12:40 Finding Family at an LA Church
13:33 Success vs Faith Tension in Hollywood
14:19 Praying in the Bathroom Between Sessions
14:58 Inviting God into Secular Writing Rooms
15:59 Real Faith Conversations with Pop Stars
16:56 The Joshua Tree Surrender Story
17:10 Jonas & the Holy Spirit Lights
18:26 “Incomplete” – Writing for Backstreet Boys
19:51 How the Song Leaked & Exploded
20:19 God’s Joshua Tree Confirmation
23:07 The Mystery of Songwriting
25:01 More LA Hits (David Archuleta, Nick Lachey)
25:14 “Crush” – From Prayer Closet to #1
27:00 The Chris Tomlin “Even So Come” Miracle
30:19 Passion Release & Life-Changing Impact
30:44 Partnering with TIM Publishing
31:37 Why Jess Left LA
31:48 The Lawsuit That Changed Everything
32:00 Running Out of Money
32:20 Landing Back in Nashville
32:50 Spiritual Breakthrough in Hardship
33:41 Almost Homeless with a Young Family
34:28 Outro – Part 2 Next Week!🎧ALL EPISODES:.https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLBt6FZ88v_g64fr3KfLjQgPIM0vUYRZy9PODCAST:Listen on Spotify https://open.spotify.com/episode/0v9dEeIH0OeP1chxSfQ7gj?si=d0HmJihHTjGhiEuwP8cYewListen on Apple Podcastshttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/more-cowbell-please/id1796605641Get vidIQ to grow your channel faster! 🚀https://vidiq.com/morecowbell