Andy Butcher spoke to the keyboard player of Journey, JONATHAN CAIN, now branching out as a solo artist

Cain has not spoken with Perry about that memory - the former singer "sort of wants to remain separate from us." Meanwhile, Journey enjoys a new lease of life with Filipino frontman Arnel Pineda, recruited in 2008 after being discovered on YouTube, singing Journey covers with a bar band. But Cain hopes to invite Perry to be part of his next recording.

Cain's Journey bandmates are not fazed by his solo direction. "They have always known I am a spiritual man," he says, "so it is probably not a big surprise to them, I don't think, by any stroke. They knew this was an evolution." And "there's a bit of Journey in there," he says of his new project.

Despite having appeared before huge crowds with Journey, he doesn't take it lightly when he plays before small church groups, teaming with White in some of her preaching. "In Journey, I am simply a supporting member," he says. "I support Arnel's job right now, the singer everybody knows. I am in an ensemble. When I am leading praise and worship it is a weighty position. I have to step out of my comfort zone and call upon the presence of the Lord. It is a gut check."

Speaking the night after appearing at a San Jose, California, church, he adds, "It's a much more weighty responsibility, way more weighty on my spirit. Last night I prayed before I went on that God would give me the words before I opened my mouth, and he did and I was able to share my testimony and my songs in a transparent, authentic way."

Jonathan Cain and Paula White

He is a little surprised by, but grateful for, this new area of music at 66: "I have been chasing a pop song for all these years. . . what am I going to sing about now but the Lord and all the blessings I have received? I have been one of the most blessed men on the planet." But music as ministry "is a challenge," he admits. "I am learning. I am not going to copy anyone, I am going to be me and try to bring a unique testimony and try to create an atmosphere that is authentic. It is just between God and I, and I just let him guide me."

Though a newcomer to the Christian music scene, Cain has clear thoughts about what is appropriate and what isn't. "I have this thing about what belongs in church and what doesn't," he comments in an aside, "what sounds like worship and what doesn't. I have a problem with some of this hip-hop stuff. I guess it belongs in church, but to me, I don't get it. Like, put that in the club; this is the Lord we are talking about, we shouldn't have hip-hop going on. I have a definite opinion about what kind of vibration should happen in church."

Cain has teamed up with author Travis Thrasher to write his memoir - naturally, Don't Stop Believin' - to be published next year. Though he is "not one of those kiss-and-tell kind of guys," Cain's book will look back on his life through the lens of some of the beloved songs he helped compose.

What is it about Journey's best-known song - which Cain sometimes performs in Christian settings - that so resonates with people? "It's a lot of things," he offers. "I think it gives you permission to dream. It says that no matter where you come from, you can reach your destination. God has a destination for everybody. I don't care if you are a smalltown girl or a city boy, there's a midnight train going anywhere for you, you just have to find it and get on it.

"A lot of people get stuck in life, and 'Don't Stop Believin'' sets you free, it sets you in motion: I should go there, I should do this, I should step out there. We can't live our lives in a box and in fear and without hope, and that is what that song is about. It just gives people permission to dream."

More importantly for Cain, it reminds him of the faith of the man who spoke those inspirational words to him. "I am just a branch from a very spiritual tree," he says. "I feel like [by] marrying Paula, I became the man my dad would be proud of. I just had to step up a little higher and go a little deeper."