#182: Platinum Singer Mark Schultz Shares Stories on Christian Music, Adoption, Biking

Platinum-selling Christian singer-songwriter Mark Schultz, who's had ten number 1 hits, has been a storyteller through music for many years. On this episode, he shares stories about his life, songs and growing family. (1:25) We start with a taste of one of his popular songs "Remember Me." (5:33) Mark discusses how he got into music, without piano lessons, and thanks to those jingles on TV commercials. Even as a kid, he dreamed of performing for big audiences and just wanted his songs to be on the radio. He discovered the power of music in stirring emotions. Now, he continues traveling the USA, playing in front of many people...songs he wrote in a room by himself. (13:22) Why Christian music? Mark's journey from Kansas to Nashville eventually led him to meeting a youth pastor while he was a waiter. A pepper eating contest with him and a ski trip with the youth group...led to some of his most famous songs. He was watching God work in the lives of these kids and their parents! (19:04) And how does he come up with lyrics? Mark explains how he plays emotions on the piano, then words come. The artist discusses how "Remember Me" was originally a graduation song and "Letters From War" was about his grandmother's letters, a tune that the Army took on as an anthem. (28:51) Mark and I met at the Sound Choices Pregnancy Clinic gala (an organization that helps birth moms in crisis) in Columbus GA a few months ago. Mark himself is adopted, saying he eventually concluded he was born out of love! Mark and his wife have 4 kids of their own now, adopting 2 of them. He has a passion for helping raise $$ for those who help promote adoption over abortion. As an adopted kid, he was so driven to succeed and earn his parents' love, playing many sports including being QB...but he's learned that being a son or daughter is enough. He compared it to the different mindsets in "Chariots of Fire." (39:00) This singer also enjoys biking. One of the most meaningful things he's done in life is a 3500 mile bike road across America in 2007, raising a lot of $$ for orphans and women in distress. He's got some funny stories from that road trip. Each year, he takes on a new personal challenge. The latest one is a new Children's book with the same title of maybe his most famous song "I Am." He's rekindling the passion for writing songs that move him too. (46:15) Mark Schultz also talks about this podcast title "Run The Race" and how one of his songs is based on the same verse in Hebrews. (50:39) He closes us out in prayer, then we briefly discuss his latest single, a hymnal that people of all ages know, (56:57) "Jesus Paid It All" - which you can hear the entire song at the end of this pod episode. Thanks for listening to the #RunTheRace podcast, which I hope you'll subscribe to! Share it with your friends. Also, write a quick review about it, on Apple podcasts. For more info and listen to any previous episodes, go to www.wtvm.com/podcast/.