"It seems like now we seem to be discriminated against because we use the word ‘Jesus’ too much from the Top 40 standpoint," McKeehan said. "I mean, we’ve gotten some (Top 40) air play in some cities," he said, but it has sometimes been the result of a "grass roots" effort where after the "Jesus is Just Alright" single has been sent to the stations, listeners have phoned in requesting the song.
The bottom line: "Certain stations will play it and certain stations will say, ‘No, not a chance,’ because it’s too explicit when it comes to its religious connotations or whatever," McKeehan explained. "To us, we’re just sharing our faith through out music, you know, something we believe in."
Influenced by Keith Green
McKeehan, Tait and Maxwell met at Liberty University while students at the Lynchburg, Va., college associated with the Rev. Jerry Falwell. Today, the trio remain solidly committed to their faith in an uncompromising manner reminiscent of the late Keith Green, a Contemporary Christian music pioneer known for his hard-hitting gospel message.
"We’ve been listening to Keith (Green) the last couple of days here in Adrian," McKeehan said. "We come up here for two weeks every year and rehearse at this place called The Family Center … and just focus our attention on God and also work on the show and kind of knit together spiritually."
Buzz is a married father of two, managing editor for print/online at The (Maryville, TN) Daily Times and pastors Green Meadow United Methodist Church in Alcoa, TN. He is a 1981 graduate of East Tennessee State University, where he is a member of the Mass Communications Department Hall of Fame.
Inside you will find a collection of columns penned by Buzz on topics ranging from the death of Rich Mullins, to his battle with Hepatitis C, to asking the question, "Does God have a sense of humor."
Buzz talks with those who, as the late Larry Norman would say, "rock the flock." His interviews range from members of Audio Adrenaline, Newsboys, Jars of Clay and Third Day, to David Crowder and more.
Follow Buzz as he travels with Vine International on two different medical misison trips to Guatemala, as well as one with Volunteer Medical Mission. In 1999, he also went to Estonia with a Volunteers in Mission team.
Blog: Gathering Wool
Blog: The Pastor's Buzz