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MICHAEL ROE
Acoustic Stage-
July 4th, 2002
| After more than
two decades and countless releases, Michael Roe still
hasn't received his due. The Sacramento-based Roe (Mike
refers to as a "cow town") has built a well-earned
reputation as quite simply one of the best songwriters of
our time, gathering a strong following of committed fans.
Mike is a perfect example of what Larry Norman meant when
he talked about being "too Christian for the radio".
The enigmatic Mike Roe has long been a puzzle to the CCM
establishment, who have been unable to find a place for
Mike's thoughtful and sometimes dark lyrics in the
context of positive Christian radio. For Roe, brutal
honesty and intensity are essential to his mission, an
intent that he insists is first and foremost a ministry.
There is no cookie-cutter Christianity here, but instead
an absolute commitment to find the heart of the Gospel,
for the absolute worst in us. Roe writes gut-wrenching,
truth-telling, rock and roll that pays hommage to a
variety of classic rock influences but is distinctly his
own. For the undoctrinated, Mike is the heart of the 77's,
one leg of the Lost Dogs and has performed with a myriad
of bands and artists that needed a hand. Though Mike
performed two full band shows (77s & The Lost Dogs)
at Cornerstone 2002, neither does full justice to his
songwriting ability. His beautiful songs can best be
appreciated in a more intimate setting solo or with
another guitarist. In this instance joined by fellow 77,
Mark Harmon. Mike treated the musician peppered Acoustic
Stage audience to a thoroughly enjoyable set of classics
adding a few newer songs for good measure. Listen to Blue Sky from "Cornerstone Festival 2002"  (original track on: Late
EP) |