The Grammy Award-nominated Christian pop rock band Newsboys headlined The Soulfest (July 30th-August 2nd, 2008 at Gunstock Mountain Resort) last weekend. The band formed in Australia in 1985 and has been one of the most popular and best-selling Christian music artists of the past two decades.

While attending The Soulfest,

I had the good fortune of sitting down with Paul Colman, the new guitar player for Newsboys for a Q&A. Paul, also a grammy nominated singer/songwriter/entertainer, has performed all over the world, written hit singles, garnered numerous awards and has sold hundreds of thousands of records. According to Paul’s Web site, “the band’s current hit single “Something Beautiful” was Paul’s first co-write after joining the band in 2005. He still performs as a solo artist and is currently in the studio working on his 14th recording, due for release April 08.”

During our chat, Paul and I discussed the state of the music business and what inspired a successful solo artist (and front man) to dedicate his considerable talent in more of a supporting role for a well-established band.

OurStage:What’s your take on the current state of the music industry?
Paul: We’re in the middle of huge shifts in the music business. Not only how music gets recorded and produced, but also how it’s promoted. It’s a death sentence for any artists who is resistant to change.

OurStage: What’s changed most in your opinion?
Paul: More than ever, the industry is about branding your band and connecting with fans. Life is about people. Love God and love people. If you’re an introverted artist, you’re music has to be that much better to be heard. Unless you’re able to connect on a personal level with the fans, it’s harder than ever to stand out and be noticed.

OurStage: How can artists make that connection with their fans?
Paul It’s about writing great songs for one. Also, you have to craft a great show. Great shows are comprised of a bunch of amazing moments strung together. Those don’t just magically happen. The artists that put on the best shows work on them. They practice them, so they can happen.

OurStage:I know this is the approach you take with your shows? Does the band do the same for Newsboy concerts?
Paul: Yes. Without a doubt. The trick is to make it look natural, not rehearsed.

OurStage:When did you join the Newsboys?
Paul: I joined 3 years ago now. Thereabouts.

OurStage:You were already a very successful solo artist, what inspired the move?
Paul: I had reach a point in my career where I needed help seperating Paul Colman the man from Paul Colman the artist. Life in many ways is like a house. The studs of the house are there. But I was trying to figure out how many did I put up and how many did God? I was becoming too intoxicated with self. It was always about Paul Colman and I was losing perspective on what mattered most. I looked at the ‘house’ of my life and decided that it was not how I wanted to live. I would rather live in a tent then sleep under this roof. Newsboys was in many ways an answer to my prayers. It freed me of my own self so that I could see God’s blessings in my life.

OurStage:Was playing the “Paul Colman” role tough for you before the change?
Paul: Definitely. My life was suffering from it. I felt very hypocritical. I would say and sing one thing, but I was feeling another.

OurStage: Was there any hesitation on your part before deciding to join Newsboys?
Paul: None at all. I’ve known Peter a long time. This was about becoming an employee in a way. It wasn’t all about Paul Colman. I got to let that go. It was truly a blessing for me.

OurStage:Your mostly an acoustic player as a solo artist. How was the transition from acoustic to electric guitar for you?
Paul: Right. I never really played much electric guitar before. I locked myself away and just committed myself to the work. I viewed it as holy work. God leading me on my path, not me trying to do the leading. I built my rig from scratch and approached it as a job.

OurStage:How has the band embraced you as the the new guitar player?
Paul: It’s been an amazing experience. I get some complements for sure. But nobody thanks me for the work I do on a daily basis. Nor should they. It’s my job and they expect me to be good at it. It’s truly freeing that my work and my identity are no longer as intertwined as they once were.

OurStage:Do you still like performing solo?
Paul: Oh sure! It’s great. Just different. When I’m in the zone I know that nobody does what I do. It’s fun to put on a great show. But now, being a member of Newsboys, it’s not devastating or a personal blow when I don’t.

OurStage: What do you think you bring to Newsboy? Why did Peter want you in the band?
Paul: (Laughs) Personality I guess. I bring my own unique style to group that’s working well. It feels like a band and I’m happy to be a part.

OurStage:What’s your thoughts on Christian music market today? How does it compare to other markets?
Paul: There a lots of sub-cultures within the Christian music community. We’re happy to have our niche. It’s not an issue for us that we’re not always embraced by the mainstream music media community. We’ll sell out a 15,000 seat arena. Another artist will sellout a 1,200 seat venue, but they’ll make the newspapers here in the States and we won’t. But our focus is writing great songs, playing memorable shows and connecting with out fans. That’s what we do.

Newsboys new live CD/DVD Houston We Are Go hits the streets September 2nd.

Paul Colman’s music is available on Paul Colman.com.

This was my first interview with an artist for OurStage. Let me know what you think with a comment.