Interview with Mike Grayson of MikesChair (part 2 of 2)

MikesChair (Mike Grayson on left)

Here’s the second (and final installment) of my chat with the namesake of MikesChair.

Their song “Keep Changing the World” is one of the nominees for our 2010 Song of the Year (part 1 here).

• To listen to and vote for “Keep Changing the World” or the other nominees for our Song of the Year, click here.
• You can also visit our MySpace.com/HarmonyofHearts/playlists.

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Describe the response to the song “Keep Changing the World.”

It’s nice to see how people cling to the song as…motivation, maybe?  To just go out and do something.  So many people have the impression that they   have to move to Africa to change the world.  God is going to call certain people to do that, but we’re all called to do something.  Sometimes that’s in our own homes or own communities.

Tell me a bit about how the band encourages others to “keep changing the world” at their concerts with MikesTable?

Sure (laughs).  We like to joke that we are furnishing the house.  MikesTable is the umbrella idea of bringing awareness to need.  At MikesChair shows, when possible, we ask people to bring a canned food item which we donate locally – a local church or food bank.  We try to be sure that there is an awareness of the need in the community.  We also connected with Food for the Hungry, which brings awareness to the need globally.  So MikesTable helps give a platform for the conversation.

Does a Scripture verse come to mind that concerns serving the poor?

First Corinthians 13 says, “If I can speak in the tongues of men and of angels, then it’s basically nothing.  That whole chapter is what it’s all about.   If as a band, if as believers, if as people, if we’re not walking out the things we’re talking about the way we’re supposed to, then it’s all just noise.  Our prayer is that we’re not adding to the noise, but that in some way, we’re loving well.

What’s next for MikesChair?

We are working on our next album, getting in the studio.  We’ve done two mission trips over the past year – one to Peru and one to Guatemala – so there are songs that have influenced by those trips.

What were your impressions from visiting Guatemala and Peru and what God is doing there among the poor?

When you visit a foreign country, there’s a certain element of you think you are going to go over there and bless them, but in every situation, it’s the opposite.  These people have nothing – they don’t even have essentials that we need for life, and yet…  These people are so thankful, and they have nothing.  There’s this desire of:  God, strip me down to nothing and let me faithful for it.

Congratulations on your nomination.  We’re looking forward to the new album.

We are honored – thank you so much.

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• To listen to and vote for “Keep Changing the World” or the other nominees for our Song of the Year, click here.
• You can also visit our MySpace.com/HarmonyofHearts/playlists.