Hey-lo.
I just wanted to take a minute to tell you about a role model of mine. His name is Michael Sweet. 20 some odd years ago, I started listening to a band name Stryper, and have not stopped yet. Back in those days, I was an expiring rocker and Stryper was the one band that I wanted to be in. I learned to play guitar as a direct result of Stryper's music. And the best part is that they are a Christian Metal band. As a kid I had Stryper posters all over my room. I even performed as them in a Lip Synch show in high school.
Fast forward several years and as the music scene changed from heavy metal to grunge to alternative to who knows what now...I continued to listen to Stryper on an almost daily basis. If you are a guitar player, whether you are into Christian music or not, I promise you would love what Michael Sweet and Oz Fox have done on every recording.
During the 90's Stryper was no longer a band and the members went their own ways and eventually there was a Michael Sweet solo album so the music continued to roll. Around this time VH1 was airing shows like "Where Are They Now?" which mainly showcased metal band members and what they do now. It was amazing how many talked about rehab, jail, drugs, etc... and how unhappy they really were, although during the 80's they lived like kings...so we thought anyway.
Then finally Stryper was showcased on the show. It was amazing how everyone was for the most part happy with their lives. Michael showed the cranberry bogs he worked at, and the family summer camp. No drug stories...no rehab. You could tell that he was honestly happy.
During this time I had the distinct honor of getting to hang out with him for a good part of the day. I got to ask him about the good old days, other rock stars, etc... Also on this day I got to know the person who I for a lack of a better word, idolized, as a kid. I also got to meet Kyle, his wife.
One common thread amongst people who are high profile ministers is that there is always a dark cloud of doubt looming over their heads. Many people do not trust tv preachers because of the scandals that many have fallen into, and or started on their own.
On this day, I had the chance to attend church with Michael and his family. I had the chance to see him in a crowd of people, probably none of them remembered Stryper, bought a CD, and most defiantly never stood in line for hours to see them in concert like I did.
I got to see that Michael is the person I thought him to be. I got to see that he had been 100% genuine all this time. Michael is the real deal. I kind of felt like I got to see how a magic trick was done. I can still hear in my head him singing "How Great Thou Art" with just him and an acoustic guitar. I will never forget this day as long as I live. In fact, the picture above was taken on this day. Note: The guitar that I am holding is one of the same guitars that Michael played live. I have seen that guitar a bazillion times in concert.
Well time moved on and like all the other bands that were reuniting again, Stryper made it's way back to the stage again. I was like a kid on Christmas morning when I found out they were coming within 4 hours of where I lived.
Move time forward again, Stryper released a new studio album called "Reborn" which was fantastic. But right after that Michael also released another solo album called "Him". This was not a rock album by any shape or form. This was an album of hymns. Michael released this record to promote God...not Michael Sweet. The Stryper train at this point is starting to take off and get momentum. Festivals in Europe want to book Stryper. There is a forum where fans post on daily. For me, life cannot get any better than this. In a day where rock is decent, my favorite band Stryper is back for good.
Now, this is the reason why I decided to write this. Over the last year or so, Michael's wife, Kyle, was diagnosed with cancer. She had to endure chemo therapy which has left her sick. Right before her chemo, Stryper was scheduled to go into the studio to record another album to get ready for another tour.
Michael did what any decent human being should do. He postponed the Stryper album to be with Kyle during what was going to be a very hard time for them, and their kids. Michael would sing songs to her while she was home. Or she would hear him in their studio downstairs. Michael recorded an album for her called "Touched" These are the songs that he was singing to make her feel better.
The fact that he put off his "Rock Stardom" to be with his wife is just another reason why he has been, and always will be my role model.
Every week, as I am filming your wedding and when I hear the words "...through sickness and in health...through good times, and bad...through plenty and in want..." I will always think of Michael and the example he is.
Peace,
Mike
