Estranged Parents long for peace. It eludes us, especially in the early morning when the house is quiet or after we turn off the lights at night. Peace is disrupted when objects, photos, songs, or sounds remind us of our beloved strangers.
That’s why peace rises us as a central theme in the forthcoming book, Beloved Strangers: Devotions and Prayers for Estranged Parents.
On this episode of the podcast, Wayne Watson and I talk about:
His 1985 classic, “Peace that Passes Understanding,” will be a core song recommendation in the devotional.
Personal Connection
Wayne Watson loomed large in my LP, and later CD, collection in high school and college. Musically, his vocal power and the chord progressions he built in his songs created powerhouse anthems and contemplative ballads that I could listen to again and again.
In 1987, I traveled to Estes Park, Colorado to attend the Christian Artists Music Seminar. Wayne performed in concert, led worship, and presented a seminar on connecting with an audience. I attended every session he was involved in. During his evening concert, he mentioned that one of his sons was sick in his intro to the song “Watercolour Ponies.” (That album would go on to win the Dove Award for Pop Contemporary Album of the Year.)
The next morning, I found an early seat for the worship service, as did several others. I didn’t realize that Wayne’s family was there. Wayne emerged from the green room chatting with another artist, and then he saw his son. He made a bee line straight toward him, fell to his knees, and spent several minutes with him as if the rest of the world didn’t exist.
The care and attention he gave his son inspired me and I remember thinking, If I ever get to be a dad, I hope I can be as tender as him.
Brief Biography
Wayne has produced 23 #1 singles on Christian radio, including the most played song on Christian radio in 1991. Wayne is a member of The Christian Music Hall of Fame and has memorabilia on display at the Museum of Christian and Gospel Music in Nashville, Tenn.
Wayne has two grown sons and an adopted teenage son plus six grandchildren. He and his wife Meagan live in Texas.
Wayne’s Podcast | Support Wayne’s Work through ACT International
First Wayne Watson Podcast Episodes to Listen to:
Michael Omartian
Still Something to Say
From the Continental Singers to Focus on the Fmaily: Chuck Bolte’s Story
The Story Behind the Song: “Peace that Passes Understanding”
Wayne tells the story behind the moment he felt peace that didn’t make any sense.
Listen at about 9:30 into the interview
Songs Mentioned in the Episode
“Peace that Passes Understanding”
“Watercolour Ponies”
“Somewhere in the World”
“When God’s People Pray”
“Pray”
“Turning into Dad”
“For Such a Time as This”
“Another Time, Another Place” | “Tonight Show” Appearance
“Giants in the Land”
Fatherhood
Wayne was very close to his father.
Be sure to listen to the “pouch story at about 19 minutes into the interview
He wrote this song about his dad in 2000.
Regarding Baseball
Wayne loved baseball and was given a chance to play in college but involved himself in other matters. His son, Mayer, recently got to play in a U12 baseball tournament near the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY.
Listen at about 4 minutes into the interview.
My father also had baseball ties. For more on that, read this reflection.
Wayne’s Awards
Dove Awards
Grammys: Wayne has been nominated for two Grammy Awards and won one
He shares a Grammy win as part of the various-artists project Tribute – The Songs of Andraé Crouch (1996).
