THIS IS EPISODE 22 OF THE SPORTS SPECTRUM PODCAST
Robby Shaffer is a drummer with the highly successful Christian band MercyMe.
He joined the band in 1997 and has been a staple of the band ever since.
MercyMe has sold more than 9 million units on CD, single and DVD sales and garnered more than 28 No. 1 multi-format Christian radio singles.
They have sold out venues across the U.S. and Canada and have appeared on the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, The Today Show, CBS This Morning, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Fox News, CNN and ABC News.
Their ninth studio album, “LIFER” is out now and their first single, “EVEN IF” has been a huge smash, playing on radio stations across the country.
On this episode of the podcast, Robby shares with us how he became a part of the band, how he ended up sneaking Bibles into China as a teen, his LOVE for baseball, getting to take batting practice at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, how his faith was tested during his teen years, and how they choose which songs to play on tour.
We are also giving you a chance to win MercyMe’s new album “LIFER” — Listen to the podcast to find out details how you can win your own copy of the CD.
TIMELINE:
4:15 – The response to the new album ‘LIFER’
6:50 – Which song was supposed to be the first release on ‘LIFER’?
8:50 – How an album gets conceived and put together.
13:00 – Making Jesus Lord of his life.
14:45 – Wrestling with God’s plan.
17:55 – Sneaking Bibles into China
22:10 – How he became a member of MercyMe
27:50 – Signing his first record deal.
30:00 – Releasing the song “I Can Only Imagine”
38:05 – His love for sports and being a musician who wanted to be an athlete.
39:15 – Who was Robby’s sports hero as a kid?
40:30 – Being connected to sports figures and teams that he is a fan of because of his job as a drummer
43:05 – Being big sports fans and connecting into the sports world.
46:10 – Has there been a time where they almost broke up as a band?
49:40 – Do they ever mess up and mistakes in concert?
51:45 – Putting together a set or playlist for touring.
53:45 – Coolest moment he’s had in his 23 years of being with MercyMe
56:40 – What is God teaching Robby right now?
FAVORITE QUOTES:
“Most of our songs some out of something in our life or a life struggle.”
“We throw ideas out there and if something hits, we run with it.”
“We all wanted to lead people in worship and we all wanted to music as our sole occupation.”
“We stopped pursuing a record deal and just trusted God.”
“The one song (I Can Only Imagine) that you would think would never go on a mainstream radio station is the one that did well.”
“We write songs for the church and from life experiences.”
“Sports Spectrum was a magazine I got as a kid because my parents wouldn’t allow me to get Sports Illustrated.”
“It’s a top-5 moment of my life.” (going on the field and taking batting practice at Busch Stadium in St. Louis)
“I love watching sports, learning about sports and having teams to root for.”
“To meet these guys and see that they are the same on the field as they are off the field, people like Albert Pujols and others, that’s amazing.”
“Our identity is not what you see on stage. Our identity is not MercyMe. Our identity is the spirit that lives inside of us everyday. That’s who we are. We’re holy, righteous and redeemed”
“His mercies are new everyday.”
“Being able to have been shown grace through the cross, from the band guys, my wife, and my kids, it’s teaching me to be able to show grace to the people around me.”
You can follow Robby on Instagram at @RobbyShaffer.
Robby Shaffer of MercyMe.
(Photo Courtesy: Robby Shaffer)
