Austins Bridge

1. Austins Bridge has its roots in Southern Gospel - but you've managed to be one of the very few artists to be accepted by both Southern Gospel and mainstream Christian music audiences. What's your formula to success?

Jason Baird: I think the key to success in this genre is to make sure that you don't completely abandon those who would usually listen to just traditional Southern Gospel music. Once we explain our "agenda" (trying to appeal to younger and older audiences in an effort to unify generations based on Titus 1 and 2) most of the people say "Oh yeah. That makes sense."

Justin: I wouldn’t necessarily say there is a specific formula. We’ve just tried to create a style of music that might appeal to a wide base of listeners. I think that the lines are becoming so blurred between all the genres that people are just flocking to “good” music. So, hopefully we can continue to make “good” music and gain more fans.

2. You guys were recently named by Billboard Magazine as one of the best new artists out there and an artist to watch. How does that affect you as musicians and ministers?

Jason: Well it puts a lot of pressure on us that's for sure. I think it just creates more of a drive to be that much more professional in our performances. As far as our ministry...it becomes much more important for us to "practice what we preach" in an effort to maintain our example.

Justin: As musicians, it’s flattering to be recognized and appreciated for something you’ve worked so hard on. It also adds pressure to live up to something that fans are expecting from you. As ministers, it’s humbling to know that God has chosen you for a specific task and that he has placed you on a platform that allows you to affect a large amount of people that are drawn to your music.

3. Tell us about your new recording - Times Like These.

Justin: This record has been nearly 2 years in the making, and we are so excited that it is finally out. It is a record full of amazing story songs and songs of encouragement and hope. We were very fortunate to have great songwriters contribute to this record and the collaboration with producer and musicians just to help make something that was magical.

Jason: Times Like These is a culmination of songs that express our Christian world view in every day language. Our goal was to create a record that not only encouraged the church (a body of believers) but also created a curiosity for those who would not typically attend church. This CD is a seed planter.

4. What was it like working with Rascal Flatts' Jay DeMarcus?

Justin: Everytime I’m asked this question it makes me smile. At first, it was so weird just because we grew up listening to Rascal Flatts and they’ve had such great success, so to even be in the same room with Jay was a little bit intimidating. The recording process became more and more merging of ideas, and it was great to get to trade ideas with someone who you’ve appreciated their music for so long. He is such an encouraging guy and is extremely talented, and we are very fortunate to be able to call him a friend.

Jason: It was a blast. It was so much fun getting to experience his expertise on a first hand basis. And of course, we soaked up everything we could while we were there.

5. What were some of the biggest musical and spiritual influences for this record?

Justin: Rascal Flatts, Keith Urban, Little Big Town and just soulful inspirations that we all grew up with.

Jason: On a musical level it would be a very eclectic group of artists. Justin and I have different tastes in music and come from very different musical backgrounds. I come from a Rock and Worship background, and he comes from a Bluegrass, Country and Black Gospel background. So, we could sit here and name off all the artists that we draw from in our creative process, but we would have to list so many different musicians it really wouldn't make sense. On a spiritual level our influences would be our parents, pastors and what the Lord shows us in our daily time with him.

6. Fans of Southern Gospel can already hear "Hold On to Jesus" on radio. Any plans to release to Soft AC and AC radio as well?

Justin: I’m not sure if "Hold On to Jesus" will make it or not, but we are definitely pitching our first single, “Mercy” to AC radio. Hopefully the fans will love it.

7. What songs on the new album have fans been reacting too the most? What songs do you find ministering to you the most?

Jason: "There Is A God." I think this song meets people where they are and does a great job of bringing people back to seeing the simplicity of our God.

Justin: Most of the reaction has been from “There is a God, ” “Hold on to Jesus” and “Mercy”. Those 3, I would say, would be the ones that we really like as well and never get tired of singing. Those songs just have such an incredible meaning and message. They’re so inspiring to sing because you can see how it touches people as the lyrics are coming out and it encourages us to continue to sing them night after night.

8. What can new fans expect to see and hear at an Austins Bridge concert?

Jason: They will get a lot of the new, mixed with some of the old songs we grew up with, wrapped in a very simple presentation. We don't ever want to be preachy. We would rather be real and transparent to people. That is what our world needs most right now.

Justin: Just come out expecting to hear some good songs with great messages and also our hearts. We try to be very transparent because I think people have seen enough of the fake and they’re longing for something that is real and relevant. We want to share what we’ve been thru and hopefully from our struggles and trials, someone else may gain the strength they need to keep on keepin’ on.

9. What has God been teaching you lately?

Justin: Lately, God has really been working patience in me. I’ve always heard that you should never pray for patience because God will place opportunities in your path for you to practice patience, but he has been revealing the truth of the scripture that his ways are so much higher than our ways. I just keep relying on the fact that ALL things work together for the good of them that love the Lord and are called according to his purpose.

Jason: I have been learning about how to communicate with God and be real with Him. I have a 6-year-old at home who has taught me more about communication with God than any book or pastor ever has. We are supposed to come to him as little children. What better illustrates that than a child.

10. Any additional information that you would like to share?

Justin: Thanks to all those who have shown interest in helping get our record into the hands of the one’s who need to hear it the most. We want to get out a message that there is hope for the hopeless and that God loves those who think they are unlovable. So for all those who love the music, pass it along and pray that it blesses someone else.

Jason: You can order our CD by going to austinsbridge.com. Check us out and come out to see us. We want to meet ya!