Boston’s own Andrew Macdonald is making waves in the Contemporary Christian Music scene with his inspiring single, “Fade Away.” This empowering anthem, the fourth track from his upcoming album Purpose, encourages listeners to embrace their authenticity and overcome self-doubt. After transitioning from a successful corporate career to pursue his passion for music, Macdonald crafts relatable lyrics drawn from real-life conversations, reminding us all that it’s never too late to shine. In this interview, we discuss “Fade Away,” along with a variety of other topics. Don’t miss out on the insights into his musical journey and the powerful messages that shape his work!
Rue Johnson: “Fade Away” carries a powerful message of self-empowerment. Can you share what inspired you to write this song, and what you hope listeners take away from it?
Andrew Macdonald: Having worked with young people a good part of my life, I always have the hope in mind of inspiring them in a positive way. However, the real genesis came from someone in my generation about how they felt they were becoming invisible. I thought, ‘how sad,’ but also how it was very possible that many people felt this way. So this song speaks to those beginning as well as those at the later stage of their life’s journey. The takeaway: as long as we’re alive we have a light inside each of us. Don’t let it Fade Away.
Rue Johnson: In “Fade Away,” you encourage others to break free from self-doubt. Can you describe a personal experience that shaped your understanding of self-belief?
Andrew Macdonald: I’m fortunate to have never had much self doubt. Okay, maybe a few moments, but even then it was my faith that brought me through, and it is that faith which provided a rock solid foundation to believe in myself. With faith, you know you’re never alone and you always have someone to go to for support and guidance. I’ve had so many experiences that have greatly and deeply challenged and shaped me and this continues. The beauty in believing in oneself, is that belief grows and then comes confidence. This is a lesson I continue to learn and one that continues to shape my understanding of self-belief.
Rue Johnson: You’ve mentioned your journey is about pursuing passions at any age. What advice would you give to someone feeling stuck or hesitant to follow their dreams?
Andrew Macdonald: If you’re a person of faith, go there first and ask for guidance. Then draw from and be inspired by the experiences of others. I gravitate toward people like this. There are so many people who don’t allow themselves to get stuck, and they’re right around you. Also, taking that first step and then the next, and next, one at a time. Don’t climb the mountain in one day. A colleague of mine in the midst of a huge challenge said one day, ‘just keep walking.’ I never forgot that. And remember, as the song says, “this is YOUR life, you have to live it your way.” I often use the analogy to those athletes who, win or lose, “give everything they’ve got and leave it all on the field.” It’s the same with life.
Rue Johnson: What artists or genres have influenced your style, and how do you incorporate those influences into your music?
Andrew Macdonald: Having grown up in the 60’s/70/s, there is no doubt that artists such as James Taylor, John Denver, Dan Fogelberg, the Beatles and so many like them have had an influence. However, when I was introduced to CCM music just over a year ago, my musical life changed. The sound, all of it, just resonated deeply with me, and I started writing almost immediately. In fact, my album “Purpose,” was going to be my next album, but I put my album “Heart, Soul, Mind & Strength,” ahead of it and that’s now planned for a November/December 2024 release.
With regard to the music from Taylor, the Beatles etc., I’ve been listening to it for so long, I think it just comes out naturally. However, with the CCM music, I find myself listening more intently to the structure of the songs, and the beautiful styles that are out there. I think this is because the words/messaging in CCM music is perhaps more important to the writer in that they are always trying to connect on a different level. Artists like Matt Redman, Matt Maher, Chris Tomlin and others, just amaze me in their ability to weave a beautiful message with an incredible melody. I hope that I’m influenced by such great writing.
Rue Johnson: How do you approach songwriting? What is your typical creative process?
Andrew Macdonald: It usually starts with something I want to write about. Fade Away is a great example. From there, I begin to work out a melody (first chorus) in my head. Since those can often be fleeting, I try to sing them into a recording on my phone immediately. I then build from there. I try not push the creative process, and let it occur naturally over time. (Except when my 103 year old mother asked me to write her a song for her birthday which was just a few weeks away. Some requests you can’t say “no” to.). I then go to my guitar and start putting it together. Then it’s off to the studio. It’s fun to work with the engineer to develop the final song. I want to explore more sounds so I can incorporate more creativity and versatility into my writing.
There are also those times where the melody comes first, and I then put words to it. “Coming Home,” was like that. The melody part seems to come very naturally to me. I have melodies continually running in my head. My introduction to the CCM genre has opened up a whole new world of possibilities.
Rue Johnson: Your upcoming cover of Matt Redman’s “Heart of Worship” is set to release on October 3rd. What drew you to this particular song, and how do you envision adding your unique touch to it?
Andrew Macdonald: He has such wonderful music, but the softness and gentleness of his approach on this song I found to be quite special, especially in the context of what he was writing. You can almost imagine someone softly speaking this as a prayer. I felt it really fit with the overall theme of my album “Heart, Soul, Mind & Strength,” and rounded out the different tunes that are on the album. Being my first CCM album, I wanted to try various approaches and see where creativity would take me.
In terms of my ‘unique touch,’ I think with this song, you can hear or feel me, the person Andrew Macdonald; not just the artist, but the real person. When I recorded it, “I” was very present in the moment, and I hope that comes out. I think it can be a very personal song to the individual performing it, and I hope the listener hears “me,” and gets to know me as an artist and person a little better.
Rue Johnson: Are there any specific artists or songs that inspire your approach to covering music?
Andrew Macdonald: There are no specific artists or songs, but there are certain aspects that inspire me. I like it when an artist stays true to the song itself. At this point, I’m not confident enough to do something so very different to a song, but perhaps overtime that may change. And since I’m still in the discovery/defining stage of who I am as an artist, I don’t want to overthink this too much. The songs I have chosen to cover have a beauty and artistry to them, so I’m really careful to preserve that.
Rue Johnson: What do you believe sets your music apart in the Contemporary Christian Music scene?
Andrew Macdonald: Since I’ve only been doing this for a year, I’m not sure I know yet. But, I can tell you that my intention or hope is that the depth of my life’s experience (after 60+ years) will be something that not all can bring to their writing. So many begin at a young age, and build their life’s experience along the way. I’m starting now, with a full life to draw from.
Also, when I began my journey in this industry just 2 years ago, I would often hear the phrase “its all about the music.” I guess, for me it’s all about the message. The wonderful thing I find about the music is that it allows an artist to communicate a message in one language across multiple cultures, languages and situations. The music truly unites. And, with a Doctorate in education, Masters in Business, and enroute to a Masters in Theology, I’d like to think there’s a lot of additional depth that I can share through music. I’m really trying to draw my unique background and life’s journey that I think will really differentiate my writing.
Your upcoming album is titled Purpose. How did you choose this title, and what does it mean to you in the context of your music?
Andrew Macdonald: My personal mission in life has been to create a better world. It’s been a decades long journey. This gave me great purpose and from that point everything changed. I found that living with purpose is so powerful and important and I want to share that with others.
My first album, “To Have and to Hold,” was a concept album about lifelong love. This allowed me to explore the depth of love for another person along that journey. It was very emotional. It also allowed me to develop my writing ability and my confidence and with that I shifted my focus toward writing to inspire meaning and purpose in one’s life. The songs on “Purpose” take a lot of reflection and introspection. I really find myself going deep on what I’m trying to say both lyrically and musically. Since I’m trying to say something meaningful, I want to say it right.
Rue Johnson: Can you share the themes and messages you aim to explore throughout the album Purpose?
Andrew Macdonald: I’ve released four songs thus far: “Fade Away,” “You Believe In You,” “Mother Mom” (my greatest inspiration for purpose), and “Teacher,” acknowledging our great educators, the unsung inspirations in our life. Each of these came from a different place, but drew from the same theme. The title song will focus directly on having purpose in one’s life. Another theme will be “service,” as an objective of purpose. I also want to take a counter approach in looking at it from not having purpose and what that means. Lastly, leadership (specifically servant leadership), will be a topic I will try to address. These are themes that run throughout my life. My only hope is that I get there someday, and help others in the process.