Few rock gospel performers are as outspoken as American CCM stalwart STEVE CAMP. He was interviewed by Jan Willem Vink.
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Jan Willem: What would you do if they gave you an award?
Steve: You know what I would do? I'd walk up and put it down on the stage and say "If anyone would like this they can take it home as a paper-weight, or you can cut off the top and use it like a vase. I'm happy to be honoured by the GMA, but that's not why we sing. We sing to honour Jesus Christ, to serve him. This award means nothing in the economy of God." Most likely I wouldn't go to the awards show. I certainly won't go from here on in. I didn't go last year. I want to do something better with my time. I'd rather be at home with my wife and kids than be at that stupid show.
Jan Willem: You mentioned you met Prince.
Steve: I'd just walked into an elevator and found we were staying at
the same hotel. He didn't want anyone with him in the elevator but
finally he let me. We just had three minutes for me to talk and so I
told him about Jesus, told him the Gospel, told him what it meant to
be a Christian. Prince wanted to know that. That was about all the
time we had. But I told him I'd be praying for him and I think he was
a little moved by that, because people have told him for so long that
he is the reason the youth culture is going down the toilet. I said,
"You're good, but not that good. You can write some songs that are
perverse." We need to pray for these people, they are not bad people.
They just need a Saviour. Prince is an incredibly talented man, he
writes amazing music, plays all the instruments. Outrageously talented
and gifted. It would be great to see him come to know the Lord, to put
that talent to use for Christ. It would be amazing to see what he
would then come up with. But we need to pray for him, that he will
come to know the Lord. He can gain the whole world, but if he loses
his soul, it doesn't matter. He's lost everything. So just pray.
Steve, I feel like I know you personally, even tho I don't. I wore out Justice and Doing My best on cassettes , and Justice on CD. I share your tunes when ever I can . My wife and I saw you at play At Edmon Chapel, in the summer of 92-93ish Kinda slept since then Old guy stuff...lol. But God as my witness I sure thought I ran into you at Nashville International Service dept sept 2012 when I was picking up my truck there from repair.. Maybe it wasn't you. but The guy looked just like ya. well enough of that, is there a calendar of where you play I would sure Love to enjoy your style of music again I do from time to time hit the section where we can hear short cuts from the albums/cd's now. well anyway ,I thank God for your boldness for the truth and during my backslide days (christian in exile) Your music and the late Keith Green and the Newer rocky Petra stuff Steve Taft and Micheal English really took me through the ride of my life. Well Wither I see ya again in concert or Not Your a God send to Our failing world . No false piety here I get into trouble for being Blunt. I am just fired up that I could write a letter of encouragement to someone I respect. thanks again Al Carlo